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WASHINGTON (CBS.MW) - Business-to-business Web sites may offer the potential for cheaper and faster transactions, but regulators are nervous about what might happen when competitors are brought closer together.
The Federal Trade Commission kicked off a two-day workshop Thursday aimed at examining the implications of so-called B2B Web sites. The FTC said the workshop is aimed at developing a broader understanding of how the B2B markets would work. A panel set for Friday afternoon will examine the antitrust issues raised by the markets.
The FTC is already investigating a planned B2B exchange funded by the Big 3 automakers and the Justice Department is looking closely at a plan funded by five major U.S. airlines to sell tickets over the Web. So far, 25 airlines have signed on to participate in the site.
Robert Lande, a law professor at the University of Baltimore Law School, said it's no surprise some of the planned B2B operations have raised eyebrows among antitrust authorities.
The airlines involved in the Orbitz travel site, for example, control more than 80 percent of the market, Lande said. Competitors fear that the participants could save their best fares for the system, shutting out rival Web sites and travel agents.
There's nothing that prevents an individual airline from reserving its best fares for its own site, but it would possibly be a different story if Orbitz collectively reserved the participating airlines' lowest fares. Such a move could possibly be viewed as an attempt to illegally monopolize the market for travel services, Lande said.
Similarly, the exchange being established by the automakers raises worries that the companies could band together through collusion or price signaling to exert monopsony buying power.
Meanwhile, participants in the exchanges contend they will aim to structure the enterprises with an eye toward addressing antitrust worries.
"When major competitors come together, there's always a risk of evil things happening or harm being created," said Paul Penler, director of e-market assurance services at Ernst & Young. "However, the potential benefits of the efficiencies that can be created from these markets are so great that I think it justifies the business of these exchanges moving forward."
Penler contends that self-regulation, verified by independent third parties, may offer the best hope for the industry.
"Whether we do the right thing will depend on whether the self-regulation … can really take off. If we can make it work, I think it will. If it doesn't then there might be some horror stories," he said.


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But he often forgot what he had read, and he had to re-read the same books many times.
- Don't keep books opened, - once his grandmother had said him. - The devil reads left off-hand opened books, and then you forget all, that is written there.
The boy had become thoughtful.
" It is the reason! - He had thought. – Till now I'll never keep the books opened! "
But he had pity devil, which, probably, very like to read too… And he became to think, how to make such, that and he nothing forgets, both the devil would not be without reading.
The boy thought a long time, and had invented. "Let me give to devil something, which I did not read. Then, naturally, I could not forget anything, and devil would be pleased ".
The boy was very much delighted to this decision, which one was truly worthy of Solomon. He had taken one of his sister's books (which was a tutorial on geography), and had put it on the best place behind the desktop. Then our boy has prolonged reading "Robinson Crusoe", diligently inverting pages both for himself, and for the devil.
This day the sister turned back from the school into tears.
- Teacher of geography asked me the lesson, - she told, - and I feel, that remember nothing. That is too insulting, because of I really had read all. And I have forgotten totally at once!
The boy pity sister. Of cause, he has not told her anything, but he has decided henceforth to give to devil only something which cannot to have such consequences.
He comes to a paternal cabinet to look what is possible to give to devil for the reading.
The father of our boy was the chief-editor of a thick literary journal, and some reading in his cabinet was too much. So, the boy had become to search.
The journal, where the father of our boy worked, was not only thick, but also venerable, and it published only thick and venerable writers, considering below dignity to pay any attention to others.
Specious, at the end of each journal number, everybody, who can read, would have read a sacral phrase: "the manuscripts are not reviewed and returned". And everybody, who can think, would have thought: "and are not published". However more and more some cranks send own manuscripts to this journal. Such manuscripts added in the heap, which, according to the father words, was "a waiting room" for the wastebasket. And this heap was small only after general cleaning.
- Maybe, though the devil would interest it, - the boy has thought, and has dragged therefrom first fallen manuscript.
Some days have passed, and once the boy unintentionally has heard the talk of his parents.
- … he wrote the novel all his life, and nobody wanted to read it. He has coaxed me to take his "scripture". And yesterday he was taken by ambulance with a total amnesia.
That night the boy dreamed the road, on which the devil and that writer slowly went and talked. The boy never saw neither devil, nor that writer, but at once he had recognized both. They left away from our World. In the morning the boy very much would like to read, what this person has written, but the sheets of the manuscript were carbonized, and the characters could not be understood.
Since that day the boy stop to forget the read books. In due course, as it often happens, he also became a chief-editor of a Thick and Venerable Literary Journal. Never in reality and in a dream, he saw either that author, or the devil, but each time opening a new manuscript, he hoped to see that one, which nobody had found a time to read, before it become too late. However, the heap of the unread manuscripts did not become less from it...
Свидетельство о публикации №105072500902

subset: commoncrawl


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Suspended sediment source and propagation during monsoon events across nested sub-catchments with contrasted land uses in Laos
Suspended sediment source and propagation during monsoon events across nested sub-catchments with contrasted land uses in Laos - Descarga este documento en PDF. Documentación en PDF para descargar gratis. Disponible también para leer online.
* Corresponding author 1 IEES - Institut d-écologie et des sciences de l-environnement de Paris 2 LSCE - Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l-Environnement Gif-sur-Yvette 3 NAFRI - National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute 4 DALaM - Department of Agricultural Land Management 5 GET - Géosciences Environnement Toulouse
Abstract : Study regionHouay Xon catchment in northern Laos.Study focusBecause agricultural headwater catchments of SE Asia are prone to erosion and deliver a significant proportion of the total suspended sediment supply to major rivers and floodplains, the potential sources of sediments and their dynamics were studied for two successive storm flow events in June 2013. Characterization of suspended sediment loads was carried out along a continuum of 7 monitoring stations, combining analyses of fallout radionuclides, particle borne organic matter and stream water properties.New hydrological insightsRadionuclide activities showed that remobilization of soil particles deposited during the previous rainy season or supplied by riverbank erosion is the dominant process, although pulses of surface-soil derived sediments also propagate downstream. This interpretation is supported by suspended organic matter data that also fingerprints the mixing of surface soil vs. subsurface particles. The study moreover highlights the advantages and the drawbacks of combining fallout radionuclides, particle borne organic matter composition and stream water characteristics to discriminate and quantify sediment sources and dynamics in rural areas undergoing urban sprawl.
Keywords : Suspended sediments 137Cs 210Pbxs 7Be Total organic matter composition
Autor: Sylvain Huon - Olivier Evrard - Elian Gourdin - Irène Lefèvre - Thierry Bariac - Jean-Louis Reyss - Thierry Henry Des Tureaux -
Fuente: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/


