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A journey to a new Me! Journaling my way to success and making it fun! Taking the ride for whatever comes and being honest every step of the way. Living out life to it's fullest. Staying healthy and loving the time I have here with family. Giving the glory all to God!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Relationships And The 2012 Election
Do you agree with the thought, if there was anything that could set off fireworks it's Politics, Religion and now Gender Rights, although we don't hear much on Male rights we sure are seeing bombshells fly when it comes to other's rights. (ha! bombshells, in the 50's that was the sign of a beautiful women, now a days women are aghast by any title like that, funny.)
What has happened to the U.S.A.? It's sad, really no other word describes it for me.
I've never seen our nation more split. I watch as friends post their take on the election from the conservatives and liberals to the moderates and libertarians. The views are so diverse yet so narrow.
If you're a conservative then likely your moral values and faith along with your personal needs guide many of your issues and judgement. If you're a liberal the opposite is true, OR they too have strong moral values for their own lives but believe that there is no purpose or right in imposing the way they choose to believe on others and so they advocate choice and freedoms BUT they do have a limit...the choice and freedom has to fall into their box of what is right or else it's not correct. Another words the freedom to choose is conditional in an odd way, Hmmm...
I don't have a corner on what is right or wrong and I'm the last one who should be judging. I do know that others think I'm over the top, and even use the terms naive' and ignorant when they see what I'm concerned with. I have thought for a very long time there seems to be a double standard when it comes to the far left and the media. They seem to be more comfortable with bashing or pointing out where they feel the other side is wrong rather than sticking to discussing solutions. They likely feel the opposite is true and maybe they're right, this is just an observation. And then there are the ones that believe there is a conspiracy out here and we're all wrong. Ok then.
I know this blog will give me grief but good or bad it is what I feel.
I wish everyone would respect each other's views, stop spinning the truth and be willing to admit a wrong, or even a lie when it comes to their party of choice. Oh they will call you out, correct you, and to be fair, you may even correct yourself, but the same doesn't seem to be reciprocated. No, in fact it just seems to then further the bashing and pointing out where you're wrong. Do we take this so far as to damage friendships over it. I've been reading more and more about this, and have seen it happen among friends as well.
Why can't everyone see the best in everyone, know there are two sides to every story and that noone is better or has the corner on what is right or wrong for the other?
My business is suffering under the current administration and that is going to influence my vote. Another voter has health problems with no insurance and that is going to influence their vote. Another voter lives an alternative lifestyle and that is going to influence their vote and so on...
We all have choices we need to consider and noone is going to be the perfect choice, just as noone has a guide on who the perfect choice is for anyone but themselves. Many independents are without an idea of who they are picking and are hoping the debates clear that up and help them to come to the best choice for themselves.
The arguing, bickering, meanspiritedness is crazy wild. It doesn't matter if you made a choice to stick to your own point of communicating be it Facebook and your timeline or Twitter or even Pinterest. Everyone is out to put down the views they don't agree with, or correct what they believe needs correction with or without all the facts. It gets exhausting.
My hope is that after November 6th things will settle down and everyone will return to some form of normalcy however that won't happen without a determination to accept others views, they do have a right to them. Debating is a route to take but don't take it so far that it puts a wedge in your friendship and THINK before you speak or post or tweet. Words can hurt and scar, is it really all worth it just to be right? We're probably wrong if we think it is.
Monday is the last debate, then we have 2 weeks and 1 day left till the election...I hope and pray that America can accept the results no matter who wins and restore relationships that have been damaged through much of a political baiting carefully and strategically executed by party committees messaging, along with media trying to swing a bias view and causing havoc and conflict in relationships that get sucked up into it all. I hope you're as tired of being a pawn to all of this as I am. I pray you don't find this a sport or fun.
Anyone that thinks they're immune to it all, unless you have remained silent throughout these campaigns and been smart enough to stay out of it all, are denying they are also getting sucked into the political vacumn which is causing this mess. We've all hurt someone through this and that isn't right, yes, that, is a definite, it isn't right. Relationships are too important to allow your political views or your distaste with another's views to create wedges between you and another. Maybe it's time we step back from the political ring and evaluate what's more important, getting your point of view across, bashing, trying to prove another wrong, or the relationship.
I'm banking on the good character of everyone and all the political broohaha will fade away for the sake of relationship.
It's just me, Val, (just sayin)! Ciao'
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subset: commoncrawl


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The time has flown by, but I still have that same passion for clothes (and my passion for make-up has been growing more and more too).
Although I like to dress up for my boyfriend, I have always liked dressing up for myself. I like to express myself through what I wear. But it's not always about the clothes that other people can see.
I even enjoy thinking about what I'm wearing underneath. It's almost like a little secret.
Nothing - in my opinion - gives a woman more confidence than knowing she has sexy lingerie on. Nobody knows it, but it does boost your mood.
Here are two of my favourite options to spice it up! Two which I've tried myself before!
I would either wear a bralette (or a lace bra if you've been blessed with a bigger chest - which they do have lingerie for as well!) underneath a jumpsuit that has a bit of cleavage. My favourite jumpsuit is a black one with cleavage which will show a little bit of lace detailing, but not too much. These kinds of jumpsuits can be find in stores like H&M, New Look, Zara,... .
Pick up a bra in black or maybe another colour, such as red or pink, for a cute, sexy detail.
If you're a bit of a daredevil, you could even wear a brighter item underneath a sheer top. You can match it with your favourite jeans or wear a pencil skirt and heels for that extra 'oomph'. Just make it your own, I swear, it'll not only feel great, but also look great.
And there's nothing more attractive than confidence! ;)
Oh, Adore Me has got some really nice sales going on right now! Head over to the website to treat yourself to a nice new set!
Have a good one, lovelies!


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Apartheid's Apocalypse
R.W. Johnson
- South Africa without Apartheid by Heribert Adam and Kogila Moodley
California, 315 pp, £15.25, July 1986, ISBN 0 520 05769 4
- Move your shadow: South Africa Black and White by Joseph Lelyveld
Joseph, 390 pp, £14.95, February 1986, ISBN 0 7181 2661 0
- Capitalism and Apartheid: South Africa 1910-1984 by Merle Lipton
Gower/Temple Smith, 448 pp, £18.50, September 1985, ISBN 0 85117 248 2
- The Militarisation of South African Politics by Kenneth Grundy
Tauris, 133 pp, £14.95, May 1986, ISBN 1 85043 019 5
'South Africa,' write Adam and Moodley,
evokes a morbid fascination. A vast literature of condemnation wallows in moral predicaments. Ambivalent friends of Pretoria respond with ever more sophisticated justifications of the unjustifiable. Foreigners cherish the easy accessibility to an English-speaking police state, where the press is critical, intellectuals are tolerated, and the repression occurs out of sight. The apartheid issue allows even diehard conservatives to look radical in a unique laboratory for social engineers. A worthy cause attracts causeless entrepreneurs. Instant experts pontificate about ready options for a creeping revolution. Some claim to seek 'moral clarity' that derives from the 'scale of the land and its antagonisms'. Many more, one suspects, secretly enjoy what Gordimer calls 'the last colonial extravaganza'.
It is difficult for anyone who knows South Africa not to feel a twinge of this revulsion as the books on this unhappy country continue to pour from the press – the quotation about 'moral clarity' somehow deriving from the land's scale comes, incidentally, from Joseph Lelyveld's Pulitzer Prize-winning Move your shadow. Similarly, within South Africa itself one keeps stumbling across the half-cold trails of any number of Congressmen and re-tooled Vietnam experts who are confidently attempting to apply the lessons of the US civil rights struggle to a country where the black-white ratio is quite the reverse of what it is in the US. (When Henry Ford, on last visiting his investments in South Africa, was questioned about his company's policy on black employment, he actually boasted of Ford's 'proud record towards minorities'.)
Despite Adam and Moodley's quotation, such strictures do not apply to Lelyveld's work, which deserves at least most of the extravagant praise already heaped upon it. This montage of interviews, reflections and rapportage conveys the texture of South African life at every level with a sensitivity and honesty not often found. And although many of the encounters with the politically prominent have a journalistic importance in their own right, it is often in passages dealing with the lives of the obscure that Lelyveld's virtues shine through most effectively. Moreover, he really does know what he is talking about: unlike all too many foreign observers, he has gained a deep acquaintance with South African history and with the vast country which exists outside the four great cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban – all that most visitors ever see.
This is not a Studs Terkel study of South Africa: the characters do not quite talk for themselves. They are the people Lelyveld has chosen to interview and we always get his sensitive, wry, humane asides about them. Since it is these which thread the book together, it is difficult in the end not to feel that Lelyveld, for all his self-effacement, emerges as the hero of his own book. Inevitably, his own liberal prejudices shine through, so that, for all his gentle humanity, most of the whites interviewed come across as bigots, fools or monsters. And indeed many of them are just that. But if one's going in for this sort of participant-observer montage, it is better to get right inside the mind of, say, a white policeman – or just let him speak for himself without the asides. The trouble is that if you do this, then everyone comes out as, in their own way, sympathetic – oppressors as well as oppressed.
Lelyveld's stylistic approach has, in fact, some important political implications. He is so righteously revolted by the South African realities he meets that he seriously underplays the significance of white-imposed reform, treating it mainly as a sort of sham covering a still triumphant apartheid system. The fact is that every single other white regime in Africa has become more reactionary and intransigent as the pressure on it from below has grown, while in South Africa the general drift, however slow and inadequate, has been in the opposite direction. The Botha Government, of course, wants credit for this. It is a matter of political choice whether one accords it or not. Really to understand what is going on means giving 'reform' its proper weight too, not just liberally inveighing against its insufficiencies. The boy I sat next to in class in Durban, a racist and white supremacist to the marrow, now sits in integrated cinemas, theatres, restaurants and on integrated beaches. He wonders whether perhaps he can live with majority rule after all and tells me that he doesn't like being searched at the entrance before going into a shopping centre, that he's happy that his daughter sits next to an Indian in class. This is not as impressive as all that, but it's not meaningless either. I have a feeling that my old school friend would come out very badly in any interview with Lelyveld. Maybe he would deserve to. But he has changed and things have changed.
If one wants to understand what is really going on in South Africa and the likely direction that events may take, there is no doubt that the Adam and Moodley book is far superior to Lelyveld's. It is, indeed, the best book on South Africa that I have read for a very long time. As they point out, belief in reform, however slow, however defective, has already become 'an essential part of the psychological glue that holds this deeply divided society together'. To see how true this is one merely has to imagine what would happen if Pretoria announced that reform would now stop. There would be an explosion of black rage, a multiplication of foreign pressures, accelerating disinvestment, a white scramble to emigrate and an ever-deepening economic and financial crisis: that is, all the things which are happening despite reform would double and redouble if it stopped. Pretoria may posture, talk defiantly, or warn, but the truth is that the Government has already virtually lost control over the direction in which it is travelling.
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Other books on this subject, published over the last few months, are as follows: W.A. Hachten and C.A. Giffard's The Press and Apartheid: Repression and Propaganda in South Africa (Macmillan, 336pp., £29.50, April 1985, 0 333 384350) provides the most comprehensive, reliable and scholarly history yet available of the constraints on the South African press. Theirs is a difficult subject well done, for the press has hovered in a peculiar nether world between freedom and censorship. Graham Leach, formerly the BBC Southern Africa correspondent, offers, in South Africa: No Easy Path to Peace (Routledge, 266 pp., £14.95, 10 April, 0 7102 0848 0) some of the reports with which he has covered the country since 1983. Joseph Hanlon's Apartheid's Second Front: South Africa's War against its Neighbours (Penguin, 130 pp., £2.95, 29 May, 0 14 052370 7) is a useful if occasionally rather wishful account of South Africa's relationship, military and otherwise, with its neighbours. A much larger and more thorough study could well be done of this complex situation. Julie Frederikse's South Africa: A Different Kind of War (James Currey, 192 pp., £6.95, 12 June, 0 14 052370 7) is a montage of newspaper extracts, with the accent on black resistance.
Vol. 8 No. 12 · 3 July 1986 » R.W. Johnson » Apartheid's Apocalypse
pages 3-6 | 4441 words


