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Last night, I had second thoughts. This morning, it seemed a wise course to opt for the Westchester Campus. Less people, closer to home, easy to get in and out. True, that - especially when Tony jumped the curb and drove the Suburban right up to the door of the theater.
I stood and sang with the crowd during the first song. Halfway through the second song, I found myself thinking, "Maybe I was a little optimistic about being so completely recovered..." Once we sat down, I was okay, but grappling with a little nausea and icky feelings. The "lift my hands and spin around" did me in.* It was a great service, but when it was all over I wasn't feeling too great.
So I'm home now, grumpy, parked on the couch. Again. Tony's off doing All That Needs To Be Done, and here I sit. We had some tense words earlier, because I just don't know how to let somebody else make decisions and handle things and I'm too controlling and too protective and whatever.
About a week ago, I was longing for a few days like this; time to sit, to think, to regroup. Now I've got it, and all I can do is sulk. And feel disappointed in myself.
Wednesday was the first day of Lent. I decided to give up chocolate for the next 40 days, to abstain from something that I crave deeply and seek to fill those cravings with something of a spiritual nature. But people started bringing food over, blessing us with homemade gifts and treats. Of a chocolate nature. Homemade truffles, a huge container of chocolate/Oreo ice cream from Brusters, Rachel Huff's chocolate eclair dessert...I caved. I dug in. And I'm disappointed in all that I cannot do, which includes the willpower and self-discipline to deny myself the one food ingredient I determined to forsake, in observance of the pivotal sacrifice of the faith I follow.
Epic fail.
I am not feeling too good about these things today.
But as I perused some blogs this afternoon, I stumbled upon something that Sammy Williams wrote. He included this excerpt from Frederick Buechner's Whistling In the Dark, on Lent. I will plaster it here in its entirety, confessing that it smacked me between the eyes. Good for me, perhaps also for you.
Emphasis is mine.
In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year's income to some holy use. For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year's days. After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus. During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves.
If you had to bet everything you have on whether there is a God or whether there isn't, which side would get your money and why?
When you look at your face in the mirror, what do you see in it that you most like and what do you see in it that you most deplore?
If you had only one last message to leave to the handful of people who are most important to you, what would it be in twenty-five words or less?
Of all the things you have done in your life, which is the one you would most like to undo? Which is the one that makes you the happiest to remember?
Is there any person in the world, or any cause, that, if circumstances called for it, you would be willing to die for?
If this were the last day of your life, what would you do with it?
To hear yourself try to answer questions like these is to begin to hear something not only of who you are but of both what you are becoming and what you are failing to become. It can be a pretty depressing business all in all, but if sackcloth and ashes are at the start of it, something like Easter may be at the end.
I find some relief here; perhaps the question is not so much of self-discipline and willpower, but of a closer look at what it means to be Beth. Rather than define the next 40 days by what it is I can deny, perhaps I can choose what it is I will embrace.
This is a good word, one my mom suggested a few days ago as we talked about the traditional sacrifices of Lent. One worth hearing. One worth putting into practice. Even if I'm stuck at home on the couch on a beautiful sunny day. Maybe that's my sackcloth and ashes.
*Note: I did not actually lift my hands and spin around. I just sang it.


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Some good stuff going on ...
I won a flash fiction challenge yesterday (3/28/14) that I entered on a whim, to, well, challenge myself. I had to tell a story in 250 words based on the information they gave me. Here's the link to the page where the flash fiction challenge took place along with my story itself: http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2014/03/28/ralph-l-angelo-jr-wins-flash-fiction-challenge/
Now also , and this is the big one, which I'm sure you all know, I won Best New Writer in the 2014 New Pulp Awards. This is the win I'm most excited about.
Winning this was HUGE for me. I'm so psyched about this, it's like winning an Oscar or something, only a lot better with a lot less annoying people around.
Also this weekend I'm giving away copies of my YA horror novella about a group of kids in western Pennsylvania who get involved with an invasion of Monsters that want to turn the world human population into their food supply. Check it out for the Kindle, it's FREE!
As always all of my own books are available at http://RLAngeloJr.com or http://tinyurl.com/ralphsamazon
Subscribe to my blog! Click on the link at the top of the right hand column to get my daily rants delivered to your inbox.

subset: commoncrawl


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Completing the 3-mile a day challenge of 2010 was awesome.
The goal for 2011 is the biggest half marathon in the world this spring and
Never mind. The damn race is already sold out. The previous record was 62 hours. Today it sold out in 28. Missed it.
Guess I need another marathon. But anyways run a marathon, and run it in under 4 hours (I would squeal if I could break 3:50).
My first marathon I just focused on the long runs. I lived by the moto If you can run 20, you can run 26.
This time I want to use Jeff Gaudette's theory of marathon training:
For success at the marathon distance, you need to training specifically for the physiological demands of the race. In the marathon, this means three things:
Turining those goals into a training plan focuses on:
- Increasing your fitness so that you can decrease your marathon pace and make it more comfortable
- Teaching your body how to burn fat as a fuel source as opposed to carbohydrates
- Simulating the fatigue you'll experience the last 10k without getting hurt or becoming too tired in training
Long and slow 22 milers will breakdown the muscles and will completely exhaust you, which will lead to a significant delay in recovery. In addition, running for longer than 3 hours and 30 minutes can significantly increase the chance of injury and doesn't produce significant physiological adaptations...by running on both weekend days, this allows you to carry the fatigue of Saturday's run into Sunday, which will simulate the latter stages of the marathon without having to run 20 miles.
- Faster paced tempo runs that are often broken into shorter, but faster intervals [this seems like two short/fast runs during the week 5-6 miles]
- To simulate the fatigue at the end of the race, this FitnessClass breaks up the long runs over the weekend into two moderately fast paced runs
This sounds like it focuses on the wall I ran into around mile 21 in Queens/Harlem. Sounds like what I need to do for success.


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Judge bans Jermain Defoe from driving – then backs his World Cup bid
Stay away from your car, but all the best for South Africa
Spurs striker Jermain Defoe was disqualified from driving for six months by a judge who went on to wish him luck in earning a place in England's World Cup squad.
Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC: "We hope he gets to South Africa. But he must not drive in the UK."
Defoe was also ordered to pay £1,570 in legal costs for what the judge described as a "frivolous" appeal against his earlier conviction for twice breaking a 50mph speed limit on the M11 northbound in Chigwell, Essex, in 2008.
The England international drafted in celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman to argue there was no evidence to prove he was driving; prosecutors had not proved paperwork was issued by a person authorised by the chief constable of Essex; the court could not be sure Defoe had received speeding notices and the court could not be sure Defoe had not responded to the notices.
But the judge dismissed the claims and accused Defoe of playing the "litigation game".
He added: "We don't know why the appellant ran these sad and ill-conceived technical points.
"He must have been fully aware that, in reality, he was the driver and he had broken the speed limits.
"We think he chose to give the prosecution a run for the money regardless, simply because he could afford to play the litigation game. We regret this. His lawyers will have advised him it is a game of dubious validity.
"We regret this appeal, which has taken up a day's court time when people waiting in custody for trials on serious charges should have been brought."


