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I have come across a slight complication which is sapping all of the fun away from the project. You all know how much I enjoy animating those characters I make for projects like OGVTD, I mean those are my signature style and it's just how my characters look when I make them. But for this project, for the sake of style, I stepped outside of my comfort zone when it came to making characters, I instead made clothes and hair for my characters. This is what I don't enjoy, for some reason it doesn't feel fun animating these slightly more detailed characters!
These characters are easily ruined, the colours smudge together and they get dirty easy. I don't even think they look as good as my simple "Guy" style characters so that's why I whipped up two new armatures and started working on making the characters how I should have done in the first place. The only difference is the armatures, but one thing I have learnt from the old characters is that they can really help!
My last animation project really shaped my style and it came out exactly like I saw it in my head, this current project seems to be really weird, I should have never stepped outside of my style just to create a story and better characters, OGVTD had a really fun smooth flow to it when I was making it, this project feels like an awkward bumpy ride into another style that doesn't really work out well. I'm telling you now, I wont be making anything like this, I'll be going back to the fun, but dark ideas. This project is dark in terms of style, but it's far from fun at the moment, it's this whole story and characters thing that just isn't working out very well for me, I just hope it turns out good in the end and if not then I will be moving away from the silly sets and stories to go back to the things I like making.
That doesn't mean tabletop fighting or whatever though, I just mean back to the normal characters and minimal set usage.
Well, here are the two new armatures made at the same size as the last two:
Got a bit of clay slapped on one of the characters the other day but I haven't touched it since as I have been thinking about doing certain things.
Tune in next time to see the third version of these characters! This is becoming a theme now, the same thing happened with One Guy Vs The Dead!


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Autumn Intermission
New York, NY 10013
RH Gallery is pleased to announce Intermission 2, the second iteration of Autumn Intermission, a series of performances that complement the three major exhibitions opening this fall at RH Gallery. Conceived by Gallery Director Rebecca Heidenberg and Opalnest Producer Helen Homan Wu, Autumn Intermission provides a site-specific experimental platform that initiates a dialogue with the artists and the distinct architecture of the gallery. Intermission 2 will be situated within the exhibition The Savage Detectives and features Painted Caves with Ursula Scherrer and Vestals.
Painted Caves is the electronic sound project of Evan Caminiti. Using semi-modular analog synthesizers, Caminiti will sculpt narrative in sound to produce an immersive environment; the audience is "part of the story as it's happening in the moment." Experimenting with the potential of this instrument, Caminiti's spectrum includes earth rumbling bass tones to piercing high end pitches. This performance will be a collaboration with visual artist Ursula Scherrer who will present a live video performance integrating fragmented images of nature, the body and geometric abstractions in motion.
Vestals is the solo project of artist Lisa McGee who was part of the duo Higuma with Camniti and the ensemble Portraits. Her recently released debut solo album 'Forever Falling Toward the Sky' is a taut set of haunting electric ballads woven together with layered guitars and dense vocal arrangements. Swept in a hazy, sun-spotted torrent of restrained feedback and dream pop vocals, the album languishes in soft static crackle.
Please do not hesitate to contact Anna Nearburg for press inquiries at 646.490.6355 or

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Available at Notcutts is this Gold Metal Scroll Tree.This is a metal decorative tree with a golden finish featuring a star.
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Hi Ladies,
I hope I am in the right place. I have one son who is 2 1/2 years old and we have been trying to conceive our second. We tried for 5 months in a row at the end of last year and then I lost my job so we had to take a break for 4 months. Now it is month # 4 for us. I will be 39 years old next month and my husband just turned 42. It took us 3 months to conceive our first child. I know I was 35 at the time and that makes a difference. I do use ovulation kits, take Musinex and even starting using Pre-seed. I had blood drawn on day 3 of my period last month, so I will get the results this Monday when I see my OB. I did have this same blood test last year and all was good then. I do ovulate every month but I do have a small fibroid. Lastly, my husband never had his sperm checked but he is on clomid to improve his testosterone number. He used clomid the first time we conceived as well.
My question is... What can the Dr. do for me if he tells me my eggs are getting old. Is there some kind of medication to improve my egg quality? I read about women taking clomid. Would that help me?
Please let me know your thoughts and your stories.
Thanks so much,
Michelle C.


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How is it working for me? I am doing better. I am sleeping and I am able to focus on something outside my lack of employment. Am I cured? No, this is a lifelong battle. I will continue my therapy appointments to fine tune my coping mechanisms and deal with flare ups as they occur. I will continue to take medications that tend to have unfortunate side effects (ie increased hunger leading to weight gain. Did I mention weight gain? , weight gain, sleepiness, sleeplessness). I will do these things because I love my Ellie, I love my husband, and yes, I love myself.
I would like to extend a special thank you to Meriah at With a Little Moxie who has hosted this Disability Connection Blog-Hop.


