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The Puppet Master Exposed…
When Michael Stainer "illegally" removed Henry Bolton in November 2018, as the new director of his various companies, and replaced him with "Robert Moss', little did he know what problems he was storing up for himself, both personally and business-wise.
Stainer's problem was that as a bankrupt, it was illegal for him to be a director and act as if he were a director, so what he needed was a compliant "puppet". But as connoisseurs of the black art of puppetry know, beware of puppets who acquire a voice of their own!
So what was Michael Stainer thinking on May 5th 2019, when Mr Moss (pictured below) was the star witness in a successful case brought by the Tribunal-appointed manager of the Grand, Alison Mooney. Her intention was to seek permission from the Property Tribunal to bring about an end to the holiday lets, guided tours and other activities that make life a misery for many residents in a building described by the presiding Judge Mark Loveday, as a scene of "warfare".
The case itself was in reality small beer compared with earlier hearings which the Tribunal neatly summarised, with a sense perhaps of "here we go again!", especially as two of the panel of three judges had been involved in previous cases:
"The premises have a long and sorry history of disputes. Apart from several sets of leasehold management proceedings in this Tribunal, we were referred to the appointment of a receiver as long ago as the 1980s, two appeals in the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal (LRX/137/2019 and LRX/109/2018), a judicial review application in the High Court (CO/1298/2019), a County Court injunctions, criminal proceedings in the Crown Court at Canterbury, various insolvency cases and at least one defamation claim. Alongside this matter, the Tribunal has been case managing an application to discharge the manager (CHI/29UL/LVM/2020/0001), which is due for hearing in June/July 2020."
What it did do was to rip away the veil that concealed who was really in charge. As has been written previously, Stainer has remained in control of the Grand since the 1980s through personal insolvency, repossession, fire, dodgy deals with creditors and much more. In this case, the panel of Judges exposed the reality, and their chief help in achieving this was……. Robert Moss, aided and abetted by Michael Stainer (pictured) himself.
As a result, Ms Mooney can now bring to an end a holiday-let business that saw 18 flats out of the 65 in the Grand use for short-term lets, advertised on various booking sites for rates between £105 and £195 per day.
These flats raked in anything from £250,00 to £350,000 per annum, yet never managed to pay a penny-piece towards the maintenance of the Grand – or much else it would appear*. This debt stood at £328,701.37 as of May 5th this year. – £268,252 of it by Mrs Stainer!
As has previously been admitted, these revenues propped up the ever-ailing commercial enterprises "managed" by Robert Richardson, who has never run a successful company at The Grand. Also coming to an end will be the guided tours that are offered every Friday, along with Grand cream teas, which see groups of curious visitors traipsing around the private residential areas, admiring threadbare carpets, leaking ceilings, holes filled with expanding foam and so much more.
All of these examples of Grand décor were noted by an earlier Tribunal in January 2018, two of whose members were also sitting this May. A final nuisance that will end is the use of residential entrances for the noisy crack-of-dawn arrival of exhibitors for antiques fairs. These will now be routed through the long-established ballroom foyer entrance, which ironically runs under the Stainers' private flat – now subject to a possession order in the High Court.**
So, what of the hearing, and what really did the Moss/Stainer show reveal. It was all really quite simple. The case for Ms Mooney and the supporting residents' association was that the leases forbade short term lets, the commercial usage of flats by, for example, a local school for clairvoyants and anything that constituted a nuisance and was a violation of their right to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes. The case for Hallam/Moss/Stainer and their supporters was that the Landlord had the right to grant permissions and licences for this usage and that these had been granted years ago and were still in force.
One problem. They'd "lost" all the paperwork and/or HMRC had removed it during the infamous 2015 dawn raid. So, there was not a shred of evidence submitted to prove the existence of these licences, other than the word of Mr Moss and Mr Stainer.
Due to technology issues with the various opponents of the application who were clearly sharing one room in a fine approximation of non-social distancing, the Tribunal turned first of all to Mr Moss, leaving Mr Stainer mouthing silently at his laptop.
So, when Moss was asked the very sensible preliminary question as to what steps he had taken against the Stainers to recover service charges, he replied he had: "no comment on that". It was put to him that Hallam had taken no action, and he again replied he had "no comment". When asked what had happened to copies of permissions and consents granted by Hallam, Mr Moss accepted written consents had been granted but stated he "had no access to these documents". He had not asked for the documents and admitted "it was of no consequence" to him. He insisted that as a director he would "still have my say and stay my ground". Management of the premises had been "running beautifully" for 25 years and "it's just fine". After 25 years, "I don't know why someone has to come in and disrupt it … and I am not having someone disrupting the commercial side of it."
The Tribunal itself referred Mr Moss to his obligation to co-operate with the management order, and asked whether he considered that withholding written copies of consents from the Tribunal-appointed Manager was giving "all reasonable assistance" with the management of the property. He confirmed he had not co-operated because he had his "own commercial considerations". Mr Moss was also asked how (if he had only been a director for 1.5 years), he was able to give evidence about events over the "almost four years [Mr Cobrin] has been at The Grand" or about events in February 2016." He said he was unsure where he had got the information from in his statement, but accepted it was hearsay.
When reviewing this and other evidence, the Tribunal in its determination stated that "in general, the Tribunal accepts the witnesses who gave evidence orally did so carefully and that they were trying their best to tell the truth."
"The main exception to this was Mr Moss, who the Tribunal did not find a particularly satisfactory witness. It was obvious from the face of his written statement that Mr Moss did not prepare the bulk of it himself (despite the statement of truth). Almost half the statement related to events which pre-dated his involvement in The Grand. Despite this, he was reluctant to admit the obvious inference that his statement was a collaborative effort with Mr Stainer – even though Mr Stainer himself volunteered the fact without any prompting at the very start of his own evidence. Worse still, Mr Moss's answers to questions about co-operating with the Manager were evasive and failed to recognise the clear requirements of the management order (to which a penal notice was attached)."
Finally, "as to Mr Stainer, his evidence largely relied on Mr Moss's statement. Although he gave evidence more confidently, his case generally suffered from the fact he adopted a statement by a witness who the Tribunal considers to be unreliable."
A crucial consideration that the Tribunal took into account, aside from the weight of evidence presented as to nuisance and disturbance, was:
"..the conduct of the First and Second Respondents [Hallam Estates and Mr Stainer] One cannot avoid the fact that successive tribunals have made adverse findings about their conduct over the years. Indeed, some additional findings are made above in relation to the First Respondent. [Mr Moss specifically]. The Tribunal does not find the evidence of service charge arrears (and lack of enforcement of the charging covenants) and the repeated reference to other proceedings to be of direct relevance to this application, although [it] provides a useful backdrop. But it is certainly relevant that the First Respondent's director does not recognise any obligation to provide copies of consents to the Manager."
The implications of all this are highly significant. The holiday flats are already closed for bookings because of the lockdown. Repossession proceedings and forced sales of flats are already underway with two flats going into auction at the end of July.
Ms Mooney, subject to possible appeals, now has the right to bring the holiday lets to an end.
All of this begs one huge question. If, like everyone else, the Stainers had diligently paid their service charges every year, a figure of around £34,000 per annum out of total revenues of around £340,000 – would they have ended up losing everything?
*We understand that bailiffs turned up last Thursday on behalf of a utility company to collect an unpaid £8000 bill and we have already reported on unpaid local suppliers
** The High Court Chancery reference on this is CH/2020/000059
The Shepwayvox Team
The Velvet Voices of Dissent


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The Russian-battered eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk appears to be on the brink of becoming another Mariupol as services and aid have been cut and Moscow seeks to capture all of Ukraine's industrial Donbas region.
Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said the Russians have entered the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk and are pushing towards nearby Lysychansk.
He said two civilians were killed and another five were wounded in the latest Russian shelling in the war.
The Ukrainian military said the Russian forces were reinforcing their positions on the north-eastern and south-eastern outskirts of Sievierodonetsk and bringing additional equipment and ammunition into the area to press their offensive.
Russian forces stormed Sievierodonetsk after trying unsuccessfully to encircle it, Ukrainian officials said, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the situation there as "indescribably difficult".
An intense Russian artillery barrage has destroyed critical infrastructure and damaged 90% of the buildings.
Sievierodonetsk, located 189 miles south of the Russian border, has emerged in recent days as the epicentre of the Donbas fighting. Mariupol is the city on the Sea of Azov that spent nearly three months under Russian siege before the last Ukrainian fighters surrendered.
Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk span the strategically important Siverskiy Donetsk River.
They are the last major areas under Ukrainian control in the province of Luhansk, which makes up the Donbas together with the adjacent Donetsk region.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told French TF1 television on Sunday that Moscow's "unconditional priority is the liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions", adding that Russia sees them as "independent states".
He also suggested other regions of Ukraine should be able to establish close ties with Russia.
The Ukrainian army reported heavy fighting around Donetsk, the provincial capital, as well as Lyman to the north, a small city that serves as a key rail hub in the Donetsk region.
"The enemy is reinforcing its units," the Ukrainian armed forces' General Staff said. "It is trying to gain a foothold in the area."
Mr Zelensky will address European Union leaders on Monday who are gathering in a new show of solidarity with Ukraine amid divisions over whether to target Russian oil in a new series of sanctions.
He has repeatedly demanded that the EU target Russia's lucrative energy sector and deprive Moscow of billions of dollars each day in supply payments.
On Sunday Mr Zelenskyy visited soldiers in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, where Ukrainian fighters pushed Russian forces back from nearby positions several weeks ago.
Russia has kept up its bombardment of the north-eastern city from afar, and explosions could be heard shortly after Mr Zelensky's visit.
Shelling and air strikes have destroyed more than 2,000 apartment buildings in the city since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, according to the regional governor, Oleh Syniehubov.
In a video address later on Sunday, Mr Zelensky praised Kharkiv regional officials but said he had fired the regional head of the country's top security agency, the SBU, for his poor performance. In the wider Kharkiv region, Russian troops still held about one third of the territory, Mr Zelensky said.
In Luhansk, constant Russian shelling has created what provincial governor Serhiy Haidai called a "severe situation".
But he said some Luhansk supply and evacuation routes functioned on Sunday. He claimed the Russians had retreated "with losses" around a village near Sievierodonetsk but conducted air strikes on another nearby river village.
Sievierodonetsk mayor Oleksandr Striuk has estimated that 1,500 civilians in the city have died since the war began, from Russian attacks as well as from a lack of medicine or treatment.
The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, questioned the Kremlin's strategy of assembling a huge military effort to take Sievierodonetsk, saying it was proving costly for Russia and would bring few returns.

