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I've spent the past couple of weeks doorbelling — doing a minimum of 50 doors a day, and usually more.
There are a number of common threads emerging — or at least those that are city issues.
Downtown Port Orchard is far and away at the very top of the list. Local voters are demanding action. This should be good news for the businesses down there, but could spell trouble for a couple of incumbent city council candidates. The most frequently asked question: "Why can't we be more like Poulsbo or Gig Harbor?" Several have mentioned Monterey and Sausalito as comparables to aspire to as well. The fact we are a waterfront jewel just waiting to be polished, isn't lost an anyone.
Our top priority issue of public safety has resonated extremely well — especially among young families wanting information about sex offenders and where they are located. There are online tools available to law enforcement detailing their locations, and Police Chief Al Townsend is anxious to put these in place. I've also had a number of residents talk to me about a couple of specific locations of meth trafficking, which I've passed on to our PD.
I've come to realize how economically disadvantaged our community is. It's MUCH worse than I ever imagined. There's a huge dichotomy between those of comfortable means, the middle class, and those who struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis.
Something else that's become very apparent is that there is a LOT of lingering anger about the rejection of NASCAR — at least in this end of the county. I've had more than one voter ask me as I've stood on their doorstep, point blank, where I stood on this. To a person, they swore they would vote against EVERY politician who was against it. Larry — You wouldn't want NASCAR fans living next door to YOU — Seaquist is going to face the brunt of this wrath — IF he even runs for re-election. From what i can see, this issue could make the difference between him and a credible Republican winning that seat.
Anyway, that's it for now, but I will be posting regular updates as I continue doorbelling and let you know what the pulse of the community is.
News and Pointed Commentary on Political, Business, Social, and Other Topics of Interest in the Western Puget Sound Region. By Lary Coppola
Saturday, July 07, 2007
The Campaign Trail, Volume One
Posted by Lary Coppola at 5:48 PM
1 comment:
Lary I would like to voice my supoort for continued development of the Port Orchard waterfront area. I can't count how many times between my wife and I that we have mentioned the potential PO has. As Bremerton residents we actually prefer dining in PO. We were at Amy's this weekend and noticed the sign showing their support for you. One little suggestion for yourself and the council, the reason we prefer PO over Bremerton is the parking in Bremerton is outrageous. Please keep that in mind as PO continues its growth.ReplyDelete
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BC: The End
FC: by Ed Kmosena March, 2012 | SECOND WEEK
1: Life brings simple pleasures to us every day. It is up to us to make them wonderful memories. CathyAllen
5: London
6: All things grow better with love.
20: A family is pieced together with hope and faith. A family is quilted and bound with love and grace.

subset: commoncrawl


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- Description
Executive summaries due
- Website
- Competition Organizer
University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
- Submission Date
- Awards Date
- Competition Category
- Graduate - Global
- Who's Eligible
Participation in the Venture Labs Investment Competition is through an invitation to the university or by winning one of the participatingcompetitions.This is a competition for graduate students, and at least one graduate student must be a member of the venture's startup management team.
- Important Dates
One-page executive summaries are due by April 15, 2011. The final Venture Labs Investment Competition will take place on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin on May 4 - 7, 2011.
- Competition Prizes
Global Champion receives $135,000 in cash, and $110,000 worth of in-kind services.
1st runner up will receive $5,000 in cash
Other finalists will receive $3,000 in cash
Semifinalists will receive $2,000 in cash
- Other Info
Venture Labs Investment Competition (formerly Moot Corp) is the premier world-wide investment competition hosted annually at the University of Texas at Austin.


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All requests for Withdrawals must be submitted in writing and dated. The date of the request will be the date it is received by CFANY. Requests may be faxed to (212) 541-4677, or emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Withdrawals from events, live or streaming, are subject to the following policy:
- 24 HOURS ADVANCED NOTICE OR MORE: Credit to be issued (to be used within 6 months)
- LESS THAN 24 HOURS OR AFTER EVENT HAS STARTED: No refund
For more information: Policies and Procedures


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Janatha Garage Telugu Movie Theatrical Trailer Jr NTR | Mohanlal | Samantha | Nithya | Koratala Siva
Janatha Garage Telugu Theatrical Trailer ft. Jr NTR, Mohanlal, Samantha and Nithya Menen. Directed by Koratala Siva and music composed by Devi Sri Prasad. This movie is produced by Naveen Yerneni, Y. Ravi Shankar and Mohan Cherukuri. This movie also stars Devayani, Saikumar and Ajay in supporting roles.
Janatha Garage Pranaamam Video Song Trailer Jr NTR Samantha & Nithya Menon
Janatha Garage Apple Beauty Telugu Video Song Trailer NTR & Samantha
Janatha Garage Telugu Video Song Rock On Bro Song Trailer
Janatha Garage Pakka Local Kajal Agarwal Item Song Video Teaser
The teaser of "Pakka local" song from Telugu movie "Janatha Garage" was released on Wednesday evening. The track has been unveiled a day before the film's release on Sep. 1 to generate a positive buzz around the flick.It is a special number featuring leading actress Kajal Aggarwal. The song has come out well and the teaser have raised the curiosity level of the audience about the song.Related Content:


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email@example.com, @LinscottIM
I&M Staff Writer
The Roads and Right of Way Committee has been working on a sidewalk survey project to make sidewalks in the core historic district safer for nearly three years, but will set out on foot in the next month to rate sidewalk condition and safety, and could be looking for help from volunteers.
A five-point scale, developed through input from the committee and written by chairman Allen Reinhard, was presented to the committee last Tuesday night. Ultimately, the committee plans to gather and analyze collected data in order to make suggestions to the Board of Selectmen and Department of Public Works about how to improve sidewalk safety to hopefully see changes.
To read the complete story, pick up the print edition of this week's Inquirer and Mirror or register for the I&M's online edition by clicking here.
For up-to-the-minute information on Nantucket's breaking news, boat and plane cancellations, weather alerts, sports and entertainment news, deals and promotions at island businesses and more, Sign up for Inquirer and Mirror text alerts. Click Here.


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This article from AMedNews about the new Riverside Methodist Hospital s Center for Medical Education and Innovation illustrates that virtual patients have applications for more than just practicing surgical techniques.
- Edward Bope, MD, director of the Family Practice Residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, helped select the equipment, software and floor plan for Riverside's Center for Medical Education and Innovation. It will be the first non-military medical simulation facility and multidisciplinary training center that can follow a virtual patient from the ED, to the OR, to the ICU.
"A lot of people were thinking about this at the same time, and it's a source of pride that we will have the first one," said Dr. Bope, who this year was elected to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education board of directors. "This is a physician-funded and physician-led project, and everyone involved says how it's been a long time since they've seen a medical staff all pull together so well in one direction."
To comment on this post, click on "comments" below. To receive a weekly update, e-mail Sue.


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Following many requests, I have put up the listings of items I have sold since establishing Grouse Guitars in 2005; the research and photography I put into each listing has been deemed too good a resource to waste, even if some of my photography in the early days left a bit to be desired!
Please note that these pages are provided purely for your own benefit - they do nothing but cost me in paying for the web space and bandwidth! I just like to share the information and the passion. Please also show your respect for my time, and not email me with queries in regard to sold items. Then I won't disappoint you with a lack of response.


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Hello! Thank you for joining me for week 54 of My Sexy Saturday!
This week we're sharing our characters who know they're sexy!
And that's Daemon, for sure.
Here's seven from SEX BOOT CAMP, an erotica menage story.
And that's Daemon, for sure.
Here's seven from SEX BOOT CAMP, an erotica menage story.
Set-up: In this EROTICA story, Cara is brought to Sex Boot Camp by her boyfriend. After witnessing him with another woman, she decides to leave him and experience all the place has to offer, including many new sexual experiences with the instructor, Daemon.
"We're going to demonstrate different sex positions. And after that, I'm going to take you to a private room and have my way with you."
I gasped, recalling the dream he'd interrupted. Would he tie me up the way I'd fantasized? I must have become lost in the memory, because he was suddenly kneeled in front of me, pulling open my robe.
"You want me, don't you?"
"I...." As I stared into his lust-filled eyes, the last of my resistance fled. I couldn't help myself. "Yes."
Hands on my knees, he opened my legs and moved between them. He leaned forward and rolled his tongue around my nipple before sucking it into his mouth. Each nip and suck on my sensitive peak sent me closer to ecstasy. The man was such an enigma and for some reason he chose to pleasure me rather than any other woman at camp. With a feather-light touch, he drew a finger along my clit.
"Holy shit." I thrust my hips off the chair. My body simmered. Need pooled in my core.
"Do you want me, Cara? Do you want me inside you?"
~ About SEX BOOT CAMP ~
A week away...
After a hectic month at work, Cara expects to spend the next few days relaxing in her pajamas. Until her boyfriend surprises her with a getaway to a remote location.
To open her mind...
When she arrives at Sex Boot Camp, she anticipates her boyfriend will be by her side. Instead, she is left with a houseful of curious young women and a sexy instructor.
And fulfill desires she never dreamed of...
Although reluctant at first, Cara becomes entangled in a world of seduction and wicked fantasies.
Caution: This story contains an Alpha leader who ensures his guests leave satisfied, hot woman-on-woman action, and an MFM ménage that will leave you breathless.
Amazon US / UK / Canada | All Romance | more
Be sure to check out other MY SEXY SATURDAY excerpts!