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Efforts to Prevent, Identify, and Recover Improper and Erroneous Payments
by Selected Department of Justice Components
Audit Report 07-17
January 2007
Office of the Inspector General
An initiative of the President's Management Agenda, implemented in August 2001, is the identification and reduction of improper payments within the federal government. Improper payments are payments that should not have been made or payments that were made for an incorrect amount because of errors, poor business practices, or intentional fraud or abuse. Improper payments include: (1) payments to an ineligible recipient, (2) payments for an ineligible service, (3) duplicate payments, (4) payments for services not rendered, and (5) payments that do not account for credit for applicable discounts. Additionally, when an agency is unable to discern whether a payment was proper due to insufficient or lack of documentation, this payment must also be considered an error.1
According to a February 2006 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) report, Improving the Accuracy and Integrity of Federal Payments, the government-wide improper payment total reported for fiscal year (FY) 2005 was $37.3 billion. The report also found that the amount reported for FY 2005 was approximately $7.8 billion less than the $45.1 billion reported in FY 2004.2 However, improper payments remain a significant problem in the federal government.
In recent years, legislation has been enacted to address this problem followed by implementation of guidance from OMB. This legislation requires government agencies to conduct program inventories and assess each program's risk of making improper payments. Additionally, government agencies are to report on progress made in identifying and recovering improper payments.
Two federal laws address the prevention, identification, and recovery of improper payments. Pub. L. No. 107-300 (2002), the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 (IPIA), requires the heads of federal agencies to annually: (1) review all programs and activities to identify those susceptible to significant improper payments, (2) estimate the amount of improper payments, and (3) report the estimate to Congress. Additionally, for improper payments estimated in excess of $10 million, the agency must report the actions it is taking to reduce improper payments, including a discussion of the potential causes, a statement on whether the agency's information system and infrastructure are adequate to reduce improper payments, and a description of the steps taken to ensure agency managers are held accountable for reducing improper payments.
Pub. L. No. 107-107 (2001), the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2002 (NDAA), Subchapter VI - Recovery Audits, requires all agencies that enter into contracts totaling more than $500 million in a fiscal year to carry out a cost‑effective program to identify errors in payments and recover amounts erroneously paid.
Between January and May 2003, OMB issued three memoranda that provided additional guidance related to the IPIA and the NDAA. In August 2006, these three memoranda were consolidated into OMB Circular A‑123, Appendix C, Requirements for Effective Measurement and Remediation of Improper Payments, which became effective immediately for the FY 2006 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR).3
OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C details the IPIA information that should be included within an agency's PAR and requires that "when an agency's review is unable to discern whether a payment was proper as a result of insufficient or lack of documentation, this payment must also be considered an error."
For recovery auditing, OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C permits contingency fee contracts, which allow a portion of recovered funds to be used to pay recovery audit contractors. OMB Circular A-123, Appendix C also provides guidance on the disposition of recovered amounts and directs affected agencies to submit annual reports detailing recovery audit activities. Additionally, the guidance states that "agency Inspectors General and other external agency auditors are encouraged to assess the effectiveness of agencies' recovery audit programs."
OMB issued Circular A-136 - Revised July 2006, Financial Reporting Requirements, which superseded Memorandum M‑04‑20, FY 2004 Performance and Accountability Reports and Reporting Requirements for the Financial Report of the United States Government, July 2004. Memorandum M-04-20 directed agencies to include a description of recovery audit activities in the PAR for FY 2004 forward. OMB Circular A-136 - Revised July 2006, requires additional information to be included in an agency's annual IPIA report, such as information from grant‑making agencies, an improper payment reduction outlook table, a list of contracts excluded from the recovery audit program, and a table detailing the overall recovery audit effort.
In March 2006, the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Justice Management Division (JMD) issued the Financial Management Policies and Procedures Bulletin 06‑11 (Bulletin 06‑11), which provides direction on recovery audit programs and the IPIA for DOJ components.
Prior Audit
In April 2005, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued an audit report on the Department of Justice Process for Identifying, Preventing, and Recovering Improper and Erroneous Payments, Audit Report Number 05‑19. The audit included four DOJ components: (1) the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), (2) Office of Justice Programs (OJP), (3) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and (4) United States Marshals Service (USMS). The audit found that:
The OIG provided recommendations to these conditions. At the time of this audit, all 22 recommendations had been agreed upon, 13 have been fully implemented, and 9 are in the process of being implemented.
Audit Approach
This audit was requested by JMD to review the remaining DOJ components. Based on the magnitude of the government-wide improper payments identified in the February 2006 OMB report and the findings identified in the April 2005 OIG audit, we conducted a follow‑up audit, which included the: (1) Offices, Boards and Divisions (OBDs); 4 (2) Federal Prison Industries (FPI); (3) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and (4) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The purpose of the audit was to assess these components' processes for preventing, identifying, and recovering improper and erroneous payments. Specifically, the objectives of the audit were to determine whether the components established:
We reviewed the FY 2005 IPIA reports submitted by the components to JMD. The information in these reports was analyzed in conjunction with Bulletin 06-11, dated March 2006. We used this approach in order to identify any necessary enhancements for full compliance in the FY 2006 IPIA reporting period.
Summary of Findings and Recommendations
Preventing Improper and Erroneous Payments
We reviewed the policies and procedures to prevent improper payments that were used by management at the OBDs, FPI, DEA, and ATF, and the risk assessment prepared by each of those components.
In evaluating the components' efforts, we determined that the risk assessments conducted by the OBDs, FPI, and ATF did not include an analysis of the results from the most recent financial statement audit as required by Bulletin 06-11. We also found that the OBDs' risk assessment did not include a review of federal award payments made by the recipients and subrecipients as required by Bulletin 06‑11. In addition, we found that ATF did not conduct a risk assessment or program inventory for FY 2005 as required by Bulletin 06-11.
We recommend that JMD evaluate the recent changes to OMB Circular A‑123, Appendix C and determine whether changes need to be made to Bulletin 06‑11. We also recommend that Bulletin 06-11 be updated to include component disclosure of: (1) an unqualified, qualified, or no‑assurance opinion related to the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting, following the requirements of OMB Circular A-123 revision, Management's Responsibility for Internal Control; (2) the reason for the opinion and its effect on the component's risk of making improper payments; and (3) any corrective actions being taken to address the opinion and the component's risk.
Identifying and Recovering Improper and Erroneous Payments
JMD oversees DOJ components' compliance with the IPIA and the NDAA. In addressing this function, JMD has issued guidance that is detailed in Bulletin 06‑11 on complying with the IPIA and on conducting recovery audits. After comparing Bulletin 06-11 to applicable laws and regulations, we recommend that JMD improve Bulletin 06-11 by including time limits for confirming or providing documentation refuting any improper payments identified by the recovery audit contractor.
In assessing the components' efforts in identifying and recovering improper payments, we reviewed laws and regulations applicable to recovery audit activities, including Bulletin 06-11. We reviewed each component's FY 2005 IPIA report, which included a description of its recovery audit program, and reviewed the recovery audit program in place at each component. In addition, we interviewed component officials and reviewed policies and procedures used by the OBDs, FPI, DEA, and ATF to identify and recover improper payments.
Table 1 illustrates the amounts identified and recovered by DOJ components included in this audit.
|Table 1:
|Source: Management at the following DOJ components: the RCLO, COPS, OVW, WMO, CIV, EOIR, FPI, DEA, ATF, and the recovery audit contractor. The differences in the totals are due to rounding.
Offices, Boards and Divisions. JMD manages the recovery audit program for the OBDs. Beginning in May 2003, the OBDs utilized a private contractor to conduct recovery audits. Payments made from FYs 1999 through 2004 were reviewed by the private contractor, as of April 2006. While this effort was ongoing, the recovery audit contractor identified improper payments totaling $1,198,443 for all of the OBDs. At the time of our audit, the recovery audit contractor stated that $916,711 (76 percent) had been recovered and $281,732 remained to be recovered. Additionally, the six OBD subcomponents included in our audit identified an additional $215,212 in improper payments, of which the subcomponents stated $203,896 (95 percent) was recovered, and $11,316 remained to be recovered.
However, we determined that the OBDs could be underreporting the improper payment amounts identified and recovered to JMD, due to breaks in communication. These breaks occur when the OBD subcomponents do not utilize the Notification of Erroneous Payments form (Attachment 2 of Financial Management Policies and Procedures Bulletin 05‑037) when reporting improper payments to JMD. Additionally, the OBDs' recovery audit program did not consider a review of all categories of payments as required by Bulletin 06‑11. Specifically, a review of all grant payments was not included in the OBDs' recovery audit program.
Federal Prison Industries. Beginning in July 2004, the FPI began using a private contractor to conduct recovery audits. Payments made in FY 2003 were reviewed and vendor letters requesting reimbursement for overpayments were sent for FYs 2003 through 2005. As of April 2006, a total of $43,182 in improper payments had been identified and confirmed from those fiscal years, and the FPI stated that $12,355 (29 percent) of this amount had been recovered. The FPI stated that it is in the process of recovering the remaining $30,827 from a single vendor and has requested that the funds be returned.
We determined that the FPI does not include a contract compliance review as required by Bulletin 06‑11. Specifically, according to FPI management, the contract compliance review had not started because the recovery audit contractor is not at the level to conduct this review. The recovery audit contractor operates in phases, and has not implemented the review yet. Further, we found that the FPI had not implemented a final written policy for its recovery audit program as required by Bulletin 06-11.
Drug Enforcement Administration. Although the DEA's initial recovery audit program began in FY 2004 and continued through FY 2005, it was not a comprehensive recovery audit program. Instead, a statistical sample of payments pulled from a population of all DEA payment categories, except payroll, were selected and tested to determine if any improper payments were made. Additionally, improper payments were identified by Contracting Officer Technical Representatives, Financial Management Division, as well as through other internal controls. In FY 2006, the DEA established a new recovery audit program, administered by the Financial Analysis and Reporting Unit (FNOF). The FNOF reviews all payments applicable to the IPIA, instead of sampling payments. This effort constitutes a comprehensive recovery audit program. As of May 2006, a total of $403,305 in improper payments were identified and confirmed from FYs 2003 through 2005. The DEA stated that it has recovered $386,833 (96 percent) of this amount and is in the process of recovering the remaining $16,472.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Although ATF began its internal recovery audit activities in 2001, as of May 2006, ATF stated that it had recovered only $8,830 (21 percent) of the $42,465 in improper payments it had identified, leaving $33,636 still to be recovered. ATF officials stated that they planned to pursue the remaining amount, as well as pursue collection of all identified improper payments.
We determined that ATF did not consider a review of all categories of payments required by Bulletin 06‑11. Specifically, ATF should expand the scope of its review to include all payments made from FY 2003 forward. Further, ATF could be underreporting the improper payment amounts identified and recovered to JMD because it is not tracking improper payments separately from other debts and it is not maintaining information on the scope of the improper payments identified and recovered.
We also noted that ATF needs to improve its policy implementation and compliance with existing requirements. We found that ATF should demonstrate progress toward utilizing the recovery audit contractor or in developing an internal recovery audit program compliant with all areas of Bulletin 06‑11 and other applicable laws and regulations. In addition, we found that ATF did not have a final written policy for its recovery audit program, which should be developed and implemented when a program is in place as required by Bulletin 06-11.
The scope of this audit did not include improper payments identified when an agency was unable to discern whether the payment was proper due to insufficient or lack of documentation. This type of improper payment was first defined in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-123, Appendix C, Requirements for Effective Measurement and Remediation of Improper Payments, August 2006.
Office of Management and Budget, Improving the Accuracy and Integrity of Federal Payments, February 2006.
The PAR is an annual report that provides information on an agency's actual performance and progress in achieving the goals in its strategic plan and performance budget.
In order to assess the OBDs, we selected a sample of six subcomponents of the OBDs to review and conclude upon compliance with the IPIA and the NDAA. The subcomponents selected were the: (1) Regime Crimes Liaison Office (RCLO), (2) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), (3) Civil Division (CIV), (4) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), (5) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and (6) Wireless Management Office (WMO). The methodology for the selection of the OBD subcomponents is detailed in Appendix I.
These totals are the amounts the recovery audit contractor identified and recovered for all of the OBD's components.
These totals are the additional amounts identified and recovered by the six OBD subcomponents that were included in the scope of this audit. The subcomponents included the: RCLO, COPS, OVW, WMO, CIV, and EOIR.
Financial Management Policies and Procedures Bulletin 05‑03, November 2004, details the OBDs' procedures for preventing, identifying, and recovering improper payments, including controls built into the OBDs' financial management system.
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by Amy Bukvich
Where will Mount Mary's mission take you? As Nancy Metzinger, head of the study abroad program would tell you, opportunities in social justice aren't limited to the United States. Many programs at Mount Mary College offer you the chance to to work, learn and serve overseas. A perfect example of international service learning is working at Alto Cayma.
In the valley between two volcanoes rests the Peruvian city of Arequipa. Arequipa is sometimes called "The White City." It is nicknamed for Sillar, the white volcanic stone that makes up most of its architecture. The middle class, modern city boasts the same conveniences as the U.S. Yet only miles away, families live in makeshift huts with no running water. On Arequipa's outskirts stand 35 squatter settlements. Though these people live in complete poverty, survival is possible because of one man's ministry.
A Catholic priest named Alex Busutill founded Alto Cayma in 1998. Padre (Father) Alex came from Malta, an island off the coast of Italy. Busutill is both a committed and charismatic man. He is loved by many, both locally and internationally.
Metzinger has met Busutill on multiple occasions. She admires his dedication to the relationships he's built with both his clients and fellow volunteers. Mount Mary has partnered with Alto Cayma for 10 years now for various projects. Busutill was a personal friend of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and shares her same compassionate spirit.
Alto Cayma has put itself on the map as a social justice site. Mount Mary students in the nursing, art therapy and foreign language programs are granted the opportunity to serve at Alto Cayma.
Alto Cayma is a place where the impoverished may migrate to receive basic standards of living. Residents also have access to transportation, health and child care. Perhaps most importantly, workshops are provided to teach skilled labor and help clients earn wages. Improvements are made annually, due to innovation and generous contribution.
According to Metzigner, roads have been paved from Arequipa and Alto Cayma within the last year. Previously the travel from Arequipa had been over rough terrain.
The primary focus of nursing students, of course, is to help in the clincs. Graduate students in the art therapy program arrange comunity-based art projects, mostly with children. Those from the the foreign language department may choose Peru for their immersion experience. These students attend university in Arequipa, but volunteer on the side. Spanish majors oftenprepare and deliver meals or work in the daycare of Alto Cayma.
Cheryl Von Asten, a student from Mount Mary's foreign language department, spent two months in Alto Cayma. She was granted the deeply moving experience of translating letters children wrote to people who sponsored them.
"It was like a casting call. The church was packed with kids and their families … People are really skeptical and doubtful that the money is being used in the ways people say it is," Von Asten said. "Most of the money is going directly to the kids … and that is something I really needed to see."
Von Asten also described the two churches she visited during her stay in Arequipo. The wealther church of her host family was polished, and so was its congregation. Parents and children dressed in their Sunday best, and put on a show as they strolled to the chapel. Everyone who passed them on the street were to know their destination. In turn, the adorned church was only used for services and silent prayer.
Though a significantly smaller building, the church of Alto Cayma was the town's meeting place. It became a community center for all kinds of gathering. Rather than conservative, like the middle class church, Busutill's church was a place of song and laughter, as well as fellowship and praise. The preiest accompanies the music with his guitar, which he appears to bring everywhere. The priest plans to expand his ministry by venturing further into the mountains, where he knows more people will travel to meet him.We cannot display this gallery


