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Prepare for at least a few days of absolute boredom. I am no dynamo of excitement for sure, and Chloe...well, Chloe's 9.
For better, and certainly for the worst, at least lately...Scott is much more interesting than Chloe and I. However, in an executive decision instituted by the matriarchal side of the family, Scott is banished from posting.
I have been thinking about this entry for a few days. I have been all over the place with what I wanted to say. There's so much that I am lost. Also, much of it has been Mother Hen-like. I don't want to create further rancor among the readers of this thing.
I think that I want to remind people that this blog has been authored by a person. That's it...good, bad, beautiful and ugly...it all comes from a man. Sure he can be an Ass, so can I, and so can you I would imagine. (By the way, he's always been the same size of an ass; it has not fluctuated with his weight, whatever you think-I know, I've been here the whole time!) I think that a lot of the time we forget how big this blog can be. When Scott feels insulted or hurt, he mouths off. Quite loudly. Unfortunately, it has far-reaching effects.
I think through years of writing this and sharing, it has made it feel like writing a journal or sharing with friends, not publishing something that so many people will read.
A lot of people are dismayed at the feel of the posts lately. Some of you get it, some have, unfortunately, piled onto this huge character assassination.
Lest anyone forget, our family has been in a whirlwind. Yes, we did it to ourselves, but we're still in it. It's hard to look through rose-colored glasses and be funny and entertaining when the ground beneath you is shifting relentlessly.
The same thing happened when we moved to Minnesota. We felt lost, but we persevered and in the process made some absolutely wonderful friends. Certainly it was worth everything that we went through. We became a part of a beautiful community of cyclists. It didn't matter that many were younger and single and that we dragged our daughter everywhere with us...people were warm and accepting. It didn't matter that we like to bitch...it's an East Coast thing, I think...it's cathartic, and they excused us.
The weather got us. I think maybe I was not tough enough. In any case, we decided to uproot our small family and go to a more temperate clime. What better place than Portland.
Portland is purported to be liberal, laid back and accepting. This is important to us because our life is not very conventional. The hours we keep are certainly not normal. I work a day job with an income level that I have worked 23 years to obtain, and Scott takes care of us. He cooks fantastic food for us, he home schools Chloe, and believe me, the things she learns are so much more interesting and thoughtful than anything I ever learned cruising through the traditional educational avenues. The nastiness that has been said regarding his "coasting" and getting a "free ride" are ridiculous. Would you have said that about your Mom? or Caroline Ingalls? As I said, we needed an open and accepting community in which to live. Best of all, it's said to be a Cyclist's Nirvana. Wrongly on our part, we had the feeling that the cycling community across the land was one big contiguous blob, not so segmented as it is in reality.
A few things happened that we didn't count on. First of all, we ended up in Beaverton. Now, I know that Scott has caused offense with his unrelenting criticism of Beaverton. But you have to know, we are city people. In all the years back East we left the city proper, I think, four times. In Minneapolis, we left the city two times. One for a Drum Corps show in Stillwater and another to pick up Otis for Chloe, all for a total of about four hours time. We are not comfortable in the suburbs, and to find ourselves living in them was hard for us.
So, we pushed and were moved into the city. That would be better, right? Well, sort of. Now we were even more exhausted and living in a sterile box like gerbils in a habitrail.
The other thing that we crave is character-filled older homes. Our brownstone apartment back East was full of character. If you spilled water in the far back right corner of the kitchen, it would run to the front windows on the other end of the living room in under 10 seconds. It had a crack in the wall that allowed you to see into the abandoned brownstone next door. Over the years, the bedroom settled enough that you could see sunshine coming through the seams between the walls. The wood floor was tattered and deep dark brown from use. That was home. Our house in Minneapolis was full of old woodwork and ladybugs that flew around all winter whenever the sun or the oven would heat the walls. This is the stuff we love; the stuff that makes us feel warm.
So now we went from the suburbs in a RULE-FILLED apartment complex with neighbors who didn't look at each other to a sterile box whose predominate color was white. Here the neighbors tattled on each other and we could only go outside through an elevator and a sterile lobby.
Then, it snowed. And snowed. And snowed. Beautiful, for about a day. Heartbreaking. Wasn't this what we came here to avoid? Wasn't this why we have been struggling? Why we left our good friends? So, we bitched. Come on, we were feeling pretty demoralized by now. Just to point out, even the natives who found it all so charming in the beginning, started bitching. Everyone was grumpy at work. Very little was open or running. We made the best of it with riding in the parking ramp and trudging through the snow on long walks in the city. But now we were encased in white-both inside and out.
So, we decided that it was more important to let the rest of our nest egg be used to find a place to live that would feel like home to us. We did. We love the house and the neighborhood feels good. A lot like Seward, where we were very happy. Along the way, we have become more and more exhausted.
The time of repair was coming. We would be home and in a permanent job at the hospital. We could start putting some money back into our nest egg after we caught the bills up and also we could start reaching out to people here and becoming a part of our new community. This was our daily, and sometimes hourly, refrain.
Now, no job and no money. The best laid plans...
So, Scott's posts have reflected some of this. I wonder why? Maybe this is a lot for a family to be caught up in. Some days are hopeful, and some have tears and hopelessness. Underlying everything is exhaustion and a real sense of having left our friends.
Some people here have reached out to us and have been wonderful. Thank you so much for your invitations and offers of inclusion. You have no idea how much they mean to us. We have taken almost no one up on the offers. Mainly because, as a family, we are tired. If they are still there when we have gotten our collective energy and enthusiasm back together, you will hear from us.
Now, this is where a great deal of disappointment and, on my part at least, sadness, hurt and anger kick in. Some people are rescinding their offers and jumping on the Scott has become a bad person bandwagon because he hasn't gotten back to them or accepted offers for things. That's not fair. Every offer that is forwarded is talked about and seems like a fabulous idea, and then it has been promptly forgotten in our stupor. Days fly by like you wouldn't believe.
And the whole thing about the 'Boy Prince of Portland' had NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING to do with money. How can you not get that? It was about getting a nod, about feeling valued, about feeling some respect. Scott was absolutely WRONG to air this publicly, and I have soundly beaten him for it, not that I needed to...the asinine death threats are enough I think. However, my theory is that this comes back to the beginning. It comes back to his having written this thing for so long that everyone feels like a bunch of friends sitting around with a beer in their hands. What a mistake. No, that is not the case. We communicate with so many of our friends this way (online) that it felt natural to him to air his complaint here.
So, where do I want to wind this up? As I said, I have thought of so many things that I want to say, I am swimming in them. I think I'll end with a reminder that I touched on in the beginning.
Scott is one man. He is not perfect, by far. Unfortunately for everyone, his imperfections are usually loud. He cannot shut his mouth sometimes, and he thinks that everyone likes to be examined the way that he likes to examine himself. I try to tell him that that is something he learned that is SOOOOOOO erroneous...I think the lesson is settling in. I personally do not like to examine my mistakes nor, god forbid, have someone else help me to examine them. I prefer to have them slip away forgotten.
Scott, however, is the best husband and father in the world. I cannot imagine how much less my life would be without him. Certainly far more boring.
He is one of the more intelligent people that I have ever met. He talks a lot, but mostly it is interesting. His take on life is so different than the way I learned to think how could that not be interesting? Through him, our daughter is already more interesting and well-rounded than I am. His absolute dedication and devotion to music, cycling, his friendships, and most of all his family, is more than I have ever had to anything. He is far more caring than I am. He is full of ideals that I, in my pragmatism, have never held. Unfortunately he holds himself and others up to them, and many of us, including himself most of all, are found lacking. This is where the lack of being able to shut up and stop the bleeding fails him the most.
So, think what you like, but please cut us some slack here. If you aren't ready to ride out the waves with us, then just stop reading will ya? Believe me, if his posts are feeling dark, then our days are dark. We need support, not some lineup of people waiting to kick at us, huh? So, enough analysis already. I don't subscribe to it. I don't think it's as healthy as he does and I think it can be hurtful. If you are still pissed at him, then just quietly be pissed, okay? Do this for me? I personally think his skin is thinner than you all think it is. I know mine is and I've had enough of all the painful and judgmental crap. Enough character assassination has occurred-believe me, if you are one of the pissed people, you can feel vindicated. Our days are feeling a little more cloudy than even the Portland skies.
So, if you still feel kindly toward us, then please keep including us. It feels fantastic and we will eventually recover and join in and reciprocate. If you're feeling unkindly, just go away for a while. We've got enough going on right now.
Tomorrow I promise that the really boring stuff will begin..like a nice conversation about my recently rediscovered joy of knitting, with maybe some Enya and sleepytime tea. We'll all think happy thoughts together.


