text:
How to Make Yourself Smarter / In an age of bland evil and dumbed-down everything, how to inflame your shriveled brain?
It was somewhere between the second and third glasses of wine and just after finishing the rice pasta but before I reached for the vegan chocolate-covered pretzels (Rainbow Grocery, 8 bucks a pound, incredible) for dessert that I happened to glance up at the TV and felt it, a massive, dull stabbing hammerblow of pain way, way back in the subcorteal nerve, where it bends and weaves and reaches down to meet the soul.
Something snapped. Something gave way. I think my head actually snapped back. I blinked a few times, shook my head, looked around to check my surroundings to see if the world was still on its proper axis because it was a feeling, a rather startling sensation that I was just hit in the face with a giant mallet made of sponge cake and road tar and death. You know it too? Sure you do.
What was on TV, exactly? Doesn't matter. I think it was an interstitial ad for that channel's upcoming slate of shows, a typical snappy voice-over wrap-up of sitcoms and reality-show dribble, nothing really unusual in its tone and pitch and loud garish inanity, but somehow it sounded, if you blocked out the actual words, exactly like something that would make a small monkey hit itself in the face with a brick, intentionally.
But while the cause of my sudden pain was surely the waves of malicious dumbness coming straight at my head from the TV like some sort of brain tumor on rails, what happened next was broader, and deeper.
I experienced, through some deliciously odd confluence of wine and chocolate and TV inanity and primed mental wiring, one of those rare moments of perfect lucidity wherein you see exactly what sort of tepid, low-vibrational information is being fired at you from the dumb machine gun of the culture at large. It was, indeed, a peek behind the matrix.
I do not mean to say I merely noticed, for the umpteenth time, how dumb television can be. This was more like a deep slap to the id, a wake-up call from Jesus' long-lost half-brother Rod, the one who loves sex and reads poetry naked and eats meat with his fingers and likes to snap your cosmic ass with the giant rubber band of you-are-being-calmly-duped-and-get-the-hell-on-with-it-already.
It was, of course, a cry for help. It was my brain leaping out of the fog of casual pop culture drizzle and saying, Hey, is it not time to, you know, get a little more serious? Reacquaint yourself with some hot swatches of substance? Tip the scales of intellectual lust back from blandly passive to deliciously active?
I think I might have actually said -- to myself, to the room at large, to Rod -- Why yes, yes it is.
I had a professor back in my early college years in L.A., long before I headed up to Berkeley and had my brain scrambled by concentrated doses of politics and poetry and raging academia, a teacher named Farrel Broslawsky, a hilariously wry and sardonic, warm-hearted chain-smoking history buff who was my first and best mentor.
It was Farrel who first urged me to write, who got me into philosophy and politics and who taught me of the deeper mysteries of women, who gave me much invaluable, vodka-fueled insight into art and Sartre and Marx and life and who essentially mandated that I subscribe to the New York Review of Books because it was simply essential manna for a richer intellectual life.
Farrel was one of those fantastic teachers who taught every class the same way -- an extended, rambling riff on life and sex and literature and how it's all one big cosmic joke anyway. He was brilliant and funny and effortlessly ideologically subversive, and I loved him dearly.
One day before summer break I remember Farrel told me, over yet another cocktail and a Marlboro (he also taught me how to appreciate a good martini at noon on a Tuesday, God bless him), that he had chosen his summer reading. I expected the usual: some sort of smart Jewish lit (he loved Primo Levi), maybe some poetry, the latest Harper's anthology. Hell, this was the guy who assigned me "The Brothers Karamazov" as my summer reading. I knew he wasn't exactly normal.
But his choice was none of those. He said he'd decided to re-read Shakespeare. All of it. Every single play, including the obscure and annoying ones. It had been years since he'd read them all in one good dose, he said, and they were nothing but the purest sort of food for the soul. Besides, an average Shakespeare play only requires a few concentrated hours (or a few unconcentrated days) to get through, so the complete set could easily be imbibed over a single hot, smoggy L.A. summer.
It wasn't something you heard every day. After all, summer is about laziness, right? About vacation and mental breaks and relaxing in the smoldering sun and doing as little as possible, about exactly not working the brain into fits of torqued language, morality, deep philosophical contortions. In other words, who the hell reads Shakespeare over the summer? And enjoys it?
This, I realized, is exactly the perspective that's programmed into us like fluffy teddy bears of doom. This is the message from the culture at large: Do as little as possible, think even less, and if you really want deeper smarts you're probably an elitist liberal and you gotta work for it and seek it out because it's buried under countless layers of ideological effluvia and celebrity shrapnel and rank, mealy piles of Bush.
Farrel's reasons for his choice were obvious but still illuminating: He did it because he truly loved language. He did it because once you get past the idea that such a project is somehow difficult (it isn't), you see that many of the bard's plays are the best sort of melodramatic, death-crazed, sex-obsessed page-turner anyway.
And most of all, he did it because, simply put, you come out the other end of a reading experience like that as if your id had been put through a car wash run by demented genius angels. You are revitalized, inspired, born anew. It simply doesn't get much better than that.
It was a profound lesson. In one fell swoop, that afternoon chat reversed my thinking for good. No longer was it: Why the hell would you want to spend your summer doing something like that? To: How could you not want to do something like that?
I do not know, exactly, how I intend to draw out this particular lesson, or the reminder of it I experienced that weird night in front of the TV. I only know that if you're not careful, such invaluable glimpses become increasingly rare, the reminders begin to dim and the mind turns to whiny paste and the heart grows cold.
I do have one idea, though. It involves a great deal of Shakespeare and the long, lucid days of this upcoming summer. And oh yes, at least one very good martini.
Thoughts for the author? E-mail him .
Mark Morford's Notes & Errata column appears every Wednesday and Friday on SFGate and in the Datebook section of the SF Chronicle. To get on the e-mail list for this column, please click here and remove one article of clothing. Mark's column also has an RSS feed and an archive of past columns, which includes another tiny photo of Mark probably insufficient for you to recognize him in the street and give him gifts.
As if that weren't enough, Mark also contributes to the hot, spankin' SF Gate Culture Blog.


text:
The Chairman,
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
Investigative Committee
Re: INVITATION TO APPEAR BEFORE YOUR COMMITTEE ON COMPLAINT OF ALLEGED PERPETRATION OF BLACKMAIL, EXTORTION AND LIBEL
With reference to your letter on the above subject, dated 2nd July, 2013, I wish to state as follows:-
- That I still stand by all the contents of my earlier letter (also attached herewith) with reference No. DH/FZ1/SC/101/Vol.3 that was sent to the President of your Union on 29th June, 2013.
- That in addition to the content of the attached letter, which are part of my legitimate conditions and rights to voluntarily appear before your 'committee', the following issues of law which contradict and violate the laws and constitution of your union should be put on record for Nigerians and other stakeholders across the world to appreciate and determine the desperation of the leadership of your union to accomplish a carefully scripted job;
- That as at today 9th July, 2013 precisely ten days after the attached letter was submitted to your president there is no formal or informal reply from your union addressing the fundamental issues I raised;
- That as at today 9th July, 2013, less than 48 hours to the commencement of your 'committee's' hearing in Kaduna which you expect me to appear, you are yet to comply with the provisions of your own constitution by giving me the content of the so called petition and the 'recorded transcript' to study before facing you to answer questions regarding the allegations. Article 7 Procedure 2 of your constitution is very clear on that. It states that "Where a complaint has been made against a particular journalist (not a publisher), the journalist shall be notified of such a complaint in WRITING and given at least TWENTY ONE DAYS NOTICE within which he shall prepare his defence and appear before the committee". The interval between the date you constituted your 'committee' and the date you want me to respond, despite flagrant disregard to Article 7 Procedure 2 of your constitution, is only ten days, thereby disregarding the constitutional provision of 21 days notice, while I am still left in the dark about the nature of the allegation;
- That going by the provision above, it becomes clear that either the leadership of your union is acting out of ignorance or it has been compromised and is embarking on a hatchet job;
- That going by the provision of Article 7 No. 1C of your own constitution which requires the constitution of a "five-man standing committee to handle complaints of professional and or ethical misconduct of journalists (not publishers)" and considering your hasty decision to appoint only three members instead of five, your committee and whatever it will come out with is illegal and that you don't have such powers under the law to "interact" with or investigate a none member of your union except you are assuming the powers of a dictator with wanton violation of the law and due process in line with a dictated script;
- That in any case, why did your 'committee' deliberately fail to invite and meet with the petitioner, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Muhammad and instead chose to entertain three of his officials during your secret hearing in Abuja? Why did you choose a separate hearing for them without giving me the right to ask them questions before you, based on their concocted submissions?
- That going by the pronouncement of the president of your union even before the commencement of the committee's work on radio and television stations, it's clear that whatever you are doing as a committee is just a formality because the leadership of your union has not only shown sufficient reason to make me believe that you have compromised but already prepared what it's 'judgement' will be.;
- That the nation and posterity will judge you because of the predictable outcome of your report, considering the fact that the issue you are 'investigating' is currently before a court of law in suit No: CV/3277/13 at Abuja High Court but yet you are desperate to violate the law by investigating what is before a competent court. This is also in view of your glaring failure to adhere to the provisions of your own constitution, due process, transparency as well as the provisions of fundamental human rights all of which have not only been discredited by the union, but have certainly failed in whatever purpose it was intended; and
- Lastly that if Article 3 of your constitution, which clearly states "A person shall not be a member of the union, except if registered by the National Secretariat of the union on the recommendation of the state council" (and as you know I haven't) is anything to go by, one wonders the desperation by your union to assume powers you clearly haven't on a none member and publisher of a registered paper;
In view of the failure to respond and act on my concerns in my first letter to you, gross violation and disregard to your own constitution, that of the court and going by all the above which are all issues of the law, due process and fundamental human rights which you flagrantly ignored and violated, I find it difficult to comprehend how the NUJ under the current leadership can "restore the glory of the journalism as an objective and trustworthy profession;" and as such and based on the advice of my lawyers, I wish to state that I will not appear before your 'committee' on Thursday 11th July, 2013 until all the issues raised in my first letter are fairly addressed by you. With this you can conveniently go ahead and present your one-sided report for Nigerians and stakeholders across the world to judge you as well.
Yours sincerely,
Mal. Tukur Mamu
(Dan-Iyan Fika)
CC: Nigerian Press Council (NPC)
Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
Inspector General of Police, Luis Edit House, Abuja
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Sadau Garba and Company, Kaduna
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York
Reporters Without Border, Paris
Protection Rights of Journalists of Africa (PRJA), Cape Town, South Africa
Human Rights for Journalists, Canada
The Ethical Journalism Initiative, Brussels, Belgium
World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, Germany
International Federation of Journalism, Brussels, Belgium
All Nigerian Media Houses

