text:
FICO (NYSE:FICO), a leading predictive analytics and decision management software company, announced that researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), will include the FICO® Xpress Optimisation Suite in their work to determine the lowest-cost scheduling of electric power grids. LLNL are collaborating with the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, to work on large-scale renewable energy integration.
"We are researching ways to determine which power generators to operate, and how much power to produce at each generator, to meet demand for a region at the lowest cost," said Deepak Rajan, an Operations Research expert at LLNL's Center for Applied Scientific Computing. "Typically, this is solved at many time-scales, from long-term planning all the way down to day-ahead operations planning."
"FICO offers the best solution for implementing parallel optimisation algorithms, which I see as a major area of industrial application and academic research," said Anthony Papavasiliou, an assistant professor in the Center for Operations Research and Econometrics of the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium. "This is due to the integrated offering of a math programming language, Mosel, that can handle processor communication for parallel algorithms, and a solver that is one of the most competitive commercial solvers in the market. My interaction with the company has been extremely positive, and they have responded immediately to even the most detailed technical questions."
Papavasilou notes that he also uses another optimisation software program, but chose Xpress for this extremely challenging work. "Running some programs in parallel in order to implement decomposition algorithms requires two layers of programming," he said. "This introduces significant implementation inefficiencies and delays, because the two layers may be implemented in different languages, and it makes the description of a math program a tedious task. Xpress, with its integrated solution to the parallel programming of decomposition algorithms, is a better solution for this kind of problem."
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"Our work involves solving the 'stochastic unit commitment problem,' which attempts to capture the uncertainty in the system, including such weather components as temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover," said Rajan, who is collaborating with the Catholic University of Louvain on the energy problem. "This problem can be cast as an extremely large-scale mixed integer linear program — to be solved on thousands of CPU cores in parallel — which is well-suited for the FICO software."
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's mission is to strengthen the United States' security through the development and application of world-class science and technology. The Lab primarily performs work for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. LLNL also applies its capabilities to such challenges as energy, climate change and boosting the nation's economic competitiveness.
FICO® Xpress Optimisation Suite software is a platform for building optimisation solutions that drives business process improvements. The Xpress Optimisation Suite provides easy ways to create deploy and utilize business optimisation solutions based on scalable high-performance algorithms, a flexible modeling environment, and rapid application and reporting capabilities for on-premise and cloud installations.


text:
Christopher Carlson, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, Booz Allen Hamilton
Twitter: @cciCarlson
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ccicrc
Taking a break from my social recruiting series to share some thoughts for my fellow introverts attending #NACE14.
On most tests, I am an "off-the-charts" introvert who takes after his father. There are people who write "don't eat alone" and who encourage you to network, network, network. Not me. I don't know about my fellow introverts, but I like a little quiet time to recharge the batteries before going back into a room of hundreds of people. I eat alone quite often, especially when I have been around a lot of people. It helps me relax and renew.
So, here are my introverted best practices for conference survival:
- Schedule quiet time throughout the day—Go to the NACE Conference Scheduler and pick out your absolute must-attend workshops and see if you can carve out some quality time for yourself in between those sessions.
- Be selective with your networking time—Don't try to meet everyone, but in good introvert style, get to know a few individuals really well; connect with someone you want to get to know better.
- Don't be afraid to find quiet corners at a reception—Try to entice someone to speak with you one-on-one rather than insert yourself in a circle of individuals talking. If you want, you can talk to me as I am usually quietly positioned in a corner.
- GO BIG at least once during the conference—Grab a group of friends and get out on that dance floor and dance, I say, dance!
- Spend more time networking one-on-one—It is easier to strike up a conversation with someone sitting next to you before/after a workshop than in a big networking session, so start there. Make a point to meet at least one new person and get to know him/her really well each day.
- Get outside and take a walk—The Riverwalk is an introvert's dream come true, as there are many stretches with beautiful scenery and not a lot of people. I know from experience. It can be a very calming and relaxing spot.
- Above all else, spend time learning and connecting. As introverts, we don't have to meet everyone, just a few people who we will get to know very well.
Looking forward to seeing you all at #NACE14 in San Antonio! Look for me in a corner or at a table by myself and come say hello. Stay tuned for more insights into my journey into social recruiting as well as observations from the conference.
Don't forget, I am presenting on Tuesday. The session is entitled "Everyone is a Recruiter" and will look at building social recruiting practices and engaging your employee base to help ensure success. ("Everyone Is a Recruiter" will be presented on Tuesday, June 10, at 3:30 p.m. See the #NACE14 Itinerary Builder for details.)
Attend Christopher Carlson's session and take a selfie with him! A selfie with a session presenter is one of the 10 items to collect in the #NACE14 Scavenger Hunt!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Farmer's Market at Ardovino's Desert Crossing
1 Ardovino Dr
Sunland Park
— The 14th annual market runs Saturdays year-round at Ardovino's Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park, N.M. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to noon . Well behaved pets on leash welcome; brunch available for purchase. Information: (575) 589-0653, ext. 3.


text:
I hope you bear with me. This is definitely not the typical Fun Facts/For Friday Post. But, I think it falls into a "Fact" at the very least.
I don't know exactly why, but after yesterday evening's run, I started to think back to and reflecting on my running transformation. Maybe it's trying to figure out why I'm so hell-bent on running despite being injured?
You see, honestly, about three years ago I still refused to call myself a runner. No joke, look back at my past blog posts if you wish. Or, better yet, you can check out the post where I specifically say "Why I'm not a runner." Oh, and notice the date is July 2010. So, um, not that long ago really.
For some reason, I associated calling myself a runner with having an all-consuming passion, running crazy distances, or crazy-fast paces, and being in an elite secret club. What I didn't understand was the deep-seeded passion that comes with running. Ok, so the first point does end up being valid.
Yes, I enjoy the challenge of getting faster, running farther. Hello half marathons and PRs.
For me, running is something I never thought I could do. I have severe asthma, though not exercise-induced. Before I found Singulair, I couldn't go for hikes without resting (usually using inhaler) let alone running anything more than say 1 minute.
So to ever expect to be or even want to be a runner? Not even on my radar. I was always a dancer. I loved (still love) ballet deep in my soul. I lived and breathed it. But where I live, not much for advanced adults. You eventually get tired of the competition and pettiness you see dancing with 16-18 year old girls.
Long story cut short - Jason introduced me to running. One day I looked up, looked around, felt present in the moment and fell in love. It's not always easy. Actually, it never is. That's the awesome thing though. You have to work hard so you feel so much pride from it. Accomplishment.
I firmly believe that there's a huge misconception from non-runners or self-proclaimed dabblers of running that those who do call themselves runners find it easy. I mean, I know I thought that. But - Nope. Always work. But satisfying? Yes.
And can you fall in and out of love with running? Absolutely. I've definitely gone through periods where I dreaded lacing up my shoes. But usually there's a reason. Overdoing it or getting all up in your head - overthinking, planning, plotting, forgetting to let go. But then you have that one run...that one run that makes you remember exactly why you fell in love. Does this sound like a relationship? Maybe it is. There's give and take. Love and hate. Passion.
And honestly, this post can also describe my passion for lifting weights. I know there's a lot of debate about being a runner and a weight lifter. No, I won't ever do a fit comp, but man, I do seriously dig lifting weights. It's a different passion for me. But the same sense of pride and accomplishment as running.
So, if you run - you ARE a runner. If you lift weights - you kind of are a weight lifter. Just sayin'


