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Rabbi Berel WeinRabbi Berel Wein is a noted scholar, historian, speaker and educator, admired the world over for his audio tapes/CDs, videos and books, particularly on Jewish history.
During the months of Elul and Tishrei, much of the Jewish world, both public and private, is on hold. Important decisions, as well as matters that in retrospect are now seen as perhaps less important, were postponed. "Call me after the holidays," has been this rabbi's mantra to requests made of him during this time period. But now it is well after the holidays and the crunch of the past postponements and procrastinations have descended in full force.
In my rabbinic career I have found that the month after the holidays of Tishrei to be the most dangerous time for family relations, partnership and monetary issues, communal disagreements and personal piques. It is as though the cover has been removed from the pressure cooker of the months of Elul and Tishrei, the time of personal introspection and attempted spiritual devotion.
All of the contents of that personal and emotional cauldron now explode publicly and privately, usually to the detriment of all concerned. It is very difficult to carry over the piety and awe of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and the joy of Succot into the month of Mar Cheshvan. Even though the "Mar" in Mar Cheshvan refers to the water of the rains of the month (hopefully), it also is the Hebrew word for bitterness.
For some reason this month seems always to bring with it an element of sour behavior and bitter feelings to many and this is reflected in the public and private aspects of family and society. If somehow we are truly made aware of this danger and this prevailing post-holiday tension then perhaps we can take steps to prevent it from occurring and damaging all concerned.
Part of the tension now released upon us is the call for elections here in Israel, which are to take place in a few short months. Elections are rarely uplifting and inspiring events. The worst side of our politicians is usually in full display during electoral campaigns. Viciousness replaces civility, and truth and probity are rarely visible. The American elections are also on our minds.
Though elections gave been part of Jewish life for the past few centuries, the Torah apparently has made no provision for such a method of empowering Jewish leadership. The Torah's system of governing apparently is monarchial, prophet-driven and without spin-doctors and pollsters.
Whether this guaranteed better leadership than our current electoral methods is certainly a debatable point. But it probably was less tension-laden than the current method of campaigning and pandering for votes, of wild promises that cannot be fulfilled, and mudslinging of political opponents that tarnishes our entire society.
Since I have no substitute system to advance for our present day election system I must bow to the wisdom of Winston Churchill's famous quip that "democracy is a terrible form of societal governance but it is far better than any other form that humankind has created so far." But it certainly increases our post-holiday tensions and extends this worrisome period for another few months. Current day elections are very costly affairs both financially and emotionally. Coming on the heels of the holidays, they are doubly stressful and tension filled.
The onset of winter with its short days, early darkness, and rainy periods also leads to emotional and psychological difficulties to those who are vulnerable to such moods and temperaments. Just as it is important for all of us to receive an anti-flu injection for the forthcoming winter season, so is it essential that we inject purpose and a sense of accomplishment and self-worth into ourselves.
Feeling good about one's self is the key to good mental health and spiritual growth. Confidence in consolidating what we have somehow achieved during the holidays of Tishrei can lighten the load of winter that is imposed upon us. Mar Cheshvan has some bitterness to it because it possesses no holiday or commemoration within its days. It is the only month of the Jewish calendar that is so devoid of special holiday celebrations.
Only the carryover of the exultation and spirit of the holidays of Tishrei can give strength to the otherwise mundane days of Mar Cheshvan. That is what King David in Psalms prayed for when he said "Bind the holiday (sacrifice) to the corners of the altar with ropes." Our ropes are those of memory and observance, resolve and commitment. Only by binding the Tishrei holidays to our current everyday living, by overcoming the post-holiday tensions that so afflict us and by maintaining good spirit and healthy Jewish values are we guaranteed a healthy, happy and productive winter season.


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Services and Information: Budget and Taxes
Budget and Management Library
Knowledge base of state budget and management info. Governor's recommended budgets, certifiied budgets, budget memos, and more
Website: http://www.osbm.nc.gov/library
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Snapshot of the state's financial health.
Website: https://www.osc.nc.gov/public-information/2017-cafr
CRIS Grants Database
Community Resource Information System for Grants and Resources
Department of Revenue Service Centers
Location and contact information for NCDOR regional service centers.
DHHS Open Window
Funding and performance of health and human services programs
Website: http://dhhsopenwindow.nc.gov/
e-Business Tax Center
File and Pay taxes
Income Taxes
File state income taxes electronically
Learn how North Carolina spends tax dollars and other revenues to provide services to citizens. Budget transparency information on state government budget and spending. State budget, expenditures and payments are searchable and downloadable.
Follow the money in state grants and contracts
Reports and Statistics on Taxes in North Carolina
Analysis and data for NC taxes

subset: commoncrawl


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Heating a Pneumatic
If you were to cover the inside of your pressure chamber with some kind of heat insulation and then take something like small hot plate or something and heat the air, or better yet helium or hydrogen up in the chamber. This would increase the speed of your projectile wouldn't it, and if so by how much beceause I do not know. I just want to try and build the most effective pnematic launcher that I canand if doing this small change would help at all it would be great but my guess is that it does not change the velocity a whole lot to bother with this.
yeah i doubt it would change it much. plus it would take a verrrry long time to heat all the way through pvc and heat the air inside. you could try like wiring in some nichrome wire in the chamber to heat it from the inside but if you use hydrogen you might have a problem. i still dont think its worth it though
what I meant was putting some kind of heating device inside, such as a hot plate or something hotter, and hydrogen woulkdn't really be a problem beceause theres no chance of it cathching on fire due to the fact of no oxygen to react with but ya I guesse its pointless unless of course there was some way to heat it to a very high temperature without compromising the streangth of the PVC. Oh well.
Well I meant puting the heating device inside, but ya it probably won't do anything substantial, well unless there was some way to heat it up to a very high temperature but then it would compromise the PVC's streangth. Oh well.
You said you were sorry in a third post, use the edit button. Heating the air would simply raise the pressure, just pump more in, you can't go past 160 psi anyways.
"There isn't a problem in the world that can't be solved by the proper application of explosives"
You know, there is a cheap and easy way to heat your air: combustion.
Make a 2x mix hybrid; you'll get 100-120 psi of very hot gas. Exactly what you want, right?
PVC melts easily, it would most likely get soft enough to fail long before you got it to a temerature that the velocity would significantly increase
why not use metal/copper pipe? cant beleive no one thought of that
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text: SOUTH BEND -- As send-offs go, it's hard to imagine anything topping the one Rob Leeds, a Navy petty officer, received at his old school, Monroe Primary Center, on Tuesday. His kindergarten teacher, Peggy DeRue Connelly, was on hand. So was his mother, Cathie Leeds. Not to mention the other stars of the show, the pre-kindergarten through first-grade students at Monroe. Prior to Leeds and his boss, Bill Murrmann, a construction mechanic first class, giving the students a firsthand look at all their gear, the two Seabees were treated to a parade by the preschoolers in the small auditorium. The tiny students marched in to music, carrying small flags. Some even rode in on a wagon. That was followed by Jackie Hardman's kindergarten class singing three patriotic songs -- "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "This is our Flag." "I couldn't ask for anything more," Rob Leeds said. "It was way more than what we expected. It was pretty neat how they had it set up for us." "We had a blast." As far as the kids were concerned, the feeling was mutual for the big man dressed in the camouflage Seabee outfit. Leeds, 30, will be heading off to Iraq this spring as a Seabee, constructing and building up areas other U.S. forces have attacked. With such a young audience, Leeds and Murrmann did not get much into the specifics of the war in Iraq. "We joke around with the Marines that we are the thinking Marines," Murrmann told them. "We go in behind the Marines and repair runways and do road construction projects. "We do a lot of repairing of schools and housing where we (the U.S.) have gone in and blown things up." As the students sat on the edge of their seats, Leeds then sought eight volunteers to try on the equipment. A gas mask, a flack jacket that weighed 8 pounds and one very hard helmet were some of the items they got to try on. "It was heavy," agreed Cody York, 6, a first-grader who got to try on everything, with his classmates laughing at the sight. "The mask was pretty hot. I could see yellow and purple." Tyler Johnson, 7, another first-grader, liked it, too. "It was like crazy," he said. "I am going to put all that stuff on at one time." Seeing the two men in their camouflage outfits impressed the kids, too. "I never met an Army man," Cody marveled. The friendly Leeds, who entered the service two years ago because of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, laughed as he showed the students how he took a bath with a moist towelette. "The kids see everything on TV with the soldiers," he said. "We figured we would give them a chance to see what the gear was like. What we wear, what we do, what we eat and how we take a bath." Before the assembly ended, Murrmann presented a military coin to Principal Mark Tulchinsky, noting it was a sign of gratitude and honor. For Leeds' former teacher, DeRue Connelly, and his mom, it was both a wonderful sight and yet one that gave them pause. "I am very, very proud that he is doing this," DeRue Connelly, who is retired from teaching, said. "It's quite an honor to have someone think of me this many years later. "But it's hard," she added, alluding to the potential dangers Leeds will face. His mother, who volunteers at Monroe, had similar feelings. "I am very, very proud of him," Cathie Leeds said. "But it's very difficult to find the balance of not being scared and showing support. "I just have to rely on God that he will take care of him and our men and women and bring them all back home." For Petty Officer 3rd Class Leeds, though, as evidenced by his constant smile, this was a day to recall a memory or two. "I remember doing a play right here," he said of the stage. "It was funny. I was a pig in the play and I jumped over this line right here (in kindergarten)." "I remember the stage was humongous. I had to jump over a fence and almost fell off this stage. "It was pretty neat." Moments later, he walked off to visit a few classrooms. "I feel I have got pretty good training and am ready to go," he said of his upcoming deployment. "I've got good guys next to me, and I know we will get through it." Staff writer Jim Meenan: email@example.com (574) 235-6342


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Juventus manager Antonio Conte has called on his side to improve in Europe following Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
The Italian side were brushed aside at the Allianz Arena after goals from David Alaba and Thomas Muller put Juventus' hopes of making the semi-final in serious jeopardy – the Italian manager was full of praise for the German outfit.
Conte told Sky Italia: "Obviously we faced a really strong side. It wasn't a surprise. We must be honest. They are a really strong side and they have beaten us."
The Juve manager guided his side to their first legitimate Serie A title since 2003 in spectacular fashion – having not lost a single game – and his side currently occupy first position, nine points ahead of second place Napoli.
While they have had great success in the Serie A in recent years and the good football to match, Conte wants to see an improvement in Juventus in the Champions League.
He continued by saying: "For sure we have returned to being competitive in Italy but in Europe we must improve."
The Bianconeri manager has noted that Tuesday's defeat highlighted the gulf in class between his side and the top teams in Europe.
The Juventus boss finished by saying: "These are matches that let us understand the distance between us and these top sides.
"Now we must prepare for the second leg. Bayern are strong but we take this loss as experience and we will try to improve."
The second leg of the quarter-final tie will take place on the 10th April with the Italian side looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit, whilst Bayern are hoping to get one step closer to two consecutive Champions League finals.
DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeFootball Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeFootball.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeFootball.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.