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By the way, I brought this up on www-tag in February: http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-tag/2009Feb/0032.html Resounding silence. The only followup was a private exchange with Larry Masinter in which he said, to paraphrase: Don't change HTTP. AWWW and RDF are wrong, change them instead. If you need to URIs for things that don't work with HTTP, don't use the http: scheme, use a different URI scheme such as tdb:.Received on Monday, 31 August 2009 17:04:47 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 20:21:07 UTC


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Docking procedures confirmed, Valevyinellin was set to take its place in the mudball known as Notan's Pit. For Voiyn's Hounds, the closest thing to a terrestrial home. JOS's prisoner, Rooioe Çör, remained fully restrained, especially his oral cavity. Uncovered, it was impossible to resist the urge to break one of his jaw hinges. Prattling on about how connected he is in the Corporations. He was the third catch he'd seen making such lofty claims. It'd probably be the third time no there would be no reaction against Voiyn.
"You're going to help pay for these," JOS jibed. Pulling on the collar of his omni-suit.
"Not a bad chunk either." NaN leapt on the prostrated body, poking hard into it's chest. "You're lucky it was him," pointing at JOS, "not me." NaN winked, jabbing again, ego swollen.
The pedal exit door hissed open, the rest of the Hounds stood around anxious to exit the ship, no matter how briefly. " You two better have all the credentials prepared on this one. We want it quick, we'd like to enjoy ourselves as long as possible." Vahl's voice impetuous, and alpha.
"Don't worry about what we're doing. We haven't made a mistake to date." NaN beat his chest right back.
"Call on me after you do, then we'll talk." Vahl threw up an obscene gesture, "Pull your weight first, you've got a long way until you'll touch black." OhkBD put the final word on it, "You'll be near our age before you can even dream of erasing your debt at this rate." The Double Dorsca crossed forelimbs.
JOS couldn't help but repeat the image of OhkBD saying "..at this rate.." scanning him with those spindly fingers. He made a face thinking about it again. 'One of these days you'll change your opinion, we're doing better at this than you ever did.' JOS started building back his confidence.
"Get ready grubs, stay close. Bad things happen to things with soft flesh in in Notan's Pit." Vahl, malicious as possible.
Essec reassured them with a touch. "Anything reaches for you and they lose a limb."
"Why you got to coddle the little ovellies*," Vahl pushed.
"Do you remember how it is to be fresh out of the colony? Have your fun, they need to learn. But they'll know they're protected from things outside they aren't prepared for," Essec's voice remained cold, and direct. Vahl didn't make another sound as the crew exited Valevyinellin together.
JOS and NaN were advised to keep their helmets on to withhold their species, and more importantly their age from the waiting predators. Together they carried their catch one arm holding the magtray. A nasty smoke plumed in sheets of red and brownish yellow as Voiyn's Hounds left the ship.
Vulgar gambling and excess occurred on the outside of his vision. He didn't remove his eyes from the grime encrusted catacomb, and Voiyn's back. "Voiyn's got vekhæ*." A faceless voice called out from some random corner, causing a lump to form in his throat. JOS did his best to avoid tensing up as the cavernous pathways erupted with vile calls, and a flurry of flying objects.
Maintaining his poise was key, not to be intimidated. His helmet took a blow from something orange and slimy, obscuring the left part of his vision. There were red chunks of something biological in the ooze. Hopefully this would be a once through experience. With a reputation, respect would be given freely, rather than tolerate this.
The rest of his confidence stemmed from the three at his back, and it was he who made pulled the lever. Remembering the takedown set his shoulders back, confident and bold. He followed right. Into the teeming marketplace, a motionless glace around showed beings of all types. Trading, and engaging in what would certainly be considered "illegal" in front of a corporate official. Concerns like those were best left elsewhere. One wrong look could see him with a slug punched through his cranium.
As they moved further into Notan's Pit the jeering crowds died with the lack of a reaction. NaN, and he had held firm. The Hounds continued their march to The Grand Lair, Notan's private entertainment compartment. As Voiyn described it on the way in, "The richest hub in the Pit. Listening is how we stay ahead." His ears would stay hyper vigilant, even if he had no idea what was being said. JOS would do his best to latch onto anything he could grasp.
At the end of the market would be a descending helix, leading to insect maze that made up the asteroid-made livable. Reaching the bottom, the six plus one were lead into a vaulted domed space, filled with immaculate scenes of debauchery at its most refined. On grand display in the center of the room, on decorated platforms; a female of some beautiful lethal species, and a male strong, and powerful looking. Both in chains, linked to a torture mechanism meant to keep their bodies suspended. All gold.
Very off putting against the shifting colors in the semi-translucent floors and ceiling.
She was being decorated. Pierced with lavish jewels, skin marked with knife and ink, all in a seductive display for the sinister creature atop the throne with a perfect view of the bizarre spectacle. Across from her the male was being encased in some precious alloy, a slow process so that the metal would bond to the exoskeleton without damaging its internal organs. JOS had heard about ancient practices like this, they sealed the body to have the energy protect them for eternity.
It was so unbelievably quiet. The realization of the sound proofing somehow made it much more twisted.
"Ah! Welcome Voiyn!" The creature JOS could only guess was Notan, rose taking small devices out from around his neck. Overfed, what used to be muscle was now oozing flesh between plates of natural calcium on his front and back. Loud and over dramatic, his gesture caused his blubber to jiggle. "I see you've go my coñnä*. You're so quick, I've got a lot of trust for you." JOS repressed the sick feeling, watching the crusted fold jump and crack apart as Notan stroked his leader's ego. Or, the constant hanging yellow drip from the corner of his mouth.
"After all this time doing work for me. I think you deserve a better opportunity. Something one pack could never do alone, a very big hunt." Notan stood nearly as tall as Voiyn, but danced around him like some small excited thing. "Direct from the corp head hunters, right off the top of the list. 719,000,000orn." Notan exposed his thick, herbivorous disgusting teeth in a snarl as he stepped up onto the platform, dripping the molten element down his slaves front. Drinking in the silent scream.
Never moved in either direction, Voiyn replied,"Sounds worth hearing about. Though I don't think my two newest are ready, yet. Since they made their first catch, I can't tell them no if they want in." Voiyn paused, looking over NaN, and him. "I am sure you have another pack in mind for us. Before that I would like to ensure our payment." Voiyn maintained his posture.
Notan's thick, encrusted finger motioned across the pavilion to a half-moon shaped ethylalch* station and lounge. Seating five shadowy figures. JOS followed the stub across each of the unique faces, all races unknown to him. Every one of them equally dangerous.
"Seven Hands." Vahl mouthed quietly behind them.
"If we must. The price is too large to pass." Voiyn responded.
"Good," Notan purred,"you've always been my number one, because you understand so well how my business operates." Pure, disgusting, honey.
"Have your technicians relay the appropriate link to us on the V-alg Comm." Voiyn ended the conversation, moving towards the exit. "Don't forget to include a new magtray in my earnings. You'll thank me."
JOS stayed in step, feeding of the confidence exuding from the being before him. Returning up the dank passageways, to the Valevyinellin. He couldn't help but think how amazing the Vocal-Algorithmic Communication system is. Instantly translating communications into Mean Language, being the commonality between all languages know to the V-algComm's database.
Distracted by his thoughts, his shoulder met with a passerby's. "Gxbo fule pukoda siōp." JOS barely blinked, and Essec was there, between him and the other. All he could really see were the wall stained rags around the creatures shoulders, Essec's back took up the rest of his view. His eyes couldn't help but focus on the hand ready on the thin blade behind Essec's back.
Ovellies – babies, younglings
vekhæ – cabin boys, whipping boys
coñnä – forced submissive partner
Please leave a comment below, and tell me what you feel about the direction of VALE HOUND.
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I HAVE had it! I just read a proposed land development code by Volusia County that would prohibit septic tanks on lots less than one acre or -- with county council approval -- half an acre.
Doesn't anybody in county government learn anything? I feel as if I'm back in 1977. This same idea was proposed in the land-use plan. I fought it because it wiped out all new homes in Deltona, DeBary, Orange City and the unincorporated area around DeLand. The county said it didn't realize what it was doing and withdrew it.


