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Member Review
Read an Excerpt
My Life with Leopards
Fransje van Riel
Londolozi Game Reserve Mpumalanga, South Africa 30 May 1993
Tossing and turning sleeplessly, I listened through the canvas walls of my tent to lions calling less than a kilometre from camp. As they bellowed into the night sky, I recognised the voices of the two Dudley Males as they patrolled the far northern boundary of their territory.
Hhhhhoouuuwww. Hhhoouuuwww. Hhhoouuuwww. Huh. Huh. huh.
The cold night air carried their throaty roars far into the cloudless night across the open bushveld to reach their females who had remained further south with their offspring. Battle-scarred, belligerent and mature in years, the Dudley Males swaggered through the bush with the slow, nonchalant arrogance of those aware of their own power, parting herds of antelope like monarchs striding through a crowd. Reciprocating the calls from deep inside the reserve, five lionesses and their three large, shaggy sub-adult cubs were resting beside the remains of their day-old kill and in no hurry to meet their pride males. The Dudley Pride normally remained in the very heart of their territory while the two brothers plodded to each and every corner of their domain, scent marking and defending their land against the powerful Sparta Pride that kept territory to the north.
The Castleton Lionesses were at the helm of the Sparta Pride; two sisters, big, ruthless females and expert killers who often managed to pull down an adult giraffe between the two of them. The sisters were a living legend amongst the Londolozi rangers and with their five sub-adult sons and three burly daughters they formed a hefty pride that few other lions dared to confront. Now two years old, the formidable cubs had been sired by the Mala Mala males, two robust lions that crossed on to the land from time to time from the neighbouring private reserve. They had delegated parental responsibilities such as hunting and defending their core area to the Castleton Lionesses whose matriarchal rule remained unchallenged by the pride males.
The unusual set-up had its roots in a cruel twist of fate many years before when one of the neighbouring landowners allowed his son to shoot the resident male as a trophy for his eighteenth birthday present. Fierce squabbles exploded among several females from rival prides until one day two nomadic brothers, recently ousted from their own pride, padded into the area to find a fortuitous vacuum. Still lanky, with gangling bodies and scrawny manes, the Dudley Males quickly and instantly demarcated the territory as their own, switching between the Sparta and Dudley prides.
A shiver ran down my spine as I listened to the gruff voices and tapering rumbles growing more distant into the night. Pulling my blankets up to my chin, I imagined the two brothers padding through the darkness, heads swaying slightly, as they moved back to their pride through sandy gullies and thick Combretum woodland. I had heard lions calling for as many years as I had been at Londolozi and I admired their brutish strength, phenomenal resilience and even their cold callousness – the characteristics that ensured that they remained at the top of the food chain. But now, for the first time, I also felt a distinct sense of dread. Lions were the big ones, much more so than hyenas or leopards.
In the distance I heard an impala ram snort an alarm, a sneeze-like warning to alert his drifting herd to the presence of the Dudley brothers as they moved across the open plains. The impala were right to be wary; I had witnessed brutal death descending on an unsuspecting animal in a short moment of carelessness.
Closing my eyes, I tried to shut out the image of innocent leopard cubs that had over the years been savagely mauled and left for dead by lions and involuntarily I murmured a silent prayer for the two tiny leopard cubs that were due to arrive in camp tomorrow.
Turning over once more, I felt the anxiety of the past few days creeping back into my mind. John Varty, co-owner of Londolozi and my boss, had secured two six-week-old leopard cubs from a private zoo in Zimbabwe with the intention of using them in a commercial Hollywood movie depicting a fictionalised version of the true-life relationship he had shared with a female leopard that he had been able to follow and film on the reserve for fourteen years. The Mother Leopard, as she became known, allowed John an extraordinary insight into the secretive life of a leopard and, capturing this on film, John indirectly ensured that Londolozi became South Africa's premier destination for unique leopard sightings. When the Mother Leopard disappeared after being mauled either by lions or another leopard at the ripe old age of seventeen, John was determined to pay homage to her through the medium he knew best – the world of film.
The prospect of raising two six-week-old leopard cubs in the middle of the bush was mind-blowing and although it was a dream that I could never have imagined, now that it was just around the corner I also felt some grave misgivings. Was I really capable of becoming a parent to two baby leopards? How would I protect them in a challenging environment where lions, hyenas and other leopards roamed freely and would have little empathy for two small newcomers? Would I know instinctively how to care for them? Where would I even start?
I was under no illusions that what I was about to embark on was a weighty responsibility and I knew I would never forgive myself if anything happened to them while they were in my care. I had gone through my share of personal loss early on in life and I was aware of the pain and heartbreak that lay at the end of the ride. The intention was for the cubs to be released in the wild once they had grown up and this was what I had to prepare them for.
IT SEEMED THAT everything in my life so far had been leading towards this night. My lifelong passion for the bush had begun when I was a young boy during family visits to the Kruger National Park with my parents and my sister Celia. One visit was all it took to get me hooked and that was the start of a long childhood drive to leave the big city and be at one with wild animals in their own pristine environment. Friends and family had warned my parents against taking two toddlers there for a weekend break, predicting that they'd end up with two screaming children in the back seat, but Celia and I were instantly captivated and the only crying we did was when we left the gates to head home to Johannesburg.
I had my first taste of actually living in the bush at the age of nineteen during the second year of my military service in the South African army when I volunteered to go to the Namibian border to work as a chef. I had never been interested in weapons or in fighting wars for anyone. So ducking that side of things by cooking for the army guys who were testing G6 cannons developed by the South African apartheid government seemed a good way to fulfil my compulsory second year of service.
Immediately after making breakfast I'd leave the base camp and disappear on long walks into the bush, observing and trying to identify birds and small animals that scuttled between the clumps of grass beneath my feet. Sleeping in a tent and wearing nothing but a pair of shorts felt incredibly liberating from the complications of city life. It was as if I had come home to the place where I was supposed to be.
Once back in the sprawling crowds of the metropolis after completing my military service, I enrolled at the Pretoria Technikon to study Nature Conservation and Field Management. But after six months of daily traffic jams and road rage I couldn't bear the idea of another three years so, somewhat against my own better judgement, I dropped out and started sending letters to a number of private game reserves, hoping to find a job in the bush. When Londolozi offered me a position as rookie game ranger in the stunning Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve I was over the moon. Finally, I was heading in the right direction.
I was assigned to work with a Shangaan tracker named Carlson Mathebula who shared with me his vast knowledge of all aspects of bush craft, from tracking wild animals and evaluating their spoor to identifying trees and birds. Under his guidance I became alert to the smallest of details: an area of flattened grass that pointed to where a lion had recently rested, a flock of tiny birds calling an alarm to the presence of a snake slithering through the undergrowth, or the screeching calls of baboons and vervet monkeys protesting at a predatory creature nearby – a leopard perhaps, stealing low over the ground.
Carlson and I worked closely together for a number of years and what I found most impressive of all was his uncanny ability to track lions. He seemed fearless, picking up on and investigating the tiniest of clues, such as finding a single lion's hair left behind on a small bush. He walked ahead of me but I still felt a little anxious being on foot close to a lion, even though I was the one armed with a rifle. But those were special times and I experienced a heightening of all my senses and felt joyously alive. I could barely believe I was paid just to be there.
AFTER THE PRIVILEGE of Carlson's tutelage I felt pretty confident that I could deal with just about any situation I might stumble on in the bush but the venture I was about to undertake was entirely different. Being the protector of two baby leopards would mean that I was no longer an outsider, a mere observer of the situations and dangers that wild animals face every day. I would now be a part of it, which in itself was hugely exciting. Never in my wildest fantasies had I ever imagined I would be doing something like this, but I wasn't complacent about it. Leopards are dangerous animals, inscrutable and much less predictable than lions or cheetahs. According to some experts, they were not to be trusted beyond the age of six months even if they had been hand-reared. They could turn on you in the blink of an eye.
I shivered as a cloud of freezing cold air blew through the fine mesh netting of the tent's fly screen. Winter had definitely arrived. It was still very dark, perhaps a few hours before dawn. Tomorrow was the last day of May and the few short sweet weeks of autumn were already behind us, bringing sunny and pleasantly warm days with bitterly cold evenings and nights.
I had moved out of my room in the staff quarters of the Londolozi Main Camp a couple of days earlier so that I could acclimatise to my new life in a small unpretentious camp on the banks of the sandy Inyatini riverbed that wound in a large S-shape through the thick Combretum bushveld. The donga was a small tributary of the wide dry Xabene riverbed which snaked through the centre of the reserve from the east through tall trees, shrubs and thorny thickets that were an excellent food source for browsers like elephants, kudu, nyala and steenbok.
My camp had been specially set up for the cubs and was unfenced. It was small and intimate, consisting of no more than a small collection of tents, including my large comfortable Meru tent, a bush shower that was open on the side overlooking the riverbed and a long-drop toilet banished to the far side. A large weeping wattle bowed over my tent on the right and a few metres to the left was the enclosure we had constructed for the cubs, a cage measuring about four by four metres. I had lined the inside with soft river sand to cushion the cubs' young paws and padded the outside metal bars and mesh with thick thorn scrub to keep predators at bay and offer some seclusion from prying eyes.
The camp was well concealed from the outside world, blending perfectly with the Combretum woodland. Knobthorn, russet and red bushwillow trees, weeping wattles and red spike-thorn towered over the bushland with sprinklings of marula trees and thick entanglements of num-num bush, Grewia thickets and river climbing thorn. Then there were the larger trees such as looming leadwoods and rough dark-barked tamboti trees sandwiched along the Inyatini riverbed. The southern bank was open with large sandy areas that sprouted guarri bushes and several grass species; tassel three-awn, carrot seed and thick stands of guinea grass.
No one could see the camp until they followed the road that led straight into it. Early one morning, a few days after I had moved into my tent, a small band of francolins stumbled into the camp from the bush to the north and seemed surprised that it was there. Sometimes a pre-dawn curtain of thick mist enveloped the surrounding bush, pushing a wall of haze all the way to the ground. It was beautiful but also rather eerie. Anything – an elephant or a hyena – could have penetrated that curtain of fog and found themselves in the middle of camp. But to me that just added to its peaceful and natural charm and I felt completely at home.
It was hard to imagine that the Main Camp, with its upmarket conveniences and affluent visitors, was just a few kilometres down the road. Along with the other private reserves in the Sabi Sand, Londolozi offered guests some of the best and most spectacular big game sightings, attracting both local and international clientele to its three exquisite and individually designed signature lodges – Main Camp, Bush Camp and Tree Camp. Luxury accommodation, personal service and fine dining were all part of the Londolozi experience. For me, though, nothing compared with living in the bush, cooking over an open fire and gazing at a roof of stars before spending the night under canvas. I kept the front and back flaps of my tent open with only the fly screen down so that I could listen to the sounds of the bush, whether it was the grunts of the giant eagle owl that had its perch in a leadwood not far from camp or lions calling from across the dry riverbed.
Over the years I had developed the ability to recognise most of the larger big cats in the area individually and could differentiate the features of the various lion prides as well as the territorial leopards. I never tired of scrutinising the faces of these individuals, something that had started when I came across the Mother Leopard for the very first time, on the day I arrived at Londolozi. She was already a mature twelve-year-old but her condition was good and her coat a rich deep gold with dark rosettes. She displayed infinite grace as she made her way down a small road in the heart of the reserve, like a legendary Hollywood actress who still turned every head in the room. When she heard us approaching she paused for a moment and, swivelling her ears, swung her stunningly beautiful body around to face us, staring me straight in the eye for a few hypnotic seconds. Undeterred by our presence, she took several strides towards us until she picked up an interesting scent and the moment was lost. She sniffed at a small patch of grass for a while and then she raised her head to resume her original direction and continued on her way. I fell in love with leopards there and then.
A few months later I fell even more deeply in love. Carlson, who was scanning the bush from the tracker's seat in the Land Rover, signalled to me to slow down while we were driving along the southern section of the reserve with several guests in the back of the open vehicle. As we moved slowly forward through an open area along the Xabene riverbed, he pointed to two tumbling cubs playing on the stump of a fallen tree, their fur mottled and coated with moisture from the early morning dew. The guests were thrilled, suppressing loud exclamations of surprise and excitement as the small cubs, oblivious to the impact they were having, pounced on each other and stalked any new object that caught their attention. I, too, was captivated. Compared to the adult leopards I had seen, these cubs were so small, so innocent, and their fur looked so soft and fluffy.
About two years later, I was driving in the bush by myself on my day off when I saw a big male leopard I called Def padding purposefully through the undergrowth towards a small clearing. He had been born in October 1989, the last of the Mother Leopard's offspring and an only cub who was kept hidden amongst the crevices and thickets while his mother went out hunting. Having grown used to the sound of Land Rovers and the soft murmurs of guests and rangers, the little male soon became extremely habituated to game vehicles and we'd often watch him stumble out of hiding to lie in the cool shade of our Land Rovers.
When I came across him that morning Def was an independent young adult leopard. His body was long and sleek and he had grown muscular and strong but despite the fact that he was a very capable and proficient killer, he still sometimes stopped to brush himself along the sides of our vehicles and rub his huge head and powerful neck on the Land Rover's metal bull bar. Watching him do all these cute cat things never ceased to thrill so, when I saw him moving towards the small clearing, I slowly drove up ahead of him, manoeuvring the vehicle so that I wouldn't block his path, but giving me an excellent opportunity to watch him close up once again. I switched off the ignition and sat back, waiting for him to approach.
Review by
angela c, ReviewerLast updated on 30 Oct 2017
I Recommend This Book
I Recommend This Book
I very much enjoyed this book. I love animals and used to dream of having a job on an expedition just like this. Being let into Graham's world was an amazing experience. I love the way he chronicles everything, detailing each little piece so you can be there with him as he raises these two leopard cubs. You can hear the hyenas howling in the night, yipping to each other in their quest for scraps, the lions snuffling as they explore through the camp, it was so "in your face" I loved the raw power of it.