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Our preschool students were treated to a fun and free day that included carnival rides, games, and a pizza picnic lunch thanks to the generosity of the Charlottesville Dogwood Festival and other sponsors. Find more (adorable) photos here.
Elementary schools — including Walker School — have wrapped up their season of iSTEM family nights, which invite families to an evening of hands-on experiments and building activities. At Clark, 3rd-graders even created their own flyer about the event as part of their unit on "functional texts."
A movement is underway to honor a beloved Johnson student with an accessible community playground! To learn more about this tribute in memory of Bennett McClurken-Gibney, click here.
Fourth-graders at all schools prepped mini derby cars for a first-ever City competition hosted at CHS. CHS winners qualified to compete in Culpeper, where Burnley-Moran student Harry Shullaw won the mini-derby race and Walker student Hazel Conklin won the stock car division!
Like all of our schools, Burnely-Moran honored African-American history month, but they pulled out all the stops, with a history gallery, an African dance demonstration, and a vibrant career fair populated by African-American leaders throughout the Charlottesville community, many of whom are CHS alums or connected to Charlottesville City Schools.
Burnley-Moran also hosted its second one-mile family color run for more than 400 runners!
After reading the novel Inside Out and Back Again, Clark fourth-graders extended their learning with a guest speaker from the International Rescue Committee of Charlottesville. Immigrants and refugees are an important part of our Charlottesville and Clark community!
Expecto patronus! And expecto beautiful art! Greenbrier fourth graders connected art and literature by creating Harry-Potter themed animal portraits. In addition, fourth-graders who met their academic goals got to celebrate their growth with a good old-fashioned pie-the-principal day.
Students rocked the annual "Jackson-Via's Got Talent" show, and on a different night, they donned their pajamas for a well-attended "PJs and Popcorn" night in celebration of math and literacy.
Johnson's fourth-graders enacted their annual wax museum of historic figures who come to life for visitors. Henry "Box" Brown, Sacagawea, Alexander Hamilton, and many more were on hand to tell their stories. Younger social studies scholars created their annual Not-Quite-the-Fourth-of-July Parade, donning costumes such as the Statute of Liberty or the American flag to learn about our country's symbols.
Venable All Stars celebrated Women's History Month with visits from female trailblazers Jane Goodall, Pocahontas, Bessie Coleman, and more! Earlier in the month, suffragettes stood outside the school at arrival time with signs and posters demanding that women receive the right to vote. For more pics: https://goo.gl/nXga2d


text:
New home, new shirt. Orlando City SC have unveiled a new home jersey for the 2017 MLS season, with a shout to the club's transition to a new stadium. As the countdown to the league's Opening Day continues, The Lions look prepared to reign in style.
Purple is paired with metallic gold for the new home kit. We begin with a full collar with buttons and a plaquet, giving a fashionable feel. The jersey's body has a feathered design.
In a club first, Orlando's home jersey will have gold three-stripe trim on the shoulders.
With club color versions of the MLS logos on each sleeve, the right sleeve has coordinates to Orlando City Stadium (28.5410645°, -081.3890350°), as the club sets to begin play this year at their own home.
The team's crest has the lion's head in a metallic gold finish.
The lion's head is also used as the jocktag in white. Orlando Health returns as the shirt sponsor. The complete kit has purple shorts and socks with gold trim.
The 2017 adidas Orlando City SC home jersey will be available soon at World Soccer Shop.


text:
Discussion in 'Shoopville' started by DeformedGravy, Mar 25, 2018.
I can see the resemblance, but my Adam's apple is huge. Dead giveaway.
I guess I do kinda look like Tom Hiddleston, if I wasn't wearing glasses and had long hair.
No clue who this is. My hair doesn't grow that long though.
Probably going off face and glasses though, I give you some credit that might be me in 20 years.
I know, however, if you had a baby with her she would give birth to you... or... her... she truly looks like a female version of you.
She is my female MMA doppelganger for sure.
Separate names with a comma.


text:
Popful Mail: Magical Fantasy Adventure (ぽっぷるメイル, Poppuru Meiru) is a side-scrolling platform game. Popful Mail was developed by Nihon Falcom for the NEC PC-8801 computer in 1991 and for the PC-9801 in 1992. It was later ported to PC Engine CD-ROM by NEC Home Electronics and to the Sega CD by "Sega Falcom", an alliance of the two game companies Sega and Falcom. In 1994, Falcom themselves remade Popful Mail and released it on Super Famicom; this release was their first original console game. SIMS Co., Ltd. translated the Sega CD version and Working Designs published it in North America in late 1994.
Source: Wikipedia, "Popful Mail", available under the CC-BY-SA License.


text:
Mifa Aerospace
Vertical integration
Extensive range of alloys
Quality assurance AS
Unmatched precision, products that are ready for use and the possibility of designing without concessions. These are just three of the advantages of working with Mifa. And what about our other distinctive qualities? You can find them in the Mifa 10. The strength of Mifa lies in a number of distinctive qualities. The Mifa 10, our strengths, your benefits. Experience Mifa:
Mifa sets the highest standards when it comes to quality. Not just for products, but for our own organisation and processes as well. That's why we take care to ensure that all procedures are observed fully. Our processed are certified to ISO 9001-2008.
Choosing the correct aluminium alloy is essential for the optimum end result of your finished product. Mifa has the expertise and the experience to ensure that the correct alloy is selected for each product.
Coating the extrusion profile ensures protection against corrosion, it improves wear resistance and, for example, reduces friction drag. We develop custom coatings to your specific requirements.
We can supply you with a complete product that complies with the highest of requirements and which can be put into immediate use. Whether it's machining or surface treatment, we do everything in house. We also undertake assembly and can do this under clean-room condition if required. Quality is always guaranteed.
Mifa has an extensive, modern machine shop consisting exclusively of CNC and robot-controlled machines on which we can manufacture prototypes and batches, from small components (10 x 10 x 10 mm) to long lengths (6500 mm). We can provide every imaginable type of finish in house. And all of this is, of course, in accordance with our high Mifa standards.
We understand that a large volume of precision profiles is not required during the product development phase and that's why we can supply from just 10 kg upwards.
Our engineers like to work with your during the design process. They know the technology, the aluminium alloys and the possibilities. Their advice helps achieve optimum end products that offer functionality and reproducibility. Co-engineering also often results in innovative solutions and cost reductions.
Because of the Mifa precision, designers are able to 'do their own thing'. On the drawing board they can virtually dispense with limitations or standard specifications as a result of which they have an enormous amount of design freedom and can deliver the best end results.
Extrusion is an excellent alternative to other production technologies, especially for small batch runs. By starting with a profile rather than a block of solid material a great deal of processing time is saved and, of course, the associated high costs. The costs for profiles are relatively low and these costs are already earned back even on small batch runs starting from 10 kg.
The Mifa precision extrusion is unmatched. Our exceptional level of specialisation guarantees dimensional tolerances from ± 0.02 mm. We can achieve ten times more precision than NEN-EN 12020-2, the standard for aluminium extrusion. Our profiles exceed the standard with regard to straightness, torsion, concentricity, parallelism, surface roughness and fit. We manufacture in a single process run, which means high quality and reliability. CNC post-processing is therefore often not necessary.