text:
Explorations of a travel writer living in the beautiful Texas Hill Country...flora and fauna, nature and mysteries...food and wine...life.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Everyday Investment
If you ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it...But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.
--Frank Lloyd Wright
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Firecracker Bush (Russelia sarmentosa)
A few years ago I planted three Firecracker bushes outside my office window. They now take up 36 square feet of steep slope. The stems grow about six feet long, arching up three feet and then leaning down to the ground. New plants grow where they touch.
Drought tolerant, deer-resistant, doesn't require winter pruning. Firecracker is hardy within zones 8B-10 and evergreen except in record winters.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Urban Unknown
Some time back I went for a walk on the downtown-side of the Lady Bird Lake trail in Austin. The trail erupts to streetside for a short way and we walkers, runners, and strollers hold our noses against car exhaust until we descend to the greenly quiet waterside.
I didn't look forward to that section. Until the morning an Urban Chicken stalked the stretch.
You just never know, do you?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Gruene Hall
My last jaunt was to Gruene Hall, a famous almost-dive on the edge of New Braunfels. Early stomping grounds of Willie and everybody. So a few weeks ago, fueled by a beer and a good band, we walked into the setting of a confrontation in Chapter 24. I walked out knowing how Selby Wade, my mid-thirties finding-herself main character, would see it:
"Five minutes later Selby emerged from her house newly showered, hair in a high ponytail, wearing jeans and a fitted red t-shirt that said "Aged to Perfection" under a sketch of a wine bottle. She climbed into the little red truck and turned the radio volume up to 'blast' before weaving through downtown, out
Down the street, she could see the ramshackle white front of Gruene Hall. The establishment took pride in being the oldest continuously operating dancehall in
Selby pulled open the 1940's era screened door and walked into the front room. A chalkboard sign behind the bar read Cash$ Only!$ and rough plank walls were lined with black and white pictures of musicians past. A young guy in a green Mid-Tech ball cap manned the cash register, dispensing beers as fast as he could get the money. A short line of college-aged kids in jeans snaked out from his station. Other patrons wandered between the front room and the big hall.
She joined the line in time to see a bearded face appear in the open window between the bar and the main hall. "How 'bout a long-neck?"
The Mid-Tech student reached into the cooler. "Coming right up."
The ball cap turned to Selby, "What'll you have?"
"What's going on today?"
"CD debut party, the Texas Crazies."
"When does the music start?"
"Whenever they get around to it, I guess. What'll you have?"
She read the labels on the row of empty bottles on the bar behind him. "Shiner Bock."
He pulled out a bottle and popped the top.
She gave him a bill, putting change in a jar on the counter before taking her beer and wandering into the warehouse-sized music hall. The shutters were flipped down against the building outside and sunlight spilled through the wide openings, lighting long rows of narrow tables and benches.
Over the years patrons had carved their initials and romances into the tables until the carvings formed a hieroglyphic of beer-fueled history. Except for that, the scene reminded Selby of an old-fashioned camp revival meeting hall. Everything was hand-hewn—walls, ceilings, floors, tables and benches. The idea made her smile. A been-there-and-back temple to music.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Seen at a Big Box Homestore 9-14-09
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Welcome Home
But this year Fall feels like a beginning. Finally, more moderate temperatures--we can garden and walk and watch sunsets from the porch again. And even as 'our' hummers left, a blizzard of others spent weeks here filling up on nectar and sugar for the long flight south.
They're gone now but yesterday was one of the best birding afternoons since we moved to Texas--in our own back yard! We'd never seen a Bell's Vireo or Olive-sided Flycatcher before, and they came after the Wilson's Warbler and Nashville Warbler and Yellow Warbler. Our bird list for this home is 82 species now.
Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii)
Click here to enjoy more bird photos from mountainpath2001
Just last week, my fall flowers began blooming and fall butterflies flying.
Best of all, I'm moving into writing the end of my book. Only two more chapters. Big, fun, wild, sweet entangling conclusion--with a hint of new beginning. It will be fun to write and I get to start tomorrow.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Serendipity 9-19-09
One day at the edge of a pond, when I looked away from my thoughts, Mother Nature's extravagance lightened my eyes.
Male Wood Duck at Landa Park in New Braunfels, TX
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Smoothie Delicious
Sometime in August, when I had begun to think that my desperate daily mantra, "August won't last forever" was wrong, I started a new tradition of afternoon cool.
Now in mid-afternoon when the hungries sneak up, I head for the refrigerator. Pop a few things in the blender and we sip cool bliss.
The funny thing is, it's good for us too.
Peach Smoothie
2 generous servings
3/4 cup lowfat milk (we use 1%)
1/2 cup fatfree/lowfat yogurt (plain, vanilla or flavored, your choice)
1 banana, in chunks
1 or 2 peaches/nectarines (including skin)** or mangoes (peeled), cut in chunks
--amount equal to 2 cups of chunks
pinch kosher salt
dash vanilla
7 ice cubes
**Note: Peaches and nectarines are on the 'dirty dozen' list for pesticide retention--even through the skins--so we buy organic, on the theory that we don't need to eat poison.
I put it all in the blender on the 'ice crusher' speed and let it run until the clinking sound from ice shards fades, then a quick whir on 'puree' to incorporate air, maybe 5 seconds. Or hum a snatch of a song, which is refreshing in its own way. Pour into tall glasses and savor.
The day I was out of fresh fruit I used frozen mango & omitted the ice cubes. Thicker and delicious. When peach season is over, I'll probably venture into frozen berries.
For all the thick frothy feeling of indulgence, this treat also scores calcium, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. Hard to beat that.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Oxblood Lilies - Sign of the Season
The first blooms of our oxblood lily (Rhodophiala bifida) opened on September 4th. Folks in these parts call them Schoolhouse Lilies because they bloom the week that children go back to class.
The original bulbs were brought to the Texas Hill Country by German settlers well over a century ago. It's amazing to think that the bulbs survived the journey, the planting in alien soil and then over one hundred years of volatile Texas weather. Now every September, the older Hill Country towns light up with lilies, red waves of friendship flowing from neighbors dividing and sharing decade after decade.
What a present our blooms were after so many months of drought! I originally planted the bulbs in a front bed three years ago--before I knew the books were wrong, the books that said deer don't eat lilies. Mine were regularly grazed and never had a chance to bloom. But amazingly, they didn't die.
So this year at Easter, a time before we knew the coming months would be a blast furnace, we renovated the front bed and transplanted the lilies to a bed where they got better soil and were surrounded by plants deer don't like. The lily-snacking ended. But in the scorch of summer, the foliage died to the ground. And I knew the lilies had finally given up. Too much too hard too long.
Then on September 4th, when we walked out for our first sunset-porch-sit since May, we found the flowers radiant in ruby glory, testament to the power of life.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Eating Like We Mean It
I dove every weekend the wind didn't blow. And I loved every dive, even rubble dives.
Divers don't look like shark food, or sound like it either. We breathe through regulators, which on intake make a fuzzy sucking swishing sound and on exhale emit a soft trail of bubbles.
Most of the time if sharks see or hear a diver, they cut the other direction, so fast they're gone before the diver can even point at them.
Denny and I don't eat shark now. The numbers are declining faster than they can reproduce and the oceans need sharks for balance. We don't eat grouper either. I've been face to face with goliath groupers twice my size, and shared hollows with Nassau, tiger and black groupers longer than my legs. It's hard to look into a placid big-lipped face and think about eating it. Grouper numbers are declining too.
It turns out that many marine species are in danger--overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction. I don't want to contribute to the problem. But it's hard to keep up with all the species... so I was glad to find this Seafood Guide from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The guide is easy to use and folds small enough to fit in a wallet. Click the link, there are lots of good choices.
Happy eating. And I hope you get the chance someday to meet a grouper face to face.
This fabulous Nassau grouper is from Scubaben's Flikr stream. To see more: Nassau Grouper by Scubaben.
Copyright 2009-2013 Kathleen Scott, for Hill Country Mysteries. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
Friday, September 11, 2009
When I forget that life is a miracle, and every day a gift of possibilities, I go outside and look around... and remember transformation.
Gulf Frittilary caterpillar.
Newly emerged Gulf Frittilary butterfly at right, empty chrysalis underneath.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Is There Magic To The Date?
I've written before about how Hill Country denizens feel about rain (the naked dancing and all that). And it's all true, the bit about being more valuable than oil, everything. Even more true now as deeper cracks have opened in our land after 100+ days of temperatures over 100 degrees.
My friends in Florida and the soggy northeast, where it has rained every day for months, might want to scroll down now to my prior post this morning, a country-music-writing-beer musing.
But for all you Texans who have lived a scorched summer, here it is, a brief sample of what 1" of water from the sky looks and sounds like. Feel free to take off your clothes and revel.
That Last Glass Music
Today, one of yesterday's sentences sounded like a country music song. It's from Chapter 24, lined out the way the phrases sound when I read it:
She couldn't think now
why she'd thought last night
that the last glass
was such a good idea.
Sounds like a refrain, I think, with an up-and-down on 'idea'. I can almost hear the music...
Locally brewed bock beer at the Faust Hotel in New Braunfels.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Hummingbird Fall Migration
Actually, I should say we serve hummingbirds. 'Their' sprawling beds of plants require watering, pruning and feeding...and the six feeders want daily attention.
In return we lose ourselves in the miracle of 3,000 wing beats per minute as fluffs of iridescent feathers chase, hover and fight, owning every sip in sight.
It's too good to keep to ourselves...so I captured a migration minute for you:
Monday, September 7, 2009
But I can sit with a glass of wine, my eyes resting on the changing sky, and see, think, be the glowing, transforming color. My timeless time begins when the first slanting golden rays edge the land in shine. And ends in the deepening blue-purple advent of night. Every sunset is different and every one is beautiful.
This was the first sunset hour we'd spent on the porch since early May. It was the first evening in over 100 days when the needle on my porch thermometer rested south of 99F, the first break from a brutal summer of heat and drought.
On this day, we were gifted with a cold front and the air dropped to a cool 85F. We wondered whether we'd need sweaters.
To celebrate, we opened our only bottle of Terra Valentine 2007 Rose of Red Wine from Napa Valley, 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Sangiovese, 100% delicious. Richly fruity but not sweet--a strawberry nose and cherry finish, it was perfect.
The hummingbirds swirled around our porch feeders, the cardinals picked seed from the rocks, we sipped in contented silence as the planet rotated toward night.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Sometimes It's as Easy as Breakfast
One of my favorite parts of writing is when little stories pop up in the narrative--unexpected detours that color the world as the lines play out. I don't always know where those stories come from. Some of them are so far from anything I've lived that I'm shocked as the words tap out on the keyboard.
But sometimes the setting jogs a vignette into being. I'm lucky that New Braunfels is a colorful town; it's fun to occasionally put my characters into places I've been. We've eaten breakfast at the Union Street Station, and I might have seen a group like the one gathered around the table in the following excerpt.
She stayed with her folks during the renovations, which took twice as long as she'd planned and cost twice as much as she'd budgeted. Selby worked on the renovation like a job, riding her bike up to the house by eight in the morning, lunch sack in her basket. She wanted to do most of the work herself, hiring help only when she needed it. And when she started on the kitchen, she needed it.
Her father kept his weekly breakfast group updated on her progress and pitfalls. The guys met every Friday morning at Union Street Station, home of "56 Varieties of Omelet and Don't Ask for a Substitution" fame. Evan Schwartz, a stout, red-faced Rotarian who kept up with everyone else's lives and never tired of his own opinions, thought she ought to hire his son-in-law, Lucas. "So he can afford to send my granddaughter away for camp." The group guffawed since the son-in-law's inadequacies were one of Evan's favorite themes. However, after the huevos rancheros and
And with that, one of the most important characters--and one of my favorites, gained entrance to the book.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Raspberry Heaven
Bob is a chef and winemaker and gardener. Alison is a financial wizard who also gardens and weaves baskets and does everything Bob doesn't do.
Their package was heavy and tightly packed. I jumped up and down when I finally got the wrapping off. Magic potions! Alison's ruby raspberry jam, made with raspberries from their organic garden. PLUS a jar of raspberry honey, redolent of warm sun and whispering fruit. The flavors linger on the tongue in a silky essence of life.
Alison says anyone can make the jam. She shared her recipe, below. The part she didn't say, is that in the crucible of bubbling sugar, the berries from their garden transcend until you can taste the fire of the ancient volcano whose stony magma lies beneath the garden--and the sweetness of the nourishing love between the gardeners.
In Alison's words:


text:
Well, here it is...Christmas morning and all through the house, not a creature is stirring, except for me and the cats...hubby is still sleeping soundly.
This is a good time to reflect on and share with you what Christmas means to me. Since I am not affiliated with any particular religion and do not have children, I can be very clear about this holiday that has been, for centuries I think, designated as the celebration of Jesus Christ.
I have long forgotten about Santa Claus and because I do not have children in my life to keep that myth alive, it is just fine with me. After all, isn't the point of Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ?...whatever day he was born, this is the day that was chosen to rejoice his birth.
It used to be that it was a special time of year, when people were extra kind to their fellow human beings, when church and God and Jesus was the biggest part of the holiday theme...gift giving was done with care and lots of thought, often lovingly made by hand. Then, somewhere along the way, Santa Claus and the giving of expensive and numerous store-bought gifts became the focal point, and in my opinion, which as you know by now is neither humble nor clouded in mystery, that is when Christmas lost it's true meaning. THAT is when we lost the "spirit of Christmas".
It seems to me that at this time of year most people stress over buying gifts for everyone on their list and how they are going to pay for it all, where to put their visiting guests, what the Christmas meal will include, who will sit where, whose home the dinner will be at, and just a lot of anxiety and disappointment. We search for the spirit of Christmas, the magical way we felt when we were children and we want that again...but it rarely comes to us, at least, not the way we remember it. Is it any wonder that so many of us become a little bit depressed during this time?
And in the rushing around to make sure the kids have the latest video games, toys, and cool clothing and the adults in our lives are given even better gifts than we gave last year....we mostly forget what this is all about, or what it used to be all about. I suppose that being a retailer I should embrace the idea of people spending money and I DO appreciate the fact that each year, my loyal customers come back to buy something special for their loved ones. WHY? Because the ones who purchase their gifts from my shop realize that the woman they are buying something for will treasure that item because it comes from Tattered Rose....and it IS real and given with thoughtfulness and love, and that makes it OK.
I don't promote Christmas like just about every other retailer on the planet....and that is probably what makes me an awful business person. I'm an artistic soul, not a typical retailer but it could be the reason that my wonderful customers keep coming back each year....they know there will be no pressure to buy, buy, buy! They will not be bombarded by Christmas music, there will be no tree, no elaborate decorations and definitely no Santa! But I will try my best to help them find that special gift that will mean the world to their beloved. Maybe other retailers know how to do good Christmas business, I know I sure don't, but I like to think that I make up for the lack of that knowledge in other ways.
I have had some special moments and lots of hugs, cards and even gifts from my customers and THAT more than makes up for the fact that I am not some huge electronics store raking in the BIG money! (although a little of that windfall in my bank account would be nice)
I'm not even sure if all this rambling makes any sense, but I thought I would share my thoughts this morning with all of you out there who grace my blog with your presence. I appreciate the time each one of you takes to read or at least glance through what I have written...and I hope that you enjoy not only the pictures, but also what I have to say....it all comes from my heart.
I truly hope that we can all find a way to incorporate more love, more meaning and more honesty into our Christmases. Gift giving is fine but it doesn't have to be the sole purpose of the celebration. Let's try to get back a little of what we once had before it goes away completely. We should pass these traditions on to our children so that future generations will understand what Christmas is really all about....the birth of Christ, family, friends, kindness, goodness, truth, hope, peace and above all....LOVE!
Merry Christmas to all (who celebrate it) and to all a good morning. Time for me to go and see what the felines are doing....and check on my husband......well, he's still sleeping. Merry Christmas to me.


text:
28 March 2007 19:00
Zone Labs: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite Downloadby 2 others
Zone Labs: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite Download
1 (1 marks)
Founded in late 2003 and heartquartered in France, we are non-profit and independant.
We believe in the open web, think internet services should be sustainable, build for the long term.
While we are re-launching the service, we only accept new members through invitation.


text:
Traditionally, cinnamon is used for cooking and medicine, but apparently it also works as a beauty ingredient. The spice is rich in health benefits and within its barks are healing essentials oils, which is widely used for DIY beauty remedies. Although cinnamon has many health benefits (shown below) it should be used generously.
DIY Cinnamon Skincare:
Acne and blackhead fighting recipes, not recommended for sensitive skin.
Cinnamon Scrub
INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon honey
Mix all the ingredients together. Apply to your face and gently exfoliate for soft, smooth skin.
Cinnamon-Nutmeg Mask
INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
Form paste and apply it to your face. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Before rinsing exfoliate in circular motion and rinse it off.
DIY Cinnamon Makeup:
Cinnamon Bronzer
INGREDIENTS: Few pinches of cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon baby powder (or cornstarch)
Mix the ingredient together and adjust the amount of cinnamon powder until you've reached your desired shade.
Additional recipe: Cinnamon Natural Lip Plumper
For a natural color boost, refer to the video above to learn how to lighten your hair! It's safe and chemical-free!


text:
An architect at the centre of complaints about the management of a scheme in Rutland has been cleared of 14 charges of unacceptable conduct and serious professional incompetence.
Anthony Rodgers, from the Market Harborough-based practice B & R Partnership, was hauled before the ARB's disciplinary committee for failing to check whether a plumber involved in the work was Corgi-registered.
According to evidence presented to the board, defects in the heating system at the home of Royal Air Force commander Tim Behets, part of a project managed by Rodgers in 2000, had led to a number of 'safety' concerns.
However, on Friday the architect was found not guilty of both failing to provide supervision and of failing to make adequate enquiries about the plumber's registration details.
He was also cleared of providing inadequate documentation and drawings, agreeing contract extensions and of failing to request regular identification of subcontractors.
In relation to two other complaints, the ARB's professional conduct committee did find that Rodgers had failed to explain details of the work to Behets.
But the board did not regard either of these two complaints as amounting to unacceptable conduct or serious professional incompetence.
Rodgers accepted there had been 'shortcomings' in the way the contract was carried out and admitted he had 'not followed up the plumber's Corgi registration'.
He also confirmed he had received a letter from the Health and Safety Executive in relation to his responsibilities, which he accepted were important.
However, he maintained that the plumber had used 'unauthorised labour' and had lied to him about it.
'It was a difficult job, a very intrusive job - occupied jobs are more difficult, ' Rodgers said. 'In hindsight I should have checked the plumber was Corgi-registered. I have letters showing I tried to ascertain that.' He said he had carried out site inspections for an hour or more and had 'condemned' some of the work, particularly the decoration.
'It was a very traumatic time, very upsetting - not only for Mr and Mrs Behets, but for myself, ' he added.
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text: Hi all, Yesterday I got an HTC Incredible since my original Moto Droid touchscreen stopped working properly. I really like the SenseUI, better than the MotoBlur on the DroidX (except I needed to install Swype beta). Background aside, here's my question for you. On my A855, the power control widget let me cycle the display brightness, and included an Automatic mode. On the Incredible, I can't go back to Auto unless I go into the settings menu. Is there a way to grab the widget off my Droid or online? I'm not opposed to a different widget if someone can recommend one, either.


