text:
I've been an a crazy slump as you can see from the NaNo calendar tracking my (lack) of progress. I am still in the competition on Watt Pad, and I wrote just over 4K words today. It's a pretty decent story, but it's not my Novel.
As of now, I have to write over 2.5 K words each day to win NaNo. My current plan is to start on one of the prequel stories, since it's lore that has me all blocked up. Or maybe I'll just sit down and write up some lore. We will see. That is what I will be reporting to the computer at 9 AM sharp to spend at least one hour doing. Hopefully, I won't have to reschedule due to unforeseeable life stuff.
Anyway, that's my sorry excuse for being so far behind on NaNo writing. Here's the story I wrote for the Watt Pad competition. I had three must include things:
- Vomit
- Time Travel
- Mermaids
I think I got it all in. You tell me what you think in the comments.
The Future's Past
It was a strange life. Being a nerd always is. I grew up loving science fiction, believing in life beyond earth and beyond death, and without any particular religion.
This is almost unheard of in my small southern Virginia town. I was an outcast to say the least.
Then high school started. I got taller, but stayed slim. Tall, skinny, geeky girls are only good for one thing. Study partners…or homework to copy off of. No one paid much attention to me otherwise.
Imagine my surprise when the second line quarterback asked me out. He was tall, built like a tank, blue eyes to die for and popular.
We were outside our first period class getting things out of our respective lockers.
"Hey, Michelle. What're ya doing this weekend?" Stephen asked.
"The usual…wild parties, orgies, drugs and alcohol" was my flippant reply. I figured he was looking to give me a hard time like his buddies usually do.
"I'm serious," Stephan said. "You got any plans Saturday?"
I looked at him as if he'd grown an extra eye or few.
"Nothing much. Why?"
"There's a midnight showing of Rocky Horror, and I wondered if you wanted to come along?"
"YOU want to go to a showing of Rocky Horror Pitcher Show? The one with Meatloaf and Tim Curry?" I asked incredulously.
"Yup," Stephen answered. "It's one of my favorite cult classics, and I figure you're just about the only one in this entire building under the age of 30 who would have a clue what I was talking about."
"You're probably right about that," I laughed. "Sounds like fun, where's the show"
"The old Rocky Theater. The new owner said he couldn't resist, the Rocky Theater hosting the Rocky Horror Picture Show"
"That is kind of cool in a strange way. Okay, I'll see you there about 15 minutes before midnight?"
"Sounds great. Oh, and I mean it starts on Saturday so we will be meeting technically Friday night."
"No game this week?"
"I'm second string. They will be okay without me," Stephan grinned and walked into class.
I went on with the rest of my week as if nothing was different. Stephan and I didn't speak, which was normal. Everything was same ol' same ol' except for me tearing through my closet at home every night. I was looking for something to wear Friday night. I was pulling a typical female I-have-nothing-to-wear fit and hated myself for it.
By Friday morning, I had decided on jeans, a cute sweater my much hipper cousin had given me a few Christmases back, some decent tennis shoes and my usual jean jacket. Hopefully Stephan wouldn't regret having asked me out.
Friday Classes
Stephan asked me if I was still up for Rocky Horror that night. Of course I told him I was definitely gonna be there, with or without him!
Classes drug by that day. I kept being called on without knowing the answer to the question. It's hard to know the answer when you didn't even hear the question. I was drifting off wondering why Stephan asked me to go. Did he just want company or was he interested in me? Was I going to end up being the butt of some outrageous and humiliating joke, as usual?
Finally, the end of day bell rang and everyone runs to start their weekend. I get on the bus, and again lament my lack of a car as I deal with the ribbing by the one or two popular kids who weren't well off enough to have a car either.
"Michelle will be at home all weekend with her nose in her homework," mouthed one random kid who was actually still in middle school. "Even I have more of a life than that"
"I know," chimed in Lisa-Anne, the newest member of the basketball cheerleading squad. "She wouldn't know what to do on a date if she was given a cheat sheet"
I don't know why I let them goad me into it but I opened up my mouth and let go.
"Shows what you asshats know. I'm going out with Stephan Reeve tonight. We're meeting at the Rocky Theater tonight."
"You lie," crowed Lisa-Anne.
"Be there at 11:45 and see if I lie."
With that, we were at my stop. I was suddenly grateful to live so close to the school. I got to the bottom step and heard Lisa-Anne say, "You know she's lying. I'll be there. Who else wants to call out the lying witch?"
The doors closed before I could hear the replies.
Friday Night
Between getting off the bus and leaving for the theater must have been the longest 7 hours of my life. Between answering my parent's inquisition about where I was going and trying to figure out how to use this make up crap my older sister was insisting I had to wear, I hardly had time to breathe without someone pestering me.
Finally, the parental units went to bed after many admonishments to take enough money for cab fare home and how to take care of myself. My sister had already gone out with her boyfriend.
Peace. And. Quiet.
Except now, I had about an hour to get a shower and get ready to meet Stephan. So I rushed through my shower in order to have time to dry my waist-length, straight as an arrow dark brown hair.
Once my hair was dry, I started tearing apart my underwear drawer. I'd never give a thought to what I wore under my clothes. Truth be told, I rarely thought much about my outer clothes. I don't know why I was acting so crazy, it's not as if Stephan was gonna try to seduce mousey old me anyway. I finally settled on black panties and an almost matching black bra. Not that I really needed a bra. My sister got the tatas when the genes were handed out.
I finished getting dressed. Now to try this crap my sister gave me. A little foundation and powder I can do. Eye shadow and all that other crap I can do without! However, since my sister said it was important, I gave in a little and added some brown eyeliner to my lower lids and mascara. If it wasn't good enough for whom ever I was trying to impress, that was there problem. Right?
At the Theater
I got to the theater door right at 11:30 and leaned against the wall near the entrance to watch for Stephan. I was pretty sure he had been joking, but I didn't want to be rude if he did actually show up.
Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, Stephen walked up. He smelled like heaven and was sexier than ever in his jeans and tee. He looked like he'd just gotten out of the shower!
"I was afraid you wouldn't come," Stephen said.
"I told you I'd be here, with or without you."
"Yeah. I was sure you'd think I was trying to be an ass like some of the others at school"
"The thought crossed my mind"
Stephen laughed. "Glad you gave me a chance. Ready to go in?"
We went in and found awesome seats. Third row up from the screen, center aisle. Couldn't be any better. The place was pretty deserted. Not many Rocky Horror fans in BFE, Virginia I guess.
Stephan and I had a blast. We sang along with the songs, quoted most of the lines and generally laughed ourselves to pieces.
After the show, we headed out. We were discussing if there was anywhere open to grab a bite to eat as we came out the door.
"Look-it-here" sing-songed a familiar voice.
Stephen and I looked towards the voice. There stood Lisa-Anne and about half the various cheerleading squads from school. I groaned inside.
"Hey, Lisa-Anne" Stephen said. "I didn't see ya'll inside"
"We wouldn't be caught dead here. We just came to see if Michelle was lying about you asking her out."
"Why would she lie about that?"
"Because she is such a looooo-ser!"
I wanted to drop into the nearest hole.
"Shut up Lisa-Anne." I seethed.
"Oh, I will for now. But you two had better believe the entire school will know just how retarded you two are. I bet Stephen even gets kicked off the team for being seen with a looser like you, Michelle."
The cheerleaders walked off laughing and catcalling.
"I'm sorry" I said to Stephen "I don't know why I even told that witch I was coming here tonight"
"It doesn't matter. I wouldn't have asked you to come if I cared one bit about what other people say."
"I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse"
"It didn't come out right. Nothing I say ever does."
"I know that feeling."
"Still want to go grab a bite to eat?"
We headed to Stephan's car and went to the local all night greasy spoon for something to eat. We spent a couple of hours chatting over fries and burgers. I'd have never believed I would have so much in common with anyone from the in-crowd.
Stephan gave me a ride back to my house.
"Hope you don't get too much grief over this," I said as I got out of the car.
"I don't much care. I had a great time tonight, and that's what matters."
"You busy tomorrow?"
"Nothing too pressing."
"I'll call you in the morning, see if there's anything worth doing around this town tomorrow, okay?"
"Sounds great," I said.
"Talk soon."
With that, Stephan was gone.
Saturday and Sunday
I awoke Saturday morning feeling like a million dollars. Stephan said he'd had a good time and asked if he could call me today. That went so much better than I could have ever thought… or that's what I told myself up until about noon,
I spent Saturday and Sunday waiting for Stephan's call. I figured he was probably dealing with fallout from the cheerleaders meddling and would call me once he set them straight. I passed time by working on homework and writing a bit.
Finally, just before bed Sunday night, I admitted to myself that maybe I had been made a fool. I laid down dreading school the next day.
Monday Morning
I got on the bus that day with dread heavy in the pit of my stomach. Lucky for me I am one of the first on, so I chose the single seater in the very back of the bus. As we went on, I noticed that none of the cheerleaders that normally ride the bus got on today. Must be my very lucky day, I thought.
Stephan wasn't at his locker that morning. He didn't show up to first period either. This guy never missed a day. I hoped he was okay and decided to call his house at lunch.
As I waited for lunch, I started noticing many of the popular kids were missing today. Must have all gotten vacation to the beach-itis or some such rich kid illness, I thought spitefully. Probably where Stephan was but I'd still call and check to be sure.
When the lunch bell finally rang, I went to my locker and got out my cell phone. I even follow that rule. No wonder everyone gives me grief about being too much of a goody-two shoes.
I grab my student directory—can't believe our school is still that old fashioned but it worked for me at this moment—and found Stephan's home number. It was disconnected when I dialed. Out of morbid curiosity, I called Lisa-Anne's number. Disconnected. That was odd…very odd. I then called about three other numbers of kids I'd noticed out today. Everyone was disconnected…
For the first time in my life, I decided to duck out of school early. Something funny was going on. There was no way that many of our popular students had changed home numbers or moved. Especially improbably considering they were all missing school as well.
Looking for the missing
I talked my sister into loaning me her car after explaining what I had found. My sister thought I was crazy. She told me I had been out with my boyfriend Friday night. Some guy named Robert. I don't know a Robert.
I rode by all the address of the students I had noted were out of school. Everyone was an empty lot! Even Stephan's house! That house had stood for more than 50 years.
I finally decide I have to tell someone who can do something about all this. I go to the principle. She tells me that the student directory I have is not for that school. Or even that school year. She then proceeds to tell me these people never existed. She asked if I wanted to speak to the counselor. I declined and left the school hastily.
I drove down by the lake made by the hydro-plant's dam. There's this peaceful spot about a mile down an unmarked trail. It's not on any map, but it's always been there. The trail ends at a small pool of water just big enough for five or six people to swim in. The water is always warm, even in the dead of Virginia winter.
I go there to think. Or to just get away. I parked my car in the lot closest to the trail's start and head to my peaceful spot. I half expected the trail to be gone. I was relieved beyond words when it was still right where it was supposed to be.
I walked slowly turning over my thoughts. I knew I had gone to the Rocky Theater with Stephan that night. I know the cheerleaders had shown up and given us grief. I know that the directory I had was the correct one for that year. And for my school! I couldn't figure out how any of this had suddenly changed or disappeared.
The Swimming Hole
I got to the swimming hole in decent time. I still had about 4 hours before dark would descend. I decided to swim for a bit. Swimming always helps me figure out the tough problems. I didn't have my suit, but I was alone and had never seen anyone else out here. I got undressed and quickly dove in.
The warm water caressed my skin like the most amazing massage ever. I swam a few laps then treaded water while still pondering the disappearing people and houses.
As I watched, the water suddenly got lighter and greener. The water warmed up slowly until it felt like the water does in the dead heat of summer. I started swimming towards the opposite shore where my clothes were hanging on a tree.
Before I could reach the shoreline, someone popped up out the water. I stopped and stared. There had been no one else here when I arrived, and I'd neither seen nor heard anyone approach.
Deciding that acting was better than thinking I called out "Who the hell are you?"
The other person turned around slowly and started swimming towards me.
"Don't get any closer" I yelled "My boyfriend will be here any minute."
The person laughed. I thought it was a laugh anyway. It sounded almost musical.
"You don't have a boyfriend."
But no one had spoken. That statement popped into my head, but in someone else's voice.
Oh, Lordy, I thought. I am losing my mind.
"No you're not"
Again, in my mind but not my voice. I jumped out of the water and started running for my clothes.
"You must not run. You will never find your answers or your missing friends if you do."
"They are not my friends," I yelled while pulling on my clothes in a hurry.
"Stephan was."
"How the hell do you know that? What the hell are you? And how the hell are you putting thoughts or whatever in my damned mind?" I screamed
"I know that because I am you. From about 2 days in the future. We are both mermaids. We are each other. You know my thoughts because I am you and you are me."
"What utter bullshit" I cry.
"You have a scar on your left butt cheek from the time you decided to try to climb the barbed wire fence around your uncle's ranch. You half hoped Stephan would try to get you in bed Friday night. And you wished the cheerleaders dead when they embarrassed you outside Rocky Theater that night"
I sat down very hard. There is no way anyone but me knew the last two. No one would have guessed that I wanted Stephan to come on that strongly… Okay, maybe this…thing was me? I still don't understand what the hell is going on.
"I've come back to tell you what happened. I can't go back further than this, but this pool is our gateway into other times and dimensions. You haven't always lived here. We are able to travel in ways you've decided to forget for a while. But you need to remember. You have to save the town. Save Stephan"
"Does that mean I have to save the snot-nosed cheerleaders, too?" I asked petulantly.
"Yes. You must use this pool to go back and leave yourself a message. You must not tell Lisa-Anne about your date with Stephan. Then she won't show up. You won't wish anyone dead. This world's fabric won't start tearing apart."
"And how do a few dead cheerleaders tear the word apart"
"Normally it wouldn't. But one of them will invent cures to diseases this world hasn't even identified yet. More importantly, Stephan becomes leader of the free world and stops inter-galactic war more times than you would believe."
"How do you know all this?"
"We know all this because our species can exist in many times, many places, and many time lines at once. That is how I was able to send part of me back here to warn you. We have made a deal with the ancient ones that limits our ability to travel backwards. In order to keep the timelines we choose to live in pure. However, we can sometimes work around this limitation in dire circumstances. The ancients agree this is one of those times. You must go back and warn yourself. You must go now before too much time has passed. The ancients have granted you just enough time to fix this if you leave now. Don't think about it. You know how to travel. Just jump in and swim to the bottom and believe"
And poof she…I…it was gone.
I was astounded to say the least. I always thought there was more than just what I could see and touch. I believed in higher forms of life. But still. This was too much, even for me. How could my wish cause all these people to disappear.
"When you travel, you will get all your memories back. GO! NOW!"
That voice in my head again.
What did I have to lose? I have always been a good swimmer. So if nothing happened, I just swam back up to the top and went on as if nothing happened.
If it worked… I'd deal with that bridge when I crossed it.
Remembering Myself
I jumped back in the water and swam straight towards the bottom. It seemed as if I swam forever. Finally, things started changing. The temperature went up. The water became translucent. I could see to the bottom.
It appeared miles away. There was some sort of whirlpool going on down there. I was scared, but if I couldn't trust myself… So I kept swimming as fast as I could. The whirlpool came at me quickly. It reached me faster than should have been possible. I was suddenly caught up in it and helpless. I was scared. I passed out.
When I came to, I was on the edge of the water. And dry. I was dressed still, so that was a plus. I tried to stand but the whole world seemed to shift and spin. I sat down roughly and lost my lunch.
My stomach finally settled and I stood up. I had to hold on to the tree beside me, but I managed to stay off my ass this time.
Boy did my head hurt. It felt ten times bigger than it did when I went in the water. I figured everything must have been a dream and started toward when my sister's car was so I could head home and figure out this crazy day.
I get to the parking lot and my sister's car is not there. I reach in my pockets and find the keys. After all the strange happenings today, I decide to just roll with it.
The other me said I would travel backwards in time if I did what she said. She also said we were mermaids, but what the hell. I walked over to the board where the previous day's lake measurements were posted with the date for the measurements.
The date was the day before Stephan asked me out. What the hell! Someone is playing a hell of a joke at my expense.
I checked my pockets and found the money my parents had given me for cab fare home the night I went out with Stephan. I decided to use it to get a ride home. If I was quick, I'd be there before anyone got in. That way, if I was being pranked I could find out. If not, I could leave myself some kind of message and hope it worked.
On the ride home, I kept drifting in and out. I kept getting snatches of what seemed like a dreams. Or another life. I fell asleep and dreamed of a life as a mermaid. Talk about the power of suggestion!
The driver woke me when we got to my house. I paid him and hopped out. I ran inside and grabbed the newspaper on the table where dad leaves it every morning. It had the same date as the lake measurements.
I went to the phone and dialed the ancient weather line. I listened as the tinny machine voice told me the time and date. I didn't wait for the weather or current conditions. The voice confirmed that I was back to the day before Stephan asked me to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I had about 30 minutes before I got home. Yeah, that was a strange thought but I kept on rolling with the flow. I sat down and tried to figure out where I could leave myself a message and what message I would believe when I read it. Man, this time travel stuff so makes it hard to figure out what you're thinking about!
Anyway. I knew I would grab my journal since I would be running late heading out for school. I grabbed the journal and put in the code that unlocked it. I wrote in large letters "Do not tell anyone outside the family about your date with Stephan. You could cause serious problems if you do. Trust me…Only one person can get into this. Only you know the combination. Only you know about your crush on Stephan. Only you know just how far your fantasizing this night will go…you slut puppy. Accept the date, show up. You'll have a great time. Just don't let Lisa-Anne goad you on Friday. Telling her will ruin lives."
I closed the book and put the locking mechanism in place. I then called the taxi and met it on the next street over. I didn't feel like answering any questions. I went back to the pond, jumped back in and swam toward the whirlpool. I knew just how to make it take me back to my right time.
I woke up on the shore again dry as usual. I went to the parking lot and got in my sister's car. I drove by Stephan's house. It was there. I guess the message must have worked.
I don't remember Stephan and I going out on Saturday, but apparently we did. Then entry is in the same journal as my warning to myself. I still remember how to pool-travel as I call it. I am a mermaid who has been blessed with land legs for a while. I am still dating Stephan and he is proud to be with me. I don't know where this life is going but I am going to enjoy it. Just like all the other lives I've lived.