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Hubpages: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Hubpages. Like spaghetti, it has become a real tangled mess of oddities that provides truth and misleading truth and lies because every writer does have an agenda. Whether it is to make $$ somehow, be discovered by some literary agent looking for the next Tom Clancy, or to promote one's own agenda via lies, half-truths or something written with no research. Some just like to see their talent online, being seen by someone in India or Nome, Alaska. Some make their effort to be popular via writing a series of really trite, meaningless topics with a photo of a Hot dude or woman. Still, others, create small masterpieces that truly are interesting to read. One can tell the writer simply likes to write, honing their craft like a razor on a topic that is dear to them. Others steer the reader to some sort of link or biz that the writer makes money from.
Is this why the creator of Hubpages launched it? What exactly was the original concept and target? Just to flood the Internet with a hodgepodge of material with smart keywords so the search engines will pick the thread up? How much has the creator made from this and from all of us who are writing? What is the most anyone really has made from Hubpages?, how often? Does having a rating of 100 mean you are a good writer or just someone who attracts with offbeat topics and a lot of luck? Does it mean you are making serious dinero? or, is it just an ego thing? Lots of questions that never seem to get straight answers. Hmmm............
You can tell those who are simply writing for a high rating as they create like 10 hubs a day on some of the most lame things, i.e., How to plant a plant, How to string a guitar, Hot babes from India and so on. Some just repeat what others have said somewhere in print or on the web, like, the Worst Cars Ever Made. How many of these does Hubpages have? The choices presented, if one does even a scintilla of research, will soon see the information is simply wrong and misleading. Everyone has an opinion about this, but, at least exclude cars that when they were released, were Car of the Year!
Then you always have a ton of movie reviewers, each with their own take. What cracks me up is when there is a review of a movie before it was released or just on the day of release. Some obviously do a cut and paste job from other websites verbatim.
Hubpages does have its competitors that are more careful who is selected to contribute. One is Mahalo.com, one can make money but first you have to write and then be approved by its staff. The same is true for Examiner.com, there, you can only write about areas you are experienced in. There are many others also using the same filtering mechanisms. Are they better?
Only thing better is the content. There is less trite topics and more valuable information to some degree. The degree that they are better is marginal but it is there. As for me, I just do it because I like it. If I make some money fine, but so far, not a dime. One never knows who might be reading. If you write, try to have something worthwhile to say, that is how to get readers to follow!
I completely agree with almost everything you said. The worst cars ever may seem bad, but have you seen the ones that are like how to buy a yellow scarf on ebay, how to buy a bright yellow scarf on ebay, how to buy a dark yellow scarf on ebay, yellow scarves on ebay, why you should buy yellow scarves from ebay etc etc etc and then 20 more except in pink! Jeezzz where is the regulation?

subset: commoncrawl


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New Construction
Roof Replacement
Roof Repair
Skylights /Vents/Drainage/waterproofing - Waterproofing membranes are known for their quality and durability. All the same, roof waterproofing systems need a maintenance plan developed by the designer or contractor. As the proverb states, "a stitch in time saves nine."
Site Inspections
Preventative maintenance - When a crack or hole is observed on the roof, it is important to repair it as soon as possible. There are many efficient solutions to protect your roof from leaks temporarily or permanently, according to the age and condition of the waterproofing system. Contact a DJ Roofing waterproofing professional to obtain smart advice on the best repair options for your project.
Maintenance and Assessment
In general, a flat roof lasts longer if it is properly maintained. The life expectancy of a flat roof can be proportional to the maintenance done on it. Some assessors use 10 years as an average life cycle, although this is dependent on the type of flat roof system in place. Some old tar and gravel roofers quietly acknowledge that unless a roof has been neglected for too long and there are many problems in many areas, a BUR (a built up roof of tar, paper and gravel) will last 20 – 30 years. There are BUR systems in place dating to the early 1900s.
Modern cold applied liquid membranes have been durability rated by the British Board of Agreement (BBA) for 30 years. BBA approval is an important benchmark in determining the suitability of a particular fibreglass roofing system. If standard fibreglass polyester resin is used such as the same resin used in boat repairs, then there will be problems with the roof being too inflexible and not able to accommodate expansion and contraction of the building. A fit-for-purpose flexible/elastomeric resin system used as a waterproofing membrane will last for many years with just occasional inspection needed. The fact that such membranes do not require stone chippings to deflect heat means there is no risk of stones blocking drains. Liquid applied membranes are also naturally resistant to moss and lichen.
General flat roof maintenance includes getting rid of ponding water, typically within 48 hours. This is accomplished by adding roof drains or scuppers for a pond at an edge or automatic siphons for ponds in the center of roofs. An automatic siphon can be created with an inverted ring shaped sprinkler, a garden hose, a wet/dry vacuum, a check valve installed in the vacuum, and a digital timer. The timer runs two or three times a day for a minute or two to start water in the hose. The timer then turns off the vacuum, but the weight of water in the hose continues the siphon and soon opens the check valve in the vacuum. The best time to address the issue of ponding water is during the design phase of a new roofing project when sufficient falls can be designed-in to take standing water away. The quicker you get the water off the roof, the less chance there is for a roof leak to occur.
All roofs should be inspected semi-annually and after major storms. During the roof inspection particular attention should be paid to the flashings around all of the roof top penetrations. The sharp bends at such places can open up and need to be sealed with plastic cement, mesh and a small mason's trowel. Additionally, repairs to lap seams in base flashings should be made. 90% of all roof leaks and failure occur at the flashings. Another important maintenance item, often neglected, is to simply keep the roof drains free of debris. A clogged roof drain will cause water to pond, leading to increased "dead load" weight on building that may not be engineered to accommodate that weight. Additionally, ponding water on a roof can freeze. Often, water finds its way into a flashing seam and freezes, weakening the seam.
For bitumen based roof coverings maintenance also includes keeping the tar paper covered with gravel, an older method, currently being replaced with bituminous roofing membranes and the like, which must be 'glued' in place so wind and waves do not move it causing scouring and more bare spots. The glue can be any exterior grade glue like driveway coating.
Maintenance also includes fixing blisters (delaminations) or creases that may not yet be leaking but will leak over time. They may need experienced help as they require scraping away the gravel on a cool morning when the tar is brittle, cutting open, and covering with plastic cement or mastic and mesh. Any moisture trapped in a blister has to be dried before being repaired.
Roof coatings can be used to fix leaks and extend the life of all types of flat roofs by preventing degradation by the sun (ultra-violet radiation). A thickness of 30 dry mils is usually preferred and once it is fully cured, you will have a seamless, watertight membrane.
Infrared thermography is being used to take pictures of roofs at night to find trouble spots. When the roof is cooling, wet spots not visible to the naked eye, continue to emit heat. The infrared cameras read the heat that is trapped in sections of wet insulation.


