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Today I finally got to play with a few things. I've been on the road for two weeks and during that time I had my new Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera arrive, and I also had 2 new Transformers delivered and I picked up two other Transformers two weeks ago in New Hampshire. And I hadn't had the chance to transform them and play with them a little. So I caught two birds with the same net. I used my Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera to take some pictures of the house including the Transformers after I got to transform each one of them. I think my favorite out of the bunch is Bumblebee. I never had the original Bumblebee toy, but this one captures the spirit of Bumblebee. You can just see from the smirk that he's a fun loving guy.
In the Transformers TV show (the original) Bumblebee was the Transformer who was closest to the human characters. He was also a spy. Since he was small and he was often overlooked because of that size, he made for a great spy. Transformers are Robots in Disguise and Bumblebee was very good at that. I like the addition the jetski trailer that transforms into a jetpack. That was a great touch. But I think the best part is the face. It is perfect Bumblebee.
I also took pictures of Rodimus (Hot Rod, name is no longer a copyright of Hasbro), Optimus, Megatron and StarScream. There are some great galleries already online for these toys but I wanted to play with the macro lens on the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera to get a good close up of each robot's face.
I also used the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera to get a couple of nice shots of Duncan.
Halloween Kitty
Duncan peering out.
Halloween is coming.
Copyright (c) 2019 BenSpark Family Adventures


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Main navigation | Main content
Descartes' Principles of Philosophy (1644) and Newton's Principia mathematica (1687) are two of the most important works of seventeenth century natural philosophy. Yet, when put side by side, it is far easier to identify differences between the texts than it is to pin-point similarities. Their laws of nature are a case in point. Descartes deduces his three laws from our knowledge of God and claims these laws are true insofar as they capture the world as God actually created it. Newton, in contrast, "deduces" his laws of motion "from the phenomena," which suggests that these laws are true of the world as it is presented to our senses. In this paper, I first clarify the epistemic significance of Descartes's and Newton's competing "deductions" and competing notions of truth. Based on that treatment, I then highlight a significant and frequently overlooked point of agreement: Both Descartes and Newton adopt methods for establishing true laws of nature that allow us to know that bodies obey particular laws without a complete understanding of why they do, i.e., without requiring that we identify the natural processes and properties that explain the behaviors that the laws describe.
The weekly calendar is also available via subscription to the physics-announce mailing list, and by RSS feed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mr Paulewicz sais he was cutting his mother's garden when the two-seater light aircraft veered out of control.
He said he heard a noise in the sky, as the the pilot deployed his parachute with a "bang" before safely landing in the a tree in the back garden of a semi detached home.
"I saw this parachute and a plane, which was spinning out of control. I thougn the plane had been caught up in the," he said
The use of a full-plane parachute is rare but not unheard of, experts claim, and they have been credited with saving at least 69 lives in the past.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Officer Jon Hall who attended the scene said: "It's a story here of luck, I've got to say.
"The aircraft has come down in a highly populated residential area. And incredibly has resulted in no injuries at all."


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The Republican Party today is not at all the Republican Party that I observed growing up -- it is extremist ... dangerous, fundamentalist, naive, romanticist. They are as scary as I could possibly imagine. They're not conservative, they're not prudent. Quite frankly, they're not Republican.
--Andre Heinz
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Quote of the day
Posted by John McKay at 1:32 PM
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NO SHIPING COST? On Camaloon, that is now possible...
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Enjoy the free shipping by using the HB12D cupon.
Click here to see the Terms and Conditions for this promotion.


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The twins! Yeah, shave botak! We shaved isaac when he was 4 months old. So we thought we'd probably do the same this time round with the twins.
Shawna had more hair than Asher at birth. It was also starting to drop out - yes, she was shedding hair on her crown. So, we thought it was about time to shave too. Asher didn't have much hair to begin with, and it grew more slowly as well. So, time to shave so that it'd grow more quickly! :)
Voila! Botak duo for you! People say they look more similar with the same hairstyle. Actually, what they mean is, they can't use the hair as a 'cheat sheet' to obviously say the one with more hair is Shawna. hahahahhahahaha...
Sunday, 27 June 2010
We cut their hair!
Posted by Tan Family Chronicles at 01:23
1 comment:
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Programs and Tax Credits are available for helping Louisiana residents increase the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses.
Entergy is committed to helping customers manage their energy costs. Many customers and employees may be searching for ways to make their homes more energy efficient This list describes Louisiana programs and federal tax credits to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses.
Homeowner Resources
Builder and Commercial Resources


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> From: email@example.com > [mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com] On Behalf Of Mark van Assem > Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 7:14 AM > To: Javier Lacasta > Cc: email@example.com > Subject: Re: Territorial Units Thesaurus > > Doug rightly suggests TGN, which is extremely comprehensive. > But as far as I understand not available freely. Access to TGN and all the Getty thesauri are freely available from their Web site: AAT <http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/aat/> TGN <http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/tgn/> ULAN <http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/ulan/> Access to the Getty's thesauri data is via licensing, but it is not clear whether there is a nominal fee associated with it. <http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/download.html> Andy.Received on Tuesday, 4 October 2005 12:53:34 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Wednesday, 2 March 2016 13:32:06 UTC


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Thứ Sáu, 7 tháng 11, 2014
Nowadays, with the development of science and technology, people have produced many modern and convenient products such as: fridges, washing machines, electric cookers, hair dryers, electric irons,etc. In the paragraph below, I'll show you how to use a rice cooker. +First, put rice and water into the pot in the corresponding levels . +Second, gently place into the boiler. Turn the pot a few times so that the bottom of the pot and heat wheels contact with each other . +Then, gently press down the face of the cover until the opening button cogs. + When finishing preparation, first plug the power cord into the socket of the pot , then plug the power cord into an AC power socket. After being plugged into the power source, the light "Keep Warm" will light up , you have to press down the "Cooking " button to start the cooking . ( If the light is " Warm ", the rice will be not cooked) + When finishing cooking, "cooking Button " will automatically jumps and you will hear a sound " Code ". At the same time, the light of "cooking"button goes off and the light of "Keep Warm" button goes on. Finally, your rice is cooked and can be used.
welcome to the special bulletin dated 01.01.2014
Hello. Welcome to the special bulletin dated 01.01.2014 of the Board of Tourism of National Economics University.This is Bin. Surely you're curious, the program today has something special and new compared to the previous program, right? And right now, I'll turn all of you. First, on 22/10/2014 was taking place finalist in How to cook a dish, the contest has ended successfully with the victory belongs to Xoxotha-number one with mango sticky rice dish .This is an attractive dish with reckless,full of studenthood characteristics ideas, and right here are some pictures of the contest. Closing the test "How to cook a dish," we start a new journey, Vietnam- timeless beauty contest with a view to introducing the image of Vietnam and the Vietnamese to the world: the Vietnamese up to gender as friends substitution slogan: the Vietnam-Endless Beautiful. Now,let's see the Entry of Group Number One. Time passed quickly, it's 5 minutes, goobye and see you in the next newsletter
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I had the crazy opportunity of going on a mission trip to New York City last week. I'll be posting a few blog posts as those days were jam packed with so much that one post wouldn't do it justice.
First of all, I got to serve with some awesome people from my church, Hope Fellowship. You really don't get to know people until you spend a few days living and serving alongside them. Each and every person that went was so loving and caring. Like myself, there were a few people that this was their first mission trip. As well, there were others that have been on several trips stateside and overseas.
We supported an awesome organization called the New York City Relief. They have an outreach called the Relief Bus. They use 2 buses daily to reach homeless where they're at. They provide a meal, some clothes, and connections to much needed resources. Most of all, they provide dignity to these people. It was incredible what a handshake and a listening ear did for them.
The Water Stop of Life
Running in races for the last few years has allowed me to experience water stations or aid stations. These water stations help aid runners in finishing their race with water, Gatorade, and encouragement. We pretty much did the same for the homeless, we fueled them up with soup, bread, lemonade, & iced tea. As well, we provided encouragement and love.
Even if I don't use a water station in a race, I feed off of their excitement and encouragement. It's with that same vigor that we loved on these people. We couldn't all understand the place that they were in their life, but it wasn't for us to judge. It was for us to be used by God to love on His children and provide them something that they don't get everyday… a non-judgmental friend. That was a total God thing as it's not a normal thing. Normally, we are quick to judge and condemn. I can honestly say for those hours serving, I just wanted to be there for them and help however I could.
As in races, not everyone needs water stations… some just power through on their own. Some don't use other's help even if they need it. When the Relief Bus arrives on a location, it's usually made up of 80% regulars and 20% are new people. The Relief Bus provides a safe haven for these runners in life. In a future post, I'll share about a friend that I made. To the right is a picture of Darryl and I.
Sometimes runners need to bow out or take an extended break during the race due to injury or exhaustion. It's the same with the homeless, they might get caught up in drugs or alcohol. The Relief Bus has great connections and are able to quickly get them aid through detox programs. It was so cool to see those moments happen. It's so cool to see people want to make a breakthrough and get back on track in their race.
The runner still has to run and finish the race themselves. On their own power and at their own pace. However, at times, they do need help. If you ever get asked to serve at a Water Stop of Life, just do it! You won't regret it! It stretched me and I'm looking forward to future trips to NYC or other places to serve.
Let us run perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1