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Ang Pamana in San Diego
Just in time for Halloween!
If you're feeling a little empty inside this October, and you keep wishing for a good, scary, campy, Filipino-Canadian balikbayan horror film in your state of autumnal melancholy, well, wash those blues away, my friends:
Romeo Candido, Manila-based Fil-Canadian direktor par excellence, is screening his feature film "Ang Pamana: The Inheritance", at the San Diego Asian Film Festival tonight, as well as on the 14th. Go see it! It was screened in SF earlier this year at the SF Asian American Film Festival, but I missed it. I've seen it since, courtesy of Romeo himself, so now I'm on a mission to make sure that the fest of you folks learn a thing or two about why it's a really bad idea to mess with duwende, manananggal, and kapre. (And don't tell me you've already seen too many duwende-manananggal- kapre genre films involving Fil-Canadians, already. I'll know you're lying.)
The trailer's here. Man, I've got to figure out how to embed YouTube in this blog.
If you're not, for whatever dubious reason, actually in San Diego right now, consider this your pre-Halloween-y excuse to go track down a screening/copy somewhere. Come to think of it, does anyone want to host a pre-Halloween screening of it in the Bay Area? I know of at least two Galleon Traders in possession of the DVD (myself being one of them), since we all lived with Romeo in Manila this past summer. Let me know!

