text:
The long-serving second-in-command of al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has been appointed its head following the death of Osama Bin Laden, the militant organisation said in a statement.
Al-Qaida gave no details about the selection process for bin Laden's successor but said that it was the best tribute to the memory of its 'martyrs'.
Mr Zawahiri is Egyptian born and thought to be in his late-50s, while he currently a fugitive and his whereabouts are unknown. He first met bin Laden in the mid-1980s when both were in Pakistan to support guerrillas fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan.
While Mr Zawaihri is a well-known figure in the Islamic world, many still cast doubts on his ability to command the following that bin Laden enjoyed among jihadists not only in the Gulf States but across the Middle East and Africa.
While he was always the likely choice to take over from bin Laden, the Egyptian terrorit does not have the charisma or legendary status of Al Qaeda's founder, say jihadist experts.
As the head of the terrorist organisation has been confirmed, analysts are now looking to see who will be appointed Zawahri's number two, believing this will be a more telling indication of what the network's nature and priorities will be.
Mr Zawahiri is the son of an upper-middle-class Egyptian family of doctors and scholars. His father was a pharmacology professor at Cairo University's medical school and his grandfather was the grand imam of Al-Azhar University, a centre of religious study with a worldwide reputation and his family was said to be rather conservative.
He originally was a quiet student but appear to have started down the road to radicalism after the Israeli's defeat of several Arab armies in 1967. Aged 14 he joined the Muslim Brotherhood and went on to become a member of Islamic Jihad. At the same time he was studying medicine and eventually qualified as a surgeon, but increasingly his time was taken up by radicalism.
By the time of the assassination of President Sadat in 1981 he was a senior leader in Islamic Jihad. He was rounded up in the resulting crackdown, jailed for three years, and severely tortured whilst in prison.
Upon release he struggled to find work in medicine due to his connections with Islamic Jihad and fled to Afghanistan to join the thousands of Arab fighters who had gone to fight the Soviets.
There he met Bin Laden and eventually the two men merged their different Mujahidin groups to form 'The World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews And Crusaders', which became known as Al Qaeda .
Zawahiri was also wanted in the US even before the 2001 attacks on New York's World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, which killed more than 3,000. He was indicted in absentia in 1999 for the August 1998 bombings of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya that killed 224 people, and was also considered the mastermind.
In a video message posted on the internet on June 8, Mr Zawahri said al Qaeda would continue to fight.
"The Sheikh (bin Laden) has departed, may God have mercy on him, to his God as a martyr, and we must continue on his path of jihad to expel the invaders from the land of Muslims and to purify it from injustice," Mr Zawahri said.
"Today and thanks be to God, America is not facing an individual or a group ... but a rebelling nation which has awoken from its sleep in a jihadist renaissance challenging it wherever it is."
However the appointment of Zawahiri six weeks after the death of Osama bin Laden raises several questions. His appointment at the head of the organisation did not come as a surprise, so it would be intriguing to know why it took Al Qaeda's leaders so long to officially put him as the head of the movement.
While Zawahri is well known he is not necessarily well liked and certainly does not score unanimity even among Al Qaeda members. His credibility as a strong leader of Al-Qaeda was also further diminished when a Saudi Newspaper accused him of leading the Americans to Bin laden and thus causing his death.
The paper insists that Zawahri always wanted to be the organisation main chief and that his relationship with Bin Laden became strained in the last decade.
At the time, the newspaper wrote "Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was betrayed by his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri who led US forces to his hideout as the two were involved in an intense power struggle"
"The two top al-Qaeda men had differences and the courier who led US forces to bin Laden was working and had more loyalties for Zawahiri," the newspaper also reported.
Whether or not the accusations are true, the fact that Zawahiri was so publicly accused of betraying the emblematic figure of the organisation illustrates the limitations of his ideological influence.
Moreover, there are also allegations that Al-Qaeda is now a deeply fractured organisation where factions struggle to acquire power. Many accused Zawahiri, of trying to take control of the organisation with the help of the Egyptian faction when Bin Laden was taken ill in 2004.
While intelligence services around the world remain conscious of the continuing threat from Al Qaeda and now that Zawahiri leads Al Qaeda he will want to make his mark and "continue the fight".
However, over the last ten years, at least a third of the higher echelons of the leadership has been killed or captured.
This has inevitably led to a change of structure inside the organization and a presents a challenge for the new leader. While Al Qaeda used to be hierarchical, with affiliated groups coming to central command for funding and approval for terrorist plots, since the war on terror, the structure has changed. There are now many more 'franchise' Al Qaeda groups who have their own structures and leadership and without Bin Laden they are far less likely to listen to orders or even advice from Zawahiri.


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subset: commoncrawl


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In my private life, the telephone is a wonderful instrument, allowing me to keep in touch with remote friends and family. In some ways it is superior to being face-to-face with someone, because we needn't commit to looking presentable, making eye contact, or not checking email, and when the call is over, it's as if that person has left your house. No fuss. No car rides to BART.
Cell phones are a different story. They enable people to initiate calls from public spaces, as a way to pass the time while they are getting from one place to another. I always prefer that someone calls me because they want to talk with me, not because they're bored on a bus.
Landlines work well in film. They interrupt our characters just as they are about to say something important. A call allows one person in a room to receive secret information about another person, who is standing right there. Phone calls dispatch our cops and detectives to the scene of the crime. But because the telephones are land based, they have limitations. Our hero can't just call for help; he must find a phone first. And just as our hero is dialing the police, someone cuts the line.
Cell phones are more pernicious. Characters carry them at all times, and thus have constant, unlimited access to all the other characters. I've already lamented how movies and television shows use cell phones as a crutch to keep their characters from sharing scenes together, but movies and shows must also continually contrive new ways to get those darn gadgets away from our hero. The phone runs out of batteries. Or is lost. Or broken. Or we're in a tunnel. Or the relay station is blown up. Or the person on the other end of the call is still on a landline, and his line was cut. Basically, cell phones are a problem, because they keep our characters connected when the plot demands that they be isolated.
Here are ten films with scenes/plot arcs involving phone calls that work exceptionally well. Most involve landlines, but a mobile jumps in there every once in a while.
Sure, cell phones are portable. But if you want to teleport between the real world and the digital world, you're going to need a land line. In the opening scene, Trinity picks up the phone just as a truck comes crashing into her phone booth. There's no body, but we don't yet know about the Matrix, so we're just left to wonder. Later, Neo is on the phone with Cypher as he watches his teammates get unplugged. ("Not like this. Not like this.") In the finale, Neo rushes through the city trying to get to a phone; when he finally reaches the correct apartment, there's not just a phone call waiting for him, but a bullet as well.
7. The Ring (2002)
It has nothing to do with the plot. You're going to die whether you answer the phone or not. But still, it's creepy as hell. "Seven days."
6. Phone Booth (2003)
Colin Farrell does his civic duty by answering a ringing phone in a phone booth, inadvertently entering into a deadly game with an anonymous caller determined to ruin Farrell's life. The caller begins shooting people from an unseen location, and finds a way to implicate Farrell. Soon police arrive, demanding that Farrell hang up the phone and surrender himself, but if he leaves the booth, he knows he'll be shot.
5. Wait Until Dark (1967)
Audrey Hepburn tells her young neighbor to go upstairs and watch out her window. If the neighbor sees someone placing a call from the phone booth across the street, she is to wait for the caller to hang up, and then immediately call Hepburn, to signal to her that the call came from across the street, rather than from a police station or airport or wherever else the caller said they were. The emotional climax of the film comes when Hepburn hangs up her phone, not thinking for a moment to question the caller, only to have her phone immediately give the two ring signal. Hepburn despairs.
4. Lost Highway (1997)
Bill Pullman is at a party where he meets a strange, pale-skinned man with no eyebrows. No Eyebrows says he and Pullman have met before. Pullman asks where. No Eyebrows says at Pullman's house. Pullman says no, he'd remember if No Eyebrows had been to his house. No Eyebrows says, "Oh, I've been to your house, alright. In fact, I'm there right now." Pullman gives him a confused stare. He couldn't possibly mean what it sounds like he means, so what does he mean? No Eyebrows says, "Here, call me," and hands Pullman a phone. Pullman calls his own number. It rings once, then No Eyebrows's voice answers, "I told you."
3. His Girl Friday (1940)
Half the movie takes place in the press room at the county jail where ex-newspaper woman Rosalind Russell is trying to cover one last story. She and fellow journalists are shouting on the phones to be heard over each other. At different points Russell and Cary Grant are talking on two phones at once, putting down the receiver of one, yelling at each other, yelling into the phones, hanging up phones, trying to get connected to the someone at the paper. It's a deliciously chaotic din.
2. Sneakers (1992)
The gang is trying to make contact with the spooks in D.C., but are afraid that they'll just get tossed into jail if they're tracked down. They route their calls through a bunch of different satellites. As Robert Redford talks to Darth Vader on the other end, his team is using a polygraph to register whether Vader is telling the truth, and also following the progress of the spooks tracing their call all over the globe. The trace is getting closer. Redford asks if Vader can guarantee his safety. Vader says he can, but Dan Aykroyd shouts, "He's lying!" and it's a race to see if Redford can hang up the phone before the final leg of the call is traced.
1. Next Stop Wonderland (1998)
Hope Davis is set up on a string of blind dates by a personal ad her mother posted in the paper. Each suitor is more eccentric and less attractive than the last. When she calls to arrange a meet-up with one such suitor, Kevin, Kevin's brother Alan answers the phone. Hope: "Kevin?" Alan: "No, you want my brother. [yells for his brother] He's coming." Then there is this great moment, while Hope waits for Kevin to come to the phone, and Alan waits for Kevin to come to the phone, and they are both just listening to each other in silence. At first, they are waiting. But then, in the silence, they connect. They both get these curious looks on their faces, as if to ask, "Wait, who are you?", but then Kevin comes to the phone and the connection is lost. It's wonderful.