text:
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Purse Giveaway!
Please tell me about your first purse and you will have the chance to win the purse pictured below! It is a small polka-dotted cutie with a magnetic snap and inside pocket! The winner will be picked randomly! The give away ends on September 20 2007. I will announce the winner on the 21! Happy writing!
9 comments:
- Lisa Leonard said...
Pick me!! I don't remember my first purse, but I remember really loving a bright pink plastic basket/purse from when I was very young. I needed something to hold all those IMPORTANT things! :)
- September 15, 2007 at 7:50 PM
- Denise said...
Found you through Lindsey's blog!
My first purse was dark denim with a strawberry short cake design. This keeper of things still has it. It has been passed on to my girls.
- September 16, 2007 at 6:52 PM
- Robin said...
My first purse was a little pink satin drawstring bag for Easter. My grandma had made my sister and I matching dresses with matching purses. I carried a wee notebook, crayon for taking "sermon notes", and my dime for Jesus. My sister and I are now over the matchy-matchy thing... twenty-two years later.
- September 16, 2007 at 8:36 PM
- chrissie said...
Lisa and I loved to carry purses when we were kids and we had so many, I don't remember which ones we got first.
On Saturday night we'd say, "Let's pack a purse for church tomorrow."
Then we'd choose a purse and fill it with important stuff like gum, kleenex, change, lip gloss, and a small stuffed animal. We felt so grown up.
- September 16, 2007 at 11:14 PM
Dont Pick me! but i thought i would tell you that the first purse i remember was given to me eaither by Uncle Steve or courtney. i got them about the same time, but dont remember whos came first. i loved filling my purse with things "i felt i needed". it is now funny when i see the things in little gils purses.
- September 17, 2007 at 11:46 AM
- The Brandleys said...
I found you through it's the little things. cute purses, my first one was white with a pink ribbon trim... I still have it! just for nostalgia
- September 17, 2007 at 1:25 PM
- Jerome & Crysti said...
Hmmmmm, I don't know what my very first purse was...I'm figuring it was probably one of the pink frilly things that comes with those plastic high heels you got to wear as a child to be a "Pretty, Pretty Princess." :-)
But my favorite purse that I've had for a long time is a blue felt one with a gigantic 3D snowman face popping out of it. And the flap that closes the purse is a triangle which fastens to Frosty's head...it's his hat :-)
- September 18, 2007 at 8:36 AM
- Kami said...
My first purse was a black patent leather AKA plastic purse with hot pink stripes and a huge bow...and the strap was super long so of course I hung it around my shoulder twice :)
- September 18, 2007 at 2:12 PM
- Kami said...
My first purse was a black patent leather AKA plastic purse with hot pink stripes and a huge bow...and the strap was super long so of course I hung it around my shoulder twice :)
- September 18, 2007 at 2:12 PM


text:
When we last left our intrepid spiritual traveler, her altars had just reassembled themselves. Since then, I've just been letting them occupy their space and sink their energy tendrils into the house. I've also continued to work on my spiritual scrapbook like a madwoman. I don't know what it is about that particular project that I find so appealing, but I really like it. My first scrapbook is over 75% full already: about 60 pages. I have another designated exclusively for a set of Buddhist and Hindu greeting cards I bought at Half Price Books a few years ago but have never used. I've sliced them in half for easy gluing and saved the backs for their descriptions.
There's still a table full of altar-y stuff in the yoga room. It's everything that hasn't yet found a home elsewhere in the house. I'm leaving it there so my husband can pick through it and find things for his own altar space. I also wasn't entirely sure what to do with it all. I can identify a few things that I don't want any more, but most of it I like and want to keep. Most of it will go into a big plastic bin except for a few things that just really want to be out.
As usual, I've gotten stuck on another bit of the Spiritual Nomad instructions. Since the first week, I'm supposed to have been doing breathing exercises/meditations for a few minutes each day in front of my altar spaces, whether empty or full. I haven't done any yet. I think it's because the word "meditation" or the phrase "breathing exercise" instills anxiety in me as I remember past attempts to do these things and how frustrating it was. I'm bipolar. It's a daily effort to keep the inner dialogue quiet enough so that I can function in the rest of my life. Sitting down to do nothing but listen to my breath is akin to putting a megaphone from that dialogue's mouth to the rest of my mind: it's deafening.
So I'm trying to abandon the whole "listen to my breath" thing since that clearly doesn't work for me. I'm going for a quiet conversation, instead, since shutting everyone up isn't really an option. Not for now, anyway (I can see how it could be possible after a very long time of increasingly quiet mental conversations, though). Seeing the exercise in that way lessens the meditative anxiety, but not completely. There's still that whole sitting still thing. I'm currently a bit of a large girl: sitting still for a long time isn't very comfortable for me. I guess I could always sit in a chair instead of on the floor, or arrange myself differently on the floor. Laying down is always nice.
These are all excuses flung up by some even farther corner of my mind that really does NOT want me to do anything even remotely resembling meditation. It gets really angry when I try to come up with ways to get around these excuses, essentially poisoning my meditation practice with a lot of inwardly directed hostility. After a few sessions of that, I give up. Seriously, who the fuck wants to sit down with themselves and end up feeling like they've just had a horrible fight with someone? Which in essence, you did?
Little wonder, then, that I don't think too highly of meditation. Monkey mind, my ass. More like an 800-pound gorilla running amok in my head. Plus my authority-driven mind is yammering at me that I've ruined the whole thing by skipping parts or doing them out of order. "You idiot, you've reassembled the altars before meditating in front of them for exactly seven days while standing on one foot and bleeding out a chicken! You've got the mixture all WRONG! The fabric of life itself is torn asunder!"
*sighs at self*
If I get nothing else out of Spiritual Nomad, it's to lighten the fuck up and be more accepting of my particular bizarre flavor of Otherness Acknowledgement, which doesn't like words and in general regards them to be flimsy human constructs that always fall short of truly describing their subject, as though they were mere shadows projected upon a wall, a la Plato. Which is an odd perspective to have as a writer. As such, it is the rare mantra that doesn't feel completely forced (Sheila Chandra's "Om Namaha Shiva" is just such a mantra) and it's difficult for me to come up with words to go along with a spiritual activity that don't sound completely silly to me.
I know I'm just trying too hard. All of the non-verbal exercises have been extraordinarily helpful: I should give the others more of a chance instead of subverting them before I even try. All I have to do is sit down and light a candle and some incense, for heaven's sake. Those are things I *like* doing! I should stop trying to ruin them with a lot of overanalysis. Then maybe it wouldn't make part of me so angry to try to meditate or pray.


text:
A Pacific Palisades investment banker was sentenced Monday to 51 months in federal prison for bilking clients out of $1.3 million.
Benjamin Bush, former owner of Ben Bush Investment Management Inc., also was ordered to make nearly $1.2 million in restitution to eight victims who suffered most of the losses.
Bush, 53, pleaded guilty in May to one money laundering count and admitted that he laundered the funds he bilked from his clients.
In the early 1990s, Bush convinced dozens of people to invest with him, based on false documentation regarding his investment performance history, Assistant U.S. Atty. Barbara Scheper said.