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I`ve read the literature published by Tea Party organizations, and it leaves the impression that the movement`s overriding concerns are keeping taxes low, fighting big government, and repealing Obama`s health plan. In other words, a casual look at the Tea Party Movement makes you think it`s a typical conservation organization.
But there is something rotten at the core of the movement, and you need to watch footage of Tea party demonstrations to sense the evil and the danger that it poses to a democratic, secular and pluralistic society.
Out of curiosity I went to a Tea Party demonstration in my town, and I didn`t see a single person of color. Check out the Tea Party demonstrations on YouTube, and you will see a sea of angry white faces.
Minorities have a sixth sense when it comes to sniffing out racism and discrimination, and we can sense when a group or organization doesn`t have our best interests at heart. But you don`t have to be a minority or a psychologist to discern that the Tea Party movement is racist.
The Tea Party uses standard conservative talking points as a cover, but the movement`s not so hidden agenda is to keep blacks, Hispanics and other minorities in their place.
Why are the tea partiers so vehemently opposed to health care reform? Because a disproportionate number of minorities don`t have any health insurance, and tea partiers want to keep things as they are.
Tea partiers love to hold up signs, and many of them reveal their racist tendencies. I have seen tea partiers holding up signs dehumanizing and condemning undocumented workers: Send wetbacks back to Mexico! Fight Crime, Deport illegals!
Of course tea partiers don`t have much love for African Americans either, who can forget the sorry spectacle of tea partiers shouting "nigger" at civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis?
I`ve yet to see a single Hispanic give a speech or play a prominent role in a Tea Party gathering, in fact I haven`t even seen any Latinos attend a Tea Party shindig.
Unfortunately, I`ve witnessed a few token African Americans speak at Tea Party conventions and demonstrations. These blacks are traitors to their race and to the ideals of democracy and liberty, and they deserve to be called "Uncle Toms".
Angela McGlowan is a black congressional candidate from Mississippi who is involved in The Party. This woman is not only a traitor to her race, but she`s an idiot as well. For a black person from the Deep South to be a part of a racist organization just boggles the mind.
The Tea Party must be condemned and exposed not only by people of color, but by every American who values diversity, liberty and freedom.
Follow Robert Paul Reyes on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robertpaulreyes


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The Nola Nerd Couple celebrate the 4th of July weekend by talking about Captain America: Civil War. Joining the podcast, is Mr. Nola Nerd Couple's sister, Natalie. We discuss how they handled all the characters and made us really care about each one. We also look to the future and discuss upcoming Marvel movies.
Also, we are now hosted on PodBean and will soon be on iTunes in case you want to download the podcast and listen while you drive to work!


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Kagerō Village (陽炎の里, Kagerō no Sato; English TV "Heat Devil Village"; Literally meaning "Heat Haze Village"), introduced in the anime, was a small village located in the Land of Mountains. Thirty years before the series begins, it was at war with Konoha. After a surprise attack led by Jiraiya and several Konoha ninja, they declared a cease-fire. Two weeks later, however, another rival village wiped them out. Only Gennō, who had been in Konoha at the time planting explosive tags for a possible counter-attack, survived its destruction.
New account: DontDeny


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Listen and download mp3 music Tulus - Bumerang by gafirzl from SoundCloud.
Title: Tulus - Bumerang
Duration: 03:58
Genre: jazz
Upload Date: 17 February 2014
Uploader: gafirzl
Description:Jangan lupa beli cd original atau download di iTunes :)(itunes.apple.com/gb/album/gajah/id819066105)
untuk lagu isyana ada disini ya :)
Download Tulus - Bumerang by gafirzl from SoundCloud. Listen to music for free in the best quality.
Disclaimer: We don't host or cache any audio/music files on our server. All audio/music files are hosted on SoundCloud server(s). This track was uploaded by gafirzl on SoundCloud. Free download of Tulus - Bumerang is available for preview purpose only. Please consider buying original CDs/DVDs/digitals to support the artist.
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The perfect way to start your day!
Serves 3
- 150g rolled oats
- 20g flaked almonds
- 25g golden sultanas
- 50g grated apple
- 25g goji berries
- 200ml apple juice
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 200g natural or flavoured yoghurt
- Coarsely grate the apple. Mix the grated apple, rolled oats, apple juice, sultanas, goji berries, yoghurt and cinnamon in a bowl until well combined. Cover and place in the fridge for 3-4 hours or overnight.
- If the muesli has been soaking overnight, add a little extra yoghurt, only as desired. Top with the almonds and serve.
Alternative options:
- Use milk instead of juice to increase your protein and calcium levels.
- Add more nuts to increase your healthy fats.
- Use a variety of fresh fruits either in the mix or added on top of the muesli.
This muesli is high in fibre which is important for good bowel function and the soluble fibre in the rolled oats can help lower your cholesterol.
It has a low glycaemic index, meaning that it will provide you with sustained energy right through your busy morning. It's also a great option for people with diabetes.
The antioxidants in the berries are also important disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe they help prevent and repair the stress that comes from oxidation, a natural process that occurs during normal cell function.
And don't forget the calcium, which is needed for strong bones. Calcium, combined with vitamin D has a role in the prevention of osteoporosis (or brittle bones).
A breakfast of white toast and butter provides less fibre and does not have the variety of vitamins and minerals that can promote good health. You are also more likely to run out of energy halfway through the morning and munch on other unhealthy snacks.
Our bircher muesli recipe is power-packed with nutrition and will give you the health boost you need at the beginning of every day. It can help you feel fuller for longer, making it easier to choose other healthy options later in the day.


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Yo Soy Lo Que Soy: Los Experiencias de Los Gay Inmigrantes de la Bahia de San Francisco Cross-Cultural, Community-Participatory Filmmaking as a Culminating Experience Project of the SFSU MPH Program Brad A. Vanderbilt Spring 2007
Problem Statement Gay Latino immigrants face significant challenges related racism and homophobia which pose important contextual factors that seriously impact individual and community health among gay Latino immigrants, and contribute to significant health disparities including a disproportionate burden of HIV infection.
Purpose To highlight, through a documentary film produced in a cross- cultural, community participatory process, ways that Bay Area gay-identified Latino immigrants cope with oppression and to increase awareness of ways gay Latino immigrants are building on community assets to create a stronger, more resilient community.
Four Big Ideas Social/contextual factors influencing individual/community health, and the impact of community engagement on health. Ways in which process-focused filmmaking within a social-justice framework may contribute to individual/community health. Challenges/opportunities in community-participatory health education. Challenges/opportunities in cross-cultural collaboration in health education.
Methods Formative Research Community Engagement Filmmaking Distribution Evaluation
Results Community Showcase Screenings /Community Forums Distribution Plan Process as Product Yo Soy Lo Que Soy
Findings Participants Reported: Project Created Space to Acknowledge Challenges Project Created Space to Celebrate Strengths Project Created Opportunities for Enhanced Social Support, Networks Project Reflected Respect and Concern for the Community Input Project Made a Positive Contribution to the Community
Conclusions: were all tied together… Cross-Cultural Collaborations for community health are as challenging as they are rewarding. Aspiring to cultural humility means learning that the best way to step up as a community leader is knowing when to step back. Community Participatory Health Education Requires An Ability to Let Go, Have Faith and Breathe. And it calls us to explore more deeply the ethical nuances of professional work on very personal issues in communities in which we have deep and extensive connections. Social and Contextual factors have a profound impact on the health of individual and communities, both for good and for ill. To encourage the good, and stem the bad, requires hard work up-stream and down. Process-focused filmmaking can make a powerful contribution to community health by creating an enduring document of the struggle to find community-based solutions to cope with and counter structural factors negatively impacting health.
Personal Reflections Intersectionality, Overlapping Communities Many Hats, Many Roles CBPR: this time, its personal Whats Love Got To Do With It?
Yo Soy Lo Que Soy: Los Experiencias de Los Gay Inmigrantes de la Bahia de San Francisco >
Besos+Abrazos SOMOS CAB Members, The Principals + The April 7th Shoot Team Members of AGUILAS, GELAAM, Hermanos + ProLatino Rafael Diaz + the César Chavez Institute Lisa Moore, José Ramon Fernandez-Peña + Rachel Poulin Raging Stallion Studios, Michael Brandon + Kent Taylor SF LGBT Center + DeFrank Center (SJ) Roma Guy, Vivian Chavez, Café Flore, Jamie Awad, Club Papi + Gloria Trevi Jose Carlos, Carlos, Carlos Alfredo, Alfredo, Alfredo, Nelson, Jesus, Rodrigo, Robert + Omar Andy, Erin, Ben, Jorge, Dani, Ernesto, Chris, Garza, Mama Dora, Giselle, Trauma Flintstone, Tom Orr, Jaqueline La Cubana, Mercedes Monroe the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Love Shack, Samer, Roudi, Tarek, Tarek, Saed + Ghassan Injeanious, Rock Hard, Rythmo Latino, Eros, Nickel Spa CIN527, Vicky+Liliana, MPH Cohort 2007 Mom&Dad, TT&G, Penny, Naomi&Dan + Jean Drolet
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The daughter of a Union Pipefitter Welder and a schoolteacher, Abby Finkenauer grew up in a blue-collar family in Dubuque County, Iowa. Along with her older siblings, she became a part of the first generation of her family to graduate from college. In 2014, Abby was elected to represent Dubuque in the Iowa Legislature, where she is known as a staunch defender of working families and a vocal advocate for women.
As government and policy decisions have made it more difficult each year for working Iowans to get ahead, Abby has been on the front lines fighting back and making sure hardworking Iowans have a voice and a vote. Abby knows that comprehensive campaign finance reform is essential to ensuring that the needs of Iowa's families are not ignored amid the clamor of Big Money donors and powerful special interests. "It's long past time we clean up our campaign finance system and get big money out of politics so we can restore the influence of working Americans," Abby says. "The future of Iowa and our country depends on it."
Click here to read Abby Finkenauer's answers to the Official End Citizens United PAC Candidate Questionnaire.
Candidate for Texas' 7th Congressional District