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Salad for Dinner
I admit it. I've put on a bit of winter pudge. For the past three months, the weather has been wintry, and my desire for comfort food has caused me to run afoul of my usual brilliant dietary selections. With a day off in my front pocket, and a bit of blue sky outside, I decided to forge into culinary Spring a bit early, and test the cold waters with a selection of salads. I am hoping that a couple of weeks crunching away on these will put the pudge into purgatory where it can rest with its' soul mates', cellulite and muffin top.
My lunch selection today was inspired by a coworker eating a sliced cucumber for lunch yesterday. My mouth watered, and like Rapunzel's mother, I was prepared to go to desperate lengths to obtain a cucumber. I was able to succumb to that desire today and made the following fresh salad:
½ lb. Fresh Bay Shrimp
Selection of Italian lettuces
½ Cucumber
½ Avocado
3 Scallions
Garlic Ginger Wonton Strips
Lite Parmesan Ranch Dressing
I used a 'bag' of lettuce because it happened to be the most economical way to go, chose an organic tomato because any other would have tasted like water, and went the very low fat route on the dressing, because, after all, I am trying to lose a few winter pounds. This particular salad served two, was delicious, and two postprandial hours later, my appetite is still sated.
While a cold salad may be great for lunch, winter nights beg a slightly warmer salad. The following Greek Roasted Chicken Salad could be served in summer or winter. The difference is the temperature of the chicken and the salad dressing, and the addition of a hot cup of tomato soup or a cold cup of gazpacho. Adding seasonally available fresh herbs to this salad would be great, as would adding roasted corn kernels.
Italian or Romain lettuces
Thinly sliced red onion
Greek Olives
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Roasted Deli Chicken
Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil Dressing
My favorite vegetable of all is the oft pilloried brussel sprout. Now, I ask, what did the brussel sprout ever do to earn this bad reputation? Well, in all likelihood, it was cooked senseless and served looking like a pale green pile of mush. That's not the brussel sprout I know and love. I believe that Roasting brings out the nutty savory quality of this fine vegetable, and pairing it with pancetta or proscuitto, radicchio, and toasted nuts (the fine filbert ranks high, as does the walnut), then drizzling it with warm balsamic and olive oil, makes for the perfect winter evening salad. Cherry tomatoes grilled under the broiler and sprinkled with sea salt would be a lovely accompaniment. Served chilled, this Roasted Brussel Sprout Salad is great as well.
I hope you enjoy a salad for dinner tonight!
Nothing like a great story to intertwine with the recipes. I do not usually surf the recipes due to my adventurous culinary nature (I like to wing it in the kitchen, sometimes it works out, sometimes not so much). I loved your presentation and follow through. Once again, well done! Perhaps I'll even take a shot at the recipes :)
These are all great salads. Isn't it wonderful how a salad can...make you so happy! We have a blizzard in NYC today but I am looking forward to all the fresh greens that will show up soon in the Farmer's Market. Looking forward to some of your healthy salad dressings!
Watch out for the light dressings, they have a lot of sugar in them and fake stuff.
I like your choice of proteins - they make the difference!
Great post.

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, April 30, 2010
April's Poetry Cafe Memories
Thanks to all the teachers and students who made poetric contributions!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Reading 2.0
This slideshare is from a presentation given at the Pennsylvania School Library Association that was held recently. Dorman's library blog is represented!! Thanks Joyce Valenza for using us in your examples!
View more presentations from joycevalenza.
Monday, April 12, 2010
National Library Week at Dorman
Ok, Cavaliers...time for some give-aways! But first, you have to come to the library to get a book! Wha???? A book, you say??? Yep! Check out a book any day (or every day) this week, and your name will go in a drawing for free Dorman t-shirts and caps. We will give away three items each afternoon this week! So Cavaliers, READ and WIN!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
And the winner is....
Awards for this book also include:
- 2009 - International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice list
- 2008 - Best Books for Young Adults YALSA
- 2008 - Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers YALSA
- 2008 - Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults YALSA
Other Noteworthy Recognitions:
- Borders Original Voices finalist
- Barnes & Noble - Top 10 Best for Teens
- Chicago Public Library Best Books
- Association of Booksellers for Children - Best Books
- New York Times Best Seller 57 weeks
- Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
- State Awards (voted by students) in Florida, Kansas, and Kentucky
Picture attribution is also from Wikipedia.
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I am rarely at a loss for words, but recently every time I think of writing about the incredible hysterectomy support group online that I participate in called "HisterSisters" I don't know what to tell you, just that I've got to tell you something.
"Sisterhood" only tips the surface of what this support group of women from all over the world provides. I had actually come across the site months before I decided to have a hysterectomy. As my surgery date approached I remembered the site, but thought I'm sure it is just filled with a bunch of women who are angry about having their uterus and other gyn parts removed. Oh no, just the opposite. Most of the women on the site were like me, thrilled to be finally fixing a problem that plagued their every day lives for so long.
Here is a sampling of what my HysterSisters are writing. This thread is from one particularly lively pre-operation discussion called "Last Period" (note "Aunt Flo" is a reference to our period!):
"I remember my last period…it started New Years Eve. All I could think was that this was the last time my Favorite Aunt (Flo) was going to intrude on anything in my life."
"I plan on having a funeral for "flo" and I can not say good things about her or be sad to see her go."
"Pre-op nurse asked when my last period was and I, who used to be clockwork, couldn't tell her- I have been bleeding for months!
Like all of you, I cannot WAIT to kick Aunt Flo to the curb FOR GOOD!!!!"
On the day I went off to The Castle (HysterSister speak for "hospital") they sent me this "get well" greeting: http://www.hystersisters.com/greetings/wishes.htm
Normally I would find a greeting card like this ridiculous. But in this instance, about to have my body cut open, it was a refreshing breather that made me laugh.
When I returned from the Castle "Princess Bea Well" (get it? Be well?!) sent me a "Hope you are resting!" email inviting me to chat with the other women who had hysterectomies on my same week.
Here is something that absolutely shocked me. Just on my day of surgery (January 26) there were 31 other HysterSister "Princesses" going to have hysterectomies. I was floored.
I am not alone, that's for sure.
What amuses me the most is how women can bond despite differences. For example, I am quite sure there are not many home birth moms of two in my week of HysterSisters! (and maybe on the entire discussion board). There are secretaries, managers, housecleaners, writers (me!), and therapists all hanging out talking about our bodies. There are women who would describe themselves as overweight and others who exercise compulsively (like one woman who was walking her dog 2.5 miles in the Minnesota cold less than a week post-op!). I love it all!
Perhaps I enjoy the HysterSister Forum so much because I am a story person and that is exactly what it is – a safe place for women to tell their stories. There are sad stories (women who found out they have cancer) and triumphant ones (women who thought they did, but don't). I have laughed and I have cried. I have hot flashed with several women who also had an ovary taken and are waiting for their other one to wake up, and I have felt every painful gas and bowel movement story as if I was right their with each woman.
There is nothing like a truthful story as good medicine.
Last thing: I just have to share some of my HysterSisters' names because beyond reading their stories their names have made me smile these past couple of weeks. Here are just a few:
Meshugna (the funniest!)
And my name? Goddess44.
To end I want to share with you my favorite line of all the HysterSister entries (by Meshugna, of course). She was talking about how we must all be patient with ourselves as we all heal differently. Then she adds:
"Apparently even Superwoman needs time to heal."


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the conflict in Syria produces an iconic image of horror and suffering, which many brandish as an undisputable truth that will finally shake the world into "doing something." Others break down at the sight of such images, or instinctively avert their senses. Mass killings and disappearances, industrial-scale torture and sexual abuse, gruesome staged executions, starvation tactics, the continued use of chemical weapons, napalm, cluster and barrel bombs, not to forget the torments of desperate emigration – all have spawned morbid emblems of their own.
… Syria seems nonetheless to bring in something different, hard to pin down — an elusive truth that is precisely what we should not fail to understand. Indeed there are many layers to the Syrian trauma. First, Syrian culture, in normal times, is remarkably civil. The Syrian dialect of Arabic is ravishingly polite. Education is a source of national pride. Unlike many other parts of the Arab world, urbane mores permeated the countryside more than a rural ethos reshaped the city. Communal coexistence, edgy on occasions, was nevertheless a profession of faith."
… a fifth and related source of trauma for Syrians … the horrifying spectacle of an outside world watching on as their country is pointlessly and endlessly tortured. They have learned the hard way how shallow and callous our media and politics can be. People who remember every sorrow in every detail must contend at best with generalized amnesia, at worst with conventional wisdom dismissing their life experience. Their misery is met with fatigue; their flight to safety with hysteria.


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Last night, my family celebrated a tradition with my wife's family. Every time a cousin gets married, the family comes together to celebrate and have a family pantry shower. Having lived away from Connecticut for 8 years now, it's not often that we are able to be at these showers. But it just so happened that the only time this shower could take place was just a few days before the wedding, which is Saturday. So, we enjoyed the benefit of coming together as a family.
Eleven years ago next month, my wife and I were the first of the cousins on her dad's side to get married. Out of twelve cousins, five have gotten married. Number six will be on Saturday and number seven will be in September. This is the advantage to a big family, there's always something going on and something to celebrate. Eleven years later, the family looks very different as the five cousins who have gotten married have had kids of their own, adding another ten to the already large number.
There's just nothing that compares to gathering together as a family. Not only do all of the cousins get along well, but all of their kids play well together. There's a lot of laughter and joking, good food, and an overall great time of celebration. Of course, this family isn't like other families. Over the years, these pantry showers have grown increasingly more embarrassing for the happy couple. My wife and I felt somewhat relieved tonight that we were the first ones to have gone through this as we watched the soon to be newlyweds awkwardly reading through some cards and opening up gifts.
It's so hard for me to believe that the wedding on Saturday and the one in September are kids that I've known for about 13 years. In fact, it was through them that my wife and I got together. My wife and I were friends first and her aunt got the crazy idea that we might develop into something more than that. She was right.
This pantry shower was at my in-laws house on a deck that was originally built to be used for family gatherings such as this. I think it started with an engagement party for me and my wife twelve years ago. That deck has seen a lot of parties, a lot of good times and laughter. We have celebrated out there and bonded together as a family and last night was no different.
I've heard it said that a person can choose their friends but they can't choose their families. With the families that we are born into, that's true, but we certainly have the option of knowing the kind of family that we marry into. Hopefully, that's not the main reason we marry. For me, it was just an added benefit. I loved my wife first and it just so happened that her family was loving and lovable, so it was a win-win situation for me.
Never once have I felt like an outsider. Never once have I felt like I was stockpiling mother-in-law jokes or waiting to get away so that I could vent to everyone about how horrible my mother-in-law is. I can't say the same for many of my friends, so I consider myself very blessed.
I was not fortunate to have had grandfathers in my life, but my kids have that fortunate pleasure. It's a pleasure that I hope we take advantage of as much as possible. I know how much their grandfathers love them (grandmothers too). Every time that they spend time with them, they are making memories that will last a lifetime.
My family is precious to me and I am so thankful for them. I feel so blessed to be part of such a special group of people. Family events are full of laughter and joy. There's no fighting or arguing. There may be some awkward moments here or there, but that might be due to the presents being opened up at one of these pantry showers. After all, if the recipients keep some of the things that they receive at these showers in their pantries or kitchens, they might get some strange looks. Yup, we're that kind of a family, but you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world.
These are the things that our kids will carry with them for their whole lives. These are the kinds of traditions that make memories. I've gather a bunch in just twelve short years in the family. I look forward to the many more that we will make together, loving each other, and laughing together. I am a blessed man!