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Even with total financial collapse being possible, our government is looking to a failed economic theory for help. It's called Keynesian economics. This theory has been shown by both logic and history that it is not a successful economic system. Keynesian economics is the theory that the government can stimulate economic growth by intervening in the private sector.
Many times, a theory will look good on paper, but ultimately fail in the real world. Keynesian economics is not one of those theories. It fails both in theory and in the real world, and I will show a couple of reasons why.
Keynes says GDP=C+I+G+NX So he assumes that if you increase increase any variable in the equation, the GDP will increase accordingly. This is what his entire theory is based on. However, he consistently forgets that simply moving the wealth around is not creating wealth, but rather just allocating it differently. I'll show some examples of this fallacy.
Before I address these issue, I would like to point out each variable I will use and give it's definition:
GDP- Gross Domestic Product
C- Consumption
I- Investment
G- Government Spending
NX- Net Exports (Exports-Imports)
T- Taxes
MPC- Marginal Propensity to Consume (How much is spent out of every dollar)
First, consider this: C= c+{MPC*(Y-T)}. So in order to increase G, you have to increase taxes. Increasing taxes adds value to the variable T. Increasing T means that C will decrease. That is unavoidable.
So the increase in G is offset by the decrease in C due to higher taxes.The GDP doesn't expand, it is just proportioned differently. A decrease in T (Taxes) has more of an effect on the economy than increasing G (Government spending) Why? Because consumers will only consume what they demand. We decide what has value. If we decide that iPods are more important to us than a parking ramp, iPods have more value. That's because only the consumers can choose what has value by demanding it.
So when G is increased, production may increase, but not necessarily production of something we demand. For example, if government spending is increased to pay for a parking ramp in the middle of a cornfield, is that good? No, because something was produced which has no value because it's not in demand. So government spending takes from consumers (the only people that can give value to something), and spends it on things which may not have value.
Consider this: According to this logic, shouldn't the government hire people to run around and destroy things? If that was done, the government could spend the money to repair these things. It's an increase in G and also gives jobs to people. So shouldn't Keynes want that?
Of course, the problem is that nothing was created with value. So it did not expand our wealth.
All kinds of porblems arise when employment becomes an objective rather than a result. Keynesian economics is in large part a theory dedicated to fight unemployment. Since this is the case, all Kenesians are opposed to all technological advancements that make us more productive and successful, right? Of course, not, that was be ridiculous. But it would be entirely consistent for Keynesians to hold that position.
Another thing to understand, is that an increase in C (Consumption) is not intrinsically good. This is especially true when NX (Net Exports) decreases when C is increased.
For example, if our nation imports 90% of its goods and services, our NX will be negative, subtracting from our GDP. So what happens if our C increases by 50%? The -NX will increase enormously. So when we have a deficit in NX, when our C increases, the increase in C is offset by the decrease in NX.
Keynes even came up with a concept knows as the "Multiplier". The concept states that government spending is a more powerful tool of economic growth than letting the market consume. The equation for the multiplier is: 1/(1-MPC). Say that every consumer spends $0.75 out of every $1.00 they make. That makes the MPC=.75. So now apply it to the equation: 1/(1-.75)=4. This is called the "Multiplier effect". Keynes says that if the government spends $1,000,000 to "stimulate" the economy, you multiply it by this multiplier. So in this case, as I showed above, the multiplier is 4. So you multiply the government spending by whatever your multipler is. So in this case, it would be 4 x $1,000,000=$4,000,000. And POOF! That money taken from taxpayers just quadrupled.
Of course, if you actually think this through, it's a ridiculous concept. As I mentioned before, the only way value can be added to a product, is through consumer demand, which only the consumers can decide. So when the government consumes, it is taking our money, and spending it on things not in demand. Since worthless things are produced, there is no growth. The only change, is that the consumer who add value to products, have less spending power because the government has taken it and spent it elsewhere.
The entire concept of a multiplier is a joke, yet it is still the most widely accepted economic theory today.
So that's my shallow critique of the problems associated with Keynesian economics and basically any type of government intervention in the economy. Our economic problems will continue of we don't break away from this mindset that the government can fix the economy by interfering and printing money.


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Song: Common Heroes
Lyrics: Suzumu (スズム)
Music/Main Offender: 150P
Guitar: Gibson (ぎぶそん)
Animation: Wannyanpu (わんにゃんぷー)
Support: Kara (空)
Main Design: Saine (さいね)
Video: Yuuki Iwakura
Vocaloids: Miku Hatsune, Gumi, Rin Kagamine, Mayu
Translator: AmeSubs
Common Heroes
The first cry rang somewhere above,
Coming so dim from tomorrow's sky;
That wish that I dreamed of,
Can you hear it somewhere nearby?
"So common", "so mundane", "so foolish",
I don't speak well of it;
But you're still so fresh
And so young; it's still early for you…
Come, and join our events and spare time;
Giving up on our demise, this is…
The story of our crime.
Cry, and let it reach out to you,
Try, even when your path is gone,
Bright, shine in such a bright hue,
And just please hold on…
Fly, and aim for tomorrow,
Away, from your lonely despair,
Is a common hero…
"It has a lovely flair."
All alone–a hiding wreak;
Exposing a fake–I can't forgive easily;
Hey–is it perfect?
Realize it–"that it's me."
As we go on a thin road,
You say this game is fake and fixed in stone;
It's fine–this path bestowed,
Because it's ours, and just ours alone…
Isn't it already okay to move forward?
The common silhouettes are restored…
Now, "more and more and more and more ahead."
Relight, and let peace console,
Try, to rely on sense unplanned;
Dry, even with no miracle,
Please extend your hand…
Sly, adults just don't know,
Our world, and how we progress;
There's a phony hero…
"Sometimes, I'm serious."
Falling into illusions;
The shadowy liar is to blame;
In the bog, the shadow runs;
Here is the lonely game…
You ran away from me,
With the fox's corpse to askew;
"Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, I plea."
"It can't, it can't, it can't, it can't be you…"
We struggle in this painful life…
Try, and let's run through the crowd;
Cry, that name you just thought of,
Scream it oh so loud…
Rewrite, the start of the sorrow,
Future, and aim for tomorrow;
Be a common hero…
"I'm serious from now on."


text:
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Wholesale Opportunities Available
Due to the growing interest in the INDVR line of vaporizers, INDVR is available to wholesalers and dispensaries interested in selling and distributing our products. If you have an established retail business and would like to find out more about selling our products, please reach out to us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Members: 11
Latest Activity: Dec 1, 2014
This group does not have any discussions yet.
Hello everyone :)
Any plans for having an event soon?
:) Agreed
Hello Everyone,
what about meeting this summer to establish our Egypt Chapter ??
Hello Sarah ,
Thanks for joining IYC-Egypt.for sure we will meet as soon as possible when we start the first task :)
Ahmed Maher
Hey everyone !
am really happy to join , and i was wondering if we can meet up , get to know each other more and discuss topics that we might want to share .


text:
This is bahrain as more optimized daytime version. The problem what I have is the dark background on dunes and the lighting of floodlightmasts is on the whole evening. This destroys a little the immersion. The track looks good and on day you can see better the amazing detaillevel.
For me I have made a folder bahrain night with all night files and a folder bahrain with the early evening to night files. If I want the nightfolder I renamed the folder in bahrain and the other folder in early evening. So I can switch between evening to night or complete night files.
What is changed:
- a lot on lighting
- level of detail a little
- skymap
- time of day file
- delete the fireworks and laser file and uses birds on the sky
no textures changed. I can´t change anything because night looks wrong without my old texures. This is only an option that I can give you.
Install instructions:
Unzip the 7Zip archive and copy all of F1 2014 folder in your main game F1 2014 folder. make a backup from the night track.
Have fun with my first but releaseversion of bahrain early evening to night
Some amazing screenshots:
F1 2014 season 2016 Bahrain early evening to night 1.0 2016-11-03
bahrain from early evening to night. awesome lighteffects


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Three new LED traffic information signs have been installed in the borough, offering motorists live information about potential delays.
Hastings Borough Council (HBC) commissioned the permanent fixtures ahead of Sunday's half marathon.
Part-funded by the Hastings and St Leonards Foreshore Charitable Trust and installed by Colas on Monday (March 16), the three LED signs will display traffic related messages to drivers as they come into the town.
One has been placed in St Leonards, one in Hastings and one in Ore.
Councillor Dawn Poole, the council's lead member for leisure and amenities, said: "We have been working on ways to improve information to drivers about traffic delays and car parking for some time.
"These three new LED signs positioned on the seafront at Verulam Place, Old London Road and St Helen's Road will give drivers up-to-date information about expected delays in town, especially along the seafront and they will offer alternative routes.
"They will also assist with guiding drivers to available car parking in the town's car parks and alleviate and address the delays and congestion in seafront car parks.
"This new system will be invaluable at peak times and especially when the town hosts events which require road closures such as Hastings Half Marathon; taking place this Sunday, the Mayday Jack-in-the-Green Festival and Bonfire Night.