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Question: I'm worried about nuclear fallout from Japan, not for our two children but our two dogs and two cats. In fact, at this moment I'm buying potassium iodide for my family online. Should I also give this to our pets? — B.D., Seattle
Q: We keep our cats indoors but are still concerned about radiation from Japan. And since our cats are smaller than we are, we're very worried they could be impacted by smaller amounts of radiation. What should we do? — S.H., San Diego
Answer: The answer (at the time of publication) is to do nothing, says Dr. Michael Kent, associate professor of radiation oncology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. So far, the amount of radiation wafting here from Japan has been termed "negligible" by our government.


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There you are not being focused. You can't help it. It is as though it is totally out of your control. You start out focused and ready to spend time with God and then before you know it there is a distraction. Sometimes it's the phone, often it's a pet or a child, it could even be the door bell. It's a campaign to keep you from spending time with Jesus.
That's not the only issue. Besides the typical distraction, you have an attraction to distraction. There are apps, email, text messages, phones, to do's and all the have to's that fill your time. It's very easy to find no time left for God. He won't compete with the distractions in your life. He deserves and desires your full attention. Are you ready to devote time to Him? Not just the last few minutes at the end of the day when you finally think of Him but rather quality time set aside for you to be with Him?
Start today. Establish a distraction free zone where you can shut out the world and focus on Jesus. Be one with Christ in prayer and reflection. Seek him throughout the day in interactions with others and in nature. Focus on Christ and be blessed.
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Luke 9:23
And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Luke 9:23


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The life of a writer, author, creator of words means a life of ups and downs. Yep, and I must say - I LOVE IT!
However, there is a more realistic side to writing? It's a BUSINESS. Which means that those dreams of becoming a multi-million dollar author who produces Best Sellers, Movies, Product and more...isn't for everyone.
1) Learn the Biz as though you were a Literary Agent, Publisher, Foreign Rights Agent, Movie Producer, Script Writer...every aspect.
2) Create a quality product.
3) Pimp your product in the direction of choice (a) Lit Agent on up (b) Self-Publish with help of Lit Agent or Rights Agent.
4) Learn the Subsidiary Business (other places to sell your book)
5) Be creative, tenacious, and continue to pump out good products (one may hit at the right time and place.)
LASTLY, never give up.


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Download EBOOK The New Politics of North Carolina PDF for free
Category: Society & Social Sciences
The author of the book: Christopher A. Cooper
Format files: PDF, EPUB, TXT, DOCX
The size of the: 12.54 MB
Language: English
Edition: The University of North Carolina Press
Date of issue: 15 June 2008
Description of the book "The New Politics of North Carolina":This book offers an introduction to the state's politics and policy. Political scientist V. O. Key in 1949 described North Carolina as a "progressive plutocracy." He argued that in the areas of industrial development, public education, and race relations, North Carolina appeared progressive when compared to other southern states. Reconsidering Key's evaluation nearly sixty years later, contributors to this volume find North Carolina losing ground as a progressive leader in the South. The "new politics" of the state involves a combination of new and old: new opportunities and challenges have forced the state to change, but the old PDF culture still remains a powerful force.In the eleven original essays collected here, leading scholars of North Carolina politics offer a systematic analysis of North Carolina's politics and policy, placed in the context of its own history as well as the politics and policies of other states. Topics discussed include the evolution of political institutions; the roles of governors, the judicial branch, interest groups, and party systems; and the part played by economic development and environmental policy. Contributors also address how geography affects politics within the state, region, and nation. Designed with students and interested citizens in mind, this ePub collection provides an excellent introduction to contemporary North Carolina politics and government.
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text:
Watercoloured, a journal of arts and cultural enquiry based in Nelson, was launched in September 2014. Featuring reviews, essays, poetry, art projects and political commentary, Watercoloured exists to promote and encourage cultural conversation and debate. Locally-focused but with an eye on the horizon, Watercoloured is intent on skimming stones across Nelson's still waters.
Watercoloured, which is an Arts Council Nelson initiative, is published with assistance from a Creative Communities Scheme grant and is edited and produced by Nicholas Haig.
Watercoloured is available from galleries, libraries, cafes and bookstores in the Nelson and Tasman regions. Current and previous issues can also be downloaded from the Journal page.
Published quarterly, Watercoloured encourages submissions. For essay or project proposal pitches please email email@example.com


text:
I love love love to knit. I love sitting in front of the TV, at my friends house, in a coffee shop…you get the picture…and knitting for hours on end. It's esecially fun with a friend who knits or crochets too. We can talk about what's happengn in life and as I knit I feel the stress of life just sip away. The thing that makes this better: knitting for someone else! Someone I care about or who I know will appreciatetheir gift.
I'll let you into a little secret: I very rarely knit for myself!
There I said it! I am a very fussy knitter. I am somewhat of a perfectionist. I have been known to get 1/2 way through a piece and then simply give up because it just isn't good enough. Now the effort endured for others makes it orth it, but when it's for me, I see no point!
Today's little item is partially copied but I added my own spin. It is a traditinal baby jacket with a ribbon trimming. I plan to develop this more, and it's not my best work, but I love the concept and think I'll b spending a lot of my time in the future mixing techniques to seewhat happens.
So, it's a little upside down rght now, but I'll sort it out for you all tosee properly. Using a simple k1, p1 repetition every 2nd row I produced a cut little pattern. the blue and white ribbon just adds some zig to the otherwise plain cardigan.
The next cardigan I attempt wil be documented fully and put up here for you all to try out yourselves.