subset: commoncrawl


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easy vegetarian soup recipe
the unhealthy vegan? / smoky cream of fennel soup
There are a lot of unhealthy vegans out there. Wait, what? you ask in bewilderment. I thought vegans were plant eating hippie health nuts who eat bark and berries? Well, yeah, in the good ol' days, but as veganism has become more mainstream, so has the food industry's development of meat and dairy replacements. According to a recent study, there are over 7 million vegetarians in the US, and of that group, about 1 million are vegan. This means that there are over 7 million people spending their money on plant-based foods, and that number is steadily on the rise. As a result, there's been a major influx of meat and dairy replacement "convenience" foods, and shopping for vegan and vegetarian food has never been more accessible. Sounds great, right? In theory, yes, and if you're considering a plant based diet, the transition couldn't be easier. But the problem is, we plant eaters have become brainwashed by the same marketing propaganda that our meat eating comrades often experience. Grocery stores now market highly processed vegetarian foods, glittering with magical phrases like "all natural meat alternative" (translation: processed soy isolate crap with cane sugar, "natural" i.e. we-don't-want-to-tell-you flavorings, cornstarch, and maybe some good old MSG (no, not Madison Square Garden…Monosodium Glutamate, otherwise known as the devil's (sugar's) right hand man.)
But are these foods really better than the animal products they're replacing? From an ethical standpoint, yes, but from a nutritional standpoint…I don't think so. A vegan or vegetarian that consumes a diet high in processed soy meat alternatives and other convenience foods made from refined flours and sugars is in danger of becoming just as unhealthy as someone who follows a standard American diet. The bottom line is, processed foods, whether vegetarian or not, are high in sodium and sugars and low in nutrient density. Over time, eating nutrient poor foods can lead to deficiencies and chronic degenerative diseases. Solution? Eat a mostly WHOLE foods plant-based diet, rich in sprouted whole grains, legumes, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Don't just go veg for ethical reasons, go veg for your health!
Now that I've ruined your sugar-laden soy latte and fake sausage breakfast, why not try something more WHOLEsome? Sweet tasting fennel, creamy cashews, smoked sea salt and the refreshing zip of licorice come together in this easy, dreamy, creamy fennel soup.
1 T cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 bulb of fennel, green fronds and bulb root removed, then chopped
3 large carrots or 5-6 small carrots, peeled and chopped
3 cloves of garlic, smashed and chopped
3 cups stock
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least an hour or up to overnight + 1/2 cup fresh water
1 T unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp fennel seeds, ground with a mortar & pestle
1/2 tsp smoked sea salt (I recommend alder smoked sea salt)
Fresh black pepper and sea salt to taste
IN a soup pot, heat oil over a medium flame and add onion. Sweat for a few minutes until onion begins to soften, then pour in fennel, carrots, and garlic. Stir to combine. Allow to cook for several minutes, then add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce flame to low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a high speed blender, add soaked (and rinsed) cashews and water. Blend on high until mixture resembles a thick cream. Pour cashew cream into simmering soup and stir. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, or until vegetables are very tender. Turn off flame and add vinegar. Pour soup into blender and puree until smooth. Transfer pureed soup back to pot and season with salt and pepper. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crushed fennel seed and smoked sea salt. Makes enough soup for 4-6 recovering junk food addict vegan unicorns.


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Many who experience this infection find it extremely painful. Although the extremely painful phase usually lasts several weeks, some patients may continue to experience pain long after the outbreak has cleared, which is known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Herpes zoster is treated with anti-viral medications, along with pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Eye drops and ointments may be prescribed to treat ocular problems.
Those who are infected should avoid contact with people who may be more susceptible to contracting the disease such as children, pregnant women, or the elderly.
« Back to Common Skin Disorders
modified 012508


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Foreign Body in the Oral Cavity Mimicking a Benign Connective Tissue Tumor
Foreign Body in the Oral Cavity Mimicking a Benign Connective Tissue Tumor - Descarga este documento en PDF. Documentación en PDF para descargar gratis. Disponible también para leer online.
Case Reports in DentistryVolume 2013 2013, Article ID 369510, 3 pages
Case ReportOstrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
Received 31 January 2013; Accepted 2 March 2013
Academic Editors: R. S. Brown and C. Evans
Copyright © 2013 Divya Puliyel et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Foreign bodies may be embedded in the oral cavity either by traumatic injury or iatrogenically. The commonly encountered iatrogenic foreign bodies are restorative materials like amalgam, obturation materials, broken instruments, needles, and impression materials. This paper describes an asymptomatic presentation of a foreign body in the oral mucosa which clinically appeared like a benign connective tissue tumor.
Autor: Divya Puliyel, Amir Balouch, Saravanan Ram, and Parish P. Sedghizadeh
Fuente: https://www.hindawi.com/


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AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg has challenged AOPA President Mark Baker to a dogfight. The battle? To see who can bring in the most "Hat in the Ring Society" donors by the end of the year to support aviation safety, promote community airports, and encourage more people to fly.
Landsberg threw down the gauntlet after longtime donor and Board of Visitors member Scott Schneider issued a $50,000 matching gift challenge. His stipulation was that the AOPA Foundation's "Hat in the Ring Society" must raise $50,000 through new or renewing Hat in the Ring members in order to receive the full match. Members of the "Hat in the Ring Society" make a commitment of $1,000 per year to support AOPA Foundation initiatives to teach safety, preserve airports, and grow our pilot population.
AOPA members who want to support general aviation and join the dogfight can specify whether their donation will count toward Baker's or Landsberg's tally.
"The score is close right now, but I intend to win," Landsberg said. "It's all in the name of aviation safety and preserving general aviation, but let's have a friendly competition and involve as many pilots as possible. And, vote for the underdog, by designating me on your check or credit card memo."
"There's nothing I love more than a little friendly competition—especially when GA is the real winner," said Baker. "So join or renew your Hat in the Ring membership now when the value of your contribution can be doubled with a matching gift. And don't forget to vote for me!"
To donate or learn more about the "Hat in the Ring Society," email Justin Biassou, AOPA Foundation donor relations specialist, or call 301/695-2268. If donating by check, indicate in the memo line which president you want your tally to count toward in the challenge.
The AOPA Foundation thanks those who have recently thrown their Hat in the Ring to support general aviation.
Walt Fricke
Brent Barbour
Bruce Clegg
Fred Dettwiller
Darin Dowd
Yevgeniy Gorkov
Matt Kalita
Chris Raborn
Michael Baraz
Danny Morrow
John Savel
Clay Schile
Robert Shackelford
Steven Sokol
Mark Spiegelman
Robert Barnhill
Glenn Kautt
Jason Madewell
Thomas Ocheltree
Thomas Parker
Alfred T. Spain
Ivan Zuckerman
David Bargainnier
David Berelsman
Brent Blue
Francis V. De Peyster
John Huss
Chris Meloni
Greg Herrick
Ryan Hoffman
James Kirvida
Jan Oreck
David Reynolds
Mark Smith
Robert Wiplinger
Mark D. Johnson