text:
Stanbic IBTC Bank is a leading African banking group focused on emerging markets globally. It has been a mainstay of South Africa's financial system for 150 years, and now spans 16 countries across the African continent.
Standard Bank is a firm believer in technical innovation, to help us guarantee exceptional client service and leading edge financial solutions. Our growing global success reflects our commitment to the latest solutions, the best people, and a uniquely flexible and vibrant working culture. To help us drive our success into the future, we are looking for resourceful individuals to join our dedicated team at our offices.
We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:
Job Title: IT Control Officer
Job ID: 31960
Location: Lagos Island, Lagos
Job Details
- Group Risk Management: understanding all risks – from the economic to the political – that could affect our global business, and offering guidance to all parts of the bank
Job Purpose
- Responsible for assessing controls around IT infrastructures, including network devices, applications and databases as well as all IT project development.
- During the process, completes work timely and in accordance with Control Methodology and other applicable standards, and defined plans, budgets, and schedules
Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities
- Perform IT security reviews involving people, processes, and technologies. Auditing operating systems, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, databases, web servers, messaging servers, network components and industry specific technologies in line with best practices.
- Assess network architecture so that he or she can identify configuration and topology issues through analysis of the design and configuration of the network.
- Evaluate security risk of all kinds of applications; stand-alone, network based and web based . This will cover high-level design audit, black-box testing, source code reviews, development and delivery audit as well as operating environment audit.
- Perform process risk analyses, prepare process maps and flowcharts, and prepare effective and efficient compliance and substantive test plans; prepare and perform testing of controls.
- Perform assessment of IT application controls, IT general controls environment and automated controls embedded within IT environment.
- Evaluate test results: accurately identify symptoms, root cause, problems, identify alternative controls and develop recommendations.
- Prepare work papers, draft grammatically correct interim letters and other reporting documents; assist in preparation of the draft exception report.
- Evaluate the completeness of the responsible management's corrective action plans.
- Perform related work as assigned by lead Manager(s) and/or Manager
Key Performance Measures
- Control Adequacy rating from Internal Audit.
- Promptness and effectiveness of processes and system reviews.
- Quantum of undetected regulatory/statutory infractions from External Auditor and Regulators' reports.
- Early identification of vulnerabilities within the IT systems that are susceptible to fraud.
- Zero tolerance for fraud due to internal breach or weaknesses in the systems or technologies supporting business..
- Timely escalation of potential threat to IT systems and data.
- Effectiveness at follow up to ensure that Internal Audit recommendations are implemented.
Internal & External Relationships:
- The need to maintain a wide network with key stakeholders in the Bank such as Operational Risk, Risk Assurance, Group Internal Audit,
- Professional bodies and other relevant affiliations.
Preferred Qualification and Experience
- BSc. Degree in IT related course.
- Applicable IT certifications.
- Minimum of 3 years.
Knowledge/Technical Skills/Expertise:
- Proficiency in banking applications and e-business platforms.
- Report writing/Investigation skill
- Interpretation of COBIT,ITIL,SOX , CISA,CISM,CISSP
- Ability to use Finacle, ACL or Data Analytical tools.
Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply
Job Title: IT Auditor
Job ID: 31955
Location: Lagos Island
Job Purpose
- Provide assurance to Audit Committee that processes and systems are working effectively and efficiently, and in conformity to policies, standards and best practices.
- To effectively and efficiently carry out planned audit assignments approved by the Head of Internal Audit
Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities
- Participate in implementation of IT projects.
- Review and ensure that ICT security is adequate, effective and efficient in all areas viz a viz: Authorization and repudiation controls, Physical access controls, Logical access controls, Environmental controls, Administrative Controls, Communication and network controls.
- Review applications/ systems to ensure functionality, availability and processing controls like segregation of duties.
- Assist in the implementation of information system projects and ensure that the relevant controls are in place from on set.
- Review and ensure clear roles, responsibilities, segregation of duties and succession planning for the various levels of IT staff to enable them deliver the right IT services.
- Review and ensure that the business continuity and disaster recovery plans are in place and are being implemented as required.
- Review and ensure that there are adequate controls over IT processes of managing problems/ incidents as well as proper escalation procedures.
- Review and ensure there are adequate controls over IT processes of managing data (source documents, authorization and approvals, retention, handling of output from IT application programs, report distribution, data storage, etc).
- Review of Income Assurance using Audit Command Language (ACL) to guard against income leakages through unauthorized income and expense interest rates etc.
- Generation of reports for investigation using ACL.
- Investigate IT related problems/ issues.
- Ad hoc as assigned by Head of Department.
Key Performance Measures
Achieve Coverage:
- Analysis of data of all branches for audit purposes. *
- Stock count of all IT systems software.
- Audit of IT system software.
- IT Infrastructure & General Controls audit.
- Regular appraisal of key risks and adjustment of RACA, audit programs and audit plans where required.
- Proper scope of audits.
- Compliance with Audit Standards – approval of audit work done.
- Accurate Audit report received timely.
Important Relationships
Internal to Bank:
- Continuous communication with the Head, Internal Audit to get direction.
- Liaise with auditee management to assess inherent risk and to obtain feedback on work done.
External to Bank:
- Communicate with Bankers' Committee on issues of customer account overcharges.
Preferred Qualification and Experience
- Possession of first Degree, CISA and/or a professional qualification such as CIMA, ACCA, ACA, ACIB, CISM etc.
- At least 3 years banking experience, part of which must have been in the Internal Audit department.
Knowledge/Technical Skills/Expertise:
- Detailed knowledge of banking systems, applications and processes, and modern internal auditing practices.
Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply
Job Title: Branch Control Officer
Job ID: 31958
Location: Lagos
Job Sector: Banking
Job Details
- Risk Management: understanding all risks – from the economic to the political – that could affect our global business, and offering guidance to all parts of the bank
Job Purpose
- Build a strong compliance environment to ensure zero level of policy, procedures and regulatory infractions.
- Ensure prompt and effective call over of branch transactions.
- Build strong awareness in branch staff on all policy and procedures issues; zero tolerance for open GL Items, unreviewed transactions and income leakages
Key Responsibilities
- Call over of Transactions as per the approved threshold.
- Carrying out spot checks and review of activities in the branches under coverage, cash count and vault administration, funds transfer, Clearing processes and returned cheques, etc, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures
- Review of system exception override message report.
- Review of GL/P&L Movement Report.
- Conduct Seriality checks /test on Managers Cheque/Bank draft in the branches under coverage.
- Review of Suspense/Transit/Proxy Accounts.
- Review of expense and cash advances and ensure conformity with laid-down policies.
- Carrying out security sweep at least once in a month.
- Daily review of accounts closure and transfers.
- Ensure complete and accurate recognition of all fees and charges on every relevant account.
- Review of Fixed Asset Register
- Review of Finacle users' profile
- Review KYC compliance.
Key performance measures
- Control Adequacy rating from Internal Audit.
- Promptness and effectiveness of call over of transactions.
- Quantum of undetected regulatory/statutory infractions from External Auditor and Regulators' reports.
- Quality and Timeliness of losses and loss events reporting in processing areas
- Undetected Income leakage/P&L reversal arising from undetected processing errors
- Integrity of the GL accounts in the Business offices of the region.
- Promptness, Accuracy and Validity of Exception Reporting/Rendition of all Control Activity Reports
- Effectiveness at follow up to ensure that Internal Audit recommendations are implemented.
Internal and external relationships
- The need to maintain a wide network with key stakeholders in the Bank such as Operational Risk, Risk Assurance, Group Internal Audit, and other appropriate divisions and associate companies to ensure operational effectiveness and enhanced customer service.
Preferred Qualification and Experience
- Business management or commercial degree
- Applicable certifications.
- Education: BSc. Minimum
- Banking Experience -Minimum of 3 years.
Knowledge/Technical Skills/Expertise:
- Report writing/Investigation skill
- Banking operations experience
- Interpretation of ML (P) Act 2011 & CBN KYC Manual 2003
- Ability to use Finacle, Microsoft packages & AML Software.
Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply
Application Deadline 16th May, 2018.


text: It is August and it is time to start fall and winter plantings of carrots and other crops. Most of my other crops are started from transplants, carrots are a different story. Carrots are hard to get to germinate, especially in hot and dry weather. This year we are very familiar with hot and dry! I plant our carrots in beds that we cover later in the year with our movable high tunnels. This way we can better utilize our high tunnels. Currently the movable high tunnels have tomatoes planted under them. We will be moving the tunnels off the tomatoes and over the carrots around Thanksgiving time, depending on the weather. So, I have to use extra measures to ensure germination. Here is the process. First we till up the beds and add any soil amendments. We rake the beds out smooth and lay out the two runs of drip lines per beds. Next we plant two rows of carrots for each run of drip tape. We use an Earthway planter with a the heavy carrot plate. I have tried the light carrot plate and I wasn't happy with the result. I wish there was a medium plate. After we plant, we turn on the drip and soak the beds. Next we cover the beds with row cover. Once we put the row cover down, I wet it down. Then I come back and wet it down every day 2 to 5 times a day. Just to keep it moist and cool. For the next planting, I am going to use misters on a timer. I start checking under the row cover on day 4 to see for carrot germination. Usually there is none. On the end of day 5 to the start of day 6 it is time to flame weed. Flame weeding is basically using a propane burner to burn and kill the weeds before the carrots come up. However, one has to remember that the carrots are germinating under the soil surface. I use a burner that hooks up to a 20 pound grill bottle. Here is a before weeding picture. All the green are weeds, not carrots. Here is the after flaming the beds. After flaming, we return the drip lines and soak the beds down. Depending on the weather, one can return the row cover or not. It has been cooler, so I chose not to cover. On the morning of day 7, here is what I saw. SUCCESS! Now on day 9, I have 4 rows of carrots growing. Sorry I don't have a picture. You can see the carrots growing the whole length of the bed. It does take time however the pay off is wonderful sweet and crunchy winter carrots!


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Mailer's obsession with masculinity and violence often got him into trouble. He once beat up a sailor on a Manhattan street because he believed that the man had questioned the sexuality of his dog.In addition to being a respected novelist and biographer, Mailer was a boxer, womanizer, social commentator, and newspaper man (he co-founded The Village Voice). His was the voice of the insurgent American male who saw his "status" as a man socially and culturally diminished in the years following the war.
In 1971, he head-butted his fellow writer Gore Vidal before a television chat-show after Vidal had written that "there has been from Henry Miller to Norman Mailer to Charles Manson a logical progression".
Critics usually point to his influence on literary contemporaries such as Philip Roth and John Updike. But it seems to me Mailer's shadow is also cast over the work of filmmakers Woody Allen and Terence Malick (notably The Thin Red Line), as well as the "ethnic" writers Ishmael Reed and Frank Chin (in his public dispute with Maxine Hong Kingston). There's also Mailer's contribution to hipster culture, "The White Negro" (1956; reprinted in Advertisements for Myself in 1959). From the beatniks to the Beastie Boys, Mailer influenced generations of disaffected white youth who found soulful expression in cool "black" pose.
Norman Mailer was a figure who, although his books may have fallen out of favor in recent decades, embodied the voice of the modern American man in all his contradictions: bullish yet victimized (by women), brash yet fundamentally insecure.


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TSA workers helped Puerto Rico-based ring smuggle $100M of cocaine, prosecutors say
Prosecutors in Puerto Rico have smashed a ring of current and former U.S. Transportation Security Administration workers that allegedly smuggled 20 tons of cocaine worth as much as $100 million into the U.S. over more than a decade.
As far as I am concerned, there should be special/more severe punishments for people in high-profile positions or areas of trust that break the law because they have access to avenues not available to the common, pedophile, thief, killer or crook.
In the case of the Porta Rican TSA workers, they were like kids in a candy store that couldn't get enough of their PRODUCT.
How much is ever enough for a thief?
They are like a person that win the first time they go to a casino. It was so easy, they keep pushing their luck, going for the big score and eventually wind up in the soup line or in the slams.
The major problem with a thief is; # 1 they are a thief; # 2 they are greedy. As far as I am concerned, they all get what they deserve and what is coming to them, especially the drug pushers.
Do they ever stop to consider just how many lives they destroy peddling their crap?
The younger kids see these bums in their big cars, wearing the BIG BLING and all trappings that goes along with being a drug pusher, and they can't wait until they grow up just like them.
What they see is, why should they work under the Golden Arches for 8 bucks and hour when they can make 1,000's a day or more.
I give all the people that work in those small paying jobs all the credit in the world for sticking it out. In this day and age of great temptations, it is not easy to walk the straight and narrow.
One of the major hurtling blocks in the vetting process for people that work in places like the TSA, many times the interviewers are bigger criminals than the people they are vetting.
I used to think there was an answer to all the problems in the world, then I woke up to reality.