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[Posted by blog co-author]
Jailed for religious insult: 'Wounded feelings' of Muslims
by Khushwant Singh on The Straits Times, Singapore.
IN THE first case of its kind, air-con repairman Andrew Kiong Kheng Kiat, 44, was jailed two weeks on Friday for wounding the religious feeling of a couple.
A district court heard that on the evening of Feb 2 last year, housewife Halinah Barudin, 38, found a card on the windscreen of her car. Written on it, were questions that cast aspersions on Prophet Muhammad.
Upset, she and her husband Mohamad Dahar Dollah, an air steward, approached the management of the condominium to view the footage of the closed-circuit television cameras in the basement car park.
It showed Kiong putting the card on the couple's car at about 5.30pm on that day.
Mr Mohamad Dahar, 40, then went to the police and Kiong was tracked down and questioned.
He admitted to printing 16 such cards and had placed eight on cars that he believed were owned by Muslims.
He was unable to specify the exact locations. He had thrown away the remaining eight cards after the authorities caught up with him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Adrian Loo said that while previous offenders had been charged with promoting ill-will and hostility between the different races under the Sedition Act, the offence of wounding the religious feelings of another person was equally serious, as both offences carry the maximum punishment of a fine and a three-year jail term.
Kiong, who was expressionless during the hearing, looked resigned as he was led away in handcuffs.This news which was released yesterday is not clear on the entirety. The questions on the card were never published anywhere online, nor printed on the news. There was no analytical debate on whether or not the questions were merely a genuine inquiry into the actions of the Prophet, whom Muslims consider the best role model. If it was a genuine inquiry, the government ought to consult the inquirer on how he arrived at the questions, and attempt to provide satisfactory answers (failing which, it will be obvious that the subject being inquired on has faults that makes it worthy of those questions). Only if the questions were really meant to insult (by secular standards, not by Muslim standards), then the insulter must be punished.
It must be noted that Muslims consider that one can be a Muslim only by emulating the Prophet and his every action, regardless of how wrong the action may be to the human conscience. Non-muslims studying Islam and and its tenets in detail would question some of the actions of Muhammad, especially those actions from his later life. However, with secular governments like Singapore attempting to protect religion from free inquiry by outlawing it as "sedition" or "hurting religious feelings," Non-muslims are discouraged from asking their questions and prevented from enjoying free exchange and conversation with Muslims. They are forced to veil a mask of anonymity when expressing their doubts and questions (which failed for Andrew). Even a simple question asked by a Non-muslim inquiring the morality, legality or relevance of an action of Prophet Muhammad will be labelled as "sedition" by Muslims.
News sources need to do more justice by publishing complete news and including all details. The questions on the card must have been published or at least provided online, so that readers can judge for themselves whether these questions were a genuine inquiry about Muhammad and Islam, or merely meant to insult. This would not only ensure that justice is served more justly (by prompting public outcry on a mistaken conviction), but also encourage more Non-muslims to study and understand Islam without a religious bias. In today's world, a majority of Non-muslims are under the wrong impressions about Islam. Either they believe that Islam is similar to Judaism and the more well-known Christianity, or they believe that Islam is evil, due to the recent terrorist events. The correct opinion needs to be formed by a Non-muslim only by studying Islam itself, and not by judging from recent developments, promotion of religion by religious institutions, or hearsay.
The fact that the cards contained questions gives me the idea that they are more likely to be genuine inquiry, which is wrongly accused as being insulting and "hurting" to Muslims. This is because Muslims regard such reverence to the Prophet that his actions become unquestionable, and any question, genuine or otherwise, is considered an "insult".


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Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter Online Professional Development
|Back to Calendar February 3, 2014 @ 9:00 am – April 1, 2014 @ 3:00 am
|✔ Add to Calendar Add to Google Calendar
|$45 for book plus $60 for credits
|Courtney Agenten
(406) 994-6727
|Online Courses
What: Online Educator Course
When: Beginning February 3, 2014 for eight weeks (4 – 5 self-directed hours/week)
Where: ONLINE at your convenience (no set class times)
Who: Upper elementary teachers (3rd – 6th grades)
Cost: Incredible, one-time offer of $45! The usual rate is $175, but since this is a trial run of a new on-line platform we are offering this amazing reduced rate! All you need to do is purchase the Investigating Shelter curriculum guide at www.projectarchaeology.org for $45.
Credit: 2 University credits available for an additional fee.
Join us for an exciting trip back in time to investigate archaeology!
You will use this virtual workshop to practice the basics of scientific inquiry (observation, inference, evidence, and classification) using authentic archaeological data. Learn firsthand how to help your students apply archaeological concepts as they uncover a shelter from colonial, Native American, frontier, and/or slave life. All while using primary data sources such as maps, artifact illustrations, historic photographs and oral histories. By using this curriculum you will fulfill many Common Core State Standards requirements in social studies, English Language Arts, and math (CCSS alignments). Your students discover archaeology and history through engaging hands-on activities. These activities promote citizenship and foster a deeper cultural understanding. This is a 'must-do' course that will not only enhance your own understanding of archaeology, but will also provide you with a comprehensive set of lessons for use in your own classroom. Feel free to teach it as you learn it because you will be able to ask the course instructor questions as you teach the lessons to your own students.
Customize your course by choosing which shelter you want to investigate! Do you want to explore a slave cabin, plains tipi, farm house, Jamestown colonial home, wickiup, rock shelter, or earthlodge? The course is convenient and conducive to a teacher's busy schedule because you can do the lessons anytime throughout the week.
Participating teachers will receive:
• Convenient online access to professional development
• 2 University credits available for an additional fee
• Inquiry based instruction and lessons
• A complete award-winning curriculum guide, Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter, endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies
• Access to a continually updated database of shelters
• Instructions for assembling your own classroom materials during the course
Register Online with the form below or contact:
Courtney Agenten
(406) 994-6727
By February 3rd
For questions about the course contact Jeanne Moe
(406) 994- 7582


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Where is Harker and where is he going?
chapter 1
chapter 1
According to the first chapter, Harker is in Bistritz, he had traveled to Bistritz from Munich.
May. Bistritz.—Left Munich at 8:35 P. M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46, but train was an hour late. Buda-Pesth seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse which I got of it from the train and the little I could walk through the streets. I feared to go very far from the station, as we had arrived late and would start as near the correct time as possible. The impression I had was that we were leaving the West and entering the East; the most western of splendid bridges over the Danube, which is here of noble width and depth, took us among the traditions of Turkish rule.


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Harbor Hills is proud to announce the appointment of Bayne Caillavet as Superintendent of Harbor Hills Country Club.
Mr. Caillavet' s responsibilities will include the overall maintenace of our Golf Course.
He comes to us from Golden Ocala where he was Golf Course Superintendent for the past 4 1/2 years.
Prior to that he was Superintendent of Southern Dunes for over 9 years where he also supervised the original construction, irrigation installment, grow in and maintenance of that award winning golf course.
"His expertise in turfgrass management, landscape construction and business administration will help us continue to maintain and improve the Harbor Hills Golf Course" according to Michael A. Rich General Partner of Harbor Hills.
"We look forward to working with Bayne" stated Steve Henne General Manager.
"Bayne is a Class A member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America as well as Class A Member of the Florida Turfgrass Association and served on their Board of Directors" added Steve Henne.
Welcome Bayne to Harbor Hills.


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Stanley Tucci might star opposite Emma Watson in Your Voice In My Head
Back in late December we reported how director David Yates had elected to follow up his tenure in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and Friends with a book adaptation of decidedly smaller-scale called YOUR VOICE IN MY HEAD, while in early February the news came that Emma Watson would return to star for Yates. The plot "revolves around a young who, after the demise of her relationship with a nationally respected journalist, attempts suicide before being saved by a terminally ill psychiatrist."
Uncast up to this point was the part of the psychiatrist, with people like George Clooney reportedly interested in giving it a go. But Yates seems to have instead settled on Stanley Tucci, something which I have exactly zero problem with as Tucci is enormously talented. Now the film doesn't have a greenlight just yet, but scoring Tucci would serve well to get things officially moving. And I expect that things will get moving soon, as the word is that the higher-ups at Warner Bros. are already projecting YOUR VOICE IN MY HEAD as a serious contender in the 2013 Oscar Race, and in the Best Actor catagory specifically.Â
So no pressure or anything.
Here's the plot in greater detail: Emma Forrest, a British journalist, was just twenty-two and living the fast life in New York City when she realized that her quirks had gone beyond eccentricity. In a cycle of loneliness, damaging relationships, and destructive behavior, she found herself in the chair of a slim, balding, and effortlessly optimistic psychiatristâa man whose wisdom and humanity would wrench her from the dangerous tide after she tried to end her life. She was on the brink of drowning, but she was still working, still exploring, still writing, and she had also fallen deeply in love. One day, when Emma called to make an appointment with her psychiatrist, she found no one there. He had died, shockingly, at the age of fifty-three, leaving behind a young family. Reeling from the premature death of a man who had become her anchor after she turned up on his doorstep, she was adrift. And when her all-consuming romantic relationship also fell apart, Emma was forced to cling to the page for survival and regain her footing on her own terms.
A modern-day fairy tale, Your Voice in My Head is a stunning memoir, clear-eyed and shot through with wit. In her unique voice, Emma Forrest explores the highs and lows of love and the heartbreak of loss.
|Extra Tidbit:
|Stanley Tucci was the best part of EASY A, which is impressive considering how great and fun that movie actually was.