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Dear Folks,
I have received notice that low-bandwidth connection might prevent your access to my Series 5 Podcasts on Using Wikis in Distance Education through the Studio.Odeo website (thanks Pam). I too have found some recent difficulties with Odeo. The series however are also available on iTunes, as indicated in the screen grab a few days ago of the iTunes Application available on Mac/Linux/PC - and also through the rss feed to my podcasts in my left column margin here. Additionally you may like to access them directly from my podcasting website at
I can of course email them directly - or snail-mail them on CD-ROM ;-)
All Best Wishes
17 July 2007
Podcast Update : additional access
Posted by Paul Kawachi at Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Labels: URLs for podcasts
1 comment:
- Diane M said...
I really enjoyed listening to your podcasts and reading the posts on your blog. You have a lot of information of great value to all of us who teach.
- 17 July 2007 at 16:29
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The General Motors Diet prominently known as the Gm diet is really a diet design made by the GM representatives. It was made concentrating on getting more fit rapidly and effectively. This auto organization composed a health program which rinse the poisons of the body and working up the certainty and identity of a man. This GM diet design likewise prompts a more beneficial life.
Gm diet design depends on the rule of decreasing weight by eating just the nourishments of the arrangement. In alternate words, lessening weight with an adjusted diet. Keeping up this diet frequently will enable you to lose enormous measure of weight rapidly. It likewise causes you get into propensity for eating new foods grown from the ground.
To enable you to feel attractive at yourself in the mirror and to build your stamina and certainty level, today, I am will give you a little look at the 7 days diet design in light of the Gm diet. You can likewise take after this GM diet intend to accomplish wanted weight.
Set yourself up by drinking a lot of unadulterated water which you should proceed with each and every day for 7 days. It will help support your digestion and vitality for the duration of the day. On the off chance that you are a heavy drinker, at that point you ought to stop the liquor while following this diet design. In the event that you need to get the genuine result of this diet design then you ought not botch it up with anything as opposed to simply entirely adhere to the diet design.
Day 1: Gm diet design starts with organic products in the primary day. Have every one of the natural products accessible in your kitchen for the duration of the day aside from bananas. Water melon and melon are great decisions since they have a lot of water in them. You can likewise have natural product juice. Get every one of the organic products together and make a juice out of them in a blender and drink the juice to build your vitality and furthermore to convey sparkle to your skin. Drink a lot of water.
Day 2: You can start the second day with all the crude or cooked vegetables. You can select prepared potatoes with margarine for breakfast. Make servings of mixed greens and appreciate them for the duration of the day. You can utilize white wine (vinegar), lemon and herbs for seasoning however not the dressings. The plate of mixed greens dressing will essentially ruin the entire diet. Bear in mind to drink water.
Day 3: Blend the products of the soil vegetables and expend the following day. You can consolidate the products of the soil vegetables on the third day barring the bananas from leafy foods from vegetables. Have a lot of water for the duration of the day.
Day 4: On the fourth day, you can go for drain and bananas. Expend 8 bananas and no less than 3 glasses of drain with no extra sweet on this day. Permit the potassium and calcium of the drain and bananas to be the primary piece of this diet on this day. You can influence drain and banana to soup since it may not be workable for you to have all the 8 bananas on a day. Proceed with drinking loads of water.
Day 5: Have meat and tomatoes on the fifth day alongside continuation of drinking a lot of water. Infact on this day you should build the quart of water you take day by day. It is on the grounds that it will enable you to dispose of the uric corrosive your body produces. Take a lean hamburger meat and six entire tomatoes during the current day.
Day 6: This day is a festival day, since you can have boundless measures of the high and lean protein and vegetables. Be that as it may, keep in mind to have a lot of water as well.
Day 7: For the most recent day, expend the organic product juices, vegetables and dark colored rice. There ought not be any meat on this day. The natural product juices ought to be without included sugar. Have a lot of water on this day as well.
The following day you will clearly feel lighter. You will have officially released around 17 pounds or more. In any case, on the off chance that you need to be skinnier, you can rehash the dinner gets ready for the following week. After the main week diet design you can have a glass of white wine or brew. In any case, don't go for liquor like vodka, rum or whiskey. Velvety beverages will likewise give negative impact to your wellbeing amid the season of this diet design.
How the GM diet plan works:
GM diet Plan works – Day 1 – Day 7:
Day 1: The natural products that you have on the main day is to set up your framework for the diets of the days ahead. Organic products are the genuine normal wellspring of sustenance which you body needs before getting into the GM diet design. They will give al the essential supplements to the body which you presumably overcome your every day full dinners.
Day 2: The second day will begin to settle the intricate sugars those which are cluttered and blended with oil dosage to give vitality and adjust to the body. This day with vegetables will give calorie free basic supplements and fiber to the body. The admission of a lot of water will likewise help expel numerous poisons from the body.
Day 3: On this day, your body will dispose of the potatoes since you will get starches from the products of the soil juice. Your body will be totally prepared for the further diet design and furthermore to consume overabundance fats at this point. Your carvings will likewise get lessen by the following day.
Day 4: You were not permitted to eat bananas the earlier days but rather on the fourth day, a lot of bananas and drain is required for increasing back the potassium your body has lost. You will likewise wind up losing wants for desserts. You will have a hard time believing how quick and simple this diet design takes a shot at your body.
Day 5: The meat and tomatoes on this day will give iron and protein to the body. The tomatoes are useful for absorption and fills in as fiber. This will sanitize your framework and you will likewise see a drab pee on this day. The measure of water you take will sanitize every one of the debasements of your framework on this day. You should eat all the six tomatoes on this day.
Day 6: Like the earlier day, the sixth day will likewise give proteins and iron from the hamburger to the body. The body will extricate the vitamins and fiber from the vegetables you go up against this day. By this day, there will be a recognizable contrast on your body when contrasted with the primary day.
Day 7: Now you have your framework under control. You can consider losing your weight in the event that you are not happy with the 7 days diet result. Your body will be significantly more advantageous than it was seven days prior.
GM diet design goes for getting more fit and picking up a solid body in seven days. You will most likely get the outcomes following seven days in the event that you tail it entirely.
You don't have to drag for a little while or months. This is a critical diet design will lessen your weight and in the meantime influencing your skin to shine.
However, before you begin this diet design, you ought to make sure to be sufficiently sound on this diet. You would first be able to counsel your specialist in the event that you are in any solution.
There are some Do's and Don'ts while following the GM diet plan. For better outcome you ought to likewise take after these……
- Have the vegetables in a salad form.
- Pick the vegetable of your choice or those which you like to eat.
- Start to take soup from day 4 on wards.
- For adding flavours to your meal, use the vinegar, lemon, garlic or herbs.
- Avoid salad dressing
- Skipping the diet on any day will simply destroy your diet.
- Do not have kidney beans, lima beans and pinto. They contain high starch and calories
- Use only one teaspoon of oil on the vegetable while cooking them.
While following the GM diet design you ought to likewise remember that duping or avoiding the dinner may cause the eating intend to put on your weight. A little exercise will give you better outcome. Drinking a lot of water is the most imperative factor while following this diet.
This GM diet design is extremely a compelling one on the off chance that you tail it truly. Along these lines, on the off chance that you need to diminish your weight or peer thin inside seven days, you should attempt this diet. Attempt this for a week and get an alternate weight and look. Adore yourself by getting another look without hard exercise or sitting tight for long days. Only seven days is sufficient for you to accomplish the weight reduction you wanted for so long. Gm diet design will enable you to accomplish it. In this way, simply attempt this diet from the following week and get a changed self inside seven days!
Things you should know about mass gainers
We all are living a fast-paced life where most of us don't have enough time to take care of our proper amount of nutritional needs. To make sure they get all the nutrition that are important in gaining mass, many people are adding mass gainers in their diet. In this article, we will try to cover everything you need to know about a mass gainer.
What is a Mass Gainer?
The most basic thing about gaining weight or building muscle is you need to take more calories in your diet then you burn. A mass gainer is simply a protein powder which is packed with calories. In a Mass gainer, apart from protein you also get carbs, minerals, and other vital vitamins. Mass Gainer, unlike normal protein powders, contains from 500 to 2000 calories.
Gaining mass is not an easy thing, especially for those with over-active metabolisms and for those who have an ectomorph body-type. A mass gainer is a blessing for these people. If you really want a change in your shape, you need to train hard even if you are taking mass gainer. Otherwise, you will get extra fat instead of extra mass.
How to use a mass gainer?
Using a mass gainer is a very simple process. If you have ever tried whey protein or even milkshake, you know what you need to do.
You will need to mix the mass gainer powder with any liquid you want. You can mix it with water, milk or even with juice. If you want some extra calories mix it with milk and if you prefer taste then you can mix it with juice or with water.
This supplement (https://www.pumpninc.com/best-mass-gainers-top-10-weight-gain-supplements/)won't mix well if you are trying to mix it using a spoon. It is advisable that you should use a blender, juicer or a shaker cup to mix it.
Another question which comes to your mind is how much of mass gainer you need to take at once. It depends on your gender, the desired size you want, metabolisms, the product you are using and on the goals you wish to achieve. If you have a high metabolism then you need to have more mass gainer to get the result you want. Generally speaking, you should take 1 or 2 scoops at once in your shake. More than 2 scoops may leave the shake lumpy which is not really pleasant experience.
One more thing you need to know is, you can take mass gainer any time of the day. It does not really matter when you take it as it won't make much difference. Some like to take it at breakfast, some take it before the workout, some during the workout and some take it after the workout. Make sure you are doing daily exercise if you are taking these supplements.
Benefits of Mass Gainer
One of the best thing about mass gainer is; it increases calorie consumption in your diet. You need more calories in your body then you burn to really make muscles. Mass gainer contains protein, carbs and everything your body needs in a single shake. This helps those who don't have much time to prepare a proper meal, also those who want to grow muscle faster.
Mass gainer also gives you the energy to complete your exercise and training. Also, it will help you in your digestion. It contains the fiber while helps you digest food easily and make sure you have a healthier body. If you have any dietary deficit you are not aware of, using mass gainer can help you with that with all the vitamins and minerals it contains. There are many benefits of using a mass gainer as it contains almost everything your body needs.
Side Effects and Cautions
There are some side effects of using mass gainer you should know if you overdo it, you will get fat instead of muscles. Mass gainer contains many ingredients and because of that, you can have an allergic reaction. If you feel itchy or nauseous after taking it, you should stop taking it. Some other side effects are an upset stomach, bloating and other digestion problems. Lastly, Mass gainer is not very tasty, to be honest.
Mass gainer has been very helpful for bodybuilders. If you are taking mass gainer, make sure to do hard training as well to get a proper result and not fat. After reading all the benefits and side effects it will be easier for you to decide whether you need a mass gainer or not.