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The Responsive Auto Insurance Group of Companies has been launched to provide a high quality customer service experience for individuals seeking to meet their mandatory insurance coverage requirements.
We provide…
- Competitively priced products & services.
- Drivers an easy solution for choosing their auto insurance.
- A variety of product choices and payment options.
- 24/7 online and phone services.
- A network of highly-qualified independent insurance agencies.


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This black and white political allegory set in Soviet Russia was filmed in 1980, and first saw the light of day at the 1989 Locarno Film Festival. The events taking place in a huge, ramshackle old house are told as seen by one of its none-too-bright residents. Of particular ironic bite is the tale of the policeman who climbs a tree in the yard in order to keep watch over the residents, who never leaves the tree even when, at the end of the film, it is burning. This uneven film is based on an unpublished...more
All Den Angela cast + crew photos
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2019 FANDANGO MOVIES.


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Circa 1950 Elegant Pair of Double Level Mirrored End Tables / Side Tables in Solid Brass by Maison Jansen.
Maison Jansen (House of Jansen) was a Paris-based interior decoration office founded in 1880 by Dutch-born Jean-Henri Jansen and continuing in practice until 1989. Jansen is considered the first truly global design firm, serving clients in Europe, Latin America, North America and the Middle East by 1900.
Maison Jansen provided services to the royal families of Belgium, Iran, and Serbia; Elsie de Wolfe, the German Reichsbank during the period of National Socialism; and Lady Olive Baillie's Leeds Castle in Kent, England.
The firm's most published work was for the U.S. White House during the administration of John F. Kennedy.
The tables are of the highest design and manufacturing quality and feature an incised gallery, fluted legs and finial feet. It is possible to substitute stone or another material for tops, if desired. Sold as a Pair.
Measurements: height: 21 in./depth: 15 in./width/length: 23.5 in. Materials/Techniques: Solid Brass Frames
Photography provided by Thomas Gallery Ltd
Thomas Gallery Ltd
315 E 91st Street
New York, NY, 10128
Phone: 212-688-6100
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Today would have been Mies van der Rohe's 126th birthday.
In honor of the Pioneer Architect our friends at Google have commissioned a "Google Doodle" for the occasion.
The Washington Post reports on Google's tribute and YouTube has a video piece with more details.
Only a few names from the furniture and interior-design world cross over from collectors to popular culture. Charles and Ray Eames, Marcel Breuer, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi… and recently John Dickinson. Dickinson, who died in 1982, was one of the 20th century's most whimsical designers.
Born in Berkeley Calif., and trained at Parsons School of Design in New York, Dickinson returned to San Francisco to establish his design practice in 1956. Dickinson's decorating was equally tailored. He was a modernist who acknowledged Jean-Michel Frank and Robsjohn-Gibbings as influences.
Each piece of furniture was meant to sit in its own space. Once he carpeted a coffee table, so it matched the rug underneath it.
An elegant, intelligent man, Dickinson became the darling of San Francisco society in the 1960′s Dickinson created a total look. "What I do is always mine," he said. "I think this idea that everyone pays lip service to — that a room should reflect the client more than the decorator — is utter nonsense. My rooms always end up looking like me.'
Price: $19,000
Photography provided by Sultana
600 California Avenue, #111, Treasure Island
Treasure Island, CA, 94130
Phone: 415-902-9040
E-Mail: email@example.com
Pair of 18th century stone Cheminees from a Mas (Farm) Outside of the Provencal Village of Rochefort du Gard, close to the Town of Avignon.
Rochefort du Gard is "A charming village clinging to the side of a hill, Rochefort is – like Saze, its immediate neighbour – a very active village which organises a great many sporting and cultural events. From the parvise of Le Castelas, the village's twelfth century Romanesque church. A superb vista is from the site of the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Grâce, set on a hill outside the village. Built in the eighth century and extended during the seventeenth century, this sanctuary was inhabited by Benedictine monks until the French Revolution. It is a magical venue for groups or individuals interested in a religious retreat. The parish church of Saint-Bardulphe, the former chapel, now hosts the town hall & the stone wash house."
Excellent condition. Shows markings consistent with material and age. Measurements: height: 10 ft. 2 in./depth: 43 in.width/length: 9 ft. 4 in.
Photography provided by Chateau Domingue
Chateau Domingue
3615 West Alabama St.
Houston, TX, 77027
Phone: 713-961-3444
E-Mail: email@example.com
A pair of 1960s End Tables by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Company
"Michael Taylor made decorating history. Whatever he did or didn't do made news. He changed the way we live. Opened it all up. Aired it out. Declined reverence. Scorned pretense. He gave himself to design with intensity and passion."
Paige Rense, Former Editor-in-Chief Architectural Digest
315 Spring St
New York, NY, 10013


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Petfusion BetterBox NON-STICK Litter Box Product Review
Watch our unboxing and final review videos – and read our product review of the Petfusion BetterBox!
Uniting Ragdoll Cat Lovers Worldwide Since 2008
Watch our unboxing and final review videos – and read our product review of the Petfusion BetterBox!
These cat litter mats do a great job catching the litter that kitties shake off their feet when they exit a litter box. Watch our review video to see how.
Read the interview with Dr. Jean about Litter Box issues and kitties or listen to the Podcast.
Recently, a Floppycats' reader asked on our Facebook, "How often do cat owners clean their cat's litter box (that is, the box itself, not the litter)?" What say you?
The LitterPal is a box with bags that expands to make a convenient litter collection container. Or, in other words, a garbage bin for cat litter.
I originally saw the NVR Miss on The Conscious Cat's blog. NVR Miss reached out to us to see if we would be interested in reviewing their boxes and of course, I was interested because my mom has two vertical peers, Caymus and Murphy.
I am from Missouri, the "SHOW ME" state. So hence the title of this post – SHOW ME Your Litter Box Set Up. I want to gather a list of postings from all members about how your kitty's litter box area is set up. I will then compile all of them and put them in one post to share with everyone.
In 2003, a designer/former clothing buyer and medical design engineer created Kitty A GoGo™. Later in 2010 Kitty A GoGo™ was acquired by Automated Pet Care Products, Inc. (the makers of the Litter-Robot™).
Cats can be trained to use the toilet, rather than their stinky litter box, with just a few easy steps. However, the cat toilet training process does take several weeks, or even several months, so patience is required.
Ever catch your cat going to the bathroom in one of your indoor potted plants? If your cat is new to the home, and you're looking to train him, there is a simple way how to litter train cats.


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Paper Heart isn't funny: it's an impassioned plea for privacy in relationships amongst the young and famous. Nice human moments in interview segments, too.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
24 Words Per Film #69
Posted by Eddie Hardy at 10:42 AM
Labels: 24 words per film, Charlene Yi, Michael Cera, Paper Heart
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Dr. Luke Not Joining 'American Idol' as a Judge
Contrary to reports, Dr. Luke will not be joining the American Idol judging panel for this upcoming season, according to THR.
The 39-year-old music producer, whose full name is Lukasz Gottwald, "wants to build an entertainment company" with his own label, and after much talking between all parties, decided it "was the best thing for all parties."
Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban are currently on the panel for next year's season. Randy Jackson is currently in negotiations to return to the show as a mentor.
WHO DO YOU THINK should join the next season of American Idol as a judge???