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In the early 1800's a man called John Gray, a gardener, arrived in Edinburgh with his wife and son looking for work. The weather was cold, however, and the ground was hard, so there were no gardening jobs available. He took what work he could find, and became a member of the Edinburgh Police Force – a Constable.
As a condition of his job, John Gray was required to have a dog. He bought a Skye Terrier and named him Bobby (Bobby was the nickname for Constables in the Police Force). Bobby became a loving and loyal companion.
A Sad Event
Unfortunately, after a few years as a policeman, John Gray became ill with tuberculosis, and died in February 1858. He was buried in old Greyfriars Kirkyard (Churchyard) in an unremarkable grave with no gravestone.
Incredible Loyalty
For the next fourteen years, Bobby sat and kept guard over his master's grave. He left the grave only for food, waiting patiently until the one o'clock gun was sounded, when he visited a nearby cafe which he used to visit with his master. There the owners (who changed over the years) would feed him his dinner. The last owner to feed Bobby, John Traill, had a special dish made for him (engraved "Bobby's Dinner Dish"), which can be seen in the Museum of Edinburgh.
The gardener and keeper of the graveyard, James Brown, tried often to remove Bobby from the Kirkyard, but finally gave up and provided a shelter instead, at the side of John Gray's grave.
Fame For Bobby
Bobby's fame spread throughout Edinburgh. On a daily basis the crowds would gather at the entrance of the graveyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and a glimpse of Bobby leaving for his meal.
In 1867 a law was passed that required dogs to be licensed or destroyed. Sir William Chambers (The Lord Provost of Edinburgh) paid Bobby's licence himself, and presented him with a collar with the brass inscription "Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed".
The people of Edinburgh looked after the faithful Bobby while he watched over his master. Bobby died in 1872.
Statue in Tribute to Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby, Scotland's most famous dog, is not forgotton. Hearing the story, the President of the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA asked the City Council for permission to erect a granite fountain with a statue of Bobby placed on top. A statue was commissioned unveiled in November 1873 opposite the Kirkyard graveyard, on the corner of Candlemakers Row and King George IV Bridge.
Everlasting Words
Bobby's grave can be found in Greyfriars Kirkyard, about 75 yards from John Gray's grave. The headstone is engraved with these words:
Greyfriars Bobby – died 14th January 1872 – aged 16 years
Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all
Post script: There are stories to the contrary about Bobby. But personally, I like to believe this one. Why not? Because there is no harm done in believing this version.


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Gun Mayhem 2
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The Coolpad stable is known for budget smartphones that pack in an impressive array of features. This time around, Coolpad has tied up with LeEco to bring out a mid-range smartphone that promises to be a reliable and long-term investment. Priced at Rs 13,999, the phone has a 5.5 inch display like others in the category and a choice of 3GB or 4GB RAM. The phone has the LeEco interface and software so if you're a fan, you'll enjoy using this phone. I've had it with me for over a week now and here are my insights.
Look and feel
Coolpad Cool 1 comes in two colours - silver and gold. I have with me the silver phone and the colour is nothing like I've ever seen before. It is classy and sophisticated and the smooth edges add to the appeal of the phone. At 173 grams, there may be lighter phones but it certainly doesn't feel heavy when you hold it in your hand or put it in your pocket. But the best part is the rich display and the high touch sensitivity. You can also use gyroscope fingerprint technology to secure your phone.
Verdict: Excellent
Speed and memory
The biggest USP of the Coolpad Cool 1 has to be its speed and ease of use. Every button on the screen reacts like a dream, the phone never heats up and the ROM seems more than adequate. The 32 GB internal memory is decent but I wonder why there isn't a 64 GB variant, considering this memory is non-expandable. Bluetooth is also highly responsive.
Verdict: Very fast
The 4000 mAh battery is one of the best I've encountered in a mid-range smartphone. Even after several days of light use, the battery barely dipped. This feature makes the Coolpad Cool 1 a great phone for frequent travellers and heavy users. Sure we all have power banks but it never hurts to have a phone with a battery that actually delivers.
Verdict: Excellent
The audio quality is great and the effects really come through when you plug in a pair of earphones. But what really impressed me was the excellent volume. In a silent, enclosed space, you wouldn't even need a speaker to dance to the music. The phone comes loaded with a large variety of pleasant caller tunes.
Verdict: Very good
The camera comes with a highly touted dual 13 MP rear camera which is bound to raise your expectations. So when you see the display blanking out in harsh sunlight and a noticeable blur in many medium-light photos, you feel let down. Nevertheless, the control options in 'pro' mode are impressive, including everything from ISO settings to exposure and focus.
I wouldn't say the final result is bad but it's mediocre. The panorama photos also come out dark, whatever the direction of the sun. On the other hand, the front 8 MP camera is pretty good. And the array of stickers you can add while clicking and during editing make the photography process very enjoyable. Check out my photo where I added glasses, a crown and a cat in post-production.
However, the camera clicks reasonably good photos in the night. I was pleased with the clarity and detailing. Give the night mode a miss though - it adds too much light and leaves the photo overexposed and unclear.
Verdict: Fair
In my package, I received a charging cum USB cable, plug, scratch guard, pin to remove the SIM tray, warranty card and user manual along with the phone. Remember that because this follows the LeEco model, the plug point is shaped differently from other Android phones. This means you can't swap chargers with a Samsung or Asus. There was no earphone in the inclusions.
In conclusion, Coolpad Cool 1 is an excellent phone if you take into consideration the seamless speed, ease of use, long-lasting battery, excellent sound and high quality of display (except in bright sunlight). At this price point, you are unlikely to get such features in any other brand. However, the camera and non-expandable memory leave room for improvement. At the same time, I was reasonably happy with the video quality. And the stickers and variety of editing modes are fun to play around with. If you don't rely on your phone as a high quality camera, there's no reason the Coolpad Cool 1 shouldn't be your next smartphone.
Specifications at a glance
- Display: 5.5", IPS, FHD 1920 x 1080
- ROM: 32GB (non-expandable)
- Camera: Dual 13MP AF rear; f/2.2, 8MP front
- Sensor: Infrared controller,Gyroscope fingerprint,Accelerometer Proximity Sensor, Light sensor
- OS: Android 6.0
- Colours: Silver, gold
- Battery: 4000mAh Stand by time up to 300H
- Weight: 173g
- Network: 2G/3G/4G
- Chipset: MSM8976 1.8GHz Octa-core Adreno 510
Click here to see more photos clicked using Coolpad Cool 1