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Enterprise mobilityStay ahead of the competition with our mobility tools: VoIP, SIP Trunking and Unified Communications
An agile, mobile workforce – embrace the power of business mobility
Gone are the days where we were tied to our office desks to do our job. The internet age has revolutionised the way we work on many levels, meaning that many office-based jobs can now be done from any location, any time. There is an increasingly large variety of devices available to support mobile working, and companies with a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy even encourage staff to use their own equipment. Mobile solutions are particularly popular amongst sales agents in the field, engineers out on-site, home-workers, hot-deskers or staff on flexible contracts. The availability of ever more sophisticated mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets and laptops has driven the rise of the mobile enterprise. The real enabler of mobility is, however, the technology available today: VoIP and other cloud-based communications, allowing users to access the same features and tools as their office-based colleagues, without needing to physically be at an office.
Your business can benefit from staff mobility in a number of ways:
Being scalable
Most enterprise mobility solutions allow for the number of users to be adjusted in an instant. This is ideal for businesses that experience seasonal peaks or are expecting growth.
Being flexible, and able to change how you work rapidly
Your staff can work whenever, wherever. You can have the tools you need for everyday business with you wherever you go. Effective disaster planning is possible too, as calls can easily be redirected to any phone, and staff can access their files and programmes from anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection.
Being more productive
The advanced features of enterprise mobility solutions, including Instant Messaging, visual voicemail and unified contact lists, help your staff to collaborate and work more efficiently.
Being more competitive
You can react quickly to changes in the marketplace, with instant and easy access to the business communication tools needed to provide excellent customer service, make sales calls, and collaborate effectively.
Stay up to date
As some business mobility solutions are based in the cloud, maintenance and upgrades are dealt with remotely and automatically, by the service provider. You can be confident that your software is up to date, with no further input required from your side.
Enterprise mobility is fast becoming the norm. It makes therefore sense to have a telecommunications infrastructure in place that can support it.
What tools are available to support business mobility?
Most of today's leading phone system manufacturers have rolled out a mobility solution that ties the main system to personal or business smart devices. Avaya has One-X, whereas Mitel has MiCollab. Both systems allow their users to stay connected to the central phone system, no matter where they are and what device they are using.
There are a number of communications solutions that can also help when it comes to moving to a mobile workforce:
Interested in Business Mobility? Contact us today!
Unified Communications (UC)
UC combines data, video and voice communication into a single solution, using a variety of devices, such as smart phones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers.
SIP Trunking
SIP allows you to set up multiple geographic numbers, routed to the same location. Non-Geographic numbering is also easily set up. This can be done for both desktop and mobile phones.
Hosted Telephony or Hosted VoIP
Hosted Telephony allows users to work from any location they choose, as long as it has a suitable internet connection. They can access all the tools that their office based colleagues have access to, including IM, Voicemail, Email and Video Conferencing. Our Hosted solution has a mobile application allowing you to access all features and tools while on the move.


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Tuesday, February 28, 2017
One Perfect Lie By Lisa Scottoline
On paper, Chris Brennan looks perfect. He's applying for a job as a high school government teacher, he's ready to step in as an assistant baseball coach, and his references are impeccable.
But everything about Chris Brennan is a lie.
Susan Sematov is proud of her son Raz, a high school pitcher so athletically talented that he's being recruited for a full-ride scholarship to a Division I college, with a future in major-league baseball. But Raz's father died only a few months ago, leaving her son in a vulnerable place where any new father figure might influence him for good, or evil.
Heather Larkin is a struggling single mother who lives for her son Justin's baseball games. But Justin is shy, and Heather fears he is being lured down a dark path by one of his teammates, a young man from an affluent family whose fun-loving manner might possibly conceal his violent plans.
Mindy Kostis succumbs to the pressure of being a surgeon's wife by filling her days with social events and too many gin and tonics. But she doesn't know that her husband and her son, Evan, are keeping secrets from her – secrets that might destroy all of them.
At the center of all of them is Chris Brennan. Why is he there? What does he want? And what is he willing to do to get it?
Enthralling and suspenseful, One Perfect Lie is an emotional thriller and a suburban crime story that will have readers riveted up to the shocking end, with killer twists and characters you won't soon forget.
This was a slow burner for me. It took a while to get going and for the suspense to start building but once it did I was into it. There is a lot going on besides the arrival of Chris Brennan who is not at all who he claims to be. There are multiple back-stories happening at once including Heather struggling as a single mom, Mindy who is suspicious of her cheating husband for all the wrong reasons, and who had my suspicions aroused as well!
I received an advance copy for review
4 comments:
Seems like an interesting read. I'll keep this one in mind.ReplyDelete
I do enjoy suspense and love back stories to keep the interest going.
Nice review!Replies
Thanks, let me know what you think if you read it :)Delete
I love a story with twists and turns in which you can't guess until the end.ReplyDelete
Linda B
This may be the book for you then :) I was totally expecting it to be something else.Delete
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- Waffle Pretzels (you can use any pretzels, I just like the waffle ones for this treat)
- 2 sticks butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
First arrange the pretzels on a baking sheet and pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.
Now start on the caramel. In a medium size pan, melt the 2 sticks of butter then add the brown sugar. Stir continuously and heat over med/high heat. You want the caramel mixture to get very bubbly and hot. You will need to stir continuously. If you have a gas stove, you may need to lower the heat so you don't burn the caramel mixture, but you want to keep it bubbling. If you have a candy thermometer, you will want to use it. You want the caramel to be about at a "soft crack." But don't worry, I've made this without using my candy thermometer. You'll want to cook it about 10 minutes, but stirring constantly.
Pour the caramel over the pretzels and spread across the entire baking sheet. Stick the caramel covered pretzels in the oven for 5 minutes.
Pull out of the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the surface. Stick back in the oven for like a minute, just long enough that you can tell the chips are getting soft and melty. Do not leave them in there longer than a minute or the chocolate will burn.
Using a spatula or wooden spoon, spread the melted chips. I let it cool on the stovetop then stick in the fridge for several hours. You need to wait until the chocolate is pretty hard, or else this becomes a sticky mess on your hands when you try to eat it.


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Phony Contractors in Riverside County Stung By State Contractors Board
Operators caught giving illegal bids to undercover investigators in Murrieta
SACRAMENTO — The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is warning consumers about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors following a successful sting in Murrieta. CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), with help from the Murrieta Police Department, conducted the undercover operation to underscore the fact that illegal contractors are working in Riverside County.
SWIFT investigators stung a total of 14 unlicensed contractors in the operation that took place yesterday (Thursday). The charges they face in Riverside County Superior Court range from contracting without a license to advertising and contract violations.
Undercover stings are held several times a month up and down the State. Their objective is to level the playing field for licensed contractors competing in the local business area, and to protect consumers from fraud and scam artists. One of the unlicensed people who showed up at the sting house and gave an $8,000 estimate for tile work mentioned to undercover investigators that he heard on the news that "guys are doing stings down in San Diego and arresting people for contracting without a license." The investigators explained that the current sting was taking place in Murrieta as they handcuffed and arrested him.
"Operations like this give us a chance to educate both homeowners and would-be contractors," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "Unlicensed contractors hurt the economy and pose a serious liability for the people who hire them." Each unlicensed operator is given a contractor's license application and the message to "get a license" before they go after home improvement jobs again. A first violation could result in a maximum six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. A second offense carries a mandatory 90-day jail sentence.
The SWIFT investigators identified potential suspects from advertisements, business card handouts and tips from licensed contractors. They invited the suspected unlicensed operators to a house near Glen Arbor Park where they bid on projects that included painting, concrete work and tiling. The sting house was volunteered by a person who had been victimized by an unlicensed contractor. When the operators gave a bid over California's legal limit for contracting without a license ($500 in labor and materials), they were arrested and cited. The Murrieta Police Department was on-hand for backup and to see if any of the suspects had arrests warrants or any other problem.
Because they often pay their workers in cash and do not provide workers' compensation insurance, unlicensed contractors often submit lower bids on jobs. But, if a worker is injured, the homeowner could be considered liable. Plus, if a deal goes bad with an unlicensed contractor, the homeowner has very few options.
Before hiring a contractor, homeowners should go online or call CSLB's automated phone system to see if a contractor has a valid license. They can also check out the contractor's license history and get bond and personnel information.
The CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips when dealing with a building contractor:
- Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see the license.
- Don't rush into decisions and don't hire the first contractor who comes along.
- Be especially hesitant when approached by someone offering home improvement services door-to-door, especially when they will use material they claim is left over from another job
- Verify the contractor's license by checking online or via CSLB's automated phone service at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752)
- Don't pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less
- Don't pay cash, and don't let the payments get ahead of the work
- Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract
- Contact the CSLB if you have a complaint against a contractor
The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California's 292,000 contractors, and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually.
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This one-year course of study (36-credit hours) is offered entirely online with optional residency. This hands-on, project driven program for the aspiring martial artist educator adds a new dimension to your sports practice. Martial arts is a philosophy, a way of life, an attitude, a passion, a hobby or a profession. This program takes a holistic approach and seeks to train the complete martial artist.
Professors are world and national champions in their discipline, they are certified martial arts trainers and have an impressive tracking record. They bring to the online and on-campus classroom and dojo the blend of physical and mental preparation.
|1 year
|Credit Value
|Admission Requirements
|Bachelor's degree or Equivalent
|Study Options
|2900€ yearly
|Registration Fee
|60€ yearly
|Technology Fee
|80€ yearly
Click HERE to view the brochure!
The structure of a typical course will require students to read materials supplied by the university, study related materials, and perform personal research on selected topics. Confirmation of learning may be determined via papers, projects, quizzes or exams.