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Amongst Dubai's many beautiful and beyond words attractions This one is definitely a must see.. " Dubai Miracle Garden "...
Art found at Miracle Garden
Amongst Dubai's many beautiful and beyond words attractions
This one is definitely a must see..
"Dubai Miracle Garden"
It has a lot of good things to offer; aside from its spectacular lights and pretty flowers they made it a point to add twist from the place. I saw windmills, castles, bikes, huge popcorn, a car that is inverted and a mini version of Eiffel tower as well.
I may sound cliché but it was a good spot for a picture addict like me.
From my place at Al Karama we took a cab to get there, It just took us 45 minutes, we went there 4 in the afternoon. And if you'll going to ask me on how much we paid to get there? It's just 50 dirhams and I think it's cheap because we're 4 so we can divide the said payment. LOL :)
When we finally reached our destination, we goes straight to the ticket booth for the entrance fee, it cost 30 dirhams, with no long queue. Sometimes it opens from November up to April but this year it'll be closed this coming first week of May. This place is so relaxing and so attractive to the tourists like me. I would definitely go back to this place together with my Mom cos' I know she'll love this place as I loved it. Enjoy the photos.
PS: I would sincerely give Thanks to my auntie Ms. Marie Claire Salumbides for this
wonderful and relaxing experience. Aiwa!*
(*Aiwa is a term being used by Arabic's that means YES, and I usually says it when I'm happy) Lol. Forgive my randomness guys
|(L-R) Lyra, Tita Claire and Me
|(L-R) Tita Claire, Arianne, Me & Lyra
|Hat: Marks and Spencer
Dress: Online shop (I forgot where. LOL.)
White shoes: Stradivarius
Feeling like a princess? Absolutely YES!
and my prince? He's at the Philippines.
I'll end this blog post by reminding everyone that ...
" You should enjoy life once in a while, you might know when is the end of your story "


text:
Hi all, Following our recent major editor update, we just released a complete update of our history feature. That's actually the first update for this feature since we launched it...
To keep moving on the good wave of great news (our v6 for instance ;) ) we're thrilled to announce that we have released Glissando! :)
How it works?
You can find the icon in the articulations sub toolbar:
Once you click on it, it will automatically link itself to the next upcoming note. It will also work like a charm with chords as well:
That simple! We hope you will enjoy this great new feature as much as Romain enjoyed developing it :)
Have a great time on Flat!
Pierre & Romain
What do think about it? Feel free to send us a message or a tweet!
by Pierre Rannou
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Hi everyone, I can't tell you how proud and stoked we are to finally announce the release of the second version of our iOS application! What is Flat again? Flat is a music notation...


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Changing things in Canada is like trying to accelerate the gradual movement of a glacier; you can push all you want but things will crawl along and there is a good chance that you'll see snails and wheelchair-bound grannies whizzing by. Still, we have a vital parliamentary system that allows for several parties to play a role in governing our nation. This gives more Canadians a voice in governance since they're not faced with a "lesser of two evils" choice like our neighbours in the USA.
I realize that this is the last minute and all, but please bear with me. I'm not going to ask you to vote NDP, even though I did--they're not going to win in my riding of Chateauguay-St.Constant but neither are the tories--but I will make one small request. If you have any love for this country and all we've achieved, please don't vote for Stephen Harper and his Conservatives.
Stephen Harper also wants to build up our military and to support our American allies on their global preemptive warfare policies. This would mean invading Syria or Iran (which one is next on the Neo-con list? I imagine it would be whichever one has more oil) and also tarnishing our reputation as a nation that admires peace and diplomacy. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have a military but I don't think Canada should become another Great Britain, docile and always eager to please the Right-wing hawks of Washington. Let us keep our hands clean and let them take care of their own illegal invasions, thank you very much.
Harper also wants to sign on to the American Missile Defence Shield, and this would be another big mistake. Missile defence of this kind is illegal by NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) standards and would be sending the wrong message to the rest of the world, since the US will still have thousands of ICBMs pointed at other countries but would be nearly invulnerable to missile attacks. One could even argue that this could lead to a world war because the mutually assured destruction theory would go out the window. I'm sure most Canadians don't want to be caught in the middle of a global nuclear arms race.
The Conservatives not only disagree with the Kyoto Accord, they want us to pull out of it. This short-sighted view will hurt our ties to the European Union, a major trading block and potential market for Canadian exports. They are solidly behind Kyoto and a British MP has reputedly warned that Canada will look silly to pull out of the accord now, especially when Russia is on the fence and waiting to see who else backs it.
If I haven't convinced you yet, Stephen Harper doesn't believe that gays should be allowed to marry. This is a form of discrimination according to our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which he says is fundamentally flawed because it might offer protection to pedophiles. This is pure bullshit because our criminal laws already cover sex crimes and nobody is arguing to change the laws themselves since they serve a valuable purpose; keeping our children safe from exploitation. Harper and his Albertan base are just using the sexual predator issue to ban gay marriage, a completely different issue altogether.
Ontario, I don't mean to single you out but you're quite influential and populous, so it is important that we understand each other. I have many relatives living in your beautiful province and a couple of them have expressed interest in voting Conservative. If it's just for the tax breaks, you should remember that you're going to pay more in the long run if the Tories win. Their tax cuts will be erased by increased fees for government services, increased tuition for students, and most Canadians won't even save all that much (it will only affect people who earn enough to pay a large amount of tax). I don't have any exact figures, but by reading the Tory platform, you can see that they will have to eliminate some of the programs that we know and love if they want to avoid running a deficit.
They've already talked about scrapping the Atlantic Development Agency which will stab the Maritimes in the heart by depriving their lackluster economies of badly-needed investment. This will mean more maritimers being forced to rely on social assistance, and that will be paid for by guess who? Ontario, Alberta, and BC, because they are the wealthy provinces who pay more in Federal tax than they receive in transfer payments.
The Liberals may have their weak points and they've definately made some mistakes, but they are still a better choice than the Conservatives. Like Joe Clark so eloquently warbled (paraphrased...), "Better the devil you do know than one you don't. Vote Paul Martin before you think of going with Stephen Harper."
One last point to ponder is that Canada is proving that it is a very left-wing nation. The Green Party, the Liberals, the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP (all left-leaning parties) command over 65 percent of the vote, meaning if the left was united like the right (the Canadian Alliance swallowed the Progressive Conservatives, remember?), the choice would be clear. Instead, we're splitting our vote 4 ways and the Conservatives are the odds-on favourite to steal this election (with a minority government).
Locate your Electoral District.
If you believe in peace and prosperity, if you don't want us to become a virtual 51st state, if you have any friends or relatives who happen to be gay, if you believe in legalization of marijuana, if you believe that the church and the state should be separate, then voting for the Conservative Party is the wrong choice! (To get a better understanding of your political leanings based on the party platforms, visit Who Do I Vote 4.com to do a nifty little test that will give you an unbiased measure of which party really floats your boat.) Or, just vote liberal or Bloc or NDP and talk to your friends. It isn't too late to save Canada from the Blue Menace of Stephen Harper's Conservative Party; the polls close at 9:30 PM EST.


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Editorial: Thank you for that question, Lester
By Merrill Goozner
Modern Healthcare, September 24, 2016
(Question for candidates, proposed by the New York Times): "Health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs are rising rapidly. What would you do to control them?"
If I were advising a candidate on how to respond to that question, here's what I'd recommend he or she say:
"Thank you for that question, Lester. I understand why many Americans think their insurance premiums are rising rapidly. There's been a lot of attention paid to next year's increases for the individual policies sold on the Obamacare insurance exchanges, which will rise about 9% on average, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation survey."
"Employers are forcing individuals to pick up more of the cost of their plans."
"The employer portion of your health insurance is going up just 4% next year on average. That means the family share has to go up more than 5.5% to make up the difference."
"Employers are doing that by putting more of us in high-deductible plans. They're asking more of us to pay higher co-pays and deductibles. They are raising our portion of the premiums."
"So what can we do about it? First, we have to recognize this is a big experiment that has been endorsed by economists associated with both political parties. They say by forcing patients and consumers to have more skin in the game, they will become wiser healthcare shoppers."
"I say, to make that work, we have to have total transparency — in healthcare prices, in insurance prices, in which doctors and hospitals are in health plan networks, in quality ratings, and with good, easy-to-understand information about what constitutes the most effective and cost-effective care. I pledge to work night and day to give consumers the information they need to make smarter choices in the healthcare marketplace."
"And if some people simply can't afford to put money into the health savings accounts accompanying these plans, let's remove some of the tax subsidies given high-income people for their health insurance so we can finance a generous federal match for what lower-income people contribute."
"Let me now turn to what can we do about those rising individual rates for plans sold on the exchanges. The bottom line is we need more people to sign up. The No. 1 reason why rates are rising is that not enough healthy uninsured people signed up for coverage."
"We need everyone who is uninsured to jump into the individual insurance pool."
By Don McCanne, M.D.
Merrill Goozner certainly understands the political realities about health policy. To a question on health costs that could be part of tonight's presidential debate, he suggests an answer for the candidates that aligns with the current financing system under the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, because of the restrictions he apparently placed on himself, it's a terribly deficient answer.
For the problem of high-deductibles he suggests making patients better shoppers through greater transparency in prices, in network composition and in quality ratings. But that would have almost no impact on making the deductibles and other cost sharing more affordable.
He accepts the dubious concept that health savings accounts should accompany these high-deductible plans, and further suggests that the accounts for lower-income individuals be subsidized. Health savings accounts are strictly an administrative tool that increases the complexity and waste in health care financing. When the accounts are depleted, beneficial health care services are forgone – not a desirable outcome. If you are going to have first dollar coverage built into the HSAs, why not instead save administrative hassles and expenses by building first dollar coverage into the insurance program itself?
For the high premiums of the exchange plans, he suggests enrolling more of the healthy to dilute the risk pool. But the low-lying fruit has been picked. The policy community is beside itself in trying to figure out how to bring more into the exchange plans, while having only negligible success in doing so.
Goozner is certainly highly respected by me and others, but we wish that he and others like him would move beyond feeble patchwork solutions and support a program that would make health care accessible and permanently affordable for all. Of course that would be a single payer national health program – an improved Medicare for all. Goozner understands that we won't hear that from either candidate tonight, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be asking for that response.