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The icing on this cake was a very thin icing sugar, water and elderflower mixture. I decided to try a more fluffy frosting. This wasn't very successful to be honest - it was very runny, and had no taste of elderflower at all, despite trebling the quantities of elderflower stated in the original recipe. I have included the original icing recipe for the icing as I can't really see any way to make a thick frosting have an elderflower taste as either the butter or cream cheese completely overpowers it.
The lemon cake however was brilliant, the texture was really light and fluffy. The lemon taste was very mild however, so I have upped this a bit in the recipe below.
200g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
225g granulated sugar
45g ground almonds
grated zest of 2 lemons
2 eggs
90ml sunflower oil
250ml low fat yoghurt
1/2 tbsp lemon essence
225g icing sugar
1 tsp elderflower cordial
4 tsp water
- Heat oven to 180C and line a muffin tray with 12 cases
- Sift flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the sugar, almonds and grated lemon zest and mix.
- In a seperate bowl beat the eggs with the oil and yoghurt. Add the lemon essence.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until everything is smooth and combined.
- Spoon evenly into the paper cases no more than 2/3 full (it rises a lot!) and bake for 20 minutes until a skewer placed in the centre comes out clean.
- Place cupcakes on a wire rack to cool.
- Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the elderflower cordial. Add the water a little at a time to make a thick icing.
- When the cupcakes are cool spoon a tablespoon of icing onto each one and spread evenly.


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Well I created this blog and then never wrote in it again... what good was that? haha
Thing's got crazy in life and I honestly forgot all about the blog so here I am, attempt number 2 at trying to re-cap the last year of Bailey's life for everyone.
Since April of last year Bailey has had several tests done but most importantly an MRI of her brain that may or may not change our lives now and in the future. The MRI showed an under-developed Corpus Collosum (the part of your brain that connects one side to the other). We don't know much about it but it COULD cause major developmental delays amongst other things in her future.
Bailey has made such tremendous progress with her hands and feet that her doctors are leaning towards the fact that she has another diagnosis on top of the Arthrogryposis that may be Neurological do to the MRI results, expressive language delay, and now feeding issues again 18 months later. They have NO answers for us at the moment as to what this diagnosis may be. It's frustrating and we often leave the hospital in tears but we are trying to patiently play the waiting game.
In July of 09' I had the privilege of going to the AMCsupport.org Convention in Philadelphia, PA. We met tons of families and gained alot of resourceful information on our trip. I'd like to say it eased my heart a little considering these people have become family to me over the last year and it was great to finally see faces and not just pictures over the computer. They make the hard days much easier to get through!
While we were in Philly we got to meet with Dr. Judith Hall and Geneticist who has researched Arthrogryposis for over 40 years and she is the reason Bailey's doctors are now leaning towards another diagnosis. She thinks Bailey is rare, possibly the rarest of the rare. She's never seen a child quite like her. We are in contact through e-mail and she is such a sweet and caring woman. I'm SO thankful I had the opportunity to meet her and take in all her knowledge. I'm so glad she has chosen to follow Bailey's progress and speak to her doctors.
We are currently waiting to see if Dr. Bamshad of Seattle Children's Hospital is interested in seeing Bailey and possibly giving us new answers to what is going on. He was mentored by Dr. Hall so we are afraid he may not have anymore answers than she did but we are hopeful and patiently waiting for him to make his decision.
Since last year Bailey has mastered crawling, it started off rocky but she got the hang of it. Still slow speed but she got around. Now at 18 months she has started walking with the help of Shriner's made AFO's and lot's of practice. She isn't a perfect walker and we still have lots of falls but she's WALKING. My god it's a miracle. :)
In the last month we have approached an old but new conflict. As you can read in the previous post when Bailey was born she would not eat without choking and turning blue. Overtime this got better and slowly went away at least that's what we thought. She has had a few small episodes over the last year but nothing I thought was too serious. All of a sudden in the last month she has started choking again but it is almost everyday, not always to the point of turning blue but still happening. It is VERY frightening and has turned into a very serious matter. Last week we got a repeated swallow study done since the last one was at only a few months of age. It didn't really show much except a little residue staying in her throat after swallowing but no aspiration into the lungs or anything. You would think I'd be ecstatic over that but I'm not that happy. Since there was nothing found that either means its neurological or low tone in her throat. We go tomorrow for a GI consult and hopefully they will have some answers other than a temporary feeding tube as we were told. Honestly we'll do anything to stop the choking. It's just such a risk that can't be taken lightly anymore.
We also have an EEG scheduled for Thursday to out-rule seizure activity from Bailey's "shutter attacks".
We're headed to Shriners on Friday to get fitted for new AFO's and to show Dr. vB that Bailey is now a walking girl and hopefully he'll have some suggestions to keep her from walking on the side of her right foot. Her PT's are afraid she may be causing damage to her ankle walking like that but we'll see what he has to say.
We have alot going on this month but we're trying to take thing's one day at time and one step at a time.
I will update next week after all of her appointments to let everyone know what's happened and where we stand.
Thanks for all your support and strength!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Hello, almost a year later....
Posted by Bailey's Mommy at 1:21 PM
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Work has started on the construction of a new 632-bed student village in Lancaster.
Groundwork is now underway at the Caton Road site to create several blocks of student accommodation with a library, gym and cinema.
Developers say it will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.
The left lane of Caton Road is closed until Friday July 7 to allow some of the initial groundworks to take place.
Hines UK Ltd, an American company with offices in London, said the work would take around two years to complete.
The site is scheduled to open for the 2019 intake of students.
Managing director for Hines UK Alex Knapp said: "We are pleased that construction work on site is now well underway, and we are working towards completion in time for the new academic year in 2019.
"Creating a strong sense of community and providing students with a memorable living experience lies at the heart of our approach to development, and the 632-bed student accommodation campus will also incorporates a range of shared facilities including a roof level lounge, library, gym and cinema."
The development looks set to be the biggest of its kind in the city centre in recent years.
It includes eight buildings for student accommodation and a flagship rounded building on the corner of Bulk Road and Caton Road.
The site has been derelict for a number of years, and has been described as an "eyesore".
The development will dramatically change the skyline in Lancaster.