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Thursday, June 6, 2013
Guessing Game #6 - Be Inspired with Angie
Today I'm sharing a layout I created using the June Main kit and Embellie Add-on Kit. I was inspired to go back through and find a sketch that Kasia has created earlier this year. The sketch I picked is one from back in April. I love the rays and the design. I would encourage you to do the same.
I ended up following the sketch pretty closely. I love the square frames that come in the main kit. With the frames I was able to frame 3 pictures in 3 different sizes. I also love how the patterned paper that comes in the kit perfectly matches every little detail in the kit.
One of my favorite things each month is the twine that is tied around the packaging. I took this twine and place it around my rays to amke them pop. I also love those cute Cork arrows that come in the Main Kit.
I hope I have inspired you to go back through the sketches and find some new inspiration.
13 comments:
I love the idea of using the twine around the rays.ReplyDelete
Great page Angie!!! Love the mix of colors and your fun interpretation of the sketch!ReplyDelete
LOVE your page!!! So bright and SUPER CUTE!!!ReplyDelete
LOVE your page!!! So bright and SUPER CUTE!!!ReplyDelete
I love this page! Very inspiring!ReplyDelete
I see the Studio Calico arrows and cork arrows. And I see Crate Paper's The Pier collection frames.
this is so super cute, i love itReplyDelete
I love those Studio calico arrows and it looks like some of the new pier paper. I love the cork chevrons. So colorful and creative!ReplyDelete
Ohh I love the colours in this page! It's so bright and colourful!ReplyDelete
And I especially like how the rays don't take up the entire page!
What an awesome layout! I love the way you used the frames and the patterned papersReplyDelete
Great design and like how you use twine!ReplyDelete
love how you make the sunray pop with the twine. And those twines from the packaging are my fave too!ReplyDelete
Woohoo. Crate Paper frames!ReplyDelete
Love this Angie! I didn't even know Kasia made a sketch with a sunray! My 6x6 project is super similar.. Lol!ReplyDelete


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Job title: Leisure Travel Consultant to Business Travel Consultant
Salary: £22,000
Location: Buckinghamshire
Our client is a well-established Business Travel Company who are looking to recruit a Business Travel Consultant to join their expanding team:
Key Responsibilities of the Business Travel Consultant would include:
Experience and skills required of the Business Travel Consultant
The Business Travel Consultant role would suit a candidate who would like to move into the Business Travel sector from the Leisure Travel side of the industry. Our client does not require previous knowledge of a GDS and will offer training on their system. However, if you are an experienced Business Travel Consultant with knowledge of a GDS (Worldspan preferred) they will cross-train and are prepared to offer a higher starting salary.
To apply for the Business Travel Consultant position, please click on the link below or call Prospect4Corporate Travel on.
Alternatively apply online via our website javascript:void(0); where you can register your CV, receive job alerts and see all of our current vacancies.


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SSAE 16 Hosting
As the first Michigan data center operator to achieve SSAE 16 Type II certification for both our Ann Arbor data center and Mid-Michigan data center, we can verify we provide a highly secure and compliant hosting environment.
SSAE 16 has replaced the original standard – SAS 70. If you need a data center partner that has the most current certifications to satisfy national compliance requirements, we can provide the security your company needs. Take advantage of our audit status and apply it to your own hosted applications or data.
A SSAE 16 audit measures the controls related to financial recordkeeping and reporting, the same as a SOC 1 report.
What is SSAE 16?
In April 2010, the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) announced the retirement of SAS 70 to be replaced by SSAE (Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements) 16.
SAS 70 does not set any standards for data center excellence; it merely verifies that the controls and processes set in place by a data center are actually followed. It was also intended to report on the financial controls of an organization. SSAE 16 is different because it not only verifies controls and processes, but also requires verification of design and operating effectiveness.
There are two types of SSAE 16 audits:
- Type 1 - Audtiors test the accuracy of the service provider's description and assertion.
- Type 2 - Auditors test the accuracy of the service provider's description and assertion, as well as the implementation and effectiveness of controls over a specific period of time.
In addition to SSAE 16, a new framework for examining the controls at a service organization has been established by three Service Organization Control (SOC) reports.
Find out more about the changing standards and the latest news on SSAE 16, SOC and SAS 70:
SOCs and SASs: The New Standards for Service Organization Controls Reporting


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High Tech companies can generate revenue via selling their products of course but also via:
2) technology monetization
Patent Monetization
Patent Monetization may comprise several methods which are compared here:
- Divesting their patent or applications yet retaining the right to practice the inventions in their products through a grant back license.
- Divesting technology assets with or without the relevant patents
- Licensing their patents
- Using their Patents as collateral to raise financing for business operations or for licensing/litigation
Technology Monetization
Frequently companies find they want to license their technology to other providers who are highly capable of taking it to market or they might want to completely divest (sometimes spin out) their technology.
There may be a strong desire to deploy a licensing or divestment model for their technology. Kanzatec's experienced operating executives are able to help achieve either licensing or divestment (e.g. M&A) objectives through a depth of experience and a breadth of network that spans not only patents/IP but corporate development and business unit executives across a variety of high tech firms.


text: So all I wanted to do was sync one video onto my iPad. I go to my library add the video, go to myipad on the list on the left side, then I go to movies tab up top, select the video and hit sync. When I hit apply it says are you sure you want to remove all 32 apps from your ipad, and I click no. So I have to go to the apps tab up top and select sync apps otherwise it deletes them all from my ipad. Now I dont want to sync my apps every time I add a video or music is there a way to do this? Also why does it rearrange all my apps by name instead of how I had them placed after I sync. Is there a way to sync just one video instead of worrying about syncing everything else.


text: e have the scariest corn maze in the area! The maze, which features seven acres of twists and turns carved into a corn field, is one of the biggest and most popular events sponsored by GRIP every year. The opening-night activities will feature a strongman competition at 4 p.m., a performance by the bluegrass group Bright Water Junction at 6 p.m. and a fireworks display at dark. Proceeds will go to Ozark Food Harvest. The maze will remain open until Nov. 1, and will include family friendly attractions such as hay rides, movie nights on Friday and Saturday evenings, games, animals and rides for children. Beginning on Oct. 3, the maze will kick off its "Field of Screams" tour, in which the maze will be populated by ghosts and goblins.