subset: commoncrawl


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Big & Rich enjoy playing the small towns as much as the big venues.
That's was one of the bits of insight that came out during a 30-minute telephone conference call the duo held with music reporters and other journalists Thursday morning.
Big & Rich, composed of William Kenneth "Kenny" Alphin, who uses the stage name Big Kenny, and John Rich, both of whom are songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists will headline the 2017 Logan County Fair Nigh Show Aug. 12 in Sterling.
Asked how they feel about making small-town appearances, Big Kenny said those are often the most fun to do.
If you go
What: Logan County Fair's East Cheyenne Gas Storage Night Show
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Logan County Fairgrounds
Cost: $29 per ticket (plus fees)
More info: lcfair.org
"One of the smallest towns in America put together one of our biggest shows," Alphin said. "Deadwood, S.D., blocked off Main Street and put up a stage, and we played to 35,000 people; they filled Main Street, they were hanging out of windows, on the roofs of buildings, it was great. We both come from small towns, we love small towns, any place they can find a place to put a stage and have a party, hopefully that's a place they'll invite us to."
Asked about inspiration for their music, the artists said that, for their own albums, their real lives often frame their biggest hits.
"Whatever's going on in our lives turns up in our songs for our own albums," Rich said. "It's not a game we're playing in the music industry where you try to think of what's gonna sell, we're just gonna say and do what's in our minds and hearts at the time, and that shows up in our music. And we find out that's what's on the audience's mind, too, and that's where the connectivity (with the audience) comes from."
Alphin was formerly a solo artist on Hollywood Records while Rich was a founding member of the country music band Lonestar and later a solo artist for BNA Records.
Their first studio album, "Horse of a Different Color," was released in 2004. The album produced four straight Top 40 country hits, including the No. 11 "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," plus collaborations with Cowboy Troy, Gretchen Wilson, and Martina McBride.
Alphin said Thursday the realization that one is going to be a big talent in the music business doesn't come on suddenly, but something that comes on over time.
"When you first have the idea of becoming a music talent, you don't know how it's gonna happen, you have to believe it's gonna happen, you have to climb that mountain, and you have these premonitions that it's gonna happen," he said. "It's little things people say along the way, that give you the idea that it's gonna work out. You got to believe in it to see it."
The duo also is known for collaborating with other artists. Cowboy Troy, Gretchen Wilson, and Kris Kristofferson joined them on their album "Comin' to Your City," released in November 2005. It produced another Top 20 single, the Vietnam War-inspired "8th of November," and two more Top 40 hits.
Their third album, "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace," released in 2007, produced their first number-one single, "Lost in This Moment." Both before and during the duo's hiatus, Rich has worked as a producer and songwriter for several other artists.
After this album, both members went on hiatus and released solo albums in 2009 — Alphin's "The Quiet Times of a Rock and Roll Farm Boy" and Rich's "Son of a Preacher Man." These also produced the duo's first Top 40 solo entries — Alphin with "Long After I'm Gone" and Rich with "Shuttin' Detroit Down."
In 2010, Alphin released his second solo country album, "Big Kenny's Love Everybody Traveling Musical Medicine Show Mix Tape, Vol. 1" and in 2011, Rich released the extended plays "For the Kids" and "Rich Rocks," the latter of which included the Top 40 country single "Country Done Come to Town." Big & Rich reunited in May 2011 to release "Fake ID," a cut from the soundtrack to the 2011 film "Footloose." A year later, the duo released their fourth album, "Hillbilly Jedi," which produced the Top 20 hit "That's Why I Pray." In July 2013, Rich announced that the duo had begun work on their fifth studio album, "Gravity." In January 2014, the lead off single to the album, "Look at You," was released.
Cowboy Troy has released four studio albums and one EP, including two releases on Warner Bros. Records, and has charted twice on the Billboard country singles charts. In May 2005 he released his first major-label solo album, Loco Motive, through the RAYBAW records production label and the Warner Music Group distribution label. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. The first single, "I Play Chicken with the Train," peaked at No. 48 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart on April 9, 2005 and was the No. 1 country download at the iTunes Music Store in April 15, 2005.
The duo emphasized that Cowboy Troy is a permanent part of their road act.
"We introduce him late in the show, and he comes out and does about the last 20 minutes with us, and it is just pandemonium," he said.
Thursday's news conference was to help promote their current road tour in which they introduce material for their upcoming album, "Did It For The Party," which will drop in September. Their current single "California" continues to climb the charts, sitting in the country radio Top 40.
Jeff Rice: 970-526-9283, firstname.lastname@example.com
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Campus Has Been Tobacco Free For 10 Months — Sort Of
Almost a year since FAU became 100% cigarette and e-cigarette free, students and professors are still sneaking their fix.
November 3, 2015
A large navy blue banner hangs from the second floor of the Breezeway railing. "Tobacco Free University," is written on it in bold letters. "No tobacco or e-cigarettes are allowed anywhere on campus."
About 30 feet away from the banner, a professor sits on a bench alone. He takes a drag of his cigarette and then lowers his arms back toward his lap, discretely cusping his hands over the evidence.
"It's bullshit," the professor — who opted to stay anonymous — says. "I think it has something to do with higher education's imposition on personal choices. Teachable moments are about choice. Not some kind of mandate."
But on Jan. 1 of this year, a mandate is exactly what happened. FAU became the 24th smoke-free campus in Florida. The tobacco-free policy encompasses cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes and all types of smokeless tobacco, and restricts anyone from smoking anywhere on campus, including their cars.
Ten months since the implementation, not everyone is on board.
The professor puts his lighter back into the front pocket of his jeans and prepares to get rid of the evidence — throwing the cigarette butt away in a nearby trash bin. He started smoking six years ago while attending graduate school.
The tobacco-free policy is part of a five-year plan that is slowly phasing out on-campus smoking. Don Torok, the associate dean of the college of education and co-chair of FAU's Substance Abuse Committee, says that now that the policy has been in effect for two complete semesters, the school is starting to take names.
"Smoking and tobacco use is not a protected right," Torok says. "Because when individuals say that, one of the things that they fail to recognize is that secondhand and thirdhand smoke affect other individuals."
"Up until this point we've just been issuing notices of violation," Torok says.
The policy enforcers are FAU's Tobacco Free Ambassador program, comprised of students, faculty and staff members who interact with individuals that are violating the policy, according to the program's web page. Torok says that well over 50 individuals have signed up for the program.
On first offense, the individual will be issued a warning and their name will be recorded, according to the policy. If caught a second time, they'll have to attend a smoking cessation class.
The third strike will involve appearing before the dean of students—or, if a faculty or staff member, before their supervisors—which could result in disciplinary action not limited to termination or expulsion, according to University Policy 4.1.7.
"I'd say we're making progress," Torok notes. "The compliance for the most part has been very good, but to say we have excellent compliance would not be accurate because we still have individuals who are smoking on campus."
In 2010, the school implemented designated smoking areas. Just outside the back entrance to the Student Union, right in front of the window facing the ping pong tables, is a former "smoking area." The sign may be gone but as of publication time, 11 cigarette butts were found littered beneath the concrete tables and benches.
"It's still a little alarming when students say 'I didn't know,'" Torok says. "Especially when you see that they try to cover [their cigarette] or if you look at where individuals are smoking, they're doing it where they're trying to hide."
Kendyl Andrews, a sophomore marketing major, hates cigarette smoke because of her asthma. "Every time I see someone smoking, I remind them we're a tobacco free campus," she says. "And while most people just roll their eyes, a few have put their [cigarettes] out. Mostly out of shock that someone actually called them out I think." She says she stops someone at least once a week.
According to Torok, "approximately 10 percent of the population has a respiratory condition. Tobacco usage is a trigger for those who have asthma and other respiratory conditions. Their behavior definitely puts other individuals in harm's way."
Andrews says that when people smoke around her, she can't stop coughing. "I don't think it's fair to put someone else's health at risk."
Torok, however, doesn't expect everyone to go cold turkey. "We're not telling people that they have to stop smoking," Torok says. We're just saying while they're on campus, they can't do it. If they want to do it when they're at home, that's their choice. But it increases health care cost, reduces lifespan and there's no healthy benefits to the behavior."
Manager of Health Promotions for the American Lung Association Matt Competiello told the UP in an email, "there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Regardless if the person is breathing in heaps of tobacco odor inside a classroom or is mildly exposed to it while walking along a breezeway."
Noah White, a sophomore business major and admitted smoker, isn't worried about the policy's upcoming enforcement since he lives off campus. "It's not really an issue for me," he says. White admits to having smoked cigarettes at FAU since the ban and supports designated smoking areas on campus.
Twitter user @jerrymadnick tweeted "FAU is tobacco free!!! It's about time they start enforcing it!" White replied "nark" three minutes later.
"If FAU as an organization feels the prevention of cancer and other harmful diseases is more important than giving their students the same liberties that they will have in the real world, then there's nothing to really be done," White says. "We choose to be a part of their community."
Other colleges in Florida that are 100 percent tobacco free include FIU, FSU, UCF, USF and more. Torok says: "For the large number of individuals just starting at the university, removing the exposure to tobacco greatly decreases the number of students who engage in the use of tobacco product and they don't become addicted."