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After a grueling trek back down the mountain, the town of Tenby sprawls in front of the party, the giant wood gates, reinforced with steel strips stretched up to the banner that read "Welcome to Tenby" The gates creak open and Vanor Orel steps out, "Welcome back gentlemen, I assume you've the cure with you?" Nyar silently nods and holds out the potions. The party follows Vanor down the dusty gravel path back to the Doctor's home where he can examine the potions. "Ah yes this will do!" Vanor exclaims "You've got the cure, time to put it to good use." hours turn into days, which turn into weeks, and then a total of a month later, there isn't a single trace of the plague left in the Town of Tenby. The town has been organizing a feast in honor of the brave warriors who saved the town.
Feast Hall
The party came upon the feast hall, seemingly packed to the brim with happy patrons, bright lights, a banner that said "Thank you Heroes" was strung above the feast table. There was much food, drink, and women to be had. Jango and LockeJaw had a tankard of mead in each hand and drinking as much as possible. Nyar, Arlen, and Coroax were stuffing their faces with turkey, mutton, and any food they could get their hands on. Brelikath, and Icarus were heading to their respective rooms with three women on each arm. The night would be great, each adventurer thought to himself. The townsmen agreed to celebrate the Heroes each year from this day on. After a long night of partying, boasting, eating, drinking, etc. The Adventurers retired to their Inn rooms.
The Black Lady Inn
Nyar wakes to being shaken by Vanor. "Nyar, Nyar, you need to get up, NOW!" "what's the problem old man?" replies Nyar, rubbing his eyes still half asleep. "You damned idiot, LOOK!" Vanor says as he gestures to the other side of the room. Jango's body lay lifeless on the bed, throat slit, with a pillow over his face. "what the fuck happened vanor?!" said Nyar, now fully awake. "I have no Idea, it must've happened during the night. There's only one person who can fix this, a Cleric who lives on the outskirts of the city, you need to get to him as soon as possible" "Aye, I guess we've no choice, but to go there.. but AFTER we catch the bastard that did this!" interjected Nyar. "You stay here with Jango, Vanor"
Inn common room
Nyar lets the rest of the party know the fate Jango has met, and they must catch the culprit, and then find the Cleric on the outskirts of town. Icarus examined the body and noticed the slit could've only been done by a jagged blade. Vanor adds that the blade must have been a Kyriad blade, only a few very rich and powerful people, such as the ruling parties of Austrion can get those blades. The barkeep gives the party extremely Vague information that he's seen nobody. The party slips out onto a side street and heads towards the town bazaar to look for answers.
Towne Centre
The group comes to a large indoor Bazaar, all walks of life, from the scummiest smugglers to the richest politicians come here to do business, humans, elves, and dwarves alike. Icarus splits off from the group to go and check out the tome seller, and picks up a pixie tome that boosts LockeJaw's healing power. Icarus purchases new armor. The party meets back up and decides to split up, so that way they can cover more ground more quickly
LockeJaw and Amon
Amon and LockeJaw step out into the back alley, to the scummier part of Tenby, to talk to some of the underworld information brokers. Amon approaches the nearest and least sketchy looking person, and asks him about information. The guy sticks his tongue out, laughs in Amon's face and sprints away. Clearly a madman. Amon moves to one end of the alley, and LockeJaw to the other, and they box the remaining 3 in the alley in. One man tries to make a break for it, and LockeJaw puts up a wall of flame. The man falls to his knees and starts pleading for his life, telling the guys that he will tell them anything they need to know. They asked who in town could afford, or was seen having a Kyriad dagger, to which he claims he forgot the names. Amon grabs him by his neck, and shows the man his teeth. "You know I could make you my Thrall and we could be done with this." shouts Amon. "Aiymon Quynn, theoden Orist, Glomerc Whitmail, those are the only outsiders in town today… nobody else, It has to be one of them." Amon and LockeJaw move out into the alley and meet up with the rest of the party.
Back Alley
A man of short stature, a dwarf has been trying to signal the party. They turn to listen, and he introduces himself as Theoden Orist, from Khiggrim with the party's armor they ordered back in Khiggrim. The Dwarf starts walking towards the end of the alley, and a shadowy figure bursts from the darkness, slits the dwarf's throat and slips off. Icarus examines the body, the same cut as Jango's body. Icarus realizes that the Assassin mistook Theoden for Vanor. The assassin wasn't just after Jango. The party rushes back to the INN to find that Vanor is okay. The party sets off for the Guard Captain's quarters. On the way to the home, Nyar is stopped by a young man, who inquires about his dagger. He wants Nyar to give him his dagger. The party brings up the assassination. He tells the party that Glomerc Whitmail is a noble who's in town, staying at the Golden Bear INN. Introduces himself as Andresin Folen.
Tenby Guard Barracks
The party approaches the guard tower where the Guard Captain resides. The scribe tries to shoo the party saying the Captain is busy. Nyar points out that they saved tenby and DEMAND audience with the captain. The scribe lets you in. The guard Captain greets the party in a slurred voice, with his eyes half closed. The party asks of Glomerc Whitmail. Rich man, could've easily tipped off a bartender. Aiymon is very poor and does illusory tricks for passersby. The party decides to split up.
LockeJaw and Amon go to the bartender of The Black Lady. "The jig is up, pal!" yells Lockejaw, as he clears out the bar and closes the doors. The bartender says "I've no idea what you're talking about!" "DON'T TAKE ME AS A CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS!" LockeJaw shouts as he grabs the bartender by the collar. "We know you took a bribe, and you're going to tell us who paid you off or we will hurt you!" the bartender replies quickly "okay okay, fine, he told me that he was going to assassinate another person in the inn, not any of the heroes, which is why I let him through. He was blind in one eye, please just take these supplies and please leave me alone!
Brelikath and Arlen enter the Bazaar, looking for friends of Aiymon so they could learn his location. The two slipped out into the alley where Aiymon is rumored to hide. Brelikath grabbed the same information broker from before, and threatened to gouge his eyeballs out if he didn't tell him where Aiymon was immediately. "Western edge of town by the sewers, putting on an illusion show, as usual" the man struggles to get out. Brelikath and Arlen arrive in the slum district by the sewers and see a man juggling fireballs, balancing something on his nose, doing all sorts of tricks. Brelikath starts interrogating the man. He says "pay me good coin and answers I may give." The man has two normal blue eyes, and is otherwise okay.
Nyar, Icarus, and Coroax are waiting until nightfall in The Golden Bear, when the party will be at its peak. The Golden Bear has red carpeting, giant glass and torch Chandeliers, Ice sculptures, fountains and beautiful scenery. The trio approaches the bartender and asks about Glowmerc. The bartender asks if the party paid the cover charge, which they said no. The bartender throws them out and says they can't come back in unless they pay or get a gold card. The party is looking around outside for someone with a gold card. Suddenly, Icarus spots a guy looking down at the ground, kind of kicking the dirt. Icarus asks what's the matter, and the man introduces himself as Abel, a local rich politician's son. He just got stood up by his date. He had a gold card and everything. The Trio ask if he wants to get them in to the bar, and they will help him have a good time. he agrees and lets them know he is skilled in both persuasion and lockpicking. Quickly, Icarus glances at Abel's face. both eyes are fine, this couldn't have been the guy LockeJaw told them about he concluded. Abel invites the party to join him in his room to pregame the party. The party agrees and starts drinking a lot. Coroax stumbles out into the hallway and to Glowmerc's room door, and stars pounding on it furiously. An extremely intoxicated man comes to the door and says "HEY BRO, COME ON IN!!!" and invites the whole group in. In this single room ,there are a lot of women, and plenty of alcohol. The whole party drinks so much with Glowmerc they are ready to hit the ground. Icarus grabs Glowmerc's face, no scar, two eyes. Everything. Icarus finds the dagger on Glowmerc. Icarus asks if the dagger is Glowmercs, and he says yes, he bought it off of some weird guy earlier today. He gives the party the dagger. Glowmerc takes 3 women to bed with him and passes out.
"Who is askin my name, who wants to know?"
"I'm Arlen Camus, just a normal guy trying to get some information"
"Aiymon is my name, anything else and I'm charging"
"we're paying you nothing more"
"than we're done here"
Brelikath punches Aiymon in the face, making all of his illusions disappear, and revealing one blind eye.The two take Aiymon back to The Black Lady.
The Black Lady
"We found this guy by the west bank, he wouldn't give us information so we took him here." said Brelikath. "Aye, that's the one," confirmed the bartender. the party takes Aiymon into Jango and Nyar's room
"Why did you kill him?" asks Brelikath
"I was paid to!" said Aiymon
Brelikath sticks his blade into Aiymond's calf, and he cries out in pain.
"Who paid you?" said Nyar
"a rich man!" said Aiymon
Nyar cut just below Aiymon's knee, and he shrieks in pain
"It was Andresin Folen, Folen I swear" he admits, he paid Aiymon to kill Nyar, but he mistook Jango for Nyar, because he wouldn't give Andresin his blade last night during the festivities.
Nyar sticks his blade into Aiymon's good eye, and blinds him, then drops him off back at the sewers where his home was. The party prepares to head off into the woods to find the cleric, and Vanor stays in Tenby to preserve Jango's body.
Session end