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San Diego Online PhD in Professional Writing Programs
Typically, online PhD in Professional Writing programs are designed to teach students the technical skills and theory needed to write in industry, government, technology, and scientific disciplines, or to prepare them for potential careers in academia. Known for having a strong project and research orientation, PhD degrees in Professional Writing typically take 5-6 years, full-time (3-4 years beyond the master's).
Admission to an online PhD program usually involves all the same requirements of the master's degree plus professional experience, and submission of a writing portfolio. Other requirements include coursework and a dissertation; always verify with the university you are considering attending to verify their procedures.
Potential Advantages to an Online PhD in Professional Writing
Busy working students might find that pursuing an online PhD may be a convenient learning format. Educational technology has advanced; meaning the quality of a program is not sacrificed just because it is web-based. This means that seminars, online libraries and other digital tools bring the college experience to wherever you are set up with your computer and Internet.
If this sounds good to you, search for Online PhD in Professional Writing programs on GradSchools.com. Doctorate programs may be focused on English, Literature or Writing and Rhetoric, depending on your goals, whether to write in industry, teach, edit or publish.
Potential Online Professional Writing PhD Curriculum
Professional Writing PhD curriculums often incorporate courses in such topics as:
- Document Design
- Editing
- Research Methods
- Corporate and Legal Writing,
- Writing Technical Manuals
- History of Composition,
- Composition Theory
- Critical Engagement
Some programs and coursework may incorporate computer use to build students' skills in using multimedia
applications, web pages, and other digital applications.
Career Outlook For Writers and Authors
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of writers and authors is projected to grow 2 percent from 2014 to 2024, while employment of technical writers is projected to grow 10 percent during the same time frame. In both cases, experienced writers who understand how to write for the contemporary marketplace are seen to have the better job prospects.
Ready to Pursue an Online PhD in Professional Writing?
If you earn your living through writing professionally, perhaps you are ready to jumpstart your career or be open to new avenues of employment, or new heights of technical expertise. Why not look into an online doctorate program in professional writing on GradSchools.com today!
Sponsored Listings


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Woke Up from aroseandapeony on 8tracks Radio.
Happy Wednesday, lovely people. It's been one of those weeks where all of my down moments I ache for the music I listen to to lift my spirits. This is very much a dance/remix collection full of the jumpier tracks from some of my favourite artists.
Starting with Kimbra's new single Miracle from her new album The Golden Echo (more to come on that later). It is such a happy-go-lucky dance track that brings a disco to even the dullest of days.
I hope this selection brigs a little bit more joy to what, for me, is turning out to be a flat out hump day.
Happy listening!


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|Organic Dinner, Home grown, Home Raised
Grow your own vegetables and raise chickens for eggs. This summer my vegetable garden is finally large enough that I haven't bought vegetables from the grocery store for two months. And I haven't bought eggs in about six months. This significantly lowers my grocery bill. It's expensive to buy organic eggs and organic vegetables.
|Heirloom Tomatoes
If you're wondering how this is possible here's what I've been doing. I feed the chickens loads of kitchen scraps which then turns into nice chicken coop deposits. I then compost these directly over the garden in winter and in a compost bin during the summer. I don't till the garden beds so all the micro organisms in the soil remain healthy. I do a bug check on the garden every day or so and pick off any leaves where bugs are laying eggs and pick off any caterpillars and give them to the chickens.
For fruit in early summer we pick wild strawberries and wild raspberries. I have planted some berry plants in the garden but these aren't mature enough to produce very much fruit yet.


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Actor Varun Dhawan says being apart of Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer 'Dilwale' is not a risk-free move for his career as it demanded a lot of hardwork to make his presence felt in the movie. "Dilwale", which released yesterday, is getting a lukewarm response at the box office.
"I don't make safe decisions. 'Dilwale' is also a risk for me in my career because if I am good in the film then only I will be seen. "Otherwise it's very easy for me to get overshadowed because of the sheer star power not only of Shah Rukh and Kajol but also of Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra and Boman Irani. These guys are veterans," Varun told PTI.
"I love films like 'Dilwale'. I love family films, where you laugh, cry, see good actions, visuals and listen to good songs. I have always loved watching these films like an audience. I always wanted to be a part of one of them. This movie had enough meat and masala for me to perform." The actor said his father is an admirer of Shetty's mass entertainers. "My dad is a Rohit Shetty fan. He thinks Rohit sir is an amazing director. His success rate is something which is untouched in this industry… More than any of my films, dad is looking forward to 'Dilwale' because I am doing comedy in the film. It's a test for me whether I shine or not," he said.
Post 'Dilwale', The actor will be seen in brother Rohit Dhawan directed action-adventure drama "Dishoom", which also stars John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez.


text: Today we are rolling out the 5 Day Water Challenge. Consuming water every day is one of the quickest ways to make your body feel better. Sometimes drinking heavily sugared beverages can alter your mood and affect your body negatively. There are so many reasons to drink more water. Water can Promote a healthy weight … Continue reading The 5 Day Water Challenge: With the Printable PDF Plan


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Create a focal point
On any magazine page, think about creating a focal point. This provides the page both something interesting visually to look at and to attract the reader's attention, and it also will establish information hierarchy.
This page, entirely typographic, does that with a simple arrangement of numbers. The small triangles provide cues as to how you should go about navigating the page.
White space on the page is important too and this design uses the negative space on the page effectively to frame the content and reinforce hierarchy.
With so many pieces of information on the page, adequate separation among those individual pieces is important.
[ Body + Soul May 2005 ]


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According to his statistics, 130 extremist crimes were recorded in 2004, 460 in 2008, and 549 in 2009. As usual, the MVD stats did not distinguish between hate crimes and crimes connected to Islamic extremists, insurgents in Chechnya, or even peaceful opposition demonstrators, whom police are
targeting with increasing frequency by abusing anti-extremism legislation. But General Kokov did say that there are 150 neo-fascist groups active in Russia.
General Kokov admitted that his statistics are not 100% reliable. He also added that 549 extremist
crimes do not seem like much compared to the overall crime number for 2009 of 3,000,000. "Nevertheless," he said, "it ought to be pointed out that even one crime connected to the specific and delicate sphere of
inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations can drastically destabilize or even explode the situation, not only in one specific region, but in the entire state... That is the main danger presented by extremist incidents. Sometimes, a typical bar fight or night club brawl can lead to unpredictable consequences, including mass disorders on inter-ethnic or inter-religious grounds. It's enough to remember what happened inKondopoga, Salsk, Kalmykiya."


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Designer: Lisa Bee-Wilson
Keep your coffee—and your fingertips—nice and warm with a cozy for your cup.
- Sweater sleeve
- Needle: embroidery
- Embroidery floss
- Scraps of felt or felted wool (optional)
- Snowflake pattern
1. Turn sleeve wrong side out. Cut long edges of the sleeve as necessary to make two pieces with parallel edges (Diagram 1). (We cut ours so it was 5″ wide.) Measuring from the cuff end of the sleeve, cut sleeve so it is about 16″ long. Machine-sew the long edges and the noncuff end closed using a 1⁄4" seam (Diagram 2). Turn right side out. Hand- or machine-sew cuff end closed; we covered the cuff end with a strip of felted wool and hand-stitched it in place using embroidery floss (Diagram 3).
2. Wrap the sleeve around a nonhandled mug to determine how tightly you want to wrap the mug cozy; start wrapping the sewn end of the sleeve around the mug (Diagram 4), then overlap the sleeve on top of itself to make the cozy (Diagram 5). Pin the overlap to secure it, then slide off the mug.
3. Using embroidery floss and a whipstitch, hand-stitch over the top and bottom edges of the overlapped area on the sleeve to secure. (Diagram 6).
4. If desired, fuse or sew an embellishment on the mug cozy. (Find the snowflake pattern we used under "Materials".)