text: This awesome Japanese jazz fusion duo made up of Oohashi Takuya and Tokita Shintarou opened the first night of performances at Japan Night. From their enthusiastic and energetic performance, you'd have no idea both members are actually in their late 30s! Of the songs they performed, my favourite one without a doubt was Zenryoku Shounen.


text:
We've turned 2! Our present to you?
A free 16″ Throw Pillow with every purchase!
One is the loneliest number. And two? Well, everything's better in pairs. Think about it…
Mac & Cheese, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Bert & Ernie, Batman & Robin, DENY & You… You get the point!
To celebrate our terrific 2nd birthday, we'll be pairing your order up with a complimentary throw pillow! Make a purchase on DENY Designs today only (3/26) and receive a free 16" throw pillow of your choice with your order! It's our way of saying thank you for two incredible years, while also giving your order a stylish companion.
Simply add the 16" throw pillow of your choice to your shopping cart and use the following discount code at checkout to receive your complimentary throw pillow with purchase: terrifictwos
Free pillow is good for 16" throw pillow size only and only valid with a purchase on 3/26/2013. Not valid on fabric sample purchases. In the event of a return, pillow must be returned with order to receive full monetary refund.


text:
Dagger Earring
This product is currently sold out.
All of our earrings are sold as single so you can mix and match! If you would like a pair, please update your order quantity to 2.
Your Sterling Silver Heart of Bone earring is handmade especially for you. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery within Australia and 14-21 days for international orders.
All of our earrings and fittings are solid sterling silver.


text: Konarka Technologies Inc. of Lowell, Mass., a maker of products that convert light to energy, announced that scientist Christoph Brabec, formerly its director of polymer photovoltaics, has been named the company's chief technology officer. Before joining Konarka in September 2004 as part of its acquisition of Siemens' organic photovoltaic research group, Brabec was project leader for organic semiconductor devices at Siemens Corporate Technology. Prior to that, he worked with Alan Heeger, Konarka's founding scientist, director and winner of the 2000 Nobel Chemistry Prize for his semiconducting and metallic polymers research. Brabec has authored or co-authored more than 100 papers, filed over 30 patents and presented at numerous technical symposia in the US and Europe.


text:
The question is do I invite my fuck buddy to my graduation party now that my girfriend found out about her?
We need you. We already made it on global news and are drunk at the election party.
As I climbed in the bathroom window from the room I noticed both him rommates staring and talking about me in the hall...
You are beautiful! I got thrown out of a bar tonight for throwing my shoe. It was at my sister, I don't know why they were mad. I know her.
it took me 20 minutes to get her upstairs... she crawled under a car and wouldn't come out.
not to be a dick but do you remember the names of all your friends i made out with after we broke up?
He was ugly. Like horse ugly. But he was built for power, not for speed.
Just took my birth control pill next to the cubicle where we had sex last semester.
Although, to be fair, I am both willing and going to lick marshmallow fluff off of your dick.
Osama's death just kick started our Cinco de mayo celebration. Margaritas for anyone wearing red white and blue!
koolaid chicken. i marinated it for 2 hours and roasted it on a rock in a fire. it was bright blue and raw. but that shit was tasty
I've started bribing my dorm's security guard with cookies so that he doesn't tell all the boys i'm hooking up with about each other.
i just remember pinky promising you guys to take care of him.
Do you think you can get drunk by standing in a tank of vodka if it is seeping into your skin?


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10 September 2014 at 3.15pm | 28 Comments
Don't Stop The Music, a new campaign headed by pianist James Rhodes, aims to improve provision for teaching music in schools.
Inspired by the notion that every child should have the chance to play an instrument, the campaign coincides with James's two-part Channel 4 series of the same name. The first episode was filmed at St Teresa's primary school in Basildon. Following on from the series, ROH Bridge - one of ten national organizations that work to connect children and young people with art and culture - will be working with St Theresa's and other schools in the area to further their involvement with the arts.
'I want music to inspire brighten, and improve the lives of every child in this country, but today thousands of primary school kids aren't getting the opportunity to learn an instrument,' says James of why he believes the campaign is important. 'I've met music teachers who have as little as £2.20 to spend per child, per year. Others tell me they have a big fat zero. For some children, music lessons mean playing dustbin lids or biscuit tins. We're at risk of failing a generation.'
As well as asking for instrument donations, the campaign also features a petition, lobbying the government to deliver a good music education for every child, regardless of background or ability to pay, as well as the chance to learn an instrument.
Don't Stop The Music follows lobbying from arts organizations on the importance of creative subjects within the curriculum. Many arts organizations, including the Royal Opera House, work with schools and local communities to give them access to all-important cultural activities and learning.
Donate an instrument and back the campaign via the Don't Stop The Music website.


text:
we are a band. and we are friends. one friend is playing the drums. the other friend is playing the guitar. we record stuff with our microphones and our 16-track harddisk recorder and sometimes we play live. then there are even more friends who join
Limited Vinyl LP + CD
The 13 track vinyl edition comes with a free CD copy for all you digital folks. This issue is limited to 300 pieces!12,00 €
Digital Album
Immediate download of 13-track album in your choice of MP3 320, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.8,00 €


text:
stupid people who laugh at...
Saddams hanging. It is not funny, in fact I refuse to watch it. Mostly due to the reports of people shouting abuse at him as he died. Some retard, well actually a real life friend of mine just posted this myspace bulletin:
Jan 3 2007 22:13
Subject just watched saddams hanging...
Body: ...HAHA! that'll fuckin learn him!..cunt.
what should i respond to this?
delete your friend
on myspace and in real life
that seems fair
occasionally I get one
in all seriousness this friend doesn't sound like good friend material
Good idea?
A real friend of yours? And you are going to no longer be friends with him because he made a stupid comment on Myspace? Seems a bit harsh.
we don't see much of
what does myspace have to do with it?
he watched a film in which an old man was killed and it gave him so much satisfaction that he had to tell the world (in appalling grammar) and call the dead man a cunt
can't speak for you or doubtful but that doesn't seem like the kind of person I'd want popping round for tea
Old Man = using language to gain sympathy
Appalling grammar so what? Calling a dead man a cunt - most people probably would have called him a cunt when he was alive but now he is dead he suddenly is not?
he was one of a long roster
of nasty people - some of whom get away with murder, some of whom don't
UK taxpayers gave Pinochet a rather cushy House Arrest a few years back I seems to recall - Jack Straw somehow couldn't muster the will to bring him to trial
odd wouldn't you say
double standards at least
I don't agree with the death penalty.
I don't agree with what doubtfuls friend said. And yes some get away with murder and some don't, this doesn't make the people who do not get away with murder more innocent though. Yes double standards exist but this doesn't mean we should have lower standards.
all true
I still say I don't want doubtful's friend popping round my house for tea
He says he's really upset now,
as was looking forward to scones and afternoon tea.
"Take that back. Saddam was a great guy, if you can just overlook the murders and shit, he was COMPLETELY innocent.
Apart from that moustache, crime against fasion if I ever saw one! Who's with me?!"
if this option gets enough
votes i'll do it.
i really like crackers and brie
not the white stuff on brie though, that tastes bad.
Brie is a fitty.
Blind girl was hotter though.
the white stuff is good,
indeed. what kind of crackers though?
I think Saddam
was a normal guy but he was possessed by an ancient evil spirit which left his body just before he was hung. It is now roaming the DiS boards looking for a new host. The emptiest vessels are most appealing to it as they're easiest to subdue
i think it
was a body thetan.
You might be onto something.
These past couple of days, I've REALLY started hating Kurds...
I think he did the CIA's dirty work for a while
and then they turned on him after he failed to deliver Iran
odd that Rumsfeld went to Baghdad 2 weeks after Halabja and shook his hand (note: the official US state department story at the time and until very recently was that the Kurds were gassed by Iran) but then invaded 'his' country 18 or so years later and had him hung
Worst Conspiracy Ever.
care to elaborate
I'm not quite sure I catch your gist
bare in mind that what is reported in the media in the UK and what is reported in Sweden often conflict
bare /bear blah
I don't defend anything Saddam did - I just despair at the general public's reluctance to look any deeper into things than 'It wos the Sun wot Hung it!' or whatever
you could get someone
to send them the link to this thread.
i am god
I don't play god