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Abstract art is a term that includes a wide variety of media: monochromatic color fields, hard-edged abstraction and its flat colors, and the sharply defined edges and optical illusions inherent in op-art's geometric forms. What links all of these styles together is that they are divorced from the traditional representation of physical objects. For its new exhibition Printing Abstraction, the Saint Louis Art Museum draws from its own holdings of abstract art created by printmakers. The show is something of an expansion of the museum's ongoing main exhibition, Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now, in that it offers more examples of the printmakers' art and the key role it's played in the promulgation of abstract art. Printing Abstraction is on display from Tuesday through Sunday (November 30 to March 31) in galleries 234 and 235 of the Saint Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Drive; www.slam.org). Admission is free. free admission
Ice skating and hot cocoa go together like Christmas and carols. Every year, Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park (www.steinbergskatingrink.com) is open from early November to late February, providing the Midwest's largest outdoor rink for the low price of $7 a day. Your $7 is good for the whole day, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Skate rental is another $7, which is a steal — but just because it's so affordable doesn't mean you have to bring the family. If you're tired of the in-laws, their kids or just want to get out of the house, Steinberg is there for you. Nothing clears the head like a brisk skating session and hot cocoa by an outdoor fire. $7
The 1960s were a period of social upheaval and radical change in America, and no art form captured that churning spirit better than printmaking. Printmakers have always had one foot in the commercial art world and one in the realm of fine art, and that hybrid nature allows them to adapt to new technologies and new thinking more quickly than, say, sculptors. Graphic Revolution: American Prints 1960 to Now, the exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Drive; www.slam.org), is a treasure trove of startling images. Featuring more than 100 works drawn from the museum's holdings and local private collectors, Graphic Revolution includes landmark prints by the big names (Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup II, Robert Rauschenberg's Signs) and less famous but no less astonishing pieces by modern masters such as Julie Mehretu and Edgar Heap of Birds. The show is open from Sunday, November 11, to February 3. Tickets are $6 to $14, but free to all on Friday. $6-$14, free on Friday
Artist Kehinde Wiley leaped into the public consciousness when his presidential portrait of Barack Obama was unveiled in February, but he's been making vital work that explores the nexus of race and representation for years. In 2017 the New York City-based Wiley visited the Saint Louis Art Museum to review the collection with an eye toward a future exhibit inspired by the historic style of portraiture. While he was in St. Louis, Wiley went to north St. Louis and Ferguson to meet with people and find subjects for his own paintings. Kehinde Wiley: Saint Louis is an exhibition of eleven large-scale paintings of everyday black St. Louisans dressed in modern clothing, posed in the manner of kings, statesmen and other powerful figures. Wiley's new work will be on display in galleries 249 and 250 from October 19 to February 10 at the Saint Louis Art Museum (1 Fine Arts Drive; www.slam.org). Admission is free. free admission
In a year in which the Missouri History Museum exhibition team has given us the stories of St. Louis' greatest civil rights freedom fighters and returned us to the glory days of Route 66, it would take something truly spectacular for the museum to outdo itself — and yet somehow it's done just that. The museum's new exhibition, Panoramas of the City, is as close to time travel as you can get without involving Morlocks. The show comprises seven floor-to-ceiling size images of scenes such as Charles Lindbergh speaking to a crowd of 100,000 people on Art Hill at his "welcome home" party and a 1920 march on Olive Street by the League of Women Voters. These massive photographs are joined by props and interactive media displays that give viewers a better understanding of the historical context of each scene. More than 60 panoramas of various sizes round out the exhibit, which will be on display from September 2 to March 24, 2019, at the Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue; www.mohistory.org). free admission
The Muny is just about to open its landmark 100th season, and its neighbor, the Missouri History Museum (Lindell Boulevard and DeBalivere Avenue; www.mohistory.org), celebrates the occasion with an exhibit dedicated to the history of America's largest outdoor theater. Muny Memories: 100 Years on Stage features exhibits that explain the founding of the theater, display favorite memories from stars and staff, and give a look back stage to see how the dedicated technical crew creates and rigs all those sets and lights. You can also take a look at programs from the Muny's long, storied past. Muny Memories opens on Saturday, June 9, and remains on display daily through June 2, 2019. Admission is free. free admission
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The Drapery Shop is a full service drapery workroom in Northern Virginia. All of the work featured on this blog is our very own. If you have trouble viewing all of the photos click "older post" at the bottom right or click on the blog title "The Drapery Shop" above. We look forward to hearing from you. 703-551-2929 Mary
Friday, January 22, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Fully Operable Relaxed Roman Shades
We made these whimsical
paisley shades to go up and down at your whim...
Another great project in partnership with interior designer Sherry Tyra of CHIC Interiors.
Posted by thedraperyshop at 1:53 PM No comments: Links to this post
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Speckled Sheers and Flat Rods
Posted by thedraperyshop at 6:44 PM No comments: Links to this post
Choose the Right Lining for Silk Drapery Panels
We used a simple lining and inter-lining to allow these silk panels to stack-back tightly when opened
but we had a different objective for the panel below.
Here we wanted to create soft, uniform pleating.
The secret to getting softly rounded folds is choosing the right lining. You won't have the same results by using the typical lining and inter-lining commonly used with soft silks.
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The state of Arizona has not approved this product for use on agricultural sites. Do not use this product on uses considered by the Arizona statutes to be agricultural uses.
Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide will control insects on ornamental plants grown in nurseries and greenhouses.
Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse
Insecticide is a systemic insecticide that is translocated upwards within the plant. For best results, Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide must be applied where the roots of the target plants can absorb the active ingredient. After application, irrigate moderately but thoroughly, being sure to avoid leaching and runoff from the container for at least three irrigations or 10 days, whichever is longer.
Use Precautions:
- Do not graze treated areas or use clippings from treated areas for feed or forage.
- Do not apply to soils which are waterlogged or saturated. This condition will not allow penetration of water into the root zone of the plants.
- Do not over-irrigate or allow excessive runoff to occur following an application of Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide.
- Do not apply more than 40 lbs. of Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide per acre per year.
- On plants with a production cycle of less than one year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than one year, application may not exceed once a year.
Food Crops: Treated areas may be replanted with any crop specified on an imidacloprid label or with any crop for which a tolerance exists for the active ingredient. For crops not listed on an imidacloprid label or for crops for which no tolerance for the active ingredient has been established, a 12-month plant-back interval must be observed.
Insect Resistance: After repeated use of a particular insecticide, some insects may develop a resistance. It is important that the use of this product conforms to resistance-management practices established for the use area. Consult your Cooperative Extension Service for resistance-management strategies and recommended pest-management practices for your area.
Do not make a foliar application of any chloronicotinyl insecticide following Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide soil application to the same crop.
Woody perennials: Protection in woody perennials is slower than in herbaceous species, and a delay of 2 or more weeks should be expected, with longer delays for larger plants. Because of this, make applications to woody perennials well in advance of expected insect activity.
Incorporation: Incorporation of Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide can be accomplished by cultivation, irrigation, rainfall, mechanical placement, or by using mechanical soil or media-mixing equipment.
Bark Media: When treating bark media with 30-50% or more bark content, the period of protection with Quali-Pro Imidacloprid 1G Nursery & Greenhouse Insecticide will be shortened.
Vegetation in the area to be treated should be mowed to a height of 3 inches or less prior to application. Mowing to the lowest possible height will ensure greater consistency of control.
For grub control in areas of turf, apply as a broadcast application using 45 oz. per 3000 sq. ft.
Apply May through July. For optimum control, treatment should be followed by rainfall or irrigation. Apply as a uniform band on either side of row using a band six (6) inches wider than the actual root ball diameter to be dug. Do not allow bands in adjacent rows to overlap.


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Telstra is warning customers to be wary of telephone scammers following a fourfold increase in reports over the past year.
Scammers generally call customers at home and claim Telstra needs remote access to their computer to fix a fault.
They're generally seeking personal information, particularly banking details, Telstra said.
"The increasing number of these telephone scams is concerning," said Peter Jamieson, Telstra's head of customer advocacy.
"Customers should be alert to any attempts to trick them into disclosing their credit card or banking details over the telephone."
One woman told AAP she had been targeted by scammers as recently as last week, when a man claiming to be from Telstra called and asked for remote access to a home computer.
The man's foreign accent and a suspicious echo on the line rang alarm bells, and the woman hung up before calling Telstra, which confirmed there was no issue.
Telstra advised customers to hang up and call Telstra's official number if in doubt about the veracity of a call.
Customers should never give remote access to a caller or disclose banking details over the phone, Telstra said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said scammers commonly prey on peoples' trust of government authorities and reputable businesses.
It warned Australians with disabilities to be wary of anybody calling out of the blue claiming to represent the government's National Disability Insurance Agency.
* People can report suspected scams to the ACCC by calling 1300 795 995.


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Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
Title: The title screams paranormal. Hereafter is a great title for this story, since it gives a good idea of what this book's about: a dead girl.
Cover: I must say I absolutely love this cover. The blues and greens are so pretty, and even though you can't really see it, I love the dress Amelia is wearing. Also, it's just a little shiny, so it's even prettier in real life.
Pitch: For people who like paranormal romance, this pitch is sure to be intriguing. For someone like me, it's a big turnoff. First of all, I don't like paranormal romance, and having a dead protagonist just seems really weird. It seems like a well crafted story, but I'm not looking forward to it.
First Sentence: It was the same as always, but different from the first time.
A great first line. It makes me need to read on. What is this mysterious 'it'? And how in the world can it be the same, and yet different? While this is a little vague, it is attention grabbing.
First Chapter: This chapter has some great points and some really bad parts. The writing is fairly good. It opens with the MC dreaming that she's drowning, and it's described so vividly I felt myself squirming. However, as soon as the dream ends, she starts thinking about what's happened over the past years, telling us all sorts of backstory. One big writing rule is to not give any backstory in the first fifty pages unless absolutely necessary. Here's it's really not necessary. This scene would have been more powerful, especially the cliffhanger at the end, had it been written in straight narrative, not backstory.
Overall: For a fan of paranormal romance, this story has great packaging. There's a perfect title combined with a gorgeous cover and an intriguing pitch. However, all of this convinces me that it's really not the sort of story I'll enjoy.