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Amanda Yorwerth was our guest in the studio this afternoon, here to discuss her upcoming charity cycle.
Amanda and her husband Mike will be travelling coast to coast from Seascale on the west coast to Whitby in the east. a total of 150 miles!
This will all be in effort to raise money for the charity 'Bikes for Africa', which collects unwanted bikes from the UK and takes them to Africa where they are in great demand to help in ways such as enabling kids to get to school, adults to get to work, and so much more.
If you'd like to donate and support you can visit Amanda's donation page
You can visit the official Bikes for Africa website for information on the charity here.


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A host of strange and delightful creatures made from seeds, leaves and vines populates the pages of this first children's book by the Masons (Recovering from the War, 1998).
As the book opens, the letter A, in upper- and lowercase, introduces Andy Acorncap, a strange creature made primarily of acorns, acorn caps and vines. For the letter B, the book offers small birds made of pine cones, twigs and other natural "litter." And so the alphabet continues, each letter introducing a strange new version of a particular creature. Some are meant to represent real animals, such as birds, a caterpillar and owls; others are named after plants or trees, such as the Evergreens, who look like they are wearing flowing pine-needle capes, or the Magnoliacone, with its long beak and acorn eyes). The intriguing creatures are the book's primary draw, but the first two descriptions start an alliterative trend that's sadly dropped by the letter C: "Andy Acorncap ambled along. / The Bird babies be-bopped behind. / Clarice the Caterpillar inched along, singing a song." Since the creatures aren't instantly recognizable, the alliterative verbs might have helped younger readers identify the repeated sounds. A zigzag alphabet on the Z page provides a challenge for the preschool crowd, as they're asked to trace a path from one lowercase letter to the next until they've traced the whole alphabet in order. Notes at the end share facts about the different plants and creatures, which vary from the useful ("Zygodactylic means two toes pointing forward and two pointing back") to the fictional ("Unicorns do have blue horns"). A final page points out the different parts that make up each creature and the types of materials that Mason used to create them. Overall, the book may be less useful as an alphabet book than as an enticement to go out into nature and gather materials for crafts.
A book that will engage young readers with its unusual creatures and may inspire them to create their own.


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Current Newswire:
What are games to play from a Linux terminal?Apr 17, 2014, 08:00 (0 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Xmodulo)
Who never procrastinated and played games instead of writing a paper, finishing a report, or looking after the kids? Absolutely no one. But when Linux users procrastinate, they procrastinate in style: while playing from the terminal! We tend to forget, but at first a graphical interface was not necessary for a good game. And thanks to open-source and the community, many arcade and other good games were ported to be played from within a terminal, without an X server running. It would be impossible to list them all, but let me present ten of these games that particularly appealed to me personally.
0 Talkback[s] (click to add your comment)


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BIGGEST NEEDS: The Mavs needed an infusion of youth and athleticism, especially on the perimeter. They signed Gerald Green and re-signed Antoine Wright to shore up the swing spots. Reyshawn Terry and Foster also have a shot to make the roster. Another veteran backup point guard might be a target.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Antoine Wright, Gana Diop, Gerald Green, J.J. Barea and James Singleton have signed contracts. Keith McLeod also inked a non-guaranteed deal. Other than another minor move, the team is basically done in the free-agent market.
--F James Singleton signed for one year at the league minimum. He played last season in Spain and the two previous years were spent with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has career averages of 2.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 10.1 minutes in 112 career games. He sold the Mavs on his hustle and versatility, especially on the defensive end.
"I do the little things," Singleton said. "If you need an extra possession or you need to guard a bigger three or a more agile four or if you need a guy to switch on a point guard on a pick-and-roll, I can do it. In the West, we have some great guards in Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant. I'm able to switch out on those guys and give the team versatility in different areas."
--G Antoine Wright re-upped for two years and about $4 million. He spent half of last season with the Mavs after being traded from New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd blockbuster. The former first-round pick out of Texas A&M joins the swingman rotation that also includes Josh Howard, Gerald Green and Jerry Stackhouse.
"We are excited that Antoine will be returning to Dallas next season," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "He is an emerging young prospect with tremendous promise. With his youth, athleticism and talent, he has a very bright future in Dallas."
--G Keith McLeod signed a non-guaranteed contract that includes a training camp invite. McLeod played for Carlisle two years ago in Indiana and joins J.J. Barea as true backup point guards behind Kidd.
The four-year pro (6-2, 190) has played with four NBA teams, and holds career averages of 5.5 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 200 games with 88 starts.
"Right now, I'm just taking it day by day and trying to better myself and help the team," McLeod said. "Hopefully, that will lead me into training camp and open other opportunities for me."
--G Renaldas Seibutis left the summer league team after its stint in Las Vegas to return to Europe. It became obvious that the 2007 second-round pick wouldn't stick with the big club this fall, so the promising guard headed back overseas for more seasoning. He could also stand to pack on a few more pounds of muscle. The Mavs continue to hold his NBA rights.
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While it's widely accepted that employee engagement is a key driver of organizational performance, its definition can vary depending on the source – and even the most accurate measure of employee engagement can be difficult to translate into action. So where do you start when trying to approach such a big – and potentially vague – subject?
The solution? Before you do anything else, take time to really understand the current situation, and use that information to think through how best to approach your employee engagement challenges.
This white paper will provide you with best practices for the most effective approaches to assessing the current state of your employee experience (because, after all – one size does not fit all when it comes to research!)
Last, we'll show you how to put it all together and translate those findings into action items.
Ready to get started? Download your copy now!
Everything you need to research and plan for the ultimate employee experience.


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Fresh herbs add a little dazzle to your mid-week meals
|Chicken and mushrooms with a white wine, thyme and lemon sauce
Do you find by the time spring arrives in the southern hemisphere you are left wondering where the year's gone, why haven't those new year resolutions been achieved, when did those pants shrink that fitted perfectly last summer and who the hell is that pasty, white faced, black eyed person staring back at you every time you look in the mirror?
You haven't? Yeah, no, me either *insert sarcastic eyebrow lift here*
While our northern hemisphere friends are getting back into the daily routine of life, after what I hope was a great summer break. Here in the southern hemisphere, it seems that by the time September hits it's only another hop, skip and a slam dunk before we're singing Jiggle Bells and Frosty the Snowman while sweating it out in 90 per cent humidity. The absurdity!
Today, I invite you to STOP and smell the herbs and spices, ladies and gentlemen. It doesn't matter where you are or what season you are in, go out to your herb garden, open your spice draw/container/jar, walk into your local fruit and veg shop and stick your head in a bunch of herbs, close your eyes and breathe in a long deep breath. And now relax. What did you smell? What did it remind you of? What dish did it make you want to eat?
I'm enjoying the smell of thyme. It conjures up memories of Sunday mornings on my deck with the sun dancing on my skin about to tuck into a plate of Swiss brown mushrooms fried in a little butter with fresh sprigs of thyme, laying on a piece of lightly toasted sour dough. Oh, yeah!
|One of my favourite herbs, thyme
In honour of both thyme and mushrooms, today I'm sharing a great mid-week evening recipe that, like me, will help you stop, relax and enjoy a wonderful meal at the table with loved ones.
by The Self-Raising Kitchen
serves 4
|Chicken and mushrooms with a white wine, thyme and lemon sauce
2 chicken breasts, halved
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 sprigs thyme, leaves pulled off stems
250g button mushrooms, halved
zest of half a lemon
juice of half a lemon
olive oil
1/2 cup wine
1/2 chicken stock
Salt and pepper
1tsp cornflour
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Season chicken breasts. In an oven proof dish add garlic, mushrooms, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice and a glug of olive oil. Add chicken to the dish and mix everything around so the chicken and mushrooms are well coated. Add in the stock and wine. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes.
|Chicken and mushrooms ready for the oven
Once the chicken is cooked, place the chicken breasts and mushrooms on a separate plate, cover with aluminium foil. If you haven't used a dish suitable for a stove top, transfer the remaining liquid into a pan. Place pan on a high element and wait for the liquid to boil. Add a tsp of cornflour to a little cold water and add to boiling liquid. Leave to simmer for 2 minutes. Taste. See if the sauce needs a little more salt or pepper, or just a squeeze of lemon juice. If you feel you need more sauce - although a little goes a long way - simply add more wine, water or stock. Be sure to check the seasoning.
Plate up the chicken and mushrooms with your favourite steamed greens and spoon the white wine sauce over the meat.
Such a simple, tasty recipe to enjoy and share with loved ones over a relaxing vino. Yes?
Plate up the chicken and mushrooms with your favourite steamed greens and spoon the white wine sauce over the meat.
Such a simple, tasty recipe to enjoy and share with loved ones over a relaxing vino. Yes?


