text:
Someone in one of my local Pagan Facebook groups for some reason posted a link to the Wikipedia listing for the Greek goddess Circe this morning. It put me in mind of a story about her I wrote for the inaugural Wellspring Bardic Chair Competition in 2009. The competition required contestants to perform a song, poem, and story, memorized and original all the better. Many of the bards attending the festival took issue with the challenge, protesting that they could sing but not write poetry, could tell stories but couldn't carry a tune, etc., and they decided not to take the challenge. Music was certainly my strong-suit, and I had written a considerable number of Pagan songs and chants by that point in my life, so the song portion didn't faze me. I also figured that I could put together and perform a passable poem. But storytelling just wasn't in my wheelhouse. So I decided to take the opportunity to work on this bardic weak point.
I used to write plays in my youth. In fact, plays were the first sort of creative writing I had ever attempted. They just seemed to make sense to me. Once I realized that a story could be like a monologue, I devised a retelling of Odysseus's encounter with Circe from Homer's Odyssey from Circe's point of view. I spent a lot of time refining the story, memorizing it, and practicing, practicing, practicing.
My story and my performance of it at the Bardic Chair Competition proved to be my strongest of the three categories, and it went a long way toward my winning the whole thing. I was certainly proud and pleased to have won, but I was more proud of myself for not dismissing the opportunity to compete out of hand just because I didn't fancy myself a storyteller and instead took the opportunity to grow as an artist. And as I haven't shared anything here in a while, I figured I'd share it here now.
I am the Daughter of the Sun, the Mistress of Magic, Lady of my own land.
As such I know the moment a ship lands upon my shores. And one day a black ship landed, a ship full of sweaty, savage men. Knowing I hadn't long until their gluttony drove them to discover my palace and my stores, I swiftly prepared some food and other necessities in anticipation of their arrival. Then, gathering my handmaid nymphs about me, I set to weaving and singing a spell to hasten them on their way.
Soon enough a handful of the brutes did indeed darken my door. I welcomed them in, plying them with food and wine, all sprinkled with a simple drug that clouded their simple minds as they greedily indulged themselves at my table. Taking up my wand I then cast the spell that reveals men's true nature–changing every one to swine. I expected no better. After seeing them packed off to the sty, I settled myself back at the loom, knowing that more would follow their missing comrades.
And so it was. Soon another of the beasts appeared at my door, marveling at the wild animals milling docilely about my grounds. Smiling to myself, I welcomed him into my home, to his similar fate. Seating him in a silver chair, I noticed he was handsomer than the others, with a more noble bearing about him. Their leader, perhaps? No matter, I would know his true nature soon enough for he quickly quaffed the potion I placed before him. I raised my wand for the spell, but before I could touch him he drew his sword and rushed me, aiming the blade at my throat. Startled I ducked beneath the weapon and clasped his knees in entreaty, my mind racing. How could he remain unaffected? And then it hit me—Hermes. Hermes must be helping him. And I realized he was the one Hermes always told me would find his way here, the famous Odysseus. At this realization I felt quite flattered—a Hero in my own house! Not an opportunity to be squandered, for sure.
"Sweet Odysseus," I purred, slowly rising and taking hold of his sword. "Surely a Goddess and a Hero can come to some sort of understanding." But he balked at my generous advances, nattering, "How can I trust that once I'm naked and in your clutches you won't simply unman me?" Unman him? Why would I want to do a thing like that? I mean the man was gorgeous; it wasn't for his conversational skills that Calypso kept him so long. So I swore the Great Oath by Styx not steal his penis or harm him in any other way. "So come, my dear, and let us seal our friendship at last." "No," he replied, shaking his pretty head. "No, it's just not right, that I would be in this house having sex with a Goddess while my men remain in the pig pen." "Fine," I sighed. "If that's what you want, I'll change them back." Which I did, but only I made them taller and handsomer than they were before. I mean if I'm going to have them under foot, at least they should be pleasant to look at. "So," I said. "Are you satisfied now?" "No," the Hero replied, "but I have a feeling we both will be soon."
And so it was.
The seasons circled 'round and Odysseus's men had their fill of my stores while we had our fill of each other. But finally they began to once again think of home, as men always do, and I had to reveal to Odysseus his next dark road. For I had seen that he would never again see Ithaca's bright shores unless he learn the way from the seer Tiresias, dead in Hades dread realm. After teaching him the summoning spells and providing him with the necessary supplies, he and his men made ready to leave. All but one, the most piggish of them all, who had fallen asleep drunk on my roof and who subsequently had fallen to his death in my yard. For the Lord and Lady of the Dead demand their own sacrifice, and only death may open their Gate. And as I watched the Hero's white sail disappear over the horizon, I sang a spell to hasten him on his way to his next adventure. While I, the Great Goddess Circe, lady of my own land, awaited my own.


text:
Entrepreneurs Capricorn Toastmasters will present a concentrated public speaking and communication skills development program on two Saturdays, 10 and 24 March, 2018.
Full details at https://entrepreneursrockhampton.toastmastersclubs.org/WeekendSpeechcraft.html
You decide what you wish to speak about. We will provide coaching on
- Controlling your fear
- Creating an introduction
- Impromptu speaking
- Organizing your speech
- Beginning your speech
- Matching your topic to your audience
- Using body language
- Concluding your speech
- Giving effective feedback, and
- Developing your speaking voice
During the program you will
- Prepare and deliver four speeches
- Respond to questions "off the cuff"
- Introduce another speaker, and
- Provide feedback to other speakers
under guidance from experienced Toastmasters.
The $240 fee includes materials from Toastmasters International, the world's leading self development organisation and a healthy lunch with morning and afternoon refreshments on both Saturdays.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Finally! It's over! I've finally had my third and thankfully my final operation to remove the pins out of my left arm.
Right now I am typing this with one hand and laid back resting my left arm on a stack-no...more like a mountain of pillows. The reason behind this is to get rid and prevent swelling. There is still some swelling and both hands are badly bruised (cannula in right hand), but I'm coping. If I could manage for 3 months in pots with no arms, then I can certainly manage being one handed for a couple weeks.
Since the operation (last Wednesday) I have been off school, back to watching good ol' Jeremy Kyle and Ouran Highs School (an anime, which I finished in under 2 days). Should be going back to school tomorrow, but have a Physics 3 (triple award) mock exam, so not looking t hat forward to going back.


text:
Knee replacement surgery is performed by an orthopedic surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon is an expert in the treatment of problems related to the musculoskeletal system, according to Remedy's Health Communities.
An orthopedic surgeon performs knee replacement surgery by first making an incision in the front of the knee, then removing the part of the knee joint that is damaged. Next, the surfaces are shaped so that an artificial joint can be held onto them. Then, cement or other materials are used to attach an artificial joint to the knee cap, shin and thigh bone. The new artificial joint is then supported by the surrounding ligaments and muscles.


text:
Send us your Kauai County photos:
The county is in the Kapaa metro area.The estimated population in 2004 was 61,929. This was an increase of 5.93% from the 2000 census.
In 2002, the per capita personal income in Kauai County was $25,132. This was an increase of 17.1% from 1997. The 2002 figure was 81% of the national per capita income, which was $30,906.
6% of Kauai County residents report German ancestry, and 4% report Irish. For more info on local ancestry groups, see the Kauai County ancestry & family history guide.
Post a query on a message board:
Records & databases:
Cemeteries in Kauai County include Chinese Cemetery, Hanamaulu Cemetery, Kalapaki Bay Memorial Park, Kauai Memorial Gardens, Koloa Cemetery, Lihue Public Cemetery, Veterans Cemetery ... View cemeteries
Communities in Kauai County include Kalaheo, Kapaa, Kauai, Kekaha, Kilauea, Koloa, Lihue, Niihau, Princeville, Waimea ... View communities
Colleges in Kauai County include Kauai Community College ... View colleges
To see school district boundaries, wait for the map to load in the new window, then select 'Legend.' Choose 'school districts' and update map.
Libraries in Kauai County include Hanapepe Public Library, Kapaa Public Library, Koloa Public & School Library, Lihue Public Library, Princeville Public Library, Waimea Public Library ... View libraries
Newspapers in Kauai County include Garden Island ... View newspapers
Kauai County supported John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election. For more information, see our Kauai County political report.
Airports in Kauai County include Lihue Airport
Hotels in Kauai County include Aloha Beach Resort Kauai, Banyan Harbor Resort, Best Western Plantation Hale Suites, Castle Kaha Lani Resort, Castle Kiahuna Plantation Beach Bungalows, Castle Lanikai Resort, Courtyard by Marriott, Embassy Resort Poipu Point, Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort, Kauai Sands Hotel ... More hotels
More info about Kauai County:
Search for a local report:
Send us your corrections and additions
Search Associate's degrees, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, Certificate programs, Diploma programs, and many others.
Enter your ZIP or Postal code to find schools near you. Your dream major may be just around the corner!


text:
Union Street United Methodist Church
Saturday, January 19, 2019
We are a vibrant community of love; worshiping God; teaching and following the example of Jesus Christ.
Union Street United Methodist Church & Micronesian Mission
Rev. Linda Tice- Senior Pastor
We share space with First UMC of Dunedin at421 Main Street, Dunedin, FL 34698 (on the corner of Main Street and Wood Street) Office (727) 442-9300 Fax (727) 442-9366
Worship Times - Sunday
10:45 AM Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
(Formal worship with organ and choir)
Kids Klub - Wednesday


text:
It spawned the hashtag: #LoveWins! On 26 June, the Supreme Court of the United States – which decides on the constitutionality of laws passed by congress and individual states – issued a landmark civil rights ruling forcing all 50 states to allow same-sex marriage. Penning the majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy declared of lesbian and gay couples: "They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right".
That same day, lesbian and gay couples lined up for marriage licenses across the remaining 13 Republican-controlled states that had held out against the rising tide of same-sex marriage recognition spreading across the rest of America.
The Supreme Court's vote in our favour had been widely anticipated since it had precedents. The court had already repealed two reviled pieces of anti-gay legislation that President Clinton had enacted during his two terms in the 1990s. The first, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which had barred gays from serving openly in the military, was overturned in 2010. Three years later, the court took a significant initial step towards marriage equality with its historic declaration that the "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), which had defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, was unconstitutional.