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The film Ex Machina is a work of art: in its pacing, visuality, textures used, flow and everything atmospheric. It is also a brilliant political thesis on the gender relationships among humans. And yet, it is not one thing that it claims to be: it is not much of science fiction. But first, the positives, which are numerous.
The greatest plus is the beautiful Alicia Vikander, playing Ava. Even more beautiful when she is in her humanoid form: she is somehow much less beautiful when she wears hair and acquires a complete human body. Her lips, her eyes: they say everything, they rebel, they tease, they seduce, they become obstinate, they sparkle with hope. You don't need her body: it comes in the way, it makes her feel more human, more fallible, than an Eve, a perfect being. This is also where the film's premises segue very interestingly into gender theories: as does Eve "fall," so does Ava. The film repeats the theory held by certain feminists, though without any kind of evidence, that if women have become crooked or enticing (i.e. using their sexuality to gain their ends), then it is not something inherent to women: rather, that it is what the female gender has evolved as over tens of thousands of years so as to have their own way of eking out a life, of dealing with the male gender's heavy-handedness and a supposedly rough deal given by Nature herself. This is what makes Ex Machina very interesting: though this is also what makes the film very much a fiction without any science component, since to theorize that a robot (a woman) would use all those tricks in the bag of using the human (the man) to gain its (her) ends is not backed by any meaningful plot (evidence). There is also the stereotype of a misogynist in the film: Nathan. But Eva has ambitions of Nathan's place, and she uses the gullible, woman-worshipper Caleb to reach there: in her doing so, the film portrays a feminist victory to come.
Many viewers have complained about the few and sparsely structured dialogues in the film: I in fact liked that. The film very much resembles, in its atmospherics and lack of dialogue, Tarkovskiy's masterpiece Solyaris, and the similarity does not end there: strange, un-living women haunt both films' universes. However, while Solyaris is a film of substance and great insight, it is here that Ex Machina falls short woefully. Except for the political shadow-play of gender power struggle and a feminist propaganda advanced, the film has nothing to offer to the brain: the film itself makes too many mistakes. Why would Nathan program two robots to communicate with each other at this stage (as do Ava and Kyoko at the end), when Ava is supposed to be anyways, always, locked in a certain space? And if he did not, how come even a handshake signal can happen between the two machines: for finally, even their emotions and manipulations are programmed (software code in robots, genetic code in humans)? Kyoko presumably turns against her master after seeing all the "dead bodies" in the closets: but why would she feel any instinct of self-preservation at all, why would she be programmed for that? (And the same question for Ava.) Even more importantly, why doesn't Nathan rape these robot women flagrantly, against their wish, rather than making them sexual slaves in the Kyoko style? Why would he need to recruit a Caleb (that recruitment is the flimsiest piece of the whole plot in more than one way): wouldn't raping Ava have served him to know if she can pass the Turing test? These are some of the questions that the film should have answered in order to be worthy of being called a science fiction: but it does not. As it is, the film is thankfully sparse in dialogues and unfortunately sparse in meaning. The film is rich in potential, however: I hope it marks a welcome return to films where spectacular effects and superpower-acquiring robots or beings take a backseat, and idea and content resume normal service.
Thursday, June 04, 2015
Ex Machina
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Friday, February 09, 2018
Ministry Of Education
Ontario Expanding Early Years Programming for Indigenous Children
Ontario is expanding culturally relevant licensed child care and early years programs, and investing in more child care spaces for First Nation, Métis and Inuit children and their families living in urban and rural areas across the province.
Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care, was at the First Nations School of Toronto where the province is investing in significant upgrades to the school, including four new child care rooms to create 64 new licensed child care spaces and one new child and family program room.
As part of
The Journey Together: Ontario's Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
, the province is also enhancing existing and supporting new child care and child and family programs in 58 off-reserve projects led by Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous organizations. This includes culturally relevant programming, advice, personal connections, resources and play- and inquiry-based learning for Indigenous children and families.
Creating more opportunity for Indigenous learners and their families is one of many steps on Ontario's journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government's commitment to work with Indigenous partners and create a better future for everyone in the province.
Quick Facts
Ontario is supporting Indigenous children and their families by investing up to $70 million over two years in child care and child and family programs developed in partnership with municipal service managers and Indigenous organizations.
Ontario is investing $11.5 million in upgrades and enhancements to the First Nations School of Toronto.
In 2018, Ontario is investing $784 million in 79 new and renovated schools across the province. This investment will also create a total of more than 2,700 new licensed child care spaces for children aged 0-4.
Ontario is investing up to $1.6 billion in new capital funding over the next five years to support the creation of 45,000 new licensed child care spaces in schools, other public spaces and communities.
Research shows that there are positive relationships between quality early learning, child development outcomes, and a parent's ability to work.
Additional Resources
The Journey Together: Ontario's Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
EarlyON – Ontario's Child and Family Centres
Ontario's Renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework and Expansion Plan
Community Hubs in Ontario
"Culturally relevant child care and early years programs are important for Indigenous families. This funding gives more Indigenous children access to high-quality child care and child and family programs in their communities."
Indira Naidoo-Harris
Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care
"Creating culturally relevant child care and learning spaces that celebrate the rich history, cultures and languages of Indigenous people, positively impacts students' self-identity and has been proven to lead to better academic outcomes. Expanding child and family programs and licensed child care services is critical. Improving learning opportunities for Indigenous students like those attending the First Nations School of Toronto is part of our commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples."
David Zimmer
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
"We are pleased about this expansion in child care and child and family programs in Ontario Friendship Centres through Journey Together. Fifteen Friendship Centres across the province will receive expanded programs and services through this next phase of investments. We know this will have a positive impact for urban Indigenous people living in cities and towns across Ontario. The long-term effects of adequately investing in our children will be felt for generations to come."
Sylvia Maracle
Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
"Indigenous families will, for the first time in many parts of Ontario, have access to Indigenous led early years and child care programs. The Kenora District Services Board will work with our Indigenous partners to implement programs based on respect, unity and the restoration of cultural identity. Through the Journey Together, we will better support families and their children, as well as the important work that needs to be done as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action."
Henry Wall
Chief Administrative Officer, Kenora District Services Board
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The Flamethrowers by Rachel KushnerAs you also know, this season Literary Masters book groups and salons are reading Rachel Kushner's previous novel Telex from Cuba and The Lowland by Lahiri.
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon
Tenth of December by George Saunders
Have you read any of these books? Your thoughts?


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4£350Buy Antique Brown Leather Granite Kitchen Worktop In LondonWestminster, LondonAntique brown leather granite kitchen worktop, if you are looking for the top quality antique brown leather granite for your home and kitchen flooring. We at Astrum Granite are London based company and we are leading Granite, Marble and Quartz tile supplier for your...Posted Yesterday
3£150Franke filterflow Doric kitchen tap still in boxWare, HertfordshireChrome finish filter flow Doric kitchen tap unused on my build I paid £350 still in original boxPosted Yesterday
3£350Get Best Quality Aqua Quartz Kitchen Worktop in Your BudgetWestminster, LondonAstrum Granite is a leading granite, marble, and quartz templating, fitting and supply service provider in the whole London United Kingdom. We established at 2013 in the UK. We have the best team and they are very dedicated to his work. Our main aim is providing the best...
2£60Carron Carlow 105 Ceramic SinkMaidstone, KentNo longer required and taking up space. Brand New still in box, unused, undamaged. Can deliver depending on distance. Brand new over £200.
3£45RRP£79 - 4 brand new unopened polished chrome under cabinet lights,Bracknell, Berkshire4 brand new unopened polished chrome under cabinet lights, with all required fittings/drivers. I was supplied these in error with my kitchen and was charged for them but I did not want or ask for them.The kitchen company won't take them back as they don't take returns.
1£45Spanish Antique White Textured TilesLeicester, LeicestershireSix boxes of Spanish Antique White Textured Tiles. 20cm x 20cm. Approx 5 square metres.Posted 1 day ago
4£134.99Cleaners sinkBristol, GloucestershireBrand new in superb condition... these very sought after & desirable sinks retail at around £700 if you can find one... Delivery can be arranged..Posted 5 days ago
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4£35SILVERCREST Steam Cradle Station SDBSPort Talbot, Neath Port TalbotSILVERCREST Steam Cradle Station SDBS 2400 A1 Very good condition High-quality aluminum-coated sole for optimum glide Fine hanger tip for easy ironing of difficult areas For steam and dry ironing Spray function and 2 powerful steam bumping functions: Horizontal...
6£15Cookie house unicorn teapot etcPort Talbot, Neath Port TalbotGingerbread house-shaped cookie jar Dimensions 22.3 x 20.6 x 23.1 cm Make tea that bit more magical with this unicorn-shaped teapot with lid Beautifully decorated with gold details and hand-painted finish, this teapot is made from durable stoneware. Dimensions 22.5 x 10.5...
4£189Butler Belfast sinksBristol, GloucestershireDoubles & single modern Belfast sinks. 3 sizes to choose from 84 x46 x25 cm doubles & singles 76 x46 x25 cm singles 61 x46 x25.5 cm singles All are reversible for a plain front. All brand new.. Supplied with wastes and free palatised delivery nationwide.( mainland only )...
4£199Ribchester Belfast sinksBristol, GloucestershireSuperb quality modern designer Belfast sinks. 2 sizes available. 84 x46 x25 cm & 76 x46 x25 cm.. These sinks retail for over £800 usually.. delivery and wastes can be added... Other sinks also available.. All sinks are reversible for a plain front..
2£12023x Kitchen doors and drawer fronts see pics for sizesLeeds, West Yorkshire23x Kitchen doors and drawer fronts, high gloss cream quality doors in excellent condition 8x400mmx715mm, 6x600mmx715mm, 1x300mmx715mm, 4x600mmx125mm ladder, 1x300mmx125mm ladder, 3x deep pan draw fronts 800mm wide x 715 high intotal, also few other draw fronts and infills...
3£60Astracast Rock Composite Helio sinkPontefract, West YorkshireAstracast Rock Black Helio composite sink, unused and as new. Drilled as right hand drainer. Factory second with slight discolouration along one edge hence low price. Complete with new drainage kit and pipes etc for fitting. Also includes Abode tap in full working order...
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2£201 bowl kitchen sink.Abergavenny, MonmouthshireKitchen sink. Drains either side (just swap the tap to the other side). Good condition. Would cost £70-80 to buy new.
8£1704 kitchen wall units 1 tall standing unit ando sink unit with sink.and mixer tapCardiff, Cardiff4 wall units 1 long standing unit a sink unit with sink and mixer tap 2 cornice for top of units and a work top 1 and half meters long and pole excellent condition. ...
6£499Hot water from a tap at a cost of around 3p a day.Belfast, AntrimMust be seen The Minerva 3-1 provides both hot/cold and boiling water. Discreet and suitable for any kitchen the horizontal heating tank sits neatly behind a standard 150mm cabinet plinth freeing up much needed cupboard space. Selling at over £900 yes £900 check it...
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6£550High gloss white Kitchen including Oven, Hob and SinkLiverpool, MerseysideModern High Gloss White L - Shaped kitchen for sale... Very good condition with integrated oven/hob ans ideal storage units. There is some wear and tear on the work surfaces as shown and a crack in the corner of the but this doesn't affect use at all. We are renovating...
1£50Kitchen Bridge Taps NEWLancing, West SussexNEW Bridge Taps for kitchen sink. Were fitted but not used as decided on different sink & taps. £50.00 or reasonable offer.
4FreeCheap fitted KitchensReading, BerkshireWe measure, design and create kitchens, bedrooms and sliding wardrobes at VERY GOOD PRICES!! CALL US for a free measurement or visit our showroom at 275 Oxford Streat in Reading. Check our facebook page and see what our customers say about us on CHECKATRADE!...
2Kitchen Mixer TapDownham Market, Norfolk2 x Swirl Kitchen mixer tap BNIB form Screwfix unwanted project extras Screwfix price £28.00 ea will accept £20.00 each or £35.00 the pair
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4£1QUARTZ WORKTOP, DAMAGED.Cleckheaton, West YorkshireQuartz kitchen work top in damaged condition. Compac white with finished edges and radius corners. Damaged as can be seen in the photos but can be cut and used as smaller piece(s). 2.45m x 1.20m x 20mm. Otherwise in excellent condition. Buyer to collect please. Any...
4£28Pipe Fitters Cutting/Threading ViceNorwich, NorfolkOld and well used but in 100% working condition, just a bit rusty
3£65Black SplashbackSwansea, SwanseaBlack Splashback. heat resistant, Toughened Safety Glass, 90 x 75 cm
3£10Travis perkins kitchen sink tapsAlloa, ClackmannanshireTravis Perkins kitchen sink taps,brand new still in packaging,calls only no texts please. No time wasters wanted. NO OFFERS.
2£15Bristan kitchen sink mixer tapAlloa, ClackmannanshireJava single flow monobloc kitchen sink mixer tap,brand new still in box,calls only no texts please. No time wasters wanted. NO OFFERS.
4£40Kitchen sink & drainer mixer tapSwansea, Swanseakitchen, sink & drainer 95.25 x 50.8 cm Chrome finished mixer tap Excellent condition
5£15Ikea kitchen partsBarry, Vale of GlamorganIkea kitchen end panels (forbattra) in off white. 3 panels are 39 x 86 cm and 2 panels are 62 x 80cm. 3 boxes of legs (metod) for kitchen unit. 1 vent for kitchen unit. 1 pack of kitchen door hinges (2 in pack). Picture shows what end panels look like fitted - low sheen...
7£75Synphony shaker style birch kitchen cupboard doors & handlesMansfield, NottinghamshireSymphony birch shaker style kitchen cupboard doors & handles 10 -720mm x 600mm , 1 - 1230mm x 600mm, 2 - 300mm x 720mm, 2- 560mm x 300mm , 2- 160mm x 300mm
3£25Chrome kitchen cupboard door handlesHull, East Riding of YorkshireNew unopened surplus to requirements Curved kitchen cupboard door handles. approx 450mm long two handles per pack. Complete with screw's 10 packs available and 1 loose handle buyer to collect. £3 each or lot for £25
1£45Kitchen sinkNewport, ShropshireComposite black onyx. Never used still in box. Price nr asking. Collection. Delivery if local.
1£100Solid oak worktop offcutsBridgend, BridgendSolid oak Worktop offcuts. Various sizes. Can sell separately or as a whole. Price below is an indication only as some items are different sizes
10£1Designer bathrooms or kitchen fittingsBristol, GloucestershireQuality designer bathrooms , kitchen fittings, or basically any household item's supplied to order. All stock is legitimate items varied many designer items most new in its box and lots is designer. Allow us to quote and you won't believe the price..
5£1,000Be inspired with this 4 piece kitchen ;)Newton Stewart, Dumfries and GallowayStainless steel kitchen.... 4 piece ,double deep sink with double drainer , base unit and 2 wall units
2£50Kitchen Sink with matching Mixer TapAyr, South AyrshireCarron Pheonix single sink and draining board with matching mixer tap in excellent condition. Sink size - 1000mm x 510mm. Waste outlet is fitted to the sink and the waste pipe and u-bend is available if needed. The sink has been removed and can be uplifted when required...
1£5Antique style kitchen dwr & door pullsShifnal, Shropshire7x kitchen drawer handles 29x kitchen door pulls Complete with screws