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I am going to give you insider knowledge and a great strategy to win against cash offers.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I'll spend the first four sharpening the axe."
It is extremely important to have a plan of action when buying a home. Let me give you a recommendation for the best plan of action:
1. Be prepared – being pre-qualified or pre-approved is not enough. You need for the bank to have already reviewed your income, assets and credit. You want any potential issues addressed ahead of time so, when you're under agreement, you are not chasing any other documentation.
2. Price – on average, you will have to pay 2-3% higher than the cash buyer. You need to consult with your real estate agent to determine the price of the home. The seller wants to get the highest price possible, so make your highest offer first.
3. Present a clean offer – don't sweat the small stuff. Your concern should be big things that will affect you living in the home.
4. Be flexible – give the seller the option of when they want to close.
5. Get personal – have your agent present the listing directly to the listing agent with a personal letter on how much you really like the house. A letter can create an emotional response because, even though a real estate is business, it's also personal.
If you have any other mortgage or real estate questions, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.


text:
To find out more information or to place an order, contact Martin at (516) 681-5890 or email email@example.com
Size: 2 3/4" X 2 1/2"
Available in White, Translucent: Green, Orange, Charcoal, Purple, Blue, pink, or Red
Imprint Area: 1 1/4" x 5/8"
Imprint Colors: red, green, blue, black, white, and etc.
Setup Charge: $40.00
Second Imprint: not available
Special Information: $25.00 set -up charge on re-orders. Laser Tuned Pendulum Movement, Single Function, Large, Easy to Read Display, 2 Spring Clips for Easy Belt Attachment, Records from 1 to 99,999 Steps,Gift Box
Art Charges: Where artwork has to be reworked the art charge is $40.00 per hour. Notification will be sent if art charge exceeds $40.00.
Cancellation Fees: Orders cancelled during production will be charged for the work completed at the time of cancellation.
Copy Changes: Hot stamped and silk screened items- same as set-up charge for that item.
Less than Minimum: Unless otherwise specified add $50.00 for all products. Absolute mininum on any style is half the regular minimum unless otherwise specified. On all ceramic, glassware and embroidery items NO LESS THAN MINIMUM ALLOWED.
Over/Under Runs: Plus or minum 5% and billable
PMS Color Match Charges PMS color match charge is $50.00 for pad printed and screen printed items. PMS color matching is not available for hot stamped items.
Production Time: Normal production time for hot stamped, pad printed, and screen printed items is approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
Product Proof: Hot stamped, screen printed, and pad printed items are $50 per color.
Rush Service: Call for rush charges.
Custom Samples: Hot stamped, screen printed, and pad printed items are $50 per color.
All images contained on this page are © 2019 MRM Advertising, All Rights Reserved


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The University of Illinois has fired its head football coach as of this morning. Tim Beckman, the head coach behind this team is now unemployed and looking for work. It's doubtful this former CFL Player & coach will be able to find any work though as it's suspected he's lost his job due to the fact that he mishandles player injuries. The only issue with firing Mr. Beckman is that the season started only days ago, finding a new head coach is urgent.
The University of Illinois more than likely already has a new head coach lined up and their probably waiting until the next game until they announce the new head coach. There are only eight potential replacements which could take over Mr. Beckman's position but none the less what this shows is that the game of football is changing. Respect for the players, their concerns and injuries are becoming more common as ultimately there the ones who fill the seats in the stands and not the coach. This is why so many CFL and NFL football teams have begun to hire more honorable coaches.
Tim Beckman hasn't been able to be reached for comment as of right now. This is a man known for losing his temper so it could be a few days before he releases a statement regarding the future of his career. Though if sports analysts are correct then this man's days of coaching incredible football players are officially over. It now seems that Beckman has finally been Beckman'd.


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Who doesn't love a good ol' fashioned smackdown? You like wrestling? You love zombies? Then you're gonna dig the trailer for director Cody Knott's PRO-WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES, a Kickstarter success story that promises to bring us some "Good Old Fashioned American Violence" with a film whose title tells you everything you need to know.
The film stars Rowdy Roddy Piper, "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Matt Hardy and Kurt Angle, just to name a few. Prepare to get bodyslammed by the craziest thing you'll see all day - the trailer for PRO-WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES.
Director Cody Knott shared his thoughts on making PRO-WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES, stating...
Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies is a labor of love and our effort to bring to the fans what they really want: Good Old American Violence. This is an idea that fans instantly understand but big Hollywood executives don't. We know because we are fans ourselves. If you are tired of boring films trying to teach rather than entertain you, then this film is for you. We will bring you big powerful men and hot women slaughtering waves of zombies! WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT?"
I know I do! No word on when we'll be seeing this nutso looking flick, but we'll be sure to keep you updated on it when we hear it.
PRO-WRESTLERS VS. ZOMBIES star Matt Hardy and his pals


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Cookin' Cookies Preschool FunReviewing: Fundex Cookin' Cookies | Rating:
Cookin' Cookies by Fundex is a delightful game for preschoolers.
It comes in a tin that looks like a mini lunch box (which is also very durable). Inside you find eight "recipe cards" for cookies such as: Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and First Cookies. These list the ingredients in both written and picture form. Then there are the ingredients - circular cards showing the individual ingredient that you hopefully need for your recipe. Also are four "spoons". These have little suction cups attached to them.
The object of the game is to be the first one to get all the ingredients for your cookies. You obtain the ingredients by using your spoon to pick them up.
The ages for this game are 4-7 and it is for 2-4 players.
I have a four year-old and a sis year-old and they enjoy playing this togther. It isn't exceptonally educational, but it is good clean fun !


text:
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Here Comes the Boom!
Get rough, get tough and get ready for the Oklahoma City Thunder Pet ID Tag. Your pup's fan gear will not be complete until they are sporting this NBA officially licensed ID tag on their collar. This pet tag is ultra-light and made with high quality glossy color. Even better, it's guaranteed to protect against rust. Get your pup this stylish tag that features the Thunders signature blue and orange logo on a basketball background. You will be the talk of the town.
When you purchase this ID tag you'll also receive a free tag silencer. The glow-in-the-dark, silicon tag silencer will help to mute the clinking noises that tags typically make. It will also add protection to your tag by preventing it from rubbing against other tags and creating wear-and-tear. Additionally, you'll also receive both an S-Hook and Split ring for your choice of attachment.
Whether you are looking for a way to show you and your pooch's team spirit or if you are looking for a gift for a loved one, this sporty and stylish tag has got you covered.
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Even well trained pets can sometimes get curious and wander off. Take a proactive step in your dog's life and include personal information that will be vital to your dog's safety in these kinds of situations. Here at dogIDs, we make it easy for you to do this by including free, laser engraved personalization with the purchase of any tag. With four lines of text and up to fifteen characters per line you'll have plenty of space for all of the necessary information.
Product Highlights:


text:
U.S. Soldiers Have Some Halloween Fun
American soldiers in Warhorse, Iraq scrounged together some interesting costumes to celebrate Halloween far from home in a 5 kilometer fun race at F.O.B. . Produced by Spc. Jesse Youngstrom. Video courtesy of NewsCore.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
I ... Overy still feel their soldiers from the second and licenses Brigade twenty fifth Infantry Division rose Friday early following morning participate in a five km race in costume competition at Bob warhorse Ira ... Sohn you're in a race in the past ... there was any crystal pastor from what Oklahoma organize a Prince explains why it's important for us to have the kiddies like this for soldiers while their tipple ... so ... oh ... Fairweather ... in Manhattan ... by now ... how ...


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I'm dipping into the store again and this week am grabbing an image that was doing a LOT of complaining. It insisted that I snag it and present it to all of you. Sheesh, there were tears and everything! It is possible that some of you may have picked this up as a freebie in the past but at least for those of you who are newer followers, this one will be brand new.
Now I double dare you to figure this one out! Same rules as last time. For anyone who leaves a comment with the correct guess, I'll send you a free paper. Of course, you will have to wait until Tuesday to know if you were correct.
So make sure you come back in three days so you can pick up another of Naomi's sweet images as a freebie. I'll provide another update on Naomi's situation at that time if one is available.
Until then,
on behalf of


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Annual Housing Survey, 1975 [United States]: Travel-to-Work [SMSAs] (ICPSR 7849)
Version Date: Jan 12, 2006 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
United States. Bureau of the Census
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
This data collection provides travel-to-work data for respondents living in 21 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs). Data cover respondents' place of work, means of transportation to work, carpooling and carpool occupancy, time and distance from home to work, and time of departure for work. The data also include transportation-related information such as access to a garage or carport at respondent's home, cost of rented parking spaces, and number of cars owned. Information about respondents's neighborhoods includes existence of street noise or heavy street traffic, poor street conditions, crime, objectionable odors, adequacy of schools, fire and police protection, health clinics, and respondents' opinions of the overall neighborhood quality. The data contained in this collection are from the travel-to-work supplement in ANNUAL HOUSING SURVEY, 1975 [UNITED STATES]: SMSA FILES (ICPSR 7976). The travel-to-work supplement was sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation, and the data was collected by the Census Bureau during April 1975 through March 1976. The data are contained in 21 files, one file for each SMSA represented. Demographic information collected on each respondent includes sex, age, race, marital status, and household relationship. Additional information on the household head includes educational attainment, Hispanic origin, and length of residence in current domicile.
Citation View help for Citation
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Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Time Period(s) View help for Time Period(s)
Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection
Sample View help for Sample
The sample was taken from ANNUAL HOUSING SURVEY, 1975 [UNITED STATES]: SMSA FILES (ICPSR 7976).
Universe View help for Universe
Persons aged 14 years and older who had a job in the week preceding the interview, living in housing units in 21 selected SMSAs in the United States.
Data Source View help for Data Source
personal interviews
Method of Data Collection View help for Method of Data Collection
Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date
Version History View help for Version History
- United States. Bureau of the Census. Annual Housing Survey, 1975 [United States]: Travel-to-Work [SMSAs]. ICPSR07849-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 1982. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07849.v1
2006-01-12 All files were removed from dataset 22 and flagged as study-level files, so that they will accompany all downloads.
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions.
- The citation of this study may have changed due to the new version control system that has been implemented.
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.