text:
Sick. School Children Taught to Sing Praises to Obama
The radical left is now teaching American youth to sing praises to Obama:
Hat Tip Steve Tum
From the video: This was filmed around June 19, 2009 at the B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington, NJ.
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a hand [?]To make this country strong again
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be clear today
Equal work means equal pay
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a stand
To make sure everyone gets a chance
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
He said Red, Yellow, Black or White
All are equal in his sight
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
Mmm, mmm, mm!
Barack Hussein Obama
segue to
Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!
For all your great accomplishments, we all [do? doth??] say "hooray!"
Hooray Mr. President! You're number one!
The first Black American to lead this great na-TION!
Hooray, Mr. President something-something-some
A-something-something-something-some economy is number one again!
Hooray Mr. President, we're really proud of you!
And the same for all Americans [in?] the great Red White and Blue!
So something Mr. President we all just something-some,
So here's a hearty hip-hooray a-something-something-some!
Hip, hip hooray! (3x)
Of course, we've seen this sort of thing before.
More… Now there are Dear Leader propaganda quizzes for your child, too.
As a privately owned web site, we reserve the right to edit or remove comments that contain spam, advertising, vulgarity, threats of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, or personal/abusive attacks on other users. The same applies to trolling, the use of multiple aliases, or just generally being a jerk. Enforcement of this policy is at the sole discretion of the site administrators and repeat offenders may be blocked or permanently banned without warning. Guest posting is disabled for security reasons.


text:
You see, the trouble is that the students are not making a very important distinction (If they did this already, I'd be out of a job!). The distinction is between a literal and a literalist reading of Scripture. Allow me to put on my teacher hat and help to bring out the importance of this distinction.
Catholics associate a literalist approach to the Bible with fundamentalists. On this view, if the Bible says that the world was created in six days then it was created in 144 hours. If the Bible says that humans were present at the very beginning of Creation, then the entire fossil record that shows no presence of human life for millions of years must be false. One might summarize the literalist position by saying: "The Bible says it, I believe it, case closed."
It is, I fear, the literalist approach to the Scriptures that provides such rich ground for debates between science and religion, particularly in certain places where Bible-wielding Christians want evolution taught as "only a theory" and demand due attention to Creationist accounts of life on earth. Evolution, which posits a very long, slow process of ever-greater complexity in living organisms, surely did not take place over the course of six days. The literalist is thus forced to choose between science and religion and to advocate that religious faith be taught as science.
So I'm glad to report that the Catholic Church chooses a different path, one that does not have to pit science against religion. Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Fides et Ratio, cites with approval the following passage from the First Vatican Council's Dei Filius:
Even if faith is superior to reason there can never be a true divergence between faith and reason, since the same God who reveals the mysteries and bestows the gift of faith has also placed in the human spirit the light of reason. This God could not deny himself, nor could the truth ever contradict the truth.
Catholic tradition recognizes God as the ultimate source of all that exists. Our scientific investigations begin with wonder and our curiosity impels us to probe deeper into the rich fabric of creation in order to know it better. Whether we explore the intricacies of the cell or the unfathomable expanses of the cosmos, the truth of science does not threaten to contradict the truths of our revealed faith, because the the author of the Book of Nature and the author of Book of Scripture is, ultimately, the same. Hence the wonderful insight: truth does not contradict truth.
What, then, is the Catholic approach to the Scriptures? We take it literally! But literal must be distinguished from literalistic. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
"The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation..."(CCC, 116)
The literal interpretation will try to understand what it is that the author wishes to convey the wide assortment of ways used to communicate its message to its readers.
Typically, we are quite adept at making the distinction between literal and literalistic speech. If I said, "That was a brilliant sunset" you would not think that I had somehow tested the IQ of the sun; you would, rather, know that I thought there was an arresting beauty to a natural phenomena. Or if I say that it's raining cats and dogs, you are not seized with a fear that canines and felines are somehow dropping out of the heavens. We know how to recognize metaphors. We take them literally - for they are metaphors - and not as literalist statements of what is happening.
When we approach the Scriptures, we shouldn't be surprised to see that it contains very many different literary forms: letters, histories, hymns, laws, prophecies, parables, genealogies, prayers, etc..! Each of these is a different way of communicating a message. The Bible, Catholics acknowledge, is comprised of many different books each of which shares the Truth of God in a variety of ways.
It is in this way that Catholics do take the Bible literally! We recognize that the Scriptures teach us the truth of who God is and what God has been and is doing in our history. Just as we read a recipe differently from a love letter, or a prayer different from fiction, so must we learn how to read the Scriptures in a way faithful to the many ways it communicates the truth of our salvation.
The Scriptures, Catholics believe, developed over a period of nearly 2,000 years (~1850 BCE - 100 CE) and are the primordial site of our faith and tradition, an inspired and inspiring site where we are drawn more deeply into the drama of salvation history. To understand the Bible literally frees us to explore the truths of nature because the ultimate author of the Scriptures and the ultimate author of Nature are the same; thus it is that the truth of nature and the truth of faith are not enemies and can, rightly pursued, both give glory to their author and Creator!


text:
Ten years ago, Denise de las Nueces was a nerdy high school student from a poor Manhattan neighborhood, poring over astronomy books her father had picked out of the trash at the building where he worked as a doorman.
Eight years ago, Letica Fox-Thomas was finishing up a childhood spent partly in the city's homeless shelters while cramming for her Regents exams. Five years ago, Mansour Ourasanah was a new teenage immigrant from Togo, where he had learned firsthand about poverty and physical abuse but not how to speak or read English.
All three won college scholarships from The New York Times and are now well on their way in their chosen professions — Mr. Ourasanah as an industrial designer, Ms. Fox-Thomas in finance and Ms. de las Nueces, who is about to graduate from Harvard Medical School, as a fledgling internist.
This year, Robert Santos is a wispy-bearded high school senior from the Bronx who has just discovered an almost giddy passion for math. Romaine Hall, of Brooklyn, has his own room for the first time and has turned it into a study-carrel-cum-college-prep office.
What Mr. Santos and Mr. Hall will be doing 5 or 10 years from now is largely up to them and the strength of their dreams. But they and 18 other high school seniors from across the city have learned that they will be getting a big push: They were named the 2008 winners of the New York Times Scholarships.Continue reading the main story
The Times Scholars program, begun in 1999, has now helped 200 promising students. Through its 10-year history, the program, supported largely by the New York Times Company Foundation and annual donations from readers, has kept its mission constant: to recognize New York City high school seniors who have created opportunities for themselves where few existed, and to reward them with money and other less tangible forms of aid.
This year's scholars, chosen from 1,400 applicants, will receive up to $7,500 a year toward tuition for four years; a laptop computer; summer jobs at The Times; and counseling to help them navigate the often rocky transition from gritty urban high school to college.
Ms. de las Nueces, who will be the first Times Scholar to become a medical doctor, said she hoped they would take as much academic and spiritual nourishment from the program as she had.
"They're at such a wonderful point in their lives, and they should just go for everything they can, because it's possible," she said by phone from the Dominican Republic, where she is working in an AIDS clinic for part of the semester. "I would never have dreamed 10 years ago when I won the scholarship that I'd be where I am today."
The scholarship program began modestly in 1999, with only six students chosen. But after The Times published an article about the first class, donations poured in, allowing the foundation to offer scholarships to 14 more finalists.
Over the years, the scholars have included immigrants from more than 15 countries and natives of some of the city's roughest neighborhood, star students at small Roman Catholic schools, low-performing and ill-equipped public schools and magnet schools like Stuyvesant. The scholars were raised by single parents, grandparents or no parents at all. Many had siblings and guardians who fell prey to drugs or crime.
From humble beginnings, they have mostly flourished. Members of the inaugural class of 1999, now in their mid- to late 20s, include a Navy scientist, a lawyer who specializes in political asylum cases, bankers and an analyst in the money laundering unit of the Manhattan district attorney's office. Their ranks also include an author: Anahad O'Connor, a Times reporter whose 2007 book, "Never Shower in a Thunderstorm," based on his "Really?" column in the newspaper's science section, has sold 35,000 copies.
As the Times Scholars make their way through college, the program continues to work with them, providing academic and emotional support and helping them secure summer jobs that often open the doors to careers.
"What we really do, beyond giving a check, is what makes this program different from any other college scholarship program I know about," said Soma Golden Behr, the director of the scholarship program and a former assistant managing editor at The Times.
"The Times, as a kind of a large family, helps us select these kids, and then becomes their bosses in the first summer, their mentors, their advisers," she continued. "We applaud when they succeed, and when they stumble, we try to pick them up."
Along the way, the program has attracted donors like Ernest Abrahamson, an entrepreneur in Rhode Island who has given more than $1 million and has taken several of the scholars who attended Brown University under his wing. "It's been joyful for me," Mr. Abrahamson said.
Daniel Golab, a 1999 Times Scholar and now an investment banker, has donated $4,000 in recent years. "I just wanted to give back," he said.
This year's scholars, who are from Burma and the Bronx, Mexico and Manhattan, Ethiopia and China and Crown Heights, came to their passion for education through different routes.
Since immigrating from Jamaica at age 2, Romaine Hall has bounced around. He has lived with at least 15 relatives at the same time in a two-bedroom apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He has lived with his mother, who is a home health care aide, and two siblings in one room. It was not until last summer that Mr. Hall acquired a room of his own, in the basement apartment of an aunt's house in Canarsie.
Mr. Hall, a driven young man, is taking four Advanced Placement courses at Life Sciences Secondary School on the Upper East Side while serving as student government secretary and debate and track team captain. He has covered the walls of his haven with Post-its and filled it with schoolwork folders.
"It looks like a cubicle," he said. "I never had that kind of space where I could optimize it to my fullest potential."
Mr. Hall has been drawn to medicine. Last year, a brain cancer was diagnosed in a relative. She asked him to accompany her to her chemotherapy treatments. Mr. Hall was apprehensive, but he went along. To his surprise, he said, "it kind of intensified my passion to become a neurosurgeon."
Mr. Hall hopes to attend Johns Hopkins University, where the faculty includes Benjamin S. Carson, the neurosurgeon who performed the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the back of the head.
"Getting tutelage from Ben Carson himself would be the experience of a lifetime," Mr. Hall said.
Robert Santos was at best a mediocre math student at Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx. One day last year in precalculus class, though, he had something akin to a spiritual conversion.
"I felt something happening to me and my hand went up," he said. The answers came to him, one after another. His teacher, Anthony Lifrieri, told him, "Robert, you're on fire today, kid," Mr. Santos said.
Mr. Santos was hooked. Now he routinely stays at school past 8 p.m., tutoring younger students or helping his teacher grade papers. He plans to attend New York University and to teach high school math.Continue reading the main story