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Monday, July 22, 2013
Was The Economist Irresponsible?
The Economist's allegiance is to journalism and their readers, not to the IPCC. If indeed the IPCC is near concluding that equilibirum climate sensitivity -- or the transient climate response, the warming at the time of doubled atmospheric -- is lower than thought, as the recent paper by Otto et al suggested (for TCR, not ECS), that is indeed a huge deal, and no one can be blamed for reading every tea leaf they can find. The Economist gave plenty of appropriate caveats that put the information in the appropriate context.
It's a big deal because if the world has an extra 15 or 30 years to reach a given level of warming, then it has more time to develop/perfect alternative energy producing technologies -- and they are the real solution to the carbon problem, because CO2 emissions cannot be cut nearly enough without them.
Given the cost curve it's been on, large-scale solar energy could well be much cheaper then, cheaper even than fossil fuels. And it gives more time to buld up wind and nuclear, and maybe even see real advances in wave power or fusion.
The IPCC has made a fetish of secrecy, and I don't think it accomplishes much of anything. Sure, these documents are drafts and they may well change. But their final conclusions aren't holy writ, independent of how they got there. Given the publication of Otto et al and recent thinking like it, a final IPCC 5AR that had identical conclusions to the 4AR wouldn't be believable anyway. So what if the world knows the 5AR is leaning in a slightly different direction? I don't see that that information harms anyone, and it may well be useful for planning (to the extent anyone is planning, anyway).
8 comments:
- Jay Alt said...
Taking a page from Gullible's Travels?
Richard Alley puts climate sensitivity and climate zombies into perspective.
From 11 to 17 minutes.
A Historic Look at the Future
- Unknown said...
I agree about the Economist but surely the IPCC would be false to its charter if it embraced single study syndrome?
- Neill Stokes said...
- charlesH said...
All I can say is:
Wow! You almost sound reasonable.
"If indeed the IPCC is near concluding that equilibirum climate sensitivity -- or the transient climate response, the warming at the time of doubled atmospheric -- is lower than thought,"
"more time to buld up wind and nuclear,"
- charlesH said...
Jim Hansen Presses the Climate Case for Nuclear Energy
- Neill Stokes said...
So David, did you receive an order over your earbud to reverse course?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
How sensitive is the climate to increasing levels of C02?
The temperature record of the last 15 years indicates not so much.
Blogger David Appell said...
The temperature record of the last 15 years indicates not so much.
False. You are making the mistake of looking at a tiny sliver of the climate picture, the surface, which is subject to great variability.
The surface is probably the absolute worst place to look for the energy imbalance caused by a buildup of greenhouse gases.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
CAGW was sold to the world largely through surface data.
I can smell the desperation....
Blogger David Appell said...
No, it wasn't -- the warnings were/are that the Earth's greenhouse effect is being enhanced, i.e. is it receiving more energy than it is emitting, and that this leads to surface warming, sea level rise, and ice melting. And it is. It's just that lately natural cycles (especially ENSOs and the PDO) are working to mask surface warming, whereas in the last decades of the 20th century it was acting in concert with surface warming, enhancing it. Aerosols too, probably.
Has there been a recent renewed recognition of the role of natural variability? Yes. It was easier to overlook in the 80s/90s when it added to warming. This is how science advances.
This really isn't a difficult concept, and I don't know why deniers are pretending they don't understand it.
(Well, actually I do understand, but you know what I mean.)
The surface will warm further -- it has to. Then people like you will be pointing out the effect of natural cycles. That will be fun.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Thank you for acknowledging that climate is far less sensitive to increasing CO2 than supposed, and that natural variability dominates.
"This really isn't a difficult concept, and I don't know why deniers are pretending they don't understand it."
"Deniers" have long propounded the dominant role of natural variability -- as you know despite the previous incredibly disingenuous statement.
Look at a comparison graph over the 20th c of PDO phase shifts, temperatures and CO2 levels, and it becomes very clear what is much more likely driving temperature change and what is not.
Y'all have moved the goal posts so far so many times, isn't it time to just toss 'em over the cliff?
Blogger David Appell said...
I didn't acknowledge any such thing, so keep your thank you.
- Neill Stokes said...
And btw, 'unadjusted' ARGO data shows ocean warming has slowed.
- Unknown said...
Ah, yes, WUWT, the Biblical source of all good deniers. Ever heard of peer review?
As for "natural variability", kindly explain how "natural variability" can generate enough energy to case an imbalance at the top of the atmosphere? There is a little think called Conservation of Energy which means you have to explain where the extra energy is coming from.


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40 CFR § 60.2973 - What are the recordkeeping and reporting requirements for air curtain incinerators that burn only wood waste, clean lumber, and yard waste?
(a) Prior to commencing construction on your air curtain incinerator, submit the three items described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section.
(1) Notification of your intent to construct the air curtain incinerator.
(2) Your planned initial startup date.
(3) Types of materials you plan to burn in your air curtain incinerator.
(b) Keep records of results of all initial and annual opacity tests in either paper copy or computer-readable format that can be printed upon request, unless the Administrator approves another format, for at least 5 years. You must keep each record on site for at least 2 years. You may keep the records off site for the remaining 3 years.
(c) Make all records available for submittal to the Administrator or for an inspector's review.
(d) You must submit the results (each 6-minute average) of the initial opacity tests no later than 60 days following the initial test. Submit annual opacity test results within 12 months following the previous report.
(e) Submit initial and annual opacity test reports as electronic or paper copy on or before the applicable submittal date.
(f) Keep a copy of the initial and annual reports on site for a period of 5 years. You must keep each report on site for at least 2 years. You may keep the reports off site for the remaining 3 years.


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The dollars we've helped to raise, the brands we've helped to support affirms that we're doing something important in the world.
Warren, RI (PRWEB) April 01, 2013
Advanced Remarketing Services Inc. (ARS), a leader in total loss and charity remarketing is proud to have passed a significant milestone. Since 2007, ARS has raised more than $50 million dollars for their charity partners. ARS provides vehicle donation services to many top nonprofit organizations including: Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, National Public Radio, Arthritis Foundation, March of Dimes, Car Talk, Feed the Children and several other nationally and locally recognized charities.
"We founded ARS to have a social purpose as well as a business purpose," said Joseph Hearn, President of ARS, Inc. "The dollars we've helped to raise, the brands we've helped to support affirms that we're doing something important in the world. I am incredibly proud of our people who have made this milestone possible. Their dedication and effort is extraordinary. ARS Inc.'s charity programs help to support projects nationally and internationally. The proceeds from just one car donation could pay for the materials to build a home for a family in need of decent shelter, critical vaccines for children in third world countries, shelter for a stray animal, lifesaving cancer research and more. ARS hopes to spread the word that one car really can make a difference."
ARS runs the top returning charity program in the country. Since 2007, they have returned approximately 80% of every gross dollar raised. No national charity car donation program returns a higher percentage. Donors can donate running or non-running cars, trucks, motor homes/RVs, boats on trailers, farm equipment, off-road vehicles, airplanes and more. ARS Inc., vehicle donation experts help choose the best venue for tax deductible donated vehicles, earning the charity selected more for the donation and the donor the best tax deduction.
For more information about Advanced Remarketing Services, Inc., donating vehicles, or to learn about one of their associated charity partners, visit:
About Advanced Remarketing Services, Inc.:
Located in Warren, RI, Advanced Remarketing Services, Incorporated (ARS) manages Car Donation Wizard. ARS offers innovative automotive recycling and remarketing solutions for non-profit organizations, consumer markets and the automotive industry.
To learn more about Car Donation Wizard, visit http://www.cardonationwizard.com or call 877-957-2277.