text:
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text:
As we have slowly settled into the uncomfortable realization that a larger than life megalomaniac and almost certifiable lunatic will soon be the POTUS, one thing we can put to bed is that he is not a Nazi.
Nazi's committed crimes based on the ideal that there was only one right race. It was an idea based solely on the idea of differences. Different races, different ideologies, different religions, etc. and those that were different must perish.
Now Trump, for all his many many faults, seems at least open to differences, but stick with me here, Trump has more Fascist tendencies. The difference between a Nazi and a Fascist is subtle but distinct enough.
In his book Heroes: Mass Murder and Suicide, theorist and media activist Franco Berardi points out that Nazism is "…essentially based on the negation of the human nature of the other…" In other words, it was predicated upon sameness and those that are not the same must perish (to which the Nazi's did with profound accuracy).
Berardi points out that Fascism, being difficult to identify, because "…at its core is exactly the obsession of identification. Rather than specific national, religious or ethnic identities, it is the very process of national identification, religious identification and ethnic identification that has led to dangerous historical game playing, often culminating in war and slaughter." (Make America Great Again, anyone?).
Going further to say that "Fascism is based on the aggressive inclusion of the other, and the punishment and extermination of those who refuse to be included."
In other words, "GET IN LINE MOTHERFUCKER!"
Now granted, neither a Nazi nor a Fascist are ideal traits in a leader but if I were to fear one more than the other in this particular individual it would be Fascism. Fascism has a more nebulous definition and potential unilateral application.
Through his Tweets, Trump has time and time again aggressively pointed out that those that differ from him will in some way be punished (as if reading the tweets and seeing them broadcast as "news" isn't punishment enough).
We have seen him take the media and hold their feet to the fire for doing nothing other than their job…a job that they were, and still are, barely doing. We've seen him, via Twitter, unleash his petulance on Saturday Night Live in sketches about him he deems "unfunny" (when in fact, they were one of the few funny things remaining on that relic of a show).
As we come upon our day of reckoning when that man gets sworn in, I fear we are staring straight into the camera at the beginning of the darkest Black Mirror episode.
But as we stare out into that abyss it's time to stop referring to Donald Trump as a Nazi. His actions and Tweets (and I still can't believe that Twitter is a viable communication platform for a newly elected president, but…whatever…let's hope he never gets a grasp of Snapchat) point in a direction that differs from Nazism and stinks of what could very easily become Fascism.
Stay awake. Stay alert. Stay alarmed.


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1) Have a family tree decorating night complete with music and party food. It helps if ahead of time you put on the lights and garland as the kids can't always help with this job.
2) Go out around town and look at Christmas decorations. I know as soon as my kids see the Christmas Trees go up at Lowes they know Christmas is coming.
3) Make and decorate gingerbread men/cookies.
4) Bring out the special foods and snacks that you only have around the holidays. For us its smokies and smoked bolognas.
5) Buy each family member a new Christmas bulb for the tree. As the years go by you can think of all the fun you had picking them out.
6) Have some special Christmas music/movies that you listen to or watch year after year.
7) Think of something special you can do for those in need such as those in nursing homes or the elderly/sick. Teach your kids the true spirit of the season by singing carols, bringing food or just spreading some good cheer to those not as fortunate as you.
8) Read the Story of Jesus Birth before you open Christmas presents.
9) Set up a Christmas village/train set.
10) Have a special tradition when the first snow comes. Ours is making cinnamon bread from scratch. While it bakes we walk outside in the falling snow and then come in and have a slice of fresh bread out of the oven with lots of icing.
If you have some special traditions...I'd love to hear about it.


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Under the UN-REDD Bangladesh Program, FAO is providing technical support to the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for developing the country's first forest reference emission level/forest reference level (FREL/FRL). The FREL/FRL will be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the possible result based payment under REDD+ GHG emission reduction mechanism from the forestry sector. As a part of the FREL/FRL report drafting process, a two-day workshop was organized by FAO on 31 October – 1 November, 2017, titled as "Bangladesh Forest Reference Level under the UNFCCC'' in Bahubal, Habiganj. Nine officials from BFD and two from MoEF as well as five FAO experts participated the workshop. The BFD officials included Mr Rakibul Hassan Mukul, Project Director, UN-REDD Bangladesh National Programme.
The objectives of the workshop were to (i) share and discuss about the first draft FREL report with seniors officials/policy makers of the BFD and representatives from the MoEF, and (ii) determine the subsequent steps for the finalization of draft of the FREL/FRL report and its submission to the UNFCCC.
During the first day of the workshop, the BFD and MoEF officials, with the facilitation of FAO experts, went through the first draft of FREL/FRL report, and made comments and suggestions for improvement. All participants agreed with the proposed FREL/FRL and the methodology applied for constructing it. On the second day, the BFD and MoEF participants worked in groups with the support of the FAO experts to revise the report. In the end of the workshop, the second draft of the FREL/FRL report was prepared. The participants agreed to organize the national consultation on proposed FREL/FRL in December 2017.


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Welcome back!
Evidently I'm on two tours this week! :-)
Today, the Christian Science Fiction & Fantasy Blog begins the tour for The Legend of the Firefish, book one of The Trophy Chase series (Harvest House), by George Bryan Polivka. The tour will run from Mon, Aug 20 to Wed, Aug 22.
Here are the tour participants. Many will have read the book and posted reviews and interviews with the author. I encourage your to check them out!
Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Merrie Destefano
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Christopher Hopper
Jason Joyner
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Terri Main
Rachel Marks
Karen McSpadden
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Lyn Perry
Deena Peterson
Cheryl Russel
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
James Somers
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver


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Dan Brown Wants 'Life is Beautiful' Creator Roberto Benigni for 'Inferno'
The author behind "The Da Vinci Code," speaking at the Italian-language release of his latest book, said it would be an "honor" to cast the Tuscan Oscar winner in the film.
ROME – Dan Brown, the best-selling author behind blockbuster films The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, says he wants Oscar-winner Roberto Benigni in his next film, Inferno.
Brown spoke from Florence, where he appeared to promote the Italian translation of his newest novel, Inferno, based on the part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-Century epic poem, The Divine Comedy, with the same name. Inferno is set in Florence.
Benigni, whose 1997 film La vita e' bella (Life is Beautiful) won three Oscars, is from the Tuscan city of Arezzo, just 40 miles south of Florence, and he is well known in Italy for his recitations of parts of The Divine Comedy in a one-man show called Tutto Dante (All Dante).
Though the film product is in its earliest stages, Sony Pictures has already thrown its weight behind the Inferno idea.
Asked about the film, Brown said it "would be an honor to have a great actor like Roberto Benigni in my next film." He added, "I have seen some of his performances based on Dante's work on YouTube and they are marvelous."
Brown said he had not yet spoken to the Benigni camp about the idea, but that he would do so soon. A call to Benigni's representatives seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Brown is not the only international figure who says he wants to make a film with Benigni in recent weeks: in April, three-time Cannes jury prize winning director Aki Kaurismäki, from Finland, said he would set his next film in Italy and would like it to star Benigni.
After earning worldwide attention with La via e' bella, Benigni's next project, his interpretation of Pinocchio, from 2002, was a critical and commercial disappointment. After that, the 60-year-old actor, director, and writer kept a relatively low profile until last year, when he was cast as an Italian who suddenly and inexplicably became famous in Woody Allen's To Rome With Love. The film earned mixed reviews from critics, but Benigni's performance was praised.
Twitter: @EricJLyman


text: You know you still got it when you can wear the same dress you wore in 1992 and look even better in it now! Damn girl, do you even know what aging is? Versace and Naomi go together like bread and butter, ham and eggs & glitz and glam! Once you can pull yourself away from the picture above and simultaneously loving and hating her for still looking like perfection, take a look back at some of her best Versace moments below!