text:
Following on from a poem I wrote recently entitled The Gift of Shower Gel - Christmas Eve 1997 in which I explore what my eleven year old self considered as successful and, er, less successful presents, I'd like to expand further on its last line:
"would kiss two cheeks twice for a calculator watch."
Of course, by 1997 my wrist already sported a calculator watch, as was the fashion of the day. But there was an upgrade. Always an upgrade. I prayed that Santa knew his Casio from his Seiko and had what Bill Bailey calls "The Laminated Book of Dreams" in his reference library, otherwise known as the Argos catalogue.
During the first or second year of Secondary School, my beloved Casio Calculator Watch went missing. When I say went missing, I mean a substitute P.E Teacher stole it. It went into his sports bag before a lesson one day and - like the teacher - was never seen again.
My mum wrote to my tutor and after a little bit of wrangling, was given a cheque to cover the price of the stolen watch. Then, miraculously, the light-fingered teacher found it "within the lining of his sports bag". He offered to give it back, but by that time I had my heart set on the upgrade. And 14 years on, this watch still adorns my wrist.
I recently had a new battery fitted. The watch has still retained names and numbers of my primary school friends within its data bank to this day. However, one piece of information that has returned after a sizeable hiatus is the scrolling reminder:
It scrolls beside the date 27th February. "MGSOLID" refers to Metal Gear Solid and 27th February (I had assumed up till now) refers to the date this was released on the Playstation in 1998. However, a Wikipedia search reveals that it wasn't until later that year on 16 November 1998 that it was released in the UK. 2-27 could relate to my membership number at the local video shop, but it's unlikely. The point is, I was so excited about Metal Gear Solid being released that I updated my watch to remind myself about it.
So here's to my Casio mark II and to Metal Gear Solid, one of the best video games I've ever played!


text:
Internal Medicine and Primary Care Clinic.
We now offer Saturday appointments.
A wellness visit, also known as annual physical, is a preventive care visit to your Primary Care Provider (PCP).
Allergies are highly prevalent in the US with more than 50 million people living with allergy related problems.
We provide a comprehensive medical evaluation and medically supervised weight loss plan.
Sign up to hear from us.
Our clinic is Primary Care Clinic and we will serve as your PCP. Primary care provider (PCP) is a healthcare practitioner who is either a physician (MD or DO), NP or PA as allowed under state law, who provides, co-ordinates or helps a patient access a range of health care services.
Our clinic is a Primary care clinic in Frisco and we provide most of minor urgent care services. We are also proud to serve as a walk in clinic and accommodating same day appointments for urgent health problems for a new or established patients.
We provide comprehensive physical exam for women from head to toe, which includes Clinical breast exam for breast cancer screening, pelvic test with pap test for cervical cancer screening.
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We love our Customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
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Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm


text:
She used a yard sale frame, a scrap piece of beadboard from the clearance bin at Home Depot (you won't believe how much she paid for it) and her amazing ability to make something from nothing to create this.
My list of things I want to make just got bigger!
Today's Fabulous Find...{Bless This Home} Frame w/Beadboard


text:
Dynamo: Campaign for Syrian children helping me in battle with Crohn's
The magician recently spoke to world leaders about the importance of education for Syrian refugees.
Magician Dynamo has said his campaign to get Syrian refugee children into education has helped him get better faster in his battle with Chron's disease.
The TV star recently addressed world leaders in Brussels in a bid to secure funding to get refugee children into schools.
Outside the European Parliament in Brussels. Education for Syrian Children now. #YouPromised #SyriaConf2018 pic.twitter.com/HS639Akx71— Dynamo (@Dynamomagician) April 24, 2018
He told the Press Association: "It's given me something really serious to focus on that has meant that I'm not focused on myself.
"I've had commitments that I've had to fulfil regardless of how I've been feeling on a day-to-day basis.
"Obviously I've not always been 100% but I think in a way it's helped for me to get better faster.
"I'm not there yet but I think because I've had something to do and I've been forcing myself to just get out and go and do the work rather than wallowing in bed then it's meant that I've just got on with stuff and over time I've got stronger.
Taking our message to the UN conference alongside @SarahBrownUK #YouPromised pic.twitter.com/Q7pErDPVli— Dynamo (@Dynamomagician) April 24, 2018
"I'm kind of definitely on the road to recovery and also seeing the lives that these children are having to live through, I'm in no position to complain about any adversities in my life because I've got it quite lucky.
"I live alright. Yeah, I've got an illness and yeah, I've had adversity growing up but I've not had to go to a refugee camp without education and I don't think anybody should have to do that.
"That is what we are trying to sort out."
The magician, who has teamed up with charity Theirworld for the campaign, spoke on stage at the Supporting The Future Of Syria and The Region Meeting in Brussels.
This week @dynamomagician and @sarahbrownuk are in Brussels to present the #YouPromised petition to world leaders. Add your voice TODAY - tell world leaders that we have not forgotten the promise they made #Syriaconf2018 https://t.co/H1ueYW1RNw— Theirworld (@theirworld) April 23, 2018
It follows the launch of his short film 72 Hours, which has been shared online by stars including Liam Payne and Cara Delevingne, and includes his visit to meet refugee children in Lebanon.
Please watch the full video and retweet. #YouPromisedhttps://t.co/KGORtBftBw— Dynamo (@Dynamomagician) April 18, 2018
He said: "When you meet these kids, they are inspiring. The ones that are being educated are inspiring and even the unlucky few that are not in education yet, just their resilience is inspiring.
"They are true survivors in this world, they don't know why they are there probably, they don't really understand the whole Syrian conflict, but they are just getting on with their little lives and I think it's important we make their lives better."
He said speaking on stage was "one of the first times I've been nervous" adding: "I knew how important it was not just to do the right thing and say the right thing but how important it is for these 680,000 children that are going to be a lost generation without education."
Press Association


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Dying that summer is finally here. I have moved all my wintery things to the back of my closet, except for long sleeve shirts because my office is like an igloo. There are so many cute things out there for Summer..here are a few picks to get started....
Rikshaw Designs Ditsy Camp Shirt $90
Talbots Silk Duponi Pleated Skirt $159 (comes in many colors)
S & K Large Summer Tote $48
Banana Republic Palm Print Patio Skirt $88
Stuart Weitzman Flapper Toe Sandals $185
Lilly Pulitzer Sarasota Tunic $148
Virginia Johnson for J. Crew Tote $148
Gap Embroidered Split Neck Dress $49.99
I just got this and love it...
L.L. Bean Seaside Beach Towel $29.50
Gap Boyfriend Roll-up shorts $39.95
J Crew Cashmere Tee $148
Mimosa Lane The Shop Pink Rhombus Pouch $40
Sail to Sable Nautical Navy Tunic $198
and in case you missed my new favorite tote...
Muche et Muchette Tote $39
I am already plotting my outfits for the 5 long days I will be selling my wares at the Atlanta Gift Show. I am dying for a Rikshaw tunic and my friend Lynley and I are hosting a trunk show for them next week, so I will get to pick one out to add to my tunic collection. Tunics and white jeans, my summer uniform..not much changes from year to year!
xoxo, kp