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"If there's anything I do know about empowering young people is this…Keep the child-like curiosity and positivity in anything that you do until the flicker in your life's candle runs out. Hold dear the fire in your belly to succeed and you will eventually "find" the quality of life you & your future-self deserve."
– Lynette Correa, Puerto Rican. Founder/CEO Career Coaching 4 Kidz & Collegiate Career Coaching " Empowering Career-Focused Students."
"Latino Quote Of The Day"™ is curated by Bobby Gonzalez.
Bobby González is a nationally known multicultural motivational speaker, storyteller and poet. Born and raised in the South Bronx, New York City, he grew up in a bicultural environment. Bobby draws on his Native American (Taino) and Latino (Puerto Rican) roots to offer a unique repertoire of discourses, readings and performances that celebrates his indigenous heritage.
For more info on Bobby, visit http://www.bobbygonzalez.com/


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Less than a week has passed since Rush Limbaugh died from cancer. He undoubtedly ranks high on a list of polarizing Americans in the modern era. Liberals derided him as a bigoted fool, and conservatives hailed him as a misunderstood genius who spoke the truth about a changing nation (so much that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered flags in his state to be lowered to half-mast in Limbaugh's honor).
Though many Americans have taken to the internet to skewer the late talk-radio personality and express elation over Limbaugh's death, I want to offer a different perspective. Instead of taking an almost perverse joy over the death of this man, be sad over the type of life he lived.
Rush Limbaugh did quite a bit to provoke the ire of Americans in his decades of radio broadcasts and that cannot be ignored.
During the 1990s, when most Americans believed HIV / AIDS affected primarily gay men, Limbaugh read the names of individuals who died as a result of the AIDS. His segment, known as 'AIDS update,' mocked human beings who suffered tremendously.
Limbaugh's show also utilized another crude concept during his rise to fame. When callers to his show expressed views he didn't like, he would end the call with what he referred to as a 'caller abortion.' An approximately 10 second audio clip mixed a vacuum cleaner sound with human screams as he ended the call.
The disgusting and boorish behavior extended to other areas, including his discussion of race in America. Limbaugh once stated, "The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons." (For the unaware, the Bloods and Crips are two notorious gangs from South Central Los Angeles.)
About the NAACP: "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."
About President Barack Obama: Limbaugh called him, "Barack the Magic Negro," and laughed when a caller referenced the president as looking like "Curious George," a monkey from a popular children's book.
Responding to a caller arguing black people deserve more of a voice in public affairs: "They are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares?"
Additionally, his brief stint in sports broadcasting on Monday Night Football ended quickly when he made comments alluding to the fact that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb received accolades because the media wanted the story of a successful black quarterback in the NFL.
This list could go, but not just about black Americans. Limbaugh has made stunningly foolish statements about Native Americans, immigrants, women — pick any minority or marginalized group and he insulted them in the most offensive ways.
Elected officials subject themselves to a measure of scrutiny by serving the public. However, Limbaugh made offensive comments about a number of people who were not elected officials, and these set a poor precedent for our society. This included comparing Chelsea Clinton (a then 13 year old girl) to a dog, and claimed actor Michael J. Fox exaggerated the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.
He fueled the flames of conspiracy theories for years, suggesting President Bill Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were connected to mysterious deaths and suicides of their former political allies. Limbaugh suggested 'eco-terrorists' perpetrated an act of violence by sabotaging oil rigs in the BP spill of 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. Each year brought more shenanigans and they increased in their insane assertions, including the decreased number of hurricanes disproved climate change, the existence of gorillas disproved evolution, and the ever mysterious "they" want you to believe the COVID-19 pandemic was being overplayed. He defended the January 6th mob at the nation's Capitol, subtly comparing the people there to the likes of Sam Adams and Patrick Henry.
What possibly irritates people the most is the hypocrisy which oozed from Limbaugh's personal life. As a man who supported conservative traditional values, he had no problem marrying four separate times. Limbaugh backed the War on Drugs, and claimed drug addiction was a choice. However, in 2003, he revealed his own drug problem, securing hundreds of pain pills per month for several years. Charges against him were dropped when he agreed to go to rehab. He also defending his smoking cigars, which undoubtedly caused the very lung cancer which killed him.
Defenders of Rush Limbaugh will point to his apologies for many of his poor statements and his financial contributions to charities. However, his legacy as a human being cannot be overshadowed by money for charities or half-hearted apologies. Rush Limbaugh was not a good man.
The brief synopsis I provided here does not truly reflect the cruelty of Limbaugh. His decades of radio broadcasts fostered anger, bitterness, racism, and misogyny. So why shouldn't people rejoice in his death?
Rush Limbaugh should be the object of your pity. He was a modern day Willy Loman, from Arthur Miller's classic, Death of a Salesman. Limbaugh lived in a fantasy land about how the world should be rather than how it actually is. We often saw Limbaugh's insecurity through his criticism of anyone who wasn't like him or supportive of him.
Limbaugh spent his life trying to measure up. Many members of his family, including his father, worked in the legal profession, as either a lawyer or judge. Limbaugh dropped out of college at 20 and spent a considerable amount of time bouncing from one job to the next. Before a talk-radio host, Limbaugh was a DJ and spent time working in sales for the Kansas City Royals. His success became dependent on peddling misinformation that appealed to the worst parts of humanity. It must have been exhausting to be Rush Limbaugh.
We should pity him in the same way we pitied Willy Loman. Neither man was exceptionally smart, and their only avenue to generate money came from scamming others (Loman commits suicide for his son to receive the insurance money). They were failures who could not cope with that reality. For Rush Limbaugh, even his rise to wealth and fame could not rescue him from the fact that the America he knew was changing. He and Willy Loman were perpetually angry because they could not control the world or the people around them.
Taking joy in the death of a human will change you. We, as humans, sometimes experience a strange emotion known as 'schadenfreude,' where we take joy in the troubles and failures of others. Scientific studies demonstrate those who experience this emotion more frequently tended to have lower feelings of self-esteem than others. If you justify feeling like Limbaugh deserved this, or worse, you will find reasons to justify feeling that way towards other human beings.
When you give in to the temptation of hatred of this kind, you run the risk of becoming Rush Limbaugh.
Taking joy in the death of Rush Limbaugh is a form of dehumanization that will only bring about more problems in America. The consequences of this type of rage move beyond one's personal health and well-being.
Our children already live in an environment of polarized political ideology where shouting and name-calling have replaced true discourse. Positive responses to the death of a human being moves American society in a direction where even worse conditions become more acceptable — sadism, psychopathy, and narcissism. It's a slow descent into the dark places.
People pay attention to our lives. Our children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc. will see how we respond and some of them will emulate our behaviors. Don't believe me? Rush Limbaugh's career as a talk-radio host acts as a testimony to people mimicking his behavior. Rush Limbaugh brought about significant damage to American society in his life, and we should critique his words and deeds. Don't let Rush Limbaugh's ways become your ways.
Society can, and must, differentiate between despising the actions of a person and lauding their death.
History judges the demagogues. While Rush Limbaugh's supporters see him as a brash, outspoken supporter of conservative values, people like him do not escape the rightful critique of their actions. America has seen several Rush Limbaughs come and go.
For instance, Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest and radio broadcaster in the Depression Era, riled up the public with his rhetoric where he made anti-Semitic comments, purported conspiracy theories, and backed some fascist policies of Hitler and Mussolini.
During the early 1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy created fears of communist infiltration of the United States with absolutely no evidence.
The nation's historians always appropriately frame these individuals and we see them for precisely what they were. All style and no substance. No real care or love for their country of people. Or as Sir William Scott wrote,
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonor'd, and unsung.
Despite the money, the influence, and the renown among his tribe, Rush Limbaugh cannot escape history.