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The physical and mental state of dysphoria was never anything I thought I had experienced throughout my years living as a woman.
Most transgender people I speak with tell me they struggled with and even hated their bodies growing up, and particularly during adolescence when they started going through puberty and realized they would not become the men and women they had hoped to become. However, I do remember trying to hide my tiny breasts in baggy shirts when they started to sprout up at the age of about 12. I also hated getting my period, which was nothing too out of the ordinary, as most girls did. I've never met a woman who has said, "I love my period!"
I got through adolescence and then started dating women, happily enjoying my adult life as a lesbian. I even married a woman. Now, looking back, I was not very happy. Although I did outwardly appear content with my life, there was always something not quite right. I was never sure what it was, and just put it down to feeling marginalized and different as a gay person, but there was something more. It was a feeling much like trying to be someone I was not and I felt like an imposter most of the time—like I was hiding something. Well I was, even from myself. I was also very depressed and had remained so since my teens.
In the years to follow I would experience a divorce with a woman I had been with for 22 years and two failed relationships and I still wasn't happy.
It wasn't until I was 53 years old and playing street hockey with some workmates that I had an epiphany. I felt comfortable for the first time, like I was meant to be there, not just the token girl playing goal. A few days later I made an appointment with my GP and I started my journey.
I realized then that the depression I was suffering was the dysphoria I felt about being born in the wrong body, growing up in a female body, but feeling male. Once I began taking testosterone on a regular basis, I started feeling calmer and more comfortable in my body. Once the hair began to appear on my legs, chest and face, I felt fantastic. I felt normal for the first time in my life. I was elated.
Once I completed my chest surgery I began to feel even better, and then most recently with my surgical procedure, a metoidioplasty (meta) in California. But, after about a month and a half post-surgery I began to realize that the procedure was not successful and did not provide the results I was expecting. That's when a depression like no other I had ever felt began to set in. I spoke with my doctor about it and he changed my prescription for anti-depressants, but I knew this was not going to provide relief. I would stay in bed most weekends, and force myself to work during the weekdays. I began to isolate myself from friends, activities that I used to enjoy and became despondent. My emotions were all over the place. I would go from sadness to anger and began to hate myself and most of those around me.
I knew that the only solution was for a surgical revision. But, I had no more money, having paid out of pocket for chest surgery and the meta in California. The surgeon was distancing herself from the issue by saying that she had informed me of the possible results, but she did not. In addition she said that she could not perform a revision because she is not a plastic surgeon. There was no point in "beating a dead horse", so I looked to a local surgeon who assured me he could remedy the problem. However after a recovery of several months following what is called a "mons revision", I was basically left at square one. Over the past several months I roller-coaster between feeling okay and spiraling into deep depression. As much as I try, I cannot seem to dig myself out.
My only recourse is to keep writing about it and to wait for a consultation with a surgeon in Montreal who may be able to perform another revision. It is the waiting that I find the most difficult. Unfortunately, the BC government will only fund surgery at the transgender clinic in Montreal, and paying for a revision myself at this stage would be too costly. It could be up to a year until I am scheduled for surgery.


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Are you interested in Stem cell treatment joints India? Stem cells are present in your own body in bone marrow and fat. They possess healing powers. They have to be harvested and applied to problematic areas of cartilage, tendon, ligament and bone. I use bone marrow derived stem cells. I have performed stem cell treatment to repair knee cartilage in a few cases. Stem cell treatment is mainly indicated for young and middle aged patients with mild to moderate cartilage damage. It is not yet recommended for advanced disease in elderly patients in whom a knee replacement is the time tested option.
See our new website for more information, www.stemcelljointsindia.com.
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Dave Meltzer brought up this point on last night's Wrestling Observer radio: it's not clear that Paul Levesque has the business experience that would be required to run the whole WWE.
If you look at the candidates they range from his family (Linda, Stephanie, Shane, HHH) to current top ranks (Chief Strategy & CFO George Barrios, revenue & marketing officer Michelle Wilson, long-time right-hand man vice president Kevin Dunn) to former directors (Ex-COO Basil DeVito, Ex-CFO Mike Sileck, Ex-EVP Donna Goldsmith). However, while these individuals have requisite experience with WWE and demonstrated their leadership skills, they're all quite imperfect. They understand the challenges and demands of the running such a busy enterprise, and appreciate the unique industry space that WWE occupies. But none of these candidates truly have the complete skill set required to wrangle the many revenue arms of the WWE. I can't see any of them as truly effective leaders of the current company.
They're a TV company, they're an over-the-top streaming service company, they're an entertainment/talent company, they're still sort of a PPV company, they're an online website company, they're a merchandising & licensing company, they're a video game company, they're a Film product/distribution company, they're a publishing company, they're a live event company, etc.
I can't imagine a hired hand that could eat, sleep and breathe wrestling like Vince. He's had the benefit of being on top of the empire as it's evolved over these years. Would it work better to just install a competent manager who can then have underlings direct each of the major divisions? Do they need another crazy billionaire (ala Mark Cuban)? About the only job with as many headaches (talent, TV negotiations, merchandising, embracing new media, etc.) would seem to be like the GM of a major sports franchise.
Can anyone think of another company that had to go through a similar transition from powerful patriarch to next generation successfully? Disney, Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ford, NewsCorp? Who do you think could succeed Vince McMahon?


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The Chargers have an open registration (no tryouts) and a "no bench" rule, everybody rides, everybody races. That means if you want to race mountain bikes with us, the only few requirements are:
Must be a CCHS 9-12 student in the 2018-19 school year. We are unable to accept charter school or home schooled students.
- Register April 12th, complete paperwork, complete online registration, pay registration fees
- Be committed to the team.
Ultimately, if you want to ride and race, we ask that you be dedicated. If your goal is just to finish your first race, we'll give you the same amount of support as if you're riding to stand on top of the podium.
Due to our amazing local sponsors, a large portion of the costs have been covered. That said, competitive high school mountain bike racing is not cheap, and since this is not a sanctioned high school sport, the team members and their parents are required to pick up the balance.
The costs to be part of Chargers MTB is broken down into team fees, league fees and personal expenses.
Team Fees
$450 Team Registration Fee
A one-time (per year) registration fee to the Corner Canyon Cycling that covers the following:
- Team Kit (jersey & shorts)
- Chargers Swag Pack (t-shirt, tech tee, hoodie,water bottles...oh yeah!)
- League Team Registration Fees
- Coaches' Registration Fees
- Coaches' Training
- Training / Conditioning / Clinics
- Race Day Support
- Team Dinners/Parties
- Year-End Banquet & Awards
League Fees
$25 NICA Registration Fee
A one time (per year) fee to register with National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). Paid when you logon to the Pitzone.
$40 League Registration Fee
A one time (per year) fee to register with Utah High School Cycling League (the League). Paid when you logon to the Pitzone.
$45-225 Race Registration Fee(s)
Fee to register for each of the (5) League races (5 ea. @ $45/race = $225). Paid when you logon to the Pitzone. These can be paid later. (Up to a few days before each race)
Personal Equipment Expenses
The following items are required for all riders on the team. Fortunately, most of the times can be used for multiple seasons and/or passed along to other family members. Some first-year team members were able to ride a family member's bike before they committed to purchasing their own. All riders must complete a bike and equipment check with one of the coaches or team managers prior to participating on the team.
$1,000 - 1,500+ Mountain Bike (before student discount*)
Where to even start. Let's just say that solid, performant cross-country mountain bikes are not cheap (sit down for this one: high-end bikes go for as much as $12,000!) Fortunately, it is entirely feasible for a rider to nab a spot on the podium without spending much more than $1,200-1,500 on a cross country bike. Yes, that's still a lot of Benjamins, but in the long view, it's a drop in the bucket.
Most all of the coaches are long-time mountain bike fanatics, most of whom have spent a considerable amount of time research and riding a wide range of bikes, brands, sizes, styles, etc. If you don't already have a bike, or if you are uncertain as to whether the bike you plan to ride is suitable, spend time talking with multiple people, collecting opinions and recommendations before you find yourself making an overly spontaneous decision at the local bike shop.
Speaking of local bike shops, we are fortunate to have an amazing sponsor bike shop Hangar 15 Bicycles, packed with highly experienced and knowledgeable employees and mechanics.
* Students are eligible for 15-30% discounts from Specialized, Scott and Trek brands. (NICA deals) That's huge! We'll have a price list in the registration packet.
$50-200+ Equipment & Supplies
Helmets are mandatory. Clipless shoes and pedals are highly recommended. You must be self sufficient. That means a spare tube, multi-tool, hand pump, water bottle / hydro pack, etc. As with any sport, the range of price, quality, style, etc. varies greatly, so if you are somewhat new, a coach or experienced team member will be happy to walk you through gear specifics and suggestions.