text:
SMS & WhatsApp STT
This app will help you to send SMS or WhatsApp messages when you don't want to use your fingers to type the message. There are more than 99 situations where you don't want or you can't use them (fingers).
This App has some features that aren't available in other similar Apps:
# It supports 10 languages:
(Arabic, English, French, Italian, Russian, German, Spanish, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese), and you can easily switch between them.
# After recording your message, it gives you options to choose from.
# You have the chance to edit your message before using it as an SMS or WhatsApp message.
# When you choose a language, it will be saved as your preference for every time you run the app.
Requirements: Internet connection.
. firstname.lastname@example.com
. twitter.com/NawafAlkeraithe
. waiting for your feedback to improve this app.
Size : 1.3M
Current Version : 1.0
Requires Android : 4.0 and up
Searches related to
sms whats-app android smileys android sms whatsapp sms verifizierung fehlgeschlagen android bestätigungs kosten verificacion por whats-app sms failed good morning collection funny good morning sms for funny sms for whatsapp in english text message sms jokes related to download jokes what's spp text message download tone collection hindi integration collection download love free


text:
Located in the historic Borough of Renfrew, just outside Glasgow, the Glynhill Hotel is perfectly situated with excellent transport links to the West Coast, and Glasgow City Centre within minutes. A stunning hotel with ongoing refurbishments to cater for your dream wedding.
Originally a Stately Home, over the past 45 years, this family-run hotel has expanded and been transformed into Renfrewshire's Premier Wedding Venue.
Whether your wedding is grand and lavish, or intimate and relaxed, we guarantee the highest level of services and attention to create memories you will treasure for a lifetime. We offer flexibility of choice within our packages, allowing you to design a personal package bespoke to you. Indulge in a sumptuous wedding meal tailored to specifically meet your individual requirements and complement your fairytale wedding.
Photographs are not a problem at the Glynhill; our Grand Manor Staircase and Barony Two secret garden are perfect for those intimate shots of your big day. Robertson Park and the historic Paisley Town Hall are within a five minute drive, for those who wish an additional perspective for their wedding album.
From the moment you arrive at the Glynhill Hotel, we want you to relax knowing that the services and amenities on offer are second to none. The hotel offers luxurious, contemporary club-concept accommodation and leisure complex, complete with spa bath, gymnasium, and indoor heated swimming pool.
What makes the Glynhill special is our commitment to services and this is shown from the initial moment of booking right through to your special day itself. Our Wedding Managers will assist in every way possible to ensure your expectations are exceeded.
Years of experience and attention to detail have lef to the Glynhill Hotel becoming one of Scotland's foremost wedding venues.
To arrange an appointment to view the Glynhill's superb wedding facilities, please contact the hotel at your convenience:
To arrange an appointment to view the Glynhill's superb wedding facilities, please contact the hotel at your convenience:
We have outlined out prices plans. Feel free to get in touch with us to discuss the plans further.
Minimum numbers of 40 apply. Bespoke packages can be created for smaller, intimate meals via the A La Carte menu creator.
Pre-wedding get togethers with overnight packages and wedding breakfasts available, please enquire.
Civil ceremonies within the hotel can be arranged at an additional cost of £350 (excluding all inclusive packages).


text:
6 Days In
Hi Everyone!
First of all thank you so much for all the support! We've reached over 50% in just 6 days, and already get to send out 33 PowerPots (including 2 PowerPot XV!) to communities in developing nations!
There's been some curiosity about the T-Shirt design, so here it is:
When the Kickstarter funding goes through you'll get a survey and get to pick your size.
We've also made a short video to show the lights and batteries. Check it out, they work great on their own and even better together. It's by far the best portable reading light solution I've come by.
Due to popular demand we've also added two new pledges. First is a PowerPot V + PowerPot X combo for $299. The second is the $2 reward which states that any funds pledged in excess of a reward OR without a reward will go into a general pool to send out more PowerPots abroad. So far you all have pooled together over $200 into this fund!
We're going freshen up the body our kickstarter page so check back soon, and please remember to share our kickstarter with your friends!
PS: To all you wonderful writers out there who have been helping spread the word, THANK YOU! Just to list a few that have helped in this past week:
It's people like you that make Kickstarter and crowdsourcing platforms possible!
Alina Holgate on
I went for the $199 pledge to get a powerpot V for myself and also to donate one to someone in a developing country. Can you tell us a little more about how you distribute the powerpots to developing countries?
Also I'd just like to comment that these powerpots would have been an absolute boon in Victoria, Australia during the so-called Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 when 173 lost their lives. Loss of electricity was one of the first consequences of the bushfires and many people were without electricity for some time. Loss of cell phone charge meant that many people couldn't communicate with the outside world and so people didn't know whether their relatives were safe, they couldn't contact emergency services, etc. I'm going to be bringing the powerpot to the attention of our local fire authorities as a must-have part of bushfire preparation.
Cory Watson on
Is there any way i can preorder the powerpot and one of the shirts?
Joshua James on
Oh, I understand how it works. I just wanted to make sure you weren't expecting people to add the $2 pledge as an additional option. I've seen that explained before in error.
David Toledo 3-time creator on
Joshua, you would pledge $42 total and claim a $40 reward. We will do the math and dedicate all the extra funds to the general fund for developing nations. Does that make sense?
Joshua James on
Be aware that someone can not pledge $42 and choose both the $40 and $2 rewards. Backers can only select a single reward. However I've yet decide how to support your project, so I did in fact post a pledge and choose the $2 reward. It's a great idea!


text:
Brrr… Ice on Lake Superior Higher Than Anytime in Past 40 Years
Record ice on Lake Superior – It must be global warming.
Ice cover on Lake Superior still shows up from space on May 14, 2014. Superior was reportedly still 14.48 percent covered in ice. (NOAA)
The ice on Lake Superior is higher than anytime in the past 40 years.
MLive reported:
Lake Superior still has some ice on it. In fact, Lake Superior has more ice on it as of yesterday than it has had at any other time this late in the season in the past 40 years.
The high resolution satellite image from May 14, 2014 shows a patch of ice floating out the in the eastern part of Lake Superior. Also notice some of the shoreline areas on southern Lake Superior are still covered in ice.
Anne Clites, physical scientist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA-GLERL) looked at the years when ice cover was real high. Comparing those years to now, we have more ice on Lake Superior right now. In fact, we have double the previous high amount.
As of May 15, 2014 Lake Superior is reportedly 14.48 percent covered in ice. Compare this to the two highest late season ice years, 1979 and 1996.
On May 14, 1979, Lake Superior had 7.5 percent ice cover. So we are almost double that amount of ice.
On May 15, 1996, Lake Superior had 5.9 percent ice cover. Lake Superior still has a lot more ice this year.
- Total: 13.2K
- 13.2KShare
- 0Tweet
As a privately owned web site, we reserve the right to edit or remove comments that contain spam, advertising, vulgarity, threats of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, or personal/abusive attacks on other users. The same applies to trolling, the use of multiple aliases, or just generally being a jerk. Enforcement of this policy is at the sole discretion of the site administrators and repeat offenders may be blocked or permanently banned without warning. Guest posting is disabled for security reasons.


text:
What is chard?
"Swiss chard is not only one of the most popular vegetables along the Mediterranean but it is one of the most nutritious vegetables around and ranks second only to spinach following our analysis of the total nutrient-richness of the World's Healthiest vegetables." So says Whole Foods. Chard has a wonderful flavor and holds up much better than spinach.
Food52 has some amazing chard recipes - just plug in chard in the search recipes section.
The NY Times also has some great recipes http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/series/recipes_for_health/chard/index.html
It cooks up like spinach, but the leaves have a more earthy taste, more like beet greens. Many recipes cut the thick stems away from the leaves, since the latter cook more quickly. Cut up the stems and saute first, then add the leaves. Rainbow chard, with its colorful stems, is especially pretty, but green chard tastes just as good. Blanched and drained, with the water squeezed out, you can use it in any recipe where you'd use cooked spinach. It's easy to grow as a fall vegetable, too, as it prefers cool weather.