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Harris in the Outer Hebrides provides wonderful landscapes of aqua ocean against pale beaches and dark hills. Looking for the beach at Scarista toward the west across the Sound of Taransay to the island of the same name, you look directly into the early summer sunset.
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Teacher Only Day – Friday 11 May
A reminder to all our families that there will be a teacher only day next Friday.
Next Friday, RHS will be hosting Year 8 Day, where students from our contributing schools will visit and experience a day in a high school.
Therefore, all Riccarton High School students are expected to be offsite, except for those that have been asked to assist on the day.
Teachers may have set students some work for them to continue with at home.


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Lebanese banks announce net profits for first 9 months of 2000
Byblos Bank SAL, one of Lebanon's top 5 banks, announced $35.8 million in net profits for the first 3 quarters of 2000, down 4.5 percent from the same period last year.
The bank's total assets reached $3.9 billion, up 8.1 percent from September 1999. Customer deposits totaled $3.1 billion, a 7.9 percent rise year-on-year. Loans grew 9.9 percent to $1.1 billion.
Byblos attributed the flat profit growth to the ongoing economic recession as well as to lower returns on Treasury bills and increased provisions against its loan portfolio.
A statement by Byblos said the drop in net income was also due to the bank's conservative policy of maintaining high liquidity and hedging part of its capital. Non performing loans represented 12.3 percent of the loan portfolio, while the cost-to-income ratio stood at 50.8 percent. Returns on average assets and equity were 1.26 percent and 16.4 percent, respectively, compared to 1.4 and 18 percent at the end of September 1999.
Bank of Beirut SAL, one of Lebanon's top 10 banks, declared unaudited net profits of $14 million for the first 9 month of 2000, a 1.51 percent increase from the same period last year.
Total assets reached $1.926 billion, up 15.35 percent from September 1999. Customer deposits totaled $1.46 billion, a 16.84 percent rise year-on-year. Loans grew 10.26 percent to $501.36 million. — ( Lebanon Invest)
Top Headlines
- First Gulf Bank Q3'2012 net profit up 15% to AED 1,054 million; 9 months net profit up 12% to AED 3,006 million
- Tamweel net profit for first 9 months of 2011 reaches AED 70.7 million, up 295 per cent
- First Gulf Bank achieves solid performance with Q3'2013 Net Profit up 12.8% to AED 1,190Mn; 9 Months Net Profit up 13.2% to AED 3,402Mn
- ABBK quadruples net income in first 9 months of 2000
- Sharp rise in net profits for Lebanese banks


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Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Review of Last Sarifice by Richelle Mead
Author: Richelle Mead
Published by: Penguin Group
Pages: 610
Spurce: Own
Rating: 4.5/5
From Goodreads: Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules. She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir Princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardian to come. Now the law has finally caught up with Rose- for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir. But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back… and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your life is about saving others, who will save you?
Amazing...what a way to end this series. Richelle Mead certainly knows how to grab an audience and not let go. This novel was the perfect end to this series, expect of course I'll always be wanting more. I'm going to miss Rose hardcore and some of the other characters as well. I feel these characters truely become part of your family and you want to carry them with you always.
It must give testment to Richelle Mead's writing style for her audience to miss Rose and Dimitri the way they do. She is able to capture your attention with a single sentence and pull you in for an entire series.
Every character had a very important role to fulfill in this novel and they did it perfectly. Lissa showed elegance and grace, while Rose fought hard and dirty. They complement each other like many of the great bestfriends in literature.
My only grivence (and it is small) is that I want to know what happens with Adrian. Where is his ending? I really hope he shows up in Bloodlines. I fell in love with Dimitri first, but Adrain was a close second. I only wish Rose could have somehow choosen both...but I guess that would bring this story into a totally different genre. I can only imagine, right?
If you haven't read this series yet, make sure to put in on the top of your summer reading pile.
2 comments:
This series (I haven't started it yet) has been on my pile for quite some time. I just can't seem to get it to the top! Great review. Thanks!ReplyDelete
I'm in the same position as Annette where I have the first three but haven't started them yet. I reckon some of that is because they are sitting in a huge book pile on the floor. Good thing is I ordered a bookshelf today so hopefully they'll be sorted out soon to have a try.ReplyDelete
They sound interesting, though!
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The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question.
---Stephen Jay Gould (1941 - 2002)
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Welcome to a place where words count just as much as photos!
There may be days that I miss because of some traumatic event in my life, but I will do my best not to miss any days.


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Making Standards Matter 1998. An Annual Fifty-State Report on Efforts To Raise Academic Standards.
Making Standards Matter 1998. An Annual Fifty-State Report on Efforts To Raise Academic Standards. - Descarga este documento en PDF. Documentación en PDF para descargar gratis. Disponible también para leer online.
This annual report analyzes the quality of academic standards in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and monitors the extent to which those standards are driving education reform. The report describes criteria used to evaluate state standards and provides commentary on each state's standards, highlighting areas of strength and pinpointing weaknesses that must be addressed to improve the standards. The report also examines: states' activities and intentions to assess whether students are meeting the standards; whether states are providing extra academic help to students who are having difficulty meeting the standards; and whether states are attaching meaningful consequences to the standards so that students and others take them seriously. Findings indicate that the standards-based reform movement is getting stronger in the states, and the overall quality of state standards continues to improve. Twenty states have incentives to motivate students to achieve a higher standard than required of all students. Recommendations for how states can strengthen their standards and develop policies to support their reform efforts are included. Two appendixes review state documents and present content resources. (SM)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Academic Standards, Change Strategies, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Educational Quality, Elementary Secondary Education, State Government, State Standards, Student Evaluation, Teachers
American Federation of Teachers, 555 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2079; Tel: 202-393-8636; Fax: 202-879-4537.
Autor: Glidden, Heidi
Fuente: https://eric.ed.gov/?q=a&ft=on&ff1=dtySince_1992&pg=12302&id=ED429979


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ISLAMABAD – A female officer of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has levelled serious allegations of victimisation and sexual harassment in the workplace by some senior officers of the authority including its former deputy chairman.
Bokhari said that she has not only been denied promotion for raising voice against her alleged tormentors and harassers but also continued to face internal inquiries one after the other "to teach her a lesson" and now she was being harassed in the name of getting arrested through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The female officer has already approached the Federal Ombudsperson seeking protection against alleged harassment by the senior NADRA officers.
Bokhari while talking to The Nation said that former deputy NADRA chairman Syed Muzaffar Ali not only sexually harassed her as an inquiry officer but also created hurdles in her promotion when she refused to accept his "private offers". "All of my colleagues have been promoted to the next grade but I am still working on the same pay scale because I have raised a voice in this male-dominated society," she said. She has also mentioned all these apparent "facts" in her application to the office of Federal Ombudsperson.
The ordeal of woman officer started when she filed a sexual harassment case in 2009 against Kamran Latif, the then NADRA director production CNICs. The matter was resolved after Ehtesham Shahid, the then DG production CNICs intervened as a mediator and a guarantor and assured her that the episode would not happen again, she said.
He ordeal started soon after the NADRA management changed hands in 2014 and NADRA high-ups started an inquiry against her accusing her stealing 28 CNICs (computerised national identity cards) from the production section of the NADRA headquarters.
The woman officer said that the inquiry against her was initiated to "teach her a lesson" for filing a harassment application against Latif. She said that NADRA authorities later withdrew the inquiry when the Lahore High Court on her petition found that the competent authority did not even duly sign the inquiry report.
"During the proceedings of the inquiry in 2015, the then DG (operations) Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah asked me that 'you would have to pay the price' to close the inquiry against me," she said explaining how she was harassed. Muzaffar Shah is currently working as DG admin, HR and data-ware house and was recently removed as deputy chairman on the orders of the LHC.
In the middle of 2016, a promotion board of NADRA denied Bokhari promotion and Muzaffar was also a member of the board. In September last year, a fresh inquiry was initiated against Bokhari accusing her of submitting fake medical bills of her mother to NADRA for reimbursement. "I am facing an inquiry of Rs9,000 on account of the alleged fake bills, who will believe this," she said adding that this was a clear case of victimisation.
She said that first, the finance department informed her in writing that the file of the medical bills had gone missing from the DG admin office headed by Muzaffar.
"Now I have been charge-sheeted for submitting fake and unverified bills and DG (Operations) Brig (retd) Nisar has been appointed an inquiry officer," she said.
"Now a case against me has also been forwarded to the FIA and I am being threatened to get arrest through the agency," she said adding "there seems no end to my miseries".
NADRA Spokesman Faik Ali declined to comment on the issue. A senior officer of the authority wishing not to be named said all the allegations against the senior officers were baseless. He said that some inquiries were pending against the female officer and she was trying to pressurise the authority by levelling unfounded and baseless allegations.
A spokesman for the interior ministry said that the complainant should file a complaint to the relevant forum and she would surely get justice if her allegations were founded to be true.