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WISE MOVE: NASCAR's Josh Wise gets into Talladega race with help of fans via Reddit, Dogecoin
- Image 1 of 2
- Image 2 of 2
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Josh Wise made it to Talladega Superspeedway the new-fashioned way.
An Internet movement started on Reddit by a 16-year-old fan using the digital currency Dogecoin generated enough sponsorship money for Wise's No. 98 Ford Fusion in Sunday's Sprint Cup Series race.
Wise says he'd never heard of the currency and hadn't spent much time on Reddit before that. He says it only took five or six days to meet the goal of $55,000.
The movement was started by Illinois teenager Denis Pavel, who noticed Wise make a strong run at Bristol before finishing 23rd. Phil Parsons Racing also let Reddit users vote on a paint scheme for Wise's car.
Wise says it has "been just a really awesome opportunity" for a small team and a driver trying to break through.


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Responsive Captive Portal for Aruba Wi-Fi – updated for iOS CNA
September 3, 2017 2 Comments
Some time back (over 2 years in fact, wow time flies) I wrote a post on how to upload a more mobile-friendly Captive Portal page to your Aruba controller for mobile devices connecting to your Wi-Fi.
That's served us well at the college and definitely made the system more user friendly. However over the summer I've been doing some re-configuration on the network and during testing found an issue that's cropped up somewhere along the way of iOS updates that's forced me to make some changes.
for those just wanting the TL;DR version check out my OneDrive Public folder for the new page download 😉
Something has changed…
Whilst working on a redirect page for SSL inspection I noticed that the Captive Portal login screen wasn't appearing on the iPad I was using for testing running the latest iOS 10.3.
To be certain it wasn't a global issue I tried on my other devices; an HTC 10 Android device as my main phone, Nokia Lumia as work phone and a ThinkPad running Windows 10 but all of those behaved as expected with the portal loading up automatically.
Wanting to get the setup working correctly across all platforms I started researching and via the Aruba forums tried a few suggestions:
- upgrade to latest ArubaOS release (handy as we needed to do this anyway)
- ensure Captive Portal is set to display over HTTPS
- ensure the HTTPS certificate is signed by a Trusted Root CA (good practice anyway)
- ensure the device can't reach the Apple CNA domains, which appear to not be officially documented anywhere but people have made their own lists although it's difficult to know how much the domains change.
Back to basics
However none of this made any difference, CNA still refused to appear. I raised a ticket with our support partner and their initial suggestion was to create a new CP profile and on it revert back to the default Aruba login page.
Trying this out restored CNA functionality, which was a step forward as it then pointed to something in the portal page template that iOS didn't like.
After getting this breakthrough I must've made a different variation on my forum searches as it then returned a very useful thread that seemed to be discussing an almost identical issue
Ref: http://community.arubanetworks.com/t5/Wireless-Access/AOS-6-5-2-0-Captive-Portal-auto-prompt-not-working-on-iOS/td-p/295405
Imagine my surprise to notice that the user "mom" aka Matthias was using my original blog post and responsive portal too (!) He had meticulously tested the page, stripping elements out until finding that removing some chunks restored the CNA behaviour.
So it seems Apple have got more fussy (some may say stringent?) about what content is allowed in a login page and something was being blocked.
Looking back at my original page it does have a fair bit of Javascript embedded in it for the smooth page scrolling effect, custom error handling etc. which would prove difficult to strip down and retain the same functionality. With that in mind I made the decision to try and rebuild a similar-looking page with a simpler boilerplate design.
Skeleton delivers
I soon found exactly what I needed in the form of the Skeleton framework. A beautifully simple yet effective template that's still responsive across all devices but only 200 lines of CSS!
It didn't take long to put the Aruba login form into the page template and tweak some of the core styling to match what I had before by reusing certain CSS elements from the old page. I also used a few elements from the demo page http://getskeleton.com/examples/landing/
A few features from the old login page were left out to keep the new template at its efficient best:
- custom error message handling
removed the JS code for this entirely, page reloads if login fails but without the customisable error messages
- clickable sections in the header
users would need to scroll the page manually instead to read the information and AUP sections
- auto smooth scrolling
auto scroll to middle of the page no longer required in light of point 2 above
- embedded fonts
removed any references to additional fonts just in case they were being blocked
I uploaded the new page and its supporting files (only 2 small CSS files plus a new logo image) and tried to log in again… success!
With more time I could go back and slowly start adding elements back to see exactly what causes issues, my betting would be on the Javascript but while everything is working I don't want to mess with it now. If anyone reading fancies a challenge and finds the offending element let me know in the comments 🙂
And here's a sample of the new pages in action, along with our new colour schemes so we can easily tell which network people are trying to connect to. I'm using two separate auth sources for the different networks (internal DB for one and NPS-based RADIUS for the other) hence why we keep separate SSIDs and CP Profiles for them both.
After login the controller now redirects to a Welcome page, which also uses the Skeleton framework with some additional styling. I can be a bit more flexible here as the portal is already open:
Here's one I made earlier
For those who just want to get up and running asap I've provided a packaged up sample version of the page in my OneDrive Public folder named SAMPLE CNA Skeleton.zip
It's tested working on the following:
- iOS 10.3.1
- Android Nougat
- Windows Mobile 8.1
- Windows 10 Creators Update
To change the page colours find and replace the following:
- page background #27AE60
- button hover colour #EF8A17
Styling tips:
- to make your own matching colour schemes check out something like https://coolors.co
- edit logo.png for one of your choosing
- change the text (I recommend using Notepad++ for editing) and away you go!
- any other CSS tweaks will either be in the page body CSS or via the (neatly labelled) skeleton.css


text:
I need to share a few wonderful things with you all today. First is this video. It is How the Grinch Stole Christmas in American Sign Language, and you cannot tell me that this little girl isn't the most adorable thing or that you don't feel the Christmas spirit after watching it. Don't even try.
The second and third wonderful things on my list are two easy-peasy recipes that you can use for your ugly Christmas sweater party, your white elephant gift exchange, or just for you, because you got your Christmas shopping done in August (go you). They are Nutella hot chocolate and frozen whipped cream. Trust me, they are so dang easy that you will wonder why you don't do this every year!
Nutella Hot Chocolate
Recipe from here.
2 cups of milk (whole, skim, soy, almond, lactose free… any kind will work)
a heaping 1/4 cup of Nutella
whipped topping or marshmallows (optional)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pour cold whipping cream into bowl of mixer. Using whisk attachment whisk, on medium speed, whip until it begins to thicken and you see soft peaks form. Add in powdered sugar and vanilla, continue mixing until well incorporated.
Take your whipped cream and spoon individual servings onto parchment lined baking sheet (I used my frosting tip/bag because they were already full of cream). Place in freezer for 2-3 hours or until completely frozen. Move to airtight container and store in freezer.
Merry Christmas, all!
By Sam Lund


text:
How to handle a stressful job
Ladies and gents, today we have for you a tip about how to handle a stressful job:
Free Videos by Ustream.TV
It's simple - just keep this window open on your computer desktop at work and gaze at once an hour (or more if needed, but not so much that you are caught and then get into real trouble). adoring sighs and mutterings seem to increase the relaxing effect.
This method have been tested by my team and I and has been found to work 90% of the time (our other coordinator is such a cynic).
Good luck!
(Oh, yeah. The darn camera is still dead. Blah. Well, at least i supplied you with kitties, right?)
Labels: Giggles


text:
Repackager and Relabelers of any drug sold in the United State of America must send the
Drug Product Listing in SPL format to the FDA using the Electronic Submission Gateway. Using RSPL
you can generate the necessary files with one click.
More Information: FDA · Dailymed: Dailymed
SPL Validator:Validator:
© Copyright 2011 FDA Consulting Group, LLC · All Rights Reserved


text:
Assistant to University Dean
Paul-John Ramos currently serves as Assistant to University Dean Crook at OIRA, a position to which he was appointed in November 2014. He coordinates the department's budget, human resource, and day-to-day administrative processes in addition to the university's Academic Program Inventory and Adult & Continuing Education data collection.
He joined CUNY Central as a college assistant in October 2008 and has also served as an IT support assistant. His prior employment includes service as a library acquisitions assistant at New York Medical College in Valhalla.
He graduated with cum laude honors from the State University of New York system in 2000, when he received a B.S. degree in English from Oneonta State College. He is an established creative writer whose work has appeared in several print and electronic publications.


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This section contains 634 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)
Chapter 7 Summary
Rather than tell them the truth, Ellen offers Starletta's parents $1 (which is refused) if she can stay, choosing instead to say that she got locked out of her house. Ellen agrees to share their bed but sleeps in her coat to avoid touching the covers. Upon returning home the next morning, Ellen hides in the wood until she sees all the men leave. Safely inside, she packs her things, vowing never to return. Now her only problem is figuring out who to call and what to say to them. She finally decides on her mother's sister, her Aunt Betsy, who agrees to come get her. Betsy's husband has recently died and Ellen figures she could use some company.
Betsy, like Ellen's grandmother, has a nice home. Having no children of her own, Betsy enjoys doting on Ellen, buying her all sorts of clothes...
(read more from the Chapter 7 Summary)
This section contains 634 words
(approx. 2 pages at 400 words per page)


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Home Aadhaar Card Contact Us
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Tour n Travel
Pincode India Search India
Herbalife Club
Capitol village resort is located in coorg the beautiful city on the hills which is a famous tourist attraction for people all across south india.The resort is situated in the midst of green coffee, pepper, and orange plantations. The resort is conveniently located within access to major tourist destinations.It is set amidst verdant backdrop surrounded by the serene and peaceful sounds of nature and is an ideal retreat away from the hustle bustle of the city.
Address: Madikeri-Siddapur Road, 3rd Mile, Madikeri,Coorg
Accomodation :
Resort has a 25 well-furnished rooms and dormitory that can accommodate 10 to 30 people. All rooms are well decorated and well maintain and have all the basic modern facilities.
Accessibility :
Madikeri Bus Stand : 1 KM
Mysore Railway Station : 124 KM
Mangalore Airport : 140 KM
Services and Facilities:
EPABX enabled telephone facility
Travel Desk Service
24 Hours Room Service
Car Rental
Conference Hall
Hot/Cold running water
Doctor on Demand
Capitol village resort serves the guests with warm traditional Coorgi hospitality and offers mouth watering local delicacies that adds liveliness to holiday in Coorg.