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I loved how easy peasy Crack Hair Fix was to use along with the smell. All you do is gently towel dry your hair after you shampoo and then apply to your fingertips and palms and work into your hair. The amount will vary depending in the length and thickness of your hair. I started off with the suggested pea to dime size amount and then used just a tad more. Work it through your hair or use it as an excuse for someone special to give you a head massage (hehe). Comb through and voila! I actually let my hair air dry and did not blow dry.
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It is important to stress that PRISM Brain Mapping and
traditional psychometric instruments stem from two different sciences and direct
comparison is akin to comparing apples and oranges; they have some factors in common,
but also fundamental differences.
Unlike many psychometric instruments, PRISM is not based
on a theory developed by any one person. It represents a simple, yet comprehensive,
synthesis of research by some of the world's leading neuroscientists into how the
human brain works, and why people, who have similar backgrounds, intelligence, experience,
skills, and knowledge, behave in very different ways. The instrument's graphical
representation of the human brain serves, not only to remind people of its biological
basis, but also to help demonstrate the equally valuable merits of specific cerebral
modes. The role of neuroscience - and PRISM - is to explain
behaviour in terms of the activities of the brain. How the brain marshals its billions
of individual nerve cells to produce behaviour, and how these cells are influenced
by the environment.
At the root of the PRISM Brain Mapping instrument is
the basic fact that all behaviour is brain-driven. Each person has his or her own
way of looking at the world (perception) and responding to it (behaviour). Those
recurring responses - part inherited and part learned - fall into patterns, referred
to as behaviour preferences. Each person exhibits his or her own personal behaviour
preferences to a great extent by how and what they say and do. Much like a successful
company, the brain relies on the input of its various parts prior to making a decision.
That is, the brain acts as a set of collaborating brain regions that operate as
a large-scale network.
To learn more about the brain click here >>
To view the brain's key structures
click here >>
In order to understand our behaviour it is necessary to consider the make-up of
the brain. For decades psychologists maintained that once the brain's physical connections
were completed during childhood, the brain had become hardwired and remained like
that for life. Now, thanks to the latest imaging technologies, the concept of 'neuroplasticity'
(the brain's ability to change), and brilliant clinical research, we see that this
is, in fact, not the case and that human development is a continuous, unending process.
The key to individuality, however, is not to be found in the overall organisation
of the brain, but rather in the fine tuning of the underlying networks. In particular,
it is about the balance between our natural, instinctive reactions and our considered
responses to everyday situations.
PRISM looks at the structure and function of the brain,
and especially at the differences between the brain's hemispheres, not only in terms
of attention and flexibility, but in attitudes to the world. It is a well-established
fact that there are obvious, undisputed differences in the shape, size, neuronal
architecture, neurochemistry and neuropsychology of the brain's two hemispheres.
It seems obvious to ask: what does all that mean? The difference lies not in what
they do, but how they do it.
The reason we human beings have two hemispheres is that we need two views of the
world. Without the right hemisphere, we would be socially and emotionally insensitive,
and have an impaired understanding of beauty, art etc. Effectively autistic, we
have no sense of the broader context of experience. Meanwhile, without the left
hemisphere, we would struggle to bring detail into focus.
That the two hemispheres interpret and create the world differently, with different
modes of attention, different priorities and different values emerged in the 1960s
and '70s. Over time, scientists discovered that each so-called 'function' was carried
out in both hemispheres, not one. For example, it is pointless searching for one
brain area that does mathematics. There are different aspects of maths, for example,
quantity and number. There are two types of number we can read - number words ('seven')
and numerals or digits ('7').
The processes required to perform exact calculations reside in the left hemisphere,
in the parietal lobe. A different region of the brain, in the right hemisphere,
underlies approximation of number. People generally show high correlations between
mathematical ability and spatial ability in aptitude tests. In other words, people
who have very good spatial ability - who have a good sense of direction - often,
but not always, have good mathematical skills as well.
Also, the right hemisphere is unable to identify written numerals such as '12 -
6'. The right hemisphere knows that 6 is less than 8, but this knowledge completely
disintegrates for the word 'six'. Neither can the right hemisphere alone name digits
and perform arithmetic.
The left hemisphere can add up
numbers 2 plus 2, but the brain finds this impossible if the sum is shown solely
to the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere can do multiplication whereas the right
hemisphere cannot. The right hemisphere approximates while the left hemisphere calculates.
Similarly, although language resides in the left hemisphere in most people for people
who are right-handed, it is not usually the case for left-handers - language is
normally housed in both hemispheres in these people.
Fundamentally, PRISM is about our attention to the world;
how we see and respond to our environment, including the people in it. More accurately,
it is about our perception, or representation, of our environment. Our attention
can either be broad or narrow.
The right hemisphere is responsible for broad attention, the left hemisphere for
narrowly focused attention. Although the brain is split into hemispheres, it is
a single, integrated, highly dynamic system. Events anywhere in the brain are connected
to, and potentially have consequences for, other brain areas. As you read the words
on this page, you are using thousands of the 100 billion nerve cells that make up
your brain. The electrical firings and chemical messages running between these cells,
called neurons, are what produce our thoughts, feelings and interactions with the
world around us.
The PRISM Model is a metaphor for how the brain's functional
architecture and neural networks interact with brain chemicals such as glutamate,
dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, testosterone and oestrogen to create behaviour.
Modern neuroscience rests on the assumption that our thoughts, feelings, perceptions,
and behaviours emerge from electrical and chemical communication between brain cells.
On a broad level, the brain lends itself to partitioning, based largely on its anatomy.
All proposed divisions within the brain are, however, highly artificial and are
created in response to the human need to separate things into neat, easily understandable
units. We must always bear in mind, however, that the brain functions as a whole
and, with that caveat in mind, the PRISM quadrant model
provides us with a useful schema that we can refer to when we are visualising how
our brains are organised. It is, therefore, based on scientific principles and facts
which have been simplified into a workable model to facilitate understanding.
PRISM is intended to be a sort of beginner's guide to
neuroscience. The neuroscientific language about the brain is extremely complex.
PRISM attempts, therefore, to simplify that language
so that it can be more easily understood. As a result, it contains many simplifications.
For example, when we say; the left hemisphere is responsible for this, or the right
hemisphere is responsible for that, it must be understood that in any one human
brain at any one time both hemispheres will be actively involved. No single part
of the brain does solely one thing and no part of the brain acts alone. All our
thoughts, emotions and actions are the results of many parts of the brain acting
together. When reading this section, it is important to bear in mind that the brain
functions as the result of the dynamic interaction between many different systems,
at different levels of organization, each operating according to its own rules.
The adult brain weighs about 3 pounds (1.4 kg) and contains about one trillion brain
cells, 100 billion of them neurons. This is a gigantic number of cells. Neurons
have both short and long fibres that contact the bodies of other neurons, and there
are about one million billion connections between cells in the brain.
100 billion cells is such a large number, it is hard to imagine. One million is
1,000 times 1,000, the population of a very large town, for example. One billion
is 1,000 times one million. The number of connections in the human brain is much
bigger than the whole earth's population, which is about 7 billion.
Most of who we are is the result of the interaction of our genes and our experiences.
In some situations the genes are more important, while in others the environment
is more crucial. Genes set boundaries for human behaviour, but within these boundaries
there is immense room for variation.
The brain is split down the middle from front to back into two blocks known as hemispheres.
The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere
controls the left side of the body.
While it is true that one hemisphere dominates over the other in terms of our experience
of the world and our actions, both sides of the brain work together in almost all
situations, tasks and processes. In other words, people are not right or left brained,
they use both sides of the brain.
When we consider large sections of the brain, we need to consider them as systems
- not dichotomies. A system has inputs and outputs, and a set of component parts
that work together to produce appropriate outputs e.g. behaviours. The differences
between the right and left hemispheres are subtle, and simple, black and white dichotomies
referred to in the 'popular' media do not explain accurately how the two sides function.
The two hemispheres are linked by a 'bridge', known as the corpus callosum has an
'excitatory' function i.e. it enables the two hemispheres to communicate with each
other. However, the main purpose of a large number of these connections is actually
to inhibit - in other words to stop the other hemisphere interfering inappropriately.
The corpus callosum's excitatory and inhibitory roles are, therefore, both necessary
for normal human functioning.
Each hemisphere can be divided into four individuals chunks, known as lobes. The
lobes are called frontal (front), temporal (side), parietal (top), and occipital
(back). The right hemisphere (Green and Blue on the PRISM
model) is predominantly associated with empathy and novelty. The left hemisphere
(Gold and Red on the PRISM model) is predominantly associated
with systemizing and routine.
'Empathizing' is the drive to identify another person's emotions and thoughts, and
to respond to them with appropriate emotion. For example, the right hemisphere helps
us pick up on nonverbal cues in speech and gesture as well as in facial expressions.
'Systemizing' is the drive to analyse, explore and construct a system. Systemizing
intuitively figures out how things work, or extracts the underlying rules that govern
the behaviour of a system.
The right hemisphere is interested in others as individuals. Self-awareness, empathy
and identification with others are largely dependent upon the right hemisphere.
On the other hand, the left hemisphere is not impressed by empathy. Its concern
is with maximising gain for itself and its driving value is practical usefulness.
The left hemisphere is competitive and its concern, its prime motivation, is power.
The right hemisphere is particularly well equipped to deal with passions, sense
of humour, metaphoric and symbolic understanding, and all imaginative and intuitive
While a lot of attention has been focused in the press on the interaction between
the right and left hemispheres, it is also important to focus on the interaction
between the front and the back of the brain. The back of the brain (Red and Blue
on the PRISM model) is the sensory or input half, which
receives input from the outside world and sorts, processes, and stores all of our
sensory representations. This area is, however, not simply a site for processing
sensory information. It is also the region of cortex for associative processes,
where information from the various senses is bound together for higher order processing.
The PRISM model also divides the cortex horizontally
into two levels; the dorsal cortex and the ventral cortex. The dorsal cortex comprises
the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex - the larger and upper part of the frontal lobe
- the whole of the parietal lobe, the motor areas and the anterior cingulate cortex.
The ventral cortex comprises the temporal and occipital lobes, the lower parts of
the frontal cortex and the ventromedial frontal cortex.
The dorsal cortex formulates and executes plans whereas the ventral cortex classifies
and interprets incoming information about the world. In essence, creating and carrying
out plans is the responsibility of the dorsal cortex, whereas the ventral cortex
is largely concerned with processing inputs from the senses and using them to activate
the relevant memories about relevant objects or events. The two levels always work
together. For example, the top half uses information from the bottom half to formulate
and modify its plans as they develop over time.
It is important to bear in mind that habitual behavioural preferences generally
should not be related to intelligence. Intelligence is about the ability to understand
complex data and solve difficult problems. People who have a preference for one
or more behavioural preferences can be anywhere on a scale between highly intelligent
and not very intelligent. The PRISM behavioural dimensions
are about how you approach and interact with other people and situations in your
day to day life. Also, although you may have certain preferred behaviours, you will
sometimes adopt different behaviours to enable you to cope more effectively with
changes in your life.
We hope that PRISM Brain Mapping will be helpful to you
in your journey to understand yourself and others.
To view the brain's key structures
click here >>
In the front of the brain, the cortex is devoted to the processing of motor programs
or output; we use this area to react to the input data from our senses. It is here
we plan, create strategies, and create our responses to the world, and it is this
area that has been adapted for use in abstract thinking and planning. The frontal
lobes perform the most advanced and complex functions in all of the brain, the so-called
executive functions.
They are linked to intentionality, purposefulness, and complex decision making.
Motivation, drive, foresight, and clear vision of one's goals are central to success
in any walk of life. The frontal lobes play a critical role in dealing with novelty.
A novel task activates predominantly the right prefrontal cortex. As the task becomes
familiar, the overall level of activation drops and shifts from the right to the
left prefrontal regions.
Underneath the cortex lies the limbic system which is involved in the generation
of emotions. The limbic system is made up of several pieces including the hippocampus
(memory), the amygdala (emotion, including fear) and the hypothalamus (the body's
thermostat), Also, in moments of emergency the limbic system commandeers the rest
of the brain to protect us from harm.
Other items, such as the anterior cingulate gyrus, directs our inner response to
others and keeps us willing and interested in being with them. The orbitofrontal
cortex is the error catcher and with its partners, the anterior cingulate and the
ventromedial cortex of the frontal lobe, is crucial for empathy and evaluation of
the genuineness of the words and intentions and comments of others.
The human brain remains the most complex item in the known universe. It has been
described as follows by Professor Robert Ornstein:
The discoveries of neuroscience have shifted the paradigm of how the brain works
and, as a result, they are challenging our beliefs about human behaviour and potential.
When it comes to business, the effect is nothing short of revolutionary. This isn't
just about making use of a new management technique, model or practice. The latest
research goes right to the way we think about human behaviour, highlighting fundamental
flaws in our current approaches and providing new insights that challenge everything
we take for granted about ourselves and others.
Although the PRISM Model is based on the published works
of a wide range of experts within the neuroscience community, this should not be
taken to mean that any of those individuals necessarily advocates or supports the
content of the instrument.
What is PRISM? | Why is PRISM different? | PRISM overview | Versions | Science behind PRISM | Find a Practitioner
| Become a Practitioner
| Home | Downloads | Contact Us
Terms & Conditions
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text:
I'm not 100% sure why I'm in quite such an odd mood today. Part of the reason will certainly be because I was up late last night reading instead of getting the early night that I desperately needed. Part of it will be because my new favourite songs are distinctly wistful and haunting and somewhat melancholy and I've been listening to them on repeat and their atmosphere has affected my brain. Part of it will also be because I'm unbearably lonely at times. People do live in the flat with me but I sometimes (and all to frequently recently) feel that I'm just the flat's owner rather than being a real person who lives there too. I have plenty of old friends at the moment but none that I could describe as a best friend. All of the people who have been best friends have moved away or moved on or both.
Wow. Those are some cheerful thoughts. Never mind, they're where my head currently is and I'm just going to have to deal with them. I don't have a clue how but I'll save that as a problem for another day.
Today, all I want to do is hibernate and pretend that the world doesn't exist.
I may be more tired than I thought. I'm sure that normal service will return after a good night's sleep!