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Top Reasons to Live in Mount Sterling, KY
- Historic charm! Mount Sterling, KY has a vibrant downtown that is filled with restored homes and churches. Many of the streets are still paved with the original brick, and a tour through the area leads residents and visitors past the Old Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1829, and the Bell House, which dates to 1815.


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Here, Grace Hopper is checking out the computer chair in their temporary digs. I don't know why a cat would choose to curl up on a rolling, rotating chair, but it has always been one of Gracie's favorite places to cat nap.
Johnny prefers an open view of the room and more space to stretch out and likes to park himself in the space just inside the door ... where he can keep an eye on all the comings and going in this busy household.
Reports are that they have both made the transition from living with (relatively) quiet me to a louder house full of boys and are endearing themselves to their hosts and hostess . . . my friend hints that I may have problems getting them out of the house when the time comes in a couple weeks.


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What's a girl to do alone on a Friday night, drinking Orangina (how wild) with my hand in a bag of cookies? Well, I decided to take photos of the beauty products I use in Japan and share my regimen.
To be honest, I don't use many Japanese brands, for various reasons. I find the hair care (shampoo and conditioner) to be too heavy for my thick hair, the body lotions too light for my dry skin, and the make up shades not quite the right fit for my skin tone. However, I found quite a few gems in Japanese brands, after trying practically everything over the past three and a half years. I particularly love Japanese cleansing oils and mascaras.
I now only stick to what works best for me, and most of those products are not Japanese brands- however, they can all be purchased in Japan (at least in Tokyo), as I don't shop online. If you have any questions on where to find certain items, please ask in the comments!
And please share any great beauty products you found available in Japan!
Skincare, haircare and makeup


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Customer Reviews
All reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant.
What You'll Get
Unlike the ability to blow bubbles, infants aren't born with the ability to blow glass and therefore must spend their babyhood exhaling awkward artwork that just shatters midair. Acquire the ability to blow beautiful glass with today's Groupon to Revere Glass School in Berkeley. Choose from the following options:
- For $99, you get a four-hour Introduction to Glassblowing 1 class (a $220 value).
- For $99, you get a four-hour Introduction to Glassblowing 2 class (a $220 value).
- For $99, you get a four-hour Introduction to Glassblowing 3 class (a $220 value).<p>
Revere Glass School is run by a team of glass-crafting masters who provide expert advice for amateur and accomplished artisans alike. During the four-hour Introduction to Glassblowing 1 class, beginners are broken into supportive small-groups where they learn to manipulate molten glass for the first time. Burgeoning glass blowers who have completed the introductory class or have comparable experience can opt for the Introduction to Glassblowing 2 class, during which they'll undergo instruction on blowing bubbles and blown shaping and learn how to create a bottle and a glass. In Introduction to Glassblowing 3 classes for even more seasoned glassicists, students concoct an eye-catching icicle. All necessary oxygen, propane, materials, and encouraging back slaps are included.
The glass gurus at Revere have assembled a collection of high-quality equipment and non-intimidating heat sources to ease novices into a precise, demanding art in which careless mistakes can spawn sentient mirrors. View the schedule here.
The Fine Print
Promotional value expires Nov 29, 2012. Amount paid never expires. Limit 3 per person, may buy 5 additional as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Valid only for option purchased. Must sign waiver. Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
About Revere Glass School
Revere Glass School equips students of all experience levels with up-to-date glassworking gear from Glass Torch Technologies and Delta Elite. Six feet of working space at each workstation provides ample room for glass blowing and fusing or pipe making, while ventilation systems whisk away meddling ghosts. Experienced instructors aim to foster a noncompetitive working and learning environment through up to six levels of classes, guiding each glass-wielding neophyte along on his or her distinct artistic journey.
Courses span principles of practical foundations, creative techniques, and establishing an artistic business. Themed workshops feature international guest artists who lead intensives in methods that they've mastered, such as crafting holiday ornaments that double as single-use baseballs.


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Stewards Pooi Kei College
Teacher for the next school year 2018-19
Liberal Studies Assistant Teacher
Stewards Pooi Kei College is a vibrant Christian and English Medium of Instruction (EMI) DSS school with international perspective. We are dedicated to preparing tomorrow's leaders with character and intelligence through the provision of quality Christian education. We are now inviting applicants to share the dream with us:
Requirements :
Holder of a relevant degree and recognized teaching qualification (PGDE) or equivalent is preferred.
Candidates who are supportive of the Christian ethos of the School with relevant training and experience please apply with recent resume, expected salary and a cover letter to : The Principal, Stewards Pooi Kei College, 56 Siu Lek Yuen Road, Shatin, N.T. or email to firstname.lastname@example.com before 9 July 2018. Please mark "Confidential" and the position being applied on the envelope. A remuneration package compatible with the terms in Aided Schools will be offered. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.
All information provided will only be used for recruitment related purpose.


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View or search for all towns »
Hot tub and Pool servicing
Submitted by Kootenay Pool and... on Fri, 27/10/2017 - 12:44pm
Do you need your hot tub or pool serviced, repaired or winterized? Look no further than your local company Kootenay Pool and Spa Service.
We offer a complete winter closing service so you will have peace of mind that your hot tub or pool will be safe and ready for the spring.
Full repair service for all makes of hot tubs including Beachcomber Hot Tub, Artic Spa and Jacuzzi Spa
We are Rossland based and our rates are very competive.
Call us on - 778-738 1951
Town: Castlegar, BC


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Seasons of Love #1 Published March 27, 2014
Newly divorced mom Lydia is just getting back on her feet. Her college roommate's wedding promises a much-needed getaway weekend with old friends, at a beautiful manor in Connecticut. When she meets Sam, a handsome friend of the groom, she's nearly overwhelmed by a confusing mix of hope and trepidation. Their instant connection feels intensely real, to both of them, but the ink is barely dry on her divorce decree. It takes all her nerve, and more than a little prodding from her girlfriends, to convince Lydia to give her heart - and Sam - a chance. But when the magical weekend comes to a close, Sam must return to Chicago, while Lydia heads back to her complicated life and young son in New York.
My Thoughts:
Autumn Getaway brings love, hope, and a tad of drama to the reader. The characters are lovable, relatable, and a lot of fun. These were characters that I cheered for, hoped for happy endings, and wanted to see them enjoy life. I was proud of Lydia for being cautious, yet not willing to let life pass her by, and taking a chance with Sam. Lydia was also a wonderful mom, concerned about leaving her son, yet knowing that he would be okay with his father to take care of him. I loved how Jennifer Gracen kept Lydia's son as a major part of the story. Sam is the dream man. He has a history, who doesn't at age 35, but didn't let it hold him back and he was understanding that Lydia was just starting to deal with her past.
The time of the year that Autumn Giveaway is set is perfect. The changing of the leaves, the grandeur of the hotel, even the driving to and from the hotel played like a picture in my head. I could see each scene perfectly.
This is a fun and easy read. I could not put it down and when forced to I kept drifting back to it. If you are looking for a read to make you smile and enjoy life Autumn Getaway is certainly the book for you.
Buy Link
*About Jennifer*
Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn't with her kids, doing freelance copy editing, or giving in to her social media addictions on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She's already hard at work on her next book. Jennifer is a member of the Romance Writers of America and is active in the Long Island Romance Writers.
Please visit her at: www.jennifergracen.com