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So, despite the technical difficulties we had, we hope you all enjoy this week's episode 'Right Next To My Pager' and we would love to hear your thoughts as well on the subject. Simply post a comment here on the website or email us at the email listed below.
If you would like to get involved in this discussion or any others we have had or will have drop us line at email@example.com or you can tweet us @jayeofmanyhats, @yaggles23, @elynnesparx & @elihusmails1978. Hope to hear from you all!
Stay classy and thanks for dropping by!
This weeks music
The Power of Love - I Fight Dragons
Dancing With Myself - The Donnas
Oh Boy! - She & Him
All music available on Itunes (http://www.apple.com/itunes/?cid=OAS-US-DOMAINS-itunes.com)


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To kick off the "Grand Opening!" of our blog we decided to highlight the best month of the year for us here at the visitors center…Tourism Month! In honor of Tourism Month the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau and the Waterloo Conventions and Visitors Bureau held their 8th annual Toast to Tourism Event on Thursday, May 17th. The event was held at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center and had over 125 guests in attendance all representing tourism in the Cedar Valley. The night started off with a half hour social and entertainment from Noah Mauer followed by an awards ceremony led by Kim Manning, Director of Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau, and Aaron Buzza, Director of Waterloo Conventions and Visitors Bureau. The awards for the night included Hotel of the Year, Organization of the Year, Event of the Year, Attraction of the Year, and the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Friends of Tourism Awards. The award winners were as follows:
Hotel of the Year: The Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo
Organization of the Year: R.J. McElroy Trust
Event of the Year: Sturgis Falls Celebration!
Attraction of the Year: National Cattle Congress
Cedar Falls Friend of Tourism: Ward Stubbs, retired Director of Cedar Falls Human & Leisure Services Department
Waterloo Friend of Tourism: Tracey Godon, Director of UNI's Overseas Recruitment Fair
The awards were handed out by the 2011 Toast to Tourism award winners. Thank you to all who have supported and advocated for Tourism in the Cedar Valley in the past year!
Check out Visit Cedar Falls Flickr for more pictures of the 2012 Toast to Tourism: http://www.flickr.com/photos/visitcedarfalls/sets/72157629952412472/
Written by Chelsea Hartman
6510 Hudson Road
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319.268.4266 Phone
800.845.1955 Toll Free


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Two nights ago I was sitting in the cinema watching The BFG. It was about 5 minutes before the film finished, when I had the most tickley throat ever. I'm not sure how to describe just how itchy it was. The cough came in, and the more I tried to hold it in, the more it came out. I ended up quickly sneaking out and now have a lovely cold. It's expected, because I normally get sick sometime during winter. It's the time where I will get out my beanie, scarf, cosy socks and coat and dress as if it's snowing outside. There's not much to it, except to wait until the cold gets better. However, it's important to get enough rest and not do anything that may make it worst.
listen to music / Listening to uplifting music can make us feel happier, make the time go by and just remind yourself that you'll get better soon.
drink warm water / When I'm sick, I find drinking something warm keeps my body warm and soothes my throat.
sleep and rest / Your body needs rest to get better. Sometimes having a nice sleep with layers of clothes and layers of blankets, will help make you feel a lot better.
watch a movie / While you're wrapped in your blankets, watch a movie on your laptop and just relax. Being sick is the perfect time to do absolutely nothing.
read a book / Get yourself into a really good book. I really want to read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, before watching the film.
eat something / When I'm sick my appetite seems to be much smaller. Your body needs food to keep you alive and give you energy.
take a hot shower / There's nothing better than taking a nice steamy shower, then slipping into comfy clothes.
write something / Hence what I'm doing while I am sick. Writing is a great way to make time fly and pour out your thoughts onto paper or online.
browse on pinterest / I don't know if it's just me, but I can look on pinterest for a solid hour, at just photos of things I may like or find inspiring – quotes, images, art, animals, fashion.
skype someone / Talk to someone close to you. It's good to be distracted and not focus on being sick.
stare out the window / If you live in an apartment, it can be amusing to stare out the window at the people on the streets, the birds flying past and the cars passing by.
cuddle your cats / Although I am catless at the moment. I imagine when I have cats I would just cuddle them around the house or let them lie on my tummy.


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She is an Oscar-winning actress famous for her sleek red carpet looks.
And it appears Sandra Bullock, 48, is passing on her style acumen to her son Louis.
Both mother and son wore their trousers folded at the ankle as the actress fetched her three-year-old son from school on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Mommy's mini-me: Sandra Bullock and her son Louis both sported trousers folded at the ankle as she fetched him from school on Tuesday in Los Angeles
Sandra wore khaki trousers folded at the ankle while she dotingly carried Louis on her hip, who looked adorable in his rolled up jeans.
The star looked stylishly casual in the trousers, which she paired with a simple V-neck T-shirt and brown leather sandals.
She wore her brown hair in a messy bun atop her head and shielded her eyes with giant cat-eye shades.
Happy chap: Louis clapped his hands as he famous mother held him close as the pair got ready to leave his school for the day
Always stylish: The 48-year-old was dressed-down chic in khaki trousers paired with a white T-shirt and brown leather sandals
Louis, meanwhile, looked cute in his jeans and a grey T-shirt, and he appeared happy as he clapped his hands and chatted to his mom as she listened attentively.
Sandra carried his school suitcase and a Trader Joe's grocery bag while cradling him close with her free arm.
The actress is a hands-on mother and is regularly seen dropping her son off and picking him up from his preschool.
Glamour girl: The actress wore her highlighted brown hair in a bun atop her head and shielded her eyes with giant cat-eye shades
Sandra adopted Louis back in January 2010, when she was still married to Jesse James, and finalized the adoption as a single parent when the two split.
The Blind Side actress had said that adopting her son has changed her outlook on life.
She recently told Extra: 'If you let a child into your life, you get a second chance at a childhood and you do things you thought were long past.'


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Aesthetics and Neoromanticism in Film: Landscapes in Contemporary British Cinema (International Library of Visual Culture)By: Stella Hockenhull (author)Hardback
Up to 2 WeeksUsually despatched within 2 weeks
DescriptionThe contemporary study of film is dominated by narrative theory - yet films include scenes and images which do not perform a narrative task but nevertheless provoke an emotional response. Stella Hockenhull looks at the painterly dimensions inherent in the medium of film, arguing that an aesthetic analysis enables a fuller appreciation of the visual 'spectacle' of cinema. In a reading of the formal aspects in film imagery in contemporary British films spanning social realist, melodrama and horror genres, Hockenhull demonstrates how the spiritual aspects of landscape and nature mobilise a Neo-Romantic effect. She traces the influence of Romanticism and notions of the Sublime in key British films including Sweet Sixteen, The Queen, Ratcatcher, Eden Lake, 28 Days Later, My Summer of Love and The Last Great Wilderness. Operating at the intersection between film theory, art theory and aesthetics, this is a vital contribution which enables a fuller, multidimensional understanding of cinematic experience.
About AuthorStella Hockenhull is a Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, based at the Wolverhampton City Campus. Prior to working at Wolverhampton, she taught at Chester Art College, Liverpool University and Staffordshire University. She is the author of Neo-Romantic Landscapes: An Aesthetic Approach to the Films of Powell and Pressburger (2008).
ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Aesthetics and Emotion: Remystifying Film Studies 1 Ruckenfigurs and Realism: from Sweet Sixteen to Better Things 2 Sublime Horror: Moorlands, Mountains and Mudflats in the 'Not Home' Setting 3 Female Landscapes: No Prospects for The Queen, the Ladies in Lavender, The Magdalene Sisters or Miss Potter 4 The Dream of Home: Hopes, Holidays and Happenings in the Accented Film Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
Product Details
- publication date: 30/11/2013
- Format: Hardback
- Number Of Pages: 288
Delivery Information
- Saver Delivery: Yes
- 1st Class Delivery: Yes
- Courier Delivery: Yes
- Store Delivery: Yes