text:
Element: Water
Timing: Mar 11 – Mar 20. Mars in Pisces
Numerology: 10 – Ultimate completion, final manifestation, result of true will, recognition, continuation, realisation, endings.
Card Counting Value: 10
Keywords – Fulfillment; perfect harmony; emotional stability; satisfaction; a happy family unit; your dream becoming reality; security; your dream home.
Reversed: discord at home; empty nest syndrome; marital conflict; family problems.
<< 9 of Cups | Page of Cups >>


text:
'Very smooth panning. '
'juicy picture'
'Reds and greens are especially vibrant and searing, even after a thorough bout of calibration.'
'built-in 3D processor'
Sleek design with a nice looking stand and minimal bezel
'helpful "Solid Performance'
'The monitor's stand is difficult to connect and has an awkward ball hinge connection.'
'Both light and dark areas showed plenty of distinction in our DisplayMate tests and the overall image is crisp and sharp.'
'Stylish design.'
'Bad product'
'the 2433BW is compatible with both VGA and DVI-D (HDCP-compliant) adapters, giving it the flexibility to work with newer and older computers.'
'exclusive SAMSUNG picture technologies'
'OSD menu is active, so neck injures won't be a problem anymore.'
'the screen is very thin at 1.18".'
'with their attractive Samsung graphite Touch of Color (TOC) design, ideal for wall mounting.'
'Settings system can be confusing as some options modify or enable/disable other options.'
'good picture quality value'
'The screen itself is reflective and the bezel is glossy black with a clear border.'
'very complete calibration options including white balance adjustment'
'glossy black bezel'
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,481 products.
© 2019 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


text: Hey all, just an update that Revelation of Mulmo: Tentacled Edition has been approved and I'm awaiting a proof copy before release. All of those AD&BB backers who got back to me will receive their at cost print vouchers once I've confirmed the quality of the product. Thanks for your patience.


text:
This morning I read a blog that was forwarded to a listserv I haunt from time to time. As I read the words, I was struck by the eerie similarity I felt at the supermarket the other day.
It's only been a couple of years since I stopped going to the big city for most of my groceries and started frequenting the Mom-n-Pop grocery store in my Tinytown. As I have progressed in my journey from processed food dining to homemade cuisine, I have relied less and less often on cans of this or packets of that. So, you might be able to imagine my surprise when I'm used to this sort of thing:
|Just a public domain picture. I don't go to this store.
And I walked into this sort of thing:
|Another public domain pic. Although it looks sorta familiar.
It never occurred to me that I might feel any kind of sensory overload. But having come from my small town ways to the big city, the difference slapped me rather smartly across the face. I almost turned around and walked back out the door. I felt a little...blurry and overwhelmed.
|Yep, public domain. I haven't yet figured out how to make my camera do this.
I mean, look at all those colors! Imagine shelves from the floor to well over the top of my head full of every sort of variation on endless themes of products all aimed at me, the consumer. Just look at it:
|It amazes me what you can find when you Google 'public domain supermarket images.'
And there are aisles and aisles of it. It boggles the mind. It was almost nightmarish and more than a little off-putting. But I pulled up my socks and grabbed a little plastic shopping basket and set off with list in hand.
My list was short. Coffee, creamer, bread, yogurt, a nice piece of codfish and salad fixings. At my little hometown store, it takes me roughly seven minutes to get that list in the bag and out the door. Another two or three minutes and I'm in my kitchen cooking fish and cutting salad.
It took me seven minutes just to find the coffee, another four to find the dairy department because I got turned around in all those aisles of processed food. After only one minute, I found the fish because it was right next to the dairy. Fortunately, the bakery was between the fish and the salad. Luckily, I found the checkout at the end of the produce aisle or I might still be wandering around in there.
Getting through the checkout was another thing altogether.
It's really interesting to me the differences in the world and what I am capable of getting used to. When I moved to the small town, I held firmly onto the supermarkets and shopping centers to which I was accustomed. I let go of them one finger at a time afraid of losing my convenient lifestyle and the comfort of the known world.
These days, I fight the urge to shove it all away with both hands while screaming IDON'TWANNA!
Yeah. I'm mature like that.


text:
March presented me with some serious challenges in time management, and I've had to take some time off weekly posts to attend to more pressing matters. But I'm back! And I want to talk about pyramids.
Not only are pyramids fascinating from a historical point of view, they offer a handy way to illustrate important concepts in today's world. Most of us grow up with constant exposure to the food pyramid. Fundraisers all know about the donor pyramid. These two have a lot in common.
For example, in the food pyramid, the base is made of the most frequent foods we're supposed to eat –grain-based edibles like rice, pasta, and bread. Next up are the fruits and vegetables, then meat and dairy, and at the very top, fats and sweets.
Likewise, a donor pyramid starts at the bottom with a large number of donors. Like the grains group at the bottom of the food pyramid, these donors don't contribute a lot of calories/dollars, and they're not intensely flavorful. Yet, they are crucial for basic survival. Do you see where I'm trying to go here?
Let's say mid-range and major donors are like the fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat. Lots of flavor and color here, great caloric/nutritional punch, but you need to start being a little careful … you don't want too much fruit at the expense of vegetables, or too much dairy at the expense of nuts and beans. You don't want too many donors at this level interested in capital projects, at the expense of program support.
Finally, the peak. This is where the most delicious food resides, like this chocolate caramel cheesecake I made last Sunday. This is where the most wealth comes from in the donor pyramid – those dense, high-calorie, delicious donors who can supply the seven- , eight-, or nine-figure gift. But like cheesecake, too much of anything so potent can be dangerous. Just as too many Americans choose cheesecake instead of brown rice too many times, too many nonprofits chase top-level donors at the expense of the pyramid's base.
If you think your nonprofit might need to shift its focus to the bottom of the pyramid for a little while, you might want to think of it as a healthy shift in diet.
(Speaking of which, I highly recommend this weekend cleanse by the ubiquitous Dr. Oz. The photo is my attempt at juicing kale. Not so easy if you don't own a juicer.)


text:
Delta Air Lines is bullish about Los Angeles.
The Atlanta-based carrier, the third-largest at Los Angeles International Airport, is adding 17 new flights to eight new destinations, boosting the number of seats from LAX by 12%.
In addition, Delta is teaming up with airport officials to invest $160 million in upgrades at its terminals, including adding a new luxury bar last summer at the Skyteam lounge. (Instead of helping themselves at a self-serve bar, members can now ask a friendly bartender to mix up a stiff drink.)
Why the big investment in L.A.?
Los Angeles is one of the nation's top domestic markets for corporate travel, said Bob Cortelyou, Delta's senior vice president for network planning.