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The lovely Michael Diack, author of The Super Spud Trilogy, has spared a few minutes to answer some of What's Hot Blog's questions with this author interview – enjoy!
1. What inspired you to be a writer?
I can't say I decided to become a writer, the Super Spuds was just something I had in my head and I knew I needed to write the story. Writing makes me happy and I'm always writing, whether its short stories, Super Spud adventures or just plans for other novels, ideas are constantly flowing. I'd need to sell a few more copies first before I'd consider myself a writer properly, for now I'm just a debut author trying to stand out from the crowd with his quirky novel about crisp packets.
2. If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?
I studied geology at university and I've always been interested in the Earth. My childhood hero was Pierce Brosnan in Dante's Peak, where he tries to warn a town of an imminent volcanic eruption and goes on to save a woman and her family. I wanted to be that hero (and get the girl) and I always liked volcanos, but alas, my career didn't turn out that way and now I find myself working in the Arabian desert writing stories about magical potatoes…
3. You've written three whole stories about spuds, exactly how did
this idea come to you?
I wrote the book at university when I was 19. I guess the target audience at the time of writing it were fellow students with the same kind of humour as me. Initially, there were lots more sexual innuendos and some mild swearing, in time I took these out and tried to make the book much more approachable for all age groups. Now there are no swear words, the Super Spud equivalent version of sex is holding hands, and the graphic violence is comic in its depiction.
My gut tells me the core target audience it will appeal to is still the student generation (18-22), and the best reviews have been from reviewers of this age range, but I honestly hope adults will find it enjoyable and younger readers, too. It came about after I remembered a short story I had written at primary school: Colin and Lucy are crisp packets who come to life after their use-by date and try to find the rubbish tip. At university, bored during a lecture on rocks, I remembered the story and the whole novel I finished in about a month. The book references many films and it is ultimately a tale of friendship, good versus evil and heroic acts of bravery.
4. Do you think lemon&vanilla and strawberries&cream should be made
into real crisp flavours?
I'd prefer strawberries and cream to be made into a real flavour than Brussels sprouts or garlic! I think out of all the unconventional flavours in the books, these two would be the most palatable if they were made into real flavours. It would probably be a very sweet taste though, and perhaps quite sickly. It would be awesome if someone from Walkers crisps read my book and helped promote it through a new limited time flavour like they've done in the past.
5. What tips can you give to any budding young writers?
If you truly believe in your work then never give up. It takes a lot of hard work and patience but as long as you love writing then no one can stop you pursuing your dream. I'd advise you to browse the forums like Book Blogs or Goodreads, as there is a load of help and discussions for writers on there.
The most important thing when writing your book is to know your audience. Investigate writers' websites and blogs, as well as looking on Amazon at the kinds of reviews similar books receive. What seems to appeal the most? What kinds of things provoke strong negative criticism etc?
Look at the Writers and Artists' Yearbook website too (https://www.writersandartists.co.uk) The best research of all is to look at other published authors – the successful ones who most closely match your own style/approach and type of book – and work out what it is that makes their books winners.
Look at the how they have structured their work, how they've used plot devices, how they have thought through their characterisation.
6. What's your all time favourite book and why?
The Hobbit. I love everything by Tolkien and I always re-read The Hobbit every year. For me, it's the perfect adventure story and it's a credit to Tolkien's skill that the book isn't even that long. Everything is described so well without the need for a 1,000 pages and every page is exciting to read. I also love The Silmarillion and I cannot wait for the The Hobbit films to come out!
7. What are you working on next?
I'm currently writing another set of Super Spud adventures. The first book was a trilogy in the sense it revolved around three adventures: Colin, Cougar and King Martin, but I never intended for the story to end as it did. I was told by my editor to shorten the story, so I took out the last three chapters – the ending was still the same, though, with G-Boa on the run – and the story set up to be concluded. Truthfully, when it came to publishing the book, I didn't know what to call it: The Super Spuds, The Super Spud Adventures, The Chronicles of the Super Spuds…The Super Spud Trilogy was a neat title and flowed off the tongue better – I didn't mean to deceive anybody.
So yes, there will be another adventure (book four) that I'm writing now, bringing back characters who didn't die (and some you thought did) and introducing some new flavour personalities. I'm learning from the feedback from the first novel, what people liked and what they didn't. The book will still have the same wacky humour, but will revolve around the same core four characters and their adventures i.e. there isn't going to be too many characters this time and a multitude of separate plots, so the reader should feel more connection with the story and main characters. This story is more conventional and is one big adventure where everything leads up to a final confrontation between good and evil. It sees the Super Spuds travel to China, America, sailing the Atlantic and fighting pirates and zombies. After that, I have some short stories and a few more ideas for novels.
8. Which writer, if any, would you compare yourself to?
I honestly couldn't say, I don't think I'm worthy to be compared to any successful writers at the moment. I read a lot of Bret Easton Ellis and I'm inspired by his style of writing and unconventionality.
9. What's your favourite book to film adaption?
My favourite book to film adaptation is American Psycho. The book is a very long and can be a difficult read, but I thought the film did it great justice and it's a very funny film in places. Christian Bale is one of my favourite actors and I think his performance in the film is fantastic. I know the content of the book/film is grizzly and serious in some parts, but it is a dark comedy and one of the few films I could watch over and over again and not get bored.
10. Lastly, and most importantly, what is your favourite flavour of crisps?
In the book, my favourite flavour is steak and spinach. They are just heroes and willing to save anyone's life for a medal. In real life, I like salt and vinegar flavour Discos (boring, I know) and I really like the Walker's Sensations roast chicken and thyme.
Thanks Laura for reviewing my book and doing this interview!
Check out my review of The Super Spud Trilogy here
If you liked this post, check out these:
Author Interview: Susan Dennard
Author Interview: Kate Evangelista
Author Interview: Imogen Rose
Author Interview: Freda Lightfoot


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Samsung's Galaxy Flames Out
Consumer group CHOICE says consumers who purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note7 phone outright should seek an immediate refund following the global tech giant's failed product launch which has seen 35 incidents around the world.
"Learn from Samsung's flawed washing machine recall and don't mess around with a repair or a replacement – seek a full refund. The fact is you don't want one of these flaming devices in your pocket," says CHOICE Head of Media Tom Godfrey.
"We are aware of one alleged incident in Perth that saw a Samsung device fail, leaving burn marks on a hotel bed and carpet. CHOICE understands Samsung is investigating a number of incidents across Australia.
"Regardless of what the company claims, if you are in any way concerned about your new Samsung Note7 don't hesitate to put yourself and your family first and seek a remedy.
"A dangerous phone like this is considered to have a major failure under consumer law, which means the consumer decides what remedy – a repair, replacement or refund – is right for them.
"If you have purchased one of these phones outright, your best option is to get an immediate refund from Samsung or the place of purchase.
"It's a different story if the phone comes as part of a contract for service with a telco. In this instance, if the service can no longer be provided because the phone is dangerous, you might have a right under the guarantees within consumer law to cancel the service.
"It could be argued that if a telco is advertising a specific 'Samsung phone package', consumers expect that in purchasing the product, they will get the named Samsung phone to use for the duration of the contract.
"It's worth remembering that if you are not satisfied with the remedy offered by a telecommunications company like Telstra or Optus, you can always escalate the issue to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
"Whatever remedy you select, stop using the phone immediately.
Further information can be found at: choice.com.au/samsungnoterecal


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The accident happened around 7 a.m. at the intersection of Southwest Sixth Avenue and Jefferson Street. A Clackamas-bound train slammed into the driver's side of a No. 45 bus. TriMet spokeswoman Bekki Witt said the scene has been cleared and authorities are trying to determine what happened.
Witnesses told The Oregonian that the train slammed into the bus after the bus drove through a red light.
Kyle Dittmer, 49, was one of several passengers on the MAX when the collision took place. He said he watched the light turn red and saw the bus continue to drive through the intersection. He said the MAX operator honked the horn three or four times before colliding with the bus. The impact, he said, caused "quite a jolt."
"The bus ran the red light and the MAX couldn't stop in time and it collided with the train," Dittmer said. "The bus clearly went through the red light."
He said the MAX was carrying three passengers at the time of the accident.
Lori Sievert, 49, was standing at the southwest corner of 6th and Jefferson, waiting at the crosswalk with a red 'Do not walk' sign when she saw the bus cross the intersection into the path of the oncoming MAX train.
"I am pretty sure that the bus must have been running a light," she said. Sievert, an administrator at a downtown research company, cringed when the train slammed the tail driver's side of the bus.
"You could tell she was trying to stop," she said of the woman MAX operator.
A TriMet supervisor interviewed the bus driver shortly after the accident. The pair stood outside the bus.
"Do you know what color the light was?" the supervisor asked.
"Sir, it was green," she said, smoking a cigarette.
-- The Oregonian


text:
The Center for Genomic Technologies
About the Center
The Center for Genomic Technologies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem serves as a National Research and Service Laboratory dedicated to the several approaches for detecting DNA variations. It provides DNA analysis services to all academic, medical and biotechnological communities in Israel, in the fields of diagnostics, agriculture, genetic diseases, drug development and gene therapy, on a cost-recovery basis.
Scientific director:
Dr. Sagiv Shifman
Facility director:
Michal Bronstein Ph.D
Meira Shlepakov, M.Sc
Ida Giguzin, M.Sc
Marina Mordechaishvili, B.Sc
Adi Turjeman, M.Sc.
Genomic Services:
Sanger DNA Sequencing
Standard DNA Sequencing Services
Single gene or exon sequencing
Next-Generation Sequencing (Deep Sequencing)
Library preparation
MiSeq sequencing
NextSeq 500 sequenc
Affymetrix microarray technologies
Expression Analysis & RNA Profiling
SNP Genotyping and Copy Number analysis
Real-Time-PCR technologies
Real-Time PCR
Microfluidic card (Low Density Microarray)
TaqMan SNP genotyping
High-throughput (96x96) RT PCR (Fluidigm BioMark)
Fluidigm-Single cell analysis
Microsatellite genotyping
Microsatellite genotyping
RNA and DNA preparations
RNA and DNA qualification and quantification
Bioanalyzer analysis
TapeStation analysis
The Center bases its work on the following instrumentations:
ABI PRISM 3730xl DNA Analyzer
Illumina MiSeq Sequencer
Affymetrix GeneCHip Technology
StepOnePlus™ Real-Time PCR System
QuantStudio™ 12K Flex system
Fluidigm BioMark™ HD System
Fluidigm C1™ Single-Cell Auto Prep System
iPrep™ Purification Instrument
Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer
Agilent 2200 TapeStation
Advanced Search
Interdepartmental Instrumentation Unit
The Center for Genomic Technologies
DNA Sequencing
Library preparation
MiSeq sequencing
Affymetrix microarray technologies
Real-Time-PCR technologies
C1-Single cell analysis sistem
Fluidigm BioMark™ HD System
MIcrosatelite genotyping
RNA and DNA preparations
Contact Us
Bio-Imaging Unit
The Protein Expression Facility
The Protein Purification Facility
The Geoinformatics Technology Facility
© All rights reserved to The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
ICS Site Building