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2016 Primary Season Is upon Us: Deadline Reminders for Coordinated and Electioneering Communications during Presidential Primaries
By Michael E. Toner and Louisa Brooks
While the 2016 general election is still a year away, the first state presidential primaries are now less than 90 days away. Primary season presents a number of compliance and reporting challenges, and corporations, trade associations, and others should be mindful of the coordination and electioneering periods for these presidential primaries.
Under federal campaign finance law, certain public communications that are coordinated with a federal candidate or political party are considered in-kind contributions to the candidate or party. This means that persons like corporations and labor unions who are prohibited from contributing to candidates are also prohibited from engaging in coordinated communications. It also means that coordinated communications are subject to federal contribution limits, and persons who are permitted to make such contributions—e.g., individuals and political committees—may only spend money on coordinated communications up to those limits.
One important type of coordinated communication for corporations, trade associations, and others to know are public communications that mention or depict a federal candidate and are distributed in a relevant jurisdiction within a number of days of the election. For presidential primary elections, the coordination "black-out" periods begin 120 days before the primary. The chart below provides triggering dates in the early states. Importantly, the coordination blackout, once triggered in a particular state, continues in that state through the 2016 general election with respect to coordinated communications that mention or depict Presidential candidates. (Note that the rules for Senate and House candidates are different.)
The other deadline to keep in mind is for "electioneering communications," which are broadcast, cable, or satellite communications that mention a candidate and are distributed within 30 days of a presidential primary. Corporations may make electioneering communications, but it is important to remember that certain communications featuring presidential candidates will trigger reporting requirements if made during the 30 days before a primary. Again, the chart below provides the relevant deadlines in the early states.


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What did you exxpect?
The xx do not owe us anything. That is something to keep in mind when listening to Coexist, their long-awaited second long player.
The strange, often complex relationship between band and fan is not one based on the owing or paying of debts. Expectation is the problem of the listener, not the band. But, when you wait three years after releasing a masterpiece, you may be asking for trouble.
That being said, as a single, standalone piece of art, Coexist is another mesmerising collection of songs, easily up there with their debut, maybe even surpassing it.
The building blocks that made that debut so special are all laid out once again, while experience has enabled producer and band member Jamie Smith to bring them together more seemlessly than ever. The trippy beats that slip in and out, the subtle and enchanting sounds that rise and fall and shift and morph with each listen, the juxtaposition of the cold, sparse arrangements with the warm, intimate lyrical content. The breathy and wondrous dual vocals. Atmospheric, hypnotic, elusive, lush - it's all here.
This is in many ways an album that no other band could make. Sunset is up there with anything on xx and possibly the best ever combination of everything they do so well, Angels is a Romy laying herself truly bare for the first time in devastating fashion, while Oliver gets his chance on Fiction. And Jamie Smith brings in those delightful steel pans from his solo work on Reunion. After five back-to-back listens (which in no way seems a chore), a flaw is yet to be found in its 37 minutes.
And is that what causes the slight niggling feeling that comes with this album? Have they played it safe?
That is one of a number of interesting questions that this album raises. Second album this and that, the fact their Mercury win came a whole year after the first album's release, for better or worse, gave them time, whilst simultaneously removing one pressure - finding success - and replacing it with another - replicating it.
Sure, they have had things to deal with. Coming to terms with the mainstream success and excessive touring, losing a band member. But, they still sound like the same amazing band that made that album in 2009. So why has this album, a consolidation rather than a progression, taken three years to produce?
A Kid A-style game-changer on only their second release would be too much to expect some might say. And they've created a sound that has brought the oh-so-rare combination of being unique, credible and popular, so why walk away from it?
But the feeling remains of what could have been? What more are they capable of? What can we expect from them next?
After waiting three years, the niggling lingers long after listening, like a soaring xx guitar. Angels was such a brave first single that it hinted at a complete disregard for expectation. Maybe by album three, they will follow through. Till then, we have a consistently beautiful piece to sooth and satiate us. What more could we expect?


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|Abbey Road gets a lot more dirtbag!
Matt Springall, Lloyd Wishart, Pommy (Front), Jenga (Back), and me. Photo by: Julian Hurrell
|Jenga crushes Eye of the Tiger (29) at Muline.
Photo by: Julian Hurrell
|Me: about to get spat off Desert Rose (27)... again.
Photo by: Julian Hurrell
All things considered, the fact that we managed to climb every day of the trip, coupled with the lunacy brought about by our shared suffering (misery loves company!) made it a fun venture, so it was worth the time (and money) to get there.
The Journey
After returning home, it was time to knuckle down in my search for a job. I updated my resume, bookmarked a few careers sites, shaved off my dirtbag beard (!!!), bought a business shirt, pants and a tie, and starting submitting applications. But like all things in this world, finding a job takes time, so in the interim I set about trying to send my existing bolted route on the superb Sublime Point East Face... and add a few more Projects next to it.
|Will Monks on Subliminal P2 (65m 23).
Photo by: Neil Monteith
Knowing that it would be hard to find belayers for the route I bolted a year ago (which I estimated at 40m 26/27), I investigated another adjacent line which appeared to be somewhat easier, and might make for good "belayer bait" while I went after my harder line. About a month later, I would end up also bolting the last "independent" line on the face, leaving me with 3 tough-ish projects in an adventurous environment to get through.
|The original routes on the East Face:
BLUE: Subliminal (90m 3-pitch 23)***
PURPLE: Subliminated (80m 2-pitch 24)**
RED: Castaway (90m 4-pitch 21)*
GREEN: Unconscious Corner (4-pitch 20)
At any rate, after warming up at home, the Golden Oldie and I headed out to Sublime Point East right as the sun departed the wall for the day (about midday) and rapped the 80m to the semi-hanging (but surprisingly cosy) belay at the very bottom of the wall, scarcely a foot above the void. This belay is shared by all 3 of my new routes, and also one of the original multipitches on the face: Castaway (4-pitch 21). Jumping straight in the deep end, I had 2 shots at the Project and fell off about 2/3rds of the way up the first (40m) pitch, both times on the same sequence. Starting to doubt that I'd be able to send this "easier" line, I was trying to work out how I'd lure another belayer out there even as I set off for one last lap of the day.
The pitch climbs about 12m of 21/22 thin face, then heads into a radical 6m leftwards traverse on super-funky (and very improbable) natural pockets and crimps. From here you launch up a powerful V3 boulder-problem with some seriously tricky footwork. Cruising through this, you enter the red-point crux of the route: a power-endurance test as the wall steepens, and the holds become extremely slippery and slopey. The overall theme of this climb is "resistance test", and previously I'd failed the test on this section both times. Surprisingly, on my 3rd shot of the day, I stuck the sequence (in part because I didn't stop to clip any of the bolts through this section), with only a single hard move remaining between success and failure.
|My Old Man abseiling in to the
Castaway belay stance.
|Carlos, mid-way through the super-rad traverse crux, on
what would ultimately be his Send lap.
1 down, 2 to go...
|A photo of the mind-blowing traverse.
Yes, I'm pretty psyched about it... Can you tell?
|Carlos about to enter the final "snakebite" crux,
and seconds away from Sending the route!
By this time I'd gotten adept at rigging the East Face with numerous fixed ropes to facilitate ease-of-access (according to Neil Monteith: I'd turned his adventurous climbing environment into Consumer-equipped Multipitch Cragging), so the trek from car to belay could now be achieved in about 15min. Again we rap in, do a bit of a warmup, and I'm off up the new route. This line shares the 12m face-climbing start with Sabbatical, but breaks off after the easy start and heads almost directly up the wall. It kicks off the independent section with a bang, serving you a V4 shallow, slopey, pocketed boulder problem (including some 1-pad monos to keep it interesting) to a good hold. Originally I thought that this would be the crux, but apparently training at the ShredShed really DOES have benefits, as I'd managed to totally dial this sequence during my 2 previous days of Top Rope-Soloing the route before Ro's arrival.
|Looking at the Sublime Point East main face.
This beautiful slice of rock hosts my 3 new routes.
2 down, 1 to go...
|The line of Sojourn (40m 26/27), a year ago
(when I bolted it).
|Top Left: Jumaaring out from the belay of The Face Race (35m 24)
Top Right: About to abseil in to the Sublime Point East Face.
Bottom Left: Rapping the East Face.
Bottom Right: On the Send Lap of Swansong (30m 25).
And so it was that the last of the independent lines on the Sublime Point East Face was done and dusted, with: Swansong (30m 25), marking the impending end to my 2 year odyssey as a climbing bum(bly), and the end of this journey on the East Face. Sabbatical (65m 26) -> Sojourn (40m 26+) -> Swansong (30m 25).
Embracing a Bitter Sea
As I hinted at above, by this point in time I was coming extremely close to acquiring a new job (being in the final round of interviews for 2 different roles, and having just had very successful behavioural interviews, I was only awaiting the official date of my execution), so I had really come to feel that the clock was ticking. I used my remaining time to push myself a bit with some classic Blueys hard-ish Sporty Sport climbing, and was rewarded with a few sends that I'm proud of (particularly because they didn't entirely suit me stylistically), foremost of which was finally getting around to ticking Superweak (20m 26) at Diamond Falls.
And then, the (ultimately) inevitable happened: I got a job! Somewhat surprisingly, it was back with Telstra. This wasn't a bad thing, as I'd had a good journey during my (almost) 10 years with Telstra, and I was more than happy to go back to work for them. My commencement date was in 2 weeks time, which meant that now I really WAS on the clock... what to achieve in my remaining 2 weeks?
|Looking at the line of Alive in a
Bitter Sea (from the belay at the
top of Echo Crack). It climbs the
vague blunt arete in the center-
right of the photo.
|Warwick Baird on the first ascent of Alive
in a Bitter Sea (4-pitch 25 R/X)
|Halfway along my fixed-rope traverse to
gain the belay above Pitch 3 (on top of the
teetering blocks a few meters further right).
Deciding to commit my remaining freedom to trying to repeat this route, the first challenge is getting to the top of it, which involves climbing over a fence near the Echo Point lower viewing platform (and scaring the shit out of the tourists, all of whom inevitably assume that you're off to commit suicide) and a short scramble down through a forested section to arrive at the belay at the top of Echo Crack. From here you do an exciting 10m grade 15 traverse across the top of the Echo crack corner (with a spectacular 200m of exposure), past a few gear placements, some original bash-in carrots, and a few newer bolts to arrive at the belay at the top of Pitch 3 of Alive in a Bitter Sea (pitch 4 being the traverse back to the mainland). I wasn't willing to lead-solo across this traverse (its rather intimidating on first inspection), and recruited Rene for belay duties. I fixed a rope across the traverse line for the duration of my time on the route (and probably went back and forth at least 10 times across it before I took it down), and set up 80m of fixed ropes down the route.
|"We're gonna die!!!" Neil Monteith and I on the belay below P1.
|Running it out above "average" gear on
P1 (24 R/X). Good thing I like stemming!
|Yes, this flake actually moves... And yes
I'm relying on a big wire placed behind
it to stop a rather large fall. The next move
is a heel-hook rockover to gain the bolt.
|The physical crux of P1: a gr24 arete-
sequence. Pure Arete-y awesomeness...
Thankfully, it's bolt protected.
|Neil on the final (crux) moves of P1.
|Traversing off the belay in the lower section of Pitch 2 (25 R).
Check out the wheelie bin in the bottom-right of the photo!
|The shoulder-buster move... well above
the gear, this move is gripping!
|Any questions?
|Coiling-up for the crux dyno! "It's now or never!"
|Dan Honeyman takes the Lefthand Sequence.
Photo by: Simon Carter (a scan of the photo
from the 2007 edition of Blue Mountains
|Paul Thomson takes the Direct Sequence.
|One of the upper-cruxes. The move to
gain the pocket I have with my left
hand is rather gnarly.
|Running it out above a #2 cam, through
the final (gr23) crux. This runout
continues for another 5 more meters!
|Jason (our Cameraman) poses for
a selfie with a buggered (but
victorious) climbing Obscurist.
On the belay below P3.
Change can be intimidating.
With all this in mind, it seemed strangely ironic (perhaps even predestined, though I don't believe in fate), that my beloved Delica's automatic gearbox EXPLODED into a cataclysm of shrapnel like a Claymore mine during the course of the very day I ticked Alive in a Bitter Sea, leaving me without the home I'd lived in for much of my sabbatical. Coincidence?
Anyway, since Alive in a Bitter Sea is rarely climbed, here's my gear list for any prospective repeat ascensionists (spoiler alert!):
Initial Belay = 2 x Carrots.
P1 (25m 24 R/X) - Bolt, Bolt, Medium Wires + #0.5 Cam, #1 + #2 Cam, #0.5 Cam, Medium Wire, Bolt. Belay = Piton + Carrot + #4 Cam.
P2 (40m 25 R) - #4 Cam, #3/#4 Cam, #3 Cam, Bolt, Bolt, #1 Cam, #4/#5 Cam, Bolt, #2 Cam (Consider a 2nd #2 cam here), #0.4 Cam. Belay = 3 x Carrots.
P3 (15m 23 R) - Bolt, #0.3/#0.4 Cam, Bolt, #0.50, #0.50, other optional gear possible: #0.75 - #3. Belay = 3 x Carrots.
P4 (10m 15) - #1 Cam, Bolt, Bolt, Bolt, #0.75 Cam. Belay = 3 x Carrots + 1 Fixed Hanger.
By this point in time I had just a single week of freedom left, and so it was that I committed wholeheartedly to accomplish as much as I could during this final week, in a full-contact onslaught of blitzkrieg proportions...
But that's a story for another day.
|A victory cheer after Sending Big Red (60m 27) (see previous blog update).
Photo by: Simon Carter.