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Pass Medicare mental health coverage equality
This petition had 312 supporters
We the undersigned are writing in support of the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2017. This piece of legislation addresses the disparity between physical health care and mental health care that exists in the Medicare program due to the stringent 190-day limit for inpatient psychiatric facility care. No such lifetime limit exists for any other services covered by Medicare, including inpatient hospital stays due to physical illnesses. This 190-day cap puts an undue financial burden on beneficiaries that require specialized inpatient psychiatric care.
Medicare provides health care services for over 55 million Americans, yet, its coverage of inpatient mental health care has not changed since 1965. This cap is costly in the long run because beneficiaries with mental illnesses are at a higher risk of developing physical illnesses, hospitalizations, and homelessness. Mental health care disparity caused by policies like the 190-day cap also burdens the economy, leading to lost productivity, unemployment and greater reliance on social welfare programs.
Ultimately, if this discriminatory policy continues taxpayers, families, and those with mental illnesses will continue to suffer the consequences due to limited care. Passing the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act of 2017 is the first step in fixing unfair mental health coverage practices in the Medicare program. The bill is currently in subcommittee limbo, specifically the Subcommittee on Health in the House of Representatives. Representatives Kenny Marchant and Sam Johnson of Texas are members of this subcommittee and have the influence to push the bill forward.
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Today: Elissa is counting on you
Elissa Ortiz needs your help with "Sam Johnson: Pass Medicare mental health coverage equality". Join Elissa and 311 supporters today.
Today: Elissa is counting on you
Elissa Ortiz needs your help with "Sam Johnson: Pass Medicare mental health coverage equality". Join Elissa and 311 supporters today.


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By Katie Botkin For the Spokesman-Review
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson spoke Thursday evening at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint about the importance of public education in Idaho. Robinson, a graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School who grew up in Sandpoint, credits her teachers in North Idaho for "giving me my mind."
Robinson talked broadly about education in America, comparing it favorably to systems in places such as France. You hear, she said, "that American education has failed." However, the fact that our country still emphasizes writing is a good thing, she said, and sets us apart from some European systems where university students sit in giant lecture halls and take exams once a year.
She critiqued the French system that "offloads" underperforming middle school and high school students into trade-focused and "professional" high schools, where it is difficult if not impossible for students to migrate to university-bound tracks.
In the United States, on the other hand, you can flunk high school, go to jail and still go on to higher education afterward, she said.
"We allow people to create and re-create themselves," Robinson said.
The event was organized by the grass-roots campaign Reclaim Idaho. Co-creator Luke Mayville, now an author and postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University, provided Robinson's introduction.
A "proud graduate" of Sagle Elementary and Sandpoint High School, raised by a working single mother, Mayville said he was thankful for people willing to pay taxes into the system that supported him in childhood, "even if they never knew my name."
Mayville supported Robinson's talk with discussion of Idaho school funding. "In the state of Idaho, your educational opportunity depends on your ZIP code," Mayville said.
If you're born in Boise, he said, your public education opportunities are different than in Boundary County, where the school district has moved to a four-day school week due to budget cutbacks.
Boundary isn't the only one, either – 43 school districts in Idaho have a four-day school week due to finances.
"We believe there is a crisis facing Idaho schools. It's an underfunding crisis and it's also an inequality crisis," said Mayville.
Reclaim Idaho focuses its efforts on public education, health care and public lands.
"The crisis facing public schools is part of a larger crisis facing the middle class, and whether Idaho will continue to aspire to be a middle-class society," Mayville said. "If public education is the ladder" by which people climb into the middle class, "health care costs are the primary thing that pull people out of the middle class, down and down into foreclosure."
Reclaim Idaho will host its second event at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Sandpoint with the launch of a statewide Medicaid for Idaho tour, beginning in Farmin Park with a collection of speakers sharing their health care stories.


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This year make the decision to invest in your health. More important than resolving to get in shape, choosing the right fitness program & facility to accomplish your goals is crucial to your success. Why do so many New Year's fitness resolutions fall by the wayside? Because most people don't have a plan. As the saying goes "a goal without a plan is just a wish"
We will make the plan, keep you accountable & help you achieve your goals! We have tons of specials you can sign up for the first 3 months for $333, you can try it out for 1 month for $75! check out our website
or call (281) 650-5524 for more details! Get signed up by Jan. 5th


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HAGERSTOWN -- Five of the 18 staff jobs at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown were cut Tuesday because of lagging enrollment.
A USM-H press release says "enrollment has not met projections for which the current staffing level was anticipated."
The campus opened in 2005 and had 356 students that fall. This spring, there were 380 students, an increase of almost 7 percent.
C. David Warner III, USM-H's executive director, said that when the campus opened, he was hoping for at least 500 students.
That was based on the approximate number of Frostburg State University students in Washington and Frederick counties in 2003.
Two years later, after FSU closed its Frederick center and joined the USM-H campus, it was down to 330 students. Warner said the loss of Frederick students contributed to USM-H's difficulties.


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Emma Giebler
Home Buying Expert
Emma Giebler is a freelance writer who covers a variety of personal finance topics. Her expertise includes homebuying and saving money. Emma graduated from Syracuse University.
Posts by Emma Giebler:
Just when you thought Google had peaked their technological innovation with Google Glass, they have upped the ante once again. When it was founded in 2011, Google Wallet was the prize pig of the internets most popular search engine. It allows you to compile all of your credit cards into one space, and connect to them through your smartphone. With it's "Tap and Pay" feature, you can pay at any store where there are Near Field Communications (when smartphones and similar technologies can communicate with one another through touching). Read more
Debt free people aren't born, they're made. It's easy to look at people without debt with stank-faced envy as you spend your days paying off student loans, car payments, or the speedboat that solved your midlife crisis. However, becoming one of them might not be as complicated as it seems. Read more
It seems things are looking up for the average consumer. According to recent data, the cost of living has gone down. The Consumer-Price Index dropped .2 percent in March 2013, allowing the month to truly go out like a lamb. Read more
Getting in shape can be expensive with all the pricey exercise class fads and fancy gear. But it doesn't have to be. There are some gyms out there where you can get the benefits of working out… Read more
True product loyalty is rare, so when you do more than simply "like" a company's Facebook page and choose to use them exclusively, have the option to join a benefits program or rewards club. In case… Read more
Imagine this scenario: You work hard every day for years at a job you love. You put as much money as you can away, you support all of your dependents and live comfortably. After years of responsible… Read more
The age-old notion that "love don't cost a thing" has rung false in recent years. With the introduction of dating sites in the mid-2000's and the recent uprising in social-media obsessions, online… Read more
ATM fees, some might say, are a necessary evil. They are not regulated by the federal government, meaning consumers can quickly rack up fees from their checking accounts if they're not careful.… Read more


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The Hero's Journey
Last night I was watching a video presentation by David Wilcock, a noted new age thinker and lecturer, on Youtube. In his presentation he mentioned the hero's journey as an archetype which dominates not only man as he exists on earth, but man as he exists everywhere in the universe. Obviously, he thinks that we are not alone in the universe, and that those that accompany us look a lot like us.
The hero's journey begins in the known and travels into the unknown, all the way to a place of uncertainty out of which a return trip to the known is possible over the new path one finds because of the uncertainty. There are several very good diagrams of this journey available on the web. Here is one that is pretty easy to understand.
I've been acquainted with the archetype of the hero's journey for some time, ever since I read both Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell when I was young. Listening to David Wilcock talk about it, however, made me see something that I had not seen before, the similarity of the hero's journey to the structure of the neuron. If you see the hero's journey as a journey that begins with many sources, many influences, paring down to one which provides for the return you may see it too. It is similar to how the dendrites in a neuron gather all of the synaptic signals and pour them into the nerve cell. When a threshold is reached the neuron fires. In a way the firing of the neuron is very much like the return journey and the threshold is very much like the void or the abyss which the hero must cross. Here is a picture of a neuron to help you see the similarity.
Neurons do not exist singly. They function within themselves, but they rely on their connection within a network in order to mean anything. They are about how many connections they can recruit, or be recruited by. To see the similarity to the hero's journey only imagine a whole group of neurons finding their meaning amongst their activity. In something like the conditioning experiment that resulted in Pavlov's dog a researcher provided the direction for the circuit over which the group of neurons found meaning. They understood they were about food. Once enough neurons had been recruited the understanding that food would be coming upon the sound of a bell was set up. When the bell was rung the dog salivated, even if there was no food within sight. The hero has to set up a similar story, only no one is providing any direction to help it along. The hero has to find meaning to life which reaches beyond the mere survival that the dog was concerned with.
The hero must set up a spiritual understanding within the network that is affected by his or her journey. Each neuron within that network eventually operates by means of a circuit that causes the understanding to trip the same responses as the hero's journey depicts, and which the neuron naturally functions according to, within each of the neurons of the circuit. When more neurons are recruited the circuit, and the lesson, becomes stronger. By this we can see that certain things, like selfishness, may hinder the circuit because they essentially distract it. Other things, like love, may actually promote the circuit. In short, understanding the basic truths that famous heroes have delivered to us is made easier if we can see with eyes of love and forgiveness rather than eyes of selfishness and covetousness. And the more time and effort we put into it, the better we can get at understanding it. The circuit will have recruited more neurons and the lesson, because it mirrors how the neuron actually functions, will spread.
If you have been reading my blog you know that I have put forth an hypothesis concerning how the universe came about. That hypothesis relies on the idea that everything is made of energy. It also posits that same energy is what forms the proton, the basis of matter, and that it is also what forms space-time. Space-time in this theory is really an extension of the proton, logically formed by its relationship to the base energy from which it sprang. Energy traveling over space-time is directed back to the proton because of the way that the layers of space-time direct it. In being directed back they reform or confirm the proton, giving it existence over time. That's a mouth full. Take it for what you will, but do see the similarity to what the hero's journey and the neuron reveal.
Here's an image from a video I made to help understand what I just said about my theory.
Also think about the Tabernacle and the Temple in the Old Testament. Within these the Ark of the Covenant resided. The Ark of the Covenant is very much like the proton in my theory, or the return part of the hero's journey. All of the experience of the Tabernacle and the Temple was about leading one to concentrate and focus upon the Ark. They both had inputs, in the form of sacrificial alters. They both had places where activity took place, both regularly and according to constraints. Here too the amount of repetition, as in recruiting a neural network, seemed to mean something.
Here is an image of the Temple layout to help you see the similarity to what I have been talking about. Here it is laid out opposite from the nerve cell example, but it has the same understanding.
So, there is something to the hero's journey. There is something to the Temple and its rituals. There may be something to my hypothesis. They all rely upon us and the way our brains function to help us understand a spiritual truth about life, that love is more important than anything else. That how, if we don't embrace love as a way of living, we can get short circuited, especially if we are too selfish.