text:
Every summer...for seven days and six nights...from 10 am to 4 am...the city of Arles welcomes Le Suds à Arles, a festival of world music that grows in size and reputation each year. This year (the 21st annual), 60 or so performances are scheduled and roughly 60,000 people are expected. The dates are July 11 to 17.
Venues around Arles (designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site), include the majestic Théâtre Antique (where evening concerts will be held July 12, 13, 14 and 15), the Cour de l'Archevêché and the former SNCF railway site known as the Parc des Ateliers (or just "the Ateliers"). See more info about the Ateliers below.
In addition to performances by artists from all over the world, there will be master classes (41 at last count, from beginner to professional), workshops for young people, stages (in music, dance and voice), opportunities to meet the performers and more.
Some special dates to note: On the 11th, there are free concerts in museums; on Saturday the 16th, the whole night (from 9.30 pm) will be held in the Ateliers; and the 17th is a special day in Salin-de-Giraud, in the Camargue.
All the info is on the festival website, with a complete schedule, background on the performers, ticket info, sound clips, maps, etc. The schedule in English is here.
All the info is on the festival website, with a complete schedule, background on the performers, ticket info, sound clips, maps, etc. The schedule in English is here.
If you have questions and can't find what you need on the site, the kind folks in the festival office said you can reach out by phone or email and they'll be happy to answer in English.
Maisons des Suds
66, rue du 4 Septembre
13200 Arles
Tel +33 (0)4 90 96 06 27
66, rue du 4 Septembre
13200 Arles
Tel +33 (0)4 90 96 06 27
Note: The old train buildings mentioned above are currently being rehabbed by the Luma Foundation, as part of the biggest "patronage" project in Europe, the centerpiece of which is a new building designed by FrankGehry. I'll have all the details on this in a future story but if you are going to Arles for music festival, consider exploring the Luma construction site with a "virtual tour" in French or English. Tours are just over an hour and all the info is on the Luma site here.


text:
After a prolonged silenced regarding Quake Champions, Bethesda has emerged with a sign-up sheet for a closed beta of the game! If you're looking to take part in the beta, sign up right here. I, for one, am more than happy to jump in the classic arena shooter once again, how about you?
QUAKE CHAMPIONS Begins Sign Ups For Closed Beta
Mick Joest —
I started out as a loyal reader of Geektyrant before emailing Joey one day about the potential of writing for Geektyrant. Now six years later I'm the managing editor of Gametyrant.com and still living the dream and giving my opinion to the geek masses! Geektyrant is my life, and I hope that shows in everything I do!
@G33kyMick // firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
MAKEUP FOR TRANSSEXUAL, TS, TV, T-Girl MADE BY LADY
10th April 2015 - 18:12 | London UK, Leytonstone, London
Private Makeup contour made by a lady offered to Transvestites and Transsexuals in London Area, mobile for the photosample studio clients, if we know each other, or in my place.
Whether you would like your daily makeup, or you are a beginner, I will take you step by step to bring a touch of glamour to your face, and give you advises on makeup styles. Creating the best look for you, with colors that suit you naturally, application tips for a long-lasting look, make-up advises for special occasions to make you feel fantastic.
The place is close to the legs800 club in Walthamstow.
The makeup session takes about an hour and will cost you £30 when you come to my place and £45 if I come to your place in London.
If you need more time to enjoy your look and be yourself, want to have pictures or just chat or shopping online you are welcome. The charge is £20 for an hour, or £50 for 3 hours.
Contact me to book an appointment or e-mail to email@example.com
Ad No: 68334 | Views: 1,093 | Replies: 4 | Report Abuse


text:
By Category
By Date
Amit Varma is a writer based in Mumbai. He worked in journalism for over a decade, and won the Bastiat Prize for Journalism in 2007. His bestselling novel, My Friend Sancho, was published in 2009. He is best known for his blog, India Uncut. His current project is a non-fiction book about the lack of personal and economic freedoms in post-Independence India.
This is the 37th installment of Rhyme and Reason, my weekly set of limericks for the Sunday Times of India edit page.
We are paying Krishi Kalyan Cess.
Even then, farmers are in a mess.
This only illustrates
How governance abates,
While our taxes remain in excess.
A friend asked, "Why be against Aadhaar?
We give our data to the bazaar,
Like Google, for instance.
Then why this resistance?"
I said, "Because Consent matters, yaar!"
And here's a bonus limerick that didn't appear in the paper:
Most bullies are wimps, really afraid
That someone will rain on their parade.
Like Modi and his men,
So macho, except when
Someone fights back. Then they call a raid.
Posted by Amit Varma in India | Politics | Rhyme and Reason | Rhymes
Sita Sings the Blues: The Greatest Break-Up Story Ever Told
Read more...
Dev.D doesn't flinch from depicting the individual's downward spiral
Read more...
Sample clues
9 across: Van Morrison classic from Moondance (7)
6 down: Order beginning with 'A' (12)
Question by Amit Varma
This character's creator described him as "insufferable", and called him a "detestable, bombastic, tiresome, ego-centric little creep". On August 6 1975, the New York Times carried his obituary, the only time it has thus honoured a fictional character. Who?


text:
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Delightful Summer Cupcakes
I was on cupcake duty for my dear friends wedding shower last month and I decided to try some fun flavors. Party guests were raving about these tiny little gems, and I thought they were just being polite. That is, until I tasted one. And another. And then I thought...I guess I should try all of them. Genius! Here's the gist of how I made them (sometimes I wish I used real recipes!!!)
My Grandma always tells me that if you want the icing to be pretty and perfect, to forget about making the cake from scratch and focus on the icing. So I used Superstore's Organic Chocolate and Vanilla cake mix. I substituted full fat sour cream for the oil and it made them taste homemade and really moist.
I split the vanilla batter in half and added 2-3 Tbsp of lemon flavoring. You can add food coloring or lemon zest so you can tell them apart from the plain vanilla. Taste the batter to make sure they're really lemony! Bake the lemon and vanilla in mini muffin tins.
Bake the chocolate cupcakes in mini muffin tins, adding 3 or 4 chocolate chips to the tops of half.
Whip up the base icing (make it nice and thick) and divide into 4 bowls.
Classic Buttercream Icing (Base):
5 cups icing sugar
1 Cup soft butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2-4 Tbsp Water or Milk
Classic Lemon Cupcakes:
Base Icing plus 3-4 tsp lemon flavoring on a vanilla cupcake. Garnish with lemon zest if desired.
Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes:
Base icing plus 2-3 Tbsp raspberry jam or raspberry puree on a lemon cupcake. You may need to add more icing sugar if it thins out too much. Garnish with a fresh raspberry if desired.
Mocha Chip Frappuccino Cupcakes:
Base Icing plus two packages of Decaf Starbucks Via (you can substitute instant coffee, but it's really not the same!!!) on the chocolate cupcakes with the added chocolate chips. A chocolate chip or chocolate espresso bean are perfect garnishes.
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes:
Base Icing plus 2-3 tsp of coconut flavoring on a plain chocolate cupcake. Garnish with shredded coconut before icing sets. This was the #1 hit of the night. DELISH!
-This little tool is so amazing (and inexpensive) that I've thrown away my piping bag!
-Use mini tins. The icing to cake ratio is perfect for these combos.
-Taste everything as you go and add bits of flavoring as you taste to make sure it comes out right.
-Make sure the icing is quite thick so it holds it shape. If you add any liquid to the base, that means you'll likely have to add more icing sugar to get the right consistency.
1 comment:
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text:
Can't Get Enough Futurama
Simpsons and Futurama to unite
At least in comic version.
Bongo Comics will produce a cross over comic book this summer. I'll see that I get more info for you by next week on this one. In the meantime, have a look at fan reviews of their
current comics
and rate them yourself.
5-2-2002 |
add comment
go to
Can't Get Enough Futurama


text: Pioneer Electronics is running its first ad in movie theaters, taking advantage of intense in-theater audio for a 65-second spot promoting the Advanced HomeTheater System TV. The spot from BBDO Worldwide, Los Angeles, appears to be an action-adventure movie trailer, with the product and Pioneer logo appearing only in the closing seconds. The spot broke in theaters Oct. 4; a :30 version broke on cable Oct. 5.


text:
Title: A Court Of Thorns And Roses
Part of Series: A Court Of Thorns And Roses (#1)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Format: Paperback by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Edition: English
Publication: May, 2016 (Original publication May, 2015)
Pages: 324
My Rating: ✿✿✿✿✿
My Review:
I picked up this book after realizing all the hype that surrounded it.
I had previously read Throne Of Glass, the first book in a previous series also written by Sarah J. Maas. And, as I had liked this book very much, I knew what to expect in terms of writing style.
So, the fact I actually loved the writing of this book, was no surprise.
I even found that the author had a slightly improved style, which added to my delight.
My only problem with this book was that for about the first 200, while I liked the story and the world-building, and virtually everything, it was just that! I liked it, but I didn't feel anything more than that. And, I found myself thinking that the protagonist, Feyre, didn't express any major feelings, either. The story processed with Feyre neutral and passive to what the fate brought upon her.
Until, a major decision she (finally) made!
After this point I completely fell in love with the book!!!
I loved Feyre, I loved Tamlin even more, I loved all the twists and turns of the story, and I even became all emotional right when everything was going to be determined!
I was an emotional wreck, and I just couldn't put that book down until I was sure about the exact way everything turned out.
And, I definitely hadn't predicted the outcome!
As for the rest of the characters?
I loved quite a few (mostly fairies).
Tamlin was just so lovely and hot, with a fine dose of ferocity I grew to love.
Rhysand, well, was another matter. While at first I didn't really like him, at the end, I felt so much warmer towards him that I might even actually end up loving him and his darkness a little too much. Or, I'm just too influenced by everyone that has read the sequel, too.
Hmm, we will figure that out, I guess.
All in all, 5 stars to the first book
of a very promising series, that captivated me
completely towards the end, and left me needing the sequel!