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What's your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?
Hello, lovely to meet you. We are Drew Neary and Ceri Williams. Our book contains a range of genres –fantasy, historical fiction, sci-fi and gothic horror. Most people however describe it as a supernatural thriller.
Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?
As the first in an upcoming series of supernatural books, the Clockmaker is the story of Annette and her young son Duncan. Widowed in World War 2, they face a completely different life as they exchange the devastation of post-blitz London for the slow pace of a small village in Scotland.
The house they have inherited is old, its bones still settling, creaking noises in the dead of night and the murmur of scritch-scritch in the walls. Located outside the village of Lochnagar, it's been empty for many years.
It is here in this village that a series of strange events begins to unfold.
How the Clockmaker makes his plans, his meticulous preparations and macabre creations, builds up to a series of gruesome, horrific murders. These have just one end in view: his release from that which has held him captive for centuries.
The Clockmaker originated as a character in the much larger prequel novel – Optics. We were writing a chapter in the book that occurs during WW2.Drew went into the garden and he was looking at a tree and deciding whether he was going to prune it. His children were buzzing around the garden, and the idea for the Clockmaker and his constructs popped into his head. And a couple of years later we have the novel and he still hasn't pruned the tree.And the Clockmaker is now a major part of our book series.
When planning the writing of this novel, we wanted the setting to be somewhere special. We visit Scotland a lot and chose the Balmoral area for it's beautiful geography that lends itself to the dramatic scenes we had planned. We see Scotland as a land steeped with myth and mystery that dates back to the time of the Romans and beyond. We loved the feel of ancient power resting in the Dolmans, waiting to be released.
Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?
We met in a writers' forum and quickly realised that our interests and approaches to writing were very similar. As we live close to each other we met for a coffee and began discussing a photograph of Lovers Eye that we had seen online. Before we knew it several hours had passed and we had outlined an exciting epic storyline that we knew had to be written.
"This is the first time we are co-writing and we are really excited about how dynamic our partnership is .It was evident from our initial meetings and the snowballing of ideas which evolved into the journey, that we absolutely had to write this novel, and which subsequently forms the basis for the books that will follow."
What kind of research did you do for this book?
The book The Clockmaker starts off in Newcastle where Drew hails from and so all of the places mentioned are a significant part of his youth. Two of the characters are based on his grand parents, and the young girl is his mum. It was an opportunity to celebrate the lives of real people who fitted the timeline of the book, which is post WW2, and it fits with the storyline. Drew's grandfather was:
"A WW2 veteran, who had so many amazing stories about his war experiences and yet he told them to us young ones in a way that wasn't terrifying- it was entrancing. He earned a box full of medals (one from El Alamein) that are now the treasured possessions of my son." This involvement of real people in the novel was something that hopefully the reader engages with. Drew wanted people to know what his grandfather was like.
We also looked at historical documentation about Berlin, World War 2,transport, and characteristics of people living in those days.
The main body of the novel is set in Balmoral in the Scottish highlands, in the fictitious village of Lochnagar. Western Scotland is a beautiful country dotted with little villages, standing stones, mountains, lochs and mists that whisper of ancient secrets and hidden ancient powers waiting to be re- discovered. Powers which the clockmaker seeks to unlock. We felt it important to visit several places in Scotland so as to ensure we got the soul of the country in our words.
"One of the most well-written books I've read in a while. The setting development cannot be beat and you actually are placed dead in the centre of every scene."
David Kaiser
Was it always meant to become a series?
Yes it was because the epic story of Optics is just too big to be a stand-alone novel.
What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
Drew: I do the school run in the morning, and when I get home I make lots of cups of coffee, stick some music on (usually rock). Then I walk around the house drinking coffee, and playing the scenes over in my head that I want to write, and then I sit down and write them.
I don't set myself goals per day although I try to do a section or a scene in a day but it's more important that I get it right than the actual word count that I produce each day.
But also when I have written some pages, I talk them over with my children and ask them what they think. My son in particular will always ask what happens next-and this spurs me to write .He is very good at giving feedback and thinking of other scenarios."
But we also of course write together, where we sit with our laptops and discuss ideas and bits we have written thus farcify we cannot physically write together, a really successful method has been sending each other the writing via email and then discussing this, or we just ring up and have a chat.
We find that we have a very strong respect for each other's ideas and thoughts, and as a result this respect leads to a meshing of quality text.
Do you have new books in the making and if so, what are the names of your upcoming books?
We are currently writing the next two books, as The Clockmaker is part of an upcoming series. Optics features the Clockmakers origins and The Perfect Child is the sequel to The Clockmaker.
Where do your ideas come from?
It's tricky to answer this because our ideas will spring out of nowhere. It could be a building, or a piece of music, orin the case of Drew "I get a lot of ideas whilst I'm driving and I have to stop, pull over and write them down- so it takes me ages to get anywhere."
Ceri: "The idea behind the perfect child came from a school visit to an old jail which had an oubliette within it."
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
For both of us it's editing- without a doubt! The novels themselves are inside our heads so we know the layout, the characters etc. inside out. But the final stages of "murdering the babies/words" are by far the most tedious process of all.
What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
We love them! We think that because they are so visual they attract the immediate attention of a broader range of readers, and yes we would love to do one soon. It would be amazing to actually see the words brought to life through moving images. As one reviewer said "There is a fantastic climax in this book. It is a moviemakers dream. I won't describe it totally as we don't want spoilers but in a true gothic style it includes a dark hillside and a storm."We would love to see something like this in a book trailer.
What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?
If you feel you have a story in you, go ahead and write. Don't worry about punctuation, grammar, spelling or any thing that strangles your creative flow.
Never ever give up. Have a good group of people around you who will read what you have written and give you honest constructive feedback. We had a range of people (of all ages) who gave us sound critical advice that we could follow if we thought it appropriate. And be prepared to "murder your darlings" and be ruthless with your editing.
Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?
Yes we always read them and are in awe and humbled that people will buy our books and take the time to write reviews. We don't respond at all because we have been advised not to.
To be honest we have been incredibly blessed with very good reviews, we haven't had many bad ones at all. We do however always try and take something constructive from every review and incorporate any ideas of suggestions into our future writing if appropriate.
Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?
Are a semi dystopian novel set in the future but jumps backwards and forwards through time, and this is where The Clockmaker first appears. Many of the genres evident in The Clockmaker are within the novel, although there is a strong sic -fi element throughout.
Through the sins of mankind The Beast grew in power and was thus able to slay God. Mankind is spread through the stars but a sentient artifact from the past is discovered by the heroes- Judd and Walden who are escapees from the shackles of The Great machine. This artifact leads the heroes down on a fraught and mysterious journey to restore the balance between good and evil and attempt the impossible -and bring God back.
So here is a section of the work in progress from Optics.
"John exhaled deeply, and listened. The air was still as if the city was holding her breath, eyes tight shut, waiting forthe news of the latest atrocity. The streets were as clear as the sky gone were the fogs and smog that plagued them. There were so many stars out that night, more than John had ever seen over a London sky. A giant circle of a moon surrounded by a sea of sparkling diamonds, that the thin wisps of anorexic cotton could not hope to obscure. Like the city itself John held his breath in anticipation. The killer was out there, have that he had no doubt, he could feel it. This was no ordinary murderer. Yes London had known many a murder, in fact John would swear that city's very foundations were built on the bones of the slain."©Optics
The Perfect Child:
Continues the journey started by Annette and Duncan in The Clockmaker. Spanning 3 centuries, the protagonists are brought together for one final time. Set in Nottingham primarily, it is a gothic thriller with elements of the supernatural and horror.
Outside, Whitby was wet. The steps and pavements slick with the macassar oil of rain. Gulls sabotaged the clouds,sluicing through them in silent,endless journeys to where the mariners sank.Wet on piers and coves and cobbles.Wet and straight and northern and grim.
It reminded her of flashes of Under Milk Wood.(Did anyone read him anymore she mused,)that long dead poet whose Welsh ragings against storms, and self destructive obsessions resulted in such towering passion and prose.Look out across this ocean pet, and see how far the gulls go.She was alone at this hour. Just her and Dylan.
"Come on up, boys I'm dead." ©The Perfect Child
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Yes writing energizes both of us. It is exciting to see where the words and the story line take us. Drew describes it as meeting someone new each time.
Where can your fans find you and follow??
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepford115
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ceriw1497/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drewnceri/
Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤


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Tabletop constant temperature oscillator failure phenomenon: 1. The tray does not rotate. Causes: 1. Mechanical failure, broken glass stuck. 2. The belt is detached. 3. The motor burned out. 4. The speed measuring head is dusty or damaged. 5. The speed control board is damaged. Solution: 1. Open the box door and push the board frame by hand. If it is pushed, it may be stuck in broken glass. Remove the lower layer rocking board and check if there is any glass jam. If there is no mechanical jam, replace the bearing. 2. Open the front door and check if the belt is off. 3. Check if the motor is hot and replace the motor. 4. Clean the dust of the speed measuring head or replace the speed measuring head. 5. Replace the speed control board. Benchtop thermostat
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- This all purpose multi tool has everything you need in one small frame.
- Pliers have metal grips for easy use.
- There are multiple knives, nail file, 2 in ruler, bottle opener, and screw driver.
- There is also an included set of bits with many different sizes of Allen's wrenches, Philip's and Flathead screwdrivers.
- Weighs 11oz
105 in stock
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Built environment strategies can help healthcare organizations and communities promote healthy living, reduce obesity, and prevent chronic disease. Given the increasing focus on community health and preventive medicine, it is important that healthcare organizations and the communities they serve incorporate built environment strategies that result in healthy behavior.
With support from the Kresge Foundation, The Center for Health Design has developed a standardized Community Health Center Facility Evaluation tool that supports design for population health. The tool is intended to support both design and post-occupancy evaluation of built projects with respect to population health goals.
This tool provides healthcare designers and professionals with population health principles/goals and how environmental, operational, and people measures can be implemented to achieve said goal. Download the tool by clicking the purple bar above.
My Safety Net Clinic (MySNC) was developed by Dr. Larry Mallak and Wasif Butt of Western Michigan University in 2011. MySNC was funded by a grant from the California HealthCare Foundation, in conjunction with The Center for Health Design.