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JDS and Congress leaders, who were initially denied entry into Raj Bhavan, have finally met Governor Vajubhai Vala. Kumaraswamy and only a few others have been invited inside Governor's residence while the rest have been made to wait outside. While Kumaraswamy had sought to parade the 117 MLAs supporting him to Governor, he reportedly turned down gently. As per JD(S) leaders, Vala assured them he would act as per Constitution and denied to meet the MLAs supporting Kumaraswamy.
Though Governor told Kumaraswamy that he would act as per Constitution, judgements of Supreme Court and previous precedents, tension continues in JD(S) and Congress camp. Vajubhai's close bond with Narendra Modi and his association with RSS are bothering JD(S) leaders.
On the other hand, Congress is leaving no leaf unturned to avoid poaching from the BJP considering its past experience in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya. Congress has decided to approach the Supreme Court in case the Governor decides to invite the BJP to form government. There is also a plan B - approaching President Ram Nath Kovind for redressal. The JD(S) earlier threatened they would hold a sit-down strike outside the Governor's House in case he refused to meet them. But, Governor had met Kumaraswamy and pacified him.
If reports are anything to go by, Vajubhai is likely to take a crucial decision by tonight regarding the formation of the next government in Karnataka. While BJP's Yeddyurappa is quite confident of a positive decisioin from the governor and is even making preparations for his swearing-in ceremony, JD(S) and Congress team is a worried lot. At the moment, the elected legislative members in Karnataka are going through anxious moments.


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Take a Deep Breath
1. Using the roll of paper that covers the table, design a fashion line to replace the paper gowns they give you. Feel free to use other items inthe exam room for accessorizing. "Dahling, you look smashing in that paper A-line! And the cotton ball jacket is to die for!"
2. Swipe a prescription pad. Draw pictures on each page so when the doctor flips them he/she gets an animated cartoon of what you have done in the exam room to pass the time.
3. Build a log cabin out of tongue depressors.
4. Sew a quilt from the gauze pads.
5. Create a replica of the Empire State Building from specimen cups. Use a throat swab to construct the spire at the top.
6. Take all the magazines from the waiting room that are older than a year and make rolled paper beads from the pages. String them around the room.
7. Wallpaper the exam room with the other magazines.
8. Take the diplomas off the wall and allow your child to use them as doodle paper.
9. Prepare an itemized bill for your interior design services. Make sure it is well in excess of any charge they could make to you.
10. Reset the scale to make everyone 15 lbs. lighter.
11. Blow up all the latex exam gloves like balloons. It gives the room such a festive look.
12. Have a fencing duel with a pair of crutches.
13. Make a new eye chart on the back of the old one. Make it say something snide.
14. Write your memoirs.
15. Hang a sign on the skeleton "How long did this guy have to wait?"


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2016 has started out fairly well for me, with two paintings being sold, and some interesting possibilities for joint shows and collaborations emerging. I hope to be able to take my practice into a more public environment through residency, and plan to experiment with plein air painting (when the weather improves 🙂 ) In the meantime I am dividing my efforts between research, writing grant applications, admin work for the studio, and painting.
Torn is my second completed work of the year, and is a reflection of a society increasingly divided, whose members face difficult choices in deciding where their interests lie. It was an interesting and complex piece to create, both in terms of colour and detail planning but also because it has a more figurative element than the bulk of my work. I hope that it works for you 🙂


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Currency Displayed in
Posted by Dan on 19th Aug 2015
A nice thick steak, this rib cutlet is absolutely delicious. I've seared with just a 10ml drizzle of a good quality cold pressed olive oil. The natural flavour of the meat is beautiful and earthy and the texture is tender.
Posted by Leona Mcleod on 26th Mar 2015
Amazing and I managed to do it justice by pan searing to render the fat and brown the outside then in oven for 10mins (can you tell I have been watching MKR???) managed to serve it rare.
All prices are in AUD


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11/22 2 Thessalonians 3
Finishing up the book of 2 Thessalonians today. Paul asks for prayer from the Thessalonian church. He asks that they pray for rapid growth in the church and in his ministry. He also asks for prayers of protection.
1Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
I think that this would be a good week to spend in prayer thanking God for all He has blessed us with and also for those who work in the ministry. Please pray for the Northside Staff this week.


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While trying to figure out where my concentration would be, I was attracted to public relations primarily for its writing aspect, especially because my school didn't offer a journalism major or minor. As I took more classes, I realized that there was more to public relations than just writing; what I really love is how it combines aspects of marketing and advertising and turns them into a completely "hands-on" experience. I also like the idea of working closely with top-level company executives and influencing their business decisions – PR is about as close one can come to being a business owner without actually owning the business.
CM 180: Introduction to Advertising
Interview with Robert Recore, former advertising director for Worcester Telegram & Gazette
CM 210: Corporate Communication
Interview with Ron Lataille, vice president of investor relations for Verizon
CM 240: Public Relations Principles & Practices
This course was designed to give us our first taste of real-life public relations work. One of Worcester State's biggest problems is the knowledge gap between resident and commuter students about on-campus events. My proposal addresses this issue and it can be read here.
CM 340: Public Relations Strategy
The Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare [http://www.secondchancefund.org] provides affordable, low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs in Central Massachusetts. During the Fall 2007 semester, I worked with a team of two other students to help SCFAW address their concerns. Because they are a non-profit organization, we decided that their main priority should be increasing the number of donors and/or increasing the dollar amount of each donation. Since they also had about $4,000 earmarked for advertising purposes, we included an advertising plan that would help improve knowledge and awareness about the program and services. As an addendum, we also created a survey to be filled out by participants in the program, giving SCFAW immediate feedback on what was working and what needed improvement.


text: I'm planning on selling my droid and buying an unlocked Droid Incredible on eBay. My question is: am I going to be charged an additional fee to swap my registered phone from a droid 1 to a droid incredible? Can I just call up verizon, tell them to deactivate my original droid and then replace that with the droid incredible I bought?


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Houses Small is one of Image collections from Houses Small 71 Best Tiny Houses 2018 Small House Pictures Plans Stylish Design Houses Small which is one of the very popular designs of the year.Houses Small
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OSHA seeks nominations for membership to the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health
The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2015
By Jesse Lawder
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is accepting nominations for members to serve on the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.
The 16-member council comprises eight members representing federal agency management and eight representing federal employees. OSHA is accepting nominations for three management and two labor representatives to serve three-year terms, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Nominations may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, by mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for details. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2015.
Interested federal agency management officials who serve as their agency's Designated Agency Safety and Health Official, or at an equivalent level of responsibility within their respective federal agencies, should submit nominations for management representative vacancies. Interested labor officials who have responsibilities for federal employee occupational safety and health matters within their respective labor organizations should submit nominations for labor representative vacancies.
FACOSH advises the Secretary of Labor on all matters relating to the occupational safety and health of federal employees. This includes providing advice on how to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses in the federal workforce and how to encourage each federal executive branch department and agency to establish and maintain effective occupational safety and health programs.
About the Author
Jesse Lawder is the Special Assistant at U.S. Department of Labor.


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When I was teaching 6th grade Language Arts, I had a few students who were real super-readers. I remember talking to a couple of the boys about Erin Hunter's Warriors series. "It's about cats?" I asked them. "Really?" They assured me that they were awesome cats with cool powers and such. Still, I could never quite […]
Seekers: The Quest Begins (a Review)
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Make Your Own Thanksgiving Bowl
November 15, 2013 by 5 Comments
The Thanksgiving Bowl by Virginia Kroll is perfect for the Thanksgiving season. Each member of the family in this story writes an anonymous "I am thankful for…" note as they arrive for Thanksgiving dinner. They put their notes in Grandma's favorite Thanksgiving bowl. Then, it's Grandma's job to guess who wrote each note. In the […]


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March 2, 2009
The New York Museum of Natural History
There are many museums around the world that bear the name "Museum of Natural History." Basically, natural history can be a label for a huge assortment of divergent subjects. The history of evolution, ancient cultures, the development of gemstones — all these and a great deal more are at home in any museum of natural history. But, if you had to pick the greatest such museum in the world, the answer would be obvious. It would have to be the New York Museum of Natural History in New York City.
This museum has become so famous that it is known around the world. The collections it hosts are considered among the most complete anywhere. In fact, what is on display at any one time only represents about five percent of the museum's actual holdings. The rest are carefully maintained in climate controlled warehouses until they are rotated through the museum's permanent displays.
Many youngsters who live in the New York area will always remember their class trip, a virtual rite of passage, to the museum. By far, the one thing that kids remember most is the incredible dinosaur exhibit. The complete skeletons of dozens of dinosaurs, including the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex and Brontosaurus tower over your head as you walk through. Artwork surrounding the exhibit give you a sense of what it must have been like when these giant beasts roamed the earth.
Don't plan on seeing everything in one day, it cannot be done. If your time is limited speak to one of the museum's curators and with a map determine what most interests you. You can even take in a show at the world famous Haden Planetarium if you have time.