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A quarter-century before he was in contentious negotiations with the Yankees over the future value of Derek Jeter, Casey Close was dreaming of his own major league career.
Close was a star at the University of Michigan when Jeter was still in grade school in Kalamazoo. In 1986, his senior year in Ann Arbor, Close batted .440 with 19 home runs and 72 runs batted in. He was voted Baseball America's College Player of the Year and a first-team all-American.
"He had power, but didn't have a lot of speed," said Barry Larkin, a Michigan teammate and a future Cincinnati Reds star, "and that's about all he didn't have. He had a great arm, power and a nice bat."
Close and Larkin, both Ohio natives, were also roommates who were united in feeling slighted by Ohio State's not recruiting them.
"That really chaffed him," Larkin said. "When we played Ohio State, we had extra motivation. I remember him destroying the ball against them. We beat them up pretty good."Continue reading the main story
Larkin played 19 seasons for the Reds and is a possible Hall of Famer, but Close never rose above Class AAA. An outfielder and occasional pitcher, Close was drafted in the seventh round by the Yankees in 1986 and played for three seasons at Oneonta, Albany/Colonie and Columbus before asking for his release and moving on to Calgary, the Seattle Mariners' top minor league team.
His career ended there after two seasons, despite his hitting .330 and .270. But Billy Beane, the Oakland Athletics' general manager, said that when he was a scout for the team, he wanted to sign Close.
"If Casey had hung around," he said by phone from Oakland, "he would have played in the big leagues or would have been a great player in Japan. But he was ready to move on."
Looking back during an interview with Baseball America in 2007, Close said: "I went into professional baseball thinking that I was going to be a very good major league player. My contemporaries, Hal Morris or Will Clark or Rafael Palmeiro, I matched up with fine."
But he came to believe that he was better suited for college baseball and cited "playing every single day, the ups and downs, putting too much pressure on myself, dealing with failure."
By 1993, Close was an agent at IMG and Jeter, the Yankees' No. 1 draft pick the previous June, was the shortstop at Class A Greensboro. The Jeter family replaced his first agent, Steve Caruso, with Close.
"I was told that Casey was the son of a good friend of Derek's mother," Caruso said Wednesday, "and I have no reason to disbelieve that."
As Jeter's career soared, Close, 47, has kept the sort of low profile that is preached at IMG. In 1999, he defeated Yankees General Manager Cashman in arbitration, winning a $5 million salary for Jeter over the Yankees' offer of $3.2 million; two years later, he negotiated Jeter's 10-year, $189 million contract, which just expired.
In 2006, when IMG stopped representing team sports athletes in their on-field contract talks, Close took his practice to Creative Artists Agency, and Jeter followed.
Now the Yankees and the 36-year-old Jeter cannot agree on what to pay him or for how many years.
Last week, Close publicly thrust himself into the debate about Jeter. In a column published Sunday, Close told The Daily News that the Yankees' unwillingness to pay Jeter for his "total contribution to their franchise" was "baffling" to him.
"There's a reason the Yankees themselves have stated that Derek Jeter is their modern-day Babe Ruth," he said.
Close's remarks prompted Cashman to ratchet up the tension. He told The New York Times that he had encouraged Jeter to test the free-agent market. "We have been very honest and direct with them — meaning Derek and Casey," Cashman said. "We have made it clear to them that our primary focus is his on-the-field performance."
Sandy Montag, a former colleague of Close's at IMG, said he did not view Close's comments as public posturing.
"I view them as Casey being protective of Jeter," said Montag, an IMG senior corporate vice president. "They've known each other a long time. Casey's just an honest guy protecting his friend. It's a negotiation; he and Brian are doing whatever they can do to make a deal."
Close has not responded to Cashman and declined a request to be interviewed for this article.
As a baseball agent, Close inhabits a universe where the dominant personality is Scott Boras, also a former minor leaguer. Fans know Boras's face and are familiar with his controversial role in Alex Rodriguez's opt-out from his Yankees contract in 2007. The New Yorker profiled Boras in an article headlined "The Extortionist." Close, whose clients include Ryan Howard, Derrek Lee, Ben Sheets and Michael Cuddyer, is not a boldface name.
Howard fired a previous agent, Larry Reynolds, to sign with Close. This year, Close negotiated a five-year, $125 million extension for Howard with the Phillies.
"For Casey to do what he did, when I wasn't an unrestricted free agent, with no other teams in the bidding, was great," Howard said in a phone interview.
Beane, who deals with Close regularly, said: "He's so competent in his second career that you'd never expect someone that bright to have been a former player. I can say that as a former player."
Close's renown is also exceeded by that of his wife, Gretchen Carlson, the 1989 Miss America and a co-anchor of the Fox News Channel's morning show, "Fox & Friends."
They met on a blind date. "My contact was telling me, 'I think I found the perfect person for you because you're young, you're single, you work too hard, you're never around on the weekends,' and she was doing a lot of the same things," he told Baseball America. "And I remember asking myself: 'Whoa, back up a little bit. Why is she having a problem getting a date?' And sure enough, it had nothing to do with her. She was working from 3 p.m. to 11 at night."
Close may now be working extra hours to keep Jeter a Yankee at a salary he and the team can live with.Continue reading the main story


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Publisher: Quick
Pages: 248
Format: Paperback
Publisher: various formats
Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.
To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they'll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.
The story is actually a pretty solid horror story, something I was not really expecting. The multiple "you know that is a stupid move if you watch horror film" moments made me laugh but eventually added to giving me the creeps at moments. I read this book during a 24 hour read-a-thon in the middle of the night and I can say for sure that is not the best time for this one.
The employee volunteers are very different people but there is something relatable in every one of them. Amy is working because she has to. She is not feeling the job and is surprised that people can actually love working at Orsk or feel pride in being there like Ruth-Ann and Basil the other two people staying overnight. Basil is the manager and feels obliged to stay as he is asking it from his employees but he is also filled with the general manager talk. Ruth-Ann actually loves her job and takes a pride in selling stuff. The other surprise characters they meet that night have totally different intentions being in the showroom of Orsk but their motives are adding to the scare and fun of this story.
A visit to Ikea will never be the same again. In my case it means I am looking for the brilliant furniture described in this Orsk catalogue. The design of this book is enough of an excuse to buy a copy.


text:
National ID Card Correction Information In Bangladesh. National ID Card Change Information or Correction Process is an important matter. How to change the NID (National ID Card) Information & national id card/Voter ID Card correction has given by ECB (Election Commission Bangladesh).
National ID Card Correction Information In Bangladesh
National ID Card Correction Information In Bangladesh. Anyone can change & correction NID Card Information if they had mistake before. If you want to be a New Voter or want to include or correct information, then you should read the following process.
Election Commission Bangladesh has given three options. These are-
- Do you want to be new voters?
- Want to update the information in your NID?
- What are documents required for the NID info?
How to Get New Voter Id Card Online?
Who are not voter of Bangladesh but already over 18 years old within 1st January 2015, they must register for national ID card. You can registry at your Thana or sub district with their schedule. To be a new voter you need some documents. Such as-
- SSC Certificate – (Age proof certificate)
- Date of Registration – (Age proof certificate)
- Passport / Driving License / TIN- (Age proof certificate)
- Utility bill copy / house rent receipt / holding Tax Receipt – (usually lives in the area of any such evidence)
- Citizenship certificate (if applicable)
- Father, mother, husband / wife Id copy cards (if applicable)
New Voter ID card Registration Online
Update Process NID:
Want to update the information in your national identity? What are the documents required for the national identity card info?
- ID Card Correction Form (Applying for NID Wing, Election Commission, Dhaka).
- ID Card Correction Form (Applying for Upazila/Thana Election Office).
- Lost ID Card Duplicate Issue Form (Applying for NID Wing, Election Commission, Dhaka).
- Lost ID Card Duplicate Issue Form (Applying for Upazila/Thana Election Office)
- Voter Registration Form (Form – 2). (This form is for sample purpose to give user conceptual idea. User need to be collect/fill up/submit the form, from corresponding Election Commission office
- Application Form to delete name from voter list (Form – 12)
- Application Form to change voter area / migration (Form-13)
National ID Card Information Correction Process:
Anyone can change or correction Bangladesh National Identity Card Change Information, Photo Change. Bangladesh Govt. and Election Commission have given the opportunity to change NID by Online System. Check How to Change National ID Card Photo or Information system options steps by steps. You can change Information by Apply Online ways:-
- Information Change
- Address Change
- Move You Voter Area
- Photo Change
- Re-Print National ID Card/Voter ID Card
- National ID Card Present Process Information
How to Change National ID Card Photo or Information?
Here are available steps by steps to change or correction your Photo and information of NID. Go to NID Website at www.services.nidw.gov.bd/registration and apply below instructions:
- Fill up All Necessary Information To Complete Registration Process
- Login with Your Card Information and SMS Verification Code (will be received by SMS)
- Fill Up Information Change Form Carefully and Print it.
- Signature Your Print Application Form and Submit Online
- All Necessary Paper Scan Copy to Prove you Change Information. Submit Online
To Visit "রেজিষ্ট্রেশন ফরম পুরন করতে চাই" and fill-up all information at application form correctly.
- Enter Your 13 Digit national ID card Number. (Please Add Your Birth Day year if not Included. Example: Red Color ID Card No. 1235424891045 Then Write it Like 19901235424891045, if Your Birth Year 1990)
- Select Your Birth Date (Check at your National ID Card For Date)
- Give Your Mobile Number Correctly (Please Write Correct No. it Will be Need For Verification SMS)
- Enter E-mail ID (But Not Necessary )
- To give Present Address Information
Enter Present Address Division, District and Upzilla/Thana According To National ID Card
- To give Permanent Address Information
Enter Present Address Division, District and Upzilla/Thana According To National ID Card
- To give Login Password:
Password Must be Between 8-13 Digit Include Capital Latter and Number. (Exp: BDresults24)
Now Fill-up Captca Code Correctly and Click Registration ("রেজিষ্টার")
Apply Online
Apply for National ID Card Information Correction:
If the whole registration Process has done correctly, then a verification code will be send to your mobile phone and a option will find for enter verification code and submit for registration.
Note: If verification code will not received on your phone within 2-3 minutes then request again for verification code.
When completed your all process of Registration then you can login NID panel at www.services.nidw.gov.bd/login
Now you can login to your account. Enter your national identity card number, date of birth and password (which are given by you) and select verification code receive option to login your account.
We are always ready to give you all type of important news like National ID Card Correction Information In Bangladesh and related.


text: Hey... We just got a puppy today and he's been great so far. I am afraid he's gonna go into my room,and start biting my bass cable,bass,amp,or all 3...do you guys know anything I can do to prevent it? I dont have much space to put my stuff up(like on a desk or whatever) and I dont want him to start biting it... I appreciate the help.