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Our friends at CAIR and other Muslim advocacy groups are alarmed by this and are calling it a form of racial profiling.
I spent some time today reading all I could about the Congressman. I must say, I can't find anything objectionable about what he is doing or his positions. I invite you to read an ope-ed he recently penned in Long Island (NY)'s Newsday:
Which of his facts do we disagree with? Which of his positions do we find unreasonable?
- Let me address the Congressman and one of his key concerns first. Congressman, there are Muslims who hang their heads in shame by the denials within our community that 9/11 was the work of others. Let this serve as an unconditional apology to the broader community of fellow humans for our failure in what would be our religious duty to bear witness even against our own and ourselves in defense of the truth. Our faith prohibits us from holding our tribal affiliations above the truth but we certainly haven't been living by our faith for some time.
- The Congressman's history with the Muslim community and the facts he states about the rampant state of denial among local Muslims leaders in many communities is absolutely on the mark.
- Those of us who know the Muslim community well cannot deny he fact that that somewhere deep down in our psyche we always put a BUT when it comes to our position on suicide bombing and terrorism. We see the wrongs done by terrorists and the flaws in the ways of the Radicals, yet we feel the injustices done against Muslims somehow leave room for those reactions. Shame on us. Islam in absolutely unequivocal about fitnah. Until we get past this first step, this cancer is going to devour our communities, here in the US and globally.
- Like the Congressman I want to know what in the world is going on. Why was the fool in Portland, OR thinking there was anything noble about killing women and children from an early age? Yes he felt the pain of Muslims around the world, but why didn't his faith teach him to cause a peaceful struggle (the greater jihad) to bring peace to Muslim lands? What about Faisal Shehzad - the man claimed he would love to die many times over for his cause. Why did his brain shrink to such a narrow way to respond to the crisis in Muslim lands? Why didn't he seek a real albeit slow solution that requires constant striving? What about the Zazi? What about the imam who tried to tip Zazi off?
Fact is, Muslims have good hearts but we are LOST in this world. Any nation that fell so far down so quickly would have a crisis of the sort we are having. Many of of our formal and informally placed leaders are steeped in frustration, lack clarity in their thinking and struggle at best on taking a position on issues. This lack of clarity about what our faith mandates us under such circumstances is confusing many in the community-at-large.
There is ABSOLUTELY no room in Islam for random acts of violence against people who are not armed and standing in combat against you. Even in such circumstances you don't fight to cause greater harm to others, you do so to disarm the fool who is fighting you.
Suicide bombing or bombing of civilians is against the most fundamental teachings of Islam. Absolutely no exceptions.
Fellow Muslims, step 1 is to acknowledge we have a problem. Let's get rid of our shabby tribalism and side with the truth, even if such truth condemns us in the short run.
Peter King, go ahead with the hearings.
Our Lord, have mercy on this community and give us leaders who will help us think with clarity and help restore our position as the standard bearers of truth and justice.


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|My pregnant nieces and my Mom
Lauren is due in one week and CeCe is due in a month
I have so much to tell you about our Women Empowered Beyond Beautiful Conference at our church.
It was a wonderful time with amazing ladies from several churches around. The Word was filling, the fellowship was beautiful, the worship was heavenly...we were at the very feet of Jesus each service.
If your church has ever put together a conference for women, then you know how much work goes into it. It's a ton of work, planning, money, time, but it is so worth it.
Our theme Beyond Beautiful was just what our ladies needed. I love the theme and it is one that I will ever carry with me. When I say, our ladies, I am including myself in that as well.
The altar was full of women letting the love of our Savior wash over them. Healing the broken pieces that we have carried for so long. Using God's measuring stick instead of mans and realizing that we have value. It was so wonderful, each night, I never wanted a service to end.
|My beautiful parents:
Bishop Ronald and Pastor Lorraine Estep
Here are some highlights that I gathered from each message:
Friday Night-Pastor Helen Bledsoe:
A Woman Beyond Beautiful
1. Values herself and she knows that she is valued by God
Whose measuring stick are you using?
2. Values others
3. Values what God values
Saturday Morning-Me:
"...But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30b
God is not requiring us to do everything that the Proverbs 31 woman did each day. He is wanting us to do what He has placed before us, in the fear (worship, revere, adore, exalt, please, satisfy) of the LORD. Just do it as unto the LORD.
A woman who fears the LORD is transformed Beyond Beautiful...the inside, outshines the outside.
Saturday Night-Pastor Helen Bledsoe:
The caterpillar is born as small as the head of a pin. He eats and eats, outgrowing his skin 5 times. He is preparing for his days in the cocoon. He first climbs up higher to the end of a branch. From inside of him, a silk like substance starts to spin around him. Then as we all know, he has to break forth out of the cocoon. He kicks out one wing and then another until he is totally free. His wings are too wet to fly so he must dry them in the sun.
The caterpillar is transformed from an ugly fur ball to a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly has 3 purposes.
1. To fly
2. To mate
3. To reproduce
This message was so powerful and I do believe it could be a complete series.
I may be in my cocoon, allowing God to do His work on me, but I will emerge Beyond Beautiful.
Beyond what the world says is beautiful. Beyond my own preconceived ideas of beautiful. I will be His beautiful butterfly.
Sunday Morning-Pastor Lorraine Estep:
To go Beyond Beautiful we must go beyond what the world says is our worth.
We are chosen, we are approved and we are good enough
Our past is our past. We are forgiven. It no longer has authority over our lives.
Shadows cannot hurt you. Turn on the light and see that what we think can hurt us, actually has no power.
Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...You are walking through. That means you will get to the other side. He will take us through.
The shadows of our past try to haunt us and keep us from making it through but they are just shadows. We can turn on the light.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1: 7 NKJV)
This message wrapped it all up for us, taking us through what we use to hold us captive. Our thoughts, our past, our shortcomings, our preconceived ideas of what is good enough. So many think they will start living for the LORD when they are good enough. When we come to the LORD, He makes us good enough. He knows our past, our failures, our sins, our temptations...He loves us through it and cleanses us. He holds us and wraps us up in His wonderful grace.
There is freedom in knowing that:
We are chosen
We are approved
We are good enough
I could keep going on about each message but I know we don't have all day to sit and read about my weekend. It was spectacular and I am so thankful that I got to be a part of it.


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Sunday, 6 October 2013
pink fuzz
Source: stockholmstreetstyle/ thesartorialist
Totally enamoured with this baby pink furry clutch. I know I've seen it on the runways somewhere but I've forgotten the label. Does anyone know who it's by?
Posted by Fashion Tidbits at 18:00
Labels: blogger, clutches, handbags, photographer, streetstyle
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Social dialogue statistics
Social dialogue is any type of negotiation, consultation or exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating directly to work and related economic and social policies.
The extent to which workers can express themselves on work related matters and participate in defining their working conditions is an important dimension of decent work. This can be channelled through collectively chosen representatives or involve direct interaction between workers and employers. The ability of workers to organise freely to defend their interests collectively in negotiations with the employer is a pivotal element of democracy at the workplace and the effectiveness of social dialogue.
Strikes and lockouts are one measure of the failure of social dialogue. They are perhaps the most high profile aspect of social dialogue, at least in terms of media coverage and public impact and attention. At the same time in certain circumstances, the absence of strike action could indicate the absence of the right to strike and/or weak social dialogue.
Current international guidelines
The current international statistical guidelines on strikes, lockouts and collective agreements were adopted by the 15th ICLS in 1993. The ILO Resolution concerning statistics of strikes, lockouts and other action due to labour disputes provides definitions for strikes and lockouts as well as for the number of workers involved in them, as follows:
- A strike is a temporary work stoppage effected by one or more groups of workers with a view to enforcing or resisting demands or expressing grievances, or supporting other workers in their demands or grievances.
- A lockout is a total or partial temporary closure of one or more places of employment, or the hindering of the normal work activities of employees, by one or more employers with a view to enforcing or resisting demands or expressing grievances, or supporting other employers in their demands or grievances.
- Workers involved in a strike: Workers directly involved in a strike are those who participate directly by stopping work. Workers indirectly involved in a strike are those employees of the establishments involved, or self-employed workers in the group involved, who did not participate directly by stopping work but who were prevented from working because of the strike.
- Workers involved in a lockout: Workers directly involved in a lockout are those employees of the establishments involved who were directly concerned by the labour dispute and who were prevented from working by the lockout. Workers indirectly involved in a lockout are those employees of the establishments involved who were not directly concerned by the labour dispute but who were prevented from working by the lockout.
The subject of collective agreements was examined by the Third International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 1926 which adopted the "Resolution concerning statistics of collective agreements". This Resolution contains detailed recommendations on definitions, methods of compiling the statistics and classification of the data (according to the nature of the contracting parties, the scope of application of the agreement, the subjects regulated, the duration of validity , the method of conclusion of the agreements, the industries covered and the industrial importance of the agreements).
A little bit of history
The subject of statistics of industrial disputes was considered in 1926 by the Third International Conference of Labour Statisticians, which adopted a resolution defining disputes and laying down detailed principles for determining the importance of a dispute (number of establishments and number of workers involved, duration for the dispute, number of work days lost) and for their classification (according to the matter in dispute, the result of the dispute, the method of settlement of the dispute, the industries affected, the importance of the dispute and the among of wages lost by the dispute. This topic was again discussed by the 14th ICLS in 1987 but no resolution was adopted at the time.
The 17th International Conference of Labour Statisticians discussed the topic of Trade Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage. However, no guidelines were adopted and this remains a work in progress.
National statistics on social dialogue and ILO compilation activities
Very few countries have developed statistics on collective agreements and their progress depends to some extent on the methods of trade union organisation and on labour legislation. In contrast, more countries produce national statistics on strikes and lockouts, trade union membership and collective bargaining coverage, albeit with different methodologies which depend on the administrative source of the statistics. These may be records of conciliation services, services concerned with labour relations, strikes notices, newspaper reports and direct enquiries addressed to employers or to workers ' organisations.
The ILO regularly compiles and disseminates statistics on the number of strikes and lockouts (those beginning during the year plus those continuing from the previous year), the number of workers involved in these strikes (directly and indirectly), and the days not worked as a result of these strikes and lockouts, as well as severity rates of days not worked (number of days not worked per 1000 workers), by economic activity.
Since the 1990s, the ILO has established a small database covering statistics on trade union membership. It covers around 45 countries and statistics are taken from official national statistical publications. In 2003 the ILO collected, on an experimental basis, national statistics for around 35 countries on the a number of indicators of social dialogue, for example, on (a) trade union density, i.e., number of workers who are members of a workers' association as a percentage of employment (or wage employment), by major industrial groups; and on (b) the number of persons covered by collected agreements, also as a percentage of employment (or paid employment), by major industrial groups. These statistics are not in LABORSTA, but can be viewed in Working Paper No. 59 - Social Dialogue Indicators: Trade Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage, Statistical Concepts, Methods and Findings