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Our veterinary team welcomes you and your pet!
Old Tappan Veterinary is an inviting and comfortable environment. We want your visit to Old Tappan Veterinary to be the best veterinary experience you have ever had! We're all animal lovers here and we work hard to create a warm, inviting and comfortable environment for you and your pet.
When you check in with our front desk you'll be greeted by one of our friendly and courteous team members. A member of our medical staff will soon meet you in the lobby and bring you to an examination room where we'll ask a few questions.
A veterinarian will then meet you and your pet and spend some time talking with you to address your concerns, perform a thorough physical examination, and create your pet's individual care plan. If additional testing is needed, Old Tappan Veterinary is a modern facility with state of the art diagnostic equipment including: digital radiology, CBC and Chemistry blood analyzers, and electrocardiography equipment.
Laboratory results are usually available within 24 hours. We can have abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms performed in house by a board certified radiologist. If you'd like to pre-submit information before your arrival, visit our Forms page.


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International Journal of Computer Games Technology
Volume 2012, Article ID 178578, 6 pages
Development of Embedded CAPTCHA Elements for Bot Prevention in Fischer Random Chess
Computer Engineering and Computer Science, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
Received 31 December 2011; Revised 29 March 2012; Accepted 12 April 2012
Academic Editor: Narendra Chaudhari
Copyright © 2012 Ryan McDaniel and Roman V. Yampolskiy. 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.
Cheating in chess can take many forms and has existed almost as long as the game itself. The advent of computers has introduced a new form of cheating into the game. Thanks to the computational power of modern-day computers, a player can use a program to calculate thousands of moves for him or her, and determine the best possible scenario for each move and countermove. These programs are often referred to as "bots," and can even play the game without any user interaction. In this paper, we describe a methodology aimed at preventing bots from participating in online chess games. The proposed approach is based on the integration of a CAPTCHA protocol into a game scenario, and the subsequent inability of bots to accurately track the game states. This is achieved by rotating the images of the individual chess pieces and adjusting their resolution in an attempt to render them unreadable by a bot. Feedback from users during testing shows that there is minimal impact on their ability to play the game. Players rated the difficulty of reading the pieces on a scale of one to ten, with an average rank of 6.5. However, the average number of moves to adjust to the distorted pieces was only 3.75. This tells us that, although it is difficult to read the pieces at first, it is easy to adjust quickly to the new image.
1. Introduction
Chess programs have been designed and implemented on computers since the 1950s. In 1950, Shannon published "Programming a computer for playing chess," in which he presented a chess computer as possible proof of artificial intelligence [1]. At first, these chess programs were created only to test the waters of what computing could do to enhance the game. However, over the years, programs such as Rybka have become very powerful [2]. In 1997, a computer built by IBM, called Deep Blue, even beat then-world champion Garry Kasparov, marking the first time a computer was able to beat a reigning world champion [3]. Some of the chess programs available today include databases of past games and provide numerous ways for players to learn the game and improve their skills. These aspects are certainly positive; however, there are other forms of computer-assisted chess which are not. While cheating in chess can take many forms and has existed almost as long as the game itself, the advent of computers has introduced a new form of cheating into the game. Robots, or "bots," are computer programs that can read a chessboard and the pieces, determine the best possible move to make, and either recommend the move to a player or make the move for them [4]. These bots are easily accessible and can be very difficult to detect. Chess is not the only game plagued by bots, however. These technology cheats are very common in online games today, from traditional games such as poker and chess, all the way up to complex Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs) like Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft [5]. Keeping bots from ruining the game for honest players requires a constant effort, since whenever a game update to eliminate bots is implemented, the bot creators update their bot to circumvent the latest fix [6]. Cheating in online gaming can have far-reaching impact on honest players. For example, online poker is played for money. If someone is cheating with a bot, then they are having a direct impact on the other players by taking money from them [7]. Poker is gambling, however, and whenever money is involved, you can expect dishonesty as well. Chess, on the other hand, has traditionally been about the spirit of the game. Quintessentially, chess is a war campaign, with two players battling it out, planning their short-term and long-term strategies, and utilizing either an offensive or defensive game plan. Inevitably, some plans end in defeat, some in victory, and yet still some end with a draw. In this regard, it is easy to see how one player planning his moves with a computer has a very unfair advantage over the other. The game is not intended to be played this way, so the chess-playing community gets frustrated with cheating players. Unknowingly playing a game of chess against a bot may have varied repercussions. Some players may just brush off the loss, attributing it to a stronger opponent, and trying to learn from it; they may or may not be suspicious that cheating was involved. Others may get so frustrated that they quit playing chess altogether after a few encounters [8]. It is the latter group that makes preventing cheating so very important. Quickly and accurately identifying a bots' presence in an online game is crucial; false positives cannot be tolerated.
2. Related Work
A popular method of ensuring the players involved in a game are, in fact, human players is "Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart" (CAPTCHA). A typical CAPTCHA test will present the player with distorted text and then require them to type that text into a box in order to continue. A computer program will be unable to read the text and respond correctly, preventing the bot from continuing beyond that point [4].
There are, however, ways to beat a CAPTCHA test. A bug in the CAPTCHA may be exploited to bypass the CAPTCHA test completely, for example, reusing the session ID of an image that is known to have passed the test.
Also, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software is improving, allowing the bot to "read" the CAPTCHA text. CAPTCHA breaking algorithms have been designed with alarmingly high success rates as high as 70% on some websites [9].
Finally, the bot may present the CAPTCHA to the player as a part of the program. Due to the limitations of a CAPTCHA test, it is not an ideal solution for bot prevention; the test can be easily defeated if it is presented at the beginning of the game, and the test becomes an inconvenience to the player if it is presented during the game [10].
Research on bot detection and prevention in online games has expanded over the past few years, with methodologies ranging from direct impact on the player's game experience, to total transparency, with varying degrees of success. Input devices could be used as a type of hardware-based CAPTCHA; for example, a joystick could be used as a CAPTCHA device, or a specially designed keypad could be used to input a series of characters at certain points during a game. This method would require the output of the device to be authenticated by a game server or console, as well as making the device itself secure to avoid tampering [10]. The cost associated with tamper-proofing devices and the incompatibilities that would exist with legacy hardware limit the usefulness of this approach. Requiring special hardware and keying in characters on a keypad would have a direct negative impact on the game also, as it draws the players' attention away.
Embedding a CAPTCHA into the game itself is a clever idea (see Figure 1). However, it can be difficult to implement properly. Randomizing certain aspects of the game can make it much more difficult for a bot to participate. Randomization creates a noninteractive CAPTCHA type of test, as the bot will have to analyze options; however, it is not a particularly powerful deterrent since it can be solved. A more formal test could be presented to a player as well, in the form of a simple text-based or image-based CAPTCHA, in order to allow access to various aspects of the game [11]. This type of test would at least force some human interaction, adding only minor disruption to the playing experience, ensuring that a bot cannot operate completely autonomously.
Server-side bot detection is a method that is concealed to users and typically focuses on the behavioral patterns of game clients. For example, the movement pattern of a character can be analyzed for overly repetitious actions to determine whether a bot or a human is in control [5].
Also, input data from devices such as a mouse or keyboard could be analyzed for button-press-length and interval to determine if a bot is controlling a character [6]. Server-side bot detection requires some resources to analyze the data that is collected, however, and could possibly be circumvented by a bot program [12]. Once a bot is removed from the game, the bot creator can easily change the program to avoid the behavior that resulted in detection.
3. Behavior of a Bot