text:
As we said before, we're going to held lots of events from now on ^^ For a starter we're having a DT Call here at Milk n Coffee and we'd love for you to apply to join our DT!! We will soon be starting our NEW CHALLENGE BLOG running bi-weekly challenges and we need a few girls to join our current DT. You must have an active blog, a love of crafting and working with digi stamps and be able to do at least 2 projects per month for our challenges. You will also be expected to comment on assigned number entries from challenge participants.
Our call will be open until 23 February 2012, so if you are interested, please e-mail the following information to firstname.lastname@example.com :
1. Name and blog address
2. A little bit about your personal and crafting history
3. Attach 3 projects which you think best reflect your design style
As a valued member of our team, you will receive 4 digis per month free (two images you can pick freely by yourself from our store, and the other two are choosen by us) from Milk n Coffee as well as a generous discount for any additional images you'd like to purchase throughout your term. DT term is left open so that you may stay as long as you like provided you keep up with monthly requirements and work to promote Milk n Coffee whenever possible. We hope you will come join our DT call!! Please e-mail any questions to email@example.com as well.
Milk n Coffee DT


text: Hello all! My name is Allison Garman, and I am a student at Tulane University. I am taking an Internet Social Networking class and was referred to you by my Professor to ask for help regarding my semester research project. I am exploring the nature of internet career sites such as careerbuilder.com and monster.com in relation to how they frame themselves, how and why people use them, and if there a sense of community that comes out of participation. Does anyone know of any literature on career web sites? Or even literature on job searches in general (via newspaper ads, etc.) would be MUCH MUCH appreciated. Please email me back at agarman at tulane.edu Thank you in advance! All the best, Allison Garman


text:
5.7 Hemi 392 Stroker Crank 6.1 Hemi 426 Stroker Crankshaft K1 Technologies Forged Chrysler Dodge 5.7 6.1 Magnum Hemi Stroker Cranks
K1 Technologies produces very high quality Dodge Chrysler 5.7 and 6.1 Hemi stroker forged steel cranks. We are proud to be a distributor of all premium K1 modern Mopar Hemi engine products. K1 Tech is producing extremely strong 4340 forged 5.7 Hemi crank assemblies that are machined to very close tolerances and are far stronger than a stock 5.7 liter or 6.1 liter Hemi engine crankshaft. K1 produces these excellent modern hemi stroker cranks with two different size rod journals.
5.7 Hemi Stroker Kits
If you are looking for all the parts for a complete 5.7L Hemi stroker kit instead of just a crankshaft, you can find all of those parts on our website here: 5.7 Hemi Stroker Pistons, Crank, Rods and Bearings
4340 Forged Steel 5.7 Hemi 6.1 Hemi Stroker Crank
More K1 Technologies product info here: K1 Technologies Crankshafts and K1 Rods
K1 Technologies 4340 Forged Steel 5.7L Hemi Crankshaft Specifications
These crankshafts will fit in either a 5.7 liter or 6.1 liter Hemi engine block. The main difference in the 5.7 and the 6.1 is the stock bore size. Stock for a 5.7L is 3.917 inches and 6.1L has a stock bore size of 4.055 inches. Depending on which block and final bore size you choose to use, you can build stroker hemi engines using these cranks of 393 cubic inches up to 428 cid.
Buy the best K1 Technologies small block Mopar Hemi stroker crankshafts here. We offer dedicated customer service, technical assistance and reasonable prices.
K1 Technologies Dodge 5.7 Hemi 6.1 Hemi crankshaft assemblies are 4340 forged cranks for superior strength and durability. These 5.7 Hemi crank assemblies are ideal for any small block hemi performance muscle car rebuild, street car, hot rod, nostalgia dragster, supercharged, 5.7 Hemi turbo and nitrous engines, all out racing engines, marine, tractor pull, mud bog engines and more.
Chrysler Dodge Mopar 5.7 6.1 and 6.4 Hemi Reluctor Gear
If you are building a hard running Dodge small block Hemi engine, why risk using a lesser quality crankshaft in your project? At our discounted prices, you get a premium top quality, high performance K1 crankshaft, for not much more than lesser brand cranks.
K1 Technologies small block Mopar Hemi 5.7 and 6.1 stroker cranks on this page are available to fit the following engine blocks:
We also offer a large variety of pistons to work with these small block Hemi cranks including Wiseco forged pistons, supercharged and turbocharged pistons, nitrous pistons, stroker pistons, custom pistons and more. We also sell bearings, gaskets, valvetrain parts and more.
If you can not find the engine parts you need, or if you have questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Shop Our Store
copyright ©Motorsports Parts Corporation T/A Campbell Enterprises. All rights reserved


text:
Avira Launches Avira Endpoint Security to Expand Micro and Small Business Product Line
Configuration Wizard Simplifies Central Management; Perfect Security Solution for Micro and Small Businesses
Tettnang, December 1, 2011 – IT security expert Avira announced a new product aimed at micro and small business users: Avira Endpoint Security. Available for both Windows and Unix users, Avira Endpoint Security includes features designed to simplify security set-up and administration for businesses with more than 3 users.
Avira Endpoint Security consists of the following components: Avira Management Console, Configuration Wizard, Avira Professional Security and Avira Server Security (both for Windows and Unix). The Configuration Wizard allows users to install, set up and manage distributed endpoint machines from one central point. This capability makes Avira Endpoint Security ideal for any business that wants to protect its network without the hassle of a complex installation, configuration or administration procedures.
Avira Endpoint Security was built specifically for micro and small businesses with the following characteristics:
- 3+ employees/users or more
- Microsoft or Unix operating systems installed on PC/Server endpoints
- Active directory
- Needing both PC and Fileserver protection
"Seventy-one percent of our corporate customers have fewer than 100 users. These micro and small-sized businesses have outgrown consumer-grade security software but they don't need the complexity and cost of large enterprise systems," said Travis Witteveen, COO at Avira. "So we developed Avira Endpoint Security to target their needs for basic fileserver and endpoint protection along with most-wanted features like easy setup and administration."
Availability and Pricing
Avira Endpoint Security is available through Avira's global network of resellers, or at our website.
About Avira
Avira protects people in the connected world – enabling everyone to manage, secure, and improve their digital lives. The Avira umbrella covers a portfolio of security and performance applications for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. In addition, the reach of our protective technologies extends through OEM partnerships. Our security solutions consistently achieve best-in-class results in independent tests for detection, performance, and usability. Avira is a privately-owned company that employs 500 people. Its headquarters are near Lake Constance, in Tettnang, Germany, and the company has additional offices in Romania, India, Singapore, China, Japan & the United States. A portion of Avira's sales support the Auerbach Foundation, which assists education, children, and families in need. For more information about Avira visit www.avira.com.