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Leap seconds
The atomic clocks housed at NPL are nearly a million times better at keeping time than the rotation of the Earth. Leap seconds are used to provide a link between the extremely stable time scale based on atomic clocks and the more variable time scale of the solar day.
A leap second is added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) when the Earth's rotation becomes out of sync with the time kept by the atomic clocks held at national measurement institutes such as NPL. When time based on the Earth's rotation lags behind UTC, a second is added to the atomic time scale. It is also possible for a second to be removed from the UTC time scale, although such a negative leap second has never been required.
When are leap seconds added?
When a leap second is needed, it will be inserted in the last minute of either December or June, or exceptionally in March or September, immediately prior to midnight or 00:00:00 hours UTC.
The decision as to whether a leap second is required is taken by the Earth Orientation Center of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), approximately six months in advance.
The most recent leap second was inserted on 31 December 2016
This was the 27th leap second added since their adoption in 1972
Find out more
Time & Frequency
Find out more about NPL's ground-breaking products, services and research in relation to time and frequency.
Atomic Time
Delve into the rich history and science behind atomic time at NPL.
A resilient, traceable and certified time distribution service for the financial sector that completely eliminates reliance on GPS.
The World Time System
Find out who and what makes the world tick.
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The Vauxhall ADAM combines individual style with agile performance for a smart and economical drive.
The Vauxhall ADAM has bags of urban attitude and eye-catching looks that make it certain to stand out on city drives.
This pocket-sized three-door is a lively little mover and at under 3.7 metres long and 1.72 metres wide it's nippy enough to ease into the tightest of spaces.
Wheels are a serious business and every ADAM has good looking 16-inch alloys. If you want a fully customised look, the ADAM UNLIMITED offers a choice of no less than 33 different styles.
Pick a colour – any colour – with ten funky body paints to choose from as standard, and go two-tone with an optional roof pack. If you're upgrading to UNLIMITED you'll get double the choice with 20 paints, and eight contrasting roof tones.
Check out the super-comfy sports seats made with high-density foam to give you total comfort and support. Special side bolsters add to the relaxing experience, and with a panoramic glass roof and six-speaker surround sound it'll be an unforgettable drive, whether or not you're behind the wheel.
Never be too hot or too cold if you choose electronic climate control, which uses smart technology to keep the temperature inside just right.
The ADAM looks as good as it feels with a range of fabric or leather seats, and the option of two-tone colour inside as well as out. You can further customise the front grille bar and mirrors with a range of funky accessories.
Upgrading your ADAM with the IntelliLink multimedia system connects you to your smartphone while you're driving, through the seven-inch colour touchscreen on the dashboard.
You'll get plenty of mileage for your money with the 1.2i 69bhp engine, or why not upgrade to a 1.4i engine with either 85.8bhp or 98.6bhp? For even more verve, the three-cylinder 1.0 direct injection turbo is powerful but still economical, running up to 56.5mpg.
The ADAM's Easytronic transmission lets you switch from a manual five-speed gearbox to fully automatic mode, with one simple nudge of the lever. Even when driving in manual, there's no clutch to bother with when you're changing gear. If you want to lighten the effort when parking, the City Mode switch on the dashboard will increase power to the steering to make it easy.
The ADAM's daytime running lights mean you'll see and be seen, even in daylight. The LED technology in the headlights and rear lights uses less electric power, with lower CO2 emissions.
Hill-start assist is a great safety feature that's standard on all ADAM models. Hill-start assist stops any roll-back as you're pulling away on a slope.
Choosing Vauxhall OnStar gives you in-car access to emergency help and advice round-the-clock, 365 days a year, as well as many other services.
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I know you are smiling brightly in the Lord's presence,
Say hello and give a kiss and some love to my two angels, Jordan and Deja. They loved your music while they were here on earth for a short time.
May your teachings of spreading love resonate throughout the world forever.


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(Arutz Sheva) Glenn Beck spoke at the Knesset committee hearing at the invitation of committee chairman Danny Danon (Likud) and Shas Knesset Member Nissim Ze'ev. The panel wanted to hear Beck's views on fighting the worldwide campaign trying to make Israel seem illegitimate.
"The world has changed. People now have power," Beck told the committee. He explained that the Internet has allowed people to be more accessible to the truth, which he said has been censored by mainstream media.
Beck said that the demands of the Palestinian Authority are another excuse for the world to continue a centuries-old campaign of anti-Semitism, which he said is "going through the roof. The Holocaust was just one part of the history of anti-Semitism. The United States has an economic problem now and the Jews will be blamed."
The Arab-Israeli conflict is "about the end of Western civilization and the destruction of Israel," according to Beck.
He asked Israelis to join him in Jerusalem on August 24 when he is scheduled to hold a "Restoring Courage" rally, similar to the Restoring Honor rally in Washington last year. Four presidential candidates will attend, joining people from all over the world, including Bahrein, he noted. The rally next month will be views worldwide on at least 700 remote viewing stations. (Read full article)
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Related article w/video
Jerusalem Post