text:
The Mariner Sands Country Club is a very special place. Visitors to our community notice the magnificent architecture and appointments of the clubhouse, the beautifully maintained lushness of our landscaping, the dazzling golf course and water views, the abundance of our amenities and activities, and the unrivaled quality of our award-winning dining.
Club members agree our most important attribute is our people. When asked to describe the club's best feature, over and over and over again our members say it is the remarkable friendliness and inclusiveness of the club's members We welcome you to Mariner Sands Country Club.


text:
Mobile devices can be the ultimate learning tool. Harnessing the power of the Internet in an interactive and engaging way, users can quickly download (and even upload) how-to guides with directions on just about anything – from an app with new recipes to a video on car repairs – all at 4G LTE speeds.
Snapguide, for example, provides a free platform for users to view and share step-by-step guides. The popular site, which has 2 million unique monthly users, includes everything from guacamole recipes to nail art and DIY clothing instructions. Recently, Snapguide began allowing users to request guides they are interested in, spurring the creation of new videos and resources. Requests can be "upvoted" by other users, showing the content that's most in demand.
Users can also turn to Howcast for video guidance. The app offers a selection of educational videos with visual instructions. Similarly, Instructables provides 100,000 tutorials on quirky DIY topics, inventions and recipes, all created by users. Tech fanatics will appreciate apps like iFixit that provide practical information on repairing gadgets like laptops and gaming consoles.
As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. With the ability to connect and source information and skills from people across the Internet, self-education is ready to happen.


text:
An exhibition of photos by 'social documentary' photographer Shirley Baker, showing at the Photographers' Gallery in London until 12 September, depicts Manchester and Salford during the housing clearances of the 1960s and 70s.
After the first few black and white shots of scruffy children playing on derelict streets, I was thinking I'd seen plenty enough. But a series of photos taken in Hulme, a suburb of Manchester, provided some lighter fare, perhaps simply because they are in colour and a touch more varied but more likely because her subjects seem more cheerful, as if the photographer has brought some spring sunshine into their grimy lives.
My indifference melted, I was ready for the remaining ranks of black and white images. Children fill up most of the frames, though some feature women, often large and pinafored like Les Dawson in his northern battleaxe drag outfit. Fewer men appear. They are frequently solitary, seated for a portrait. We sense they have the leisure of the unemployed.
A photo meriting more than a few moments' contemplation shows a boy in Salford, 1964. Broken glasses are slipping down his face. An especially tiny boy stands on steps behind him, facing sideways and staring intently at something. He is quite cute in a first-day-at-school way. I can't be the only person who liked this shot: I later discovered it was chosen for a record sleeve by a band called The Jazz Devils.
The perspective is not always wide enough to add deep context. Yes, we can see these people are poor, but we ought to know that anyway. More revealing are the photos in which we can see tower blocks rising behind terraced housing. We're forced to consider the demolition of these humble but still cherished terraces and their replacement by soulless blocks which will bring their own sets of social problems in the years to come.
The question of photography as an art form continues to nag me. At what point does a photo graduate from illustrating a journalist's words to earning its keep on a gallery wall? So I was interested to read Shirley Baker quoted in a newspaper article on display:
"If there is any art in photography, it surely lies in the 'candid' snapshot… opportunities for this kind of photography are unlimited"
It seems spending time with people in their environments, time that you would need if you want take a large number of photos and gain the trust of the subject, yields the possibility of a compelling and timeless image. Note in her modesty ("If there is any art in photography…") the hint of doubt about photography's status. Photography's power lies in getting as close as you can to the heart of the subject, and that way too lies its art.


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Luella Jonk, PhD, RP, C. Hyp., CPC
Registered Psychotherapist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Professional Counsellor
2-305 Kingston Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M0T5 | 2047717650
We all reach a point in our lives that we recognize it is time for change. We remember the person we were when life was a lot less complicated, and wonder where that person went. I am a dedicated, non-judgemental therapist who commits to you every step of the way.
Kristy Carroll, B.A., M.M.F.T
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
297 St. Mary's Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 1J5 | 204 299 2554
I am committed to co-creating a respectful, trusting, and safe therapeutic environment. I have experience using various therapy approaches, and have found that in order to best meet the unique needs of each client and situation, flexibility of approach is essential.
Recovery Of Hope Counselling Centre
Marriage & Family Therapists, Registered Social Workers, Counselling Psychology
102-900 Harrow St. E. and 1055 Molson St, Winnipeg (also Winkler, Altona, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie), Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Y7 | 204-477-4673
Welcome to Recovery of Hope, where growth, healing and change can happen for you! We are caring professionals, willing to work collaboratively to address the particular challenges you face so you can experience better emotional health and satisfying relationships.
Diane Lovatt, MSW, RSW, MMFT
Licensed Therapist
Winnipeg, Manitoba XXX XXX | 204-944-7402
My approach to therapy includes a collaborative process that provides a safe and respectful environment in which to do the work you have come to do. Therapy can provide the time and space to begin a process of healing. It takes courage to make that first call.
Lindsey Walsh, MMFT
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
115 Pear Tree Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2N 1S7 | 1-204-272-3993
I help individuals, couples, families, and children grow and heal from trauma, loss, bad habits, and toxic relationships. Together we find clarity and create healthy patterns.
Gerald Loewen, B.R.E., M.A. (C.E.), M.A. (Ed Min.)
#304-19978 72 Ave., Langley, British Columbia V2Y 1R7 | 604-530-2134
I understand that life can be difficult at times and you may experience stress, and anxiety and perhaps depressive symptoms. I provide a safe, compassionate place to address your concerns, and will work with you to discover a path towards restoration and growth.
Ron Dyck, D.Min.
Counselling Therapist
Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 0J1 | (204)371-6010
Welcome! It's my privilege to support you as you struggle with the difficult challenges of life. I'll provide a safe & confidential place where you'll find compassion & empathy. I'll help you move toward hope, healing & wisdom, - real solutions for real life problems.
Josiah M. Mutua, M.A. Counselling Psychology
Counsellor / Psychotherapist
17-595 Clifton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 2X5 | 204-995-2735
There is hope for change and healing, and I am passionate about helping you achieve them. With care and support I shall work with you through your pain, and diligently help you develop skills, strategies, and resources for effective living and fulfilling relationships.
Dion Gingerich, MA, APC
Professional Counselling Therapist
1200 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2A7 | 204-972-0929
I approach therapy as a partnering relationship built on trust that enables the therapeutic journey. I also believe in the inherent value of all people and desire to enable individuals on their path to healing and wholeness.
Mary-Ann Roy, BFA; MA
Certified Counselling Therapist
201 Portage Avenue West; 18th Floor, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3K6 | 2049268682
Mary-Ann has a proven track record of 28 years practice. An often heard description of her work as a therapist - "You are very good at what you do!" She has passion and gifting for her life calling and is committed to the healing and well being of everyone she counsels.
Kevin Richardson, MSW, RSW
Registered Clinical Social Worker
34 Carlton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1N9 | 204-504-6976
Are you hard on yourself? Do you get irritable or feel down and you're not sure why? You know you've been through a lot in your life, even as a kid. But things seem to be getting harder to handle. Ready for Counselling? Start by getting a Free 15 Minute Consultation.
Gerry Pettyjohn, MA, CSRT
Certified Sexual Recovery Therapist
Suite 305 - 475 Provencher Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 4A7 | 204-292-5058
I integrate several approaches along with my experience to guide you down a path of recovery from sex addiction and infidelity and, if you are the partner of a sex addict, I provide supportive counselling to help you heal from the trauma of your spouse's betrayal.
Douglas Hanson, MA, CCC, CCRC
206-62 Roslyn Rd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0G6 | 204 297-6350
As a therapist in Winnipeg I have extensive experience in helping people overcome depression, anxiety, and relationship problems. Therapy can help you find relief from your suffering so you can enjoy your life again.
Please select a city in the list above to see more therapists. For convenience we have shown only a sample of therapists in Manitoba.


text:
Speaking about....
The wine between innovation and tradition
The modern history of the wine - vineyard and winery - has remained unchanged or almost as stuck on a still image, for many centuries. Few innovations and few discoveries that have come to disrupt the peaceful conduct. Actually, until the wine has been considered a food, there was no reason to waste time on topics considered futile. Hand in hand with the development of the communications and with the growing rapidity of the transport, has grown the trade: the wine has become an important object of exchange. Until weren't born the first wine-growing areas with declared commercial purposes - let's think to the "Aquitaine" with the first specialized vineyards to supply the markets of Northern Europe - produce wine was one of the many jobs which committed the farmer during the year, to feed his family.
In addition to the vine, there was to treat the orchards and the gardens, not to mention the healthy growth of the animals at the farm. These jobs were all, in the same way, at the basis for wealth and for feeding of the family. The needs that moved those who worked the land was to produce, limiting at the maximum the expenses. Are happened so the years - poor vintages or marred by frosts and hailstorms - in which the potatoes, for example, could have replaced the wine as a source of income and livelihood for the farmer. With the advent of specialized viticulture and the trade, the things have changed and the huge economic interests involved in this business have put in motion scientific research which, through the use of chemistry, has led to improvements decisive in the life of the producer.
Today, the obligation to offer the consumer, each year, a generous quantity of quality wine has prompted the growers to exaggerate sometimes with the use of chemistry. Over the past fifty years, it has been abused of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and insecticides synthesis, in the name of a productivity to save. Slowly but surely, starting from Northern Europe, it has developed a protest or at least a reaction to this state of affairs. by virtue of elementary rules of health and welfare, the people of drinkers has become aware of the harmfulness, or at least of the gratuitousness of such a large use of chemicals. This diatribe has expanded like wildfire to the rest of the world, and today there is a clear split between those who consider that the sustainability is at the base of every production process and those who think that at the center there is the economy.
On the one hand, the purity of the small vigneron who is willing to lose a share of the harvest so to not poison his own soils; on the other hand,the need for the vignerons, which in the recent decades have become business farmers " at exclusive use wine", to assure during every harvest a good production in quantity and quality. On the relationship "tradition-innovation" in the enology, in the recent years it has opened up a close debate in a logic of contraposition that does not help to understand what a consumer look. Put in opposition autochthonous vines against international vines, spontaneous yeasts against selected yeasts, barriques against large barrels, biological against conventional, means giving up the past to propose new solutions, whose life expectancy is however like fashion, very short and does not allow to create instead a new style.
Exist an ancient wisdom, the hermeneutics, understood as the art of the interpretation, which could help us to find the way. Let's pretend that there is a figure of an hermeneut oenologist. What is that distinguishes him from the image of oenologist that we have in mind? The second is more like a demiurge: plasmas and modifies; the first must be the daily interpreter of the natural cycles of the vine and of the evolution of the wine in his cellar. It's someone that wait the fulfillment of the biological phenomena, without inflicting the accelerations of the technique. A winemaker who is perfectly at ease with the triad technique/ culture / nature.