text:
Video: Eternal Summers: "Millions"
Shooting guns, destroying stuff
Eternal Summers' "Millions" off the Roanoke, Va. indie pop band's upcoming album Correct Behavior (out July 24 via Kanine) doesn't necessarily sound like the soundtrack to shooting guns and destroying household items. But that's exactly what this Johnny Woods-directed video offers: footage of people wielding guns and breaking stuff.
Subscribe to Pitchfork.tv on YouTube here.
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text:
VLC Media Player 1.0.5
VLC Media Player is the most popular and robust multi format, free media player available. The open source media player was publically released in 2001 by non-profit organization VideoLAN Project. VLC Media Player quickly became very popular thanks to its versatile multi-format playback capabilities. It was aided by compatibility and codec issues which rendered competitor media players like QuickTime, Windows and Real Media Player useless to many popular video and music file formats. The easy, basic UI and huge array of customization options have enforced VLC Media Player's position at the top of the free media players.
VLC plays almost any video or music file format you can find. At its launch this was a revolution compared to the default media players most people were using that often crashed or displayed "codecs missing" error messages when trying to play media files. VLC can play MPEG, AVI, RMBV, FLV, QuickTime, WMV, MP4 and a shed load of other media file formats. For a full list of compatible file formats please click here. Not only can VLC Media Player handle loads of different formats, VLC can also playback partial or incomplete media files so you can preview downloads before they finish.
Easy to Use
VLC's UI is definitely a case of function over beauty. The basic look does however make the player extremely easy to use. Simply drag and drop files to play or open them using files and folders then use the classic media navigation buttons to play, pause, stop, skip, edit playback speed, change the volume, brightness, etc. A huge variety of skins and customization options mean the standard appearance shouldn't be enough to prevent you choosing VLC as your default media player.
Advanced Options
Don't let VLC Media Player's simple interface fool you, within the playback, audio, video, tools and view tabs are a huge variety of player options. You can play with synchronization settings including a graphic equalizer with multiple pre-sets, overlays, special effects, AtmoLight video effects, audio spatializer and customizable range compression settings. You can even add subtitles to videos by adding the SRT file to the video's folder.
VLC Media Player is quite simply the most versatile, stable and high quality free media player available. It has rightly dominated the free media player market for over 10 years now and looks like it may for another 10 years thanks to the constant development and improvement by VideoLAN Org.
Looking for the Mac version of VLC Media Player? Download Here
# Decoders:
* SubRip extra styles improvements
* Fix potential crashes in SSA and svg decoders
# Mac OS X Interface:
* Improved support for the 2009 Apple Remote
# Windows port:
* Use of gcc 4.4.2 to compile instead of gcc 4.2. This might slightly increase performance and fix x264 issues
# Translations:
* Portuguese Brazilian, Lithunanian, Romanian, Ukranian, Japanese, Bengali, Walloon, Galician, Danish, Khmer, Polish, Slovenian, Vietnamese, Finnish Russian, Slovak translation updates
* New Malayalam, Macedoninan, Nynorsk translations


text:
|December Moth, Poecilocampa populi. Hayes, 9 December 2015.
|Red-green Carpet, Chloroclysta siterata. Hayes, 10 October 2015.
|Feathered Thorn, Colotois pennaria. Hayes, 14 November 2015.
The December Moth was photographed sitting on one of the egg-boxes from my light trap. The Red-Green Carpet was on the white painted door just behind the trap. It looks smooth from a distance! Quite a few species like the light but will not enter the trap, and instead rest on the paint and brickwork just behind it. The Feathered Thorn is on a piece of rotting wood. I have a selection of types of bark and wood that I can get the moths to pose on. However, when tapped onto a new surface, they will not often put their legs into a natural position. They just leave them bent into any old configuration.


text:
Fox Logo variant for Fantastic Four (2015)
Did you catch it? As the screen starts to fade on the 20th Century logo, the "F" stays on screen a few seconds longer. This was a clever thing I noticed when watching the movie. I actually reversed it and watched it again. Most of the X-Men movies do the same thing. The "X" stays on screen longer than rest of the logo.
Here's the X-Men logo with the "X" fade and the X-Men theme added to the studio logo. I love this variant the best.


text:
Show Summary Details
Grabow, Jörg
Mechatronische Netzwerke
Praxis und Anwendungen
[Mechatronic Networks: Practice and Applications]
Series:De Gruyter Studium
- eBook (PDF)
- Publication Date:
- April 2018
- Copyright year:
- 2018
- 978-3-11-047085-7
- Explains the simulation of complex mechatronic systems
- Includes extensive practice exercises with detailed solutions
- Uses the latest software: Matlab, Mathcad, PSpice
Aims and Scope
Starting from the fundamental elements of each physical sub-system, this book increases complexity incrementally, culminating in the description of complete mechatronic systems. The latest engineering software tools are applied to describe these systems.
- ix, 242 pages
- Language:
- German
- Type of Publication:
- Textbook
- Keyword(s):
- Mechatronic networks; modelling; simulation; mechatronics
- Readership:
- For students of mechatronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and for design engineers in mechatronics
- Subjects
- Engineering > Electrical Engineering > Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
- Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Tools and Methods
- Engineering > Mechanical Engineering > Mechatronics and Automotive
MARC recordMARC record for eBook
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text:
Some of Hollywood's most popular young actors are about to become the stars of the latest anime-to-movie sensation.
The upcoming live-action remake of "Akira" is coming together for its planned August start date, and Splash Page reports on a list of actors who've allegedly received the script: Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy are just some of the names reportedly in contention for roles. Casting is far from finalized, however, so we'll have to wait and see how this one shakes out.
We have more news past the jump, including who might end up directing "Cleopatra," which horror writer might be penning a "The Walking Dead" episode and what ever happened to Brad Pitt's "World War Z" adaptation.
David Fincher To Conquer Ancient Egypt
Now that the end is in sight for his adaptation of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," Deadline is reporting that David Fincher could direct the long in-development adaptation of "Cleopatra: A Life" that Angelina Jolie is attached to. These are just talks at the moment, but if the timing is right then Fincher could very well retell the famous story of Cleopatra.
Stephen King Is "Walking Dead"
News broke today that horror scribe Stephen King has been offered the chance to write an episode of the second season of "The Walking Dead," and the news could not be more thrilling. Apparently King would write the episode with his son Joe Hill, the comic book writer behind "Locke & Key," so we'll have to wait and see how that pans out.
Ian McShane Goes From Pirate To King
The casting for Bryan Singer's "Jack the Giant Killer" continues to pan out as The Hollywood Reporter announced that Ian McShane is coming on board to play a king. Up next, McShane will be starring as Blackbeard in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."
"World War Z" Is Lifeless
Vulture is reporting that Brad Pitt's upcoming adaptation of "World War Z" might never gain legs unless production company Paramount is able to find a co-financer for it. Apparently a last-minute effort is being made to garner some interest in the film, but the clock is surely ticking.
"Sucker Punch" Soundtrack A Win
With the "Sucker Punch" soundtrack released today, Next Movie decided to take a listen to compilation of classics director Zack Snyder brought together for his latest effects-heavy action flick. If you want to hear leading ladies Emily Browning and Carla Gugino's singing voices, you should probably check it out.
Tell us what you think in the comments section below or on Twitter!