A robot or "bot," for the purposes of this research, can be described as an artificially intelligent program, with either partial or full autonomy, which assists a player in an online game [4]. One must understand how a bot works before one can discuss how to combat it. A typical bot program will go through three basic steps, the first of which is collecting data for the input. The second step is the heart of the program, where the collected data will be used to create a course of action, predicated by the bots' purpose and design. For example, in this step, a poker bot would determine the action a player should take, while a chess bot would determine which piece should be moved. In step three, the bot will output the desired action to the player, or even perform that action for the player, in the case of a fully autonomous bot. Bots commonly collect input data in one of two ways. A chess server may give the location of pieces in a log file, possibly even in real time, making it very easy to gather the information needed for a bot to process the locations and determine a move. If the data is not available via a log file, a second data collection option is called screen scraping [13]. In the case of chess, the bot will compare the images on the board with images in its database. The bot can then essentially know which piece is a king, which is a queen, and so forth. The position of each piece is also easily determined, since the board is an image as well. As a result, the bot can look at the board, identify each piece, and its respective location, and process that information to determine the best move to make.
4. Procedure
Written in C#, the software contains menu, grid, and options elements. The grid consists of sixty-four separate panels, each representing a single space on a chess board. Each 100100 pixel panel is added to a two-dimensional array, arranged in an 8 panel × 8 panel square. This layout makes it simple to place a chess board image behind the panels, allowing the panels themselves to contain the chess piece images. While standard functions are used to determine the movability of pieces, it is the resolution, rotation, and randomization which provide additional ammunition to prevent bot play, and protect the players who simply wish to pursue a challenging game of chess against another human opponent.
The algorithm is based on two morphing functions:
Rotate Image Function
(i)Accepts image data type as argument.(ii)Generate random number between −35 and +35.(iii)Create new bitmap from image passed in.(iv)Create new graphics object from bitmap and rotate.(v)Draw image back to bitmap form and return it.
Reduce Resolution Function
(i)Accepts image and integer data types as arguments.(ii)Returns the image to its original resolution if percentage = 0.(iii)Pass image to Rotate Image Function.(iv)Create a temporary image from the rotated image.(v)Create new bitmap from temporary image with new size based on input.
As shown in Figure 2, functions to adjust the resolution and rotation of the chess pieces have been added to the user interface, using a text box on the right-hand side of the form to accept entry of an integer between zero and ninety-nine. Once a valid number is input into the text box and the adjacent "Ok" button is pressed, the resolution of all pieces is decreased by the value entered, as a percentage, and a rotation between −35 degrees and +35 degrees is applied to each piece individually. This will result in all pieces having the same resolution reduction, but a different rotation for each piece (see Figure 3).
Track Bar Function
(i)Track bar minimum is 0, maximum is 5, increments by 1.(ii)Generate random number between 5 and 10 and multiply it by track bar value.(iii)Pass image and random number to Resolution Reduction Function.(iv)Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each image to give every piece a different rotation and reduction.
Below the text box is a track bar that can be used to increment the distortion of the pieces in a slightly different way. The track bar consists of six values, starting with zero at the bottom and incrementing by one to five at the very top notch. The track bar starts at zero by default. When incremented, the track bar value is multiplied by a random number, labeled randNum, between five and ten, and passed on to the resolution reduction function. A new random number is generated for each chess piece, giving a certain amount of randomness to the resolution reduction of each individual piece. Incrementing the track bar increases the value to be multiplied by the random number, somewhat guaranteeing an increase in distortion as the track bar is incremented.
As illustrated in Figure 4, when the "Randomize!" button below the track bar is selected, the program rearranges the back row of both team's pieces according to the rules set forth for Fischer Random Chess. Another function, RandomResolution, is called to distort the images as well. A random value, between five and thirty percent, is chosen for resolution reduction and applied to every piece on the board. Rotation is again applied to each piece individually. The "Randomize!" button may be pressed as many times as desired; however, once a piece has been moved, the game is officially started and the button is disabled. Distortion of the pieces can still be controlled via the other two methods at any point during the game.
Fischer Random Chess Function
(i)Assign const integers to pieces (example: EMPTY = 0, KING = 1, QUEEN = 2, etc.).(ii)Create two lists to keep track of empty spaces in the back row, one for odd and one for even spaces.(iii)Create an array to hold piece positions in the back row.(iv)Generate a random number between 1 and 6 to place the KING.(v)Place KING into back row array at index just generated.(vi)Generate 2 random numbers for placing ROOK. These must be between 0 and KING index, KING index and 7.(vii)Place ROOK into back row array, 1 at each index just generated.(viii)Update even and odd lists so no pieces are placed on occupied spaces.(ix)Generate random number between 0 and even list size.(x)Place BISHOP into back row array at index just generated.(xi)Generate random number between 0 and odd list size.(xii)Place BISHOP into back row array at index just generated.(xiii)Update odd and even lists.(xiv)Consolidate odd and even lists into 1 empty spaces list since no remaining pieces have an odd or even requirement.(xv)Generate random number between 0 and empty spaces list size.(xvi)Place QUEEN into back row array at index just generated.(xvii)Update empty spaces list.(xviii)Place KNIGHT into back row array at last 2 remaining indices.
5. Results
Each user filled out a feedback form during testing, as seen in Table 1, and the results were consistent. The form was used to collect some background information from 11 players to get an idea of their skill level at chess and determine how long it took them to adjust to the distorted pieces. Adjusting to the altered appearance of the pieces took most users a few seconds regardless of their skill level; after an average of four moves, none of the players had any trouble differentiating between pieces. Very few mistakes were made by the players. Some users did mention that additional changes could be implemented to make distinguishing pieces easier. For example, a letter representing the piece could be added to the image in a distorted way as well.
Humans are much better than computers at identifying patterns in an image [14]. Most modern text-based CAPTCHAs rely on letters which have been distorted. Therefore, distorting and rotating an image should prove very difficult for a bot to recognize. Including additional distortion effects will increase the difficulty of programming a bot to read the pieces. For example, a skewing function would further help to prevent recognition. Adding background noise to each individual image would also provide more distortion for a bot to overcome, as well as changing the size of each piece slightly.
However, there are weaknesses to this approach to bot prevention. If there is only one available set of images for the chess pieces, then a bot simply has to compare the known images to distorted ones and make a guess based on similarity. This method could be fairly accurate, so it would be important to include multiple sets of images that can be used. Tracking piece movements could also give a bot clues as to what the pieces are; the bot may be fooled at the start, but as the game progresses, the movement trail left by the opponent may allow the bot to identify the pieces and resume control of the board.
The feedback, gathered from players with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced, is promising. Players rated the difficulty of reading the pieces on a scale of one to ten, with an average rank of 6.5. However, the average number of moves to adjust to the distorted pieces was only 3.75, indicating that although this approach has a direct impact on the game experience, the user's ability to play the game is not hindered. The relatively high level of difficulty to read the pieces can be seen as a good indicator that a bot will have a hard time determining what the pieces are as well. The low number of moves to adjust to the distortion is a good sign that the player's experience will not be affected a great deal.
6. Conclusion
The program is designed to prevent a bot's ability to read a chess board, which renders the bot harmless and unable to suggest or make moves for the opposing player. This is accomplished by altering the visual aspects of the chess pieces on the board via user-controlled changes in resolution and/or rotation of the pieces; this skewing makes the pieces unrecognizable by a bot, while allowing human players to identify the pieces. With the added ability to play the game using the rules of Fischer Random Chess, a bot's inability to read the piece positions would prevent unfair advantages.
Additional research into bot prevention is clearly needed. One path may be further altering the area of CAPTCHA tests. For example, added altering of visual elements—such as skewing or stretching—could be tested. Other user-interface changes could include multiple image sets for swapping. These options continually evolve as standard CAPTCHA research moves forward. Additionally, although distorted audio or program-initiated questioning are alternatives to standard CAPTCHA tests, those methods could not be used with chess pieces. However, some of these methods are very creative; it is possible future research could find a way to incorporate an alternative method into the game of chess.
Breaking down a CAPTCHA is not always considered a total loss, as there are some positives that arise from it. For one, a weakness in the CAPTCHA has to be exposed, which can be fixed to strengthen the test in future revisions. Also, it is important to note that programming a bot to break a CAPTCHA test can be considered an advancement in Artificial Intelligence, as a bot has to try to emulate how a human would think in order to pass the test. This kind of competition is very important for promoting advancement in the fields of both artificial intelligence and security.
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- D. Bethea, R. Cochran, and M. Reite, "Server-Side verification of client behavior in online games," in Proceedings of the 17th Annual Network and Distributed System Security Symposium of the Internet Society, San Diego, Calif, USA, 2010.
- J. Devlin, "How I built a working poker Bot," Part 1. 2008, http://www.codingthewheel.com/archives/how-i-built-a-working-poker-bot.
- J. Strickland, "How CAPTCHA works," 2011, http://computer.howstuffworks.com/captcha.htm/printable.