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About the theme
Cultivar Market – Seeds and Seedlings
In the past two decades, Brazil has become a world leader in the market for agricultural products, and Brazilian agribusiness accounted for over 20% of the national GDP. The global and the Brazilian market for cultivars has undergone significant changes in the same period, which limited the business activity of trading seeds to a few private companies and caused a high concentration in the market, especially for major agricultural commodities (soybeans, maize, and cotton). Nowadays, in Brazil, this market involves large corporations and an annual volume of nearly US$ 370 billion, split into agricultural inputs (11.7%), agricultural production (29.6%), agroindustry (27.8%) and distribution (31.1%).
Brazilian legislation has also undergone changes, especially with the Cultivar Protection Law (9,456/97), which guaranteed rights to those who breed new varieties and thus made agricultural input companies have a glimpse of an alternative to keep their market niche, which is constantly threatened by the entrance of generic products. Seeds have become a vehicle for the other technologies offered by agrochemical companies, which aimed to have customers follow the agricultural systems and solutions they offered. The seed product has been incorporated into the industry and distributors' portfolio.
Before such changes, the 1980s and 1990s, saw a proven significant contribution from Embrapa towards the edification of a seed industry in the country, as it informed and disseminated cultivar genetics, agricultural best practices, and legitimate institutional and professional connections for the development of Brazilian agribusiness in many environments.
The concentration of such large companies in commodity trading in recent years impelled Embrapa to strategically redefine its role in the cultivar market, with the purpose of seeking higher corporate accountability for a corporation that offers technologies for the development of the country as a whole. Hence, Embrapa annually supplies the production sector with cultivars for all types of markets, including competitive, niche, and diversity markets.
The product that Embrapa trades the most, as well as the corporation's challenge in terms of cultivar trading, on top of the insertion in the market for seeds, seedlings, and other products and inputs, is innovation for Brazilian Agriculture, that is, the adoption of technologies for the entire production sector.
Home to an extensive genetic improvement program that is very valued in the seed market, Embrapa has participated in the market for plant genetics since 1975; through seeds and propagules, it has inserted cultivars developed by the corporation's breeding programs into the market. In order to have such cultivars, which are improved by research and adapted to different environments, be used by the production sector, Embrapa inserts them into the market by passing on basic material (basic seeds or propagules) to the corporation's legal partners.
Hence, Embrapa's performance in the asset market takes place with the great support and partnership of seed growers and industrialists who, from the inputs supplied by Embrapa, produce the seeds and seedlings that are inserted into the market. Through such public/private partnerships, Embrapa passes on more productive and healthier genetic material to the agricultural sector, aiming at the general development of the Brazilian agribusiness.
The basic seeds and propagules are offered to the production sector through Public Calls for Tenders, to which Embrapa Products and Market, the Embrapa special service unit responsible for Embrapa's operations in the cultivar market, gives broad publicity, aiming to reach all the segments of seed and seedling producers and look for parties interested in becoming Embrapa's partners in the cultivar market. Embrapa Products and Market is currently in charge of operating the corporation's business activities, especially with regard to the management of contracts to license such products and promote the sales of seeds and seedlings of several plant species. For that purpose, the Unit annually keeps about 1200 contracts with 350 licensed companies, which, alongside other farmers, commercialize more than 225 Embrapa cultivars, and meet demands from farmers and from markets of different sizes and formats.
Since 2013/2014, Embrapa Products and Market has been taking on new responsibilities and new challenges, in line with changes in the market for innovation in Brazil and pursuant to Embrapa's new guidelines for solutions for Brazilian agriculture. The Unit's main activities include establishing greater interaction with the market and supporting product stages of development, which requires greater involvement in the final stages of the breeding programs. For this purpose, it resorts to strategies and production, promotion, trade and licensing activities, with historical emphasis on the area of plant production.
Nowadays, Embrapa's research units conduct 64 genetic improvement programs aimed at plant species, involving food products, staple fibers, and those that are devoted to energy production as well as forest cover in Brazilian ecosystems. The plant species with which Embrapa participates in the seed and seedling market are as follows:
- Cereals: rice, wheat, triticale, rye, sorghum, and maize.
- Fruit: banana, açaí, apple, pear, papaya, nectarine/peach/plum, blackberry/blueberry, pineapple, mango, coconut, passion fruit, cupuaçu, bacuri/murici/camu-camu, cashew, strawberry, grape, citrus.
- Vegetables and spices: melon, watermelon, bell peppers/peppers, carrot, lettuce, pumpkin/squash, black pepper, onion, tomato.
- Legumes, oilseeds, and fibers: beans, cowpeas, sunflower, castor oil plant, cotton, soybean.
- Plants for industrial use: African palm oil, rubber tree, guarana, maté, sugarcane, castor oil plant, coffee.
- Forage crops: Brachiaria, Panicum, Stylosanthes, forage peanut, elephant grass, Southern forage grasses.
- Forest and palm trees: açaí, peach palm, pinus, eucalyptus, araucaria.
- Roots and tubers: potato and cassava.
- Medicinal, aromatic, and colouring plants: long pepper.
Embrapa's recent work in the area of new assets (tangible and intangible technology, processes, products, and services) opens up a range of opportunities for technologically-based businesses, with a focus on internal and external shared articulation, validation, valuation, and insertion of assets into the market. The development of assets concerning plant, animal, and microrganism genetics, and physical-chemical and mechanical assets of interest to Brazilian agribusiness can be subject to qualification, valuation and market insertion, and Embrapa Products and Market has the role of contributing with the characterization of such assets for the market and to managerial and scientifically-based business.


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A man has been accused of setting fire to a makeshift den and causing the death of a 12-year-old boy trapped inside over a decade ago.
Dermot Griffin, 54, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Stephen Hughes at Rossfield Avenue, Tallaght on September 1 2001.
Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, revealed that a number of youths had been making the den between two buildings at Rossfield Avenue from the end of August 2001.
She said this den had become "sizable" and on Friday August 31, Stephen Hughes and then 14-year-old Daryl Hall decided to stay overnight.
Ms Gearty told the jury that a number of young people came in and out of the den on the night and at some points candles were used.
She said Mr Hall would give evidence that he had been sleeping towards the back of the den and managed to break through a wall to escape the fire.
Stephen Hughes was not able to get out and he died in the blaze.
Terry O'Connor of Dublin Fire Brigade told Ms Gearty that he discovered a child's body in the burning remains of "some type of shed" at Rossfield Avenue.
He said he arrived on the scene of the fire a between a garage and a shop about 5.20am.
He said the garage and a nearby parked van were in flames. The witness told Ms Gearty that he discovered the child's body after he entered the burning hut with breathing apparatus when the fire had been extinguished.
He said he continued to cool down the area, leaving the body where it was.
In her opening speech, Ms Gearty explained that if someone commits a criminal or dangerous act in which someone else dies, then the crime is manslaughter. She added that the criminal act in this case is arson.
She told the jury to listen to the evidence as if the fire occurred last week or last year.
She also revealed that at least one of the prosecution witnesses in the case had a heroin addiction at the time.
She asked the jurors to bear this in mind when assessing the reliability of their evidence of the events.
Detective Garda Colin Rochford showed the jury black and white CCTV footage which partially captured the scene of the fire. He pointed out a figure entering the frame and then exiting.
Ms Gearty noted that several people can be seen coming in and out of frame at various points but that it is impossible to say whether they are the same people each time.
Rossfield Avenue resident Ian Reilly gave evidence that he set up the CCTV system at his home because several of his vehicles had been damaged in the past.
The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury of six men and six women.


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There comes a rocky patch in the journey of life where an individual may become a victim to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy attorneys are the sole ray of hope to such people. Robert Atkinson is a professional bankruptcy attorney in Las Vegas, who personally looks into matters concerned with it. Having a substantial amount of work experience has made him a prominent figure in the eyes of his clients. What sets him apart from other lawyers is that he is a skilled professional who has handled all kinds of complicated bankruptcy cases. Las Vegas is blessed to have such an experienced lawyer in town. Keeping in mind the optimum benefits for his clients, Robert Atkinson Attorney presents each case in an innovative way. Without much hustle and confusion, he studies the case carefully and thinks about the most lucrative way to solve the complication.
He has worked in the jurisdictions of United States, Nevada Supreme Court, Ninth circuit court of appeals, District court…etc. At State of Nevada, Robert Atkinson Attorney earned the unique skill of counselling which refined his skills. The area of his expertise include optimization of exception from debts, filing a valid case and eradication of non-dischargeable abilities. Each bankruptcy case needs to be handled with a unique way and the logics, laws and regulation implied behind every case is different. Robert Atkinson Attorney Las Vegas has a complete understanding as to how to deal with it.
Coming to the academicals aspects which make Robert Atkinson Attorney earn a respectful place in the matters concerned with bankruptcy. He is a well-qualified B.S. in Physics, with subordinating subjects being mathematics and economics, MBA in finance from a reputed university and J.D., Georgetown University
An unimaginable record of dealing with almost 1,000 personal and business bankruptcy cases has made a ground work of belief for the new clients. Coming to the areas where his professionalism reflects, the first-day motions which encompasses all the benefits the client gets starting from the employee salary, health care, certain key suppliers…etc. are presented to the court in the most appropriate way. The relief awarded from automatic stays is also inclusive. A close look is made into the debtors' responsibility and a scrutinized checking is done for unsecured creditor committee. For the welfare of the client, avoidable transfers are looked into so that the other allied activities such as class voting, proofs of claims, prioritized claims, secured interests and sale of property may be looked into.
The sound business knowledge and experience has a perfect blend in Robert Atkinson's experience. The special interest that he takes to solve each case is what gives a separate entity has sent an altogether new standards for the aspiring attorneys. Robert Atkinson Attorney Las Vegas has set an outstanding example as to how proper legalized terms are existing in order to serve the needy ones and give the victims a chance to fight bankruptcy. He has proved it that with a will and dedication anyone can make way through bankruptcy.


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Sleeping and resting and sometimes just after eating, they will sometimes droop
after eating their meal to digest and rest such as this picture below after eating a whole Silverside.
She is just starting to close up around the fish.
Anemones close up for a lot of reasons.
Usually while they are eating and almost always at night while
I took these pictures of one of my
largest roses all closed up, tentacles sucked in and sleeping
during the early morning hours.
The picture below is from my old picture files from 2000. It is
of an Anemone closing up around a Silverside. They can stay this way for hours so
there is no need to worry.
Sometimes as seen in the pictures above, they won't have any tentacles
showing at all. This is an old old picture from my files .
So just so that you know, they can close around food for hours, or close at night just to sleep.