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Henry David Thoreau Quotes About BooksQuotes about: Books
To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will tax the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem. It requires a training such as the athletes underwent, the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object. Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written.
The earth is not a mere fragment of dead history, stratum upon stratum like the leaves of a book, to be studied by geologists and antiquaries chiefly, but living poetry like the leaves of a tree, which precede flowers and fruit ~ not a fossil earth, but a living earth; compared with whose great central life all animal and vegetable life is merely parasitic. Its throes will heave our exuviæ from their graves ... You may melt your metals and cast them into the most beautiful moulds you can; they will never excite me like the forms which this molten earth flows out into.
The book exists for us perchance which will explain our miracles and and reveal new ones. The at present unutterable things we may find somewhere uttered. These same questions that disturb and puzzle and confound us have in their turn occurred to all the wise men; not one has been omitted; and each has answered them, according to his ability, by his words and his life.
A truly good book attracts very little favor to itself. It is so true that it teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down and commence living on its hint. When I read an indifferent book, it seems the best thing I can do, but the inspiring volume hardly leaves me leisure to finish its latter pages. It is slipping out of my fingers while I read. It creates no atmosphere in which it may be perused, but one in which its teachings may be practiced. It confers on me such wealth that I lay it down with regret. What I began by reading I must finish by acting.
Books of natural history make the most cheerful winter reading. I read in Audubon with a thrill of delight, when the snow covers the ground, of the magnolia, and the Florida keys, and their warm sea breezes; of the fence-rail, and the cotton-tree, and the migrations of the rice-bird; of the breaking up of winter in Labrador, and the melting of the snow on the forks of the Missouri; and owe an accession of health to these reminiscences of luxuriant nature.
It is remarkable, but on the whole, perhaps, not to be lamented, that the world is so unkind to a new book. Any distinguished traveler who comes to our shores is likely to get more dinners and speeches of welcome than he can well dispose of, but the best books, if noticed at all, meet with coldness and suspicion, or, what is worse, gratuitous, off-hand criticism.
Henry David Thoreau
- Born: July 12, 1817
- Died: May 6, 1862
- Occupation: Author
- Cite this Page: Citation