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BLOOM Collaborative is dedicated to promoting physical, emotional and community wellness for the people and city of Erie and surrounding communities. Its programs, classes and initiatives are for individuals and families, local groups and organizations, as well as businesses of all kinds.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing approach to reducing stress and promoting well-being through art or movement or gardening, or a more therapeutic one, BLOOM Collaborative is the place where people come together to learn and play and grow and thrive.


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Beekeeping organisation in UAE to lead the region
Sheikh Salem bin Sultan S. Al Qasimi, chairman of Apiculture and Nature for the betterment of Health and Beauty (ANHB) - who will head the research and development of the unique organisation - told Khaleej Times that the role of apiculture is crucial in agriculture and sustainability.
"Today in the UAE, with the vision of the country to develop sustainability and especially bees, the launch of this organisation is imperative.
"We will have a new era for the honeybee industry, not just in the Middle East, but also in the world." He said his vision is to create a strong and sustainable industry for honey beekeepers in the UAE.
Sheikh Al Qasimi warned that many consumers are unaware they are purchasing impure honey.
"There is a lot of fake honey in the market. You have to be selective and you have to go for the original and local. So if you are in the UAE, Sdir honey is number one and it's the best."
He stipulated that he believes the organisation will elevate the production and export of honey in the UAE. Currently, the UAE produces 800 tonnes of honey annually, and exports to other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Sheikh Al Qasimi stressed that bees are essential to the production of fruits and vegetables.
"Animals pollinate over 80 per cent of flowering plants. Among these animals, bees are by far the most important, with around 25,000 different species worldwide. With this goal in mind, alongside our partners in the industry, we shall help to preserve our planet and its inhabitants in a vital sector for the region."
Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khazem Al Ghamdi, chairman of Arab Beekeeping Association, said the organisation aims to develop the advancement of scientific, technical, environmental, social, technological and economic aspects of beekeeping.
Dr Philip McCabe, president of Apimondia International Beekeeping, said there are many issues that beekeepers globally are dealing with, which have created a massive decline in the production of honey. Dr McCabe pointed out that 35 per cent of food production is a direct result of pollination and the honeybee provides a whopping 70 per cent of that.
"The other pollinators, such as the butterflies, are on the decline in exponential numbers because of extensive use of chemicals.
"There is nobody working to replenish those, and the honeybee is in serious decline, but the middle of 2016 saw a slight change where the trend started to turn."
He noted that governments began to step in and make a change.
"The members of the European Parliament are now increasing the budget for beekeeping from 219 million by 50 per cent, so they have got the message."
The Crown Prince of Monaco, Albert II, who immensely deals with biodiversity, has even joined Dr McCabe on several missions at the European Parliament. "He came with me to the European Parliament in Brussels and people began to realise how bad the situation was." Dr McCabe said bees can help save the world from a crash.
"When there is a world crash, the only thing that can rise is beekeeping, because if you get the bees they will make the honey."
He noted that with the launch of the association, the industry in the UAE will quickly rise.
Copyright © 2018 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).


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You have selected: Poynings BN45, West Sussex
One-off Cleaning in Poynings BN45 - Spring clean in Poynings BN45
One-off Spring cleans in Poynings BN45 (BN45)
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you enjoy our service and we encourage any and all feedback. Our homes and offices are the places where we spend a big portion of our lives. To be able to enjoy being in them, we need a clean, uncluttered space. However, many of us have neither the time nor the energy to clean and maintain our living space. We founded One-off Cleaning 4U because we wanted to return your home or office to you - a home or office cleaned by highly trained professionals who know how to make your home or office sparkle. Spring Cleaning 4U know how to make your stainless steel appliances shine and leave them streak-free. We know how to clean and disinfect your space in Poynings BN45 (BN45) by applying the most state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and products. Using our services you will be rewarded with a spotlessly clean space that calmly engages your senses.
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ROTOR has a long standing tradition of scientific testing and validation to support it's technology. Below you'll find a list of studies and reports published by some of the world's preeminant authorities on sports science. We invite you download the PDF files below and learn more about the edge that Rotor provides to professional and amateur racers alike.
Who doesnt want to finish a 1km sprint 1.6 seconds faster?
ROTOR is excited to announce the publication of a new scientific study on its paradigm changing, performance boosting, oval chainrings.
The study was published in the International Journal of Sports Science and Engineering by an independent Cal Poly University graduate, Christie OHara (who has since joined ROTORs competition & scientific staff).
This end-of-ride 1km time trial study complements our previous research, showing that participants experienced reduced lactate and heart rate with a corresponding increase in both power (26.7w) and speed (0.7 kph). Interestingly, the clear performance boost Q-Rings give was present even before some slow to adapt participants felt fully comfortable riding them.
The 1km time trials were done after 45 minutes of intermediate to hard effort riding, thereby simulating race like conditions. By the time the 1km TT came around, participants werent fresh, but after riding on the Q-Ring they performed better than with a normal round chainring, said OHara, adding Even though the results were recorded with elite athletes, I think the Q-Rings performance benefits would be even greater for beginner and intermediate athletes.
The summarized results of this study, showing the Q-Rings clear benefits are:


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Automatic payments
Automatic payments is a payment setting in AdWords Express. Using this setting, you first accrue advertising costs, then have those costs automatically charged to your primary payment method.
If remembering when to make payments isn't on your list of favorite things to do, the automatic payment setting is a great choice. You'll set up your billing information once, and payments are automatically processed -- this means you don't have to worry that your ads will stop running if you forget to make a payment.
How automatic payments work
With automatic payments, you're charged only after you've accrued advertising costs. And you'll be billed in one of two instances: either 30 days after your last payment, or whenever your account reaches a predetermined amount known as your billing threshold -- whichever comes first.
If your ads start running October 1, for example, you can expect us to charge you on October 31 if you don't reach your billing threshold.Payment methods you can use
For most countries, you can use the following payment methods with this setting: credit and debit cards, and bank account (also known as direct debit). Here's how this payment setting works with each of these.
- Credit and debit card
To set up automatic payments, you'll add your debit or credit card as your primary payment method. You can have more than one payment method in your account, but your primary is the one we'll charge first. Your ads start running almost immediately.
- Bank account (also known as direct debit)
To make sure money is coming from the correct account, you'll first verify a test deposit. It can take up to five days for this to appear in your account. Your ads should start running once your bank account is verified and your payment is processed.
If you have more than one payment method in your account, we'll only charge the one listed as your primary payment method. It's also a good idea to add a backup payment method in your account. This allows us to charge another card, if ever there's a problem charging your primary payment method -- and that ensures your ads always run!
Your billing threshold
The initial billing threshold for AdWords Express accounts is set at $50. The billing threshold is raised incrementally each time your account spend hits the threshold before 30 days have ended. For example, $50 is first raised to $200, then to $350, and then to the final amount of US$500. If your costs rise quickly, the amount you're billed can exceed these thresholds.
Say you're just starting out with your AdWords Express account, and your initial threshold is $50. If you accrue $49 in costs within 30 days, you'll be charged after 30 days, and your threshold will stay at $50 in the next billing cycle.
However, if you accrue $50 in costs within the 30-day billing cycle:
- You'll be charged immediately.
- Your threshold will increase to the next threshold amount, for example, $200.
- A new 30-day billing cycle will begin immediately.
Let's say an advertiser named Alan opens an AdWords Express account with a $50 threshold, and starts accruing costs on Oct. 1. Here's how he'll be charged, and how his threshold will change:
- On October 5, Alan reaches his initial billing threshold of $50. At that time, we charge him for his costs (which might be slightly more than the billing threshold if he accrued costs quickly). We increase Alan's billing threshold to $200. A new billing cycle begins.
- On October 25, Alan reaches his new billing threshold of $200, triggering AdWords Express to charge him for costs accrued. Google again raises his billing threshold to US$350, and initiates a new billing cycle.
- On November 18, Alan accrues more than $350 in charges. Google bills him and raises his billing threshold to $500.
- Alan's next bill will be processed on December 18 or when he exceeds the final US$500 billing threshold -- whichever comes first.
Set up automatic payments
Your payment options depend on the country of your billing address and your selected currency.
If you want to set up automatic payments for your account, see the following instructions.
- You can still make a manual payment even if you're using the automatic payment setting. Just sign into your account, click the Billing tab, and then the Make a payment button. The money will be used for future clicks, and it will reduce or delay your next automatic charge.
- If you'd like to reduce the costs charged to your primary payment method, make a manual payment with another payment method.
- Sign into your AdWords Express account.
- Click the menu at the top.
- Make sure the business you're looking for appears at the top of the "My business" drop-down menu. If not, click the name of the business, and then click the menu again at the top.
- Click Billing.
- Click the Billing settings tab.
- Next to "How you pay," click Edit.
If you don't see an "Edit" link, your country or region doesn't support other payment methods.
- Click Automatic payments.
- Click Save.