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|As a little bit of background, STAR was organized in May 2001 and has grown to include about 98 percent of the OEM that the 8 major DMS members support. The goal of the STAR Group is to use voluntary information technology (IT) standards as a catalyst in fulfilling the business information needs of dealers and manufacturers while reducing the time and effort previously required supporting this activity. It is a non-profit, auto industry-wide initiative to create voluntary IT standards for how manufacturers, dealers and customers communicate with each other. This will result in lower costs, more accurate and timely data and increased levels of customer satisfaction.
What this means in plain English is that instead of having 33 different manufacturer formats to transmit a simple warranty claim - there will be one standard that the DMS providers can use to communicate with all the different manufacturers.
As part of its standards activities, STAR has developed open data exchange standards for both batch file transfers and XML messaging to simplify the transfer of information between dealers, vendors, and manufacturers. The Data Transfer Specification (DTS) provides manufacturers, Retail Systems Providers (RSPs – or DMS providers as we call them,) and other dealership software vendors with standard interfaces designed to reduce the complexity of daily dealership communication system (DCS) data exchange, such as vehicle and parts ordering, warranty repair and financial reporting.
Although creating the standards for data exchange and XML standards are two of the most important functions of STAR, there are a few others.
LAN/WAN/NET - Develop specifications for an open dealership IT infrastructure in order to:
Security Guidelines - Develop dealership guidelines covering security, access, content and recoverability of business information and provide a summary of the IT security guidelines for dealers.
Desktop Profile - Develop common guidelines for managing the desktop PC including browsers, plug-ins and LAN connections.
According to Tom Campisi of Toyota, the STAR Communications Chair, "Making the standards is the objective that got the snowball rolling. The other objectives add to it and keep it growing." He reported the following current status of the STAR objectives as of 6/14/02:
Objective #1: - To define the standard XML message for dealer-to-OEM business transactions (i.e.: Parts Order, Sales Lead Credit Processing)
STAR has defined 12 draft XML standards for dealer-to-OEM transactions, which are awaiting STAR and OAG approval. Three of these (Sales Lead, Vehicle Service History and Credit Processing) will be approved within the next month.
Objective #2: - To define a standard IT infrastructure (ebXML) to support these messages between dealers and OEMs
STAR partnered with XML Global in January 2002 to build an ebXML messaging test bed based on the STAR Infrastructure specification, which is about 95 percent complete. To date, Toyota and Honda have successfully sent ebXML messages to and from the testbed.
Objective #3 - To standardize the IT infrastructure at dealerships
STAR is planning to adopt a "Dealership Infrastructure Guidelines" document that Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler have authored as the STAR Dealership Infrastructure Guidelines. This document details Internet access methods, LAN configurations, PC hardware, security and more.
What Does A Star Standard Look Like?
A STAR BOD (Business Object Document) is comprised of four parts:
In the example below the XML tag "WarrantyStartDate" will be used to transmit the Warranty Start Date of a vehicle – and no matter who you are – the dealer, the factory or a third-party software provider- you'll know that 6/15/2001 is the Warranty Start Date.
How Does Star Benefit Dealers?
But what does STAR really mean for you as a dealer? I think that one of the reasons why you pay so much for data processing compared to other businesses your size is that your DMS provider like R+R and ADP must support all these different formats for communication with Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, etc. Another horrible reason is that for many of you - your manufacturers have the power to determine which DMS system you can use. A perfect example of this is Volvo. They only allowed dealers to use ADP or R+R for a while, but I think they just added UCS. Why does a Volvo dealer who also has a Ford and GM store using AutoSoft or Auto/Mate have to buy a whole different system to run his Volvo dealership? Will that system help him sell more Volvos? I know that it will cost him more monthly for data processing. You have to wonder about Volvo's reasoning in telling dealers how to select a computer system. In addition, why do the manufacturers that make dealers buy a server and LAN just to run their software and don't let the dealers put anything else on it? I have never understood why manufacturers feel the need to get into the software business. Shouldn't they just concentrate on building cars?
What can you do to help? First of all you need to tell your manufacturers that objectives of STAR are important to you. If STAR is successful you'll see a lot more choices in DMS providers and hopefully lower costs. At this time I don't want to put a lot of blame directly on our big DMS providers for their high monthly costs – it must be very expensive for them to program and support each of these 33 different formats.
Next, you can join STAR. According to Tom, "We encourage dealers to join the STAR organization, which provides an excellent forum to listen and respond to the dealers' IT needs and concerns." Dick Malaise of NADA, a member of STAR adds, "We'd like to have dealer members increase the value of STAR by presenting their perspective – especially dealers that have their own IT departments." For more information about STAR visit – www.starstandards.org
Zotye Builds US Marketing Team
Chinese automaker Zotye announced has appointed Jan Thompson and Susan Bland Norton to VP positions on its Southern California marketing team.


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Social media makes us more productive
Social media makes us more productive
Join the DZone community and get the full member experience.Join For Free
When I first blogged about the issue of whether social media should be banned at work it was still a mildly contentious issue. There were still concerns over the ROI benefits of engaging with customers on social media, not to mention concerns by managers that employees were using social networks to do anything but their job.
Even then though, research had shown that using social media provided a productivity boost. It should be noted that this wasn't the productive social media usage that is typified by the social business movement, but rather the time wasting kind feared by most managers. The research showed that goofing around on social networks now and then provided the brain a break, thus making employees more productive when they returned to the tasks at hand.
If further evidence was required however, Warwick Business School have attempted to provide it. Some new research, conducted by Joe Nandhakumar, reveals the productivity gains provided by social media usage. It found that the employees that regularly use social channels are in fact amongst the most productive employees.
The research studied a large telecoms company, over a two year period. The company had large presences on external social networks, and also was a heavy user of internal social tools such as Skype and their SAP powered enterprise software. They found that the social-enabled employees were able to accomplish more sales and customer related tasks than their non-enabled peers. What's more, they could also do this more quickly.
Nandhakumar suggests that this productivity boost is evidence of his theory of virtual co-presence, or in other words, the ability to collaborate with others over short, productive sessions to solve problems.
"Ubiquitous digital connectivity should be seen not as an unwelcome interruption but as part of the changing nature of knowledge work itself that needs to become part of normal, everyday practices of contemporary organizations," Nandhakumar says.
It seems that companies are rapidly running out of excuses for not becoming social.
Opinions expressed by DZone contributors are their own.


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Medical Management of Radiation Accidents
When: Tuesday, 23 September, 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Where: Conference Room C4, C building, seventh floor.
With: H.E Ambassador Marion Paradas, Permanent Representative of France to the UN Office and International Organizations in Vienna, Dr. Marc Benderitter (IRSN) and Dr. Eric Bey (Hôpital d'instruction des armées Percy, Clamart, Paris).
This side event will give an overview of ten years of international cooperation with the IAEA in the field of medical management of radiation accidents, under the umbrella of the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. A particular focus will be on actions undertaken over the past two years to create a capacity building network involving France and South American countries and on possible ways forward to develop this network.
Source : IAEA, Conference Journal.


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I think I've mentioned in a previous post, how I feel a pang at paying $9 for a salad but, when you're a vegan traveling through beef country; beggars cannot be choosers.
My family and I just took a quick trip to Nebraska. My niece graduated from Northeastern Community College's Vet Tech program and I wanted to be there. I am still recovering financially from the Utah trip but my niece has worked so very hard to complete her schooling, she scored a prestigious internship, and I did not want to miss her special day.
As always, I overprepared for the roadtrip. I packed the back of the car with two bags of groceries and a cooler, just in case I couldn't find anything to eat anywhere in Nebraska. But, fail to plan-plan to fail as the wise say.
We began our trip soon after my getting home from work on Thursday and planned to spend our first night in North Platte. Thus, our first meal stop was Grandma Max's in Big Springs.
My mother and I had perused the online menu before heading out and Grandma Max's is NOT vegan friendly. It looked like I could order a plain baked potato and a salad from the side menu and Grandma Max's does have a salad bar so there were, at least, vegan options.
I ran an eye over the salad bar while waiting to be seated and was both impressed and depressed. The lettuce and vegetables were wonderfully fresh but there were no beans, all the dressings were dairy based, and half the salad bar consisted of salads that contained dairy or eggs or both. Even the peas had been made into a salad containing eggs, cheese, and bacon (the humanity!). The hot side of the buffet had nothing a vegan could eat beyond white rice. Still, there were enough veggies I could get by and it seemed there were black beans somewhere in the restaurant because they were listed in the description of the taco salad under the Side Dish listings. I asked if I could get a side of black beans with my salad bar and the waitress was happy to comply. My salad bar cost me a dollar less because I wasn't doing the hot side. My cost? You guessed it. $9.00.
The side of black beans ended up being more of a relish. I got a little plastic cup filled with black beans, corn, and peppers and it made a nice topper for my plate of lettuce and veggies. As I couldn't eat any of the dressings (even the Italian was creamy), I asked for extra lemon wedges. I read in one of Julianna Hever's posts that she squeezes fresh lemon juice over a salad in place of dressings and here was my change to try it.
The verdict? It was quite good! As I said, the veggies were wonderfully fresh and crisp, something that can be hit or miss at truck stops. The lemon juice was tangy on the vegetables and my black bean relish added a hint of grilled flavor. All in all, I was very pleased with my vegan dinner at Grandma Max's.
My meal ticked several of my diet boxes. It was mostly raw and completely oil free. It did take a long time to eat though and I can't thank my family enough for their patience. A plate of roughage takes a long time to chew through at the best of times and I've become rather aware of chewing since reading my book on macrobiotics. I always thought I chewed my food well enough: it wasn't like I inhaled food off my plate and swallowed it whole but, since beginning to study macrobiotics, I've tried to slow down and thoroughly chew my food. The result has been interesting. There are several things I can't eat anymore because they become disgusting as they're chewed but, oddly enough, I taste the sweetness in vegetables as I focus on chewing them.
My point being, if you find yourself at Grandma Max's, chewing your way through a plate of raw veggies touched with a squeeze of fresh lemon, prepare your traveling companions for the time it will take. Or, maybe order the baked potato.


text: Roger Pack wrote: >> File ruby-1.8.7-rational.patch added > > I assume this can't be applied to the 1.9 branch then? > -r > 1.9 Rational is implemented in C, but might be able to be "improved" -- haven't looked into gprof'ing rational.c. I'm in the process of migrating a *huge* (and I mean *huge*) RoR enterprise from 1.8.6 to 1.8.7 REE. We have a lot of code sitting on top of Date and DateTime; Rational is certainly causing a measurable performance hit for us. I've even gone so far as to memoize (via aspect orientation) most of the operations in Date and DateTime - it appears to be helping for long running process, at least it reduces GC. However, maybe we should consider backporting 1.9 rational.c (and complex.c) to 1.8.7? But, IMO, if Ruby code part of core, it should perform as best as possible before being forced to rewrite it in C. There are probably plenty of other things that I could probably tweak in core, but right now Rational is the "long stick in the pile" based on ruby-prof results of our apps. KAS


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Non-Statin Therapies Also Lower LDL Cholesterol
Dietary changes, other meds, and even surgery can lower cardiovascular risk similarly to statins.
(HealthDay News) -- Treatments other than statins also can effectively reduce cardiovascular risk, according to a review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Marc Sabatine, MD, MPH, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues analyzed the results of 49 clinical trials. These included 25 clinical trials for statins, as well as trials for heart-healthy diet, ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and ileal bypass surgery. The evidence review also included 2 trials with PCSK9 inhibitors.
Non-statin therapies reduced cardiovascular risk by 25% for each 1 mmol/L decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. That was similar to the 23% reduction per 1 mmol/L decrease seen with statins like atorvastatin and simvastatin, the researchers said. Ezetimibe reduced cholesterol by about 20%, statins by 30 to 50% depending on dose, and PCSK9 inhibitors by as much as 60%, according to Sabatine. But the different trials showed that each unit of LDL cholesterol removed from the bloodstream protects cardiovascular health, regardless of how.
"There is a linear relationship between what your LDL cholesterol level is and what your risk is of cardiovascular events," Sabatine told HealthDay. "The relationship suggests that lower is better." What's more, the benefits of these therapies stack up if more than one proves effective at lowering a person's cholesterol levels, he added. "The focus really should be not on a particular drug, but on reducing LDL cholesterol. These data show there are multiple interventions that can do that."
Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
1. Silverman MG, Ference BA, Im K, et al. Association Between Lowering LDL-C and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Among Different Therapeutic Interventions. JAMA. 2016;316(12):1289-1297. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.13985.