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We have lost 34 players this week(can be found on the Merseyside) full list will be available later on.
You can download the list of Week 1 picks/players, here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c46k2lyw7baeopk/Last%20Man%20Standing%20Week%201.pdf
Week 2 - will be the mid week game Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th. Here is a list of the games and remember get text your name and team to Gerry on 087 7590741 or Sarah on 087 2722878 Monday night the latest or your team will be automatically entered first alphabetically..
Tuesday 28th
Norwich V Newcastle
Swansea V Fulham
Manchester United V Cardiff
Southampton V Arsenal
Crystal Palace V Hull City
Liverpool V Everton
Wednesday 29th
Tottenham V Manchester City
Sunderland V Stoke
Chelsea V West Ham
Aston Villa V West Brom
Best of luck!
[Untitled] >


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This past fall, I read Magic to the Bone, the first book of the Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk. For those who aren't familiar, it's an urban fantasy novel set in Portland – but in a parallel time where magic is a commodity and a – relatively – normal part of life. I had enjoyed the book, but it didn't give me the gotta-get-the-next-one-NOW urge that some books do (perhaps because my list of books I want to read had already surpassed the time I had to read them in).
However, as I am debating about trying my own hand at urban fantasy, my mind kept going back to Devon Monk. I was curious to read about her writing journey. Turns out, she's a writing fiend! She has written nine Allie Beckstrom books in four years from 2008 to 2012. Oh, and she started a Western steampunk series in 2011, and has written at least one manuscript for an Allie Beckstrom spinoff series. Yes, over ten books. In just over four years… Holy cow! That's a whole lotta books in a five year period – and they are good, too. I was amazed.
But even more than that, as I was perusing her blog, I stumbled upon an unedited, maybe-won't-even-make-it-to-the-final-draft scene from Hell Bent, the first book in her Allie Beckstrom spinoff series. You can find that scene here, and I recommend you take a minute to read it. I read it, and I was blown away. It's not that long. Not a lot happens. But we learn a lot about the characters in a natural way (no info-dumping, no lengthy jaunts to the past, no lost-in-thought moments), and I was instantly drawn in. Now, it's probably helped by the fact that this is not her first rodeo, but Monk's voice in this scene, her characterization, her pacing – all of it really grabbed me. And this is not even her final draft! From that scene alone, I know I will be buying this book in November.
As I continue to read Orson Scott Card's book on creating characters, Monk's blog post seemed timely. Her scene encapsulated what I am aspiring to do, although, Lord knows, I'm not there yet by any stretch of the imagination.
Are there any authors who have really made an impact on your writing journey? Any interesting urban fantasy books that represent the genre and need to make it onto my To-Read list?


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It had been a funny sort of a week, all told, thought Michael as he took his place among the mourners. He slid a look at the shiny brown coffin at the front of St Joseph's Church, but couldn't quite bring himself to think about what – who – it contained.
Michael ran a finger around his too tight collar and tried to distract himself with holy thoughts as Mass began. But this distinctly unusual week had been unsettling and it interfered with any attempt at serenity. He found himself trembling.
First, there had been the calf caught in the drain on Monday. He'd helped pull the beast free and got a bone-crunching kick for his trouble. He'd limped home for a cup of tea and a sympathetic scolding.
"You silly old fool," Mary should have said. "Getting yourself all roughed up like that at your age. Where are all the young ones to help? And now look what you've gone and done to your leg…" and she would have cleaned him up and made a cup of tea and slapped a thick slice of buttered brack down on the table in front of him.
But when he got there, she was gone, the kitchen cold and empty. He saw the note propped up against the tea caddy and he took it down and set it on the dresser before he brewed the tea. He'd been expecting it and decided he didn't need to open it just yet.
Patsy, a distant cousin from Charlestown, called in, on the pretext of collecting numbers for St Joseph's Church Supper next week. "Mary not here then?" she asked, skimming expert eyes around the room, taking note of the neat emptiness. No doubt she saw the unopened letter too, but Michael wasn't forthcoming.
"Ballina," he'd said, without further comment. He enjoyed thwarting her quests for gossip. She offered to dress his wound, but he couldn't recall where the first aid stuff was and he didn't want her rooting around, looking. He feigned wellness and so Patsy left after making a few lame remarks about Mayo's chances next year and refusing a cup of tea. Funny how she can always be relied upon to sniff out a crisis, he thought, when he finally found the bandages.
But a damaged leg and a missing wife turned out to be the least of Michael's problems, as it happened. Mattie, his long time friend and neighbour, stopped by next morning and found Michael down on his hands and knees trying to light the range.
"Hasn't gone out in years," said Michael, getting up. As he straightened, he winced at the spike of pain in his leg.
"Your leg bad then?" asked Mattie, master of the understatement.
"Ay," admitted Michael. "But I'll probably live," and the words rang in his ears as the two men headed for the barn. Mattie wanted to borrow the monkey wrench.
The sight of the boy in Mayo's green and red dangling from the rafters above them as they swung open the side door would stay with Michael for a long time.
Later, Michael wanted to tell Mary about it, but of course, she wasn't there. Young Tom had been on work experience, part of an agricultural science programme. Michael always thought the boy had been getting on well. For months, he turned up on time, did what he was asked, didn't say much. He'd never been any trouble.
The Gardai arrived and then the boy's father, pale and red-eyed. There was a girl involved, a losing team, a failed driving test and poor exam results, and an entire bottle of Jameson's missing from the press, it seemed. Whatever straw had broken this camel's back, there were plenty to choose from. "My brother went the same way, this week three years gone," the poor man whispered.
Michael shook his head and made the sign of the cross. Mary might have known what to say to the family, but she wasn't here. Michael was at a loss, hanging his head in awkward silence while they dealt with everything.
When the phone rang later, Michael was vague about the day's activities. His daughter Meg always rang on Wednesdays, wanting to know what was going on. It didn't seem right to dampen her good humour. "It's been raining again," he ventured.
"Well, that's a surprise!" he heard her laugh at the other end.
"And I had a tin of soup for my tea!" No need to spread bad news.
Two more days came and went. Michael wanted his wife there to make the world right again. But she wasn't home. Instead, he'd stood next to Mattie and his wife Eileen as they'd paid their respects at the funeral home, and they'd talked quietly with their neighbours about the people who were no longer with them.
Michael caught another look at the coffin and glanced across at his friend. He sighed. He'd known Mattie all his life. They'd lived next door, been to school together, chased the same girls, farmed adjacent land. One way or another, they'd shared a life. It seemed so unfair that young Tom wouldn't have the same chances.
He sat there and tried to control the trembling until a comforting hand reached across and squeezed his arm. He felt Mary's familiar frame press into the seat beside him, and suddenly he felt better able to cope with whatever life threw at him with this special woman back by his side.
Michael had not bothered to open the note on the kitchen dresser. He knew she'd be back, whether on Saturday or Monday, it made no difference. She'd been at Pauline's in Ballina, helping with the grandchildren. The note contained instructions on where to find things, what to cook for dinner, which day to put the bins out, what to feed the dog - when she'd be back.
He'd managed in the end. But he'd an awful lot to tell her about his week.


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Friday, 4 April 2014
Friends are the Sunshine of LIfe
Yesterday afternoon I was playing around some old drawing ink I have to see how they worked compared with distress inks -and they're not too ; this is a bright orange one dripped onto wet watercolour paper and then I diluted it heaps and painted in the white space, and masked and stamped my sunflower Finished off by inking the edge and adding a sentiment. So the bright orange fitted just nicely with the monochromatic theme at Colour Me CMCC#14. Thanks for taking a peek Robyn
4 comments:
Love this watercolor technique with the simple black stamping! Beautiful.ReplyDelete
Watercolouring is something I hope to try more of... and you've dona great job here! Thanks for joining us at Colour Me...! this week!ReplyDelete
Lovely watercolour wash! Wonderful idea for this colour :) Thanks so much for sharing with us this week at Colour Me...! Sure hope to see you around again soon!!!ReplyDelete
What a fun technique - those flowers are definitely sunny and cheerful in orange! Thanks so much for joining us at Colour Me...!ReplyDelete
Thank you for taking the time to comment, all encouragement and inspiration is very welcome. May your day be a happy and extra special one, cheers Robyn
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Supersize your safari by exploring all that Ol Pejeta has to offer.
Beyond the jaw-dropping wildlife encounters, visiting the chimpanzees and tracking down lions – there's a whole host of spots around Ol Pejeta that offer unique insights into life in the wild. Coordinate your very own wildlife stake out in one of our hides, pay tribute to our fallen friends at the rhino cemetery, or straddle both sides of the world at our equator line.
For more information about Ol Pejeta or to make a booking, contact us on email@example.com


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But first, do y'all like my new chapeau?
OK, let's get down to it, shall we?
Somebody had a birthday...
Even Meri tweeted her birthday greeting...
Of course, Robyn was not going to be left out...no way!
And Aspyn has WHEELS!
So what does Christine have to say about this?
All righty then...MOVING ON!
The Browns spared no tweets in getting the word out about the
The obligatory tweet for a free meah, eh?
Guess Kody and Krew over-indulged, thus requiring a second tweet to followers no doubt...
But when Kody was involved in a fender bender on the freeway after a Operative Retox engagement (apparently in his LIV! Official Business Convertible), it was his travel companions who tweeted what a major bummer being in a fender bender can be. But at least Kody showed his concerned side:
If this chat is anything like his chat on dating, YIKES!
And Kody can show his short temper side when tweeting about a tiny little mistake he made. He is, after all, Mr. Perfect and is above any type of reproach, particularly any that shows his not so perfect human side...
Well, to quote Forrest Gump, 'Stupid is as Stupid does'.
On the subject of Forrest Gump, here's Kody doing his best imitation of Sally Field accepting her Oscar...
Of course Kody is still out to show how great a dad he is, but next time Kody could you sound a little more enthusiastic? Like you did when talking about guacamole?...Just saying.
Now, I've noticed that Robyn has 13,171 followers on twitter. Meri is close behind with 13,028. Not bad, but not good when you consider Rosie O'Donnell has 410,217 followers, Andy Cohen (Bravo TV exec) has 667,852 followers and Anderson Cooper (son of Gloria Vanderbilt) has a whopping 2,285,171 followers ! So the Browns are small potatoes. But surely there are enough readers here that can nudge Meri's numbers past Robyn's, right? What d'ya say?
And remember, I scour the news so you don't have to!