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Innovation and Research
Design, fuelled by scientific enquiry and delivered with creative imagination
We are interested in understanding how the world around us works and how we can most effectively harness the potential of our surroundings to create healthy environments that work with nature rather than against it. By undertaking research work as a core activity of our business we are able to continually develop our skills and expertise in order to provide state of the art thinking to our projects.
Our expert team is involved in a range of cutting edge research work which is applied directly to live projects. We are able to apply our Building Physics and Biology expertise to enhance our projects and deliver added value to our Clients.
Our research work often attracts significant funding for our Clients' projects which allows additional time and energy to be spent on the projects giving added depth and understanding.
Over the years we have undertaken a range of research work including designing to meet future climate change, in-depth monitoring of our buildings in use and producing a number of technical publications on low energy buildings and Permaculture design.
The research work that we undertake is focused to compliment our ecological design approach to building and landscape design. Innovative materials and systems are often tested on our own properties for assessment in terms of application and performance before being specified in projects.
The research work to date has covered the following aspects of design and construction:
Low Energy Design – our research work centres around ensuring that we know how our buildings work in theory and in practice. Our passive design approach requires an integrated way of viewing the performance of a building from the building fabric through to the mechanical and electrical systems. We extensively use our thermal modelling expertise using IES (Integrated Environmental Systems) dynamic software and PHPP (Passivhaus Planning Package) as standard tools to model our buildings. We also possess a range of energy monitoring equipment including: weather, temperature and humidity sensors, thermal imaging camera.
Future Climate Ready – we have undertaken three separate Design for Future Climate Change research projects on live developments for our Clients. The work has been funded by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) who is funded by the UK Government. This cutting edge research work has enabled us to design buildings that will continue to perform in a climate changing world into the future up to and beyond 2080. A range of strategies can be successfully incorporated in the initial design of any development that will ensure the building will not fail as the climate changes as predicted. Strategies can also be sequenced into a project for implementation in the future. We have found that as long as the design has considered future weather at the outset that many adaption strategies are cost neutral and in some instances have indicated new design direction and cost savings into the future. We now apply future climate ready thinking to all our projects – see Climate Ready information sheet.
Materials – we are interested in the use of healthy natural materials that are low in embodied energy and that come from both sustainable and ethical sources. Over the years we have conducted extensive practical application tests on a range of low environmental impact materials including: earth plasters and renders, natural insulations, natural paints, oils, waxes and stains, glazing systems amongst others. We designed the displays at Construction Resources, the first ecological Building Centre in the UK in London, where many of these materials were showcased to the public for the first time. See Construction Resources. We have also undertaken research into phase change materials and their application to moderate internal temperatures in buildings.
Construction – we have tried and tested a number of ecological construction systems ranging from heavy thermal mass construction using earth such as Cob and Rammed earth to lightweight Twin Frame construction. We have run a number of practical Cob construction courses in the Forest of Deane building two Cob structures with the course participants. The timber Twin Frame system was developed to create a super-insulated system for walls and roofs that could be manufactured off site with minimal thermal bridging details and air tight detailing. The system has been patented and has been used successfully on a number of building projects including schools and housing – for examples see Oak Meadow and Torrington Early Years Centre
Healthy Buildings – we believe that buildings should enhance the health and well being of occupants and at the same time be in harmony with the wider environment. We employ Building Biology principles to all our designs – see Building Biology. In order to support our Healthy Building design approach we undertake research work to further the knowledge of Building Biology. Healthy Buildings research includes: non toxic material assessment, reduction in EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation), thermal comfort, moisture permeable materials, high quality ventilation. We have testing equipment for a range of Healthy Building measures including; Volatile Organic Compounds (e.g. measures the presence of Formaldehyde), lead, radon, moisture, water quality and air quality.
Use of plants – working with plant species specialists we have investigated the use of plants inside and around our buildings in a variety of ways to aid healthy internal environments, reduce overheating via shading and evapotranspiration, absorbing harmful VOCs, water treatment systems and food production. The integration of biological and manmade systems enable people to be designed into and become part of the ecology of an area.
Low Water Use – low water use design has been a feature of our research work and implementation strategies for many years. We have investigated a variety of low water use appliances, grey water filtration and rain water collection systems. Research and implementation of aquaculture systems for water treatment, nutrient recycling and food production plays an important role in our work.
Renewable Energy – our research work in renewable energies focuses on the integration of renewable energy systems so that they can be simplified, are appropriate for use and are easily controlled by the end users. Research work includes; application of thermal stores with multiple inputs and outputs for commercial, educational and domestic use, solar thermal and solar PV, biomass including kachelofen, Bio-digesters, and hydro electrical power.
Some of our research projects undertaken include:
- Extra Care 4 Exeter – government funding achieved for a care home project to research future climate change adaptation – funded by The Technology Strategy Board (TSB). The research work focused on using future climate weather files for 2030, 2050 and 2080. We ran dynamic weather simulations at early design stages which helped us to re-evaluate how care homes can be designed so that they do not overheat in the summer in the future, as the climate changes.
- Building Performance Evaluation – funding achieved to monitor the performance of 5 Passivhaus Certified flats as part for The Technology Strategy Boards (TSB) Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) programme
- PassivOffice at Devonshire Gate – government funding achieved for a new office development project to research future climate change adaptation– funded by The Technology Strategy Board (TSB)
- Swim 4 Exeter - government funding achieved for a new swimming pool to research future climate change adaptation – funded by The Technology Strategy Board (TSB)
- The Carbon Trust / BRE - Good Practice Guides 293 External Wall Insulation for Dwellings, funded by the BRE
- Westminster City Council design guide for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings in conservation areas
- EST / BRE survey of well insulated housing refurbishment projects
- Rugby City Council - external wall insulation research for housing
- BRE sustainable refurbishment - key note speaker for series of BRE Sustainable building events
- Cob building and earthen architecture research work and training courses
- Permaculture Design courses and research work
We are pleased to collaborate in research work with other like-minded organisations, institutions and individuals such as Exeter University, Exeter City and Westminster City. Our research work also takes us abroad where we have been pleased to build up international connections with other research organizations and businesses including Passivhaus Institute Germany, The Institute of Building Biology + Ecology Neubeuern (IBN) Germany, and LNEG Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia Portugal.
Our work is regularly disseminated in various ways including written papers, public presentations and publications. Some of our research work can be downloaded below.
If you are interested in our research work or would like us to undertake research with you or for your project please do not hesitate to contact us. Please also contact us if you are interested in attending one of our workshops or courses.
Gale & Snowden Blog
Keep up-to-date with the latest news from the practice
St. Loyes
Climate-ready, Passivhaus Extra Care


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About the Extreme Moisturizer Masque
For all hair types, this Extreme Moisturizer Masque deep conditions even the driest hair. Is your hair frizzy, dry, unmanageable? Struggling with split ends? Perhaps your hair is color-treated and in need of a little extra moisture? Use our moisturizing hair mask to hydrate your dry locks, restoring a healthy shine and eliminating frizz! It also provides a protective barrier to shield your hair from the damaging elements we face everyday.
Natural ingredients like aloe vera, ginseng, and rosemary provide your hair and scalp with the nutrients they need to look and feel healthy and hydrated, and as always, our products are sulfate-free! Use the masque as a daily conditioner after shampooing with your favorite HairGia shampoo, or use it as a deep conditioning mask a couple days a week to lock in moisture.
DIRECTIONS: Shampoo your hair with a HairGia shampoo of your choice and then apply the Extreme Moisturizer Masque to wet hair. Leave the masque in for 2-3 minutes, then rinse. Apply our Saharan Liquid Gold Argan Oil to damp hair before styling for optimal shine and finish your hairstyle with Creative Hair Spray for all day hold.
Our Commitment to Excellence in Hair Care
Here at HairGia we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality hair products that are made with the best natural botanicals. All of our products are tested by our own HairGia family to ensure the best quality and results, and never tested on animals. Using natural botanicals known to promote the growth of healthy hair, our products are Earth-friendly and do not contain sulfates.
Have any questions, comments, or concerns about our products? We love to hear feedback from our wonderful customers! Please contact us online!