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Christian Schloe, Metamorphosis
I Have Dreamed Of You So Much
I have dreamed of you so much that you are no longer real.
Is there still time for me to reach your breathing body, to kiss your mouth and make
your dear voice come alive again?
I have dreamed of you so much that my arms, grown used to being crossed on my
chest as I hugged your shadow, would perhaps not bend to the shape of your body.
For faced with the real form of what has haunted me and governed me for so many
days and years, I would surely become a shadow.
O scales of feeling.
I have dreamed of you so much that surely there is no more time for me to wake up.
I sleep on my feet prey to all the forms of life and love, and you, the only one who
counts for me today, I can no more touch your face and lips than touch the lips and
face of some passerby.
I have dreamed of you so much, have walked so much, talked so much, slept so much
with your phantom, that perhaps the only thing left for me is to become a phantom
among phantoms, a shadow a hundred times more shadow than the shadow the
moves and goes on moving, brightly, over the sundial of your life.
~ Robert Desnos
For some years this poem was erroneously labeled "The Last Poem," allegedly found with Desnos when he died of typhoid in Theresienstadt after the camp had already been liberated (this was not unusual; some prisoners were so sick they never recovered even after they began to receive medical care). It was assumed to be addressed to the poet's wife, nicknamed "Youki" (Snow; her real name was Lucie).
It's a wonderful poem even though it was written at a different time and under different circumstances. Many of us can identify with the experience of having fantasized about a loved person so much that the fantasies become more real than the beloved.
There is another poem by Desnos that I love. It begins "Remote from me and starlike," and ends:
If only you knew how I love you . . . how
joyous I am, how strong and proud of
going out with your image in my head,
stepping out of the world.
How joyous to the point of death.
If only you knew how the world submits to me.
If only you knew.
~ Robert Desnos ("Remote from me and starlike")
I think all of us would agree that falling in love involves uncertainty and anxiety. But we'd also agree that being in love is also a source of strength. I don't mean being loved, which certainly is a source of strength, but being in love, your mind filled with the image of the beloved. It's like having a wonderful secret.
With the image of the one we love, we step into the world filled with a private joy. Yet we also step out of the world — the world of mundane cares, of aches and pains and tax returns. All that petty negativity simply ceases to exist. Death ceases to exist. There is only the beloved whose image we carry with us.
Some would say that this is escapist, and that it's not good to idealize a "mere human." But there is no denying that being in love — even without return, as long as we are not being actively rejected — is a source of strength. The world submits to us because we are not as dependent on the externals. We have something within.
Of course Desnos says it much better.
Christian Schloe, Woman/Clouds
I can't resist sharing one more thing not by Desnos, but about him. The text below is from Wikipedia. Perhaps the story is apocryphal — but what a story!
"One day Desnos and others were taken away from their barracks. The prisoners rode on the back of a flatbed truck; they knew the truck was going to the gas chamber; no one spoke. Soon they arrived and the guards ordered them off the truck. When they began to move toward the gas chamber, suddenly Desnos jumped out of line and grabbed the hand of the woman in front of him. He was animated and he began to read her palm. The forecast was good: a long life, many grandchildren, abundant joy. A person nearby offered his palm to Desnos. Here, too, Desnos foresaw a long life filled with happiness and success. The other prisoners came to life, eagerly thrusting their palms toward Desnos and, in each case, he foresaw long and joyous lives.
The guards became visibly disoriented. Minutes before they were on a routine mission the outcome of which seemed inevitable, but now they became tentative in their movements. Desnos was so effective in creating a new reality that the guards were unable to go through with the executions. They ordered the prisoners back onto the truck and took them back to the barracks. Desnos wasn't executed. Through the power of imagination, he saved his own life and the lives of others."
Last photograph of Desnos, 1945
Beauty is its own excuse for being. ~ Emerson
Ruskin was one of the first environmentalists, but he interests me primarily because he said that work should be a pleasure. A craftsman is happy and loves his work, in contrast to an assembly-line worker. Ruskin imagined a society of satisfied craftsmen producing things of excellence and beauty.
"John Ruskin (1819-1900) was one of the most ambitious and impassioned English social reformers of the 19th century. He was also – at first sight – a deeply improbable reformer, because he seemed to care mostly about one thing – beauty – which has a reputation for being eminently apolitical and removed from 'real life'. And yet the more Ruskin thought about beauty – the beauty of things humans make, ranging from buildings to chairs, paintings to clothes – the more he realized that the quest to make a more beautiful world is inseparable from the need to remake it politically, economically and socially.
When Ruskin had begun his career as an art critic, his ambition had been to open his audience's eyes to the beauty of certain paintings and buildings. But in middle age, a more direct and urgent goal came into view. He realized that the ugliness of most things in Britain (from the factories to the railway stations, the pubs to the workers' housing) was the clearest indication of the decadence, cruel economic ideology and rotten moral foundations of his society.
Throughout his life, Ruskin contrasted the general beauty of nature with the ugliness of the man-made world. He set up a useful criterion for any man-made thing: was it in any way the equal of something one might find in nature? This was the case with Venice, with Chartres Cathedral, with the chairs of William Morris… but not with most things being turned out by the factories of the modern world.
So Ruskin thought it helpful for us to observe and be inspired by nature (he was a great believer that everyone in the country should learn to draw things in nature). He wrote with astonishing seriousness about the importance of looking at the light in the morning, of taking care to see the different kinds of cloud in the sky and of looking properly at how the branches of a tree intertwine and spread. He took immense delight in the beautiful structures of nests and beavers' dams. And he loved feathers with a passion.
There was an urgent message here. Nature sets the standard. It provides us with particularly intense examples of beauty and grace. The plumage of a bird, the clouds over the mountains at sunset, the great trees bending in the wind – nature is ordered, beautiful, simple, effective. It is only with us that things seem to go wrong. Why can we not be as it is? There is a humiliating contrast between the natural loveliness of trees by a stream and the bleak, griminess of an average street; between the ever-changing interest of the sky and the monotony and dreariness of so much of our lives. Ruskin felt that this painful comparison was instructive. Because we are part of nature we have the capacity to live up to its standard. We should use the emotion we feel at the beauty of nature to energize us to equal its works. The goal of human society is to honor the dignity and grandeur of the natural world.
Ruskin's approach to politics was to hold resolutely on to a vision of what a really sane, reasonable, decent and good life would look like – and then to ask rigorously just how a society would need to be set up for that to be the average life, for an ordinary person, and not a rare piece of luck only for the very privileged. For this he deserves our, and posterity's, ongoing interest and gratitude."
Ruskin, Northwest Porch, St. Mark
"The episode [in The Origins of Christianity] we remember best is Paul's arrival in Athens to preach the Christian gospel and his outcry against the Greek statues. 'O chaste and lovely images', Renan cries out in his turn, 'of the true gods and goddesses! — this ugly little Jew has stigmatized you with the name of idols!" ~ Edmund Wilson
Renan had his own peculiar brand of ant-Semitism, but it's something else that interests me about this passage. I'm still pondering how best to interpret Renan's strange statement about the TRUE gods and goddesses. Having left the Catholic church in his early twenties, he allegedly remained a "quasi-Christian," as one source put it. Wilson considers The Origins of Christianity to be a masterpiece in the study of ideas, showing how "the Christianity of the Apostles is no longer the Christianity of Jesus, the Christianity of the Scriptures is modified as it is attracted to the Greeks or the Jews; the Christianity of the Rome of Nero is something entirely different from the primitive Christianity of Judea." But I digress: how are we to understand the outcry against Paul and his condemnation as idols of the lovely images of the TRUE gods and goddesses?
But perhaps my emphasis is wrong; perhaps the critical word is LOVELY. It's reasonable to think that Renan worshiped beauty. He adored the Greco-Roman civilization — "the glory that was Greece, and the grandeur that was Rome" — finding it superior to that of the ancient Israel for a variety of reasons, including the legal system and precisely the cult of beauty, including the beauty of the human body. Perhaps the meaning of "true gods" is closer to "true values" — the humanistic values typical of the educated elite in France and other European countries.
Note also that Renan calls the Greek statues "chaste." This is his reply to those who'd call theme obscene — the enemies of beauty, the enemies of the body with its unsettling sexuality. And yet, because of their beauty, the statues are the opposite of pornography. They draw us to the ideal. Rilke's response was: "You must change your life."
To be sure, Christianity is also a call to the ideal. Alas, it's so warped by its obsession with death and the afterlife, with sin and punishment, that it could hardly be said to serve life. At its worst, it's anti-life.
It could also be argued that perhaps Renan wasn't even a quasi-Christian — he just wasn't daring enough to reject Christianity in a more direct manner. Nevertheless, this passage betrays his real feelings. He loved the classical Antiquity; he did not love Paul's teachings. To say that Paul's teachings were false would have ruined Renan's career. This outcry is perhaps the closest he comes to saying what he really thought.
In retrospect I think that it wasn't only Greek mythology that deeply affected me — it was also those naked statues that said that human body wasn't evil. And it was also a couple plays that we studied in school, Oedipus and Antigone. It was the literary quality of that writing, so vastly superior to the Catholic propaganda, whether the Catholic Weekly or the Sunday sermons. Here was a culture in which the Catholic drivel and crucifixes simply didn't exist, and what a culture!
So yes, simply being exposed to something wider, to the richness of culture and the world beyond the Catholic prison — and ultimately to novels and movies where religion was merely a footnote, if that — had an effect on my mental development that I wasn't even aware of. I couldn't help seeing that the church was the domain chiefly of old women, not of any kind of vitality. Good minds were not drawn to it.
There were some attractions — the old time liturgy (ignorance was bliss — I didn't realize that the mass was derived from the Jerusalem temple ritual of animal sacrifice, and "hostia" meant "victim") — and the music. But it wasn't enough.
The more I think about it, the more clear it becomes: the culture wars were won by the secular side, starting with the classical Greek culture: they had better sculpture and better literature. I saw that the secular world offered better art in the broad sense, including a lot more beyond sculpture and theater. It offered a vision of moral and philosophical complexity that wasn't obsessed with sin and punishment, that both celebrated and lamented, that raised questions rather than force-fed catechism answers.
Later I discovered that the church had a more advanced, intellectual side as well, but that was for the elite, especially the Jesuits — not for a mere stupid girl (I overheard my parish priest saying: "Girls — they are so stupid"), part of the lay riffraff. In any case, even that more intellectual side did not fare well compared to the best secular writers and intellectuals. Dogma existed (e.g. Marxism), but it had to compete with other schools of thought, or with literature that simply ignored that particular dogma and instead said: Look, this is life.
Bernini, Rape of Proserpina
"Why do the rich have so much influence in politics?" asks Duke University Prof Nicholas Carnes in a Talking Points Memo piece.
Is it because the poor and working class don't vote? Is it too much outside money pouring into political campaigns and causes?
No, Prof Carnes writes, there's another "big reason" why the wealthy dominate US politics: "Wealthy people are the ones in office themselves."
"If millionaires in the United States formed their own political party, that party would make up just 3% of the country," he says, "but it would have a majority in the House of Representatives, a filibuster-proof super-majority in the Senate, a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court and a man in the White House."
A working-class party, by contrast, would comprise less than 2% of Congress.
Unfortunately, he argues, the US political system is generally a contest between the rich and the rich.
"By the time most Americans get to the polls, the only options on their ballots are wealthy, white-collar professionals," he writes. "Do you want to vote for a millionaire lawyer or a millionaire business owner?"
He concludes:
Those of us who care about making our government more responsive to middle- and working-class Americans need to keep working to get the money out of our political institutions. But they also need to start asking what we can do to get more working-class people into them.
The best paragraph here is "By the time most Americans get to the polls, the only options on their ballots are wealthy, white-collar professionals," he writes. "Do you want to vote for a millionaire lawyer or a millionaire business owner?"
It's the government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. Some say it's always been that way, and always will be. So maybe just tiny improvements here and there, tiny victories, is what we should celebrate.
No one represents the interests of the non-rich, for all the pious rhetoric about the middle class. Alas, I don't think any substantial change is doable in the coming decades. The system is indeed rigged, but the rich have such an overwhelming advantage that I don't see any way out. A grassroots movement? We're seeing something of this sort now, but it's already being beaten down by the establishment money machine.
My only hope is a bit of a lasting reform here and there. The labor movement won more decent working conditions. The unions have mostly gotten suppressed, but many of the reforms have proved lasting, and no, we no longer have child labor in the West. We don't? I hear the skeptics say in a mocking tone. Definitely not the way it used to be. It takes a long, long time, but progress does happen.
Child miners, 1911
Scientists at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) gave mice Nicotinamide riboside (NR), which proved to have a positive effect on the functioning of stem cells. Their research is published today in the journal Science.
No negative side effects were observed in the mice given NR, even at high doses. NR, which is a form of vitamin B3, has not been scientifically tested on humans but is already available in certain nutritional supplements found in the U.S.
The EPFL researchers said caution should be observed when it comes to branding NR an elixir of youth, as further studies are required. One avenue of study would be to make sure the vitamin does not also boost the functioning of pathological cells, such as those found in cancerous tissue.
Johan Auwerx, who led the team, says the study is a breakthrough for regenerative medicine and could have profound implications for treating diseases like muscular dystrophy. According to the scientists' data, the muscular power of mice taking NR did improve.
"This work could have very important implications in the field of regenerative medicine," Auwerx says.
"We are not talking about introducing foreign substances into the body, but rather restoring the body's ability to repair itself with a product that can be taken with food.
From Science Daily:
"Hongbo Zhang wanted to understand how the regeneration process deteriorated with age. To do so, he teamed up with colleagues from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich and universities in Canada and Brazil. Through the use of several markers, he was able to identify the molecular chain that regulates how mitochondria -- the "powerhouse" of the cell -- function and how they change with age. The role that mitochondria play in metabolism has already been amply demonstrated, "but we were able to show for the first time that their ability to function properly was important for stem cells," said Auwerx.
Under normal conditions, these stem cells, reacting to signals sent by the body, regenerate damaged organs by producing new specific cells. At least in young bodies. "We demonstrated that fatigue in stem cells was one of the main causes of poor regeneration or even degeneration in certain tissues or organs," said Hongbo Zhang.
This is why the researchers wanted to "revitalize" stem cells in the muscles of elderly mice. And they did so by precisely targeting the molecules that help the mitochondria to function properly. "We gave nicotinamide riboside to 2-year-old mice, which is an advanced age for them," said the researcher. "This substance, which is close to vitamin B3, is a precursor of NAD+, a molecule that plays a key role in mitochondrial activity. And our results are extremely promising: muscular regeneration is much better in mice that received NR, and they lived longer than the mice that didn't get it."
But then I remember the great hopes that we used to have for resveratrol. NR, however, is involved in the mitochondrial energy production, so it's more promising. Note the absence of human trials at this point. Humans are a naturally long-lived species, and some treatments that work in mice have been found ineffective in humans.
Bruegel, Maypole
ending on beauty
Of all the stringed instruments I like the best
the harp stretched from hand to hand,
from blood to blood. From disaster to deliverance,
From error to perfection.
~ Miroslav Holub
A harpist from Ur, that unimaginably old city in Mesopotamia: Sumerian, going back almost 6,000 years. How hard life was then, "short and brutish" for most. Yet music already existed, bringing us the news of peace and beauty. Someone was not a soldier; someone was a musician instead, practicing long hours "from error to perfection."
Saturday, April 30, 2016
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Ogdensburg Zonta aids Renewal House
Thursday, July 13, 2017 - 11:53 am
Renewal House recently received $500 from the Ogdensburg Zonta Club "to assist in their mission to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services and awareness," club officials said. The Ogdensburg Area Zonta Club are members of Zonta International, which has 30,000 members in 1,200 clubs in 67 countries. Above, Renewal House program director Shari Fawcett and Zonta member Elaine Bellinger.