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I've been feeling a little lost this holiday season. I've been standing in long lines while rushing to get things done. I've been tossing and turning all night. I've been feeling pressured to do more, make more, buy more, as social media reveals how much more inventive and ambitious and organized others are. As someone who actively tries to simplify their life, adopting the "keeping up with the Joneses" attitude at this accelerated holiday pace has done nothing but successfully tie an impossible knot of stress in my stomach. My plate seems overflowing with things to be done, and only this many days left to do them in.
Each year, no matter how much or little is done, Christmas inevitably comes with back-to-back days of family and friends; giving and receiving of gifts; every budget overspent; late nights and long naps on the couch; and enough food to almost make me believe I'll never be hungry again. And the same will happen this year even if I don't work myself into a frenzy.
I know that I need to focus on what Christmas means to me, and build the foundation of what I want it to mean to me in future years. I read a beautiful quote in the program at church this past Sunday that put that meaning into perspective:
"Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His example as we love and serve our fellowman."While my plate seems full, I can feel that tug on my heart (and my conscious) that there are more pressing things that need to be done - and more important work to be performed than hunting down the perfect pair of stockings before Christmas day.
- Thomas S. Monson


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How to make Crochet Earrings - Emma
How to make Crochet Earrings - Emma
Written by Teresa Richardson
Video Tutorial: How to make Crochet Earrings - Emma
Video Tutorial: Left Hand How to make Crochet Earrings - Emma
Skill Level - Easy
DC - Double Crochet
CH - Chain
SL ST - Slip Stitch
Size: 4cm/1-1/2 inches
Size 8 steel crochet hook
Size 10 crochet cotton
Small Needle
Earring Findings
Attach a slipknot to the crochet hook.
Work a chain of 10, join.
Round 1: Chain 1, Work 16 SC right through the center of the chain. Join with the beginning stitch.
Round 2: Chain 4(Counts as the first stitch and chain 1), *in the next stitch work a DC, CH 1, Continue around from *. When you get around to the beginning, slip stitch in the 3rd chain up to join. (There will be a total of 16 stitches with a chain 1 between.
Round 3: Slip Stitch in to the first chain 1 space. *SC, chain 4, SC in each space around, Continue around from *, join with the beginning stitch. There will be a total of 16 chain 4 loops.
Attach the earring finding to any of the last chain 4 loops. You will chain 2, remove the loop from the hook, pull the loop through and continue with the remaining 2 loop.


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I used to call myself a "political person", a phrase that I now experience clearly as a contradiction in terms. People are, by nature, far more than political, which is a reduction of our limitless ways of being in the world. Anyhow, I called myself a militant, a revolutionary, a third world feminist, a queer woman of color, a comrade. I performed very publicly all my very intimate experiences of oppression, on the stage at the week's demonstration, facilitating the daily meetings, in the blog posts.
What we unspokenly absolutely required from ourselves was conviction, certainty and a sense that to question or doubt the political perspectives or organization was to show weakness. We were far from being the most dogmatic tendency on the revolutionary left… and yet. With the arrogance of youth and a sneaking suspicion that no one would follow me into battle if I showed vulnerability or confusion, I played the part well. I allowed someone else to be the moral authority, the author, even as I acted the part of the "strong woman." (more…)


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Fluoridation Facts Short Answer
Fluoridation Facts Long Answer
Simply put, fluoride is obtained in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides strengthen teeth already present in the mouth. In this method of delivery, fluoride is incorporated into the surface of teeth making them more decay-resistant. Topically applied fluoride provides local protection on the tooth surface. Topical fluorides include toothpaste, mouth rinses and professionally applied fluoride gels and rinses.
Systemic fluorides are those that are ingested into the body and become incorporated into forming tooth structures.
In contrast to topical fluorides, systemic fluorides ingested regularly during the time when teeth are developing are deposited throughout the entire surface and provide longer-lasting protection than those applied topically.17 Systemic fluorides can also give topical protection because ingested fluoride is present in saliva, which continually bathes the teeth providing a reservoir of fluoride that can be incorporated into the tooth surface to prevent decay. Fluoride also becomes incorporated into dental plaque and facilitates further remineralization.18 Sources of systemic fluorides include water, dietary fluoride supplements in the forms of tablets, drops or lozenges, and fluoride present in food and beverages.
Researchers have observed fluoride's decay preventive effects through three specific mechanisms:19, 20
The remineralization effect of fluoride is of prime importance. Fluoride ions in and at the enamel surface result in fortified enamel that is not only more resistant to decay, but enamel that can repair or remineralize early dental decay caused by acids from decay-causing bacteria.17, 21-25 Fluoride ions necessary for remineralization are provided by fluoridated water as well as various fluoride products such as toothpaste.
Maximum decay reduction is produced when fluoride is available for incorporation during all stages of tooth formation (systemically) and by topical effect after eruption.
of Question 1.
Opposition's Response
The ADA's answer to the question above leads one to believe that fluoride is something that occurs naturally in water, and that "water fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural fluoride concentration of fluoride-deficient water." One would assume from their statement that some type of natural fluoride is added. This is not the case; only calcium fluoride occurs naturally in water, and it has never been used for fluoridation.
The chemicals used to fluoridate 90% of public drinking water are industrial grade hazardous wastes captured in the air pollution-control scrubber systems of the phosphate fertilizer industry, called silicofluorides. ("Fluorine Recovery in the Fertilizer Industry - A Review," Phosphorus & Potassium, No. 103, Sept/Oct 1979.) (Also, see 1-1: "Fluoridation: A Mandate to Dump Toxic Waste in the Name of Public Health", George Glasser, Journalist, St. Petersburg, FL, July 22, 1995.)
These wastes contain a number of toxic contaminants including lead, arsenic, cadmium and even some radioactive isotopes. The phosphate rock mined in Florida for this purpose has also been mined for its uranium content!
If not dumped in our public water supplies, these silicofluorides would have to be neutralized at the highest rated hazardous waste facility at a cost of $1.40 per gallon. The cost could increase, depending on how much cadmium, lead, uranium, and arsenic are also present. The silicofluorides still contain these heavy metals, and other pollutants, when they are dumped into our water systems. According to Dr. Ludwig Gross, even if these pollutants are so dilute that they meet current regulatory standards, concerns remain about synergistic effects and the toxicity of both the silicofluoride ion and the bare fluoride ion itself.
"The plain fact that fluorine is an insidious poison, harmful, toxic and cumulative in its effects, even when ingested in minimal amount, will remain unchanged no matter how many times it will be repeated in print that fluoridation of water supply is 'safe'." (Dr. Ludwik Gross, Renowned Cancer Research Scientist, in N. Y. Times 3/6/57.)
Journal of the American Medical Association, Sept. 18, 1943, states that fluorides are general protoplasmic poisons they inhibit enzyme systems, and water containing 1 part per million (ppm) or more fluoride is undesirable. This was the AMA's stand on fluoridation shortly before the U.S. Public Health Service endorsed nationwide fluoridation. (See 1-3).
Fluoride was an industry's menace until Oscar Ewing, an Alcoa Aluminum lawyer, became head of the U.S. Public Health Service in 1947. Alcoa was one of the biggest producers of hazardous fluoride waste at that time. Today, it is the phosphate fertilizer industries.
Under Ewing, the U.S. Public Health Service proceeded to conduct the fluoride experiment on thousands of people without their consent, even though they knew at the time that there was little or no margin of safety between the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose necessary to cause dental fluorosis for children and skeletal fluorosis for lifetime exposure.
Ten years later, by reading the statistics incorrectly they claimed a "65% reduction in tooth decay," and moved on to fluoridate more cities. (See Opponent's Response to Question 4).
Newburgh and Kingston were two of the original test cities. A recent study by the New York State Department of Health, showed that after nearly 50 years of fluoridation, Newburgh's children have a slightly higher number of cavities than never-fluoridated Kingston. (See 1-5: "New Studies cast doubt on fluoridation benefits," by Bette Hileman, Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 67, No. 19, May 8, 1989).
The chart taken from this study done by Jayanth Kunar, D.D.S., verifies this statement. (See 1-5 A: "Pediatric Dentistry," NYSDJ, Feb. 1998, pg. 41).
Today there is a great deal of scientific agreement that ingested fluoride does not reduce tooth decay. The largest study of tooth decay in America, by the U.S. National Institute of Dental Research in 1986-1987, showed that there was no significant difference in the decay rates of 39,207 fluoridated, partially fluoridated, and non-fluoridated children, ages 5 to 17, surveyed in the 84-city study. The study cost the U.S. taxpayers $3,670,000, yet very few Americans are aware the study was ever performed. (See 1-5: "New studies cast doubt on fluoridation benefits." Bette Hileman, Chemical & Engineering News, Vol. 67, No. 19, May 8, 1989).
The EPA scientists recently concluded, after reviewing all the evidence, that the public water supply should not be used "as a vehicle for disseminating this toxic and prophylactically useless ... substance." They called for "an immediate halt to the use of the nation's drinking water reservoirs as disposal sites for the toxic waste of the phosphate fertilizer industry." The management of the EPA sides not with their own scientists, but with industry on this issue. (See 1-6: "Why EPA's Headquarters Union of Scientists Opposes Fluoridation", Chapter 280 Vice-President, J. William Hirzy, May 1, 1999).
A 1992 study of dental records for 26,000 children in Tucson, Arizona found that tooth decay increased in children as the natural level of fluoride increased from 0.2 to 0.8 ppm. (See 1-7: An Analysis of the Causes of Tooth Decay, Professor Cornelius Steeling, Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona).
Dr. John Colquhoun, Principal Dental Officer, in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, wrote " ... tooth decay had declined, but there was virtually no difference in tooth decay rates between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated places. Those (statistics) for 1981 showed that in most Health Districts the percentage of 12- and 13-year-old children who were free of tooth decay that is, had perfect teeth was greater in the non fluoridated part of the district." (See 1-10: "Why I Changed My Mind About Water Fluoridation," Perspectives in Biology and Medicine. 41,1 Autumn 1997, University of Chicago).
In December 1993, a Canadian Dental Association panel concluded that ingested fluoride does not, in fact, prevent tooth decay. (Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1993:149.)
Dr. Richard G. Foulkes, a prominent British Columbia physician, while writing a government report in 1973, charges that he was given references which excluded studies already then extant that showed fluoride did not reduce tooth decay and that fluoride causes harm. (See 1-11: "Doctor Who Advocated Fluoridation Now Calls it a Fraud," Health Freedom News, July/Aug. 1992).
Boston has been fluoridated since 1978. About 90% of 107 Boston high school students were found to need dental treatment, according to a 1996 unpublished study. That report also estimated that the city's students had four times more untreated cavities than the national average. "City to Launch Battle Against Dental Caries," Boston Globe, p. A01, 11/27/99.
There is less tooth decay in the nation as a whole, but decay rates have also dropped in the non-fluoridated areas of the United States, and in Europe where fluoridation of water is rare. The observed world-wide decline in tooth decay over the past four decades has occurred at the same rate in areas that are not fluoridated as in areas that are. (See 1-12: "The Mystery of Declining Tooth Decay", Mark Diesendorf. Nature, July 10, 1986, pp. 125-29).
Japan, China, and 98% of Europe have stopped or rejected the addition of fluoride to their public water supplies. ("Special Report," Chemical and Engineering News, Aug.1, 1988.)
When the ADA claims that fluoride "prevents tooth decay systemically when ingested during tooth development," it is out of step with most leading dental researchers today who are now admitting that the major benefits of fluoride are accrued topically, not systemically. These authors include: Levine, 1976; Fejerskov, Thylstrup and Larsen, 1981; Carlos, 1983; Featherstone, 1987, 1999, 2000; Margolis and Moreno, 1990; Clark, 1993; Burt, 1994; Shellis and Duckworth, 1994 and Limeback, 1999, 2000.
This point has even been conceded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the very same article, which claimed that fluoridation was one of the top ten achievements of the twentieth century.
The CDC states: "Fluoride's caries-preventive properties initially were attributed to changes in enamel during tooth development because of the association between fluoride and cosmetic changes in enamel and a belief that fluoride incorporated into enamel during tooth development would result in a more acid-resistant mineral. However, laboratory and epidemiologic research suggests that fluoride prevents dental caries predominately after eruption of the tooth into the mouth, and its actions primarily are topical for both adults and children." ("Fluoridation of Drinking Water to Prevent Dental Caries," Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999.)
While the CDC acknowledges this point, it does not draw the logical conclusion. If fluoride provides its benefits topically, it makes more sense to apply it in the form of toothpaste, than to put it in the drinking water, where systemic exposure and all the accompanying risks become inevitable. Moreover, by using this method of application, it not only avoids exposing tissues in the body, which do not need fluoride, but it also avoids exposing people who don't want this medication.
Thus the key question both the ADA and the CDC avoid is: Why should we run the risks of exposure of our whole system to fluoride, if the major benefits of fluoride come from topical application?
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Yesterday I headed up, again, to the park with some friends. It was an amazing day clear, windy, and cool. I hung out watching some sports action at the green 45 (nice work Mike.) Then around 4:30 I headed down to Freaks of the Industry. I spent a bunch of days last month working it and came close twice. Freaks is a power endurance problem that is around 20 moves of pure hell. Each move couldn't be harder than v7 but one after another, after another has left me making slow progress. Every high point for me has been getting to a move sooooo pumped that I can still hang on the the rock but can even think of moving. I'm sure people out there can identify with that feeling. After getting to that point twice on Freaks I took some time off it to climb on some other stuff. Well now I finished off the other stuff and its back to Freaks.
So after three burns I got really close, but again to that point of not being able to do another move but still hanging on to the rock. Here is a picture of my new high point and those that know this climb can agree that it's a real heart breaker of a move. I'm sure I'll finish it up soon my only worry is the snow will shut me out. I'll keep my fingers crossed.