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Tag Archives: Romania
Concept text from developers – DeusHorzon's Balkans
After more than a year's wait, the developers are sending in answers, which means that you can expect to see more interviews from more developers here, in the ProMods Blog!
So while you're enjoying the content offered in ProMods 2.1, the team, as always, is working on even more areas so that you always get new content in every major update. This week I, tkk7406, interview one of our developers, DeusHorizon, who is currently working in Serbia, but has been working in Romania and Bulgaria too. Since the last interview with MIRFI, I've added a few more questions in order to give you more information from the developer and their work. Now, let us see his responses to our renewed questions!
1. Which countries and which cities have you/are you/will you work on?
I have been… or rather I am currently working on Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia. My first attempt to build a realistic city was declined because it was unsatisfactory quality-wise; it had a feeling of the village or a small town which didn't feel right for a huge coastal Romanian city. After finishing Constanta, I had no idea where I would be working on next but thankfully, Nico, who is one of the founders, suggested rebuilding Ruse which was a magnificent idea! Many many months later, this city located in the northern areas of Bulgaria was finished and it is and will be my most enjoyable city I have ever made. However, like before, I got stuck with the question "Which city or town should I build?". That's when MandelSoft, our lead developer, gave me two options – Bulgaria or Serbia. I chose Serbia as it seemed to me a more attractive option, and I still love building it!
2. Why should we drive in the cities you made in your opinion? What makes them stand out from the other cities in your opinion (scenery, buildings etc.)?
Ruse, Novi Sad and Subotica were built with a different style over most of the existing cities. They are also cities which existed in ex-communist regions which also gives them an even more unique look.
3. What can we expect to see in the cities you've built? Is there anything new in them that we've never seen in ProMods so far?
People can expect to see realistic scenery and find many custom-made gas stations, companies and services which enhance the unique feeling from each city while at the same time provide realism.
4. Was it difficult to build these cities? Were there any challenges along the way?
Yes, most of the challenges mainly occurred in Ruse because of hilly terrain. It wasn't my strongest point at all because I wasn't experienced in creating mountainous terrain landscaping skills, but problem was solved quickly. It's always these challenges that enhance my skills more and more as time goes on.
5. Did you enjoy building these cities?
By building such good-looking and unique cities, I found they gave me a unique experience in the map editor too! I really loved building Ruse and still love to build industrial part of cities such as Subotica and Novi Sad.
6. Which is your favourite road/city/spot in these countries? Which place would you recommend us to go to?
All of cities deserve a visit. The northern areas of Serbia have many open plains with enjoyable scenery in the cities and countryside. I would suggest people to explore all of N. Serbian cities and roads to experience a unique Balkan feeling.
On behalf of the ProMods Social Media Team, we'd like to thank DeusHorizon for his time and let him continue with the exciting project of developing Serbia. The images between the questions and answers were all taken from him in Novi Sad.
ProMods 2.0 is available now!
We are excited to share with you version 2.0 of our map! After more than two months of anticipation, the release is finally here for you to pick up.
ProMods 2.0 contains the following new content:
- Thousands of virtual kilometers of new roads to explore.
- 68 new cities, spread over 16 countries.
- 5 new major city rebuilds.
- 7 new countries: Andorra, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Spain and Ukraine.
- Enhancements in Scandinavia.
- A full scenery reconstruction of Iceland, and a scenery update of Finland and Faroe Islands.
- Full merge of Poland Rebuilding.
- Future compatibility advancements with RusMap.
- New country-specific road markings applied on large portions of the map.
- Uneven road surfaces, slippery icy roads, border stations, speed bumps and many more features to explore!
Full list of the content can be found in our compatibility list.
Download the new ProMods map from the link below and experience what the new generation of the ProMods map has in store for you!
Download Current Version
ProMods 1.96 is Available Now!
We are excited to share with you that the compatibility update for 1.19 is finally ready. Now you can enjoy the improved ProMods Map on the latest Euro Truck Simulator 2 update!
When patch 1.19 of Euro Truck Simulator 2 came out, SCS changed some file formats which required updates to map mods – again. ProMods 1.96 is mainly a compatibility update, however we also did some bug fixing all over the map to improve the quality of our work.
Another issue we had to solve was that with the 1.19 update two new Hungarian cities were added to the Going East DLC: Pécs and Szeged. This pushed us to come up with a solution to connect our Slovenia to the new areas of Hungary via the Slovenian A5.
However, this also means that from this point, the Going East DLC will also be mandatory to run ProMods. There would be no other way to connect the areas mentioned prior, without having the Going East DLC. Without it many bugs would arise. Furthermore maintaining two versions of our mod pack would be extremely tedious and hard to handle, plus it would severely disrupt our future plans! Due to the fact that the Scandinavia DLC is already required since ProMods 1.95 we finally made the decision to make both map DLCs mandatory from this version onward:
ProMods 1.96 requires both the Scandinavia DLC and the Going East DLC!
To update your copy of ProMods 1.96, don't forget to create a new DEF file, since we've made some changes there too.
Work continues on ProMods 2.0
We now reset our focus to developing ProMods 2.0 which will be our biggest update in ProMods history. In saying that, the current status of the project is still a huge work in progress and it doesn't allow us to predict an achievable release date just yet. So to tame your expectations, ProMods 2.0 will not be available within the next few months.
As we already announced Radol and his team joined us and Poland Rebuilding will be a permanent project in our further ProMods updates, which gives Poland the love it deserves. With the Scandinavia Merge, we combine the best out of the DLC's Scandinavia and the former areas of ProMods's Scandinavia – from Denmark, Sweden and Norway to Finland.
We're also proud to introduce seven new countries:
- Spain
- Andorra
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Moldova
- Lithuania
- Latvia
And last but not least, many improvements on roads, cities, signs and details all over the map!
Stay tuned for further information by visiting the development topics on our forums or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+!
Many thanks for your support!
Best regards from your Promods Team
Concept text from developers – MIRFI's Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria
With ProMods 2.0 starting to shape up, MIRFI's work is starting to be completed. So I thought I'd "interview" him about his work and share his answers here.
Concept texts from developers is an idea we thought that would liven up the blog a bit. We've asked from all the developers to give us a paragraph or two about their map, which would describe how difficult it was to build it, what we can expect to see and a few opinions from the developer. In this case, we did this "interview" style so we asked some questions to the developer and got answers in return. So, without further ado, let's have a look at his answers to our questions.
1. Why should we drive in the countries you made in your opinion? What makes them stand out from the other countries?
Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria are ex-communist states with Moldova even being an ex-soviet state. These countries give a different feel from the other parts of the map. They both have different architecture styles from the rest of the countries in the Euro Truck Simulator 2 world, since they feature an unique mix of pure undisturbed rural areas and big megalomaniac cities. Romania in particular stands out with some great scenery, the Carpathian mountains and the Black Sea, all of which give this country a rather special feel.
2. What can we expect to see in Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova? Is there anything new in them that we've never seen in ProMods so far?
Great scenery, and a lot of 2 lane roads! As mentioned their cities are built with a different style over the current cities in Euro Truck Simulator 2. The feeling that these cities give is very different from what we are all used to.
3. Was it difficult to build these countries? Were there any challenges along the way?
Yes, it was difficult, but it was fun too. The fact that the project was restarted from scratch during the building phase (due to some technical problems) and the lack of free time that I'm confronting with didn't really make things any easier. But it was awesome to bring my home country to the game's world!
3. Did you enjoy building these countries?
I loved it! Especially the Eastern part of Romania (the place where I live) and the Republic of Moldova.
4. Which is your favourite road/city/spot in these countries? Which place would you recommend us to go to?
They all deserve a visit! Romania has it all. From endless sunny plains to 2500m high mountains. Moldova has many hills, but it's fun to drive country too. I would recommend you though to explore the eastern half of Romania, crossing the mountain passes over the Carpathian Mountains. Don't forget to check out Piatra-Neamț, where you'll be able to spot the house where I live or the city of Constanța, at the black sea shore. The capital of Moldova, Chișinău, is really worth a visit too!
That's all from MIRFI, and on behalf of the ProMods blog team, we'd like to thank him for his contribution. And now, some pictures from his recommendations:


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14 Cars Deep: Case in Point!/
I couldn't resist capturing this moment. Annie will be two next month. How did that happen? She makes me laugh and smile and love harder and deeper each new day.
And sometimes... she proves a point or two.
Case in point. Sometimes waiting in line is worth it.