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Today Secularism is the fashion in India. It is the "in" brand. It is the brand to give oneself, lest one be called "communal". Many Hindus who are born in Hindu families, who carry the seeds of their Sanatana Dharma in their blood and their consciousness, have become ardent and vocal secularists. This article is addressed to the Secular Hindus, and is an effort to engage their minds, in the hope that some of them may be open to a fresh evaluation.
First of all there are two kinds of Secular Hindus.
1. Type A - Those who think that all religions are equally valid – "Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava" kind.
2. Type B - Those who think that all religions are equally invalid – The Atheist, Anti-religious, Anti-Spiritual kind
Let us look at each one in turn. The first kind of (Type A) Secular does believe in religion, at least in his own Hindu religion, and values it. He believes in the dharmic values that the Hindu religion, inculcates in him, and he recognizes the place of Spirituality in human life. He may himself be a deeply devout, and spiritual person. He most likely goes to temples occasionally, performs some form of puja, bhajan or yoga or other devotional activity; he may even have studied the Bhagvad Gita or some other Hindu scriptures to an extent; But he has not done any serious study of the world's other religions. He has not done any deep research on the Bible or the Koran, and cannot distinguish clearly the major distinctions between them and his own Dharma. So he naively believes that all religions are the same; they lead to the same goal; they are all different paths to the same end. He may have even been told by some well meaning Gurus and Acharyas that this is indeed so. So having reached this "secular' position, he then proceeds to condemn as "Hindutva" and "Communalism" anyone who makes distinctions between the religions, and thereby raises a warning regarding the future of Hindu society.
The second kind of Secular (Type B) does not believe in Religion of any kind. He abhors and disdains them all equally and regards them as the superstitious by-product of humankind of a bygone era. He is modern, and does not need any religion, either his own or another's. Thus having begun his inquiry into the subject with this prejudice, he then proceeds to ignore all scriptural study altogether. His acquaintance with his religion is therefore very cursory, and he does not feel the need to study this any further. He identifies himself, with a rational and scientific view of the world, easily gets carried away with modern western scholarship, which proposes all kinds of new philosophies, (like Marxism, Communism, Capitalism, Materialism etc.) which he deems adequate for his purpose. Not only does he not study other religions, he doesn't even study his own. He most likely loathes "Swami's" and "Gurus" and avoids them. Because he is a Hindu by birth, he is compelled to profess that he does not practice it, he does not believe in it, and he goes out of his way to condemn his own religion. He is deeply ashamed of his own religion, and keeps criticizing it at every turn. A few of them also take to studying the Hindu religion, but specifically for the purpose of criticizing it – The intention is not to learn, but to condemn. So there are legions of scholars, who pick up topics such as Caste, Sati, Idol worship, Brahmins and heap volumes of criticism on their own religion of origin.
The Type A Secularist is someone we can call the Gandhian Secularist. Mahatma Gandhi deeply and sincerely believed in the possibility of unity amongst Hindus and Muslims in India. Whether we agree with him or not, this was his stand, and he brought the great strength of his spiritual and moral force to bear upon this possibility. He hoped and wished that he could forge a unity between Hindus and Muslims that would allow the two communities to co-exist peacefully in Independent India. Whatever Mahatma Gandhi was, he was not ignorant. He took very studied positions on almost all issues. He saw that India's Muslims were mostly Hindus in prior generations, perhaps long past, but nevertheless they carried the Hindu culture with them in some small measure. They had converted under the relentless pressure of Islamic rulers, and frequent threat of violence. But this was all long past. He saw that Hindus and Muslims were now cast together in this country, to weave a common destiny and they cannot be separated easily. He in fact may have been the one who created the slogan "Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava". This is an inclusive Secularism, that believes that we must treat all religions equally, all people equally regardless of their religion etc. Even today there are many Gurus and Acharyas who say this – they even quote a Rig Vedic verse called Ekam sat vipraha bahauda vadanti and apply this verse to prove that all "Dharma's" must be looked upon equally.
The Partition of India both on its left and right, (picture Bharat Mata with her two hands cut off) delivered Gandhian Secularism a decisive blow, and rendered the possibility of unity amongst Hindus and Muslims, as almost an utopian fantasy. The Partition was brought upon India, because the Muslim leadership decided that it was impossible for them to live in a Hindu majority India, and they needed their own Islamic State. The Hindus kept on saying that we can all be friends – Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai etc., and held out the hope that we can be one country. The Muslim leadership said – No; that is not possible. The matter is really simple – If in a relationship between a man and a woman, if the woman or the man decide that a relationship is no longer possible, then the relationship breaks down; it matters little whether the other person keeps saying "No, we can still be in a relationship". Similar is the case with Hindus and Muslims – Only the Hindus keep saying "all religions are the same; we can all live peacefully together"; The Muslims laugh at the naivety of the Hindus, and say – "No Islam is special and different. We can all live peacefully together but only if you convert to Islam first". So now we have unfriendly states on either side of India which have actively decimated the Hindu population within their respective countries, and are supportive of terrorists who have the most evil designs on India.
The Type B Secularist is someone we can call the Nehruvian Secularist. Jawaharlal Nehru believed that religion itself was irrelevant and somewhat backward and superstitious. With his western education and temperament, he was attracted to Karl Marx, Lenin, Stalin and the Russian experiment. These were all "Godless" and "Unspiritual" ideologies. It did not matter to Nehru, that the Communist experiment in Russia had resulted in the massacre of millions of people under the regime of Josef Stalin. He ignored that, (by what logic he justified this in his own mind remains to be discovered) and allied himself and our country closely with Russia and the Socialist way of life. Nehru thought that the primary ill of Indian society was its poverty and lack of development, and he committed himself energetically to India's modernization, albeit driven by the State. In doing this he and his people fashioned a Secular State out of India, which ignored its Hindu Dharma, its Dharmic institutions, and Dharmic education.
Nehruvian Secularism has also been dealt a mortal blow in more ways than one. Communism is dying all over the world – Only in India it seems to have some left over momentum. Socialism has given way to Capitalism all over the world; In 1991, in India, a Congress Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and his Finance Minister Manmohan Singh presided over the reversal of the trajectory that Nehru had set for India. India is rapidly demonstrating that left alone, people develop themselves. Development need not be moderated and regulated by the State. Power when concentrated in the hands of a few, ultimately corrupts people – Indira Gandhi and her Emergency was a demonstration of that. But as much as she loved staying in power, even she could not cross the line as Joseph Stalin did – through dictatorship and murder on a vast scale. This can be attributed to the essential dharma of our land. Russian communism had no dharma at all – It was pure Adharma. Pakistan has no Dharma at all – It's leaders have no regard for its own constitution. They amend it left and right to suit their private needs. Most of their transitions of power have been through murder and bloodshed, which is an essentially Islamic tradition.
But what is indeed strikingly common to both kinds of Secularists (both Type A and Type B) is that they don't apply themselves and study the major religions and scriptures of the world, nor the history of major civilizations. Because even a cursory study of the Bible and Islam, will reveal how violent they are towards unbelievers and kafirs. Every religion has to deal with the ethics of human behavior – both amongst the followers of their religion, as well as between the followers of their tradition and those who do not follow their tradition. Equality, Tolerance and commitment to Peace, is good not only for the believers, but also necessary between believers of a particular faith, and those who subscribe to a different faith. In this latter characteristic, Hinduism is vastly different and has an infinitely superior record compared to both Islam and Christianity. While Hinduism is inherently pluralistic, and it allows many traditions to co-exist peacefully, Christianity and Islam are very severe towards the non-believers. While Hinduism is inherently Dharmic towards all people independent of what they believe in, Christianity and Islam offer their protection and allegiance to you, only if you convert to their creed. They prescribe the worst form of violence towards the kafirs and unbelievers – And this is borne out both by their scripture as well as their history. It only takes a cursory study of their scripture and their history, to find the patterns and correlations emerging. Their history is consistent with their ideology as embedded in their scripture, and their scripture contains the kernels of their ambitions and conquests, in the past, present and future. Christianity and Islam are fundamentally organized to be in a state of permanent conflict with the world of non-believers and kafirs. Whatever rudimentary notion of Dharma they may have, when it comes to their interactions with unbelievers, they are 100% Adharmic, even Asuric.
Why do Hindus reach their "Secular" positions and conclusions without proper inquiry? This is what is called "Avichara Siddhi" – A conclusion reached without much thought or research. It is like a conclusion "The sun goes round the earth". Well it is obvious - We can see it go round and round, yet it takes some inquiry (Vichara) before we can say, No – The earth is spinning on its axis, and that merely creates the impression of the sun going around the earth. Why have Hindus become so lazy intellectually, that we will not apply ourselves to the proper study of these topics? Why do we jump to some conclusion first, without appropriate research and then keep repeating our position, ad nauseum? Why have we become mere sloganeers shouting ourselves hoarse with our position, which has not been properly thought out and formulated in the first place? Lastly in our hurry to embrace Secularism, we have thrown the baby out with the bath water, we have abandoned our Dharma altogether. Today, we find secularists everywhere – on TV, in the Radio, in the news magazines; in the universities; in politics. It has become our new creed. To falsify the Secular creed is to invite the worst form of counter attack and slander.
Today India is developing fast. Our economy is growing. A section of our society is becoming affluent. But corruption is also rampant in every walk of life. The politicians are leading the nation in being self serving and corrupt. The concept of Dharma, Ethical Values, a sense of Sacrifice and Service that Swami Vivekananda talked about has not permeated our public life. Will modernization solve all our problems? Is it sufficient to modernize without a corresponding effort to establish Dharma in the land? Corruption is Adharmic. Capitalism generates great wealth alright, but it distributes this wealth in a very uneven way. What are the rich of our land going to do with their riches? Will they use their riches in service of the poor? Capitalism is Adharmic too – in that it engenders no value system. What do the affluent do for their society – during their leisure? If we were to follow the inspiring example of the west – we know the answer. The great fruit of capitalism is mindless entertainment, endless pleasure seeking and non-stop shopping. Can the task of caring for the poor be left in private hands, or do we socialize it and give it to our politicians? We need to resurrect Dharma into the center of our lives. How are we going to do it, if we keep on swearing by secularism? Hindu Dharma emphasized people's duties and responsibilities. Not their rights. Today, we have only a screaming group of casteists and castes, who are ever more shrilly demanding what is due to them i.e. their rights. There is no possibility of Dharma in this. A secular education does not guarantee an adequate appreciation of ethical values, duties, responsibilities and a deeply imbibed sense of discernment between right and wrong action. How do we give our children a matrix of moral values and norms, if we ignore our own Hindu Dharma in our secular schools and colleges? How do we inculcate in our next generation, a value for Dharma and Moksha which are indeed the unique civilizational characteristics of our Hindu society, if we don't even address these in our educational institutions? This is the unsolved problem of our time. We sowed seeds of "Godless" ideologies drawn from the west, and we are harvesting a rich bounty of corruption across the length and breadth of our land.
So, we appeal to our secular brothers and sisters – Please think first; study your own scripture first; then study the other's scripture; then study the history of all the religions; See the correlations and correspondences for yourself. Then let us see if you continue to be secular. You may discover that it is only in the comforting cocoons of ignorance, illiteracy and mindlessness that secularism can flourish. You may find that Secularism cannot stand even the most rudimentary intellectual scrutiny. But please do not defend your Secular value system on the foundation of your unwillingness to study these subjects; Please do not say – I won't read my scripture; I don't have time; I won't read history; I don't have time for that; I will not attempt to read the scriptures of other religions; I have even less time for that; But I know I am a secular Hindu; and I know I am right and all the rest of you are communal.