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The Role of US institutions in developing effective international linkages for animal research and training in Latin America
TypeJournal Article
Review statusPeer-reviewed
AccessibilityOpen Access
MetadataShow full item record
Permanent link to cite or share this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10568/44181
External link to download this item: http://www.journalofanimalscience.org/content/50/5/966.full.pdf+html
US Institutions and scientists have an important role to play in increasing world food production. At no time in history has such a tremendous concentration of scientific capability been so underutilized to remove the barriers that limit world food production that is so important to feed the millions of people who live in abject poverty and are plagued by hunger or malnutrition. The role of US institutions in developing effective international linkages for animal research and training to increase livestock production and income in Latin America is multiple and varied. Personnel from these institutions must include teachers, planners, developers, researchers, evaluators, politicians and diplomats if sound international collaborative efforts are to be developed and maintained. Our most capable scientists must commit their time and knowledge to the development of cooperative research programs which will provide solutions to the problems that limit animal production.
AGROVOC Keywords
SubjectsLIVESTOCK; PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH;
CountriesUNITED STATES
RegionsLATIN AMERICA; NORTH AMERICA
- CIAT Articles in Journals [2234]


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Today I'm posting on two WIPs and a start! I like the current flow of things at the stitching spot, it's been a while... I haven't 100% caught on my bloglist reading though, for that I apologize. I'll get there somehow, been preoccupied with plans lately (not stitch-related... yet), big reveal will come in February, hopefully.
Without further ado, my two WIPs:
I wish to have a finish this month. Pinning my hopes on this one, it only entails little backstitching.
Next up is Spells' Store by Primitive Hare:
No wonder I got to stitch a lot on the Chickadee, it's all brown. But I'm looking forward to the other colors. If you're wondering where my other WIPs are: Read Between the Lines and Sea Life are at my sister's (I left them and those will be stitched whenever I get to visit my little niece, as if I'm going to have any stitching time there, haha). Houses of Peace, the one in black is neatly folded in the drawer, I just can't deal with dark fabric for night-stitching for now.
Finally, here's something I'm excited about, a cute start. There's a deadline for this though (is that a clue?), so that makes me a little nervous, I hope I don't mess it up. But just in case I fail, I've got a back-up plan (when did I get so smart, hehe.)


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Our dedicated team of specialist commercial contracts lawyers assists clients on their ongoing business and trading requirements, from strategic relationships to business as usual arrangements. Most of our team have spent time on secondment with the in-house teams at our major clients.
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The Publisher Ad Stack 4.0 Roundtable
PluggedIn BD & Industry Index
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (EST)
Event Details
"Full Ad Stack" is a term used increasingly frequently in the ad tech space. During the past year, hardly a day went by without any announcement of a large advertising conglomerate, agency, media house or even telcom acquiring a company to complete their "Full Ad Stack". The lastest news has Telenor acquiring Tapad.
When & Where
Cushman & Wakefield
1290 Ave of Americas
Tuesday, February 23, 2016 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (EST)
Add to my calendar
PluggedIn BD & Industry Index
PluggedInBD produces the conferences Content Israel & IsraelAdTech, along with exclusive roundtables in NY. The goal is to bring together entrepreneurs, founders, and industry executives to build industry relationships, grow their companies, and learn from industry leaders.
Industry Index conducts industry-focused research and reporting for technology companies. Our data-driven content and surveys emerge from our IndustryIndex.com panel that includes: 35,000+ brands & agencies / 15,000+ vendors / 40,000+ publishers. We connect buyers and sellers through market intelligence, independent research, industry news, technology profiles, rankings and reviews.
Our monthly roundtables bring together founders, CEO's, and executives to discuss trending industry topics, with the objective of unlocking the full value of doing business together. Roundtables have included mobile, social media, content marketing, programmatic, native advertising, and many others.


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Sony Ericsson's tiny touchscreen button means you can leave your phone in a pocket or bag and control it remotely. Let's take a closer look…
It's so annoying when your phone rings while you're conducting your orchestra, isn't it?
It sure is. That's why Sony Ericsson has invented the LiveView, a tiny button that shows you who's calling and lets you answer or decline without stopping the concerto.
Er, I was joking.
Course you were. But that's just one of hundreds of situations where the LiveView touchscreen could come in handy. More mainstream applications would be driving, jogging or sitting in a meeting.
Aren't Bluetooth accessories a bit old hat?
Sort of, but this one can be clipped into a bundled watch strap, and watchphones are still quite future-y. It'll sync with your phone for calls, texts, email and social networking updates from the likes of Twitter and Facebook. Plus you can use it to control your phone's music player, check your calendar and all sorts.
Any phone?
Any Android phone, in theory. Or rather, any Android phone running version 2.0 or above. Which rules out Sony Eric's own Xperia X10, still running 1.6 at the time of writing.
That doesn't seem right.
By the time it launches (scheduled by the end of the year), the X10, X10 mini and X10 mini pro should all be rocking upgraded firmware. But if you want to use it with another brand, Sony Ericsson won't try to stop you. They'll even help you find apps that work with LiveView in the Android Market.
And the bad news?
Is that we don't know how much it'll cost yet. Chances are Sony Ericsson will struggle to get the price down to something people who've already spent £500 on a smartphone will be happy to pay. But we're keeping our fingers crossed.


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A new machine-learning algorithm that recognizes patterns in genome-wide DNA-methylation data can help pathologists classify brain and spinal cord tumors. The diagnostic tool is freely available online, and could prove valuable for histologically ambiguous cases.
- ©2018 American Association for Cancer Research.
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Cinch Jeans - Blue Label Utility Fit
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A stay at EME Catedral Hotel places you in the heart of Seville, steps from Giralda and Seville Cathedral. This 5-star hotel is close to Alcazar and Plaza de Espana.
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Today is Kate's first birthday!
We're kicking off Katestravaganza (a multi-day birthday extravaganza a la Jesstravaganza) with a regularly-scheduled Daddy-Daughter Day while Mommy goes to work, then we'll go out for Kate's first taste of ice cream tonight (well, the first one where she gets her own serving, at least ;0) I'm taking the day off work tomorrow--we have Kate's one-year checkup in the morning, and since we usually end up sitting in the waiting room for over an hour, I would be missing half the day anyway. Then there's a little event at Kate's day care--not related to her birthday, but parents were invited to stay and eat lunch with their children, so we'll take a little cookie cake to that and she can celebrate with her new friends. Then I'll spend the rest of the day getting ready for Kate's party on Saturday!
Also thanks to that baby journal I mentioned, I have a good list of when Kate hit what milestone this year. So here's a little rundown of when she did what this year!
1 week old: ate 2-3 oz every 2-3 hours
2 weeks old: first trips to Brentwood, church, Starbucks, and a sports bar
5 weeks old: first trip to Louisville
6 weeks old: first smile
7 weeks old: sleeping 7+ hours at night
8 weeks old: "so active" (compared to just lying there!) waving arms, kicking ball hanging from play gym, scooting backwards, crab-walk style.
11 weeks old: moved up to size 1 diapers, ate 5 oz every 3-4 hours
3 months old: was baptized, met her aunt and uncle for the first time, I went back to work. Sleeps 10 ½--11 hours at night.
4 months old: rolled over, ate 7 oz 4-5 times a day (worked perfectly with my five-a-day pumping schedule!)
5 months old: started blowing raspberries, started day care 3 days a week. Moved up to size 1-2 diapers. Ate 8 oz 5 times a day.
6 months old: started solids (whole wheat cereal), creeping, and sitting up!
7 months old: pulled up to a stand and started cruising within days after that! Started eating finger foods. She was a cruising expert by the time she actually learned to crawl closer to 8 months!
8 months old: started walking behind push-cart, got the swine flu. Started wearing shoes regularly.
9 months old: first steps!! Learned to wave and clap, and started preferring to feed herself her bottle.
10 months old: learned to climb stairs at grandparents' houses (we don't have any) and to say "mama," though she doesn't connect it with me yet. Also says "baba"—might connect it with her bottle. Only wants finger foods, no pureed baby foods.
11 months old: Started in the toddler room at a new day care. She had been taking a nice 2-hour morning nap and 2-hour afternoon nap, but now just gets one 1-hour nap on school days!
And now at one year old:
- She loves to climb—up onto the hearth or tables at school (12" off the ground).
- We're working on the sippy cup, and she's practiced some with a regular cup, fork, and spoon.
- She's learning to blow kisses—yay!
- She says "baba" and "mama" and they are tenuously related to her bottle and me, but not
- She wears a size 3 diaper and a mix of 6-12 month and 12-18 month size clothing. I think she weighs about 21 pounds, but we'll find out at her doctor appointment tomorrow.
- She eats pretty much whatever we eat, and drinks a little whole milk at school. Her main liquid is still breastmilk, and in fact (sniff!) I am pumping for the very last time (for Kate, at least) as I type. I weaned down to 2x a day around Christmas and just 1x a day a few days ago, so I don't anticipate any engorgement or other problems. It's been a smooth transition, and I'm so thankful for the experience of making milk for Kate this year.
Happy birthday, Boo! I love you and am SOOOOO excited about celebrating your birthday!