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Contact Us
"Hands down, we would recommend SSL. They are extremely professional and knowledgeable. They are easy to deal with and give us quick responses. There's nothing that's missing from their services. They are fantastic to deal with and never try to keep the information to themselves. They've educated us so we can work in the system, create and fix things ourselves."
IT Professional,
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If you are looking for information or support on project accounting ERP systems, give us a call.
General sales & support line: 403-769-1933
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Fill out our contact form. We will get back to you within 24 hours.


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SURF students participate in the SURF program at the headquarters site of the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). NIST is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the center of Washington, D.C. Housing arrangements have been made with a local hotel for the SURF students to share fully furnished bedroom (containing 2 full beds) and a full bathroom. Students should expect to share a bedroom with one other person.
The cost of housing is provided in the fellowship grant and is paid for by the school before check-in. Instructions will be provided to accepted students a month before the official program start date. Housing will be ready for occupancy on May 26, 2018. Rooms must be vacated by noon on August 11, 2018. (Students on academic quarter systems who will start the SURF program after May 29 must still vacate by August 11. These students will be responsible for arranging their own housing after August 11.)
The provided lodging is equipped with phone, TV, linens, microwave, refrigerator, and includes use of swimming pools, basketball court, and workout facilities. They even offer free continental breakfasts each day! The location is usually a short distance away from NIST and within walking distance of stores, restaurants, and the local subway stop. It is well served by public bus routes that extend to all parts of area. If you would like to bring a car there is plenty of free parking. Direct bus transportation from these apartments to and from the NIST campus may be provided.
The Washington Metropolitan area is rich in cultural and recreational opportunities. The provided lodging are just a short commute from the nation's capital, theaters, movies, restaurants, evening entertainment, historical and cultural sites, museums, shopping, and many local universities.


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Saturday, May 31, 2014
Week 31
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Week 30
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Week 28
So this week we started school again. We took our 2 week spring break.
This week we started with our spelling words. We started with the it word family. Tater picked up the it family fabulously. Then we moved to telling time. We started with learning our hour hands and then we moved to counting by 5's. I took great pleasure when she remembered her skip counting considering that counting by 5 was incredibly hard for her to grasp.
Then in social studies we discovered the ways America traveled. By horses, by cars, by trains, and plains. At the end of the end of the week we were able to put the inventions in order from oldest to newest.
See the apple pictures. In science class we learned about the apple and about God. We learned that the apple has 3 main parts, the peel which protects the apple, the flesh which we eat, and the core, that when you bury one seed many apples will grow. We compared the apple to the 3 persons of God. God the Father who protects us. God the Holy Spirit who we can feed off of and become stronger and healthier in God. And God the Son, Jesus Christ. Who when He was buried causes many brand new lives. It was a beautiful study of God and His creation, and the study of the 3 persons of God.
We had a busy week. Stay tuned for next week.


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I am available most days, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. All sessions must be pre-booked. You can book me by telephone, text or by filling in my questionnaire on my bookings page. Once you have completed the questionnaire it will be sent straight to my email inbox. I will correspond with you through email with further instructions. Any information that is sent by you will be 100% confidential.
It's not always convenient for me to answer the phone as I could have company or be out in public. If this is the case, send me a text to book a telephone appointment.
I work from my own BDSM flat which is cosy and clean. It is located on the outskirts of the shopping centre in Reading and a short walk from Reading train station. It is equipped with many toys, equipment and outfits such as a St-Andrews Cross, cock pillory, toilet box, spank/fuck bench, trample table, an array of anal toys and stretchers, Tens machine, ultra violet wand, gags, urethral rods, various restraints and impact-play toys like canes, paddles, belts and crops to name a few.
Anyway, I look forward to hearing from you, don't hesitate to get in touch.


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Why You Should Check Your Credit Report
Nearly 19.7% of respondents to a CreditDonkey.com survey have found errors when checking their credit report. The survey of over 1,000 respondents found that the majority of people have checked their credit report at least once. However, this high error rate should prompt consumers to use more diligence when it comes to checking their credit reputation.
Consumers may find errors because of a mistake or, worse, fraud. Just one-third of respondents review their reports once a year, while 61% have requested a copy of their credit report and their credit score at least once.
One-third of respondents check their credit once per year.
Those that check their credit are taking advantage of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which allows consumers to access a free report from each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, once per year (available via AnnualCreditReport.com).
This is the only approved website for consumers to check credit reports for free, so consumers need to be wary of funny TV ads singing about free credit reports, scores, and other promises. Many companies advertise free credit reports but require signing up for other services to get the free report. Instead, CreditDonkey recommends you stagger your free reports by requesting a report from one agency every four months instead of all three agencies at once.
College students are the least likely group to check credit.
It's not surprising that 45.5% of college students responding to our survey have never reviewed their credit report, given their lack of knowledge and experience with credit. In fact, they may not even realize they have a credit history unless they have opened a credit card or have taken out a loan. Once they start borrowing, they should get in the habit of checking their credit for accuracy every year, also, to be sure the report is accurate.
Reasons to check your credit reports include:
- Tip-offs to identity or account theft
- Accuracy of personal and account information
- Removal of outdated information
Fortunately, each credit bureau has a disputing process to get errors removed or corrected.
If your report is correct but filled with negative information, take action to work on improving your credit score. In addition, take heart that with the exception of Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, judgments, and delinquent government loans, other negative data is removed from a credit report after seven years.
(CreditDonkey.com polled 1,109 Americans, age 18 and over between January 4 and January 8, 2013 for their views on credit cards, saving, retirement planning and other financial issues with 38 multiple-choice and yes/no questions.)
Naomi Mannino is a contributing writer at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Naomi Mannino at email@example.com


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SoundCloud and Twitter to hold you over.
Campanero by Joel Hood
Teardrops by Joel Hood
For me, music is more than just art. Music is more of a force, able to stir one's emotions, awaken one's senses, and unite people under a common denominator. It is an essential part to my life.


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John Medley Wood was a self taught botanist who served as the curator of
Durban's Botanical gardens for thirty one years from 1882 to 1913.Wood also
contributed greatly to the knowledge of Natal ferns, and is generally credited
with the establishment of mosaic virus immune Uba sugar cane in Natal, and for
his extensive collection of Natal plants.
Medwood Gardens is situated near Durban's city hall, and was used as a military depot by the Royal Navy and British army during the Anglo-Boer. Today the small gardens serve as a tranquil oasis within the city centre. The gardens feature a large three layered water fountain, as well as a huge outdoor chess set, and a small tearoom. A well known characteristic of Medwood Gardens are the seasonal displays and carpet bedding schemes, which provide the small area in the city with much needed splashes of vibrant colour.
The mural on the perimeter wall of Medwood Gardens depicts a scene of a paradise unknown, with lush vegetation displaying indirect biblical references, and hints at a well-known Zulu mythological story. The biblical references are clearly Africanized in their depiction of a Black primordial couple occupying this 'Garden of Eden' abundant with its references to local South African scenery. This Christian narrative is pitched against traditional African mythology in the representation of the traditional Zulu story of the chameleon and the lizard.
The Riviera Hotel is a modern attractively decorated low budget tourist hotel offering excellent value and friendly efficient service.
Penney Holiday Flats, budget accommodation, only 1 minute's walk to Durban's main beach area, making it ideal accommodation for holiday makers looking for sun, sea and sand.
The Palace holds pride of place on Durban's Golden Mile, just half an hour from King Shaka International Airport. Here, luxury high-rise suites feature views over the Indian Ocean shoreline, and offer easy access to all of the action of Durban, one of Afr
Durban Beachfront (N Beach) 4person Penthouse Self Catering Holiday Flat on Marine Parade. Full views of beachfront and north side of city.
Refresh at the Beach Hotel, right on the ocean's doorstep. Enjoy awe inspiring beach and sea views and spectacular sunsets from the comfort of your spacious hotel room or self catering apartment.
Tropicana's versatile accommodation options cater for all. Enjoy a fun-filled family break, travel with a loved one or simply enjoy a private escape in one of our single rooms.
3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 6 sleeper Kitchen lounge Dining Room and Huge Balcony sea facing self catering penthouse apartment on marine parade Durban
This open plan beach apartment is newly renovated. Located on the second floor of a front row small complex, it offers the perfect beach spot for couples, solo adventurers, and business travelers. Although ideal for just 2 guests, it can accommodate up to
Set in a secure estate, luxury self catering apartment is well located along the prime area of the Golden Mile. It has an attractive appearance with well-maintained gardens and a pool.


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Wednesday, November 08, 2006
By the Imitators, For the Imitators
Rule by the people is a phantom, because most human beings imitate. Doing what everybody else is doing is the safest and least exhausting way to perceive yourself well and, in the evolutionary model, to get your genetic material reproduced. In modern history rule by the people has come to mean rule by the representations of the people. These representations, which include not so much elected officials as centralized education and the popular media, do not mimic our behavior; they direct it. Almost all people, although unwilling to admit it, depend utterly upon others to tell them what to think and how to act. The citizens of this society of ours, including the elected officials themselves, could not possibly put themselves into motion without the stimulus of their scholars, their journalists, and their entertainers.
Posted by Nature's Rebel at 9:55 PM
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