text:
Momentum is a Mutha &%$@ by Marc "Razz" Rasbury
- Updated: January 18, 2011
(All photographs by Mike Hendriguez)
More than any talent a player may possess. More than any game plan ever developed. More than any pregame game speech ever delivered. More football games have been won and decided due to one thing, momentum.
Don't get me wrong talent, game plans and pregame speeches are important but Momentum breeds confidence and this is why the New York Jets walked out of Gillette Stadium with a 28-21 victory over the Patriots in their Divisional Round Playoff Game on Sunday.
After the first two series, the Patriots looked like they were going to blow the Jets out of the stadium like they did the last time New York visited Foxboro. The Jets could not stop the Patriots high powered offense as Tom Brady was marching his squad down the field at will. When they did come up with a big defensive play, the Jets could not capitalize on it as they even failed to get even 3 points after David Harris intercepted an off the mark pass from Brady and Gang Green started their first series on New England's 10 yard line.
Then on their second possession, Alge Crumpler dropped a sure TD and the Patriots had to settle for a FG. This is where Mother Momentum made her presence felt.
Mark Sanchez took the reigns and drove Gang Green down to the Patriots seven yard line where he then hit LaDainian Tomlinson with a short pass to complete the drive which gave the Jets a 7-3 lead. The TD catch came on the heels of a brilliant 36 yard strike to Braylon Edwards where the second year signal caller eluded the pass rush, directed Edwards to an area near the sideline and then hit him with a perfect strike. On this drive, Sanchez showed why the Jets moved up twelve spots in last years draft to select him and handed him the keys to the franchise.
Then after the Patriots' fake punt attempt blew up in their face on the ensuing drive, Sanchez found Edwards who dragged two defenders along with him into the end zone giving the Jets a 14-3 lead heading into halftime. Clearly momentum was on the Jets' side. But the question that many were wondering, could they hold on to it?
Tom Brady led his squad to a TD and subsequent two-point conversion toward the end of the third quarter to bring New England within 3 points. Momentum New England? The fans at Gillette Stadium were amped expecting the Jets to fold like house of cards. Unfortunately for them that drive was a big tease.
Sanchez came out at the beginning of the 4th quarter and led the Jets on his second brilliant drive in as many weeks. He hit Jerricho Cotchery on a slant play reminiscent of Montana to Rice that went for 59-yards that led to the team's third TD. That counter punch swung the momentum back in Gang Green's favor to the point that New England would never recapture it.
Sanchez only threw for 194 yards, but it was the most efficient 194 yards perhaps in playoff history. That sub 200 yard game yielded three TD passes and kept the chains moving in the Jets' direction. Every pass was not accurate or on target. Sanchez over threw some receivers and missed some reads especially early in the game. But when the Jets needed him to make a play, he delivered. And when Sanchez was not spreading the ball out to his multiple receiving weapons, the running game complimented the passing attack.
Tomlinson and Shonne Greene tore into the Patriots young defense at the tune of 120 yards between them. The Jets balanced offensive attack kept the Patriots defense off balance for most of the afternoon. Sanchez and the offense played their most complete game of the season, but make no mistake this victory belonged to the defense.
Rex Ryan's pride and joy frustrated Tom Brady to no end on Sunday. They sacked him five times, hit him seven times and intercepted him once. Even when Gang Green did not touch him, the pass rushers' presence made the Golden Boy hurry his passes to point that he was missing open receivers. Their presence was just as good as a sack. But unlike during that 45-3 thrashing back in December, the DBs and safeties did not allow the Patriots smurf receivers to get off the line of scrimmage without feeling their presence as well. This disrupted the Patriots offense. Combine this with the pass rush and the Patriots offense came to a sudden halt.
If that 45-3 thrashing was not enough motivation, then perhaps a pregame speech by ex-Jet Dennis Byrd was. Byrd was paralyzed after a brutal hit in a game against Kansas City in 1992. Byrd regained his ability to walk a year later and became an inspiration to everybody who ever donned a football uniform. He brought the uniform that the trainers had cut off his back that fateful afternoon to the Jets team meeting the night before the game. He told the current squad that he would give anything to participate in just one more play. Well he must have lit something in attendees, that to a man, they indicated that Byrd inspired them to go out and kick some ass!
Last week I stated that Ryan finally caught his Moby Dick in defeating Peyton Manning. This week they knocked off the Patriots in New England something very few people, except yours truly, thought they could do. Yeah I have witnesses who heard me predict that at the end of the Falcons-Packers game Saturday night. I just hope that the Jets have not emptied their emotional tanks with these two victories. I am not worried about them physically, but emotionally maybe a different story.
Yes, Rex and Co. came up with a great game plan. The Jets had more talent and experience across the board than New England. And perhaps Byrd did give them the extra motivation that they needed. But there is one thing that no can dispute about Sunday's victory, this win was about the Jets grabbing the momentum and not relinquishing it.


text:
Govt set to raise drug prices across Pakistan
Prices of the medicines which are going to experience raise include life-saving drugs including medicines of heart diseases, liver, asthma, blood-pressure, inhaler, different injections, syrups and anti-biotic medicines.
The meeting of drug regulatory authority will mull over requests made by local and international pharmaceutical companies.
On the other hand, drug mafia has already raised medicines in Punjab up to 300 percent and did not just stop here but has allegedly made life-saving drugs extinct in the market putting scores of lives at risk and patients in great trouble.
Eight different kinds of life-saving injections and 10 tablets have been made short in the market. The drugs which are short in market include drugs of heart diseases, TB, blood-pressure and allergy. This revelation was made in National Assembly on August 15. ARY possesses a copy of the document.


text:
Today I took a walk with the dog. Barefoot. Yyyessss.(:
I trimmed my hair today... Not really sure whether I like it or not.:P
I finished sculpting the thin version of buddha out of clay. Mhmmm.(:
Downloaded a bunch of music onto my iPod. Chyeahh.(:
Cleaned up my room a bit... Ehh.:P
I wrote a decent song today. Hell yeah!:D
Have an awesome day.:D
Au revoir, les amis.(:


text:
Desktop-as-a-Service Designed for Any Cloud ? Nutanix Frame
"Appgen Business Software, Inc., formally announced the
formation of a full-fledged Professional Services Group, with
Patricia-Ann Tankel as its director. A joint statement issued by
Appgen chief technical officer Errol Allahverdi and channel manager
Tony Repole states that "Appgen's position as a leader in the VAR
channel depends as much on our support services as our technology,
so we want to assure our VARs and business end-users that Appgen
will always be there, regardless of the pace of technological
change or sales growth."
"The Professional Services Group will offer professional
consultation, programming, database conversions, and other hands-on
services directly to Appgen VARs who may want to expand their own
service capabilities or expedite their own customer service.
"This group will also offer online end-user demos for our VARs,"
said Mr. Repole, "because end-users really appreciate a strong
working relationship between their VAR and the manufacturer - and
that's what Appgen is all about."
"Ms Tankel's history with Appgen assures a top notch
professional services group. She has been immersed in every aspect
of Appgen software since she was first employed in the company's
Applications Development Department in 1987. In recognition of her
contribution to what subsequently became known as "the best tech
support group in the industry", she was promoted to head that group
in 1995, and again promoted in 1998 to director of operations and
now to the position of director of professional services."
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Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which QuinStreet receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. QuinStreet does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.


text:
Friend's Email:
Subject: I have found a DVD that I think you would enjoy
|X-Files - The Complete Second Season
Actors: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Paul Sand, Steve Eastin, Mark Rolston
Directors: Chris Carter, Daniel Sackheim, David Nutter, James A. Contner, James Whitmore Jr.
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Mystery & Suspense
2006 18hr 44min
In this second season box set, Mulder and Scully get glimpses of the global conspiracy as they investigate UFO's, alien abductions, genetic engineering, and ominous government agents.
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Callie K. (ballofglitter) from GRAND ISLAND, NE
Reviewed on 3/10/2014...
Just love it!! That's it :)
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Michelle W. from FRESNO, CA
Reviewed on 4/8/2010...
Early X-Files! It just doesn't get any better than this!!
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Lots of time to save for this set hehehe ...
jackvaldez | 05/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoopee! Glad they're coming out with Season 2 later this year. That means I have roughly 6 months to save for this set!As one may gather, I'm obviously an x-phile - how else can one explain a five-star rating for a dvd boxed set which isn't even available yet? Heck, I'm still waiting for my Season 1 gift set order from amazon to arrive. Here's a rundown of the second season episodes:1) Takes off from the season one finale. After the X-Files have been shut down, Mulder & Scully journey to Puerto Rico. 2) Introduces fan-favorite The Flukeman, a genetic mutation living in the New Jersey sewer system. 3) Residents in a small community suddenly become violent, apparently urged on by digital readouts ordering them to kill. 4) Introduces Alex Krycek (Nicholas Lea). 5) Mulder is in the middle of a hostage negotiation involving alien-abductee Duane Barry. 6) Continues from the previous; Mulder pursues Barry who has kidnapped Scully. 7) My personal favorite! Vampire-themed episode featuring Duchovny's then real-life girlfriend Perrey Reeves. 8) Scully is found, albeit in a coma. 9) Deadly lifeform living in a volcano. 10) Agents investigate a possible connection between several teenager disappearances and a religious cult. 11) Strange unseen attacks in a nursing home. 12) The personality of a serial killer is transferred to his granddaughter 13) An "escalating fetishist" episode, where one's relatively harmless "hobby" turns homicidal. 14) Satan worshippers pay for their laxity! 15) Voodoo episode. 16) Features horror genre fan-fave Brian Thompson (Fright Night, Kindred) as the alien boutny hunter. Mulder meets long-lost sister Samantha (or does he?). 17) Continues from previous. 18) Animal abductions from a zoo near a major UFO hotspot. 19) Partly inspired by "The Philadelphia Experiment". 20) Great episode featuring circus acts, Jim Rose, and the Conundrum! 21) Possession story featuring the Romanian holymen the Calusari. 22) Plague-like epidemic sweeps a prison facility. 23) Killer shadows. For Marvel comics fans this recalls powers of characters such as Cloak and The Shroud. 24) A town hides a terrible secret. Hint - read up on the New Guinea Jale tribe. 25) Cliffhanger episode. Hacker obtains all the Defense Department's files on UFO's - encrypted in Navajo!NO BRAINER - Get this set of one of the most fascinating sci-fi TV series of all time!"
Not better than the first season, but stunning. (spoilers)
Arkaan Semere | 06/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's difficult to say why The X-Files continues to capture the awe of the viewer. The first season introduced us to Agents Mulder and Scully, who connected with each other movingly in the first season, and we see how that effects them in the second as they continue to work together. The second season stretches the mythology angle somewhat, but some of the stand-alones rank among the best. Here's just a rundown on the best episodes (though all of them are definitely worth seeing).---Duane Barry/Ascension/One Breath: The X-Files trilogy that abducted Scully! Now, we all know that Scully comes back, but these three shows held for me an intense fascination with the fate/free will ideas, and certainly engaged it's viewers in passionate discussions.---Firewalker: I don't know why I love this episode. I think that the seemless mesh of science, fiction, and suspense is what enthralled me throughout.---Irresistable: In introducing us to Donnie Pfaster, Chris Carter introduced us to one of the most evil villains in the show's history (not the coolest, mind you). I'd thought that the second season had peaked with this episode, but along came---Colony/End Game: The episode that showed us Mulder's abducted sister! (or a clone, or an alien-human hybrid). Scully gets taken by the bionic killer people (my friends claim this is why that I'm not an X-phile, having no clue what they're called. Oh well). Not as good as many other mythology episodes, but still notable for Mulder's attachment to his partner.---Dod Kalm: My favourite of season 2. No way to truly describe it, but it was enchanting and magical, thrilling and inspiring, a combination of technical brilliance and artistic majesty. Gillian Anderson deserved an Emmy for this and Irresistable.---Anasazi: Ending with what was the best Mythology episode to date, I'd be a fool to tell you what happened."
The X-Files Season 2 The excitement continues.....
K. Wyatt | St. Louis, MO United States | 11/13/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How does one begin to describe the perfection that is this second season of "The X-Files?" Speaking from the perspective of having watched these shows as they aired, anxiety and anticipation doesn't begin to describe the four month wait between seasons one and two. In season one's finale "The Erlenmeyer Flask," we see a mere glimpse of how this television series can go from greatness and kick it up even higher to absolutely stunning. The X-Files are closed and we also lose "Deep Throat" in this episode, played by Jerry Harden who is an excellent actor.Season two picks up with "Little Green Men" and the introduction to "X," "Deep Throat's" protégé and his replacement and Special Agent Fox Mulder's inside source. We also get to start seeing the "Mythology" of the series start to take some real form. To hide the fact that the ever beautiful Gillian Anderson is pregnant, the producers come up with some wonderful filming techniques. Then to top it off they come up with the plot line for "Duane Berry."Every episode of this season qualifies as amazing, enthralling, stunning and any number of ways to describe that which is great. Some notables: "The Host," because it's just creepy and kind of like an accident, you don't want to look at it but you have to. "Sleepless" because it has Tony Todd who, when he chooses the right parts, is such a wonderful actor. "Duane Berry," "Ascension," "3," and "One Breath" for the masterful way the writers and producers skillfully scripted out Gillian Anderson's pregnancy in Dana Scully's abduction. Not to mention the wonderful job that Steve Railsback did in the role of Duane Berry. "Firewalker" because of its simplicity and the scientific curiosity it created. "Aubrey" because of its ability to surprise and scare you. "Die Hand Die Verletzt" because it makes you wonder what your neighbors are up to. "Colony" and "Endgame" for their X-Files mythology aspect, plus the scenes with the submarine were stunning. "Humbug" was their first attempt at humor and they carried it off with perfection. "The Calusari," shades of "The Exorcist." "Soft Light" in which Tony Shaloub gives an excellent performance playing a scientist that found a little more than he was looking for. "Our Town" just gives you the idea you don't want to stop in the wrong town. "Anasazi," what a wonderful season ending cliffhanger with the mythology in full stride. The only bad thing about "Anasazi" is that it was prelude to a four month wait to find out what happen next. "Colony" is also David Duchovny's debut as a writer for the show.The seventh disk also contains some wonderful and enlightening special features. The only true minor complaint that I can think to register about this DVD set is the case in which it comes. The outside cover has interior flaps that seem to incessantly get caught on the case that holds the disks. Thanks for sticking it out and reading through this.Episode List:Little Green Men
The Host
Duane Berry
One Breath
Red Museum
Excelsis Dei
Die Hand Die Verletzt
Fresh Bones
End Game
Fearful Symmetry
D0D Kalm
The Calusari
F. Emasculata
Soft Light
Our Town