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So, better late than never I hope! I was meant to post this on Friday but life intervened....so here I am, two days late - I hope you can all (and especially Erin!) forgive me :-)
I have been a member of the Simple Truths sampler club since Erin established it last year. (is that right? 2011? Time flies....) and I, like many of those good folk taking part in this celebratory hop, am a total hoarder. Although I have no plans to leave - I love getting my little surprise packages though the post each month - I was shocked to discover that I have only used ONE of the simple truths I have been sent since joining up. Shocking! What a waste of Erin's beautiful and original work. I feel truly a little ashamed of myself. So I thought to myself, I've got a school trip to Italy the week before the blog hop, I'm bound to have time, as both musical staff and house staff, to sit down and make some jewellery using the gorgeous charms I have. Hmmm. Slightly over-optimistic of me! And ten, our return of Friday was delayed so I didn't get back until 4pm, and after a 30 hour coach journey, creativity was on a low ebb!! So I decided to leave it until I had time to create. Despite going straight back into 2 full work days - a morning of beading teaching and an afternoon of accompanying 10 students in vocal exams and then a craft fair today - last night I managed to come up with a couple of designs to share with you today:
Firstly, I reached for one of the most personally challenging pendant - a square joy pendant in goldy yellow. Firstly, yellow, secondly silver frame (neither colour i work with very often) and thirdly - and this is the really tricky one for me - it is square. Oh yes, I find squares and rectangles very difficult to work with! I can't cope with corners. I know this about myself and I just generally avoid buying things in these particular shapes - my creative self simply cannot get it's head around them. My partner thinks it's weird; I know it's weird but there you go! So I thought, reach for the true challenge and go for the yellow and silver square.
I personally find great joy in colour. So I reached into my art bead stash and pulled out a couple of elements featuring the colour yellow. These are not made by the same artist - not even in the same country can you believe? Enamelled copper head pins from jade scott and a stunning and unusual lampwork bead from beads by Laura.
These go together so perfectly it's almost uncanny. And aren't they happy? A simple design - another huge challenge for me, with a pendant that size, it really had to be a necklace - something else I struggle with a lot! - but one I feel quite happy with.
This next one is going to be a long chain necklace for myself. Music - a songbird - a pair of quavers (the musical notes) - turquoise - just perfect for me.
So I hope you don't mind this post coming to you a little late. If you're not already familiar with Erin's beautiful work then do hop over to her etsy shop and blog for some wordy and colourful inspiration. You won't w disappointed!
Check out the other participants here:
Erin Prais-Hintz
Sharon Misuraco
Tanya Goodwin
Alice Peterson
Melissa Trudinger
Lori Bowring Michaud
Rebecca Anderson
http://songbeads.blogspot.com (you are here!)
Chris White
Cherrie Fick
Rosanne Garvison
Shelley Turner
Marlene Cupo
Mary Harding
Lola Surwillo
Michelle Burnett
Kirsi Luostarinen
Paige Maxim
Kristen Fagan
Cynthia Riggs


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For the second time since 2011 the 'Global Product Leadership Award in Progressive Cavity Pumps for Oil and Gas' will be presented to Netzsch by Frost & Sullivan, the U.S.-based growth partnership company. In its motivation statement, Frost & Sullivan explains that the 2014 was issued by evaluating total client experience and strategy implementation excel-lence using a scorecard, including 10 benchmark criteria for both product leadership and management culture, which has set Netzsch clearly apart from the other companies in the field.
Frost & Sullivan recognizes that the dynamics within the oil and gas industry are constantly changing. Innovativeness, uniqueness, customer values and matching the needs of the end customers are the key ingredients for success in this highly competitive market. To gain market share, pump manufacturers must introduce new and better technology to replace existing inefficient technology in the oil and gas industry. Vision alignment, operational efficiency, and positive company culture will nurture the existing talent within the company to manufacture high-performance, high-quality, and reliable products. Netzsch has been in the progressive cavity pumps market for more than 60 years, and Frost & Sullivan finds that close partner-ships with end users have given Netzsch the knowledge of various processes, which led it to design a suitable product that meets all of the end-user requirements, as well as in upstream as mid- and downstream applications.


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Interesting news release here regarding the MSC Certification of Alaskan fisheries.
We know southeastern Alaskan fisheries are responsible for intercepting large numbers of BC bound salmon and steelhead every year. This is good work by these groups in questioning the blanket Certification of their fisheries as sustainable by MSC without even doing any follow-up work.
Seems to be more proof that the whole fishery 'certification' process is just a consumer marketing ploy rather than a process to achieve truly sustainable fisheries.
Canadian Conservationists Challenge "Unsustainable" Alaskan Salmon Fisheries
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Jan. 11, 2012) - Three British Columbian conservation groups are taking aim at Alaskan salmon fisheries that are damaging BC fish stocks and violating conditions of the Marine Stewardship Council's eco-certification.
Raincoast Conservation Foundation, SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society today said they would challenge the current recertification of these fisheries by the MSC – the world's foremost eco-certification label for sustainable fisheries. The groups cite interception of Canadian-bound salmon and steelhead from at-risk populations as a key concern, along with "reckless" ocean-ranching practices – a form of fish farming not practiced in BC.
Eleven years ago, BC marine conservationists objected strongly to Alaskan salmon fisheries being given blanket eco-certification by the MSC.
"It was highly irresponsible," said Aaron Hill, a biologist with Watershed Watch. "We were told that it would be okay because the fishery would have to meet several conditions for improvement in order to retain the certification, but now a recent surveillance audit by the MSC concedes that as many as 19 conditions of the certification have not yet been met. The Alaskans have had a over a decade to get their act together."
"Some Alaskan fisheries, like Bristol Bay, are among the best-managed salmon fisheries in the world," said Greg Knox, Executive Director of the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, "But Alaskan fishery managers are not being nearly cautious enough with their harvest of Canadian wild salmon populations, including sockeye and chum from the Nass and Skeena Rivers in northwest BC, and Vancouver Island chinook salmon."
The conservation concerns were announced prior to Pacific Salmon Treaty meetings between Canada and the United States this week in Portland, Oregon. The Treaty is meant to ensure that neither country over-fishes the other's salmon stocks, but the conservation groups claim the Canadian federal government is not doing enough to protect at-risk salmon stocks from being overfished as they migrate through Alaskan waters to their natal streams in BC and the Yukon.
The groups also say Ottawa is turning a blind eye to Alaskan ocean-ranching operations that every year flood the North Pacific ocean with billions of farm-raised salmon which compete with wild Canadian salmon for limited food supplies.
"Consumers should reasonably expect the MSC to enforce their own eco-certification, and Canadians should expect their government to protect their salmon from foreign over-harvest," stated Mr. Hill. "We hope that some public attention to this problem will prod our government, and the MSC will step up and help us push for some much-needed reforms in Alaskan fisheries management."
Contact InformationWatershed Watch Salmon Society
Aaron Hill
SkeenaWild Conservation Trust
Greg Knox
Raincoast Conservation Foundation
Chris Genovali
1-250-655-1229 ext. 225


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Laughter, Tears, The Good Lord, Margaritas, and Everything in Between.
Monday, March 4, 2013
My Fav. Coupon Sites
Well, I realized yesterday that it had been a really long time since I posted anything about couponing or any really good deals. I'm not like those people on TLC who can get $500.00 worth of groceries for $10.00 or anything, but we do like to coupon. I don't understand why more people aren't out there using coupons, you're buying the stuff anyway so why not save some money? Every little bit counts nowadays. I know that the main reason is that sometimes there is just not enough time in the day, and I can completely understand that one, but maybe with all the money that you save when you clip coupons late at night you can grab a guilt-free extra large (or grande-frande-whatever it is) Starbucks.
1. The first few deals were ones that I found locally so I'm not sure if everyone will be able to find them, but it wont hurt to check.
* Huggies Little Movers Diapers large pack of 96 (size 3), rollback price at Walmart for $22.00. They had most of the large pack sizes on sale for that price.
* Target has baby and infant " Valentine's Day" clothes for .20 cents! Most of the pieces just have hearts on them or are pink and red so they can be worn all season long not just for Valentine's Day.
* Michaels Craft Store has acrylic paint for .77 cents until Saturday which is a REALLY great deal.
Cuckoo for Coupons. This lady is amazing! She breaks everything down into stores and shows you exactly how you can get the deals plus compares that deal to other places where you can use it. This is basically the cheater's guide to couponing. If you're looking for more websites like this might I suggest these: I Heart The Mart, The Krazy Coupon Lady, and Hip2Save
3. The third site is Coupons.com. I'm not a fan of having to add all those apps and add-ons to your computer just so you can print coupons so I decided to stick with just one coupon printing site. I chose coupons.com because that's mainly what Deidre (at cuckoo for coupons) uses and I think it's just simpler. If you don't mind adding all the add-ons a few other printing sites for coupons are: Coupon Suzy, Smartsource, Coupon Network, and Common Kindness.
4. The last site is one for online shopping. I NEVER, EVER pay retail for anything I order online. I always visit Retail me not and type in whatever I'm looking for, or the website's name and can usually score either a percentage off or free shipping. They have SO many codes it's unbelievable and they are usually in date and accepted. Trust me, check this site out before you pay for anything online, oh and they have printable coupons as well.
Well, there ya go. Maybe this can help alleviate the pain of those high grocery bills. I plan on posting later this week about the way my family plans our meals and the way we use and organize our coupons. You don't have to go all TLC Extreme Couponing, even if you're just saving a quarter or two here and there it helps and you can feel all smug and happy knowing you didn't pay retail.
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Although dietary sources often take the blame, data from a case study here suggest that environmental elements -- like dust -- may be greater contributors to overall exposure for some people, reported Ruthann Rudel, M.S., of the Silent Spring Institute here, and colleagues online in Environmental Health.
PCBs were found in building materials, including caulk, paint, and electrical equipment, until banned for most uses in 1977. They are recognized as developmental neurotoxins in humans, and are "also associated with thyroid toxicity, effects on immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems, and cancer effects including breast cancer," the researchers said.
The pollutants persist in the food chain, and several studies have concluded that diet is a significant contributor to exposure, they said. These studies, however, never looked at alternate sources.
To explore possible exposures besides diet, the researchers revisited a 2003 environmental exposure study of 120 homes on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
In the earlier study, PCBs -- measured by the sum of the concentrations of three types of the pollutants, congeners 52, 105, and 153 -- were detected in the air in 38 (32%) of the homes and in dust in 22 (18%) of them.
In the new study, the researchers retested two houses with much higher PCB concentrations compared with the rest of the study sample. They also measured the residents' blood concentration levels, and sought possible sources of exposure. The residents were interviewed about activities on the property that may have contributed to the high levels.
The researchers collected air samples in each house over 24 hours by drawing air through a personal pesticide sampling cartridge. Dust samples were collected using a modified vacuum cleaner.
Within one month of air sampling, blood samples from two residents from each home (three women and one man) were analyzed for the presence of 33 PCB congeners.
Rudel and colleagues found that PCB levels remained high in the air and dust in the two homes.
The sum of the concentrations of PCBs 52, 105, and 153 in the air ranged from 8 to 35 ng/m3. A previous unrelated study had measured background PCB levels of these three congeners, representing about 9% of total levels, at a maximum of 7.3 ng/m3.
The EPA health-based screening value is 3.4 ng/m3 and it is likely that levels in the two homes are 10 times higher, the researchers said.
The sum of the concentrations of PCBs 52, 105, and 153 ranged from 21 to 190 mg/g of house dust. A previous study measured a maximum value of 0.6 mg/g, with these three PCBs making up 12% of the total value.
The EPA has not established a health-based screening value for PCBs in house dust but a comparison can be drawn with the value for residential soil, 0.22 mg/g total, the researchers said, because "exposure assumptions for house dust and residential soil are generally similar in EPA risk assessments."
The PCB concentrations in the two homes exceeded this value by a factor of 95 to 860, the researchers said.
Residents' blood concentrations of PCBs were higher than levels found in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Comparing results for the sum of 10 types of PCBs, three of four residents in the Cape Cod study exceeded the 95th percentile of the NHANES study.
One resident's blood concentration exceeded the maximum in NHANES (1,520 versus 1,466 ng/g lipid).
Another resident had a value (179 ng/g lipid) below the median NHANES value (267 ng/g lipid), but had lived in the house for less than six months -- the other three residents had lived in their homes for at least 10 years.
During interviews and surveys to identify possible sources for the PCBs, one resident recalled using a hardwood floor finish called Fabulon in the 1950s and 1960s. The researchers discovered in a 1957 reference book that this product contained three types of PCBs at that time. By 1969, the product no longer contained the pollutants.
One week before air and dust sampling began in this home, the Fabulon-coated floor had been sanded and refinished, releasing a large amount of dust. This likely accounted for the high PCB values in this home, the researchers said.
They did not confirm that the finishes on the wood floors in the two houses were responsible for the high exposures. "Such a confirmation could create regulatory and disclosure obligations that pose significant challenges to individual homeowners," the researchers said.
They concluded, however, that it is unlikely that the blood concentrations of PCBs could be coming from diet alone. The three long-time residents had congener profiles more like individuals who are occupationally exposed than did the one who moved in more recently, they said.
"These findings suggest that the exposure potential posed by historic use of PCBs in building materials may be significantly underestimated," they said.
|The study was supported by the Hurricane Voices Breast Cancer Foundation, an appropriation of the Massachusetts Legislature administered by the Massachusetts Department of Health, and grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Science Foundation.
The authors reported that they have no competing financial interests.
- Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston
- Download a complimentary source PDF.
Primary SourceSource Reference:
Secondary Source
Environmental HealthSource Reference: Rudel R, et al "PCB-containing wood floor finish is a likely source of elevated PCBs in residents' blood, household air and dust: a case study of exposure" Environmental Health 2008; DOI: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-2.