text:
Gratitude = To be grateful for…
Well I am grateful for a lot of things. The air, the world we live in and even the people that live on this planet.
And the gratitude I hope to show in the way I do things for the people that are on this planet.
About two weeks ago we had an awareness of kindness and we looked for kindness in every shape or form.
I heard about the mother of a close friend of mine and decided at that moment I was going to pay for his flight.
Well last week he was over from the US. The first thing that he said to me that he was grateful to have a good friend that wanted to help him to be with his mother.
I told him that it would have been done by everyone. He told me that I was the first one that even considered of doing that. He told some friends of his before he left for the Netherlands what I had done and everyone of them told him that he should cherish the friend.
He also told me that he wanted to pay me back, at which moment I told him that I got my payback coming and that he doesn't have to worry about that.
We had a long talk and I told him about my dream and that he was included in the sit.
I told him that my future self was talking to him on a nice sunny terrace in Greece.
Well he was so grateful that he could be a part of my future that he invited me over to come with him to the US.
I will take him up on the offer but not before his mother is back on her feet and ready to come with me to visit him.
He was and still is grateful that we met about 40 years ago and that we still are good friends.
I told him to believe in himself and that his future is unlimited.
Miraculouse Mike
Your Future is Unlimited


text:
Pool Products
- Pool - New Products
Quick Links
- All Pool Products
- Rebates & Special Offers
- VFD - Energy & Cost Savings Calculator
- Vacon 100 series (Variable Frequency Drives)
- Vacon X5 series (Variable Frequency Drives)
- BADU® EcoMV Pump (Variable Speed Pump)
- Badu®Stream II (SwimJet System)
- BADU® SwimJet Systems
- Badu®Jet Inspiration (SwimJet System)
- BADU® SwimJet Videos
- Company History
Model E75
Spa Pump: The Speck Model E75 spa pump has been engineered for durability and quiet performance with economy in mind. All models are available with single or two speed motors. The Model E75 is designed using 100% recyclable "environment friendly" plastic.
- This high performance, medium head pump comes complete with an industry standard Carbon/ceramic 5/8″ mechanical seal for convenient replacement.
- Pump parts are made of 100% recyclable plastic. Non-corrosive, chemical/UV resistant, and can withstand temperatures of up to 150° F.
- For spa users' safety, the impeller has a dielectric shaft sleeve that provides absolute separation between the pool water and electric parts.
- Pump is equipped with durable, economical 48 frame thru-bolt mount motor with stainless steel shaft.
- Suction and discharge ports are equipped with 2″ quick disconnect unions. (The Model E75-I comes standard with 1.5″ quick disconnect unions.)
- A variety of cord sets are available.
- The Model E75 is available with 115V or 230V motor in single or 2-speed.
- The Model E75 comes complete with a full 12 month warranty.
- Every pump is performance tested before leaving the Speck factory.


text:
I can teach strategies, pull guided reading groups to reinforce and observe how children use these strategies, and meet with kids one-on-one to give them reading goals.
But, if kids don't spend a significant amount of time practicing on their own, it is quite difficult for them to make significant gains.
I have learned many things with experience. One important thing that I have learned is that you can't expect beginning of the year second graders to walk in on day one and read quietly for 20-30 minutes. They need time and direction on how to build their reading stamina.
We began Read to Self on the second day of school with a 3 minute block of time. We are now up to 15 minutes. We have discussed what behaviors are necessary to maximize our Read to Self time. The students came up with the following:
- Find a quiet place to read and stay there
- Read the whole time (no pretend reading)
- Don't talk or make noises that will distract others
- Get started quickly
Believe it or not, it takes them only about 20 seconds to choose their own spot and begin. What amazing kiddos!


text:
In WEST TEXAS, the Spirit of Christmas means giving thanks and giving back.
This past Christmas, we continued our favorite tradition here at First United Bank. A tradition that's rooted in one of our Founding Principles, GENEROSITY. We promoted the Spirit of Generosity by giving back to the communities we serve. Our 237 employees were each given a discretionary budget and encouraged to choose unique ways to give back to their community. And, in the true Spirit of Generosity, no act of kindness was too big or too small to make a difference.
Here's how we were able to share the Spirit of Generosity last Christmas season.


text:
As preparations for Christmas proceed, two children, Jack and Judy, make their way to Santa's Workshop.
But their innocent visit will have unintended consequences...
Written by Sy Reit and illustrated by Rube Grossman, this 1950 annual was the first of a series that ran until 1963.
The concept was revived in the tabloid-sized "Treasury" (10" x 14") format in 1972 and was published annually (except in '75 and '77) until 1978.
(Both DC and Marvel experimented in the 1970s with the over-sized format.
They were much bigger than normal comics with cardstock covers, though the interior pages were printed on the usual comic book paper stock.)
The series was a more-or-less sequel to the original story (which we presented HERE.) and song.
(The animated TV special that tells a totally-different version of the tale didn't appear until 1964.)
One thing you'll note is the unique idea of including activity pages as part of the story, giving us perfect chapter enders and openers in our serial presentation format.


text:
House In Marles Sur Canche
Rue de Marant, Marles sur Canche, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Property Ref:
Description of House In Marles Sur CancheClose to the pretty ramparted town of Montreuil-sur-Mer, this lovely restored old forge has a cosy living room, original features and beams throughout. The detached holiday property enjoys an open fire and a wood-burning stove for those cooler evenings. Relax on the patio, or enjoy the garden, ideal for summer barbecues. The stunning coastline of the Côte d'Opale, with its sandy beaches and pretty seaside towns, is just a short drive away, or venture into Montreuil and enjoy panoramic views across the countryside. Ideally placed for golfers, and the area is also very popular with cyclists, walkers and lovers of gastronomy. For a taste of history, the Somme is not far away with its museums and memorials, or visit the beautiful city of Arras and enjoy an open air market in the cobbled main square. For a livelier day out, take the family to Bagatelle, a family run amusement park at Merlimont, with rides for the whole family, just up the coast.
Features of House In Marles Sur Canche
Updating Calendar
For information about rates or to make a booking.
Location details for House In Marles Sur Canche
(Map marker is an approximate location, precise location provided upon booking)
(All distances and times are approximations)
Pas De Calais home.Other locations within the Pas-de-calais area:


text:
St. Mark Centre, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt;
20-21 October 2004
October 21, 2004
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and H.H. Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Orthodox Church, and the members of the Standing Committee H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy, H.G. Bishop Moussa, H.E. Metropolitan Theophilus George Saliba, H.E. Metropolitan Elia Bahy, H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, and H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, who are with us, give thanks to God for bringing us together once again in the context of this meeting of the Heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, 20-21 October 2004 at St. Mark Centre, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
Throughout history, we lived a concrete unity in faith, theology and doctrines. We experienced our oneness through the first three Ecumenical Councils of Nicea 325, Constantinople 381, and Ephesus 431. We continue to live our unity of faith through church life, and in inter-church and ecumenical relations.
In this seventh meeting we had long discussions on many topics and issues and hereby we present our summary of our deliberations.
I. Inter-Church Relations and Bilateral Dialogues
A. Oriental Orthodox Churches-Eastern Orthodox Churches
1. We are saddened by the tragic passing of His Beatitude Petros VII the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa who was a sincere friend to our family of churches and a distinct church leader committed to work for orthodox unity.
2. We extend our congratulations to H.B. Theodoros II Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa for his election and upcoming enthronement and wish him a fruitful ministry.
3. We have been informed about the discussions that occurred between Metropolitan Bishoy (co-chairman of theological dialogue) and the monks of the Monastery of St. Gregory in Mount Athos, Greece, concerning the Agreed Statements between the two families of Orthodoxy (1989 and 1990). In the context of his discussions Metropolitan Bishoy presented four papers. His Eminence received an extensive written response exposing their views, concerns and objections, and expressing the progress they noticed in some areas of Christology.
4. The second meeting between our Churches and the Russian Orthodox Church will be hosted by Pope Shenouda III from 13-17 December 2004, at Saint Mark Centre, Nasr City, Cairo. One of the main topics in this meeting is the Christology of the Syrian Orthodox Church, as expressed in the teachings of their highly venerated Saint, Patriarch Severus of Antioch.
5. In the first meeting of the Joint Commission for Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East, in Moscow (September 2001) many obstacles were removed, and several questions raised were answered.
6. In the meeting between Pope Shenouda III and H.H. Bartholomaios I the Ecumenical Patriarch (September 2001) it was clarified that this is the mandate of the joint commission with the Russian Church, and that any theological agreement with them if needed should be conducted in consultation with the Plenary Commission of the dialogue between the two Families.
7. H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy and the new co-chairman H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France will continue their efforts of reassuring the process of theological dialogue of the dialogue between the two Families.
B. Official Theological Dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Anglican Communion
8. The Church of Eritrea was officially invited to this dialogue which was postponed because of the ordination of Gene Robinson, the openly homosexual bishop (2 November 2003).
9. To follow up our Theological dialogue with the Anglican Communion, which was suspended by us because of the ordination of an Anglican homosexual bishop in the USA, we discussed the matter in light of the Lambeth Commission Report. This report was shared with us on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury by Rt. Rev. Bishop Mouneer H. Anis.We have noted that this issue remains a major concern for the Anglican Communion. Once again we affirm our position that all practice and behavior related to marriage and sexual orientation must be in accord with the biblical and moral teachings of our Churches.We hope that in the near future the Anglican Communion will solve this matter which will enable us to resume our theological dialogue with the Anglican Communion.
C. Official Theological Dialogue Between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church
10. The International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches had its first meeting, hosted by H.H. Pope Shenouda III at Saint Mark Centre, Nasr City, Cairo, from 27 to 30 January 2004.
11. During the opening session of that meeting, the Co-Chairman of the Commission, H.E. Metropolitan Bishoy read a message from Catholicos Aram I, concerning the use of the title "Catholicos" and "Catholicosate" by the new Armenian Catholic Patriarch and his headquarters. This usage is deemed unacceptable by the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.
The response of the Catholic Co-Chairman of the Commission, H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper was that he exerted and is still exerting efforts to stop and that the Vatican considers the titles of "Patriarch" and these practices on the part of the Armenian Catholic Patriarch may jeopardize the participation of our three churches in the Official Dialogue with the Catholic Church by our three Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East. This issue will be carried by our representatives to the meeting at the Vatican in November 2004 which will coincide with the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.Meanwhile, Catholicos Aram I will inform in writing the Heads of all Oriental Orthodox Churches and explain to them the situation. Catholicos Aram I will also write to H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper that a delegation of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Middle East will discuss this matter with him at the Vatican in November 2004 in a special meeting notifying him that, if this problem is not solved, our Churches will not participate in the official theological dialogue with the Catholic Church.
12. Concerning our long standing all kinds of unofficial dialogue in Pro-Oriente, we decided in view of the initiation of the official dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church to stop our unofficial dialogue with Pro-Oriente. The authorities of Pro-Oriente should be informed through the Standing Committee of this decision.
13. Presenting his paper on the Official Dialogue between the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, H. E. Metropolitan Bishoy gave an important remark that the Assyrian Church of the East is publishing on its official website (http://www.cired.org/), what they called erroneously "St. Nestorius' Counter Anathemas against Cyril," with the first anathema stating "If anyone says that the Emmanuel is true God…; and if anyone calls Mary the Mother of God the Word…, let him be anathema." We wondered how this could fit with the Christological Agreement between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East signed in November 1994. This concern was shared with the Roman Catholics.
14. The first part of ecclesiology on the agenda which deals with the church as communion was chosen as the topic of the next meeting of the Commission in Rome, 25-30 January 2005. Points 1-6 and 8 will be taken for discussion according to the agenda prepared by the Preparatory Committee.
15. Representatives from our Churches, other Churches and ecumenical associations are invited by the Vatican to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the Vatican. This event will take place near the city of Rome, 11-13 November 2004. We will send our representatives to take part in this celebration.
D. Official Theological Dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (W.A.R.C).
The Executive Committee of W.A.R.C. is considering the possibility of embarking on the second phase of this dialogue. We have decided to publish the final report of the first phase of the dialogue to replace the incorrect and incomplete reports, published by W.A.R.C. under the title of "First Draft" while the meeting was in progress.
A. Consultative Committee
16. Representatives of our Oriental Orthodox Churches have agreed to meet on 24 January 2005, in Rome, as a consultative committee of our Family of Churches. This will take place one day before the second meeting of the International Joint Commission with the Catholic Church. This consultative committee will meet on every occasion of theological dialogues or ecumenical meetings to coordinate all the operation and standpoints of our Family.
17. The Family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches is composed of seven delegations (Coptic, Syrian, Armenians of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenians of the Great House of Cilicia, Ethiopian, Indian and Eritrean). In all bilateral dialogues and ecumenical gatherings when we participate as one Family this structure should be kept. Therefore, we recommend that all the diocesan bishops follow the recommendations in all ecumenical gatherings.
B. Orthodox Church of Eritrea
18. A new Patriarch, H.H. Abune Antonios I, was elected in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Eritrea on 5 March 2004 and enthroned as the third Patriarch of this Church, on Sunday, 25 April 2004. Pope Shenouda III presided at the consecration and enthronement in Asmara, together with the Holy Synod of the Eritrean Orthodox Church and a Coptic Orthodox Delegation that accompanied him. Our congratulations are expressed to H.H. Aboune Antonios I and to the clergy and laity of this Church.
19. Responding to the need of the Church of Eritrea to consecrate Holy Myron (Chrism) in Asmara, Pope Shenouda III together with a Coptic delegation traveled to Asmara from 17-24 September, 2004, where he consecrated the Holy Myron together with H.H. Abune Antonios I and the Holy Synod of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Pope Shenouda III, with the concelebration of H.H. Abune Antonios I, also presided at the consecration of the newly built church in the headquarters at the Eritrean Patriarchate in Asmara.
20. The laying of the foundation stone of St. Mark Theological College was celebrated by Pope Shenouda III and H.H. Abune Antonios I in the presence of the President of Eritrea, His Excellency Isaias Afwarki.
C. Upcoming Celebrations
21. The Silver Jubilee of the Enthronement of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I will be celebrated on 14 September 2005, in Damascus, Syria.
In the start of his silver Jubilee year Patriarch Mar Zakka I visited India and [was] received by his clergy and people (2 milion members of the Church), Catholicos Mar Basilious Thomas together with his 17 metropolitans and bishops, met with the official meeting with the president and prime minister of India. The prime [chief] minister of Kerala (in India) was in permanent company along the visit of the Antiochene Pontiff.
22. The 10th anniversary of the Consecration of H.H. Catholicos Aram I and the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will be celebrated 20-27 June 2005, in Antelias, Lebanon.
D. Activities of sects in countries where the faithful of the Oriental Orthodox Churches live
It is clearly noticed that under the western pressure, many countries where Oriental Orthodox Churches exist dangerous sects, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Adventists etc, are now being allowed or may be allowed in the near future to have recognition from the states and to start their manipulating activities against the Orthodox Christian faith, supported by huge financial resources coming from the West, with suspected Zionist support. It is our duty to reinforce the understanding of our people to their Orthodox beliefs and to be prepared to respond to the claims of these heretical groups. Many publications, audio-visual and electronic programs, youth and Sunday School curriculum should be produced, together with visitations by the clergy to the homes of the faithful. Our faithful should be alerted to the visits by these sects home by home. With great pain we learned that in Armenia of a new law recognizing Jehovah's Witnesses as a legal religious organization.
A. World Council of Churches
As members of the WCC we support the work of the Council and through our representatives we continue to bring our active participation in the ecumenical work of the Council.
We were informed that the WCC Commission on Faith and Order met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 28 July – 6 August. We were informed that the 9th General Assembly of the WCC will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 14-23 February 2006. An Orthodox Pre-Assembly Meeting will convene 10-17 January 2005, in Rhodes, Greece. We also learned that the WCC will convene the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Athens, Greece May 2005.
B. Middle East Council of Churches
23. The MECC remains for our Churches in this region and important ecumenical organization. We have been founders of the MECC and our Churches have played an important role in the work of the Council. We will continue to encourage and support fully the work of this Council.
24. The Eighth General Assembly held in Cyprus in December 2003 elected Pope Shenouda III as the President representing the Oriental Orthodox Family of Churches. The General Assembly also elected, Mr. Guirguis Ibrahim Saleh, nominated by the Oriental Orthodox Family in the Middle East, to become the new General Secretary. We appreciate and we support all his plans and his work aimed at re-strengthening the MECC. We would like to express our full support and appreciation to Mr. Guirguis Saleh, since we have seen how he is capable and able to perform his ecumenical role through increasingly developing relations with the Heads of Churches in the Middle East. His spiritual trends are clearly affecting the daily life of the personnel of the Council.
The Executive Committee appointed Mr. Razig Suriani as the director of the Unit on Education and Renewal for a second term and Mrs. Seta Khedeshian as the director of the Unit on Life and Service.
25. The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) in its last planning committee meeting in Cairo, held in October 2004, elected Rev. Fr. Daniel Korea from the Syrian Orthodox Church was elected upon the nomination of Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I, as the new Executive Secretary of ATIME for a three year term, which can be renewed.
26. We welcome the decision taken by the Executive Committee of the MECC to reemphasize the importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue in the region and give more visibility and efficiency to this concern by establishing a new committee. We expect that these decisions will be implemented soon because we believe that Christian-Muslim dialogue is of special importance to the region.
C. The Consultation between the Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the United Bible Societies (U.B.S.)
27. The first meeting with the U.B.S. was held at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, 11-12 February 2004, by the invitation of Catholicos Aram I. It was agreed that the request of the Oriental Orthodox Churches to have special translations of the Holy Bible for their churches fully coinciding with their canons and dogma in full accordance with the original texts of the Holy Bible in its original language.
We were informed of the activities of the three subcommittees respectively the Subcommittees for Theological Seminaries, Youth and Publications. We bless and encourage them to continue their fruitful activities for our churches.
The prevailing situation in the world in general and in the Middle East in particular has been part of our constant concern and ongoing discussions. We renew the commitment of our Churches to peace with justice. We strongly condemn all forms and expressions of violence and urge all to engage in processes and actions aimed at conflict resolution through mutual love, respect and trust.
The escalation bbof violence and confusion in Iraq worries us. In this situation this country is losing its people either by killing or immigration. We urge all the citizens of Iraq of all religions and culture to feel their responsibility towards their country and one another. We call on all nations to help the people to Iraq to restore their country to its independence and sovereignty with the full participation of all Muslim and Christian communities in Iraq.
We renew our calls for a return to the peace process with a particular focus on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the right to return for the Palestinians. True and lasting peace will only be realized when justice and dignity is upheld and maintained and when Israel according to U.N. Security Council Resolutions withdraw from Arab and Palestinian territories.
We look towards the Holy Lands in the Middle East, in which our Lord Jesus Christ was born, and pray that it may become again a land of peace and tolerance with rights returning to the deprived.
God willing, the next meeting will be held in St. Ephrem Monastery, Ma'arat Sadnaya, Damascus, Syria, from 6-8 December 2005 for the Standing Committee and from 9-10 December 2005 for the Heads.
* * *
Having completed this meeting, we offer prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for guiding our deliberations and work. We ask our Lord to grant us His grace and wisdom to continue our efforts in maintaining and preserving the Apostolic faith and the unity of His holy Church. We pray that God may grant to our people and to the world the hope that His peace, justice and goodness will prevail.
We thank the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria for its fraternal love and gracious hospitality. We extend our thanks to all those who labored, prayed and assisted us for the success of this meeting.
Glory be to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Shenouda III Mar Ignatius Zakka I Aram I
21 October 2004
St. Mark Centre of the Coptic Orthodox Church
Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
English (pdf file)