text:
Supplies needed:
- Petal Cone Die
- Pumpkin Pie cardstock & marker (carrot texture)
- Wild Wasabi cardstock & ribbon (retired)
- Whisper White cardstock
- Basic Black cardstock & marker
- Uniball White Gel Pen (eye highlights)
- Sahara Sand marker (paw marks)
- Blushing Bride Designer Series Paper
- Punches: Heart to Heart (nose & mouth), Large and Small oval (ears), 1 3/8" circle (head), 1/2" circle (cheeks), 3/4" circle (paws), Owl (eyes)
- Crop-a-dile (punch holes for ribbon)
- Linen thread (to tie ribbon together to make it stand up)
- Glue Dots (makes it easier to assemble the bunny)
- Crimper--Optional (crimp paper then slice it and crumple it to make your own shredded paper)
Check out the goodies inside. Through all of the shredded paper you can see some eggs. They are Nestle Easter Eggs. MMMMMMM!!!
The carrot was inspired by Debbie Henderson and the bunny was inspired by Dacia Smith.
The carrot was inspired by Debbie Henderson and the bunny was inspired by Dacia Smith.


text:
2 weekends ago
Friday: nothing happened and it was quite depressing... following my 4 consecutive nights of the previous weekend!
Saturday: I had been chatting with a guy for a few days and we agreed to meet up. This guy, Johnny, likes to dance. I told him it was not really my thing, but we agreed that we would go for a drink and then we would see. This guy is from Montreal, so we met at a subway station in the gay village ( I'm beginning to go there often lol) When I saw him, it was the first time that I had a date with someone who "looks gay" . So I was curious! We went for a walk first and we chatted about dating and relationship stuff. He said a lot of things that resonated with me. I think he has good values and so it was a good start. I didn't care how he was dressed anymore! We then went in a bar and had a beer. Following that I agreed to go dancing! It was actually really nice. I had never danced in the company of only one person so I liked that much more than with many people I know, or worst, many people that I don't know! Johnny loves to dance!! He was really good at it and very energetic!! I thought he was real cute and I was happy to be with him and dancing! Leaving the bar, it was a bit cold outside so we walked side by side so I could heat him up since I had a vest and he didn't. We chatted some more and I drove him back to his place. He was funny as he was groping my arm ( which is absolutely not imoressive!!) We may have hugged as he got out but nothing more. On my way back home, I thought that I would definitely want to go out again with him.
One weekend ago
Friday: Johnny and I had continued texting during the week and I had called him once too. We had set a date for friday. We went dinner in an indian restaurant. It was really good, it was the first time for me. After that, we went to the same bar as the first date. It was still early, so we couldn't dance yet. At 11, there was a drag queen show so I saw my first drag queen show!! It was interesting! Of course, some were bad, but one was particularly funny and I really liked her. At one point I suggested to Johnny that we could go ance and he agreed. We did and it was fun again.We didn't staty that long cause he had to work early next morning, so I drove him to his place again and this time we did hug for sure.
Saturday: I had a family dinner so I didn't schedule anything. My brother, who is aware of all my new "activities" warned me to be sure not to set a date a week prior to that lol. Since I had forgotten about that dinner, it's a good thing he told me !!!
Sunday: I spent the afternoon with Johnny at various places in Montreal. We went for a walk in a park and it kinda appeared clear suddenly that I didn't have that much interest in him. Yeah I know... quite a bummer!! I'm beginning to know what are the signs that I'm not interested in a guy and they began to come out during that walk. Ater the walk, he prepared dinner for us and it was quite good!! After that we watched a movie together, cuddling on the couch. He is a very delicate and respectful guy and I liked a lot how he acted with me. But in my heart, I knew that the inevitable was coming .... As I was leaving, he tried to kiss me but I was really reluctant. I told him that I am a very shy kisser in the beginnings ( which is true) and he said it was ok. Ater I left, it was not that late so I decided to do a quick visit to J. I stayed for maybe 10 minutes and it was good seeing him again ( even if I'm troubled by him and me not being together).
This blog is addressed to everyone: gays, bisexuals, straight who know some gays or bisexuals and to people who are simply curious about it. This blog is about my gay experience, but if you want some more insights, you can take a look at my blog list. They're made by gays and bisexuals of all natures. Some of them have helped me understand what it is to be gay and to accept myself before creating this blog. The others have been added afterwards, because I keep finding great blogs!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Weekend adventures - part 2
Publié par JF à l'adresse 11:29 AM
Libellés : Dating
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Sometimes, when Arduino IDE wants You to fix some code, and You have no idea why it is complaining, maybe it's IDE and not You? :)
See this error, at first glance – WTF?
This is very specific case, and can make You scratch head for several minutes. But true is very simple.


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That Gustav Landauer is remembered by many primarily for the circumstances surrounding his death in the Bavarian revolution of 1918-19 does little justice either to the richness and originality of his thought, or to the sheer multifariousness of his achievements. A committed activist and political theorist par excellence, Landauer was also an accomplished journalist, playwright, essayist, lecturer, theatre critic, gérant of the anarchist periodical Der Sozialist, and a prolific translator, notable for his German editions of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and Walt Whitman.
Born in Karlsruhe on April 7th 1870 into a middle-class, assimilated Jewish family, Landauer excelled …
We have have no profile for this entry. If you are a qualified scholar and you wish to write for The Literary Encyclopedia, please click here to contact us.
Horrox, James. "Gustav Landauer". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 04 August 2011
[https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=13004, accessed 21 January 2019.]