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'Slovenian centre – I feel Slovenia' also in Doha
The 2015 World Men's Handball Championship will take place in Qatar over the following three weeks. In addition to matches, the Handball Association of Slovenia is organising a 'Slovenian centre – I feel Slovenia' in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, SPIRIT Slovenia and the Government Communication Office between 16 and 19 January.
The honorary sponsor of the project held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha is the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor. The purpose of organising and establishing such a centre is an efficient promotion of Slovenia and the Slovenian economy and the possibility of business cooperation with the hosts of the championship and all other participating countries.
Various business and social events will be organised within the project. A substantive programme was also prepared for the companies and their representatives who decided to visit the World Handball Championship and are thus participating in the activities of the Slovenian centre project.
Meet Slovenian representatives at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha.
Country Brand: I feel Slovenia
The mission of the brand "I feel Slovenia" is clear: going forward with nature, which means focusing on organic development, promoting a niche economy, welcoming diversity, and attracting the best technological and human potential. Slovenia is a diverse country occupying a small area with pristine nature, diverse culture, rich history and enviable quality of life. Read more »
I Feel Slovenia - Publication in English
In this publication, you will get to know Slovenia with all of its particularities, lifestyle, inhabitants, exceptional athletes and, last but not least, its political arrangement. We certainly hope that you will also feel Slovenia. Read more>> (5.4 MB)
Slovenia - Profile of an adventure (brochure)
A quick overview of the most important information on Slovenia on 15 pages. The brochure contains a map of the most important tourist points in Slovenia. Read more »
The Official Travel Guide by Slovenian Tourist Board - all tourist information in one place
Visit Ljubljana - Ljubljana's official website
Visit Maribor - Maribor's official website