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MARK COLVIN: Almost every minute of every day, in different parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a woman is raped.
That's the conclusion of a new study to be published in the American Journal of Public Health.
This figure is 26 times higher than the United Nations figures for the same period.
The head of the UN's sexual assault reporting team in the Congo has criticised the report.
But one of the authors defends her study - she says if anything the figures are under-reporting the incidence of rape.
Jacquelyn Hole prepared this report.
JACQUELYN HOLE: The figures are horrifying.
TIA PALERMO: We find that over 400,000 women are raped every year in Congo and that translates to about 1152 raped every day, 48 raped every hour and four raped every five minutes.
JACQUELYN HOLE: Associate Professor Tia Palermo of Stony Brook University is one of three researchers who examined detailed household data gathered from women between the ages of 15 and 49 living in the Congo.
And what they've found is a shocking increase on the already high figures collected by the United Nations.
In fact, the incidence of sexual assault reported by Professor Palermo is 26 times higher than the United Nations' figures.
TIA PALERMO: They rely on people coming forward to report the rape, where we know from around the world that many women are reluctant to report their rape and in some conflict areas it's been shown that a majority don't report their rape, especially when military personnel are perpetrators of the rape.
JACQUELYN HOLE: She says that means the UN's figures are far too low.
TIA PALERMO: So ours is a nationally representative study where trained interviewers went into the households and as part of a larger health and demographic survey asked women in private these questions about sexual violence.
So a very different sampling strategy and that's how we can account, these are population based estimates, whereas the UN estimates are based on reports.
JACQUELYN HOLE: And Professor Palermo says the real figures could be even higher, because their survey did not include girls under 15, women older than 49 or any boys or men.
TIA PALERMO: We know that there's chronic under-reporting of sexual violence for several reasons, due to stigma, shame, fear and perceived impunity. We also know that sexual violence is being perpetrated against children, both male and female, women over the age of 49 and men and none of these are captured in this study.
JACQUELYN HOLE: While increased levels of sexual assault are often reported in times of conflict, the figures for Congo are staggeringly high. Much greater even than in nearby Sierra Leone, a country with a similar picture of civil unrest.
TIA PALERMO: There have been studies that show that there's approximately 50,000 rapes that were estimated to have occurred in Sierra Leone's conflict over a 10-year period, and we're finding that there's 400,000 rapes occurring in DRC in a one-year time period.
JACQUELYN HOLE: The Congolese Government insists the high figures reflect public confidence in the support system offered to the victims of sexual assault.
MARK COLVIN: Jacquelyn Hole.
The full story...
Jacquelyn Hole reported this story on Thursday, May 12, 2011 18:42:00
MARK COLVIN: Almost every minute of every day, in different parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a woman is raped.


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Ole Miss' Shandricka Sessom growing into force
OXFORD - Shortly after being hired in March 2013, Matt Insell received a phone call about a trio of juniors he needed to recruit: Christa Reed, Shandricka Sessom and Victoria Vivians. All three in-state high schoolers were too talented for him to ignore as Ole Miss' new coach.
He knew Vivians after recruiting her in his prior job as an assistant coach at Kentucky, though she told him she wanted to stay close to home and attend Mississippi State, which she did.
Film of Reed shooting impressed Insell, but she chose to go to Vanderbilt because of its strong academic reputation after averaging 26.2 points her senior season.
He didn't know much about Byhalia's Sessom, whom he offered a scholarship despite never seeing her play in person or on film. But he became excited about his decision once he saw her participate in the North/South All-Star Game in Jackson a few months later.
"I was just amazed by her athleticism," Insell said. "I saw her as a raw athlete that had some skill, but I was going to have to skill her up. A raw, not put together fully yet (player) that I thought over time could be really, really special."
Sessom has turned that promise into results in her second season, becoming the Rebels' leading scorer going into Monday's game (6 p.m., SEC Network) at No. 7 Mississippi State (16-2, 3-1 SEC). The Rebels (9-8, 1-3 SEC) lost twice to the Bulldogs last season by a total of 10 points.
She averaged 5.3 points and 13.7 minutes as a freshman, numbers that have jumped to 16.2 and 27.1, respectively, a scoring average that ranks sixth in the Southeastern Conference this season. She's making 39.3 percent of her shots, much better than last season's 33.5 percent, and has more than doubled her assists average, going from 0.9 to 2.1.
The Rebels relied heavily upon senior forwards Tia Faleru and Danielle McCray last season, but the improvement from Sessom has helped them make up for those losses.
"Last year, I didn't play the role where the team depended on me," said Sessom, one of two Rebels to have started all 17 games. "But this year, I have a role where the team depends on me to make shots. I like the role, but sometimes I could feel pressure, but I can play through it."
Insell credits his guard's improvement as a result of her work on ball-handling skills and footwork but sees things she could improve upon. If she misses her first 10 shots in a game, he wants her to show the mental toughness to bounce back and want to take 10 more.
Insell also thinks Sessom needs to be meaner whenever she's on the court.
"Probably her biggest problem is she's too nice," Insell said. "Instead of getting on her teammates, 'I need this help or I need that' or pushing them and being more of a leader, she's too nice. I have to get on her about that: 'Stop being so darn nice and be an outlaw a little bit.'"
Sessom's improvement helped her close the gap between herself and Vivians and Reed. ESPN ranked those two as five-star recruits and among the top 100 players in the country and named Sessom as only a three-star player at Byhalia.
The 5-foot-10 sophomore averaged the fewest number of minutes and points among the three her freshman season, but she's surpassed Reed in both categories this year. They still trail Vivians, who is averaging 18 points and 28.2 minutes, both team highs for the Bulldogs.
Insell believes Sessom can continue to improve and better her standing among Vivians and Reed.
"Maybe (others) saw her as the third-best player in the state," Insell said. "But before her four years are up, I see her being a player that can be the best player in that class of those three if she continues to work. If she'll do that, she'll have a chance to do something special."
Contact Daniel Paulling at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow @DanielPaulling on Twitter.


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It is possible to verify or update your ESTA status. There are several reasons for checking your travel authorization for the US. On this page we have outlined several reasons for checking and verifying your ESTA status. You may want to know the expiration date or you want to retrieve your authorization number before your next trip to the United States. If your ESTA or passport has expired, you are required to reapply before entering the USA.
Verify the status of your ESTA travel authorization if:
If you check your travel authorization and it has expired, but you wish to visit the United States using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you are required to reapply for ESTA. It is not possible extend your travel authorization. Travel authorizations for visits to the USA are valid for 2 years. If you apply for a new ESTA while your previous authorization is active, it will automatically be replaced with your new authorization.


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Kathy Kuo Home is an exquisitely curated online retailer of designer furniture and home decor guaranteed to elevate your way of life.
In addition to luxury furnishings, Kathy Kuo Home offers premium online interior design services and high touch customer relations. Kathy Kuo Home's high quality products are sourced from all over the world from trusted manufacturers that ensure the material integrity and quality construction of every piece. Featuring six diverse and specialized collections (ranging in style from French Country to Coastal, Regency, Modern, and more), each item on our site tells a story and offers a unique point of view.


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E-Win Champion Series Ergonomic Gaming Chair – CPG Review
Having proper posture is important these days, especially when we live in a time where it's now normal to sit in front of a computer for more than eight hours a day. Chairs have been an integral part of many people's lives and give them a source of comfort or ease while doing either grueling or relaxing tasks. Now it's worth noting that some chairs are better than others. Some offer far better ergonomics than what a monobloc chair could, while others are more comfortable to sit on thanks to the material that it was made of. Gaming chairs have been around for a few years now and since their rocky start, they were able to expand and grow thanks to the demand from the consumers (mainly gamers), thus creating multiple gaming chair companies that want to achieve the same thing: to be better than the rest.
It's easy to assume that all gaming chairs are the same in terms of quality, but that's not the case. EWinRacing gaming chairs, specifically, are some of the best in the market that offer great value and quality… allegedly. Could the gaming chairs from E-Win possibly bring something new to the table that would make it an instant cope for anyone? Or will it be a hard pass? We're reviewing their Champion series ergonomic gaming chair to find out.
Don't forget, right now you can use our code – playerauctions – to get 25% off a gaming chair from EWinRacing!
Design: 9/10
The Champion series offered by E-Win features their more premium options, offering sleek and minimal styles that are perfect for gamers who want a chair that will fit in just about anywhere. With 6 different options available in the Champion series, there truly is something for everyone.
The model we took a look at is the CPG version, which, unfortunately, only has one available design. It's not a flash design, or particularly colorful. It's actually quite bland. But that's not a bad thing…
With gaming chairs growing in popularity, office application has become a major use for them, with many workers looking for the additional comfort that these chairs provide over traditional office or task chairs. As the only chair in the series using fabric over faux leather and coming in a simple design that allows the chair to fit into pretty much any environment, it's definitely the one of the best office gaming chairs out there.
And let's not forget, not all gamers like the colorful styles that we always see on gaming chairs, computer builds, hardware, and even desks. Many are looking for more relaxed designs like this, which aren't easy to come by in the world of gaming peripherals.
One area the CPG model does really stand out though, is in the wheel department. I mean, just look at them! They look like they belong on a Tron bike, and these hub-less wheels feel absolutely fantastic to glide around the room on.
If you are looking for something a bit more flashy to go along with your RGB-inspired aesthetic, there are other options offered by E-Win across their 4 other series – Knight, Calling, Hero, and Flash.
The Knight series has all the usual designs that people would see in other brands which makes it perfect for those who are simply looking for something that's not over the top.
The Champion series, on the other hand, is one of the more premium options that offer sleek and minimal styles that are perfect for gamers that want their chair to fit different types of themes.
Meanwhile, the Calling series has looks that are similar to what people would see in racing simulator setups.
The Hero series are E-Win's so-called bestsellers out the bunch, seeing as the chairs from that line are sold out most of the time.
And finally, the Flash series are the highest-priced chairs offered and specialize in XL sizes.
Altogether, there's something for everyone when it comes to the variety of designs that E-Win has for its consumers. Offering a more minimalistic style in the shape of the Champion series CPG option is a nice touch – not everything has to look flashy and gamer-esque, after all.
Comfort: 9/10
If it's not comfortable, then it's not worth the time. Gaming chairs are generally known to be comfier compared to the cheap ergo chairs that people can buy for less than a hundred bucks and this is thanks to the fabric that they're made in. Consumers will be happy to know that E-Win's Champion series CPG is shockingly plush and feels luxurious to the touch thanks to their breathable, light, soft-weave fabric.
Most gripes that people tend to have with gaming chairs is that the pillows that they come with often cause discomfort or as if they're as hard as a rock, but thankfully, that's not the case for the gaming chairs of E-Win. Gamers and non-gamers alike can easily relax thanks to this chair's ergonomics. Ultimately, E-Win's CPG chair provides a comfortable sitting experience that you could easily recline and take a nap on. With additional support for one's back, neck, and shoulders, people who spend more than eight hours a day sitting on a chair for work or gaming reasons will be delighted to know it might not be too late to alter their horrible posture just yet.
Durability: 10/10
In terms of durability, E-Win's gaming chairs are great for the long haul for those who are looking to invest it into one of their chairs. While most of them consist of hard plastic, metal, and faux leather, the CPG model swaps out the leather for fabric. One problem we always notice with leather gaming chairs is that they do not fare well in the heat. The leather itself can start to stiffen, crack, and eventually come away and peel over time, a problem that gets worse the hotter it is. This model eliminates that problem with soft-weave material that stays soft and springy even after hours upon hours of use, giving this chair a huge advantage over it's faux-leather counterparts. This is a chair that will easily last for years to come.
With the ability to adjust the position and leveling of the chair on the fly and the durable materials that were used to build it, we can tell that E-Win has carefully crafted each of their products with care. It's no wonder that even the folks over at PC Gamer claimed that the chair they reviewed was better than most other chairs that they've tried over the years!
Gaming chairs are a dime a dozen these days, but E-Win manages to shine amongst the many stars thanks to their bang for the buck chairs that can fit just about everyone. From the fantastic material to the hub-less wheels, excellent build quality, and comfort, their CPG Champion series ergonomic gaming chair truly is a force to be reckoned with and is a breath of fresh air in world of bright colors and faux leather. For those that are looking for a great deal on a gaming chair that's affordable, comfortable, and built like a tank, look no further than E-Win.