text: Interesting item from the "Hotline" column in our daily newspaper today. QUESTION: My nephew recently returned from Iraq. During his time there, we sent him care packages. We'd like to continue sending packages to soldiers overseas. Who can help us do this? J.M. ANSWER: Care packages to soldiers in Iraq sometimes save lives, J.M. According to the American Forces Information Service, a U.S. soldier serving in Iraq was so homesick last year that he decided to kill himself. He lay in his tent all night, praying for an opportunity to talk to his family one final time, but knew he'd have to wait almost a week until payday to buy a phone card. In the next day's mail, he received nine care packages from Americans who didn't even know him, courtesy of Operation Military Pride. The packages contained phone cards, so he was able to call home and talk with his folks. After hearing their voices, he knew he could never cause them the grief that would come if he took his life. Letters addressed to "any service member" are no longer accepted by the military, but a Web site called America Supports You includes links to Operation Military Pride and many similar groups. It also links you to Army, Navy and Air Force service aid societies, and veteran organizations. Just point your browser to www.americasupportsyou.mil.


text:
In the ancient semitic religions, virginity was one of the two contradictory attributes of the goddess, who united in herself virginity and fecundity. In popular belief, the virgin was endowed with great desirability and greater fertility than the woman who had known man. Thus the "virgin" is one of the titles of the goddess Anath of Ugarit (canaan).
Mt 1:23 reads, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means God –is –with-us".
Mt 1:23correpsonds to the following words in the Apostles creed, "He (Jesus) was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary."
In the two cited texts, there is myth and mystery. Joseph cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict vi, while commenting on the cited two texts makes an allusion to the Egyptian myth and mystery of Osiris and Isis.
The birth of Jesus as described in Mt. 1:20-25 is shrouded in mystery. Mary who knew no man is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As is obvious, the inspired writers of the Bible borrowed directly from the mythical structure of the Ancient Near East. The mystery of the virgin birth is borrowed directly from the Egyptian myth and mystery of Osiris and Isis.
Osiris was the king and deity. Isis was his sister, wife and goddess.
Set, the brother of Osiris is jealous of his brother's position as king. He plots to kill Osiris and take the throne. He drowns Osiris in a sealed coffin in River Nile.
The bereaved Isis goes out in search of her husband's body so as to give him a ceremonial funeral. She found the coffin along River Nile and left it in a quagmire.
While hunting, set finds Osiris coffin in the quagmire. He dismembers Osiris into fourteen (14) parts and scatters them across the land of Egypt.
Isis sets out again in search of the fourteen (14) scattered parts of her husband's body. She was able to find only thirteen (13) of the fourteen (14) parts, however, she was unable to find the fourteenth (14th) part, his penis which was eaten by oxyrhymchus fish.
Isis fashions a phallus of gold for Osiris. Isis sings a song around Osiris and brings him up to life. Osiris is resurrected. Isis grows wings and hovers over Osiris. She breathes life into him in order to revive him and conceive Horus, the son-god.
Mary, the Virgin who knew no man is conceived by the Holy Spirit, she gave birth to a son-God; and he (Joseph) named him Jesus.
Jerome Biblical commentary while referring to Mt. 1:20-25 asserts, "The agent of the conception of Jesus is "a Holy Spirit." The term is used in Old Testament to designate God's power, it is not used to designate the agent of human conception."


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As everyone knows, the 9/11 Truth movement is a loose group of people who believe that the United States government committed the 9/11 attacks.
Now despite the fact that they have never been able to prove that the government committed the 9/11 attacks, they still hold steadfast to the belief that the government did.
It seems to me that most people in that movement have never really sat down and asked themselves some serious, logical questions about the attacks.
Here are eight questions that I feel that people in the 9/11 Truth movement should ask themselves, as well as should be asked by others:
1. If the government did commit the 9/11 attacks, then why would they hit more then one building?
Hitting one building with a plane would have been more then enough for the government to justifiably giving it an excuse to go to war. More then one would be overkill.
2. If the government did commit the 9/11 attacks, then why did it attack the Pentagon for?
The Pentagon is the United States top military headquarters. Hitting it with a plane could have killed our top military leaders and seriously harmed our ability to fight. The government attacking the Pentagon makes no sense both logically and militarily.
3. Assuming that the Twin Towers were brought down in a controlled demolition, then why would they be brought down in the first place?
There would be no reason for the government to bring down the towers. Not only would flying a couple of planes into the towers would have been more then enough to justify going to war, but bringing down the towers would be another example of overkill. Also, it would have been cheaper to repair the towers then it has been to clean up the rubble and build new buildings at the site.
4. Why would WTC 7 have been intentionally brought down?
Wouldn't intentionally bringing down WTC 7 have been a pointless action? There would have been no reason for the government to ever bring that building down and create a bigger mess. Not to mention many in the 9/11 Truth movement see that building's collapse as a "smoking gun" for a controlled demolition. If the government did do this, shouldn't they have had the foresight to see that it might look suspicious to some people?
5. Assuming that drones were used, then how come the forth plane crashed in a field instead of hitting another building?
If the government had complete control of all the aircraft, then why didn't they crash the last one into a building? Why would they just waste it and crash it into a field for no reason what so ever?
6. If the attacks were allowed to happen so we would have an excuse to go into Afghanistan and Iraq and gain control of those two countries natural resources, then why haven't prices on things like oil gone down?
One of the biggest claims from the 9/11 Truth movement is that the attacks were staged so that we would have an excuse to go into Afghanistan, and eventually Iraq, and gain control of those countries oil fields, along with other natural resources. The problem with this is that the cost of oil based products (gasoline, diesel, home heating oil) has kept going up instead of going down since the invasions of those two countries. So if we invaded those countries for their oil, then how come our oil prices have been steadily rising? And how come very little oil has ever actually come out of those two countries since we invaded them?
7. Why haven't we seen a serious decrease in our civil liberties?
While it's claimed that our civil liberties have decreased since the 9/11 attacks, in fact they really haven't in most cases. Most people haven't even been impacted at all by the Patriot Act. You can still create blogs that speak out against the government. You can still claim the government committed the 9/11 attacks. You can still belong to anti-government organizations. So why haven't people like this ever been thrown in jail? Wouldn't they be the government's biggest enemies?
8. How come the 9/11 Truth movement has never presented any evidence that has not been dis-proven?
One of the main problems with the 9/11 Truth movement is that it constantly presents old evidence that has been discredit and dis-proven, and rarely, if ever, presents any new evidence. So why hasn't the 9/11 Truth movement ever revealed any real evidence of what they consider to be the real culprits behind the 9/11 attacks and would prove what they were claiming is at least possibly true?


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Ahmedabad: Election Commission has geared up to conduct postal ballot at various facilitation centres in Gujarat where about three lakh polling staff including policemen are expected to cast their votes, officials said.
Around 9,000 policemen engaged in poll duty have already cast their votes through postal ballots at the facilitation centres set up across the state, they said.
"An estimated three lakh people engaged in poll duty including policemen are expected to cast their votes at the facilitation centres set up in the state for postal ballot, making it the biggest such exercise ever," Gujarat Chief Election Officer Anita Karwal told a news agency.
"Previously, employees deputed for polling duty used to get ignored. We took pro-active measures and got all of them them registered. Some of those engaged in phase-I polling have already cast their votes through postal ballot," she said.
Earlier, employees on poll duty had the option to cast their votes only through post, but not many would exercise their franchise and one was also not sure whether ballot sent through post would reach on time or not, an official said.
This time voting through postal ballot is likely to increase manifold compared to 2007 assembly polls given the special arrangements being made like opening of the facilitation centres. Only about 30,000 votes were cast through postal ballot in 2007 assembly poll.
The exercise through postal ballot began at a facilitation centre last week in Jamnagar.
The Election Commission has directed that all police personnel in the state who are covered under the notification issued by the state government in terms of Section 28A of the RP Act 1951, would be treated as personnel on election duty and would be entitled to vote through postal ballot.
Assembly elections will be held in Gujarat in two phases on December 13 and 17 while counting will take place on December 20.