text:
We're swimming with the fish on today's show. How much do you really know about the fish at the museum? How do museums collect the fish they want? Which fish are the most popular? How do they make aquariums similar to natural environments?
previous post
Creature Comforts: New York Wants Our Dinosaurs
next post
Creature Comforts: Tiny, Scary Ticks


text:
Fee schedule resources
Find fee schedules
Find fee schedule information with the click of a button.
Modified: 12/22/2018
Here is a listing of the counties comprising each payment locality in Florida.
Modified: 12/19/2018
This tutorial will assist you in determining if a procedure is part of a bundled service.
Modified: 12/9/2018
To access a file containing the quarterly additions and deletions to the list of ZIP codes requiring a plus four extension refer to this link to the CMS website. [CR 5970]
Modified: 12/6/2018
This provides definitions of the national policy indicators for each procedure code (and modifier, where applicable) on the Medicare physician fee schedule database (MPFSDB). [CR 9784]
Modified: 10/31/2018
Here is clarification on the appropriate use of modifiers to report assistant at surgery services and how payment is determined under the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS).
Modified: 9/18/2018
Visit the Medicare Part B drug average sales price page on the CMS website
Modified: 9/13/2018
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) need to know their CBSA code in order to determine the correct fees.
Modified: 8/16/2018
The clinical laboratory fee schedule files are located in the download section of this page.
Modified: 8/1/2018
This CMS fact sheet provides Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) payment rates information, the PFS payment rates formula, and PFS resources.
Modified: 8/1/2018
This page includes links to files that contain the Level II alphanumeric Healthcare Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) procedure and modifier codes; their long and short descriptions; and applicable Medicare administrative, coverage, and pricing data.
Modified: 7/19/2018
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) need to know their CBSA code in order to determine the correct fees.
First Coast Service Options (First Coast) strives to ensure that the information available on our provider website is accurate, detailed, and current. Therefore, this is a dynamic site and its content changes daily. It is best to access the site to ensure you have the most current information rather than printing articles or forms that may become obsolete without notice.


text:
Caster and Krast crack autumn
1072 BR Amsterdam
Grimm is pleased to announce Caster and Krast crack autumn, the second solo exhibition of Alex Dordoy (1985, Newcastle, UK) in the Netherlands.
The themes of Caster and Krast crack autumn, with works comprised out of three-dimensional jesmonite pieces, installations, paintings and wall drawings, are recognizable. The work in the exhibition investigates painting's relationship with sculptural forms and material experimentation.
New in Dordoy's practice is the splicing and merging of both found and constructed images.
The title of the exhibition is a combination of two elements: One part is derived from graffiti Dordoy found on a toppled World War II bunker on a beach in France, the other is a reference to Caster Semenya, the female South African middle-distance runner, whose gender was infamously questioned during the 2009 World Athletics Championships, a recurring subject in Dordoy's oeuvre.
Other motifs are the geometric printed jesmonite objects such as Folded, Unfolded, Sunk and Scanned that resemble the shape of an unfolded, lightweight paper airplane. These objects are created through a technique of transferring toner ink on a plaster surface, allowing Dordoy to turn digital found images onto self-constructed shapes.
In his new paintings Dordoy decided to paint instead of print digital found files. Although the found and constructed images are merged, manipulated and digitally re-worked in Photoshop, they are meticulously painted on canvas underlining the discrepancy of manually capturing a digital world.
This approach allows Dordoy to engage, and move back and forth with, his investigation into the technical possibilities of expanding two-dimensional found and contracted images.
Alex Dordoy
During his previous solo exhibition at Grimm, Alex Dordoy was still a student at De Ateliers in Amsterdam. He has since moved to London and has had his second solo exhibition at The Modern Institute in Glasgow, as well as a recent solo show at Christian Anderson, Copenhagen.
In addition his work has been included in several group shows such as Recent British Painting curated by Tom Morton at Grimm and Into the Surface at Brand New Gallery in Milan.


text:
Backstage, Edge and the Edgeheads looked very concerned about Undertaker earning the Wrestlemania title match. Edge tried to get back on track and work out a plan for his match tonight. Theodore R. Long entered, and told Edge that since Vickie Guerrero wasn't present, he was in charge. Long told Edge that both Edgeheads were banned from ringside tonight.
The Kelly Kelly-Mae Young Wrestlemania commercial was shown.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler talked about how Maria needs to decide between Playboy and Santino Marella tomorrow. They showed a video package of Maria and Ashley at a Playboy Mansion party, including appearances by the legendary David Hasselhoff and Hugh Hefner.
Ric Flair vs. Ken Kennedy.
Kennedy hit Flair with a shoulderblock at the start, then mocked Flair's strut. Flair, who has his knee bandaged, chopped Kennedy down and strutted. Flair hiptossed Kennedy, then hit a series of chops. Kennedy dropkicked Flair's bad knee. Kennedy put Flair in a half crab. Flair made the ropes, and Kennedy took his leg and rammed it into the ringpost. Kennedy put Flair in a figure four leglock around the ringpost to further weaken the leg. Back in the ring, Kennedy put Flair in a figure four. Kennedy blocked Flair from chopping his way out of it. Flair made the ropes to break it. Kennedy hit his rolling Samoan Drop for a two count, then went for another, but Flair floated over it and hit a chopblock on Kennedy's knee. Flair chopped Kennedy and hit another chopblock, then went for a figure four. Kennedy kicked it away, then cradled Flair with a handful of trunks and his feet on the ropes for leverage, but the referee caught him. Flair hit a shinbreaker and went for a figure four, but Kennedy rolled him into a small package for a two count. Flair grabbed Kennedy's leg again and tripped him to the mat. Flair applied the figure four leglock for the tap out win at the eight minute mark.
Winner: Ric Flair.
Flair got on the mic and announced himself as the winner, then noted he will never retire.
Backstage, Vince McMahon walked in on Finlay, who was being checked on by a trainer. Vince pointed out that Finlay won't be able to help Hornswoggle tomorrow night when he gets him in a steel cage. Vince emphasized that he will show his son "tough love".
A video package on the Mysterio-Edge feud was shown.
World Champion Edge vs. Rey Mysterio.
Rey came out with his arm bandaged and padded. Mayweather was shown seated at ringside. Edge came out alone. Edge backed Rey into a corner and smiled at Rey, motioning at his bad arm. Rey hit some kicks to the legs, then hit a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Rey kicked Edge in the head, then pounded Edge with some left hand punches. Rey leapfrogged Edge, who took Rey down with a boot to the face. Rey went to the floor to regroup, and Edge hit him with a baseball slide. Edge threw Rey into the ringsteps, then applied an armlock in the ring. Edge put Rey on the top turnbuckle and went for Rey's mask, but Rey elbowed him away. Edge hung Rey in the Tree of Woe, but Rey sat up as Edge went for a baseball slide and Edge crotched himself on the ringpost. Rey hit a moonsault onto a standing Edge for a two count. Rey hit a second rope swinging DDT for another two count, as Edge got his foot on the ropes. Edge went for a sunset flip, but Rey rolled out of it. Edge rolled back to avoid a Rey kick, but Rey instead gave Edge a drop toe hold into the ropes. Rey gave Edge the 619. Rey was slow to get up, and went for a springboard off the middle rope in the ring, but Edge hit him with a spear as he came at him off the ropes and got the clean pin at the five minute mark.
Winner: Edge.
Rey was tended to by doctors at ringside after the match.
The Big Show's music hit, and he walked out, wearing street clothes and smiling. Show opened his jacket and to show that he has lost a lot of weight. Show got on the mic and said "Guess who's back?" Show said he "missed this place". Show said he would be a champion again. Show said he has already been a champion on Raw, Smackdown and ECW, and that it is only a matter of time that he will be champion again. Show said he has lost 108 pounds. Show was distracted that Mysterio was still at ringside, so Show went out and grabbed him by threw throat. Show said "Does your arm hurt?" and slapped Rey's arm. Show held Rey in front of Mayweather and asked if he was going to "do something". Show got in the ring with Rey and held him by his throat. Mayweather motioned to get in the ring, but his entourage held him back. Show dared him to do something. Show picked up Rey for a chokeslam, and Mayweather ran into the ring. Show dropped Rey, and the ring filled with people for a pull apart with Mayweather and Show. They ended up going face to chest, and Show shoved Mayweather back. Mayweather shoved Show, who didn't move. Show got down on his knees, so he would be eye level with Mayweather. Mayweather hit two punches on Show, then ran out of the ring with his crew. Big Show gave chase, but was stopped by Shane McMahon. Show was bleeding from the mouth and nose, and went back to ringside with Shane. Show kept spitting blood out of his mouth, and talked with Shane as they went to the back. Show said "It's my ring". A replay showed it was actually three punches that landed.
Coverage continued on the next page.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more, right now for THREE DAYS free by clicking here!


text:
Learn the secrets to creating spectacular sparkling marbles. Making it round is the hardest part! You will also learn about torch set up, safety, and the fundamentals of working with borosilicate. Lots of demos and hands on torch experience! For the beginning or continuing glass artist. Fee includes some materials and up to 3 hours of equipment use outside of the workshop.
Flameworking Disclaimer
Workshop fee includes some materials and up to 3 hours of supervised equipment use outside of the workshop (when a technician is available to supervise). Participants will be assessed an hourly studio rate beyond the first 3 hours of out-of-workshop studio use. Contact Craft Center for more information. Please wear work shoes or boots [no open toes], no synthetic clothing and tie back long hair. The Craft Center maintains a strict policy against the making of drug paraphernalia or production work.