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All aboard "The Straight Talk Express"!
From the January 27 edition of Meet The Press"
[TIM] RUSSERT: If the Senate passed your bill, S1433, the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill...Then, remembering the reaction from the public as they learned details of the McCain/Kennedy Illegal-Alien Amnesty that had been written behind closed doors, McCain backtracked, babbling his same political platitudes he that repeats (and repeats) rather than directly answer a question.
JOHN McCAIN: Mm-hmm.
MR. RUSSERT: ...would you as president sign it?
SEN. McCAIN: Yeah ...
(What's that old line about substituting bull shit for brilliance?)
MR. RUSSERT: But you would sign your bill...First! First? Oh, I get it! Then after each border state governor certifies that the boundary between their state and Mexico is "secure," THEN you help ram through the illegal-alien amnesty and all its perks!
SEN. McCAIN: It's not going to come across my desk.
MR. RUSSERT: It won't pass.
SEN. McCAIN: I--if pigs fly, then--look...
MR. RUSSERT: So it's dead.
SEN. McCAIN: The bill, the bill is dead as it is written. We know that. We know that. And the bill is going to have to be, and I would sign it, securing the borders first and articulating those principles that I did. That's what we got out of this last very divisive and tough debate. And we have to get those borders secured. That's what Americans want first. [emphasis - ed.]
Having screwed up on Meet the Press and managing to babble his way out of it, a few days later at California's GOP Debate, McCain was asked the same question. This time, though, he'd had time to practice the new answer he'd come up with:
[JANET] HOOK: ... if your original proposal came to a vote on the Senate floor, would you vote for it?Noticing that McCain hadn't answered the question she'd asked ...
MCCAIN: It won't. It won't. That's why we went through the debate...
HOOK: But if it did?McCain babbled the same political platitudes he that repeats (and repeats) rather than directly answer a question.
MCCAIN: No, it would not....
Noticing that McCain still hadn't answered the question Hook had asked:
[ANDERSON] COOPER: So I just want to confirm that you would not vote for your bill as it originally was?As you might note, McCain still didn't answer the question asked.
MCCAIN: My bill will not be voted on; it will not be voted on.
McCain's "Straight Talk." Doncha love it!
Labels: Politics, Quotable Quotes


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Battlestations: Pacific gets release date and new trailer
Battlestations: Pacific™, Eidos Interactive's sequel to 2007's
hugely underrated Battlestations: Midway™ has finally been given a release date. The RTS/Action hybrid was expected earlier in the year but has now been confirmed for an early May release. Accompanying this news is a new "State of War" trailer, check it out after the jump.
The trailer begins with some old war reel footage, but quickly switches to gameplay footage to show off the vastly improved graphics and much improved damage system.
This title boasts over 100 sea, air and undersea units, continuation of the story from the first game, beginning after the final mission of the previous: The battle of Midway. Now players have the chance to rewrite history. Pacific gives you the opportunity to play the campaign from the Japanese perspective, relying on real recovered invasion and battle plans from Japanese fleets that never came to fruition thanks to the American's victory at Midway.
Also news of huge improvements to the still played multiplayer section have been released:
Battlestations: Pacific™ takes the battle online with a massively enhanced multiplayer experience, offering five new and innovative co-op and team-based modes for up to eight players. 'Siege' and 'Duel' offer an all-out action experience, allowing players to control a selection of war machines as each side battles to turn the tide of war; joining forces for 'Competitive', players compete side-by-side against the opposing AI forces; 'Escort' allows for a mix of action and strategy, with players escorting or attacking a key naval unit as it heads to its destination; and 'Island Capture' offers a compelling strategic experience, with players not only battling for supremacy of the seas, but capturing and controlling the island archipelago.
"With over 100 authentic air, sea and undersea units, a compelling mix of action and strategy and an extensive multiplayer game, Battlestations: Pacific™ lets players participate in the Pacific conflict like no other game before it," said Lee Singleton, General Manager of Eidos Game Studios. "With direct control over fighters, bombers, kamikaze planes, destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines and many more, including powerful prototype units, they will experience a level of immersion that truly brings the conflict to life."
Battlestations: Pacific™ is set to release in North America on May 12th and May 15th across Europe and Australia.
Are you excited about this? Let us know!
Source: Battlestations.net


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investing in GREAT IDEAS and the PEOPLE who power them
in Minnesota, North Dakota,South Dakota and 23 Native Nations
Find upcoming deadlines and learn about opportunities available at the Bush Foundation.
Meet the 2018 Bush Prize winners, six extraordinary organizations with a track record of successful community problem solving.
President Jen Ford Reedy on working together to address shared challenges.
The Native Nations Investments Report highlights how we invest in the Native nations and people in our region across all of our programs.
Think bigger. Think differently.
© 2018 Bush Foundation


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UnSeen: Past, Present and Future
Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium, Smithsonian Institution, Nov. 13, 6:30 Pm
Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Convening
Art Museum Leadership Convening, Cleveland Museum of Art, Nov. 6-7
Where Inquiry Meets Creativity, Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of SARF
Symposium, Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium, Oct. 12, 2018
"Plurality, Dissent, Encounter," panel at The Museum Forum, MUAC/INAH
MUAC/ INAH, University Museum of Contemporary Art, UNAM, Mexico City, Mar 14-15, 2017
Slavery and Public Display.
16th Annual International Conference, Visualizing Slavery. Gilder Lehrman Center at Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT Nov. 7- 8, 2014
Outspoken Conversation: Angela Davis, Ken Gonzales-Day, Jean Comaroff, Wendy Brown.
Fowler Museum, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Apr. 18, 2013
This World is Not My Home: Danny Lyon Exhibition.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA Mar. 3, 2013
Translations: Artists of the Metro Orange Line Panel.
LA Valley College, Los Angeles, CA Oct. 11, 2012
How Many Billboards.
College Art Association (CAA), Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA Feb. 24, 2012
COLA 2011: Mark Dean Veca, Ken Gonzales-Day, Heather Carson.
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA June 10, 2011
The Fruit of Sorrow, a Dialogue on Violence and Representation.
USCD Art Gallery, San Diego, CA April 14, 2011
From Physiognomy to Portraiture.
College Art Association, National Conference, New York, NY Feb. 10, 2011
Grantee Presentations, Art Matters: A convening of artists.
Meltzer and Thorne Studio, Los Angeles, CA Oct. 16, 2010
State of Mind: A California Invitational.
Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA), San Diego, CA Feb. 6, 2010


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5 Safe Ways to Get Quality Links in a World Full of Penalties!
August 27, 2015
Link gaining is an important piece of digital marketing strategies. Having quality links can be very valuable in terms of search engine ranking, but having bad links can be detrimental to your website's traffic.
When it comes to links, quality is much, much better than quantity.
Search engines, like Google, are constantly evolving their guidelines and practices to ensure they are delivering relevant, credible information to their searchers. So it can be challenging to safely build links and avoid penalties.
Earning links naturally by creating great content is always the preferred method. In this blog, I have listed five safe ways to obtain quality links and avoid Google's penalties.
Guest Blogging
Writing trustworthy content as a guest blogger for a reliable site is a great way to receive links. But, you have to approach this technique with the main focus of writing useful information that your audiences want, and treat link gaining as an added bonus.
If you are submitting content to another site for the sole purpose of link building, your black hat method will quickly be detected and you will be penalized. Don't put spammy content on sites just to receive links. It's a bad practice, it's probably not quality content and you won't get away with it for too long.
But, if you contribute valuable information to other sites with the goal of sharing your knowledge, you will begin to build you or your brand's reputation as a thought leader and source of credible information, and the quality links will being to come in.
Create Unique Infographics
There is some debate over whether creating infographics is still an effective method. However, many people would agree that infographics are important because they help build brand awareness.
Creating content in the form of infographics gives your audiences fast, easy to read information. It shows your creativity and knowledge of your industry and the infographics can become an excellent resource.
Make Use of Social Media
Creating unique content is a very important step, but you have to get that content to your audiences. Social media platforms can help you promote your content and your company.
When you have a post or article that you need to share on social media, the following approaches may be helpful.
- Post links to your article on every related social network of which you are a member.
- Post your link to relevant LinkedIn groups that you're a member of.
- Tweet the link to your article to your Twitter followers and add a relevant hashtag to reach a larger audience.
- Create a Facebook post sharing your article.
- Submit your posts to Reddit.
- Submit your posts to StumbleUpon.
- Submit your posts to GrowthHackers.com
- Send direct messages to people whom you mention or link to in your post
Ask For Links
Ask for links, but don't beg for links. The most effective way of asking for links is by approaching people you already have a professional relationship with.
Grow and nurture these relationships and create a professional network that you can exchange content with. You will gain trust and respect from your industry peers, and your articles will get shared even more. Eventually, you may not even have to ask.
Grow Your Brand
You can build your brand by connecting with your audiences, speaking at conferences, getting press coverage, connecting with mentors, guest blogging and many other techniques. It takes time to build your brand, but the dedication to do so will pay off when you are highly regarded by your industry and customers.
Once you create a strong brand, quality links will come naturally.
If you follow these five safe techniques and continue to have the goal of creating relevant, credible content for your audiences you will earn many quality links and avoid Google's penalties. Remember quality links are always better than the quantity of links you have and always keep your audiences your number one priority.
Further Resources on Global Digital Marketing (SEO, SEM, and Social Media)
Globalization Partners International's (GPI) Global Search Engine Optimization Specialists can help optimize your multilingual websites for better SERP results. Our teams can provide both organic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Advertising (SEA) such as Pay-Per-Click (PPC), paid inclusions or contextual advertising to help you achieve better visibility in country-specific search engines, which will lead to increased traffic and ROI with your multilingual version websites.
For more information on issues specific to search engine marketing (SEM), you may wish to review our previous blogs:
- A Multilingual Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Primer
- Top Tips for Improving your YouTube Channel
- #Dubai #Office: Twitter in the Middle East
- Top Tips for Successful Multilingual SEO
- Why are Multilingual Keywords important for your international websites?
Please feel free to contact GPI at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions about our language and technology services. Also let us know if you have any interesting blog topics you would like us to cover in our future blogs. You may request a complimentary Translation Quote for your projects as well.
- Category:
- Global SEO
- Tags:
- link earning, link building strategies
Arabic Language Translation eBookHow to Save Money on Translation Services
- On Sep 09, Rakhibul said:
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Farah Fathy - Global SEO Specialist
Farah is a native Arabic speaker born and residing in Cairo, Egypt. She received her degree in Commerce and English from Ain-Shams University studying marketing, management, economics and accounting. Her experience includes working in various specialties in global digital marketing with specific training in Link Building, Website Traffic Analysis, On-page Optimization and Off-page Optimization as well as standard Social Media Marketing. She is skilled in a variety of tools including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Light Room and SEO tools such as Google Keyword Planner, SeoMoz, Opensite Explorer, Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools. She enjoys playing sports such as swimming and basketball and loves to read in her spare time.