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- 4 beds
- 3 baths
- $459,490 price
- 1046624 mls id
- Square Feet: 4,088 sqft
- Neighborhood: Long Meadow Farms - 80
Listing Description
The Rossi is 2 story 4 bedrooms 3½ Baths with a 3 Car Garage.. The plan includes a large Master downstairs, Formal Dining, family room with fireplace, Study, Game room, Covered Patio, and Balcony. There is an Opt. Media room, and an Opt. Corner Outdoor Fireplace.
- New Construction Yes
Subdivision: Long Meadow Farms - 80
- Price Range $358.4K - $546K
- Sqft Range 2,918 - 4,760
- Subdivision StatusActive
Subdivision Description
At Long Meadow Farms, homeowners enjoy resort-style amenities, including two pools, one Olympic-sized and one for tots, along with 24-hour lighted tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a personal trainer onsite. Miles of trails meander around lakes, waterfalls, fountains, and playgrounds. And with its proximity to the new Grand Parkway, which encircles greater Houston, Long Meadow Farms enjoys great access to Hwy 59 and Hwy 290, making exceptional shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreational offerings convenient. Only 5.9 miles from Richmond, on the banks of the lovely Brazos River, Long Meadow Farms is just 10.8 miles from Cullinan Park, 750 acres of prairie and woods, with lakes, bird-watching, trails, and picnic areas.
8603 Prairie Manor Drive Richmond, TX


text: A beautiful ruby and diamond engagement ring from the British jeweller Boodles. Claw-set in platinum, this cushion-cut ruby, with a total gemstone weight of more than 3.00 carats, is surrounded by a halo of white diamonds with a delicate diamond-set bow adorning the top left edge. The platinum band is half set with diamonds. A symbol of love and romance, a ruby ring is a wonderful choice for an unusual engagement ring.


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Property listed at 101 9400 FERNDALE RD in Richmond.
Well maintained large corner unit just beside the park and green space with a lot of sun light and view. This townhouse offers 3 large bedrooms and an office. Within a 5 minute walk to elementary and high school. This family oriented neighbourhood is close to the malls, grocery shopping, community centre, YVR airport and so much more. The area is convenient and is one of the best neighbourhood just outside the centre of Richmond; with a calm and quiet feeling. Act quickly before it is gone.


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Tax treatment of Recorders, Circuit Judges and Deputy Circuit Judges: general
The Courts Act 1971, as amended by the Supreme Court Act 1981 and the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, includes provision for the appointment, in England and Wales, of Circuit Judges, Deputy Circuit Judges, Recorders and Assistant Recorders.
The Supreme Court Act 1981 includes provision for the appointment of Deputy High Court Judges.
All these appointments are statutory and are offices the remuneration from which is taxable as employment income.
The salaries of Circuit Judges, which are paid by the Treasury, and fees for the other 4 categories, which are paid by the Lord Chancellor's Department, are subject to tax under PAYE.
As regards travelling and subsistence allowances paid to Recorders, etc., see EIM68610.


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Planning and managing for the future, not the past
Image: Gretel Daugherty, Grand Junction (CO) Sentinel. Danielle Cooper holds one of the last few "WTF: Welcome to Fruita" stickers left at Aspen Street Coffee Co., 136 E. Aspen Ave., in Fruita.
While I might not think this is a good idea, a couple in Fruita, Colorado printed up some promotional stickers promoting "Welcome to Fruita," a play on the fact that the acronym WTF also means something else. See "'WTF' sticker shock in Fruita: Despite popularity, city leaders cool to idea for tourism promotion" from the Grand Junction Sentinel.
From the article:
Steve and Denise Hight thought they had hit on something quirky — and little more — when they stamped a simple double-entendre in black letters on a white background.
They quietly circulated 500 stickers, reading "WTF" in big, bold letters and "Welcome to Fruita" in smaller type, to downtown Fruita businesses and left a stack at the Fruita Civic Center. City employees who saw the stickers fly off the table phoned the Hights and inquired about translating their idea into a possible marketing campaign.
And that marked the jumping-off point for a three-letter abbreviation generating far more buzz for the Hights than the 128-page book detailing the history of Fruita that the couple published last year.
Within a day or two, customers snapped up nearly all of the stickers and slapped them on car and truck bumpers. Downtown businesses have been hounded for more. The Hights have placed an order for an additional 1,500 stickers for windows and mountain bikes and passed the logo along to a local T-shirt shop for merchandise. ...
A majority of council members, bombarded with hundreds of emails, phone calls and in-person contacts from overwhelmingly dismayed residents, say they will not agree to use WTF or the separately developed phrase "hell yeah" in any future city-funded promotional materials. Most said while the ideas behind the off-color letters and words are creative, they're too crude to incorporate into a broad advertising pitch.
While I do understand their point, the fact of the matter is that marketing is also about cultivating and developing new audiences including the next (and the next after that) generation.
There is no question that in the connected social-media-centric world, more direct messages are necessary to break through the almost continuous advertising and messaging space that exists.
This is one way to break through.
Labels: city-regional branding, media and communications, tourism, visitor services


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Calculating an individual's giving capacity
In the past few weeks, there's been an interesting debate sparked off on the Prospect Research UK forum, regarding calculating an individual's capacity to give. Also known as the holy grail, present your major gift fundraisers' with a specific number and you can be sure to be on their Christmas card list (for this year at least). But while having an appreciation of a person's capacity to give can be very helpful, is it really possible to gain an accurate figure or is just another stab in the dark?
As prospect research evolves and gains momentum, in the UK at least, questions regarding wealth and giving capacity are becoming more and more popular. It is perhaps no surprise that these questions have been scrutinised for a while now by our compatriots across the pond, but the fact that no one formula or method is being used by researchers makes me wonder if there ever will be.
Don't get me wrong, it's good that prospect research is moving forwards, delving into different sciences, as it is a discipline that requires a good knowledge of many things outside the third sector. But I fear that the sector doesn't even produce enough quality data and statistical analyses on the basics (of charity income, expenditure, causal giving etc.) to warrant in-depth investment into statistical research into major donors. Is it even possible!?
There are many prospect researchers out there who use formula in an attempt to estimate capacity to give. Some suggestions put forward include 5% of annual income or 1% of assets, others 1-2% of income or 2-5% of assets and even 1-5% of income or 0.5-5% of assets. The problem is these figures have a large numbers of dependent factors, including how close the donor is to your organisation, how interested they are in your work, who is making the ask and how, how liquid is their wealth as well as taking into account their donation history.
Then you have the small problem of working out what their annual income is or indeed what their asset value might be. Estimating wealth has been a guestimate at the best of times given the limitations of publicly available information. Therefore basing a very rough formula on an even looser calculation will have even the kid in remedial maths scratching his head with his pencil. Oh, and don't forget to divide the giving capacity by three (the average number of charities a person supports) as one of my RiF colleagues pointed out.
As I mentioned earlier, various formulas from America and Canada for estimating a person's capacity to give, are being used. There's a nice little article explaining all the different methods, which is definitely worth a read. Some methods used include:
Estimated net worth = total real estate holdings x 3, where estimated giving capacity = 3% of estimated net worth (only usable where real estate totals less than $400,000)
Giving capacity = (2 to 4) x 'average donation' x 5 years (The figures 2 to 4 represent the prospect's level of interest, with 2 representing low interest and 4 representing high interest)
Giving capacity = 5% of liquid assets for those whose primary residence constitutes a great portion of overall net worth.
I know what you're thinking…..when is he going to tell us which one is the best to use right? Well call me Mr. Grumpy, but I haven't got a clue (FACT: there are now 25 Mr Men). I would recommend you try them out for yourself (the formulas, not the Mr Men) and try to compare the results with what you know about previous donors (to use as a comparison).
I personally think that all this is a step in the right direction, but we need to do much more collaborative research on historical giving trends before we can begin to promote one formula over another. So little research has been conducted on major donors, wealthy philanthropists, big gifters…whatever you want to call them, that until we get a greater insight into how much they give, how often and why, will won't be able to produce a robust method for estimating giving capacity (and wealth).
One final point to note, which I always tell people, is as a prospect researcher, you need to manage the expectations of your fundraising colleagues when it comes to giving figures for wealth and giving capacity. At best these are guestimates and should only be used in conjunction with a whole host of other information (see those previously mentioned above). Figures for giving capacity are only ever loose and should be continually reviewed at every stage of the donor journey. The better you get to know a potential donor, the more robust your intelligence becomes.
Categories: High Net Worth Individuals