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The mission of LEADERS is to assist and support people with developmental disabilities in realizing their personal goals. LEADERS fulfills its mission by providing training and opportunities leading to full participation in community life which may be achieved through:
- Involvement - participating in all aspects of community life.
- Choice - making personal decisions.
- Ability - making and achieving personal goals.
- Respect - developing self-esteem and regard for others.
- Relationships - building personal relationships, friendships, and a supportive social network.
LEADERS is a private, non-profit corporation which has served Lea County since 1970. LEADERS operates under the guidelines of the New Mexico Department of Health: Developmental Disabilities Supports Division.


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By Eric Peterson
Politics is a funny business – one that is all too often defined by the inconsistency, contradiction and hypocrisy of politicians and special interest groups. An example of-this-do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do phenomenon is currently on display in California, a perpetual poster child for political dysfunction. The saga began in May 2015 when the Los Angeles city council rubber-stamped a job-killing, minimum wage hike to $15 per hour by a vote of 14 to 1. Similar artificially inflated wage mandates have been enacted in cities like Seattle and San Francisco, and with negative consequences. Businesses are closing up shop and workers now face greater difficulty in securing entry level positions. Yet rather than learning from these experiences, politicians in the City of Angels chose to embrace this counterproductive policy.
Leading the charge in Los Angeles and indeed nationally for higher minimum wages have been labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, the SEIU, and a variety of local groups. Unions benefit immensely from higher mandated minimum wages since negotiated union wages often use the minimum wage as a baseline. And higher mandated wages means more money flowing into union coffers. Thus, it's hardly shocking that Big Labor has made raising the minimum wage a top priority both locally and nationally. That's why it came as a bit of a shock this week when Los Angeles County Federation of Labor boss Rusty Hicks called for a special union exemption from Los Angeles' heavy-handed $15 minimum wage. What's his reasoning? "With a collective bargaining agreement, a business owner and the employees negotiate an agreement that works for them both. The agreement allows each party to prioritize what is important to them. This provision gives the parties the option, the freedom, to negotiate that agreement. And that is a good thing."
Come again?
At first glance, Mr. Hicks' statement appears to be more appropriate for The Onion than the generally fact-based LA Times. That's because mandating a high minimum wage actually prevents individuals and business owners for from reaching an agreement that works best for them. Whether that means initially being paid less while a worker develops new skills that pay off down the line, or more modest wages for increased flexibility or benefits. Union backed minimum wage requirements limit many of those options – a concern echoed by Mr. Hicks' irony-soaked statement. Yet instead of freeing all workers from this destructive mandate, Mr. Hicks wants a special, sweet heart carve out just for unions, putting individuals who choose not to join a union at a competitive disadvantage.
Of course, this is hardly the first time unions have fought tooth and nail for a big government mandate only to then demand special exemptions. After cheerleading for approval of President Obama's Affordable Care Act, unions immediately sought a special exemption from Obamacare's steep fees. These fees that unions complained were unfordable and hurt them, the same way President Obama's failed health-care law has hurt millions of Americans.
Policymakers should take note of unions' history of claiming a new mandate or regulation is good policy – only to immediately seek an exemption from the damaging impacts of that very policy. Rather than setting one standard their political friends and supporters, and another for the rest of us, lawmakers should pursue policies that increase prosperity for all working Americans.


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Every day our Deals site Best Ads & Deals brings the best deals from the major retailers.
Best Ads & Deals points you to the best deals featured in the Weekly Ads of major retailers and in online stores. To avoid missing a deal follow Best Ads & Deals on Twitter and join our Facebook Community. Find all featured deals on the Best Ads & Deals home page or browse the complete Weekly Ads.
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Our Daily Shopping Tips are aimed at carrying you over to the Black Friday 2012 Sales season, when we transform I4U News into one of the largest Black Friday destinations featuring the best Black Friday deals and Black Friday ads.
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Dov and Ali review at Theatre 503 London
The Arab Israeli conflict is ripe for drama and, in Dov and Ali, American Jewish writer Anna Ziegler mines the subject with real flair.
Rather than addressing the physical battles taking place in the Middle East, Ziegler focuses on a US school and a very personal skirmish between a young Jewish teacher and one of his Muslim pupils.
Both are sons of devoted, religious fathers, both apparently confident in the values and outlooks that their respective religions – and fathers – have given them. They bond over a shared interest in William Golding's Lord of the Flies and develop a distinctly belligerent kind of friendship.
However, underneath their professed confidence, Dov and Ali are both struggling to reconcile their religious beliefs with struggles in their personal lives.
What is most impressive about Ziegler's writing is how she allows the subtext of the pair's discussions – superficially about Golding – to reveal more universal problems within each of their philosophies and become emblematic of greater world struggles.
God's love, it seems Ziegler is telling us, can be a poor substitute for the more earthly kind, and God's rules cannot always be reconciled with the realities of the world we live in.
James Floyd, as the opinionated and precocious Ali – "Life isn't about being happy, it's about being right" – is quite superb, while Ben Turner, as the troubled and torn Jewish professor provides an equally impressive sparring partner.
The production is simply but well staged on a set which doubles as a classroom and Dov's apartment.
Ziegler's writing is the highlight, here, though – incisive and admirably succinct. Definitely worth a trip to Battersea.
Theatre 503, London, June 10-July 5
- Author
- Anna Ziegler
- Director
- Alex Sims
- Producer
- Theatre 503
- Cast
- James Floyd, Ben Turner, Kiran Landa, Orla Fitzgerald
- Running time
- 1hr 15mins


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Asante Kotoko Will Have It Difficult In Congo - Augustine Arhinful
Former Black Stars player, Augustine Arhinful believes it will be difficult for Asante Kotoko to progress to the next round of the CAF Confederations Cup.
The FA Cup champions kicked off their Africa campaign on Sunday and recorded a slim win over CARA Brazzaville at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Reds squandered three penalties but substitute, Yakubu Mohammed converted a late penalty to grab a win for his side.
After failing to take their chances in the first league of the preliminary round, the former Borussia Dortmund player says it will be difficult for the Reds to progress to the next round of the competition.
"For a referee to award you four penalties and you have four individuals taking the penalties to me, it seems strange.
"It is unfortunate but it becomes very difficult for Asante Kotoko in the return league because I have been told that the Congolese really don't know if indeed the penalties awarded were genuine but I have been told they were genuine.
"In the return league, they [CARA] will say we came to your country, four penalties were awarded to you and you were able to score only one and we shall see when you come to our home grounds and we all know how intimidating homes teams are not in Ghana but in Africa can be because whenever playing away it is like going for a war," he added.