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I softly groaned as I suppressed the urge to bang my head repeatedly against the wall until my brain stopped working. I couldn't believe I was here. Again.
Back in what I could only describe as a nightmare.
Why oh why oh why did I ever think it was a good idea to put J and Heather in the same room? Again.
The first time they met, we had only been one pool of mud away from a full on bitch fight.
It's not that they weren't polite, no, on the contrary. They were both so polite that I had no doubt the corners of their mouths hurt from smiling so broadly. But underneath the polite words and the sweet sentences, there was an undeniable sharpness that could've cut all the tension hanging in the room.
Not that I blamed any of them.
After all, J and I never officially broke up. But then again, we had never really broken up before. We always just took breaks from each other, but one way or another, we gravitated back to each other. I knew it, she knew it. The end never meant the end.
So when I left, I wasn't sure if J knew I wasn't coming back. Maybe she thought I would. To be honest, I thought I would.
But then it just didn't happen. And after all the time that had passed, J must have figured it out, but still… Even though I had convinced myself that J was relieved that we were over, I knew she had waited for me to come back.
I just never did…
And now here I was, ten years later, asking her for a major favour while shoving my new lover in her face.
If she had done that to me and I didn't have Heather, I would probably have been just as catty. Maybe even more.
But there was a Heather. Not just a Heather. The Heather. Although she didn't enjoy having an article in front of her name. She said nobody did that but I could have sworn I read in a history books that some people did enjoy that.
But that was beside the point.
Heather and I hadn't really talked much about my dating past. I mean, she had only been with one other guy, but I had had my share of both women and men over the years.
It's not that I didn't want to tell her or… Wait, no, it was exactly that.
It somehow just felt… Unbalanced and unfair. I was her first great love, while my first big love had passed through my life many years ago.
I had already experienced many romances and many tragedies, while she would be going through them with me.
And somehow, I just didn't know how to tell her that. I wasn't sure how to tell her I had already loved and lost, many times over.
But I couldn't avoid J. Not as a topic and not in person. After testing me, she insisted on seeing Heather and conducting some research on her as well. Although I trusted her judgment as a doctor completely, part of me wondered if it was the scientist or my ex who wanted to see Heather.
As they met, it became soon very clear it was mostly my ex that wanted to examine Heather. The way they acted towards each other was just so weird. It was clear Heather was threatened by J and our past, but that being said, J definitely felt threatened by my blondie as well.
I only barely survived their first encounter and now we were back for more. Because I had no choice.
We had no choice.
In the two weeks that had passed, I had had more difficulties with running from her world to mine. I had managed to avoid biting Heather again, but once in a while, every other sound apart from her heartbeat would disappear and it would make me crazy. It took me a lot of self-control and discipline to stop myself from attacking her and just taking her for myself.
I had become so wary and cautious that I had barely even touched or kissed her.
And that too had taken a toll on us. She noticed how distant I was and of course, she took it personally. But she knew it was for the best. She could tell from the look in my eyes. She knew I wasn't always in control.
So to help me, she had been colder and harder towards me, which wasn't exactly very pleasant. But it was necessary. It would keep me away from her.
I shook my head and sighed. After everything we had gone through, after all my attempts to catch her, now I needed to push her away from me.
Before any of this happened, I had been careful. I always knew I was stronger than her, but I somehow managed to get my lust for her under control. But it wasn't that what we should've feared. My lust for her was bound by my love for her.
But the hunger… There was nothing that truly bound my hunger except for my self-control. And even then, I couldn't rely on it. I wish I could, but I knew it was too unpredictable. We couldn't take any chances.
Heather being distant and cold actually helped with the hunger. But it slowly ate at our relationship.
Our worst nightmare had actually come to pass.
The good part was that as I was growing hungrier, I was also growing physically weaker. I think that was the only reason I managed to stay in control of my body.
And if all of that wasn't hard enough on us, it didn't help that she had to meet my drop dead gorgeous, stunningly beautiful and smart-as-a-whip ex. Who, by the way, did everything she could to make Heather uncomfortable.
After all the non-spoken threats, I was surprised Heather held her own. I might have buckled if Heather's ex was this aggressive and territorial towards me.
I guess she must really love me.
Oh well. At least they didn't get along. That would have been even more unbearable. The idea of J and Heather flirting with each other just made me nauseous to my core. So I quickly shook that idea away and focused on the daggers they shot with their eyes.
It hadn't taken J long to finish all her tests on Heather and after only a week, we were back in the lab, waiting for the test results.
At least, that is why we were supposed to be here. J and Heather had taken it as a new opportunity to exchange more rude comments and somehow J was even snippier than always.
She was practically breathing fire.
I guess the results must've been worse than expected, because I could just hear the blaming tone in J's voice as she directed her angry words at Heather.
That alone told me I was in trouble. J had found something that had to do with Heather and it wasn't good. She was frustrated and she was unleashing all of that on my girlfriend.
Which was all the more worrisome. If it was something small, she would've catapulted all her stress onto me. The only reason she wouldn't attack me, is cause she was afraid. Afraid for me.
' Ladies! Can we cease fire for just a moment and can you tell me what is going on?' I yelled, grabbing both their attention.
Heather quietly apologised as J just glared at me, probably angry that I addressed them both in the same sentence.
' J… Can you please tell me what has gotten you so on edge? What did you find out?'
She threw one last nasty look at Heather, before pulling out a form that had written classified over it. Like that would stop people from looking at it. Not.
' This is not good news.' she muttered, wrinkles appearing around her eyes that made her instantly look older. Even older than she actually was.
' I figured. Give it to me straight.' I blew out, shaking my head and putting my game face on. I needed to be strong now.
J pulled up her perfectly shaped eyebrow and there was a slight tug on the corner of her mouth. I could tell from that slight smirk what kind of remark she wanted to make.
' Nevermind that, just tell me what is going on.' I quickly waved away her unspoken joke as I didn't have the energy to deal with that.
' Alright then… Well. Guess there is no reason to sugarcoat it. You are sick.'
' Okay. I figured… What kind of sick?' I calmly said, taking in a deep breath. I knew there was something wrong with me, hearing her confirm it was just a relief by now. At least it meant I wasn't imagining things and going coo-coo crazy.
' There is no word for it. It is unprecedented because well, the source of the virus wasn't available before you came in contact with… That.' she answered, sneering out the last word as she directed it towards Heather.
' Me? What did I do?' Heather defended herself, an insulted look appearing on her face as she racked her brain, wondering what she possibly could've done wrong.
' When you two had the… The… Sexual intercourse. Your bodily fluids mixed and as you know, although we vampires are descendants from humans, our DNA does have a different make-up. Not only that, we have lived apart for so long, the way we process viruses and bacteria is very different.' J explained and I could just see her shift uncomfortably as she spoke about Heather and I having sex.
I nodded. ' So…?'
' Although having a different immune system is usually a good thing, with you two, this is not the case. By having a sexual relationship with each other, a virus that Heather carries, which is completely harmless to her, has infected you. This infection is directly attacking key points in your system. You must have noticed that your muscles endurance is lowering and that you are losing control over your heightened senses. But that is not all. I can only speculate, but I don't think it is a far stretch to assume it is going for your vitals. It will raise your temperature, break down your muscles, and in time, it will go for your brain.'
At this point, Heather and I had become speechless as we looked at each other. I could see disbelief and denial in her eyes as if she didn't want to take J's word for it, but we both knew this was true. It explained everything.
I loudly swallowed and directed my attention back to the doctor. ' So what about the… Ehmm… The hunger?'
J awkwardly scratched the back of her head and flipped through her file. ' Well… That is… That is something entirely else. We can only assume that this virus has triggered something dormant inside of you. You went so long without +fluids, your body was craving something. Anything. And I guess that Heather's blood was the next best thing.'
' I have been drinking plenty of fluids and it does help a little, but sometimes… Sorry, Heather… Sometimes I still get possessed by an unquenchable thirst…'
My ex nodded thoughtfully as she rubbed her chin. ' The blood must have the effect of a drug. You can still some of the hunger with the fluids, but you will keep craving her blood. After all, a couple of drops of her blood will give you more energy than any +fluids ever could. This is something we have been examining in a bigger lab, so am still waiting on the details on that.'
I hid my face in my hands as I processed this information. I had hoped that enough fluids would keep my hunger at bay, but knowing that it could break through at any moment just scared the hell out of me.
' But you can cure it, right?' I asked with a small voice.
A doubtful look appeared on J's face and she scratched her ear, her telltale sign more bad news was to follow.
' Well, here is the thing…'
I held my breath, silently praying for good news. It had to be good news. It just had to be. But I knew it wasn't.
' This virus would have been treatable since we have Heather and her antibodies, but unfortunately, the virus has mutated due to your genetic make-up and our bodies resistance.'
' Which means?' I asked, willing my voice not to tremble. I couldn't give in to my fears. I couldn't allow it.
' It means… That finding a cure won't be so easy.'
I shut my eyes, taking in this new information. ' But you will find it, right?'
I threw a quick look at Heather who had been remarkably quiet. All the colour had left her face and I could see the white around her eyes. She was in shock and I couldn't blame her.
I knew her well. Apart from J blaming her, she was probably also blaming herself, even though she couldn't have known.
' I am afraid I have more bad news… This virus is smart. And… How do I put this… There has been a cross contamination between you two. The virus started in Heather's body as something harmless. By having sexual intercourse, it transferred to yours where it was no longer harmless. It attacked you and mutated. Then, I am only guessing now, you two shared bodily fluids again and the mutated virus ended up in Heather's body. Now, the good news is that the mutated virus is still harmless to her, although I can't be sure what effects it had on her. But I do know it took on new qualities and further mutated as it got back into your body. So we are dealing with a highly adaptable virus that is circling in between you two and every time you exchange fluids, there is a chance for this virus to become even more and more complex. It is using the two of you to keep transforming itself. And for some reason, it is only attacking Aria, while Heather is staying perfectly healthy.'
I gulped. Wow, this was even worse than expected. I guess at least it wasn't attacking Heather. That was probably the only good thing about this whole ordeal.
' How long will it take to cure me?' I asked, crossing my fingers in good faith although I couldn't remember the last time that the gods had granted me a wish.
' It could be years…Or longer… And this virus is strong and it works fast. The decrease of your bodily functions is going down. Rapidly. And even if we find a way to cure you, I can't say with certainty that the damage done will be repairable.' J breathed out, a soft look in her eyes that I could only describe as pity.
' You mean I might be stuck with a weakened body for the rest of my life?!' I exclaimed, hoping that wasn't the case. Our world wasn't made for weakened bodies. In fact, there were no weakened bodies here. That was just the best part about our race.
' Yeah… About that…'
I swallowed a lump and prepared for the worst. ' What?'
' Well, your body is working to fight it off. It might just take care of the virus by itself. I doubt that your body will allow this virus to completely take your strength and mobility.'
' But?'
' But it is taken a big toll on you. A very big toll. In fact, you are paying it off with your life…'
I felt a lump form in my throat as I coughed out words I was almost afraid to hear out loud. ' Am I dying?'
As soon as those words left my lips, I could see J clench her jaw. A fiery look appeared in her eyes and she decisively shook her head. ' Not on my watch. But that being said, it is shaving time off of your lifespan.'
' I am losing years?'
She scrunched her nose, an old habit that she did when she was highly annoyed and pinched the bridge of her nose. ' Not just years… You are losing decades… And fast.'
' Decades? What does that mean for me?' I asked, still not really understanding. I wasn't dying, but I was still losing years? So how was that different?
At this point, J let out the heaviest sigh I had ever heard come from her lips. This sigh was heavier than when her uncle died, or when the funds for her primary research got relocated, or even when I had broken up with her.
Her eyes traveled from Heather to me and from me to Heather again. And while they previously held contempt for my girl, now they were filled with compassion. Which could only mean more bad news.
' I don't really know how to say this… If we can cure this, you might be stuck with a slightly weakened body for the rest of your long life. If your body fights harder than the virus, you might keep quite a lot of your normal powers and it won't cost you too many years… But the more likely end result is that both your body and virus will work at the same rate. It probably will be able to stop the virus, but not fast enough. You will not only lose a lot of your strength, you will also lose a lot of your life.'
I groaned as I listened to my options. None of them were really favourable.
For the first time after hearing all this information, Heather chimed in.
' What does this mean exactly?'
With a pained look, J answered Heather's question, but I could tell she had to spit the words out with great effort. 'Aria is turning into a human.'
I jumped up in surprise as Heather next to me bellowed in anger and frustration.
' Sorry, but that is my professional opinion. All the signs are pointing towards the same conclusion. You will probably not die from this virus, but if we don't find a way to neutralise this quickly, it won't be long before you are physically just as weak as a human.'
I let my head fall in my hands as I let out a long sigh. This could not be happening.
' Can't you do something?' I asked as I cleared my throat, hoping I didn't sound too scared. I couldn't afford to be scared right now. I needed to pull myself together so I could console Heather.
She looked so small from here. Her whole frame was jittery and the desperation was clearly visible in her eyes. She seemed spooked, like a deer in headlights. She was softly muttering to herself and wringing her hands as if in a trance.
I waved my hand in front of Heather, but she didn't react. She had shut off. There was more muttering and I got the sense she was trying to self-soothe although it didn't seem to be very effective.
I decided to give her some space and turned to J again. I needed answers and I needed them now.
' We haven't had enough time to study this virus. Anything we give you could trigger it to mutate further or strengthen it. I promise you, I will try to figure out something as quickly as I can, but for now… There is nothing I can do.' J spoke, her voice firm and calm. For a moment, it reassured me.
But then J turned her back towards us both and her head shrunk into her shoulders as she leaned on a table. Her hands were gripping the workbench so tightly that I saw her knuckles turn white.
' NOTHING!' she suddenly yelled at herself as she slammed her forehead so hard into the metal table that it left a visible dent.
' J!' I gasped, running towards her in concern. ' Please, don't do that…' I whispered as I pried her hands from the table and took them in between my own, rubbing them. I urged her to look in my eyes and I carefully touched the reddening spot in the middle of her forehead.
She flinched away from my touch and took in one deep breath. She straightened her white coat and fixed her frazzled hair and right under my very eyes, she somehow managed to pull herself together.
Again, I couldn't help but feel jealous of her perfect self-control.
She let out one sharp breath and when she opened her eyes, all hints of fear and weakness gone.
' I will make this right.' she firmly stated, turning her back towards me once again.
Previously: Chapter 39. Johanna
Next Chapter: Chapter 41. Silence