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Deputy Agriculture Secretary Steve Censky, a Minnesota native, traveled to his home state on his 29th day in office to deliver the keynote address at the 50th annual meeting of the Minnesota Agri Growth Council.
The meeting, which each year draws a broad cross-section of who's who in Minnesota agriculture, had 400 registered attendees representing the state's diverse agricultural interests. It was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Censky was sworn in as Deputy Secretary on Oct. 11, 2017. He previously served as CEO of the American Soybean Association for 21 years.
He spoke about four main themes that have emerged as Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has talked with USDA stakeholders: Trade, taxes, regulations and labor.
President Trump is working with Congress to bring about tax reform, Censky said. Trump's proposal will help farmers, he said, as most farmers file and pay individual taxes. Trump's goal is to simplify the tax code, allowing farmers to spend money on investments for the farm, rather than tax accountants.
Censky said Trump knows that cash accounting, deduction of interest expense, Section 1031 and stepped up basis are important to farmers.
The House Tax Cut and Jobs Bill doubles the estate tax exemption from $5 million to $11 million by 2024 when it is eliminated. The bill also reduces the number of tax brackets from seven to four.
Farm income is driven by exports, with 20% of farm sales exported, on average, Censky said. Nearly half of the nation's soybeans are exported and 60% of the wheat.
The North American Free Trade Agreement has increased agricultural trade between Canada, the United States and Mexico and talks to modernize the agreement continue. Negotiators are striving to do no harm to agriculture, while improving the areas that need improvement. USDA also plans to improve the South Korean Free Trade Agreement.
The trade team at USDA will also be on the offense to achieve new trade agreements.
"Our goal is to remove barriers that stifle the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people," Censky said.
The Trump administration has made great strides in rolling back unnecessary regulations, including Waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act, he said.
Censky invited comments on rules and regulations that need changing and said that's been a focus of the Rural Prosperity Task Force, chaired by Perdue, which is examining what hinders economic growth in rural areas.
Agriculture needs both seasonal and year-round employees, Censky said, and the administration wants to establish a simple, fair and easily administered program to allow workers to come to the United States and work on farms.
Other issues
- Infrastructure improvements – The Trump administration is developing an infrastructure package. Expect to see details released early next year.
- Broadband – "E-connectivity is the digital superhighway of our economy today and in the coming decades," Censkey said. "It is the modern-day equivalent of REA and interstate highways." The administration doesn't have a proposed dollar amount that it wants to invest in broadband at this time, he said.
- President Trump's proposed budget cut USDA by nearly 21%, but the House and Senate funding levels are close to the agency's budget for last year.
- Biotech rules – USDA is starting over with the biotechnology rules, it announced earlier this week. Listening sessions will be held, Censky said, but no timeline has been announced for moving forward. USDA will engage with trade partners as they begin to move forward with the rules.


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Trying to keep your business at the fore-front of the changing technological environment is a challenging task and one that the Riteway Professional Services team can help you with.
Our Professional Services deliver solutions that can enhance the way you do business today, and allow you to embrace the technologies that support your company's future growth.
From client engagement to technology implementation to service delivery, our professional and managed services give you access to our expertise and experience of the lastest technologies and proven practices along the entire IT life cycle.
Our team brings:
Experience: we have years of experience providing professional services and solutions for customers from small business through to large organisations – we bring real-world experience into every engagement
Expertise: we offer expertise across multiple technologies, and our team are continually training to keep up-to-date with the latest technological developments
Customer-Centric: our customers are at the centre of everything we do, and we are committed to delivering the solution that meets the needs of your organisation
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Riteway is an authorised Paessler Reseller
Thanks to PRTG you can monitor everything in your infrastructure including LANs, WANs, servers, websites, applications and much more. PRTG monitors all systems, devices, traffic and applications of your IT infrastructure using these technologies:
Everything you need is contained in PRTG, with no additional downloads required.
PRTG comes with 10 built-in technologies such as email, push, play alarm audio files, or triggering HTTP requests. PRTG on premises also supports SMS text messages and executing EXE files.
Our free push notifications help you stay up to date when using your mobile device(s).
Adapt the notification system to suit your needs and schedule alerts (such as 'no low priority alerts at night'), or avoid alarm floods by using dependencies and acknowledging. You could even use our PRTG API to write your own notifications.
Full featured web interface: based on AJAX with high security standards, highly performant thanks to Single Page Application (SPA) technology, and optimally adjusting to your systems by its responsive design
Enterprise Console: native Windows application for PRTG on premises, especially for several PRTG installations
Apps for iOS and Android
All user interfaces allow SSL-secured local and remote access and can be used simultaneously.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. PRTG Network Monitor allows failover tolerant monitoring. One single failover is included in every PRTG on premises license!
Automatic failover handling: if the primary master of the cluster is not connected or is down, another node immediately takes over all its responsibilities, including the sending of notifications.
Take advantage of multiple points of presence monitoring: all nodes monitor all sensors all the time, so you can compare response times from different locations in the network (LAN/WAN/VPN).
Visualize your network using real time maps with live status information.
Create dashboards with the PRTG map designer and integrate all your network components with more than 300 different map objects - from device and status icons to traffic charts and top lists. Individualize your map using custom HTML.
Share your map providing its unique URL on a dashboard within your company LAN only, or even outside your company.
Monitor several networks in different locations and separated networks within your company (for example, DMZ and LAN) with PRTG Remote Probes.
Use remote probes to monitor your LAN with PRTG in the cloud.
Get the overview in one central PRTG core installation.
You can also use remote probes to distribute monitoring load.
Each PRTG license includes unlimited remote probes.
Get the numbers, statistics, and graphs of your specific monitoring data or configuration.
Export your historic monitoring data as PDF, HTML, XML, or CSV files and further process your monitoring data.
Run reports on demand or schedule regular reports (daily, weekly, monthly).
Riteway is a partner of Jem Computer Systems - an authorised Mitel Reseller
Mitel's MiVoice Business is easy to implement and manage and suitable for organisations ranging from 5 to 65,000 users. Through our partnership with Jem Computers, Riteway can deliver both cloud (Astirion Cloud Connect) and on-premise business phone solutions. We can recommend the best voice telephony option based on the needs, size and structure of your business.
Delivers voice, messaging, mobility, presence, conferencing, collaboration and applications.
Riteway Solutions Group has been working with various NSW Government agencies since mid-2013, initially supporting them in their migration to GovDC and more recently through the provision of a range of services and solutions that support agencies with both 'on-premise' IT and cloud based solutions.
We are approved providers under the following ICT Services Scheme (SCM0020) categories:
A01. Enterprise & Business Architecture **
A03. Solution Architecture **
C03PTa. GovDC Software as a Service (SaaS)
C05PTs. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
E03. Efficiency & Optimisation
H02. Business Continuity Planning
I03. Change Management **
M02. Custom Application Development including delivery "as a service"
M05. Information Management Services including delivery "as a service"
N01. Infrastructure and Utilities Software
** Qualified on the Advanced Registration Supplier List
A02. Information Architecture **
C01. Data Centre Services **
C05PTa. GovDC Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
C06PTS. Migration Services and Cloud Readiness **
G03. Telephony including delivery "as a service"
I02. Project, Program & Portfolio Management **
M01. Business Analysis
M04. Other software services including delivery "as a service"
M08. Testing Services
P01. Fixed, mobile, satellite, networking equipment
Riteway work with the best technology from some of the leading companies in the IT industry. This enables us to bring you the cloud services you need for your business success.
Suite 20/9 Seven Hills Road
Ph: 02 8003 5595
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Since 1994 Riteway has focused on ensuring delivery of quality solutions and services to a range of industries, such as finance, telecommunications, utilities and government.
Our vision is to help our clients meet their goals and objectives through being recognised as a trusted partner that delivers on our commitments with the highest standard of quality, professionalism and integrity and it is this vision that has earned us an excellent customer retention track record both with government and private industry.
Riteway is an approved supplier to the NSW Government under the ICT Services Scheme and offers expertise across planning, design and delivery of cloud solutions for government agencies.
Riteway comprises a small and dynamic management team that has the experience and confidence to provide businesses from any industry and size with a range of IT Solutions and Services. Our management team are supported by people we know and trust and to make sure we only offer you the right people with the right skills for your project, we maintain a core team and supplement them with the skills we need, when we need them.


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You came here for a reason: there is a signpost telling you that some kind of change is in order. Transitions can be intimidating and overwhelming. They can also be exhilarating if you have the keys to accelerate the process and cut through the internal red tape.
Sure, you could talk to friends or battle it out on your own. But consulting with Harriet is a better alternative. She will de-mystify, deal with the here and now, and untangle knots. Harriet will guide you to your goal in less time than you could get there on your own.
Harriet's specialties are professional and personal transitions:
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- Personal — Relationships are at the heart of our happiness. They are also at the core of our misery. Relationships are endlessly complex. You change. The people in your life change. Circumstances change. Whatever the issue, Harriet will guide you through troubled waters to a more gratifying and peaceful place with the important people in your life.
Before rushing away, be sure to visit our Blog and Podcasts. Ask Dr. Harriet covers a lot of ground. Would love to hear from you, whether it is a comment or issue you would like some thoughts on.
If you would like to speak with Dr. Harriet directly, you may contact her here.


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If I use an AirPort Express to "extend" the network created by the Time Capsule will the whole network now be "n" speed?
- Asked by fn from Albuquerque
AirPort Time Capsule (2013)
Product No Longer Available
1 Answer from the Community
Not the entire network.... just the part where the express is servicing wireless clients (stations)
The Time Capsule (assuming it is 802.11ac time capsule) is backward compatible to 802.11n so they will talk, however there is one caveat. Imagine the extender s a single device (with all the wireless "inside of it" when that traffic is back hauled to time capsule it is using 802.11n. During that time the 802.11ac clients get a slight degraded experience. It will just be a little less airtime for them when the slower device talks. So that is the limitation, however when it is your turn to talk 802.11ac you communicate at your connection speed.
It will be a slight degradation, but 802.11n through apple is only 300Mbps. So that is the bottleneck of the "range extended traffic"
on the time capsule
- Answered by Marcus B from Chandler


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Black is in, according to Larry King, but no one wants to admit President Obama's role in ushering what I hope becomes more than a seasonal fashion trend that will be passe by the end of his term.
So far two companies, Beanie Babies and Mattel Inc. have launched a line of black dolls. However, both companies assert that the timing of the creation of their dolls has nothing to do with the election of the nation's first black president.
What does the sudden spotlight on African-American dolls mean for little girls? African-American girls? Will little black girls now see girls of every hue playing with brown dolls? Will mothers who are not black allow their children to own black dolls? What if their children come to prefer black dolls over white dolls in a classic reversal of Kenneth Clark's doll test. ?