text:
Please note that this website uses its own and third-party cookies to improve our services, facilitate navigation and show information about your preferences. If you close this window and / or continue browsing means you accept its use. However if you want you can change the settings and details here a>.
We connect 21 cities
Choose the fare that best suits your needs
An outstanding experience
Everything you need for your trip in High Speed
When big busy fast-moving cities, no matter how amazing, simply aren't what you're up for, what better than to escape for a few days and visit the most adorably perfect little towns on the way? Travel between destinations using Renfe-SNCF en Coopération's high-speed trains, and visit the underrated, sensational treasures of France and Spain.
Write a comment


text:
Fetish Fantasy Ultra Inflatable Position Master
Indulge in your wildest fantasies with this Inflatable Position Master. The slanted, flocked design allows you to relax in any position without sliding off, while the EZ-Grip love handles are perfect for maintaining difficult positions without losing your rhythm. The air seal valve makes inflating the wedge a snap, and when the fun is over, simply deflate the Position Master and it's ready to go where you go. It's perfect for those romantic getaways and no one will know whats in your bag! Do it all with greater ease...no matter what position you're in! And lubricant doesn't even show up on the surface making it easy to clean, too! Holds up to 300 lbs. Inflatable dimensions are 14" tall tapering down to 7" tall, 31 1/2" long, end to end, and 24" wide.
Ships Everywhere.
- Discreet Billing & Shipping
- Fast Delivery
- Free Shipping on Orders of $99 or more! US Only.
- World Wide Shipping
- Product Sku: PD2174-00
- Manufacturer: Pipedream Products,inc.
- Availability: Available Now
- Release Date: March 19, 2007
We love to hear your feedback! Please fill out all the fields below.
Extremely supportive device
Have no complaints only positive feedback from this wedge pillow. Was a bit hard to blow up, but if you put pressure on the blowup part, the flows in much easier.Anonymous - April 29 2015


text:
Friday 05 October
|Tussilago (1)
Colt's foot is one of the earliest flowers each spring. The alternative name 'son-before-father' refers to the fact that the bright yellow flowers held on purplish woolly shoots are often present before the leaves (4) (5). The large leaves with their thick felt-covered undersides occur in rosettes (2). They are similar in shape to animal hooves, hence the names colt's or foal's-foot. The scientific name Tussilago derives from the latin for 'cough' (Tussis), and hints at the widespread smoking of the dried leaves in folk-medicine to cure coughs (4) (5). It is still smoked in some areas today as herbal tobacco, and the names 'baccy plant' and 'poor-man's-baccy' survive in some parts of Britain (4).
Colt's-foot is a perennial species that arises from rhizomes (3). The flowers, which are present from February to April (6), close at night and in poor weather and are pollinated by a range of flies and bees (2) (1). The seeds are dispersed by wind, but to seedlings require constantly moist conditions to survive. Most plants spread from the rhizome by vegetative reproduction (1).
This plant has been put to a wide range of uses through the years (4). The leaves can be incorporated into salads, cooked and used to make tea. The felt from the leaves has been used as a stuffing agent and dried for use as tinder. Colt's-foot is still available in health-food outlets as a treatment for coughs and other chest problems. The plant must be boiled before being ingested as it contains substances that can be toxic to the liver (6).
Common throughout Britain, reaching heights of up to 1065m in Scotland (2) (3). Elsewhere, this species is found throughout most of Europe reaching its northernmost extreme in Norway. It also occurs in North Africa, western and northern Asia, and has been introduced to North America (2).
Not threatened (3).
This plant is not threatened.
Conservation action is not required for this species at present.
For more information on British native plants and for details of how to get involved in plant conservation visit the website of Plantlife, the wild plant charity:
For more on the various uses of colt's-foot, see the Plants For a Future website:
Image credit
© Gordon Maclean / gettyimages.com
Getty Images
101 Bayham Street
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 800 376 7981
Link to this photo
Embed this Arkive thumbnail link ("portlet") by copying and pasting the code below.
Terms of Use - The displayed portlet may be used as a link from your website to Arkive's online content for private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. It may NOT be used within Apps.
Read more about
MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite Arkive images and videos and share them with friends.
Play the Team WILD game:
This species is featured in:
Friday 05 October
Monday 24 September
Tuesday 11 September


text:
Plan Your Trip
Public Transportation: We are located at 1001 Potrero Avenue. Please consider using public transportation for your trip to SFGH. A variety of Bay Area Transit Systems can be accessed through the Transit 511 Web site by clicking here to determine the best transit sources for your needs. Scroll down click the image for a campus map to assist you in locating your destination once you arrive.
MUNI: There are seven MUNI lines (9, 19, 27, 33, 48, and 90) within a four-block radius of SFGH campus (located at 1001 Potrero Avenue). To find routes, schedules, & maps in real time, please click here.
When' s the NEXT BUS? Discover how GPS technology is making your MUNI commute easier - please click here. Enter your transit line to find the find out the estimated time of arrival or find out more about "next bus" delivery to your cell phone/PDA access.
UCSF Intercampus Shuttle: UCSF operates three shuttle bus routes. The gold and blue lines travel between SFGH, Mission Bay, Mt. Zion, & Parnassus campuses. The yellow line services the 16th Street BART station. Shuttle maps can be obtained by clicking here.
Biking Maps & Resources: The Bicycle Program at SFMTA offers a number of safety tips and tools, as well as an interactive online bicycle map. To access these services, please visit this Web page.
Regional Transit Systems & 511 SF Bay Area : Visit the 511 Web site to help you obtain schedules, maps, and fare information
Driving: Street parking near SFGH is limited to 1 hour. Parking tickets are currently $50. Access this mapping service to plan your trip. There is a parking garage located at 2501 23rd Street between Potrero & Vermont Streets. Parking rates are $1.25 an hour for up to 7 hours. After 7 hours, the rate is $12 per day.
(click image to enlarge)


text:
So here are the warning signs for cancer. I just want to spread out so that many could know and be aware. It comes in an abbreviation CAUTION US
CAUTION US by the American Cancer Society
Warning signs for Cancer
C Change in bowel or bowel habits.
• Changes in stream/flow of urine or its color and amount
• Changes in the caliber and color of stools
• Presence of blood in stools
• Difficulty in urination and defecation.
A A sore that does not heal.
• Skin irritations are usually self limiting. It changes in the skin and underlying muscles take time to heal, it is recommended to have it examined.
U Unusual bleeding or discharge.
• Unusual discharges in the breast, for non-breast feeding women.
T Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere.
• Skin and underlying tissues should normally be smooth to touch. Unusual lumps or thickening need to be examined closely.
I Indigestion and difficulty in swallowing.
• This could be explored further by interviewing the client to assess for associated events.
O Obvious change in wart or mole.
• Warts or moles are circumscribed cutaneous discolorations to skin elevations that should not increase in size, nor ulcerate.
N Nagging cough or hoarseness in voice.
• Evaluate for symptoms related for persistent cough and its quality (dry, hoarse, productive)
U Unexplained anemia
• Monitoring the hemoglobin levels of suspected clients is important.
S Sudden weight loss.
• Awareness and monitoring of changes in body weight is a common warning sign.


text:
Hotel Name
- Get Directions
TripAdvisor Rating
Attraction Name
- Get Directions
- TripAdvisor Rating
Washington, DC
The Kellogg Conference Hotel is a convenient choice for guests searching downtown and Capitol Hill hotels. We are located on the historic campus of Gallaudet University in northeastern Washington, DC, approximately 1.5 miles from Capitol Hill and 2 miles from the National Mall.
We are metro accessible and Gallaudet University offers complimentary shuttle service to the NOMA/Gallaudet metro station, as well as Union Station. In addition, we have a hotel shuttle which can be scheduled to pick-up and drop-off at some of the local sites in the area. Please speak with a guest services agent on-site to schedule our hotel shuttle for site seeing.
There is no need to leave the hotel in search of dining options. We offer buffet style breakfast and lunch on-site in our Bistro located on the first level of the hotel. In the evenings, light dinner, beer, wine and cocktails are served in our Breaklounge located on the second level of the hotel.
For guest who wish to get out and explore dining options in the city, we are just a few steps away from the newly renovated Union Market. Union Market boasts a number of dining options for our guests to choose from. It's a great shopping and dining experience for people of all ages and is becoming one of DC's must see places. We are also just minutes away from the H-Street corridor which is a another hot-spot with even more dining options.
During your time with us, you will enjoy a calm and safe stay inside the gated campus of Gallaudet University, all while remaining just moments away from the major attractions in the city of Washington, DC.


text:
When you consider Jose Aldo is set to face one of the biggest names in combat sports, one would think the UFC champ might be a wee bit fazed, but it certainly doesn't seem like it was UFC 194 nears.
Yes, on December 12th, Aldo will throw down with Conor McGregor. Not only has the latter repeatedly insulted Aldo since he arrived in the UFC, but as the bout nears, McGregor has actually become the betting odds favorite. It's expected to be one of the biggest fights in UFC history.
Well, despite all the trashtalk, the heated faceoffs, and the intense spotlight, Aldo insists this is just another fight. In a recent media call to promote UFC 194, here is some of what the featherweight champ had to say about facing McGregor (quote via MMA Fighting.com):
"Another win. No reason to be different," Aldo said. "That's what I fight for. It doesn't matter how it goes. I have to go there, win, and remain champion. The only difference is that I always fought against Americans, and now I'm beating up an Irishman.
"He's working for me, bringing me money, so why am I going to be angry at him?" Aldo added. "I love all this. He has done good things for the division. If we had another one like him, it would be great."
McGregor may be the king when it comes to verbal warfare, but Mr. Aldo maybe the master of shrugging things off. Now is Aldo really this calm and collected about facing the brash fighter? Probably not, but when you consider what the Brazilian has accomplished during his career, it's hard to imagine him being intimidated by anyone. Aldo hasn't been defeated since 2005…
UFC 194 will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


text:
Last week, I traveled with my sister to Washington DC for the last road trip of the season. I had the pleasure of staying with her at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.
I couldn't stay and not check out their fitness center. What a treat! If every gym was like this, I would want to work out every day. I took some pictures, but this is just a glance, and doesn't include the entire facility.
The cardio machines were smooth and powerful. I did twenty-five minutes on the treadmill and elliptical (combined).
There were chilled towels to cool down with. Fancy!
And there was an assortment of espresso and tea, alongside a fruit basket. They even had fresh squeezed orange juice! Too good!
Exercising was never more luxurious!