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Jason Loring is one of the co-owners of Nosh, Slab, and Rhum Bar + Grog. Each are located in Portland, Maine. He is pictured with an Amaro Montenegro neat.
How did you first come upon Amaro Montenegro?
Arlin [Smith of Hugo's] introduced it to me. It is bittersweet, which is what I like in a drink. I am telling you, I don't really have good answers here.
We'll get there.
I like eating whole oranges with the skin on? That's why I like it. Should I sit up more?
You look great. When did you start working with food?
Part time work after school is really how it happened. Through working there I was introduced to people who owned Back Bay Grill and it really just snowballed from there. My mom couldn't cook herself out of a hole so I didn't like a lot of things until I worked there. I was just blown away.
Do you remember the first thing you tried there that changed your perspective?
It was Veal Demiglace with mushrooms and green beans. I couldn't handle it; I was blown away. I didn't think that was possible. My mom would make something with brown green beans out of the can, or if something was fresh she'd start cooking it in cold water and she'd be done when it was soft and mushy it was done. My dad eats everything well done and overcooked.
So I did a five day externship [at Back Bay Grill] when I was a sophomore in high school and then they offered me a job over the Summer. I was there for about a year.
What appeals to you about the industry now that you own your own places.
I think I am growing out of cooking and I like building businesses. That's what I want to do. Sometimes I feel guilty about it because cooking… those are my roots. It's what I did for so long. You're there on Friday nights and you're sweating behind the line. Now I sometimes feel like maybe I am not doing something [when I am not doing that], or like I should be doing something more.
What makes you a good business person?
It's like people tell you: surround yourself with people that are better than you. Surround yourself with people who can help you grow your business and not just by doing what you want to do. I am kind of a hard ass sometimes but I try to take people's criticism and incorporate it into what I do.
Working in partnerships, which is part of the business, is like being in a relationship. There is a lot of give and there is a lot of needing to know when to give up too. You gotta know when to fold 'em. [Laughs]
NOTE: This interview originally ran in the Spring of 2014.


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All is set for Peter Okoye and Lola Omotayo's Traditional Wedding
Peter Okoye (P-Square) and Lola Omotayo's traditional wedding will hold this Saturday (November 17, 2013). Peter proposed to Lola earlier this year.
The IV
Invited guests received this letter and access cards…
The Bride
Lola has had a couple of makeup trials. A few months ago, she had a makeup trial session with ShoMya
But it seems she has finally settled for Banke Meshida-Lawal (BMPro). Lola had a jewelry and makeup trial (see pictures below)
I definitely prefer Banke's makeover…
Keep refreshing for more info


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After my Religion and Art rant earlier in the week I have been coming across articles on the topic everywhere I look.
One report in the Time magazine on the controversial writer Salman Rushdie talks about the necessity of religion for writers, even atheist writers. Rushdie said "When I'm writing books, something weird happens; and the result is the books contain a large amount of what you could call supernaturalism. As a writer I find I need that to explain the world I'm writing about. As a person I don't need it and as person I do. I would agree, that tension is irreconcilable. But it's just there. It's just so."
"I think that a lot of us, whether we are religious or not.. there are no words to express some things except religious words. For instance, 'soul.' I don't believe in an afterlife or heaven or hell, yet there isn't a secular word for that feeling that we are not only flesh and blood. Whether you're religious or not you may find yourself obliged to use language shaped by religion." Read the rest of the Article at Times online.
Art critic for the Guardian Jonathan Jones says "Religion, in other words, is mixed up with magic, or to put it another way, the kinds of religion that nurture art tend to be. Catholic idolatry begets beauty. Protestantism does not." Guardian
There's an interesting discussion in the comments of the last post on Religion too.