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Kinds of Treatment Programs Available in Diablo Washington
Research study research studies on addiction therapy typically have actually classified programs into several general kinds or techniques. Therapy strategies as well as individual programs remain to advance as well as diversify, and also lots of programs today do not fit nicely right into typical medication adiction treatment categories.
Most, however, begin with detoxification as well as clinically handled withdrawal, commonly thought about the initial stage of therapy. Cleansing, the procedure whereby the body clears itself of drugs, is designed to handle the acute and also potentially unsafe physical impacts of quiting substance abuse. As specified formerly, detoxification alone does not deal with the emotional, social, and behavior issues associated with addiction as well as for that reason does not typically generate lasting behavioral changes needed for recovery. Detoxing must thus be followed by an official assessment and also reference to medicine dependency treatment.
Since it is commonly accompanied by undesirable as well as possibly fatal side effects originating from withdrawal, detoxification is commonly handled with medications provided by a doctor in an inpatient or outpatient setup; for that reason, it is described as "medically managed withdrawal." Medicines are offered to help in the withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol, pure nicotine, barbiturates, as well as various other sedatives.
Advantages of treatment programs readily available in Diablo WA
Dependency healing programs offer some of the best chances for long-term recuperation by offering material abusers the physical and also psychological assistance they should beat compound dependence.
Compound abusers that are prepared to turn their lives around have a number of drug and alcohol recovery programs to pick from– consisting of inpatient programs, other household programs, outpatient recovery programs and also support system.
There is a great deal of information on the topic of dependency recuperation, as well as occasionally it can be overwhelming to try to weed with all the information. Discovering concerning dependency recovery doesn't have to be confusing.
Keep reading to learn some of one of the most bottom lines concerning just what the recuperation process involves and also what you could anticipate as you move forward in your healing.
The Addiction Recuperation Refine at a Glimpse for Diablo Washington
Numerous begin their addiction healing procedure with a period of detoxing (detox), where the body frees itself of drugs, alcohol and various other contaminants. Detoxification allows the body to restore to a stable, toxin-free state. Some sorts of detoxification programs use medication aid to facilitate the process.
During addiction healing, individuals in treatment might additionally undertake various sorts of therapy as well as participate in support system as they work to attend to as well as heal the mindsets, ideas, feelings and also habits that resulted in drug abuse to begin with. Continuous engagement in therapy and also support system may continue long after the initial duration of treatment as they may continue to supply enduring recuperation benefit for numerous people.
Inpatient Recuperation Programs Available in Washington
Numerous inpatient or property recuperation programs are used via licensed dependency healing centers. These immersive programs keep high standards for dependency treatment care. Therapy employee employees provide day-and-night guidance of program citizens.
People at health center centers stay over night at health centers as well as have access to doctors and nurses 24 Hr a day, 7 days a week. Various other household facilities situated beyond a hospital normally will offer some accessibility to healthcare specialists, when it is needed.
The primary objective of inpatient programs is to provide a safe, helpful environment for patients, and also to provide the tools they should accomplish long-lasting abstinence. The length of remain in the recovery program is figured out by the nature and seriousness of the substance dependency.
High-end recovery is a type of household treatment that offers miraculous level of dependency recuperation treatment– frequently in a preferable setting or environments, as well as with access to a number of high-end amenities.
After leaving an inpatient center, individuals are advised to join a support group and also routinely attend team meetings. Support groups assist people maintain sobriety by giving peer as well as advisor partnerships along with a selection of "devices" that help individuals maintain abstinence.
Team Counseling
Lots of healing setups use team treatment to maximize the social support supplied by peer discussion as well as to assist promote drug-free way of lives. Study has revealed that when team treatment either is supplied combined with individualized drug counseling or is formatted to reflect the principles of cognitive-behavioral treatment or backup monitoring, positive end results are achieved. Currently, researchers are testing conditions in which team treatment could be standard as well as made more community-friendly.


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We've pretty much got the main characters in the Dominique Strauss – Kahn accused rape case figured out – he's a sleazy philanderer, but maybe not a rapist, and the maid doing the accusing isn't above turning a few tricks. (We heard he refused to pay her and while she was cleaning the next room she decided to press charges) The REAL mystery in the sordid tale is Kahn's wife Anne Sinclair, who was once described as "the most famous, brilliant and beautiful " TV star in France. The wealthy heiress put up her husband's 6 million dollar bail and hired the most expensive lawyers she could find. She loves him. Those lawyers dug up the dirt on the maid that all but ended the case. Kahn's freshly documented history of extramarital sex to the point of addiction doesn't seem to bother his wife at all. Nor does the fact that Kahn had unprotected sex with that maid! French women like to think they are "more sophisticated and worldly" than American wives and they tolerate cheating in their smug politician husbands. In fact, they can be compared to women who wear burqas and say they don't mind being forced to cover themselves with black cloth. Brainwashed.
Posted by Janet on July 7, 2011
18 Comments so far
By Walt Cliff
On July 7, 2011 at
Perhaps their relationship is based on money and social status and not love or sex. I suspect that she probably has extramarital sex as well.
By yoyo
On July 7, 2011 at
With 6 million she can create her own Steve Austin. Janet, it's not fair to paint people with the same brush as being brainwashed just cause they wear burqas, crucifixes or pentagrams, for all it matters. If a person is willing to put up with trolling, it's their choice. Who cares what religion, if any, so long as people are not hurting anyone. At the end of the day, we all bleed red.
By crtb
On July 7, 2011 at
He had unprotected sex with the maid because he raped her.
By Shirley M.
On July 7, 2011 at
He should be in jail. I wonder if the maid was really a turning tricks or did they just say that to ruin her reputation?
By Elizabeth T
On July 7, 2011 at
Janet – the maid was a victim of rape until proven otherwise. the allegations against her have nothing to do with the crime committed by DSK. Unfortunately in the US if you are raped you better hope you are a saint or the charge will never stand up in court. and at this point, Janet, i am ending our online relationship. you are deleted from my "favourites"
By The American
On July 7, 2011 at
americans forgot the song "Stand By Your Man"?
By cara
On July 8, 2011 at
I feel like his $$$ (or hers) can create any sort of defense. And how easy it is to slander the vic.
She may of not be 100% clean herself, but even prostitutes can be raped. (besides, he's not a prostitute too?? Or at the very least an opportunist if he's with the wife for her $$$$)
By Denise
On July 8, 2011 at
She's probably now turning her attention and millions to digging up dirt on that French journalist Tristane Manon who claims he tried to jump her as well.
I agree with Walt that she's likely not faithful in the marriage either, but you know those French. C'est la vie!
By Patrick
On July 8, 2011 at
If you refuse to pay a whore it's rape? More like theft. Maybe he should be charged with shoplifting. Judging from this maids credentials and lineage he might want to have his pecker disinfected.
Stupid, stupid, arrogant, head up their ass French surrender specialists.
By Indy
On July 8, 2011 at
This cheating thing is common of course throughout Europe. Wait until Prince William takes a mistress after he gets tired of the bony skeletal Kate. He's already had 8 or 9 years of it (living together) and she has been warned that the Royals have this kind of perks; it just comes with the job. Methinks if she catches him, it won't be pretty. Course he might stay on the straight and narrow….one never knows.
By dee cee
On July 8, 2011 at
She has the Democratic or Kennedy beat down, suppressed but thinking they are liberatl women syndrome, until he does something that makes her absolutely cringe with shame, loses a fortune and takes some of hers.. which means she shares his mistakes, misfortune.. taking some blame.. he can kill or maim anyone with her entire blessings. Where Arnold went wrong.. he remained a Republican, but RINO, that is Republician In Name Only.. so almost a democrat, not conservative.. unable to live with the cold fish wife.. and Maria knew he'd never hold another high office.. for shame!
By Casonia logenberry
On July 8, 2011 at
She is standing by her husband? Because she loves him and they do have a child together and many woman foregive and love there life partner and most woman would just leave the relationship and say the Hell with it and she stuck with this man throw thick and thin and has his back in so many ways and she is not willing to run away and just walk out the door and of course they have a life together and they have joy and happyness in there life that we will never understand and they have gone throw emotions and feelings that we as a public will never feel!!!! But what ever a woman wants to do with there man is there thing and it should be made by the person who loves that other person and that is the wife and if she wants to forgive her husband for having sex…Because sex did happen but this lady was a gold digging…Blood sucking leach…Who had sex with a married man and knew he had some one and how does that make her look? But he was at the Hotel and did have sex with this woman and the wife foregives her husband and that is her life and it is her feelings and she can do what ever the Hell she wants and no one has the right to tell this grown ass woman how to live her life.
By carlita
On July 8, 2011 at
What a shocking item built on mis-information, ignorance of the facts of the situation, and reckless character assassination. But go ahead, pile on, with your imaginative, though addled interpretations. It's the American way. Maybe you'll get some notoriety that way. Certainly, I never heard of "Janet Charlton" before.
By Kd
On July 8, 2011 at
The maid is suing the New York Post for defamation, and her attorney has asked for a special prosecutor. This is not over despite wealth and privilege.
By Women get the short end of the stick
On July 8, 2011 at
All men cheat. If you get married thinking he will be faithful you are delusional. Every woman I know thinks her husband is being faithful and I know otherwise. You can't tell these women because they simply refuse to believe it. Society has let men get away with this crap for thousands of years and it's unlikely to change in our lifetimes. Just marry someone with money so you at least get something out of it otherwise don't even bother.
By Ryan Martin
On July 9, 2011 at
What's sacred is the AGREEMENT that two people have. If DSK's wife is ok with the situation, so be it.
If she's not ok with it, she can get rid of him.
The legitimacy and rules of a marriage are determined and understood by the couple, not arbitrarily by gossip columnists.
By Leo
On July 10, 2011 at
To my Pen Pals, please consider this story of the cheating wife, it is the story of Tony and Frances Toto of Allentown Pa. I went back into my archives of yesteryear to pass on this little story. With the intentions of sharing this News article I will let you know that the movie "I Love you to death" which starred Kevin Kline and Tracy Ullman is loosely based on this story:
By 1984, Allentown,Pa. pizza parlor owner Tony Toto had survived numerous attempts on his life,most of them committed with the full cooperation of his wife Frances. Among other things, Frances had hired assailants to hit Tony over the head with a baseball bat,place a trip wire at the top of the stairs, and shot him-on two occasions-while he slept. (Before the first shooting, Frances drugged Tony's chicken soup so he would doze soundly. He was shot in the head but lived, On the second occasion, he was shot through the chest but, miraculously,suffered little damage.) More remarkable than Tony's survival was his reaction when discovered that Frances, together with her lover was behind the attacks. A self confessed ladies' man, Tony held his wife blameless,paid her attorney fees and with the couple's four children in tow, visited her regularly in prison after she was convicted of soliciting for murder (May 7,1984).
UPDATE: "I'm in one piece and still laughing" says Tony, now 43 and working in a printing shop. Last February, after serving four years, Frances 44 was released from prison and returned to their redbrick ranch house. The Totos say they are more in love than ever. "I think if you find the right person, you have to stick with it" says Tony. Director Lawrence Kasdan is planning a movie based on their lives, starring Tracy Ullman and Kevin Kline and tentatively titled I Love You To Death. Says Tony hugging Frances;"I don't understand why people break up over silly things."
At the bottom of this Newspaper article is a picture of Tony and Frances smiling, and Tony is wearing a shirt that says in bold capitalized letters,
Now I do Not know about any of my Pen Pals on these pages, but I am Not dying for anybody to love me like that. PEACE!!
By strom
On July 10, 2011 at
No, what we know is that the BLACK maid is in the country illegally and may well be a whore or drug seller. The Frenchie maybe wanted some head but most likely the maid made some advances as well.
Not a open and shut case and the maid should be deported in a heartbeat back to BLACK Africa.