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Stunning sunshine with showers developing later on
Overnight, outbreaks of rain are expected in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England but elsewhere it will be dry with clear skies.
Tomorrow there will be some stunning sunshine across central and eastern areas but there will be a few spots of rain elsewhere.
Temperatures will be slightly down with highs of 21C and showers could develop throughout the afternoon.
ITV Weather presenter Amanda Houston has the latest forecast.


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3 continuity mistakes in Fortune's Fools
Starring: Alex Kingston, Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Parminder Nagra
Genres: Drama
Continuity mistake: Benton is talking to Carla about her preganancy test and they go through the double doors to the snowy outdoors. Carla has nothing in her hand when she pushes the doors open, but once outside she is holding a hat - she wouldn't have even had time to pull it out of her pocket.
Continuity mistake: Dr. Hicks is standing in front of the surgery white board talking to Carter and she says "Care to join me?" He replies "Love to" and the shot goes right back to her - she has moved 8 or 10 inches to the left, without enough time to have done this in real life.
Continuity mistake: Carter is watching the clock, waiting for Peter to show up for a presentation. The clock jumps from 3:03 to 3:04 in a split second (we literally see the minute hand jump)but the second hand doesn't change posiiton.
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I used UPS to send a parcel to Portugal. The location information shown on the UPS track & trace website is too local. The location it gives me is "Chilly-Mazarin, France". I had never heard of this so I wondered whether it was a sea port near Calais or perhaps an airport near the Pyrenees.
I looked it up and it seems to be a small village or subdivision.
Again no.
It's actually Orly international airport in Paris.
So, my rant is this – why on earth would you show the local village name on your international track & trace website, instead of the international airport name or the city name (Paris).
Imagine if you were in Paris and you sent freight via Heathrow. Why would you want to see that it's actually in Stanwell village or Colnbrook village (where the freight agents' sheds are located)? No, you would want to know that it is at Heathrow.


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Our first stop of the day was Windsor Castle and I wasn't really into it. I'm sure it was perfectly fine and lovely - in fact it *was* lovely - but I still felt really exhausted and sick to my stomach. I was so uncomfortable and just ready to get out of my clothes and curl up in bed. My memory is a little foggy of all of the particulars since it has been nearly two months since we were there (BAD BLOGGER!), but my recollection is that the state apartments were really similar to those at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. That makes sense when you think about it since both are homes for the Queen.
The original castle was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I, it has been used by succeeding monarchs and is the longest-occupied palace in Europe. The castle's lavish, early 19th-century State Apartments are architecturally significant, described by art historian Hugh Roberts as "a superb and unrivalled sequence of rooms widely regarded as the finest and most complete expression of later Georgian taste."The castle includes the 15th-century St George's Chapel, considered by historian John Martin Robinson to be "one of the supreme achievements of English Perpendicular Gothic" design. More than five hundred people live and work in Windsor Castle.
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I ended up sleeping the majority of the way from Windsor to Stonehenge, and I'm so glad I did because when I woke up I felt much better. Prior to leaving Windsor I had considered telling Alan that we should just hop on the train back to London, but arriving at Stonehenge, I'm so glad that I didn't. It was beautiful. I know there's a lot of controversy about whether it is worth the visit or not, especially for those who aren't into archaeology or history, but I'm really glad we stayed with the tour because I felt like it was definitely worth visiting.
One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds. Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, whilst another theory suggests that bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury Henge. It is a national legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust. Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings.[8] The dating of cremated remains found on the site indicate that deposits contain human bone from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug. Such deposits continued at Stonehenge for at least another 500 years.
I should note that we had a really light crowd at sunset and I'm sure if it had been crawling with tourists I might have felt differently, but given that we always travel to major cities during the shoulder or off seasons, we've always been able to visit historic monuments with little fuss. This time was no exception. I didn't really know what to expect - some people say it's just a big old pile or rocks, while others say it is simply otherworldly - and truthfully, I didn't feel either of those things. To be sure, it's a marvel of early engineering, and I would love to know the story of how it came to be, but I didn't feel any sort of mystery or wonder. I was, however, cowed by it's grandeur.
(As we're sitting here going over our trip and talking about why Stonehenge was so great, Alan pointed out something that I think is worth mentioning. You often hear places and things referred to as "World Famous" but very rarely is something actually that famous, but Stonehenge is one of those places that you grow up knowing about, and it's in your consciousness from very early on as a place of wonder and awe. It's a place that throughout the ages has endured, and will continue to endure, providing the government in the UK doesn't muck it up. Right now there is a debate on whether or not they should dig under Stonehenge to reroute traffic from the very close motorway into a tunnel, but I can't even imagine how that would work.)
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The city became a spa with the Latin name Aquae Sulis ("the waters of Sulis") c. AD 60 when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although oral tradition suggests that the hot springs were known before then. It became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era, leaving a heritage of Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Stone.
Archaeological evidence shows that the site of the Roman baths' main spring was treated as a shrine by the Britons, and was dedicated to the goddess Sulis, whom the Romans identified with Minerva; the name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, appearing in the town's Roman name, Aquae Sulis (literally, "the waters of Sulis"). Messages to her scratched onto metal, known as curse tablets, have been recovered from the sacred spring by archaeologists. The tablets were written in Latin, and cursed people by whom the writers felt they had been wronged. For example, if a citizen had his clothes stolen at the baths, he might write a curse, naming the suspects, on a tablet to be read by the goddess.
A temple was constructed in 60–70 AD and a bathing complex was built up over the next 300 years. Engineers drove oak piles into the mud to provide a stable foundation, and surrounded the spring with an irregular stone chamber lined with lead. In the 2nd century, the spring was enclosed within a wooden barrel-vaulted structure, that housed the calidarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath), and frigidarium (cold bath). The city was later given defensive walls, probably in the 3rd century. After the failure of Roman authority in the first decade of the 5th century, the baths fell into disrepair and were eventually lost as a result of silting. In March 2012 a hoard of 30,000 silver Roman coins, one of the largest discovered in Britain, was unearthed in an archaeological dig. The coins, believed to date from the 3rd century, were found about 450 feet from the Roman baths.
I found that I enjoyed the baths much more than I had expected to. I knew that the architecture would be stunning, but I was really quite pleased with how the whole experience of touring the site was set up. It never felt crowded or rushed, and as the evening sky descended, it was truly quite spectacular looking. The museum was also incredibly informative, and I felt like we walked away from the site knowing a great deal more than I had anticipated going in. (Oh, remember the two Japanese girls I mentioned above? Yeah, they felt it was necessary, née imperative, that they touch the ancient Roman artifacts that were on display. I wanted to throttle them.)
I'm somewhat sad that we weren't in Bath during the day - or during the summer months - when we could have had some time to explore Jane Austen's Bath, or the city's other major architectural and/or heritage sites like Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent (one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK), Pultaney Bridge, or The Circus.
Still, I'm very glad we stuck with the tour, and then ditched the tour, because I had a fantastic time at the Roman baths and then wandering around the Christmas market. One of the unique things about the Bath Christmas market - unlike, say, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, or the market at the Tate Modern - is that all of the stalls in Bath are from British makers, with locally produced wares, foods, and items. In fact, over 70% of the stalls are businesses from Bath and the surrounding region, with 60% of the goods available handmade in the UK. We ended up buying Alan's mom some locally produced spa items as a thank you for watching our beast, Dakota, while we were gone.
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NBA Betting Trends: Betting Against the Public on Large Road Dogs
Last week in this space, we detailed the value of 10-point home underdogs in the NBA. Our research revealed a 52.3% winning percentage for all 10+ point home dogs, and that percentage escalated as we filtered the games with lower and lower public betting percentages. This week, we have continued to comb through our historical betting database and found further value on 10-point dogs — however, this time we uncovered tremendous returns on visitors.
Since February 1, 2010, visiting teams receiving less than 35% of public bets and getting 10 or more points have gone 43-20 (68.25%) with 20.89 units earned. This high level performance should be no surprise to our long-time customers who know the value of betting against the public — especially on big underdogs.
This also ties in to our research from this season's Betting Against the Public article. Our research revealed that visitors were significantly undervalued as teams receiving less than 35% of spread wagers have a winning percentage of 52.6% since 2003.
The following chart shows the performance of this system since February of 2010.
According to Sports Insights' NBA Betting Trends, there is one game tonight that fits this system as the Washington Wizards (+13 at Pinnacle) are receiving just 23% of spread wagers for tonight's game against the Bulls. For the reasons detailed above, we recommend keeping an eye out on this game as a potential Best Bet.