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General Terms and Conditions of RailAway AG for groups and schools.
- These General Terms and Conditions of Business for groups and schools (groups of 10 people or more; referred to below as "TCB for Group Travel") regulate the following legal relationships between you as a group traveller and RailAway AG, Lucerne:
Travel agent's contracts
Tour operator's contracts: a tour operator's contract refers to a combination of at least two tourist services or travel services for a single overall price, with the trip not lasting longer than 24 hours and not including any overnight stays/accommodation.
Package tour contracts as described in Art. 1 of the Law on Package Tours: this refers to a previously arranged combination of at least two transport, accommodation or other tourist services, lasting in total longer than 24 hours and offered at a single overall price.
- Unless otherwise agreed in writing with the booking office, these TCB apply to all package tour contracts, tour operator's and travel agent's contracts that you conclude with RailAway AG, Lucerne. The final description of the trip that is booked may include other notes and conditions that also form part of the contract.
- For groups and schools, the minimum number of participants is 10. If this number is not reached, or if cancellations etc. mean the number falls below 10, then the normal prices for individual travellers will apply (see Section 6 below).
- Many special deals for groups and schools are often sold out well in advance. We therefore recommend that you apply as early as possible. However, applications must be made no later than 6 working days before the start of the trip.
- Our booking offices are only able to accept special requests if they are designated as being without obligation. Special requests and secondary agreements only form part of the contract if they have been confirmed by the booking office in writing and without reservation.
- The contract between you and RailAway AG is concluded as soon as your application is unreservedly accepted by the booking office. If you book in person at one of our booking offices, you will sign a booking form to this effect. If you book by phone, the contract comes into effect with the verbal agreement of the booking office. In the case of bookings over the Internet, the contract comes into effect once the service has been paid for.
- In order for schools to be able to benefit from the special prices for schools, they must, either when they book or when they collect the travel documentation at the latest, present to the booking office an original copy of the SBB's form "Order form for Swiss group tickets", signed and stamped by the school office, the canton's "Youth + Sport" Office or the Federal School of Gymnastics and Sport in Magglingen. Otherwise, the higher prices for group travel apply.
- The person making the booking is liable for the payment of all services booked. If the contract is signed in the name of a school, association or other corporate body, then the sponsor of the school or, in the case of associations and other corporate bodies, the legal representative is liable for paying for the services booked. If the school's sponsoring body or the legal representative refuses to pay, then the person making the booking is liable for the payment.
- The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that their fellow travellers comply with all the conditions for travelling, that these TCB for Group Travel apply to all participants, that they follow the instructions of RailAway AG and the service providers and, in the case of foreign trips, carry the necessary personal identification with them and meet and comply with all entry and other requirements.
- In the case of foreign trips, the person making the booking will provide the booking office with a list of the nationalities of the participants at the time of booking. The booking office will inform the group of the entry conditions for Swiss citizens and for citizens of the EU and EFTA as soon as possible. Participants of other nationalities should contact the relevant consulate for information. The person making the booking is responsible for ensuring that visas etc. are obtained in good time. If the necessary travel documentation (passport, visa etc.) is not issued, or is issued too late and the trip has to be cancelled or postponed, the terms stated in Section 6 apply.
- Participants undertake to handle carefully any sports equipment etc. that they are given and to return it in accordance with the contract. The participants themselves are liable for any damage, unless they can prove that they were not responsible for causing it. It is recommended that such equipment is checked for any defects when it is received, and a complaint made then if necessary.
- Participants are themselves responsible for complying with road traffic and FIS rules.
- The services provided by RailAway AG are derived from the relevant brochure, these TCB for Group Travel and your contract with RailAway AG. We will confirm to you in writing the details that are binding. The exact itinerary showing dates, timetable and meeting times must be checked thoroughly and, if there are any inaccuracies, these should be pointed out in writing to the booking office within five days of the confirmation being issued.
- Different prices apply for private groups and for schools. Schools are only eligible for the school rates if they can present an SBB "Order form for Swiss group tickets", signed and stamped by the school office, the canton's "Youth + Sport" Office or the Federal School of Gymnastics and Sport in Magglingen, when they collect the travel documentation at the latest.
- The prices given in the brochures are from the main departure stations. For children and holders of a "general abonnement" or half-fare card, the best possible terms are applied.
- The contractually agreed price may be subject to increase due to a rise in transportation costs, an increase in taxes on certain services or a change in exchange rates, and travellers will be notified of this at least 3 weeks before the trip. If the price increase is of more than 10%, the traveller has the right to cancel the contract free of charge by sending a registered letter within 5 days of notification.
- All prices include VAT.
- A deposit of CHF 150.- must be paid when the booking is made or, in the case of a telephone booking, within 3 days of confirmation being received.
- The remainder must be paid when the travel documentation is collected at the latest. If the booking is made less than 6 days before the start of the trip, the full price must be paid when the booking is made.
- It is possible that for certain offers a security deposit may have to be paid. Details can be found in the relevant trip description.
- If the deadlines for payment are not adhered to, RailAway AG has the right to withhold its services, withdraw from the contract and demand the handling fees and cancellation charges described in Section 6.
- If you wish to change the travel schedule or the number of participants or cancel the trip, you must inform your booking office immediately and return any travel documents you have already received. The booking office will confirm the change or the cancellation to you in writing.
- Once the booking has been confirmed or accepted by RailAway, a handling fee of CHF 60.- will be charged for any changes to the itinerary, reduction in the number of participants, cancellation or postponement of the date of travel.
- In the event of the customer cancelling the booking altogether, then in addition to the handling fee, RailAway will also charge the following cancellation charges:
10 - 6 days before start of trip: CHF 150.-
5 - 2 days before start of trip: 50%*, no less than CHF 150.-
1 - 0 days before start of trip: 80%*, no less than CHF 150.-
No-show: 100%*, no less than CHF 150.-
*of the total amount for the confirmed trip at the time of cancellation.
If it is only a reduction in the number of participants, then in addition to the handling fee the following cancellation charges must be paid:
5 - 2 days before start of trip: 50% of the cancelled arrangements
1 - 0 days before start of trip: 80% of the cancelled arrangements
No-show: 100% of the cancelled arrangements
If, as a result of the cancellation of certain participants, the total number no longer reaches 10, the same prices are charged as for individual travellers. In the case of cancellation of transportation services only, on scheduled trains, chair lifts, ski lifts etc. during normal operating hours, the cost of the unused services will be refunded, provided that - in the event of a full or partial cancellation or a reduced number of participants - the tickets are returned to the booking office before the agreed start date for the trip, or else the actual number of participants is unanimously confirmed by the railway and by the contracting partners (in the case of a reduced number of participants). In this case only the handling fee of CHF 60.- will be charged.
- Group passengers can postpone the trip to a later date at any time up to the preceding day. They must inform the booking office by 9 a.m. of the preceding day and agree a new date at the same time. A trip can be postponed twice in this way free of charge. From the 3rd postponement onwards, normal cancellation charges apply.
- The cancellation charges are calculated from the date on which the booking office received notification of the change.
- RailAway AG expressly reserves the right to change prices and descriptions in brochures, leaflets, flyers, the electronic media etc. before your booking is made. You will be told about these changes when you book.
- Changes after booking before the start of the trip:
- Prices can be increased after booking and before the start of the trip, if transportation costs rise, state duties (such as taxes etc.) or fees (such as security charges etc.) are increased or new ones introduced, or as a result of exchange rate changes. The agreed travel prices will be increased accordingly.
- RailAway AG reserves the right to change the schedule or specific services if this proves necessary for reasons of force majeure, or unpredictable or unavoidable circumstances. RailAway AG will endeavour to provide an alternative service of equivalent value. The booking office will inform you of such changes as quickly as possible and of their effect on the price.
- For package tours, in the event of price increases as described in Section 7.2.1, Art. 7 and 8 paragraph 2 of the Law on Package Tours shall apply.
- RailAway AG is entitled to change the travel schedule during the trip if this proves necessary for reasons of force majeure, or unpredictable or unavoidable circumstances. Any additional costs will be charged to the travellers, unless RailAway AG was to blame for causing the change to the schedule. For package tours regulated by the Federal Law on Package Tours (PRG), the conditions of Art. 12 ff. PRG apply.
- Cancellation or curtailment of the trip by RailAway AG:
- RailAway AG is entitled to cancel or curtail the trip if participants give them good reason by their actions or failure to behave properly. They reserve the right to charge a handling fee and cancellation costs as described in Sections 6.1 and 6.2. If the trip is curtailed there can be no reimbursement for the unused travel services.
- RailAway AG is entitled to cancel or curtail the trip if unforeseeable or unavoidable events, force majeure (environmental conditions, natural disasters etc.), official action, strikes etc. make the trip significantly more difficult, dangerous or impossible. If the trip is cancelled before it has started, RailAway AG will reimburse the price already paid, provided there are no further claims. If the trip is curtailed, the cost of the unused services will be reimbursed, unless RailAway has been invoiced for these services by the service providers.
- For package tours, Art. 10 paragraphs 4 and 11 ff of the Law on Package Tours apply.
- Any deficiencies in complying with the terms of the travel agent's or tour operator's contract must be reported in writing to the relevant service provider within 30 days of the end of the trip. In the event of a complaint being made in situ during the trip, the service provider in question will try to find an appropriate solution.
- In the case of a package tour, RailAway AG, Lucerne, as the tour agent or operator, should also be informed immediately in the same way. Complaints relating to a package tour are regulated by Art. 12 of the Law on Package Tours.
- Under a travel agent's contract, RailAway AG, Lucerne, is only liable to an individual traveller for proper execution of the task. RailAway AG, Lucerne, cannot be held liable for ordinary negligence, culpability on the part of the individual traveller, third-party culpability or force majeure. The relevant organisers or service providers are solely responsible for the proper execution of the trip and/or the service in question.
- Under a tour operator's contract, RailAway AG, Lucerne, is liable for the proper execution of the contract in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. RailAway AG, Lucerne, cannot be held liable for ordinary negligence, culpability on the part of group travellers, third-party culpability or force majeure.
- Liability arising from failure to execute or to execute a package tour contract properly is based on the relevant conditions of the Law on Package Tours. Under Art. 15 of the Law on Package Tours, RailAway AG, Lucerne is not liable if the failure to execute or to execute the contract properly is due to:
- failings on the part of the group travellers;
- unforeseeable or unavoidable failings on the part of third parties, not involved in the performance of the contractually agreed service;
- force majeure or an event which the organiser, agent or service provider was unable to predict or avert despite taking all due care.
For losses other than personal injury, liability is limited to twice the price of the package tour, except in the case of losses caused by deliberate or gross negligence.
- The contact details that you submit to RailAway AG for participation in competitions may be used for marketing purposes by RailAway AG. No correspondence will be entered into about the competition. The draw is carried out without publicity. There is no right of appeal. Winners will be notified in writing. Employees of SBB AG and RailAway AG are excluded from taking part.
- When booking a group ticket or a group combined offer, your address details will be entered into the SBB seat reservation system. These data are held in the CRM system of RailAway AG and may be used for marketing purposes.
- The relationship between you and RailAway AG is governed solely by Swiss law. The latest version of the TCB that applies to your contract with RailAway AG can be found on the RailAway AG website at www.sbb.ch/tandc-railaway.
- The sole place of jurisdiction is the city of Lucerne, Switzerland.
© Lucerne, august 2018