text: What Would a Government Shutdown Really Mean? Based on the last one: layoffs, delayed checks, interrupted services By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted Feb 20, 2011 2:48 PM CST 26 comments Comments In this Jan. 4, 1996, file photo the sun gleams down on the still-closed Washington Monument as the federal budget impasse continued in Washington. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File) (Newser) – If the looming government shutdown actually arrives next month, what can you expect? The Los Angeles Times offers a preview, by reporting what occurred during previous shutdowns: Layoffs: During shutdowns in 1995 and 1996, hundreds of thousands of federal workers lost their jobs. Even federal employees who kept their jobs went without paychecks for the length of each shutdown. About 800,000 federal employees were furloughed. (Currently, there are 2 million civilian government employees, not counting postal employees.) Social security checks: Checks were still mailed, but many government payments were delayed thanks to a lack of employees on the job. (Social security checks will be delayed if the government shuts down next month, President Obama and Nancy Pelosi have warned.) Social security services: Many were halted, like requests for retirement and disability claims, requests for Social Security numbers, and address changes. Museums and national parks: They were closed. Other services: Visa and passport applications went unprocessed, and the Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration halted transactions. Claims for veterans benefits were delayed. What kept going: "Essential" services like national security, law enforcement, and emergency assistance continued, and some employees were allowed to remain on the job on an emergency basis. How much it might cost: A three-day shutdown in 1990 cost between $245 million and $607 million. How things are different now: In the 1990s, there was no TSA or Department of Homeland Security, and no electronic transactions for things like Social Security payments or student loans, so it's unclear how things might be different this time around. It's worth noting, of course, that Rep. Paul Ryan said today, "We're not looking for a government shutdown." (Read more shutdown stories.) My Take on This Story Report a story error Show results without voting | 7% Annoying 7% Hilarious 6% Intriguing 52% Depressing 4% Brilliant 23% Scary


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In the beginning of our Southeast Asia trip, I randomly started to ask older travelers here and there one piece of advice they would give to others or youth. It created a break from the typical, monotonous, broken record sounding travel questions (i.e. where are you from, where are you going etc.) that always leave you cringing at the sound of your own voice repeating the same ol' same ol' responses, trying to throw in any sort of joke to lighten up the tedious talk. But I loved hearing the different answers and there was always an interesting story behind their advice. So in the last months of my travels, I started to ask everyone I met or traveled with what motto they live by or documented something I remember them by. More
03 Mar 2013 3 Comments
in Travel
Laos: The First Impression
11 Feb 2013 1 Comment
in Travel
The minivan driver's seven hours of ruthless, sharp, hairpin turns from the border of Thailand not only left me with an urge to purge, but also contradicted the slow life that was unaffectedly displayed as we drove by. The sun shining down from the cloudless sky showering the dust covered cheerful children playing freely in the road. Their mothers congregated around the dirt yard gossiping away, hanging faded yet freshly washed clothes on the stick fence, adding a row of color to contrast the dark plain, simple wood huts. Even the animals seemed to smile. Dogs, cats, chickens and pigs graciously sharing a community of their own, living in coexistence with each other despite their differences. I couldn't help but smile myself staring out the window to find what I saw as pure existence and all More
Thailand: A Mindful Escape
29 Dec 2012 2 Comments
in Travel
Five years ago, while backpacking through Central America, internet cafes were hot spots. Constant chatter and conversations echoed through the hostel common rooms and restaurants. Now, the first question asked by travelers to fellow travelers when arriving in a new location is "What is the wifi password?" to bury their faces in Facebook feeds, when it used to be "Wanna grab a beer?" I am guilty. About one month into my travels, I gave into technology. I am now writing this on my personal netbook I purchased cheaply in an electronics mall in Singapore.
Singapore: Hawker Heaven
04 Nov 2012 3 Comments
in Travel
Singapore was supposed to be a quick stop, but turned into a five day feast after discovering our first hawker center. Leah and I were thrilled to be in a country where bland noodles and rice were put to competition with hundreds of other eclectic, More
Indonesia Part III: Planes, Trains and Becaks
23 Oct 2012 3 Comments
in Travel
We had to call an end to our stay in Yogjakarta after residing there for a couple days longer than we expected. Everyone was raving about a place called Karimunjawa that was verbally illustrated as an undiscovered and viably untouched tropical archipelago of 27 islands in the Java Sea. I'm a sucker for white sand and coconut trees. I also don't mind remote More
Indonesia Part II: Planes, Trains and Becaks
20 Oct 2012 2 Comments
in Travel
Luxury Bus
Finally. A palace on wheels. Starving, from only snacking on peanuts and Leah's prized Luna bars, sent in a special package from U.S.A, we pounced upon any vendor offering packaged and product labeled foods. We weren't in Bali anymore. We reclined in our neon geometric 80's designed cushioned seats, only to be greeted with a bottled water. This couldn't be? Were we dreaming? Complimentary? We woke up comfortably chilled to an abandoned terminal at 3 am expecting another motorcycle ride. We wandered the brightly lit streets with our taxi driver until we stumbled upon Dewa Homestay and a wide eyed burly, bear like man sitting wide awake under framed pictures of Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and the Doors. "How much are rooms?" 10,00 rupiahs ($10) "Perfect. We'll take it. More
Indonesia Part I: Planes, Trains and Becaks
20 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Travel Tags: adventure, Bromo, Indonesia, Lovina, Mt. Batur, Probolingo, transportation, ubud
I never pictured myself visiting Indonesia for some reason. Maybe a factor in why everything has been so unpredictable thus far. One month into my travels. Sun-baked and pleasantly satisfied. From Kuta and Seminyak, the party, beach-bum surfing towns, to Ubud, a heady, organic, superfluous spa induced town, to a one night retreat under the stars at a Lewak coffee plantation (world's most expensive coffee) combined with a sunrise volcano hike to Mt. Batur, then onto Lovina, where the black sand beach and locals were nothing to write home about, Bali glistened with comfort and tourism compared to Java. You got what you expected in Bali. More


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That's no moon! It's an $850 quadrillion space station that can destroy an entire planet! Or at least, that was the idea, until The White House shot it down.
In an incredibly fun and smart response to a fan petition for the U.S. government to build a Death Star as seen (and blown up twice) in the Star Wars saga, President Obama's administration politely shot the idea down a few weeks ago - so to speak - in a way aimed to promote science and tech, specifically interest in advancement of space exploration and the work NASA does. But as a response to that response, a crowdsourcing initiative began on Kickstarter for us regular folk to "build it ourselves." And now, as a response to that response to a response, there's a campaign to construct a squadron of X-Wings to defend us from that threat. Thank you, Disney.
By acquiring Lucasfilm in October and simultaneously announcing plans to launch a new Star Wars trilogy (episodes 7-9) beginning in 2015, Disney has done a lot more than get movie geeks speculation about the future, but they've already begun getting the brand back into every facet of pop culture.
The original petition on We The People from November 14th went like this:
Those who sign here petition the United States government to secure funding and resources, and begin construction on a Death Star by 2016.
By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense.
More like galactic offense.
Paul Shawcross, Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget, offered the official White House response in mid-January as an explanation for why replicating what the Galactic Empire tried to accomplish may not be a sound plan:
The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons:
- The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.
- The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
- Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?
A one-man starship you say? That's exactly what the latest crazy Kickstarter initiative wants to realize. While the "Open Source Death Star" Kickstarter aims to raise £20,000,000 to develop plans for the space station's construction (and enough chicken wire to protect its exhaust ports), the "Rebel Alliance X-Wing Squadron" Kickstarter hopes to raise a more reasonable $11 million to construct a single X-Wing prototype and train one pilot.
The stretch goals are worth a smile for those who know their Star Wars spacecraft:
Stretch Goal 1:
$4,485,672,683: That's the world-wide box office total for all of the films (+ The Clone Wars). We figure we can build up an X-Wing squadron for that. We'll be taking applications for Rebel fighter pilots after we reach our Stretch Goal.
Stretch Goal 2:
13 million Galactic Standard Credits: A Class YT-1300 Freighter (heavily modified) and a crew consisting of a Corellian smuggler and a Wookie co-pilot.
Stretch Goal 3:
One of our Backers / Rebel Comrades wisely suggested adding another stretch goal to include a prototype Y-Wing Bomber. So, if we reach $23,000,000, which is reportedly the production cost of the Empire Strikes Back, we'll also build a prototype BTL-B Y-Wing heavy starfighter / bomber to help clear the path for the X-Wing to do its thing.
At the time of this writing, they only need around $10.8 million more within the next 47 days to get the first X-Wing into production! As an experienced X-Wing Alliance gamer, I nominate myself as that pilot.
[gallery exclude="267527,267522,267521" columns="2"]
P.S. Both Kickstarter campaigns are joke funding initiatives. Enjoy it.
Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes if you dig Star Wars movies and games.
Source: Kickstarter, The White House, We The People


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Quality Toyota Service Near San Diego, CA
Toyota of El Cajon is committed to providing the care and expert service that our guests come to trust. Our Toyota-trained technicians have spent thousands of hours understanding each and every Toyota vehicle and use only Genuine Toyota parts to service and repair your Toyota. Come see for yourself how our team of experts help keep your Toyota a Toyota. Toyota of El Cajon is conveniently located in El Cajon servicing Toyota drivers in El Cajon. Toyota of El Cajon has expert technicians on staff to handle your repair needs or oil changes, tire rotations, battery replacement, brake repairs and all other Toyota Factory Scheduled Maintenance.
- Fast, friendly, with value added services
- Open 7 days a week
- Rental cars on-site
- AAA recommended
- BBB member since 1990
- 2 full service shuttles for customer pick up and delivery
- We listen, we understand, we make it work
Own a Scion? Your Scion will receive proper care by trained technicians using Genuine Toyota Parts.