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Sandi Saksena sheds light on some of the challenges faced by SMEs and entrepreneurs in the UAE and how you can be prepared for them.
Read any business page of UAE publications, and you will find endless articles like:
"Banks in the UAE are working together to try to stem the number of small business owners fleeing the country with unpaid debt, a trend that has already reached around AED5 billion ($1.4 billion)."
"We want to take coordinated action on risk management," "The idea is to allow the customer to pay for his debt and stay in town if they have a good intention. If they don't have a good intention, then it is no good (the bank) spending time (with them), it doesn't help." UAE Banks Federation chairman Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair.
The biggest challenge for the development of SMEs in UAE is the availability of finance. According to the research of Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development, 67% of entrepreneurs state that the basic deterrent in setting up their business was the lack of availability of loans and credit from the banks they approached. Banks are reluctant to provide funds to new businesses as there's a high risk of failing, and there is no revenue generation to service any debt.
Lenders have started conducting more exhaustive checks on owners in their home countries, identifying defaults and legal cases involving the business owners. It can be done online as well as by agencies. These checks on the borrower's true personal net worth (owners tend to inflate their net worth in statements) is a recent step, in the past, these verifications by lenders/ banks were not possible.
Access to finance is typically identified as a critical constraint. While financing is almost always a challenge for SMEs, the difficulties are often intensified by the expatriate status including lack of collateral, property rights, regulations, laws, and customs. Other hurdles to entry and business growth include access to education, training, cultural barriers and infrastructure-related challenges.
Realistically, if you are approached by a nascent SME with a well-written business plan and no track record, would you really lend that SME money? Would you do additional due diligence on the business model and on the genuineness of the counterparties that the borrowers deal with? Would you not look at business continuity plans (if any), checks and balances and financial discipline?
Several businesses have difficulty borrowing or securing loans and getting paid by their clients; yes it's a vicious cycle which has the domino effect. As the economy of the country improves, we start making expansion plans by hiring, moving to better offices and taking on more expenses. SMEs call it investing for the future. Somewhere along the line caution is abandoned and replaced by excels sheets that show projected growing profits based on contracts and assignments. At best, these are hypothetical as no real money has been received and/or paid out.
The hurdles of securing funding and/or financing are:
- Limited or no credit history
- Incomplete or missing financial statements
- Limited savings
- Lower and more uncertain profitability
- Lack of collateral
These are major challenges. To secure credit, you, the SME will be asked to provide collateral which banks or lenders are not familiar with and show the prior repayment track record of individual borrowers where there is no credit history. In the UAE, as an expatriate, SMEs frequently lack adequate or sufficient collateral owing to legal barriers such as inheriting property or owning property. Other nuances include sector-specific factors wherein there are no physical assets to collateralize as many are services oriented businesses such as Training, Health and Nutrition and Human Development, which by nature are intangible. Lack of savings is another issue because SMEs tend to invest and allocate all their savings to start and run the business to nurture it until it begins to generate income. In addition, you may have no previous business history which suggests no track record of competence.
So what do you need to do besides focusing on accessing the money, enthusiasm, self-confidence, and attitudes? You need to educate yourselves to understand what the lending options are and what to do to build a credible and viable loan application. Learn what type of funding is best for your particular industry factoring in the age of your business, the appropriate amount you require and most importantly, the way this debt will be serviced.
Due Diligence, Risk Management, Audited Financial Reports, Proper Legal Structure and Documentation are just the tip of the iceberg of standard requirements that any potential investor or lender will look at. Rest assured they would refer your proposal to a person who deals with such matters on a daily basis to verify and determine whether you are suitable or not. (See Box)
Jack of all trades, master of none!
Another factor which acts as an obstacle to the growth of the SMEs is the lack of management skills of the entrepreneurs. As the businesses grow, specialized skill sets are required to manage the operations to retain/manage the employees and the financial health of the business. Entrepreneurs usually do not have the requisite management capacity to tackle various issues and to adapt using innovative strategies to grow the business further and increase performance.
So it is important to know what investors and lenders look at when assessing you and your business and how you should build your financial profile which you present to them; put the best foot forward when applying for funding.
You also need to start thinking about other ways you can open up entrepreneurs to access capital and work to execute these actions.
As crowdfunding has become such a successful source of financing for small business owners, it is important to introduce and promote this platform as an alternative lending source here in the UAE. Having said that, SMEs still need to work on the core requirements and criteria to qualify for the crowdfunding platforms.
The onus is on the SME to meet the requirements, so look at this very basic list and use it as a start to assess your business.


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Kind of filthy place. Looks good from outside. You can find a much better place for the price. I do not think they clean the rooms or the common space every day. I should have been more careful while searching for a hotel in Mangalore...More
"Even standard rooms are quite large. One can chose road facing room for better view in higher floors."


text:
Handwoven in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, we recently picked up this beautiful mixed stripe cushion in the Medina, Marrakesh. This cushion's journey now starts again in Melbourne, Australia.
Handwoven wool measuring approximately 40 x 45cm.
Dry clean only.
This cushion is sold without an insert. We hope this encourages you to use an insert you may already have and to give you flexibility to choose either feather or non allergic, synthetic, recycled fibre.


text:
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DVD Title Measure For Measure
Category Muscle
Added October 9, 1998
Viewed 1,254 times
Favored 4 times Add to favorites
Duration 18m, 37s
Tags Anal Sex, Blowjobs, Cum on Ass, Fingering, Handjobs, Hardcore
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A good-looking businessman goes to a high end tailor to get a suit custom-made. As the tailor is kneeling down in front of him, measuring his waist and thighs, the fitting is interrupted as the tailor reaches forward to begin to stroke the businessman's cock! The guy is surprised but he's not about to complain - a free blowjob is always welcome! The tailor is surprisingly muscular and he grips the shaft with one strong hand while he blows the businessman. The oral goes both ways, and then the tailor lies on his back on an ottoman, begging for anal. This is exactly what he gets - the businessman fucks him hard and deep right in his ass.
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