text:
inCync is the worlds smallest, lightest portable Bluetooth speakerphone. Its go anywhere, water-resistant design allows crystal-clear wireless audio no matter where you take it. inCync uses proven Bluetooth technology to let you take your phone calls or music anywhere your active lifestyle takes you.
Advanced Bluetooth Audio
Connect to any Bluetooth enabled digital device, including iPhones, iPads, Android devices, etc. at up to 10m. The powerful internal amplifier and speaker deliver rich, full sound despite its diminutive size, and the internal microphone's Clear Voice Capture processing ensures that you will be heard loud and clear on the other end of the line. inCync also comes equipped with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack that can turn any wired headphone or speaker system into a wireless one!
The Smallest and Lightest Bluetooth Speaker and Hands Free Speaker Phone for iPhone and all other Smart Phones.
Stay Active and Stay Connected!
Welcome Kickstarter fans! We are pleased to introduce inCync™ — the smallest, lightest Bluetooth speaker & hands free speaker phone that goes anywhere, fits anywhere, and sounds absolutely fantastic! inCync is the ultimate in wearable technology.
- Listen to music, audio books, and pod casts while keeping your iPhone or Smart Phone safely tucked away in your pocket, purse, or backpack.
- Make and receive phone calls - hands free.
- Listen to turn-by-turn directions from your iPhone or Smart Phone GPS.
- Interact with Siri on iPhone and equivalent voice assistants on Android and other Smart Phones.
The patent pending inCync clips on caps, clothing, purses, backpacks… anywhere that works for you — and weighs only 26 grams (less than 1 ounce). inCync is so light and compact, you hardly know you are wearing it… but don't let the size fool you. This full-featured audio device has a miniaturized but powerful amplifier that delivers the kind of sound you'd expect from a much larger portable speaker. And when making phone calls over Bluetooth, the sound quality on both ends of the call is crystal clear. inCync also includes a 3.5 mm audio-out port that turns anything wired into wireless.
Take portable to the extreme enjoying music and phone calls using the smallest Bluetooth speaker & speaker phone ever. For the utmost in wireless freedom, we invite you to experience inCync — the very latest in portable Bluetooth innovations.
Back this project on incync
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition


text:
I love that Rigamajig allows me to take part as an active observer. Children plan, create, and reflect on their use of the kit without guidance- they are the masters of their own creativity. — Kelsey McCann, Explore & More Children's Museum, East Aurora, NY
Featured collection
Rigamajig is a building kit conceived for hands-on free play and learning
It's a collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and rope designed to engage the inquisitive mind and creative spirit of children.
Through play, they think three dimensionally, create physically, and work collaboratively. Building with this simple set of parts helps children combine imagination with cognitive thinking & invention, embrace process over outcome, and empowers them to be makers of their own world.


text:
I consider myself a lover of all things creative and, in fact, there isn't much that I don't like to do when it comes to being creative. I just don't do the particular hobby or interest often and they don't rank high on my list. But every once in awhile I'll get a strong desire to play around with my camera, some paint, jewelry-making stuff, fabric or scrapbooking supplies. I even like to mold clay, but that's something I haven't done since about 1994. Wow, that's a long time. I think I want to look into taking a ceramics class, but that's another post. I digress.
Over the last few days or so I've been playing with my camera. I would love to have something a little fancier with tons of options and lenses and whatnot, but for now I'll make do with what I have. Here, my dear friends, are a little bit of my photography "work." I've played around with some different effects so you professionals can give me your tips, suggestions and critiques. Be nice, mm'kay?
I've been playing with lighting and perspective. What do you think? I'm really pleased with the way they turned out.
What are some hobbies or activities you like to do but that you don't get around to that often?


text:
My Aha moment came 13 Years after I sold my first story to Mindmares Magazine for two cents a word. So there I was, it was 2010 and I was knee deep in hand grenade pins, sitting at my comic book cover covered desk, writing a horror novel with some pretty wickedly disgusting scenes, when I get an email from a NY editor. Essentially he posed the question, why aren't you writing military fiction? In fact, why aren't you writing military supernatural fiction? I shook my head, thought it was a stupid question and began to reply. Only, I didn't have anything to say. It was a good question.
In 2010, I had 26 years of military service. I'd been to more than fifty countries, seen more things and done more things than the combined experiences of the students of most graduating high school classes. I spoke several languages, knew more than 8 silent ways to kill a man (nod to Joe Haldeman), have dangled from helicopters at two thousand feet and leapt out the backs of them over the skies of Bangladesh. I should have died a hundred times. I should have broken something a hundred more. Frankly, that I survived to write this short essay is a testament to sheer dumb luck and the vicissitudes of a comic god.
So then why hadn't I taken that experience, distilled it, and produced quality fiction for the masses to consume? What was I waiting for? It seems like I used a character here and a character there. In fact, looking back, all of my novels and most of my successful short stories and novellas had central characters who served in the military. It had been there in front of me all along.
So I basically wrote back, "I don't have any friggin' idea."
And SEAL Team 666 was born.
Since then, I've had a whole sale change in attitude. I think maybe I believed that no one would want to read about the military. It had been done before. Other people had written about it. But that was exactly the point. Other people had written about it, not me. My voice had yet to be added to the men marching in cadence. Who knows, maybe mine would provide a deep bass undertone, maybe it would be a brilliant tenor, soaring above all the other notes, or maybe my work would land in the middle of the crowd and add to the chorus.
Hey Hey Diddly Bop, I wished I was back on the block!
Whatever! I needed to do it.
In fact, I am doing it.
You know they say you're supposed to write what you know. I knew that. I've taught that. So why did it take me so long to do it?
Stubborn, I guess. Or maybe I just didn't listen close enough. Either way, watch out, world here I come, and as Ed Lee said about me more than13 years ago, with creative brawn, brains, and balls, the guy's locked, loaded, and switched to full-auto, blazing away with his unique and original brand of modern horror military (insert genre here) fiction. One of the few new writers, I'd say, who will help re-define the field for the future.
Yeah. That's me.
Pleased to meet you.
Weston Ochse
Kabul, Afghanistan
On Deployment and
Living the Dream
Weston Ochse is pronounced 'oaks,' and when combined with his first name, according to Harlan Ellison, sounds like a nursing home or a trailer park at the end of the road. Weston is the author of ten novels, most recently SEAL Team 666 from St. Martin's Press (U.S.) and Titan Books (U.K.), which the NY Post called Required Reading. His work has been published in magazines such as the Tampa Review, Cemetery Dance Magazine and Soldier of Fortune Magazine. He's been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award five time, and won the Bram Stoker Award for First Novel. When he's not a traveling idea salesmen to places like Afghanistan, he lives in southern Arizona with his wife and three Great Danes.
He also has a great new novel out by the name of Babylon Smiles. Here's the link-- http://www.amazon.com/Babylon-Smiles-ebook/dp/B00CI9UTWU
Thank you for your service, Weston.


text:
'T ain't no big thing to wait for the bell to ring
't ain't no big thing the toll of the bell.
Aggravated spare for days
I troll down town the redlight place
Jump up bubble up what's in store
Love is the drug and I need to score.
Showing out showing out Hit and run
Boy meets girl where the beat goes on
Stiched up tight can't shake free
Love is the drug got a hook on me
Oh catch that buzz love is the drug I'm thinking of
Oh can't you see love is the drug for me.
Late at night I parked my car
Staked my place in the singles bar.
Face to face toe to toe
Heart to heart as we hit the floor.
Lumbered up limbo down
The locked embrace stumble round
I say go she say yes
Dim the lights you can guess the rest.
Oh catch the buzz
. . .


text:
At Shavara, we appreciate the importance of selecting the right billing system for your business. That is why we take a consultative sales approach when working with prospective customers. As sales consultants, we believe that the success of our company can only come as a result of our customers' success.
We know your time is valuable. When you contact Shavara, we want to learn as much as we can about your business and the features that you are seeking in your billing system. By learning about your particular needs and preferences, we can tailor our presentation to focus on the areas that are of greatest value to you.
We believe it is important that you are able to experience the benefits of Iridium Suite firsthand. Usually we accomplish this through an online demonstration of our software. We work with you to schedule the demonstration at a time that is most convenient.
After the sale, our sales consultants maintain their relationship with you to ensure that Shavara continues to exceed your expectations. Our goal is to continue to expand our business through word of mouth from satisfied customers like you.
Please Contact Us so that we can learn more about your needs and share the benefits of Iridium Suite with you.


text:
By Alberto Salazar
Former three division world champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-8, 39KOs), and Pablo Cesar Cano (26-2-1, 20KOs), worked out for their upcoming fight this Saturday night in Cancun, Mexico. The two boxes will collide at the Grand Oasis Arena, Mosley will return for the first time since losing a tough decision to Saul Alvarez last May. Cano is back from a controversial decision loss to WBA champion Paulie Malignaggi last October. Also in action on the show, Ivan Cano and Sergio "Yeyo" Thompson.