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It is official: Today marks the start of my "Financial Literacy Initiative." Thanks to the support of several institutions, including Dartmouth College and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, I can now launch this new initiative. For those of you who have not followed my work closely, I have devoted my research in the past six years to financial literacy and topics related to financial literacy (for example, financial education). My work will not only intensify but will also aim to a large public. In this blog, you will read not only how to measure your financial literacy but also how to improve your financial literacy. You will also read about the results of academic research (not only mine but also those of other authors) that provides useful suggestions and recommendations for our financial decisions, and much more!
Let me start this initiative by summarizing as briefly as possible what I have done so far. My work will continue from here.
In collaboration with Olivia Mitchell from the Wharton School, I have documented an alarmingly low level of financial literacy among older people in the United States. In our sample of older respondents from the Health and Retirement Study, we find that over half of respondents cannot undertake a simple calculation regarding interest rates over a 5-year period and do not know the difference between nominal and real interest rates. An even larger percentage of respondents do not know whether or not a single company stock is riskier than a stock mutual fund. We have also shown that financial illiteracy is related to the inability to devise and implement financial plans. That is, one reason people fail to plan is because they are financially unsophisticated. Our work demonstrates that planning behavior can explain the differences in savings and why some people arrive close to retirement with very little or no wealth. This is only one of the disturbing consequences of financial illiteracy. Consumers with low literacy are also less likely to participate in the stock market, and they are more likely to have problems paying off debt.
Our work has also evaluated the role and effects of financial education programs. Most large firms, particularly those offering Defined Contribution pensions, offer some form of education program. The evidence to date on the effectiveness of these programs is very mixed. In our work, we find that seminars do affect wealth holdings. Estimated effects are sizable, especially for the least wealthy. Moreover, we have argued that it is not surprising that one retirement seminar may change behavior only modestly. The few available studies of the topic indicate how many seminars were offered or how many participants attended; in general, participants appear to attend only once or a handful of times. It is unlikely that widespread financial illiteracy will be "cured" by a one-time benefit fair or a single seminar on financial economics. This is not because financial education is ineffective, but because these programs are too small with respect to the size of the problem they are trying to address.
Our efforts to examine the causes and consequences of financial illiteracy have also been extended to datasets beyond the Health and Retirement Study permitting us to assess financial literacy and financial sophistication for many different groups U.S. respondents. For instance, with our cooperation, our questions on financial literacy have been incorporated into the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and the Rand American Life Panel. We have also been successful in getting several European institutions to add similar questions to household surveys in their own countries. For example, a recent Italian Survey on Household Income and Wealth included some of these questions, and I have worked with the Dutch Central Bank to design questions to measure both financial literacy and financial sophistication in the Netherlands.
I have organized and continue to design new conferences that explore ways to increase the effectiveness of financial education programs. One very influential conference was held at Dartmouth College in October 2005 (www.dartmouth.edu/~lusardiworkshop/ ) and a second at the NBER in Cambridge MA in May 2008 (www.dartmouth.edu/~conference2007/index.htm). These two conferences brought together practitioners, policymakers, and academics from economics, psychology, and marketing. By examining data from newly available surveys and combining knowledge and experience from different fields, the conferences sought to develop new methods and strategies to improve employer-provided financial education programs. Information and insights from these conferences are described in the book that I am publishing this year and that compiles contributions of some of the most highly regarded experts in the fields of financial education, savings, pensions, insurance, and portfolio choice. This book, entitled Overcoming the Saving Slump: How to Increase the Effectiveness of Financial Education and Saving Programs, examines not only the experience of the United States but also the experience of other countries, such as Sweden, Chile, and OECD nations. It is forthcoming from the University of Chicago Press.
Key Publications
The complete list of my publications and working papers appears in my CV posted on my web page. Some of publications that have been most influential include:
• My paper "Saving and the Effectiveness of Financial Education" was published in the book Pension Design and Structure: New Lessons from Behavioral Finance, eds Olivia Mitchell and Stephen Utkus (Oxford University Press, 2004). It was later reprinted in the Journal of Financial Transformation, vol. 15, December 2005.
• My study joint with Olivia Mitchell "Baby Boomer Retirement Security: The Role of Planning, Financial Literacy, and Housing Wealth," appeared in the Journal of Monetary Economics in January 2007. This paper was awarded the Fidelity Pyramid Prize, a $50,000 award given to authors of research that best helps address the goal of improving lifelong financial well-being for Americans.
• The paper joint with Olivia Mitchell "Planning and Financial Literacy: How Do Women Fare?" appeared in the American Economic Review. It documents the very low level of financial literacy among older women in the United States.
• My paper joint with Peter Tufano "Debt Literacy, Financial Experience, and Overindebtness" has been widely cited in the press because it documents a strong relationship between financial illiteracy and debt problems.
And the effort will continue. More on the next blog!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Financial Literacy Initiative
Posted by Annamaria Lusardi at 6:25 PM
1 comment:
- chandra said...
This is world class write up! outstanding.
Financial Literacy Questionnaire
- February 22, 2011 at 4:27 AM
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
Slutty Babies
Babies in heels? I'm kind of ok with it. They will start their glam training early, and shun flip flops. Also, babies in heels will probably fall a lot and that's funny.
via Crunk & Disorderly
Posted by itsbritneybitch at 6:53 PM
Labels: baby heels, heelarious, shoes
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Western Digital has released a new 10,000 rpm hard drive called the VelociRaptor, which aced the battery of performance tests that PC World's Test Center threw at it. With a MTBF (mean time between failure) of 1.2 million hours, this drive is entirely suited for the enterprise, though WD is setting its sight on gamers and enthusiasts as well.
Excerpt from The Washington Post:
Unlike many hard drives, which show strengths and weaknesses in our tests, the $300 VelociRaptor actually demonstrated its strength across the PC World Test Center's entire suite of hard drive tests. In one of its most impressive feats, the VelociRaptor required just 89 seconds to write 3.06GB of files and folders, besting the next-best drive in our chart, the Western Digital Caviar SE16 750GB, by 32 seconds—a 26 percent improvement.
What I find interesting about this drive is the fact that, though it is a drive designed to fit into a 3.5-inch drive bay, it essentially sports a 2.5-inch chassis. The reason for this design approach was to squeeze out as much performance as possible.
You can forget about sneaking one of these into your laptop though. Due to concerns over excessive heat generation, WD mounted the 2.5-inch VelociRaptor drive into a heat sink sled, which doubles as a mounting adapter for 3.5-inch bays. WD says this reduces the temperature by about five degrees.
The VelociRaptor will enter mass distribution in mid-May.
If you purchased a rackmount HP server recently, you will likely have noticed that the company appears to have standardized on 2.5-inch SAS drives. Do you make any distinction between 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard drives when purchasing new servers?
Full Bio
Paul Mah is a writer and blogger who lives in Singapore, where he has worked for a number of years in various capacities within the IT industry. Paul enjoys tinkering with tech gadgets, smartphones, and networking devices.