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Chemical-Free Kids: The Organic Sequel
This new book chronicles where progress has and hasnt been made in safeguarding kids from environmental and dietary toxins since publication of the original Chemical-Free Kids in 2003, and explains why it is so essential for todays families to become part of the Organic Renaissance. With the help of lively cartoon graphics, the authors explore what makes Mighty Micronutrients so essential in childrens development, and how theyve largely been replaced by Sinister Synthetics in the typical American diet. They also describe how organic agriculture has restored much of the nutritional value that modern growing techniques have largely depleted in fruits and vegetables, and detail some of the hidden risks, such as those associated with genetically modified organisms, that lurk in non-organic processed foods containing supposed natural ingredients.


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Memories of Cyprus in June
I follow the man to the taxi, a little annoyed as I've missed the bus by minutes, and the cheaper shared taxi has stopped running too. A normal taxi from the capital to the coast is not as cheap as I'd like. 'Where you go?' the driver asks, a cigarette butt dangling from his mouth. 'Larnaca,' I reply. 'Sandbeach castle hotel, between the town centre and the airport.' 'You sure?' He asks, puzzled. 'I think I know all hotels, but this I not know.' I describe the location again, and add 'not far from the fishing port' for effect. 'We see.' He replies, revving the engine.
We drive through the outskirts of Nicosia in silence, him giving me the odd curious glance in the rear view mirror. He is measuring me up. 'You smoke?' he asks, and then adds 'I think no', before I have a chance to respond. 'No,' I agree, 'I don't.' I wonder why he is asking, then notice the sticker on the window, laying out the dos and don'ts of taxi driving in Cyprus. The things a taxi driver is obliged to do includes 'load and upload passengers' luggage'; 'always look neat and well-groomed' and, 'not smoke while passengers are in the vehicle.' I think I understand that he is testing the water to see if he can smoke, but too much time has passed to bring it up again easily, and anyway, I think as he lets out a throaty cough, it'll do him good. 'Ah, you mind when I smoke?' he asks, and I smile. 'No, that's fine' I tell him, deciding it is not up to me to feel bad for his health. 'You know, in Cyprus is not allowed.' he adds, slightly sadly. 'If you say no, I must say ok.' 'Honestly, I don't mind,' I insist. He smiles a toothy grin and lights up.
We continue a little way in silence then he asks me about my stay in Cyprus. 'Jus' work?' he asks, incredulously. 'But you see Nicosia? You see beach?' I explain about my one free day sandwiched between meetings and assure him I'm willing to return, next time for a little longer. 'If situation better, Cyprus is paradise,' he assures me. Unsure whether it is wise to get into politics, I just nod, but this encourages him to continue. 'You know? Before invasion, everyone live everywhere. Turkey Cypriot marry Greek, Greek marry Turkey. No problem. Then, army come, two thousand hundred people must to leave the North and come here. Before, lots of Turkey Cypriot live in South. They exchange with Greek in North. No more here.' I make a noise which I hope expresses my dismay and comprehension of his frustration. 'But we all the same!' he adds emphatically. 'We all Cypriots.' Trying not to be waylaid by an interest in why he should have mastered Cyprus-Cypriot, but not Turkey-Turkish, I nod my agreement.
Tiring of politics, he points out landmarks. 'Here is big new buildings. You see? IKEA, Carrefour, Zara. They all building building building.' Then he looks at the bright side. 'But we have good road now. To Larnaca, to Pafos. Everywhere we drive safety and no traffic.' His idea of driving 'safety' is to chundle along in the fast lane of the dual carriageway (the A2, but not as we know it) until someone comes up fast behind him. He then takes his time moving over to let them pass, and gets right back in the fast lane. If he is lighting a cigarette at the same time, it can take him an extra couple of nerve-wracking seconds to get out of the way.
Nearing the exit to Larnaca, the driver remembers he doesn't know where we're going. 'What is called hotel?' 'Sandbeach castle' I repeat, then take out my guidebook, to check that is the hotel's exact name. It is. He spots the book and asks, 'you have phone?' I nod. 'Yes, you give phone and I ask how we get there.' I read out the number and he dials, one hand on the steering wheel. 'Hello?... hello? ....HELLO!' he starts, and then he lets out a torrent of Greek, gesticulating wildly and shouting into the phone. The tone is aggressive, but not angry and he finishes with a chuckle. 'Is fine!' he says, catching my worried glance in the rearview mirror. 'You right, between centre and airport. But I take you show pretty street. You not visit Larnaca yes?' I shake my head, explaining my time in Larnaca so far has amounted to half an hour on the beach, the sun setting behind me.
The road gets smaller, and we are stopped by traffic lights. he lights a third cigarette. 'This main Larnaca street.' It is unremarkable. The sea is visible in the distance and we trail slowly behind a long procession of cars, all taking the scenic route. We meander past stalls selling cheap toys and clothing, the sea on our left, rows of palm trees trying their best to hide the ugly blocks of hotels on our right. The driver sighs with impatience and looks back to me. 'I sorry, you see is not my fault.' He shrugs. 'Is ok? Is no problem?' 'Don't worry' I say, genuinely appreciating the rare chance to gawp at the burned flabby tourists buying cheap plastic crap. 'It's nice to see this.'
We pass groups of stragglers, returning from the beach, dressed in swimming costumes and towels, arms full of buckets and spades, loungers and blow-up floats. The beach still looks inviting, with its umbrellas and palm trees. The sea is glistening blue. The driver notes my approval. 'You know? Cyprus beaches all clean. All blue. You know? The EU? They give all beaches blue flag.' He is triumphant about his beaches. Then he is slightly sheepish. 'Well, not hundred percent, but 95 I think. Nearly every beach clean. Is not like this in Greece. Greece beaches only 70. Turkey beaches 50. Not clean like Cyprus.' I smile and he sits back in his seat happily. 'You come back. Two weeks in sea, you understand how clean is beach.'
We are almost at the end of the promenade, and the palm trees have petered out. There is now a clear view of the restaurants displaying photos of the food they have on offer. I find that very off-putting, along with the gangs of bald beer-bellied Brits that are generally frequenting the joints, but try to stop being such a snob and make appreciative noises, for the driver's sake.
'Here they start fish taverns' he says, after pointing out McDonalds and then a couple of restaurants he has tried and liked. 'Your hotel is close. We go now.' We drive past more blocks, some housing cafes and restaurants, others over estate agents. I point out the hotel and he pulls up beside the front gate. The meter has been ticking away, but it is still only as much as I had budgeted for. I hand over the cash and ask for a receipt. 'Sure! Sure! I always have receipt. The others, no. But I always have. You need another? I give this but I can give two! You want?' After assuring him one was all I needed, I thank him and he wishes me a nice evening.
I'm glad I missed the bus.