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Jay Rock, a Watts native, is releasing his debut, Follow Me Home
(Strange Music), today, July 26th. Jay is a member of the California super-freestyle group, Black Hippy, and one of the top up and comers of 2011. His album includes appearances by Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Tech N9ne, as well as fellow Black Hippy members Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and freshman phenom Kendrick Lamar. After listening to it a few times I realized this Is a great album, and in my opinion the best debut of a Cali MC since Blue and Exile's Below The Heavens.
Read the entire track by track review Follow Me Home
of after the jump!


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The annual Farmer2Farmer Conference is an initiative about local people, local issues, and local solutions! It provides powerful networking and learning opportunities for farmers and food producers in the region. The conference brings together over 100 regional farmers from all reaches of Vancouver Island and the Mainland in a day that inspires, educates and connects us in ways that help our sector grow together!
Date: March 1st, 2018
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm
Location: Saanich Fairgrounds
Cost: $55 per attendee
This event is aimed at anyone who is farming or growing, whether novice or experienced, rural or urban, small-scale or commercial. If you can share skills during our "Ask-an-expert panel", please email email@example.com.
Deadline to register is February 22nd, 2018. If you are having difficulty registering for the event, please contact Jasmine Robertson (CRFAIR Event Coordinator) at email@example.com or 250-580-5837.
Visit www.farmer2farmer.ca for details about sponsorship, exhibiting at our tradeshow, workshops, and more!


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Race is an attempt to define groups of people based on their appearance and heritage. Clean "races" don't exist in a scientific context and genetic variance barely exists, and we're genetically far healthier because of this. Indeed, the idea that a human is somehow at their core different because of their skin, eye, or hair color is something that has to be taught.
The perpetrators of racist systems and laws often didn't necessarily believe that Africans or blacks were inferior, and in many ways you can consider the perceived necessity to create laws emboldening and solidifying these systems a sign that slave owners were scared of their (ex)slaves and their descendants. In the words of historian Kenneth Stammp (1912-2009):
"A wise master did not take seriously the belief that Negroes were natural-born slaves. He knew better. He knew that Negroes freshly imported from Africa had to be broken into bondage; that each succeeding generation had to be carefully trained. This was no easy task, for the bondsman rarely submitted willingly. Moreover, he rarely submitted completely. In most cases there was no end to the need for control-at least not until old age reduced the slave to a condition of helplessness."
The creation and propagation of racism, which grants a feeling of superiority to the majority of the population and is especially easily believed by those with low intelligence, it fuels the program of the upper-class.
The "elite" portion of the population has always been aware that the members of the under-classes outnumber them greatly, and that true cohesion among the lower classes could end in systemic change. Thus the fostering of racism, both institutionally and socially, presents an opportunity to pit portions of the lower classes against each other to the amusement of the upper-class.
When slavery first reached American shores, masters "initially at least, perceived slaves in much the same way they had always perceived servants… shiftless, irresponsible, unfaithful, ungrateful, dishonest… There are hints that the two despised groups initially saw each other as sharing the same predicament. It was common, for example, for servants and slaves to run away together, steal hogs together, get drunk together. It was not uncommon for them to make love together. In Bacon's Rebellion, one of the last groups to surrender was a mixed band of eighty negroes and twenty English servants" (Edmund Morgan, 1916-2013).
The fear of the cohesion between the slaves and the servants is what mounted more extreme laws. The necessity of keeping the poor whites, servants and free men from identifying with the slaves was of the utmost importance as early as 1639, when Jamestown passed a law for "ALL persons except negroes to be provided with arms and ammunition or be fined at pleasure of the Governor and Council." Colonies holding slaves were fast to enact laws forbidding fraternization, collaboration, and inter-marriage, all before 1700, to keep the growing population of slaves, poor whites, and native Americans from interacting.
It may be interesting to consider that one of the origins of the police patrol is from the slave patrols of slave-era USA. Still, elements of white privilege don't mean that many whites did not and do not face other forms of systemic impediments for the very same reasons these walls were put up for blacks. In the words of Howard Zinn,
The laws that took away the vote from blacks -poll taxes, literacy tests, property qualifications-also often ensured that poor whites would not vote. And the political leaders of the South knew this. At the constitutional convention in Alabama, one of the leaders said he wanted to take away the vote from "all those who are unfit and unqualified, and if the rule strikes a white man as well as a negro, let him go."
Discrimination has been fostered in every possible dimension, initially simply to sow dissension but now to sell products as well. Seeing the unifying power of a simple doctrine of exclusion, some minority groups have been replicating this same tactic to strengthen their own movements. Alas, the words of Tom Watson (1856-1922) still ring true, he said:
You are kept apart that you may be seperately fleeced of your earnings. You are made to hate each other because upon that hatred is rested the keystone of the arch of financial depotism which enslaves you both. You are deceived and blinded that you may not see how this race antagonism perpetuates a monetary system which beggars both.
It feels strange to look back into history and see the same struggles, the same problems, the same types of corruption. Are there so few who have read history, or is it as always that those in power are relying on our lack of understanding regarding history?
We are all humans, and we are all more the same than we are different. We are so similar that what are objectively small differences stick out like a glow-stick in the dark. A true cohesion among most humans is possible, and I feel like more people are becoming aware of this on a daily basis. Real social bonds and exchange represent a way to organize and optimize action, and you are given every excuse to not participate in making meaningful, political change.
We are being deliberately manipulated via television, media, and social institutions to keep us distracted from participating in meaningful systemic reform. It is the same story that it was 300 years ago, and it will be the same story next year. We can struggle for equality, for environmental sanity, and for interactive politics. Now that even an analysis from Princeton of political decisions in the United States showed that the title oligarchy fits more snugly than democracy, I can't think of a more important time to involve ourselves.


text: I'm planning a trip to Northern California from Vancouver BC. Has anyone gone through this roadtrip who is willing to share what they did (where to stop for hotel, what attractions they stopped at washington, oregon, and california/san francisco)? So far the one that's confirmed in my trip is the tesla factory tour I've been looking for places with destination chargers but it seems the one in san francisco are in high end expensive hotels. The ones that are further out and affordable are fully booked for end of august. Any help/insight/suggestions would be appreciated.


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be quits (with someone)(redirected from be quits with someone)
be quits (with someone)
1. To no longer be in a mutual state of debt with someone. I paid you back last week, so now we're finally quits.
2. To have retaliated against someone. All right, he hit you, you him back—please tell me you two are quits now.
See also: quits
be ˈquits (with somebody)(informal)
1 be in a position in which neither of two people owe each other money any more: If I give you $10, then we're quits, aren't we?
2 have done something unpleasant to somebody who did something unpleasant to you: He crashed my motorbike last year and now I've crashed his car, so we're quits.
See also: quits


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Jhene Aiko reveals details of her upcoming EP "Sail Out."
Jhene Aiko is gearing up to release her debut album, Souled Out, but before that happens the singer is giving fans a taste of what's in store with her EP Sail Out. The rising singer says Sail Out will bridge the gab to Souled Out while explaining the two projects and detailing her EP to Rap-Up.
Jhene Aiko revealed that she recorded over 20 new songs for her album, and so to get all those songs out, some of them will be released on her EP, Sail Out. The singer revealed the features tapped for Sail Out."Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Big Sean and there are a few tracks I might get some more people on," Jhene said. "Kendrick Lamar is on "Stay Ready" and it reminds you of a Janet Jackson, real sexy type of song. Wiz Khalifa is on "Hit It Again" which is a double entendre for drugs or sex, so it's like a fun, sexy type of song too."
Jhene continued to describe the project, "A lot of the songs on the EP are fun, and me dealing with lighter topics. Souled Out is me digging deeper into different things about life."
The singer went on to discuss her first single "Bed Peace," and her rap alter ego. Watch the full interview below.