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Tuesday's Amazon Gold Box deals feature a dash cam, a stylish Skagen Hagen Connected Hybrid Smartwatch, and a TaoTronics portable speaker. Score savings up to $51 and discounts as deep as 45 percent off. Read on to browse today's best Amazon tech deals.
Aukey Dash Cam
Drive smarter with this Aukey Dash Cam, which is currently 33 percent off on Amazon. The dash cam can help you avoid liability by capturing video of auto collisions and other incidents.
The dash cam captures everything in super-sharp 1080 pixel resolution with an expanded 170-degree field of view. It has an emergency recording mode that is activated by sharp turns or sudden stops, and automatically captures unexpected driving incidents. The camera can also record whenever motion is detected directly in front of it and can create time-lapse videos of your driving adventures.
The dash cam easily and securely mounts to your windshield or dashboard in seconds using the included suction cup or double-sided pad. It comes with a dual-port car charger to power the dash camera and an additional USB device. Altogether you get the dash camera, one USB car charger, a suction mount and sticker mount, two stickers, five cable clips, and a 24-month warranty.
This Aukey Dash Cam normally retails for $105 but is marked down to $70 on Amazon, providing a $35 (33 percent) warranty.
Skagen Hagen Connected Hybrid Smartwatch
Pair style with technology when wearing this Skagen Hagen Connected Hybrid Smartwatch, which is 25 percent off on Amazon today only. Smartwatch features include automatic time and date adjustment, activity and goal tracking, sleep tracking, filtered email and text notifications, dual-time function, alarm, and special Skagen Link Technology.
The smartwatch combines innovation with a classic design that's simple, modern, and stylish. The smart part of the device features smart notifications and a customizable link function that allows you to snap a photo, control your music and more, all with the push of a button. Better yet, the watch basically requires no charging, as it runs on a standard coin-cell battery with a four- to six-month battery life
The watch allows you to track your everyday accomplishments including steps, distance, and calories burned, as well as monitor your sleep duration and quality. The stylish watch automatically syncs to your phone and is compatible with phones running Android OS 4.4 or higher or iPhone 5/iOS 8.2 or higher.
This Skagen Hagen Connected Hybrid Smartwatch normally retails for $205 but is currently on sale for $154 today only on Amazon, providing a $51 (25 percent) discount.
TaoTronics Stereo 20W Wireless Portable Speaker
Take your tunes with you using this TaoTronics Stereo 20W Wireless Portable Speaker, which is currently 45 percent off on Amazon. The Bluetooth speaker features dual 10-watt drivers, dual passive subwoofers, a strong bass, aluminum-alloy finishing, Bluetooth 4.0, and a built-in microphone.
The ultra-portable speaker delivers dynamic, crystal-clear sound at a good price point. It has an elegant, versatile, and portable design, so you can take the Bluetooth speaker to a variety of locations.
Connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device from up to 33 feet (10 meters) away, thanks to strong and reliable Bluetooth 4.0. The rechargeable battery blasts audio for up to 6 hours continuously. Ten-watt drives and a bass radiator provide professional-level audio quality.
The TaoTronics Stereo 20W Wireless Portable Speaker normally retails for $60 but is currently on sale for $33 on Amazon, providing a $27 (45 percent) discount.
Editors' Recommendations
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- Best Cyber Monday Phone Deals: Pixel 7, Galaxy S22 and more
- The best Amazon Cyber Monday deals for 2022
- Best Cyber Monday iPad Deals: iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini


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I wonder how this whole tarp thing is going to go over at Red Rocks.
In case you hadn't heard, in mid-June the City of Denver's Arts & Venues division, which owns and operates Red Rocks Amphitheatre, put out an announcement that tarps have been added to the list of items that are not permitted at concerts. The release said that tarps are personal property and that personal property can not be used to save seats.
Bringing a tarp has been a tradition at Red Rocks for years. Groups of friends coordinate and pick their ringer to leave the lot early, set up camp at the entrances and haul ass into a prime spot the moment the gates open.
It seems a benign enough practice, but lately the tarp situation has gotten out of hand on multiple levels. Some folks treat their tarp as their own real estate and are often nasty when someone invades their "land" — even when they've packed way too many friends of their own into a small space.
On the other hand, certain shows just beg for floaters, who could give a damn about intruding on someone else's personal space. "Your two dozen friends are crammed onto that tarp fit for six people? Well my five friends and I are gonna bust in on that."
A soldout concert is a fucking turf war, and the City just took one of the weapons of mass destruction out of the arsenal. But that decision could cause some problems too, because the tarp is just the symbol.
The real problem is that people don't know when to step down and be courteous. Festivals have used the tarp method for years with little problem. Certain festivals even encourage people to share their tarp, and allow floaters to occupy a vacant tarp with respect until its residents return. But for some idiotic reason, people can't handle that at Red Rocks.
You'll always have the tarp owner who won't allow a stray toe in his area, and you'll always have the guy (or group) trying to get up close.
Personally, I think tarps work. What doesn't work are discourteous people. Tarps or not: You lined up early and got a good spot in front of the sound board? Good for you! Now, don't be an ass, just because you have the sweet spot. If someone wants to move up for a bit and hear a few tunes welcome them. And don't pack it so full with all your "friends" that people can't get through. And damn it, floaters, don't show up with a whole gang and take over the space. Don't suddenly act like it's yours. Do what your mother taught you, share and be polite. And if you or someone in your crowd is too fucked up that you don't understand personal space, then don't bring your raggedy ass up front and fall all over those who cooked in the sun to get the spot.
Have a little bit of respect all around and everyone's show will be better off for it.
See you at the shows.


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Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1777-1963 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more
Libraries that Have It: Alhambra review. [volume] (Alhambra, Calif.) 19??-19??
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- <1933:6:15, 7:6, 9:7, 10:5, 10:26>
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Last updated: 05/1994


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One of the advantages of redoing my room is that I can now, for the first time use the quilt my grandma made for me years ago. I actually received it when I graduated from highschool, back in 2000. It's been sitting in a box ever since. But doesn't it look better on my bed?
Here's a close up:
I've never even attempted quilting, but I really admire the dedication it makes to create one. This one, especially – every single stitch in the quilt was done by hand – seaming, basting, quilting. And it's queen size – which, along with color scheme, was one of the reasons I had shied from using it. But my bed is rather high, so it worked out. (As a matter of fact, my grandpa built the bed himself not long after he was out of highschool. I have a double heirloom in that picture!)
Quilting is one of my grandma's winter activities – she also knits (she taught me), crochets (tried to teach me, but being left-handed I kept twisting it), tats (taught me that too), and does counted cross-stitch (large pieces – summer activity) – and I'm probably leaving something out. She's made/is making a quilt for each of her grandchildren, as well as a queen-sized Double Wedding Ring she made for herself (there's a challenge!). This particular pattern is Grandmother's Fan. I'm so glad I can use it now (and so is she) – and I look forward to using it as more than just a daytime bedcover come cooler weather.
In knitting news, I've been swatching like crazy. I don't know why, but I just haven't been "grabbed" by any of my projects this summer. Other than Elm Row, which is nearing completion. (It's also rather addictive, at least with the yarn I'm using.) I think my gauge issues may play a part, but I also haven't really found a good yarn-pattern combo. The yarn might look good, but the bamboo's just too splity, and I think I'm bored with 100% merino. (Even though it's one of my favorites.) So I decided to try to find the perfect pattern for one of my spring purchases, Briar Rose Fibers Sea Pearl. Given the stormy colorway, I thought something a little stormy or watery would be perfect. But I couldn't find anything just right. I hesitated, took a big breath, and jumped in the murky waters of design. Although a bit scary, I decided it couldn't be too bad, I'm in a design field (architecture). This of course, may be hubris talking…Fortunately, the local library had all (4) volumes of Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns. I've been doing a lot of swatching, and I think I've come up with something I like. (And I LOVE the yarn.)
The final project, as currently planned, is a rectangular stole that's somewhere between the two swatches above. (To avoid confusion, there's two different edgings on the first swatch.) Since I'm already in over my head, I've also decided to go for it and make this my Ravelympics project. I've never knit a stole that quickly, and this isn't exactly worsted weight, so I have my doubts…but I'm planning on watching a lot of the Olympics, and I find sports pretty easy to knit to – even lace. So we'll see how this turns out! Crossing my fingers for a finished lace project by August 23rd!