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In iOS 6 and iOS 7, you can specify which apps are allowed to access your geographic location. However, how does one decide which apps receive that privilege? Here's how to set the restriction as well as some example guidance on how to make a yes/no decision.
The setting of interest is in Settings > Privacy > Location Services. It's the same for the iPad family and iPhone.
Some of my iPad apps and location grants.
The first time an app launches, if it needs to, it will ask for permission to obtain your location. At that point, your decision will set the on/off setting shown above. Later, if something has happened, say, the app obtained permission and you want to revoke it, you can go to this Settings page and reset the permission to off.
Apple provides these on/off settings so that the customer has control and can make a personal decision. That suggests that there are criteria for deciding.
Methods for Decision Making
So far, we've only discussed the mechanics of how to grant or revoke an app's ability to access your location. But just how do you make that decision?
One way to handle this is to develop a personal set of rules and standards. For me, I use a combination of trust, need to know, duplication of data and hidden usage.
1. Trust. If you have done business with the developer with other apps, on iOS or even OS X, or have corresponded with the developer and sized up his/her character, then it's a fairly easy decision. In many cases, I've reviewed the app and gotten to know the developer and learned about their professionalism and motivation to build the app. In a customer's case, reading the reviews at the App Store, while often non-technical and non-definitive, can present some insights into previous customer dealings with the developer, customer service issues, etc.
Whenever an app I review is free, I always ask about the business model. There are several legitimate enablers for a free app.
- The developer is new to iOS and wants to develop a good reputation with a first app showcasing his/her skills.
- The app is a lite version, an introduction to a more full-featured app that costs money.
- The app is free, but the developer builds a revenue stream with in-app purchases.
- The app is a gateway to a backend service. The service provider, not the customer, pays the developer for the business the app brings to them.
So not every free app asking for your location is evil. However, one should be particularly aware of the business model, reputation, and history for any free game that doesn't have in-app purchase but wants to collect information about you. Often, a simple Google search will turn up informative scuttlebutt on a questionable game.
2. Need to Know. Often a game or some utility will ask for you location. The question is: how does the operation or utility of the app require location data? If you can't answer that question, it's best to deny access to the location. You may find out later that the app isn't operating correctly or fully because it doesn't know your location. And then you realize that access needs to be granted. For example, the excellent app, NavClock needs to know your location to accurately compute the time of local sunrise and sunset. Sky Safari needs it to properly present the sky from your vantage point.
Many other apps that don't seem to need your location for computation or services want to collect your location for demographic analysis. For example, a network app like CBS app may want to know what zip code you are in because that says something about your socio-economic status. Or it may be used for directed advertising: people in Denver may want to know about snow tires. Not so much in Miami. This is the so-called backend business model; that information helps the developer, and is, in a sense, your payment for the free app, but isn't strictly necessary for its operation.
3. Duplication. Yesterday, I was exploring the Yahoo! app, and it asked me for my location. It was very polite and explained that without location data, it couldn't present me with the local weather forecast. However, I have several very nice weather apps that already are allowed to know my location via trust -- for example, The Weather Channel. I didn't see any reason why the Yahoo! app should also know my location because I had no plans to use that app for weather information. Access denied.
4. Embedded/Hidden Data. The iOS Camera app uses location data to populate the EXIF data portion of the image file. That can be great for apps like iPhoto that want to help you remember where you took a vacation photo by putting pushpins on a map. On the other hand, that EXIF data can be inspected by anyone who views your daughter's uploaded photo to, say, Twitter or Flickr. For the sake of family privacy, you may not want that. The lesson here is to understand how location data is used not only for computation or services like weather, but how that data is used and transmitted for other, unexpected purposes.
Having a specific philosophy, like the examples presented above, will help you decide which apps get to know your location. There may be other criteria I haven't explored, and you may well have developed your own unique philosophy. If so, you're invited to share them in the comments below.
Local map art by Shutterstock.


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United States Online Doctorate in School Psychology
An Online Doctorate in school psychology might offer educators a convenient way to earn an advanced degree in education. Educational leaders seeking to inform research and evaluation related to child development might consider a school psychology Online Doctoral program.
Sponsored Listings
- OnlineOnline
William James College
Doctoral Program in School Psychology PsyD
This program prepares practitioners to assume leadership roles in the educational field, with an emphasis on the delivery of mental health services in schools as well as development of advanced level practice skills.


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Crocheters Come to San Francisco
Here in San Francisco, like birds of a feather, flock together, so too do crocheters when it comes to stitch social activities and more.
With the sound of gulls and barking sea lions in the bay, we mentally and physically prepare for the 8th Crochet Cruise of The Crochet Crowd.
Currently, we have just two crocheters who have arrived from afar but today, the wave of crocheters flying in begin to pick up as we depart for Hawaii on Friday.
While on Board
This is our longest Crochet Cruise in our history. Fifteen days to enjoy crochet at it's very best. It will take us 4 days to get to Hawaii as we hook together in workshops and stitch socials for the cruise. While in Hawaii, many of us are involved in excursions and more, we don't do activities while the ship is actually docked. It's the opportunity of the crocheter to explore. Many of us together in groups as we explore things together. Then we cruise home for 5 days as we again take part of crochet activities.
We have one of the most extensive programs ever for a crochet cruise. We have a total of 19 get togethers. We have 9 workshops plus follow up Stitch Socials every afternoon. With the help of Yarnspirations plus purchases we have done ourselves, we have a terrific line up of yarn and more for each crocheter.
I am most excited about the Project Linus Activities we have. We have time on the ship to be patient, creativity and take our project to a whole other level of idea building. Cruisers are bringing with them at least 9 Solarium Squares but that is just the beginning. Once on the ship, they will continue to work their magic. I think for this cruise, you will see the most dynamic and incredible Project Linus afghans ever.
When We Get Back
Some of the ideas and projects we are doing on board will eventually be available through us.
So this is it for now. This is our last public event now until Fall 2017. Our next cruises are in October and we have the Walt Disney World Retreat as well.
For the crocheters making their way to San Francisco, travel safe.


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New Hero of Comedy, also known as New Heroes of Comedy when covering more than one person, is a three-part documentary series on Channel 4, featuring the rise of famous comedians of recent times. The series started on 22 February 2008. The first episode covers the career of Ricky Gervais, the second Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and the last Sacha Baron Cohen. The series received complaints before it was broadcast, with some people complaining that the people featured in the episodes are not "Heroes".
Add this show to your queue to receive more information about
New Heroes of Comedy and we will let you know when it becomes available.


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Monday, 6 February 2017
Proof of Concept | Dissertation | Year 2
1 comment:
Hey Beckie,ReplyDelete
Okay - a follow-up from yesterday's feedback. It was difficult to discern the 'issue' you were seeking to explore, but it sort of boiled down to an issue of aesthetics and their reception - so a perceived difference between 2D animation as a 'drawn' and therefore as an 'art practice' and 3D animation as registering as something else - something 'less'. You also seemed to be getting into a debate about the value of realism - or realistic-ness - as it compares with stylisation, as it plays out in animation. So, for me, it further boils down to the relationship between representation and technology - i.e. what impact does technology have on how we represent the world - so there's a constellation of related ideas here: aesthetics, representation, realism vs reality, & technology. It did seem as if you were seeking to argue that 'drawing' as mode of animation has a quality or a 'superiority' over and above CGI animation, and if this is the case, then I think this 'conflict' finds its historical context in the 'crisis of representation' triggered by the invention of the camera - and how the ability for the new tech too depict the world with 'total realism' challenged painters in terms of their relevancy and ability to continue to speak to the human experience with any accuracy or precision.
Some people to read/consider then: Andre Bazin on photography:
"In achieving the aims of baroque art, photography has freed the plastic arts from their obsession with likeness. Painting was forced, as it turned out, to offer us illusion and this illusion was reckoned sufficient unto art. Photography and the cinema on the other hand are discoveries that satisfy, once and for all and in its very essence, our obsession with realism. No matter how skillful the painter, his work was always in fee to an inescapable subjectivity. The fact that a human hand intervened cast a shadow of doubt over the image. Again, the essential factor in the transition from the baroque to photography is not the perfecting of a physical process (photography will long remain the inferior of painting in the reproduction of colour); rather does it lie in a psychological fact, to wit, in completely satisfying our appetite for illusion by a mechanical reproduction in the making of which man plays no part. The solution is not to be found in the result achieved but in the way of achieving it."
Walter Benjamin:
Realism (as an aesthetic and art movement):
Linda Nochlin:
You may also find affinities by looking at hand-drawn animation as 'craft', because of its direct relationship to the hand of the maker and CGI animation as representing something 'less' or 'less human' - so looking at the debates between craft versus other kinds of making might be useful (the Benjamin essay re. aura will sync with this too).


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A BMW X1 prototype is spied drifting under heavy snowy conditions while going through its testing programme. The baby SUV from Munich is due for a 2010 release.
Here is a fun "spy" video of the 2010 BMW X1. We say "spy" because strictly speaking it's not a spy video but a promotional video shot by BMW while testing the car on snow. Some of the car's dynamic handling properties are explored with music in the background and slo-mo shots. The car is covered in black and white camouflage but it's clear that it's more X3 than X6 in that it's shaped more like a wagon than a coupe SUV. It sounds good too.
A concept X1 appeared at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show. Although modeled around the 1-Series the X1 should be slightly longer and wider than the baby Beemer, just like the X3 is a bit longer and wider than a 3-Series. The same line of petrol and diesel engines from the 1-Series will be available as well as a possible debut of four-cylinder petrol turbo powerplants. With BMW stepping up its full-electric and hybrid programmes, these may be fitted too.
The rear-wheel-drive bias xDrive all-wheel-drive system will be on offer as well as manual and automatic gearboxes.