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Well I do. I love it's primordial soup connection, the dinosaurs and beyond. In my mind trees are guardians of the earth sprinkled with ancient stardust, Tolkein's Treebeard meets Blighton's Enchanted Wood. A feeling reinforced by living beside a wood, … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: June 2013
The Food of Love
I read the other day that sharing meals, the act of eating together releases the hormone oxytocin. For thousands of years families, lovers and communities have bonded over sharing food, from the Sunday roast to the Harvest Festival and the Wedding … Continue reading


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Willis and Towers Watson have merged. Visit willistowerswatson.com
Download PDF (24KB)
London, UK, December 13, 2011 — Willis Group Holdings (NYSE: WSH), the global insurance broker, today announced
the global launch of its groundbreaking insurance placement system, WillPLACE, an online tool that helps Willis
to match its clients' insurance needs with the most appropriate insurers.
With WillPLACE, Willis placement professionals are able to gather data about insurers' risk appetites around the world,
which is then imported into the WillPLACE Market Match tool. Using a proprietary matching algorithm, this
information is then correlated online with the WillPLACE database that records the specific risks clients have,
and matches these with appropriate insurers.
Willis risk advisors then work with their clients to assign a variety of weightings to their priorities.
These weightings for ultimate carrier selection may include such factors as price competitiveness, claims service and
underwriting focus, among others. The client's requests are then electronically matched with carrier data, resulting in
a recommended match between client need and carrier appetite.
WillPLACE is unique in the industry, as unlike other placement tools, it has been developed first and
foremost around the needs of Willis clients. Joe Plumeri, Willis Chairman and CEO said, "This game-changing
placement tool is central to Willis' client-centric strategy and represents a dramatic innovation within our industry.
WillPLACE in many ways represents the future of broking and a deeper, more collaborative relationship between
Willis and its clients."
WillPLACE was launched as a pilot program in Italy one year ago. By the end of the
first quarter of 2012, WillPLACE will have been rolled out across 14 key areas, including the
UK, US and Canada, Willis Specialty operations, and key locations in Latin America and Europe including
Brazil, Argentina and Germany. After this phase of the rollout is complete, more than 70 percent
of premium that Willis places into the insurance market will go through WillPLACE.
Speaking at recent carrier launch events in London and New York, Grahame Millwater, Willis Group President said,
"WillPLACE successfully brings to life a key tenet of what we call 'The Willis Cause,' namely
our commitment to develop client solutions with the best markets, prices and terms. WillPLACE has been
developed to bring 21st Century technology directly into the traditional broking process, breaking the mould of
how business has been done in the industry, enhancing transparency and giving clients the best information
to help guide their insurance decisions."
Alastair Swift, CEO, Willis Global Placement, said, "WillPLACE enhances the face-to-face, personal interaction between client and broker
with a tool that identifies the most suitable potential markets for that client's needs. It puts
the power squarely in the clients' hands so that they can sit alongside a Willis professional
and reach across the world to find the best insurance market."
While WillPLACE is centred around the client, insurers can also benefit from the system with access to
paid-for benchmarking data delivered in a format that assures the confidentiality of Willis clients and other
insurers. This data will help insurers pinpoint where, why and how they are gaining or losing
business and can help guide their strategies accordingly, raising the bar for the industry's performance as
a whole.
Some insurers will provide Willis with an additional fee on placements matched through the WillPLACE system. These
insurers receive additional reporting and consultative services for that fee. Clients may direct Willis to opt
out of this additional remuneration.
The WillPLACE tool includes information on all of the insurers with which Willis does business, regardless of
whether or not the insurer purchases benchmarking and other data available through WillPLACE. This ensures that
clients have full access to the complete range of high quality insurers offering placement to Willis
around the world.
In keeping with the Willis commitment to integrity and transparency, the existence of potential insurer remuneration under
the WillPLACE system is fully disclosed to all Willis clients prior to the binding of any
Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global insurance broker. Through its subsidiaries, Willis develops and delivers
professional insurance, reinsurance, risk management, financial and human resource consulting and actuarial services to corporations, public
entities and institutions around the world. Willis has more than 400 offices in nearly 120 countries,
with a global team of approximately 17,000 employees serving clients in virtually every part of the
world. Additional information on Willis may be found at www.willis.com.


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Sunday, 4 October 2009
A fortnight in politics
6 comments:
- TheBigYin said...
Which night are you going to be there Chris? Had a scant glance at the schedule but would love to have an overnight stay and meet some people (I'm assuming that the fringe meetings are of an evening?)
- 4 October 2009 at 14:27
- Snowdon said...
I'll be there all Tuesday afternoon and evening. Unfortunately I'll be missing the Monday events but I'll be in the Reading Zone from noon Tuesday.
- 4 October 2009 at 15:34
- TheBigYin said...
I will endeavour to be there Chris, and should think one or two of us northerners will be there also.
- 4 October 2009 at 16:15
- Dick Puddlecote said...
I was going to trot up there for a couple of the events I knew about, but too busy at work so didn't think I could justify the time.
Having seen the whole list, I'm gutted as I'd have hired a temp.
Oh, well.
Do your worst mate (as they say).
- 4 October 2009 at 18:23
- TheBigYin said...
Don't worry Dick, me and Helen will look after him...oh, and Visigoth may turn up too...what's to worry about...lolol.
See ya Tuesday Chris.
- 4 October 2009 at 22:01
- Snowdon said...
The more the merrier. See you then, BigYin. Looking forward to it.
- 5 October 2009 at 00:44


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CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion is out indefinitely after injuring his left knee during the No. 10 Beavers' victory over Washington State on Saturday.
Backup Cody Vaz will start for the undefeated Beavers when they play a nonconference game against BYU this weekend.
Mannion had his knee in a brace and watched from the sidelines at practice on Monday. Coach Mike Riley said an MRI has indicated the 6-foot-5, 212-pound sophomore quarterback will require surgery.
``It's very, very disappointing for the young man. He's invested a ton and he's going to miss some time,'' Riley said. ``Like I told him, `You're going to be fine. I read about a guy who hurt his knee in the first game of a the season a few years ago and he's still pretty good - Tom Brady. The football stuff happens, you've just got to live with it and get better from it.'
``He'll be back and he'll be fine.''
The specific nature of Mannion's injury was not released. Mannion lest practice without speaking to reporters and Riley said he would undergo additional examination Monday afternoon.
There was no timetable for the surgery or his return.
``I'm going to let the doctors talk about that, or Sean, when he's ready for that,'' Riley said.
Mannion threw for 270 yards and a touchdown in Oregon State's 19-6 victory over the Cougars. He apparently injured the knee on a handoff but did not leave the game.
Following the victory, Oregon State jumped into the Top 10 of the AP rankings for the first time since 2001, when the Beavers went to the Fiesta Bowl.
Mannion was averaging 339.5 yards passing a game, second in the Pac-12 and sixth in the nation.
He has thrown for 1,358 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions this season. He is sixth on Oregon State's career list with 4,686 yards.
Vaz, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound junior, played in five games in the 2010 season, completing six of 17 passes for 48 yards. He did not appear in any games last season for the Beavers.
Riley said he has confidence in Vaz, adding that he and Mannion and nearly equal reps in fall camp.
``Cody is a good quarterback. He has been preparing for this for a long time,'' Riley said. ``He'll be good and we'll be ready to go.''
Vaz said he is excited to make his first start.
``You have to prepare yourself. You have to have a good mental approach,'' Vaz said. ``That's what I've been doing for the past five weeks like I'm the starter. And now that I am I've got to make the most of this opportunity.''
Vaz's backup will be redshirt freshman quarterback Richie Harrington.
Mannion was winning accolades for his play this season. He is a classic drop-back passer with a calm demeanor and a good grasp of the fundamentals, the product of growing up the son of a high school coach.
Last season as a redshirt freshman, Mannion unseated junior starter Ryan Katz, who had started the 2010 season for the Beavers. Katz has since transferred to San Diego State.
Mannion is one of four team captains for Oregon State this year.
The Beavers have rebounded from going 3-9 last season to opening 4-0 this season. Oregon State has not opened a season 5-0 since 1939.


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The big thing that is often an issue when it comes to working out is finding the right workout gear. Some people that work out in their homes may not care much about what they are wearing. A torn t-shirt and sweats may be all that they require. It is becoming much more common for people to workout outside of their homes though. Many companies have gyms inside the building. Others have access to local gyms because they have a gym membership. This group of people will want to do something different. They are going to want to be fashionable when they are working out. Kate Hudson has helped people that aspire to look good as they are jogging or working out in a gym. The Fabletics brand has a lot of cool clothes that are designed just for this purpose.
Fabletics has made it easier for people to workout in style, but the founders of this brand are planning to make it even easier for those customers that want to try on the Fabletics merchandise before they buy.
The team is currently analyzing the demographics and making decisions on where the new stores will be located. Right now the core of the Fabletics stores are located on the east coast. There are stores in places like Delaware and New Jersey. There is also one in California. As time goes the stores will move into a new direction that will saturate a large section of the map. There will be stores in abundance on the east and west coast. There will also be stores in the north and south. Midwest stores are also on the way. This is going to be the best way to get the coverage that is needed to compete with other brands of fitness clothing.
Right now it appears that Kate Hudson is scoping out the competition, and she is doing everything in her power to make the brand successful. The brand has unlimited potential, and she knows that her influence is big. That is why she is the first face that you see as soon as you hit the Fabletics website. This is a very powerful statement because it is a break from what so many other celebrities do.
Celebrities in the past like Jennifer Lopez, Sean Combs and Gwen Stefani have used other models to show off their clothing line. Kate Hudson made the decision to model many of the clothes from her Fabletics brand. She employs some models, but she recognizes the magnitude of her influence.