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If my husband had a dollar for every hour he spent on trying to resolve this problem; a dollar for each email he has sent; a dollar for each day they ignore him – we'd likely be able to buy a decent amount of Orange stock…then again, why would we want to?
We've been running our own company for more than 15 years. We run it based on offering customer service and honesty. If only…if only.
Here's yet another email my husband sent to Orange – another they ignored:
September 5
Subject: To: Carmit Sikorel
Hi Carmit,
Since our last conversation, I have not heard from you, Adi or anyone else. I have sent the list of telephone equipment you requested to Adi.
I do not know if I told you, but Adi did not go over the bills with me, as you expected. This is an open issue that was requested from the beginning; and without it, we cannot identify the problems. Are the old bills irrelevant? If not, when will you send someone to go over the bills? I asked the same question to Adi.
The last time I tried to get the bills reviewed , I was told to go to your center, However, your manager at the center said they cannot give me service and called the police.
What is the next step? When is our next meeting?
Today is October 3 – almost a month since this email was sent and in that time – nothing. One could argue that September is a month of holidays in Israel and that would be true, but there were 13 full business days and 2 half days – time enough to have called if they had wanted to.
In the meantime, my husband has spent more time preparing yet another list. Of the 59 phone lines that Orange miraculously assigned to our name (plus some data lines not counted here which helped round out the total to 66), we now have 16 marked "Suspended" – that means, thrill of all thrills (we hope), that Orange isn't billing us for the phone lines or any calls made illegally (that happened on one line and Orange ignored our questions for a few months and a few thousand NIS until we demanded they close it down). Of course, we still have no answer as to if or why they are charging us for equipment assigned to those lines.
No, no help there. When is our next meeting Orange? Still no answer but two more names to add to Orange's growing list of fails. Thanks, Carmit – thanks, Adi – I'm sure we needed more aggravation.


text: I've downloaded three apps that claim to make it easy to transfer photos from the iPhone 3GS to the iPad either by Bluetooth or WiFi but none of them work for me. I'm speaking of Camera for iPad, PhotoShare+, and WiFiPhoto. Have any of you had better success? Any suggestions?


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By Jessica Chasmar
-The Washington Times
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
- Enlarge PhotoTebow more >
Photo Gallery:
The Tim Tebow Foundation has activated a donation link so people can help those in need. Mr. Tebow has also made the Philippines one of the primary beneficiaries of his outreach programs, First Coast News reported.
PHOTOS: See the devastating aftemath of super typhoon Haiyan
Currently his foundation is working with CURE International to build an orthopedic children's hospital in Davao City set to open next year.
The hospital is one of the few places that survived the storm, but it is unable to provide assistance in the storm's aftermath, because it is still in the process of being built, the Florida Times Union reported.
Mr. Tebow's organization is also working with his father's foundation, the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association, on church building and orphan care in the Philippines, First Coast News reported.


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Iowa's development as an unlikely data center hub continues, with TEAM Companies announcing this week that it is moving ahead with plans to $15 million in a new data center in Waukee, Iowa. On Monday the Waukee City Council approved a proposed site plan for the TEAM facility.
"While we aren't announcing the data center project at the moment, the council's action moves plans forward," said Mark Kittrell, TEAM's vice president of business development. The site plan for a data center in Waukee calls for a 46,000 square foot facility to be built in three phases. The center would employ 11 people earning salaries between $40,000 and $100,000.
"We first had the Google announcement. We then had the Microsoft announcement and that really confirms everything we've been saying - that Iowa is a great place for tech farms and for world class companies," Leann Jacobson, president of the Technology Association of Iowa, told WHO TV.
TEAM Companies has said it intends to build in Midwest markets over the next five years. The company's first facility, built on spec, was a 24,000 square foot facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Last September TEAM opened a 55,000 square foot data center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin with CDW Berbee as the anchor tenant.
"We believe in building our centers in the Upper Midwest," said Kittrell. "We think the region is ideal for data centers because of the low risk of terrorism, earthquakes and other natural disasters. We build our centers to withstand tornados and carefully choose sites outside of flood plains. We call our method security through obscurity."


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The last time I posted about Spec Ops: The Line I was saying that I'm not sure about this game at all. It's been in development hell for quite some time now and is already starting to look dated before it's even been released.
But then 2K manage to put together this trailer and I'm once again intrigued, yes it's still looking dated but I can overcome that if the story turns out to be any good and from this trailer I think it may well do.
I'm yet to go to Dubai but from what I've seen of the place I can imagine it being turned into a ghost town, there is nothing around the gleaming city for as far as the eye can see and that has always felt a little daunting to me.
What do you think, has this game completely missed its opportunity or will it still be worth a look?
Last Updated: April 10, 2012


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STUNNED North Wales pupils were left scratching their heads yesterday following a printing blunder on a GCSE exam paper.
A top-level inquiry was launched after seven lines were left off a poem on an English literature paper set by the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
Lois Jones, 16, of Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni, was affected by the mistake.
She told the Daily Post: "The teachers in charge of the exam spotted the paper was incomplete and we were asked how many papers were affected.
"I was one of the unlucky ones," said the student.
"I think about 15 of those taking the exam today raised our hands and we were given another copy of the poem.
"We were also told that we would have extra time at the end of the exam. I think we had about five extra minutes."
She praised the way the school handled the situation. "There was no panic or fuss at all," said Lois.
WJEC chiefs last night insisted candidates would not lose marks as a result of the error.
The committee's chief executive, Wyn Roberts, said he did not know how many pupils were affected.
But the exam, the higher-tier English GCSE aimed at the best candidates, was taken by about 25,000 students in Wales.
Mr Roberts said WJEC's printing machines appeared to have missed lines from the poem, The Richest Poor Man in the Valley, by Lindsay MacRae, from some papers on a random basis. Others were unaffected.
Mr Roberts said most papers contained the full poem which was why the error had not been discovered before they were sent to schools. The board will now have to go through every single entry to check whether or not candidates were affected.
"We will write to each of them saying that we will make sure no candidate is disadvantaged," Mr Roberts added, promising an inquiry.
The blunder came a day after a suspected security breach prompted an exam board to change a GCSE paper due to be taken next month.
The OCR board withdrew the original version of an English GCSE paper after it found some pupils appeared to "know too much" about the exam's contents. The exam board is investigating information passed to it about security fears.


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The NFL scored another big-name performer for next month's Super Bowl LII.
Pop star Pink is set to sing the national anthem ahead of the Feb. 4 title game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the NFL announced Monday.
She takes the stage a year after Luke Bryan performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the big game last February. Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and Carrie Underwood are among the other entertainers to recently perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
Monday's announcement comes nearly three months after the NFL confirmed Justin Timberlake is returning to headline the Super Bowl halftime show — 14 years after he infamously tore away a portion of Janet Jackson's top on the Super Bowl stage in an incident now referred to as "Nipplegate."
Timberlake, 36, has assured there won't be a similar occurrence this year.
"That won't happen this time," Timberlake said with a laugh to Mike Tirico during an October broadcast of "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, the network airing the Super Bowl this year.
Both Timberlake and Pink will have recently released new albums in time for next month's Super Bowl. Pink dropped her latest, "Beautiful Trauma," in October, while Timberlake is set to unveil his newest record, "Man of the Woods," on Feb. 2.
The NFL playoffs kicked off this past weekend, with the Titans narrowly edging the Chiefs, the Falcons soaring over the Rams, the Jaguars topping the Bills and the Saints beating the Panthers.
©2018 New York Daily News
Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


text: [EDITOR'S NOTE: TRIEUMINATOR (aka Vinh or Trieu) was a very popular and knowledgeable member and seller on NG.com who was elevated to moderator. Not long after he founded his own website/forum/shop, SNK-Capcom.com. Much to the surprise of the people at NG.com, he decided that it would be best to only participate on one website and asked the powers that be here to remove his account, a request that was granted. This, originally War Room, thread marks the discovery by the general membership. At first feared as a rival to NG.com, S-C.com turned out to be its own animal with a lively membership and following.]


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2 Chronicles 19 Good News Translation (GNT)
A Prophet Reprimands Jehoshaphat
19 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. 2 A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king and said to him, "Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate the Lord? What you have done has brought the Lord's anger on you. 3 But even so, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah which people worshiped, and you have tried to follow God's will."
Jehoshaphat's Reforms
4 Even though King Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, he traveled regularly among the people, from Beersheba in the south to the edge of the hill country of Ephraim in the north, in order to call the people back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in each of the fortified cities of Judah 6 and instructed them: "Be careful in pronouncing judgment; you are not acting on human authority, but on the authority of the Lord, and he is with you when you pass sentence. 7 Honor the Lord and act carefully, because the Lord our God does not tolerate fraud or partiality or the taking of bribes."
8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and some of the leading citizens as judges in cases involving a violation of the Law of the Lord or legal disputes between inhabitants of the city.[a] 9 He gave them the following instructions: "You must perform your duties in reverence for the Lord, faithfully obeying him in everything you do. 10 Whenever your fellow citizens from any of the cities bring before you a case of homicide or any other violation of a law or commandment, you must instruct them carefully how to conduct themselves during the trial, so that they do not become guilty of sinning against the Lord. Unless you do, you and your fellow citizens will feel the force of the Lord's anger. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty. 11 Amariah the High Priest will have final authority in all religious cases, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, governor of Judah, will have final authority in all civil cases. The Levites have the responsibility of seeing that the decisions of the courts are carried out. Be courageous and carry out these instructions, and may the Lord be on the side of the right!"
Good News Translation (GNT)
Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society
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Yesterday Sinn Féin lodged yet another motion with the Northern Irish Assembly that will be debated one month on from the date that the first same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales. The motion is rather more robust that the one that tried to bring to the house after the Irish Constitutional Convention decided that they would hold a referendum on the matter in the Republic of Ireland. It reads:
That this Assembly notes that other jurisdictions on these islands have moved forward with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples; believes that all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same legal entitlement to marry and to the protections, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage; supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages; calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to guarantee that couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that all legislation adheres to the Executive's commitments to protect equality for all.
This motion allows the freedom of religion that everyone will no doubt go on about, allow freedom of the individual and bring about parity that was lacking from the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act. of course it leaves us a month to try and lobby unionist politicians that have thus far voted overwhelmingly against any legal advances for the LGBT community.