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Nepal Monitor: The National Online Journal
Posted by Editor on September 22, 2011 9:31 PM
Nepal Declines in Economic Freedom Index
The 2011 Economic Freedom of the World report ranks Nepal 129th among 141.
Nepal ranks 129th among 141 countires in the Economic Freedom of the World report 2011. It has a a score of 5.50. Last year, the country was ranked 121st with a score of 5.54.
The report shows a steady decline of economic activity in Nepal over the last decade; its score was 5.75 in 2000. The report notes that Nepal does not fare well in all the five areas of economic freedom; size of government, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally and Regulation of Credit, Labour, and Business and legal structure and security of property rights.
> To read the 234-page full report, click here.
> To read Nepal data, click here (see page 119)
Posted by Editor on September 22, 2011 9:31 PM


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While monkeys played a computer game in which they had to quickly determine the category of a moving visual stimulus, neural recordings revealed brain activity that encoded those categories. Surprisingly, a region of the brain known as the posterior parietal cortex demonstrated faster and stronger category-specific signals than the prefrontal cortex, an area that is typically associated with higher level cognitive functions.
Organising the chaos of the surrounding world into categories is one of the brain's key functions. For instance, the brain can almost immediately classify a broad range of four-wheeled vehicles into the general category of "car," allowing a person to quickly take the appropriate action. Neuroscientists such as Freedman and his laboratory team are searching for the brain areas responsible for storing and assigning these categories.
"The number of decisions we make per minute is remarkable," said Doctor David Freedman. "Understanding that process from a basic physiological perspective is bound to lead to ways to improve the process and to help people make better decisions. This is particularly important for patients suffering from neurological illnesses, brain injuries or mental illness that affect decision making."
Ten years ago, experiments by Freedman and his colleagues found neurons were encoding category signals in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region thought to control important mental tasks such as decision making, rule learning and short-term memory. But in subsequent experiments, Freedman found a region of the parietal cortex called the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), thought to be primarily involved in basic visual and spatial processing, also encoded category information.
For the new study Freedman conducted the first direct comparison of prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex during categorisation tasks. Monkeys were taught a simple game in which they classified dots moving in different directions into one of two categories.
During the task, scientists recorded neural activity in PFC and LIP. Neurons in both areas changed their activity according to the learned categories; for example, increasing firing for one category and decreasing for the other. However, category-specific neurons in LIP exhibited stronger and faster (by about 70 milliseconds) changes in activity during the task than those recorded from PFC.
More evidence for the primacy of parietal cortex was provided by an experiment where scientists threw their subjects a curveball. The monkeys were shown an ambiguous set of moving dots on the border between the two learned categories, then asked to compare them with a second set of non-ambiguous dots — a test with no correct answer. The subjects were required to make a decision about which category the ambiguous stimuli belonged to, and once again LIP neurons corresponded to that decision more closely than PFC.
MEDICA.de; Source: University of Chicago


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Gov. Jerry Brown of California declared a state of emergency for the city and county of San Francisco over the weekend, as a large wildfire near Yosemite National Park threatened water and electricity going to the area.
The fire could cause "temporary interruption" of water and electricity, Mr. Brown said on Friday, as reservoirs and hydroelectric plants were at risk.
The fire is approaching the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which delivers water to about 2.6 million customers in San Francisco and the surrounding region.
By early afternoon on Saturday, the fires had not yet had any effect on the region's water supply, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said in a statement. Crews continued to inspect power lines in affected areas, but no damage had been reported, the statement said.
The so-called Rim Fire is northwest of the national park and began several days ago. It now covers 125,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said Saturday. About 4,500 homes are threatened in Tuolumne City and Ponderosa Hills, he said, and the fire continues "to burn very actively."
The fire would continue to move toward the homes through Sunday, Mr. Berlant said, pushed by strong winds out of the south.
"Firefighters are staging and are preparing to make a stand," he said. "There is definitely concern."
Scott Gediman, a spokesman for the National Park Service, said officials were taking "precautionary measures" to protect two groves of giant sequoias about four miles from the fire. The trees, which are some of the tallest and oldest living things on the planet, are not in imminent danger, he said. Officials said the park remained open to visitors.
Aerial photographs of the Rim Fire showed thick plumes of smoke blanketing large swaths of the Sierra Nevada, as more than 2,000 firefighters worked to contain the blaze and helicopters dropped huge buckets of water onto the flames.