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But they didnt tho


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We bleed orange and want to help Orange families continue their legacy! The SOE Orange Family Scholarship program will offer funding covering 25% of the cost of School of Education Master's degree tuition to children of Syracuse University faculty and staff members.
To qualify for the SOE Orange Family Scholarship, please complete the Information Form and submit to Speranza Migliore, Graduate Admissions, at the email or address on the form.


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aka Savanna Times Theatre
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This movie theater is near Savanna, Sabula (IA), Teeds Grove (IA), Clinton (IA), Andover (IA), Miles (IA), Green Island (IA), Mount Carroll, Thomson.
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Agency Process Associate
- Employer
- Allstate Insurance Company.
- Location
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Salary
- Not Specified
- Posted
- Jan 11, 2019
- Closes
- Mar 12, 2019
- Ref
- 524389500A1#GIJ--Allstate.1
- Category
- Sales
- Job Type
- Not Specified
- Career Level
- Not Specified
Where good people build rewarding careers.
Think that working in the insurance field cant be exciting, rewarding and challenging? Think again. Youll help us reinvent protection and retirement to improve customers lives. Well help you make an impact with our training and mentoring offerings. Here, youll have the opportunity to expand and apply your skills in ways you never thought possible. And youll have fun doing it. Join a company of individuals with hopes, plans and passions, all using and developing our talents for good, at work and in life.
Job Description
This opportunity with Allstate Insurance Company is an exciting role because you are working directly with business owners and their staff. You will make an impact in their business and can say that you helped to get the business owner started. As an Agency Process Associate you are accountable for the delivery and implantation of base agency office processes, application installation relative to technology utilization, and other on-boarding and agency development sales process needs for Exclusive Agency (EA) owners and Licensed Sales Professionals (LSPs) to help drive business results. This position sits within our Agency Sales Division.
Field travel is required for this position.
This individual is responsible for the following:
Process Implementation
- Assists Exclusive Agency owners with the implementation of consistent business processes to help drive business results; supports prescribed processes from the Company.
- Builds and maintains best practices for the successful operation of Exclusive Agency owners and leverages opportunities to share knowledge/best practices across agencies, Field Sales Leaders, and regional staff.
Communication & Relationship Management
- Reinforces education with Exclusive Agency owners and LSPs; and/or refers agency owners of education classes, workshops and seminars, as appropriate, and as identified through conversations with agencies.
- Supports the Field Sales Leader in communicating company business objectives (in the context of process implementation). Works with and communicates with Exclusive Agency owners and Licensed Sales Producers in a manner consistent with their respective agreements with the Company.
Job Qualifications
- 1 year plus of business related experience
- 2 - 4 year sales management or agency support experience in Property & Casualty and Financial Services is a plus
- Prior distribution leadership, recruiting, agency establishment and agency development experience is a plus
- 4 year college degree preferred
- Experience in training/coaching is a plus
- Property & Casualty and Life and Health licenses as appropriate for the state (licensing will be required to be obtained within 60 days of starting the position)
- Industry Certifications (preferred)
- Ability to analyze data and make recommendations for improvement
- Strong Microsoft Office skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to develop effective internal relationships across business functions
- Overnight travel is required
The candidate(s) offered this position will be required to submit to a background investigation, which includes a drug screen.
Good Work. Good Life. Good Hands.
As a Fortune 100 company and industry leader, we provide a competitive salary but thats just the beginning. Our Total Rewards package also offers benefits like tuition assistance, medical and dental insurance, as well as a robust pension and 401(k). Plus, youll have access to a wide variety of programs to help you balance your work and personal life -- including a generous paid time off policy.
Learn more about life at Allstate. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or watch a video.


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I finally took the plunge but went for the new "Pink Raindrops" shade as I love a good pink (typical girl).
My verdict? I LOVE this nail polish so much! At £13.50 it is a tad on the pricey side but it is worth the splurge!!! It is super hard to chip it and has a beautiful almost professional looking finish and the actual shade is the prettiest most beautiful nude pink with a slight shimmer!
Do you love rain drops too?? In the nail polish sense of course.... let me know in a comment below!


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Beautiful fall weather. A little dry, but nice temps. Been good weather to just be out doing something. Pheasant season opened this week-end. Will run through the end of January. Sounded like a war zone around the countryside yesterday. There are some friends coming in Wednesday from Colorado to do some hunting. They are son's of a very good friend who has a house near us. Then in December he will be here with a bunch of guys to hunt for a few days. A couple of them will stay in our cabin, so will need to get it finished up. I enjoy pheasant hunting, but don't care much for the meat. I'll eat it, but would rather leave it for others. Besides that I don't have a shotgun. Authorities frown on me using my 54 cal muzzle loader. No sense of humor there. There seems to be a lot of birds in this area. East of us the weather was a little harsher this past spring and summer, killing a lot of the birds. Deer season will start next month. Quite a few deer also. There has been some wasting disease infecting the white-tail population. I understand the mule deer aren't infected. Plenty of both.
People come a long ways to hunt the game around here. They traipse around the weeds, snow, cold, sit in tree stands, and love every minute of it. The funny part of it is, I can sit in my yard and daily see deer, pheasants, turkeys come within rock throwing distance. I must be getting lazy in my old age. I have always enjoyed hunting, but unless I have to, I am just happy to let others try to keep the wild population in check.
Quote for the day--"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." Winston Churchill.
God Bless all and have a good day--johnnyb


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5 things every first-time entrepreneur should know
From hiring and firing to managing your time effectively – entrepreneurs reveal how to navigate the challenges and pitfalls of setting up a business
The burst of excitement experienced when you come up with a business idea can quickly diminish as you become overwhelmed by the task of simply knowing where and how to start.
Enthusiasm and passion alone won't be enough to see you through the stormy waters of your business' early days.
We asked some entrepreneurs for the dos and don'ts of setting up and managing a successful business.
Read on for advice on how to manage your time, cashflow and recruiting talent…
Set regular targets
Setting regular and constantly refined targets will help you stay focused and manage your business growth effectively. This is especially important in the early days of setting up a business when there are so many disparate elements that need attending to. A checklist with major items marked both urgent and important is essential.
According to James Hind, founder of online car dealership marketplace carwow "regular analysis of how your business is performing and setting regular targets and milestones to hit" will help you stay focused. He also warns that by "not tracking your company's growth, you're failing to acknowledge when successes, however small, are happening; and this can result in a lack of focus and motivation".
"Work out what your goals are", warns managing director of marketing consultancy Glass Halo Trevor Lambert. "Most people don't. Remember your focus should be on doing the stuff that brings in money rather than just doing stuff to be busy."
Building a website for your business idea is easier than you might think. Our online tool ranks the top website builders that offer free trials.
Don't waste time and money on things you don't need
You may be tempted to part with cash for things you think will make you look or feel like a legitimate business, but a fancy office and the best equipment does not necessarily make the best business – you need to concentrate on doing the most important things to the best of your abilities.
Paul Jozefak, managing director of innovation laboratory Liquid Labs, says that you should not "focus on having the best office or the coolest furniture", and adds: "Don't become conference-obsessed and spend all your time networking".
"As soon as you set up you'll be a sitting target for a bunch of people trying to sell you 'must-have' services," warns Lambert. "Don't be panicked into buying anything you don't need. Sleep on every major decision."
He adds that you should ignore blogs with titles like '17 things you must do before breakfast to avoid bankruptcy'. "The simple fact is if you get the basics right you'll still be ahead of 80% of your competitors. Worry about the finer detail later."
Become hypercritical about your time
You should expect a business to be a full time commitment not a hobby you can dip in and out of. Fledgling businesses need constant care and attention in the unsteady early years before they can fly on their own.
"Become hypercritical about your time," explains Liquid Labs' Jozefak, "Start-ups tend to be extremely chaotic […] Use calendars and set up timeslots for almost everything you do. Set time aside to do emails and once that time runs out, move on to the next thing. Be diligent about sticking to your schedules and adapt as you go and learn."
Likewise, he adds: "Don't worry much about your spare time. Since you should be completely focused on your business, you have no need to worry about what you do outside the office."
Glass Halo's Trevor Lambert says you should "establish a routine" to ensure you stay on track: "I always go to the gym in the morning. The drive to and from my nearest David Lloyd is my 'commute' and gets me into work mode as I arrive back at my desk."
Keep the cash flowing
Cashflow is the lifeblood of every business. Failure to maintain a consistent revenue stream could inhibit your business' growth and eventually lead to failure.
"If it doesn't drive cashflow, don't do it is a good rule to live by," says Jozefak: "Cash is everything in start-ups and revenues are the best type of cash. Understand exactly what is coming in and what is going out. Measure what your investments into the business are generating in terms of cashflow.
Lambert says you shouldn't "be afraid to chase for payment if you've done the work… If possible ask for payment up front and if not keep payment terms short with new customers".
Only recruit the best
The best doesn't just mean the most talented – you need someone who gels with you and is ideologically suited to your business. You're going to be spending a lot of time with your any staff you hire and you need to know you can communicate effectively when you've got a problem.
"Only allow the best into the company and remove those who don't perform immediately," advises Jozefak: "You can never fire bad employees too early – learn to deal with it and be just as good at hiring as you are at letting people go".
Lambert advises you to hire people that can do the things you can't to ensure you can stay focused on the business: "Get a good accountant. Get a web presence – as basic as you like. When you're ready get some kind of marketing support or advice. Outsource those things that distract you from what you are best at as soon as is practicable."