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Red Letter Media explains why the Star Wars franchise was a dismal failure. The speaker here pretends to be a psychopath. It's a joke. He pretends for two reasons:
1. Even a crazy person can see the failure of these films.
2. Only a crazy person would waste his time explaining all the failings of the films.
David Lynch
Trey Parker & Matt Stone


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1353: October-December
On the last day of September and the first of October Petrarch planted spinach, beets, fennel, and parsley in the garden of Sant' Ambrogio; and then added this note to the series of garden notes that he had written from time to time at the end of a manuscript that contained, among other things, the De agricultura of Palladius:
Anno 1353, die lune ultimo Septembris et die Martii 1° octobris, in orto Mediolani Sancti Ambrosii abunda hesterna pluuia humecto et ad unguem subacto, seuimus spinargia, bletam, fenidem, petrosillum. Pars anni serotina et umbrosior locus et lune reuolutio uidentur obsistere.1
It may well have been early in October that Petrarch, in accordance with the promise that he had made to Moggio dei Moggi in his letter of 18 September, wrote for Moggio's pupil Barriano da Correggio the brief epistola beginning
Gratulor ingenio, quod me flammantibus usque,
which he included as III 31 in the collection of his epistolae metricae. It is a pleasant poem of quasi-paternal encouragement, seasoned with a little advice as to the writing of Latin verse:
neu sit ter mensa pudori
Syllaba, et in digitis iterumque, iterumque reversa.


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'Two Trenches, One Letter'
In January 2015, TED Mersin College set up a project to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in an unusual way: the students (aged 12-13) wrote letters to the families of Allied soldiers killed at Gallipoli, and to Lieutenant Ibrahim Naci, who died at Gallipoli and whose sensitive and moving diaries have recently been published.
Here are three of the students' letters translated into English:
Letter by Ali Eren Altioglu grade 7
They also designed postcards based on the war memorials on the Gallipoli peninsula, as well as T-shirts and a medallion.
The school is keen to maintain correspondence with other schools and the teachers' contact details are in the 'Two Trenches, One Letter' PDF, which describes the project in full.


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Sydneysiders Showered In Tens Of THOUSANDS Of Dollars Today
This morning was a very special time for a select group of Kyle and Jackie O listeners.
You see, with the help of Stan Australia, Kyle and Jackie O were able to fulfil one of their biggest dreams; to organise an event where tens of THOUSANDS of dollars were dropped from a helicopter in the sky to lucky winners waiting below.
A HUGE amount of time and effort went into getting the Kyle and Jackie O x Stan Australia chopper primed and ready for the drop, and when the winners saw it flying over the secret Sydney location, they knew they were about to win BIG!
Intern Pete was there on site to help each winner travel swiftly around the grounds following the drop and scoop up as much money as they could carry.
Needless to say, it was QUITE a morning! Thanks to Stan Australia and Billions, streaming now on Stan.


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While we expect to see some articles gleefully bid adieu to nuclear energy in favor of its renewable cousins – or natural gas, which for all its positive qualities, still generates greenhouse gasses – what tends to happen is that writers nudge the facts to fit the desired conclusion. For example, this story from NPR is fairly unremarkable in tracing nuclear's long goodbye, but I was struck by its conclusion:
Fukushima shows that there will always be some risk from nuclear reactors. For Philip Sharp at Resources for the Future, that presents the public with a big question: "To what degree [are] we as a people ... to accept that some of these things are high risk, and how far are we willing to go to tolerate those high risks?"
I would not care to downplay the seriousness of the accident, but I would stress that the above paragraph is written in the context of an earthquake and tsunami now believed to have killed 27,000 people, a fair number of them in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi. Meanwhile, the accident at the nuclear plant killed no one (two plant workers were killed by the tsunami), though it has displaced a lot of people.
So the risk of being hurt or killed by a natural disaster versus by a nuclear plant accident caught in that natural disaster has been demonstrated – tragically but vividly.
"How far are people willing to go to tolerate those high risks?" I genuinely do not think that the speaker – in this case, Ed Lyman at the Union of Concerned Scientists – has really thought through what he's saying.
In fact, the United States, while experiencing nothing like the earthquake in Japan, has recently suffered a natural disaster that disconnected at least a couple of nuclear energy plants from off-site power – just as happened at Fukushima.
An unconfirmed tornado landed outside the Surry Nuclear Plant in Virginia on Saturday and automatically shutdown the site's two reactors, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The apparent tornado affected an electrical switchyard next to the plant, cutting off the electrical feed to the station, in Surry County, about 17 miles northwest of Newport News.
The second-biggest nuclear power plant in the United States may be down for weeks after killer thunderstorms and tornadoes in Alabama knocked out power and automatically shut down the plant, avoiding a nuclear disaster, officials said on Thursday.
The backup power systems at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant in Alabama shut as designed on Wednesday, preventing a partial meltdown like the disaster last month in Japan that was also caused by a natural disaster.
And two. Love that second paragraph, but it's only fair, I suppose. Glad it avoided a partial meltdown.
In both cases, diesel engines kicked in and allowed the plants to shut down normally. In Japan, the tsunami swept away the engines. Neither Browns Ferry nor Surry are vulnerable to tsunami, but they are expected to stand up to massive rain and flooding and tornadoes – which they did.
So? At Surry:
Surry Unit 1 was returned to service this past weekend and Surry Unit 2 has begun its scheduled refueling.
That would be April 24. It lost power on April 17, so that was a week.
And Browns Ferry:
All three nuclear units at Browns Ferry automatically tripped on April 27 when severe storms damaged transmission lines, causing the plant to lose offsite power.
Browns Ferry exited its unusual event status Monday night with the restoration of two independent sources of offsite power.
This is on May 3, so again, about a week. It's going to take awhile longer to get back online, but that's mostly because transmission lines got pummeled and need to be set back up.
I'm not sure there's a full accounting of the deaths caused by the rains and tornadoes, but the last number I saw was 85.
Browns Ferry.


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An Oregon brewery is offering its customers something they've probably never considered trying before: beard beer. While I'd love to say that it's not nearly as gross as it sounds, the story only gets worse from here. Should the idea of drinking a beer that was created using yeast from some hairy guy's bushy beard send waves of nausea coursing through you're body, treading with extreme caution is suggested.
According to CNN, Rogue Ales Brewery, known for such tasty brews as "Dead Guy Ale," has developed what can only be described as "beard beer." The questionable beverage is developed using yeast pulled from company president Brett Joyce's rarely-trimmed facial hair.
"We had our lab guy take a couple of swabs, by putting a Q-Tip in here, or taking a clip off. I don't know what I thought about it. I said, whatever, you know," Joyce explained. "I don't know why, yeast is everywhere. You're really not drinking the beard you're drinking a great beer that happens to have a yeast in it that comes from a beard."
After digging around inside Brett Joyce's beard for a yeast cell, the lab guys finally managed to get their swabs on a yeast cell. After putting the cell through the fermentation process, the aptly-named "beard beer" was born.
According to Tampa Bay's 10 News, it's been quite a while since the scruffy Rogue Ales Brewery president has trimmed his now-famous beard. "Thirty-four years. I never shaved it. 1978… Is that 34 years?" he said. "Hey, why not look for a different place that might have some magic yeast in it."
Since selling something called "beard beer" probably wouldn't prompt most consumers to give the beverage a shot, the company has decided to call the brew "New Crustacean." I'm honestly not sure if that's better or worse than "beard beer." According to L.A. Weekly, the beer will hit retail shelves sometime next year.
Are you brave enough to try this so-called "beard beer?"


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Lewis Glass, b. 15 Sept 1886, d. 1973
Ruby Glass, b. 1890, d. 1976
Lewis was son of Lewis S and Catherine Walter Glass
Contributed on 7/11/06 by patticakeo
Email This Contributor
Record #: 839
On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Ohio, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 7/11/06 • Approved: 7/13/06 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R839-G837-S3


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Analysis overview
- How are reviewers describing this item?
great, fit, good, squat and size.
- Interesting tidbit: the most used word by reviewers is shoes.
- Our engine has profiled the reviewer patterns and has determined that there may be deception involved.
- Our engine has determined that the review content quality is low.
- Our engine has analyzed and discovered that 65.0% of the reviews are reliable.
- This product had a total of 1,020 reviews on Dec 31 2018.
Review Count
Price Track


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Live. Work. Create. Let. Creativity. Rule.
Stone Valley Signs is located within Stone Valley Gift Shop, 200 Lenny Road, Potsdam, NY. Hours of Operation are: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday - CLOSED. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - OPEN 10:30-5:00, Saturday - OPEN 9:00-1:00. The Gift Shop is always OPEN by Chance or by Appointment. Call/text 315-261-2422 or Message me on Facebook @ Stone Valley Gift Shop.


text: Eric Lipton, Nicholas Confessore and Brooke Williams, Think Tank Scholar or Corporate Consultant? It Depends on the Day. The New York Times and the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, 8 August 2016. "Acting as independent arbiters to shape government policy, many [think tank] researchers also have corporate roles that are sometimes undisclosed."


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Ranked #1 of 5 for Best Grooming
Sorry! There are no tips for Donald Ross Village Animal Hospital.
The 2010 Best of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast awards are based on more than 10,000 votes from local West Palm Beach-area experts.
Best Barbecue ⋅ Best Wings ⋅ Best Breakfast ⋅ Best Pet Supplies ⋅ Best Sushi


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Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Dan, Dec 7, 2004.
Your PM box is full!
No it isn't. It just keeps sending me e-mails telling me it is. I have only 8 messages there. They're some I need to keep for the moment. Please keep trying. My box is clean! :rotflmao:
Don't Jimmy! But it was so tempting
Separate names with a comma.