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Functional Kitchen Design
Modern Living Space
Exceptional Custom Homes
Functional Kitchen Design
Your home should be as individual as you are. Kalen Construction and Design avoids mimicry to develop whole home, kitchen, and bathroom designs that encompass your unique needs, desires and point of view. Imagine a team of talented architects, designers and craftsmen working with you every step of the way - from inspiration to construction - to help you live in the home of your dreams. That is what you experience as a Kalen Construction and Design client.


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A beta test of Minecraft: Pocket Edition v0.13.0 is available for download for Android devices. This one is extra-special because it includes a feature that a lot of you are excited about – Redstone Circuits!
In this update it is implementing just the first group of Redstone blocks, it does not include Pistons, Repeaters and other advanced blocks. Please don't be mad!
Here's the full changelog.
New Features
- Redstone Circuits: Redstone Wire, Torch, Lamp, Levers, Buttons, Pressure plates, Tripwires, Trapped Chests and Detector Rails!
- Cute fluffy crop-eating bunnies!
- New wooden doors!
Removed Features
- Stonecutter (RIP)
- How to report a bug
- How to make a backup
- Redstone can be used to control doors, trapdoors, TNT and rails!
- Faster boats with a different handling
- Increased item tooltip visibility time (Windows 10 Edition)
- Stack count labels now use a bigger and more readable font
- Slimes and Ghasts now actually spawn!
- Hunger restored by food items now match PC
- Flowers created by using Bone Meal on Grass now depend on the biome
- Skeletons now run away from Wolves
Some Bug Fixes
- Mobs don't suffocate in carpets anymore
- Fixed at least as many bugs as we introduced!
Download Minecraft Pocket Edition v0.13.0 Build 1 APK for Android


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Gigi King, Owner of Dakota's Document Preparation Services, has a long history in the legal document preparation business. Her professional experience goes back to 2006, but her interest in the legal world first surfaced around the age of 10. King shared her story and what she hopes to accomplish with her business.
"I was always intrigued by the law," she said. "From the age of 10, I remember wanting to work in the legal field."
After working for Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance as an office assistant, King spent two years as a legal assistant and file clerk with Bender and Bender Law Firm. In 2008, she earned her Associate of Science degree in Business from Remington College and accepted a new position with St. Michael's Legal Center for Women and Children. According to King, she did a little bit of everything while working at St. Michael's.
"I was an intake specialist," she said. "I drafted legal documents, reviewed cases when we had walk-ins, filed documents with the court, communicated with clients, opened new cases, checked the attorney's dockets for on-going activity, kept files intact and would be there with clients during attorney meetings to take notes. I was a great experience."
During King's time at Remington College, she made a big impression on a circuit judge for Hillsborough County, The Honorable Nick Nazaretian. The impression she made on him and his subsequent words of encouragement are what ultimately led King to start her business.
"He said, 'Gigi, you're one of my scholar students. I can see you doing what you're doing for St. Michael's on your own'," she said. "I was on the Dean's List and the President's List the entire time. I worked hard. That combined with Judge Nazaretian's encouragement gave me the motivation to move forward and start my own business."
Dakota's Document Preparation & Consulting Services, named after King's late father, was officially founded in August of 2010. As a full-service legal document preparation business, they offer low-cost assistance preparing legal documents for the public. They specialize in: adoptions, divorces, alimony, adoptions, power of attorney, name changes, notary, child support, modification of child support, child custody, wills, seal and expungment of criminal records, demand letters, legal letters and contracts for sale of business, early termination of probation, restoration of civil rights and motions.
When she first launched the business, King advertised her services on Facebook, in the newspaper and handed out flyers. She identified a need for those that required legal documents but couldn't afford the high attorney fees. Founded by a genuine interest in the law and a desire to help those in need, King shared some of the ways she sets herself apart from the competition.
"My prices are good, I offer same day service, I'm local and I'm very attentive with my customers," she said. "I'm also very open with them. There are no hidden fees. Most importantly, my customers are comfortable with me. They know me and they trust me. That's the number one thing. When they call back and share a testimonial it brings me so much joy. Whether it's helping them expunge a record, getting them better housing for their family, helping them through a divorce or working with them through an adoption, I give them something of value and they know they can rely on me."
Looking ahead, King is considering the possibility of a second location. She'd like to expand her reach to surrounding counties like Hillsborough and Hernando and feels it's important to have a physical presence in those counties to truly focus on the customer. The second location would be staffed with an Office Manager.
King offers up some great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. "Have faith and know the skills and talent you were born with," she said. "Keep evolving your skills and educating yourself. I emphasis education. My number one goal is to learn and to always refresh my skills. That's why I went back to school to get more education. I received My Bachelor's of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Everest University in October of 2015. Also, it's important to know that what you're doing is truly what you want to do. Have a plan in place to know where you're going and how you're going to get there. No matter what, you have to stick with it even during the hard times. Along the way, be mindful of others, do everything with integrity and always do the right thing. Lastly, get a mentor or someone to show you the right direction. It's important to have a great team around you, people you know, like and trust to help you grow the business!"


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Presented in a limited edition of 200 watches, the GRAND LANGE 1 MOON PHASE "Lumen" combines a brilliant moon-phase display with a mystically luminous outsize date that reflects the characteristic style of the brand icon.
The dial of the new model is made of blackened silver with ample apertures and blacktinted, semi-transparent sapphire-crystal glass. The special coating applied to the glass pigments on the outsize-date mechanism and cause them to glow in the dark. The tens cross is coated with a white luminous compound and printed with black numerals. Conversely, the units disc, also featuring black numerals, is made of transparent glass and rotates in front of the luminous background of the date aperture.
Different from Lange's previous moon-phase models with solid-gold lunar discs, the GRAND LANGE 1 MOON PHASE has a disc made of glass. Initially, its surface is treated with a patented coating process. In a second step, a laser is used to cut out 1164 stars and the moon. Thanks to the luminous compound behind the lunar disc, they shimmer with vibrant radiance. The large moon-phase display occupies a prominent position on the main dial. Once properly set, it only needs to be corrected by one day every 122.6 years.
Featuring all of the quality highlights of an A. Lange & Söhne timepiece, the manually wound calibre L095.4 is elaborately finished and assembled twice. The three-quarter plate made of untreated German silver is decorated with Glashütte ribbing and sets a dramatic stage for the seven screwed gold chatons. A classic screw balance with a freesprung balance spring crafted in-house assures excellent rate accuracy. And the large mainspring barrel delivers power for 72 hours. Presented in a limited edition of 200 watches, this model comes in a 41-millimetre platinum case.
It will be retail for €69,600 Euros.
For more information please visit A. Lange & Söhne
Technical Specifications
GRAND LANGE 1 MOON PHASE "Lumen" Ref. 139.035F
Movement: Lange manufacture calibre L095.4, manually wound, crafted to the most exacting Lange quality standards, decorated and assembled by hand; precision-adjusted in five positions; plates and bridges made of untreated German silver; balance cock engraved by hand
Movement parts: 446
Jewels: 45
Screwed gold chatons: 7
Escapement: Lever escapement
Oscillator: Shock-resistant screw balance; balance spring manufactured in-house with a frequency of 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour, precision beat adjustment system with lateral setscrew and whiplash spring
Power reserve: 72 hours when fully wound
Time indicated in hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds with stop seconds; power-reserve indicator; luminous outsize date; moon-phase display
Operating elements
Crown for winding the watch and setting the time, one button for quick outsize date corrections, recessed push piece for correcting the moon-phase display
Case dimensions
Diameter: 41.0 millimetres; height: 9.5 millimetres
Movement dimensions
Diameter: 34.1 millimetres; height: 4.7 millimetres
Crystal and back: Sapphire crystal (Mohs hardness 9)
Case: Platinum
Dial: Basic dial (outer ring, hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds) in solid silver, black-oxidised; semi-transparent sapphire crystal; luminous details: outsize date, Roman numerals and markers for the time, power-reserve indicator and moon-phase display
Hands: Rhodiumed gold, luminous
Strap: Hand-stitched alligator leather strap, black
Buckle: Platinum deployant buckle
Limited edition of 200 watches