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Soccer News of Wed, 2 Jul 20141
Enyeama voted Nigeria's best player at the WC
Vincent Enyeama has been voted as Nigeria's best player at the World Cup thanks to his goalkeeping heroics.
The Super Eagles shot-stopper was a rock at the back for much of the tournament and, despite his error allowing France to score their first goal in Monday's last-16 clash which eliminated Stephen Keshi's men, he has been nominated as the cream of the crop in Brazil this summer with nearly half of the 9248 votes.
Ahmed Musa came second thanks to his brilliant double against Argentina in the group stage, coming close to stealing the show from Lionel Messi as Nigeria marginally lost 3-1.
Peter Odemwingie's key strike against Bosnia-Herzegovina – which was the reason they escaped from Group F into the knockout stage – earned him nearly 1000 votes.
Ogenyi Onazi came fourth in the Nigeria poll with four per cent of the tally, Kenneth Omeruo's defensive efforts saw him pick up 198 votes and left-back Juwon Oshaniwa rounded out the results.
Poll Results
45.4% Vincent Enyeama
37.4% Ahmed Musa
10.2% Peter Odemwingie
2.1% Kenneth Omeruo
4.3% Ogenyi Onazi
0.7% Juwon Oshaniwa
Today's News


text: The ability to find humor in our lives is incredibly valuable. The key is to keep your mentality grounded without losing a sense of what is important. I have found and utilized the unique ability of humor to lighten up many situations that I have come across. There is nothing humorous about pushing with everything that you have to regain the ability to ambulate. A person who is in a hospital can be distracted by the ability to giggle at the inevitably awkward moments that will come as a person attempts the ability to move around independently. It is an incredible gift to be able to find light humor in all situations. It is far too easy to lose hope and allow yourself to be overcome by much of life. Life in a rehab setting, (life in a hospital in general) can seem overwhelming and it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling hopeless. Interaction with people is what can keep patients enthusiastic regarding his/her recovery. I am happy to report that I have come across many patients who have taken the initiative to encourage and pose as an enthusiastic influence to many other patients. Positivity is contagious and people feel better as they try and encourage others. People are given a sense of purpose as they are motivated to encourage others. I try and share Betty White's advice to every person that I meet especially through work. People want to feel encouraged and enthusiastic about the things that they are attempting to do. People need to set out on a venture to help improve the lives of others because in turn they will greatly improve their own lives. It is helpful and necessary to realize that the ability to laugh is incredible and freeing. I would love to hear who else has had a positive experience in their rehabilitation process as a result of humor. I can distinctly recall many times where I have stepped aside and realized that I need to make every attempt possible to hold on to the joyous humor that I was experiencing at that moment. No matter what your circumstance in life, everybody needs to be able to experience humor. I thank you for reading and would welcome any comments that you may have.


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Swaledale and Wensleydale
The outstanding beauty and contrasts of Swaledale, Wensleydale and their many side valleys is the reason why many of the team live in the area and why visitors return time after time. The wildness of the high ground is contrasted by the dale bottoms giving the inspiration found by so many.
There is the mixture of high heather moorland extending to over 2,000ft, grass uplands, hay meadows, rivers, waterfalls, woodlands and limestone scars. Swaledale extends west from Richmond, famous for its Norman castle towering over the river, through to the rivers source beyond Keld. The narrower rugged dale contrasts with the broader Wensleydale within which the towns of Masham, Middleham, Leyburn, and Hawes can be found. The upland and lowland is linked by the network of drystone walls which form the traditional landscape and character of the area.
The industrial heritage of the lead mines is especially of interest in Swaledale. Many lead mining families emigrated to America as the mines closed during the 19th century. The settlement of the two dales goes back to Norse settlers, but the most apparent examples are the castles of Richmond, Bolton and Middleham (home of Richard III).
The team's area is crossed by the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast long distance paths, and is a popular area for walkers, mine and cave exploration and mountain bikers.


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Nokia Sinks After Profit Warning
Nokia warned that intense competition, particularly in emerging markets, would hit its first quarter performance, sending its shares plunging, Ben Rooney reports on Markets Hub. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... Nokia ... Nokia issues a profit warning the smartphone business Nally use to be in really useful both in London tells about this one ... this is pretty dead ... in the pre is preventing know for for Nokia Reading Stock Hill ... it's it's really ... really important on a one point to drop by eighteen percent this morning and that's it that's pretty it's kind of looks ... right so what exactly did they said ... well I did not get as ... everyone knows is going to this transition as it moves away from its ... role on law to um Symbian operating system and too ... often to the Windows platform and this is just being ... and at a terrible time for them it's all too terrible pains and eight ... now what they're saying is that on this profits warning is that that problems in ... the world ... well it's hard to conceive of Europe and ... I've had cause them problems that ... big CME Nokia is is ... not his great strength was being its ability to produce ... cheekbones mass market funds and the getting ... hammered in countries like I'm in China around in the ... far East ... with the threat from companies such as Huawei and ZTE ... but Chinese companies that that are taking them on and beating ... and you know been once again we've got a another handset maker ... that seemingly missed an entire replacement cycle we sold the same thing ... take place with Mota role of which one point had ... cutting edge technology and then missed a couple product upgrade cycles ... I you know Jesus of fatal blow for Nokia war ... can they catch them ... in the recapture that lightning ... I thought that the top one ... aam ... II is shrinking blue team the they have beaten the steamy offers the Canadian born CEO of Nokia to have a dull moment aren't ... going to bring this up when he took over at the Sprint's Bunning platform metaphor ... but is rather comes into mind people that regrets having used it ... aam ... all they'll still burning platform to publicly nonbinding platform is the any price offered is to jump into the sea units are giving up much better ... aam they may be off the bond platform but something that you know to continue his message for the yet the rescue ship hasn't come along yet ... some of the few bright spots on the horizon the ... its new range the Lumia range at which it most of you who has done ... recently filed its own about two million units ... on the nine hundred which was launched into the U S in an attempt to ... take back some of these have some presence in the U S ... was very well received ... until they discover that it ... will ... specifically the first quarter they said that ... the competition for first-quarter performance ... they have a specific specific number ... yet they they have been predicting this is the message that the small onion and ... spices said Tuesday that ... they had been predicting great night unit of the crowd ... Singleton two percent and that she bought the settings that ... will actually contract now ... by twenty percent ... aam what's even more watering Nokia is that ... they're predicting the same thing ... for the next course of several government on a pop yet ... we did with negative growth and that's really bad for them it's ... time to leave it there smugly stop Nokia Ben Rooney thank you very much ...


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This luxury resort in Kruger National Park is worthy of a once-in-a-lifetime safari getaway. The 13 glamorous suites are built into the trees overlooking the N'Wanetsi River. You may never want to leave…
Located on a stretch of California coast just south of the quaint towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey, the Post Ranch Inn is a hidden refuge along Big Sur. The 39 treehouse rooms are built on stilts and boast sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Talk about a place to catch a stunning sunset…
There are lots of beautiful places to stay in Paris, but few can compete with this elegant, glitzy hotel in the 16th arrondissement. The hotel occupies an old Parisian palace, and everything from the food to the dining has that certain je ne sais quoi. Imagine falling asleep with the Eiffel Tower just outside your window.
If Santorini is one of the most picturesque places in the world, then consider the Katikies Hotel an Instagrammer's dream. Between the bright white cavernous rooms, which gaze onto the turquoise Aegean sea, the infinity pools that seem to trickle into the ocean, and the candlelit rooftop overlooking the entire Oia landscape, the Katikies is truly a Mediterranean paradise.
If you have a knack for adventure then this Scandinavian locale is your dream getaway. It's located above the Arctic circle in the Finish Lapland. During the day, huskies and reindeer will take you sleigh riding, and at night you'll sleep in a glass igloo or chalet underneath the Northern Lights. Talk about getting hygge.
Turns out, you don't have to travel all the way to Bora Bora to stay in a thatched hut on stilts above the crystal clear ocean. In the Palafitos-Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma, your hotel room has a glass bottom floor above the Caribbean Sea. If that's not enough, each overwater suite comes with a private infinity pools, jaccuzis, and private ladders so you can slide from your living room into the ocean.
Retake Quiz


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To the Editor:
After I read Sunday's article on the "Vietnam Legacy," my thoughts turned to what I call "the birth of my son." On April 30, 1975, he was one of the hundreds of war-orphaned children airlifted from Saigon and flown to freedom in the United States aboard an unauthorized cargo carrier. I celebrate the fact that when the rules must be broken, there are those strong-willed enough to break them. If not, he would be one of the thousands of children left behind to roam the streets of Saigon


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I had this great idea with the Adorable Elephants stamp set from My Favorite Things. It's such a fun and varied set.
I wanted to use one of the elephants and the balloon. I stamped the elephant and then the balloon nine times. I used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I colored them with Copic Markers. Here are the colors I used.
Elephant: W0 – W2
Ears: RV02 – W0
Yellow balloons: Y02 – Y08 – Y17
Red balloons: R22 – R35 – R46
Green balloons: YG03 – G05 – G14
I die cut the images with my Cuttlebug.
For the background I used Distress Inks. I blended two colors on some Tim Holtz water color cardstock with my mini ink blending tool. I started with Salty Ocean and then went over the top with Chipped Sapphire.
I wanted to create clouds for the background and I decided to use Ranger Texture Paste. I placed a cloud stencil from Dutch Doobadoo over the paper and spread the texture paste over the stencil with a pallet knife. It's really hard to get it all evened out, but with a little patience it will work fine.
When the texture paste dried, I added the elephant and balloons to the background. I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx Black Ink and heat embossed it with Clear Silver Highlights Embossing Powder from Wow. I cut it into a flag banner and adhered it down to the panel as well.
The front panel was adhered to a green card base and I rounded off the two top corners with my We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper. To finish it off, I added some Wink of Stella clear glitter to the balloons.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Please leave a comment and follow/ subscribe to my blog!