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OAKS & DERBY DAY TRANSPORTATION (12 hour minimum / consecutive hours) in your own private car!
Prices based on 12 hours of use, per day. Additional charges apply after 12th hour.
Driver gratuity is the responsibility of the customer. Parking for this vehicle will be in the DerbyDeals Private Parking Lot.


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Excite stories, books, poems, and more
7 results
Related Tags:excite, love, fire, adult, adult responsibility, adulthood, affection, angel, appeared, arouse, awake, away, became, began, betray, blind, bradley, brought, changed, child, children, college, college education, cursed, dark, dead, desire, doomed, drops, dust, education, edward bradley, edward j, edward j bradley, edwardjbradleysr, emancipate, emancipation, embellished, empty nest, empty nester, empty nesters, entrepreneur, excitement, excitement inspired, eyes, families, family, family affection, family happiness, family love
December 14, 2018
Miscellaneous / True Confessions
June 02, 2012
this is the wreason i rite Read More
Dedication: To all parents! Of daughters and sons! While digging through some older and forgotten papers, of mine, I came across a poem I must have written in 1998. The year when my son went away to college. 9 years before writing and posting "Our Grampa Ed" which should be… Read More
November 30, -0001
This novel has a strange parentage. It started as a short story that was a by-product (believe it or not) of a young adult story titled "Volunteeers" (which I have yet to publish) and inspired by my Twitter fiction series "President Evil" though not set in that universe. Now that… Read More


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NRHM MP DDC Data Entry Operator Admit Card 2013
National Rural Health Mission announced the vacancies for 866 DDC Data Entry Operators, thousands of candidates submit their application for this post and now after application submission they all required their admit cards. for more information keep in touch with http://tech-guruuu.blogspot.com Selection is based on online written exam and computer test.
Download DDC Data Entry Operator Admit Card 2013: For downloading admit cards candidates required their registration id for this then after entering this you may download your admit card from the official website of NRHM i.e. www.mponline.gov.in call letters will be available on the official website in the month of November 2013.
Procedure to download admit card:
- First log on to the official website.
- Click on DDC Data Entry Operator Admit Card
- Fill all the required information
- Click on Submit button
- Take a print out of the same.
Written Examination: Exam will be consisting of 100 marks. Questions are based on following subjects:
- Computers
- General Awareness
- Mathematics
- Reasoning
- Comprehension
Note: for more information related to this post and other Government Jobs you may subscribe your mail id with us and we will update you regularly. you may also check SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination Tier -I Notification


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DNA structure
- Created by: _lakmini
- Created on: 09-04-12 14:50
DNA- Double Helix of Paired Bases
A DNA molecule has two strands joined together in a shape of a double helix. These two strands are held together by four bases: Adenine & Thymine, and Cytosine and Guanine.They are held together by weak hydrogen bonds.
A gene is a section of DNA and the sequence of the bases present, code for a specific protein to be made.
Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins discovered DNA had a helical structure by directing beams of X-rays into pure, crytillized DNA and looking at the patterns that the X- rays formed as they bounced off.
James Watson and Francis Crick used Franklin & Wilkins' ideas and produced a 3D model of the DNA, along with the knowledge of that the amount of Thymine & Adenine matched the amount of Cytosine and Guanine.
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Deuteronomy 18 Common English Bible (CEB)
Priests and Levites
18 Neither the levitical priests nor any Levite tribe member will have a designated inheritance in Israel. They can eat the sacrifices offered to the Lord, which are the Lord's portion,[a] 2 but they won't share an inheritance with their fellow Israelites. The Lord alone is the Levites' inheritance—just as God promised them.
3 Now this is what the priests may keep from the people's sacrifices of oxen or sheep: They must give the priest the shoulder, the jaws, and the stomach. 4 You must also give the priest the first portions of your grain, wine, and oil, and the first of your sheep's shearing 5 because the Lord your God selected Levi from all of your tribes to stand and minister in the Lord's name—both him and his descendants for all time.
6 Now if a Levite leaves one of your cities or departs from any location in Israel where he's been living and, because he wants to, comes to the location the Lord selects 7 and ministers in the Lord his God's name, just like his relatives—the other Levites serving there in the Lord's presence— 8 he is allowed to eat equal portions, despite the finances he has from his family.[b]
Communicating with God
9 Once you enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, don't try to imitate the detestable things those nations do. 10 There must not be anyone among you who passes his son or daughter through fire; who practices divination, is a sign reader, fortune-teller, sorcerer, 11 or spell caster; who converses with ghosts or spirits or communicates with the dead. 12 All who do these things are detestable to the Lord! It is on account of these detestable practices that the Lord your God is driving these nations[c] out before you.
13 Instead, you must be perfect before the Lord your God. 14 These nations you are displacing listened to sign readers and diviners, but the Lord your God doesn't permit you to do the same! 15 The Lord your God will raise up a prophet like me from your community, from your fellow Israelites. He's the one you must listen to. 16 That's exactly what you requested from the Lord your God at Horeb, on the day of the assembly, when you said, "I can't listen to the Lord my God's voice anymore or look at this great fire any longer. I don't want to die!"
17 The Lord said to me: What they've said is right. 18 I'll raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites—one just like you. I'll put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will hold accountable anyone who doesn't listen to my words, which that prophet will speak in my name. 20 However, any prophet who arrogantly speaks a word in my name that I haven't commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.
21 Now, you might be wondering, How will we know which word God hasn't spoken? 22 Here's the answer: The prophet who speaks in the Lord's name and the thing doesn't happen or come about—that's the word the Lord hasn't spoken. That prophet spoke arrogantly. Don't be afraid of him.[d]
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
You'll get this book and many others when you join Bible Gateway Plus. Learn more


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The Chinese Foreign Ministry said its government was "seriously concerned" about allegations the NSA had created backdoors to spy on servers located in Huawei's headquarters. According to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, the U.S. agency infiltrated the servers in Shenzhen which Huawei said connected a third of the world's population. The US spooks tracked communications of the Chinese vendor's top executives.
This sort of hacking was far above anything China has been accused. To make matters worse the US had claimed that Huawei gear had backdoors to the Chinese government, when it turned out that the only backdoors were installed by the Americans.
A spokesperson from China's Foreign Ministry, Hong Lei, said during a media briefing Monday the government was concerned about surveillance and spying activities the US had conducted on other countries.
"We require the American side to give a clear explanation and stop such behaviour," Hong said.


text: Many of us know the name "Seth" from the book of Genesis, where he plays a minor role as the third son of Adam and Eve. Others of us think of Seth Meyers, erstwhile Saturday Night Live cast member who has parlayed his ductile humor into a talk show of his own. It turns out that the name "Seth" lends itself well to talk show hosts, because we have one among us: Seth Graebner, associate professor of French and International and Area Studies, who recently completed a stint as acting director of Special Collections at Olin Library. After spending months combing the Special Collections vault, Seth has developed a wonderful video series, "Into the Vault," which he hosts with joyful aplomb. The programs, which run about fifteen minutes in length, feature a conversation between Seth and a member of the Washington University faculty in which the two discuss a noteworthy book housed in Olin. Our multi-talented Seth has already recorded several interviews, notably with two of our colleagues in Romance Languages: Tili Boon-Cuillé, on Diderot's Enciclopédie, and Rebecca Messbarger, on Galileo's Dialogo dei massimi sistemi. Expect more shows in the future, but in the meantime you can see these and the others at library.wustl.edu/units/spec/rarebooks/videos.html