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So Friday, I had a major work event planned.
I mean, it was going to be good. It's a community relations meeting, at which I would hand out the grant checks to local charity organizations. We had decorated with lovely Christmas decorations like holly and black tablecloths and old Christmas music! It was December 8, in the south! What could go wrong?
A record-breaking winter storm, is what could go wrong.
We had been advised that there would be like, 0.5 of an inch MAYBE. This is Georgia, after all, and still early December. Nobody thought it would get cold enough to *really* snow. But snow it did. When I left for work that morning at 6:30 and saw the flakes starting to fall, I called my husband (who works in Atlanta) and said "ruh-roh". (That's Scooby-Doo for "uh-oh", and it's my favorite way to say "uh-oh", so just go with it, I guess).
By 11:00 (when my work event was planned to start), the snow had already started accumulating (maybe an inch or so). So I did what any self-respecting manager would do: held the event, hurried through my presentation, and handed out the checks in record time! Then my Lead Team and I huddled in a room and made a #GeorgiaWinterStorm2017 plan. We didn't call it that. Just I do, in my head.
I left for home early to work from the safety of my house, which looked like this:
It definitely was beautiful, and the trees looked incredible. Georgia looked like one of those fairy tale books: definitely not something we're used to! It was a record snowfall for Atlanta.
Josh got home early too, and we stayed in, eating soup and watching holiday movies. It was actually pretty blissful… until we lost power the next morning. But the power was only out for a few hours, during which time we watched a movie (The Disaster Artist, which was very funny) and shopped (whoops). I blame #GeorgiaWinterStorm2017.
AT least we had something close to a white Christmas!


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Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a love that grows out of reason and choice, not instinct. I need to be loved by someone who chooses to love me, who sees in me something worth loving.
Gary Chapman
The 5 Love Languages was written by Dr Gary Chapman. It is a book that had been on my reading list for years. Recently, I decided to plunge in and I also took the love language test.
Understanding the way I love and perceive to be loved was life-changing. Since finding out what my main love languages are, my past experiences started to make more sense to me.
Learning about love languages has also allowed me to rethink relationships. I learned each one of us has a primary love language, which may be different from our partners, family members, or friends.
Many issues can arise when love languages are not understood or cared for. Such differences can impact the quality of our relationships and the way we feel and give love.
The 5 Love Languages
In total, there are 5 love languages. We are usually more fluent in one or two of them. For instance, my primary and secondary love languages are physical touch and quality time. You can find yours here.
People may say I'm a good writer, a good listener, a good this or that. However, none of these has a massive impact on what Dr Gary calls the "love tank". They are not representative of my primary language.
Here is what usually happens to me. An I love you not backed up by concrete actions or focused attention doesn't make much sense to me. It may work for a little while, but it doesn't usually fulfil my need for love.
We understand and feel loved more easily when it is expressed in our love language. That's why loving someone and making that person feel loved are two different things.
Do you want to learn even more?
Get the book here:
Before getting familiar with Dr Chapman's work, I had no idea that I had a particular way of feeling and experiencing love. As a result, I used to rationalize my unmet needs a lot.
My partners did not appreciate the importance of quality of time as much as I do. They had different love languages. As a result, I simply assumed I was hard to love. I thought I was demanding and too complex.
I just have a particular way of feeling and expressing love, which I was not aware of. On top of this, I also understood not everyone around me shares that same perception and feeling.
For me, love is about sharing time with another in a significant and thoughtful way. It requires intention and positive regard. It asks for undivided attention and sensitivity toward one's likes and dislikes.
Something in our nature cries out to be loved by another. Isolation is devastating to the human psyche. That is why solitary confinement is considered the cruellest of punishments.
— Gary Chapman
Being involved in something physical during that time is equally important to me. I will give you a specific example. I crave adventure and newness, so going for a walk in the wild or having a good laugh fills up my heart.
I'm sure there are more ecstatic things for other people. Otherwise, the other love languages wouldn't exist. Maybe love would be easier, but the truth is that each one of us gives and receives love differently.
According to Dr Chapman, to make sure love lasts we must find ways to understand, respect, and honour our partner's love language. We must commit to knowing one another.
To give you a head start, here is the worst and the best you can do to show love to your partner based on their primary love language:
|Love Language
|The Worst You Can Do
|The Best You Can Do
|Quality Time
"Being there" is paramount, quality conversations, quality activities
|– Not actively listening
– Engage in distractions
– Postpone dates
|– Make eye contact
– Put the technology aside
– Share an Experience/Activity
|Physical Touch
Physical touch and accessibility bring safety, security, and reassurance
|– Neglect
– Abuse of any kind
|– Cuddles & Kisses
– Play with their hair
– Be nearby
|Acts of Service
Actions speak more than words
|– Being lazy
– Break commitments
– Giving them more work
|– Help them proactively
– Do things for them
– Fix things around the house
|Words of Affirmation
Words speak more than actions
|– Criticism
– Insults
|– Say "I love you"
– Send loving text messages
– Make compliments
|Receiving Gifts
The perfect gift or gesture means being seen and remembered
|– Miss birthdays or important celebrations
– Thoughtless gifts
|– Give them a "Recuerdo" from a special occasion
– Bring them their favourite treat
– Offer them a trip
Concluding Thoughts
Giving and receiving love should be relatively easy, right?
We know that reality is more complex than that though. People perceive and feel love differently. Gary Chapman's work teaches us that.
Whether you are in a romantic relationship or not, you can benefit from identifying your primary love language. You will know more about yourself and potentially improve the way you give and receive love.
If you wish to take a step further and learn more about love languages, I strongly recommend The 5 Love Languages book by Gary Chapman.
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Stephanie and I both started with these fabrics.
All Kona solids, a few greens, a few neutrals and a zinger - the plum.
I started by piecing a unit.
Then I pieced another.
And I continued this way until I got a strip.
It is not straight but it is about the right length. I like that it isn't straight and I will just go with this curve.
Then my camera batteries died and I didn't want to wait for them to recharge before continuing, so I just put them on the charger and kept sewing.
By the time they were charged, I had the center together. My original plan was to add a few borders to this, square it up and call it done. Then I got my copy of Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.
This book is the kind of book I love. It is heavy on technique with only a few projects. She explains in detail how to make each letter, but gives no specific measurements - awesome! There are lots of diagrams so you really don't even need to read the text to make a letter. Back to my project.
I just had to make some letters after getting this book and I already had the fabrics for my challenge project out. So I made a few letters.
Then I pieced them together.
Then I added my word to the bottom of my center and bordered the whole thing. Voila!
I call this my Fun Quilt. I am embellishing this with hand stitching, so I am not finished.
Here is a detail shot of the stitching. I am using a 12 wt. Sulky Blendables variegated thread. The colors range from light purple to dark plum and light gray to almost black.
I am thoroughly enjoying the "embellishing with stitch" process so I am taking my time with it. When I finish I plan to do a traditional binding with the dark gray border fabric. The quilt will end up being about 14" by 20". The letters are between 3" and 3.5" tall.
If you haven't already done so, go check out what Stephanie made with the same fabrics. You won't be sorry. She did an awesome job! We have already chosen our next challenge project for February. We will both post about what we make this month on or about March 1st.


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Are Police Being Targeted? Amid Black Lives Matter Protests, Officers In Baton Rouge, Dallas, Florida And Milwaukee Attacked
The people tasked with keeping civilians safe may be in need of protection themselves.
Thirty-one law enforcement officers have been fatally shot so far this year, an uptick of 72 percent from the year before, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
"This is both shocking and unprecedented in recent history," the fund's president, Craig W. Floyd, said in a Sunday statement. "Fourteen of the officers killed this year in shootings were ambushed; killed simply because of the uniform they wear and the job that they do."
Floyd was reacting to news of a Sunday shooting in Baton Rouge, where authorities said black Marine veteran Gavin Long "intentionally targeted and assassinated" three officers and wounded three others, according to Reuters. But his comments can apply to several other recent news events.
On July 7, gunman Micah Xavier Johnson killed five police officers and injured seven others after a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas. Johnson had told negotiators "he wanted to kill officers, and he expressed killing white people," police chief David Brown later revealed at a press conference. The timing suggested Johnson may have been motivated by the deaths of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, both unarmed black men fatally shot by police this month, CNN reported.
On July 8, officer Michael Flamion was shot in the neck in St. Louis, Missouri during a traffic stop. Chief Kevin Scott told reporters Monday Flamion was left paralyzed due to "catastrophic damage to his spinal cord," according to the Associated Press.
That same day, an officer in Valdosta, Georgia was shot when he responded to a 911 call about a car break-in. Officer Randall Hancock was only struck one time because of his bulletproof vest, the AP reported. The suspect, Stephen Paul Beck, was hospitalized and charged.
This past Sunday, Milwaukee police officer Brandon Baranowski had to have surgery after being "attacked viciously" by a suspect shooting bullets into his car as Baranowski responded to a domestic disturbance. The gunman, Tomas A. Uriegas, appeared to have killed himself afterward, WISN reported. Baranowski will recover.
That same day, police found one of their police cars — with nobody inside — on fire in Daytona Beach, Florida. The vehicle had been left parked in front of an Islamic center, according to ClickOrlando. The flames were extinguished, but a note referencing the Black Lives Matter movement as well as Sterling and Castile was found nearby.
From 1991 through 2012, police ambushes were declining, according to a fact sheet from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Most suspects used their hands and firearms in the attacks.
"It is time for the silent majority in this country to support law enforcement," Devon Anderson, the district attorney in Harris County, Texas, told reporters last year. "There are a few bad apples in every profession. That does not mean there should be open warfare declared on law enforcement."
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