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I have been on birth control (Alesse) for around 4 years and am PETRIFIED of getting pregnant. in the last 10 months I have had 4 episodes of breakthrough bleeding on Alesse. I started breakthrough bleeding several days before when my period usually starts and the bleeding stopped a couple of days before my period usually starts. My period is about 2 days late and I am freaking out.
Is it possible that the breakthrough period is causing my period to be late or nonexistent? I have taken my birth control at the same time each day this month. I have never missed a period on birth control, although I have had breakthrough bleeding (though usually not this close to my shceduled withdrawal bleeding).
I can relate to you a lot on that. I had breakthrough bleeding 2 weeks after my last period ended and now I'm freaking out because I don't know if I'm going to get my period or not. They say breakthrough bleeding can be a sign of pregnancy, or so that's what some of the research I've gone through has said. It also can be a sign of the pills not being strong enough, or a hormonal imbalance, fibroids, etc. Have you gone to see a doctor yet?? If i were you, I'd take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
I can relate to you a lot on that. I had breakthrough bleeding 2 weeks after my last period ended and now I'm freaking out because I don't know if I'm going to get my period or not. They say breakthrough bleeding can be a sign of pregnancy, or so that's what some of the research I've gone through has said. It also can be a sign of the pills not being strong enough, or a hormonal imbalance, fibroids, etc. Have you gone to see a doctor yet?? If i were you, I'd take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
Birth control, breakthrough period, then period late: HELP could I be pregnant?
I have been on birth control (Alesse) for around 4 years and am PETRIFIED of getting pregnant. in the last 10 months I have had 4 episodes of breakthrough bleeding on Alesse. I started breakthrough bleeding several days before when my period usually starts and the bleeding stopped a couple of days before my period usually starts. My period is about 2 days late and I am freaking out.
Is it possible that the breakthrough period is causing my period to be late or nonexistent? I have taken my birth control at the same time each day this month. I have never missed a period on birth control, although I have had breakthrough bleeding (though usually not this close to my shceduled withdrawal bleeding).
The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a diagnosis of any health or fitness problem, condition or disease; or a recommendation for a specific test, doctor, care provider, procedure, treatment plan, product, or course of action. Med Help International, Inc. is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. We disclaim all responsibility for the professional qualifications and licensing of, and services provided by, any physician or other health providers posting on or otherwise referred to on this Site and/or any Third Party Site. Never disregard the medical advice of your physician or health professional, or delay in seeking such advice, because of something you read on this Site. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. By using this Site you agree to the following Terms and Conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately. | {
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Le Caroubier
Located close to the convention and exhibition center of the « porte de Versailles » in the 15th district, Caroubier restaurant is a typical Moroccan place. For more than 35 years, Aziz and his brother will cook for you fine and authentic Moroccan gastronomy. | {
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E3 2010 – Day One – Microsoft
So the first day of E3 is official over, and I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Here’s whats happened so far, with a press event by event break down:
Microsoft:
We’ve been expecting a lot from Microsoft and the 360. While we didn’t see anything unexpected from what we already knew was coming, we did get to see a lot of gameplay – never a bad thing. First we got some gameplay from Call of Duty: Black Ops. With everything that’s happened with Infinity Ward, the COD franchise has fallen back to Treyarch, while everyone still has Modern Warfare 2 on the brain, Black Ops looks like it’s not just going to honor the roots but embrace what we got from the Modern Warfare branch. Gameplay looks solid as you’d expect so unless there’s anything super-dooper ground breaking, it will fall to how solid the multiplayer system will be (which is where MW2 seemed to start having hiccups) and how the story will play out for those of us who still play the campaign of this series. I’m looking forward to the era jumping a lot and it should be cool to see that works and how the weapons transition from conflict to conflict; the whole premise really has me excited. Will we get a “No More Russians” caliber or type of level? I don’t know, but this looks to be shaping into an awesome game – if there was any doubt. Next, Kojima-san walked out and after passing the torch to Shigenobu Matsuyama we got a trailer for Metal Gear Solid: Rising. Following with the stunning level of quality we get from Kojima Productions, the graphics look incredible and right on par with what we got from MGS4. The only gameplay we got was showing off the cutting mechanic. And when I say cutting mechanic, I mean it looks like everything can be sliced multiple times over. Environment, enemies, watermelons, everything can be sliced and diced. Looks like there’s going to be some kind of bullet time mechanic that allows for precision slicing along a plane chosen by the player. The possibilities seem limitless but given his roots and being a robot samurai-ninja, I presume that Raiden will have some stealthing, but considering that the tag line is “Lightning Bolt Action” that might not happen. Before the trailer, Matsuyama-san gave a description of the gameplay showing the term Zan-Datsu meaning “cut-take”, part of the prerendered trailer showed Raiden dicing up a robot and then yanking what looked like a glowing spinal cord from the remains and then absorbing something. Since the gameplay only showed the Zan part of Zan-Datsu, we can only guess as to what Raiden is taking. My guess is something like energy or life. But it could be more Mega-man-ish and give him abilities from who he already killed. Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m excited beyond all reason for it; the cutting mechanics alone sold me and I’m getting a headache just thinking about how someone would code that. After Rising, they told us that everything else was a 360 exclusive, but they could have just gone and said Kinect exclusive too. Before I get to that, there were some awesome gameplay videos shown with some Halo: Reach campaign play which looks gorgeous, Gears 3, a sprinkling of Fable 3, and a Crytec 360 exclusive going right now by Codename: Kingdoms that looks like a gladiator game. Reach look absolutely beautiful. It’s got great music, the gameplay 360 owners got to see with the multiplayer beta, and just to put icing on the cake, the end of the trailer showed us space ship combat. It’s almost crazy that Bungie can still pull some surprise gameplay mechanics out of their hat after the beta, but damn it looks good. There’s not much to say about it besides simple oggle. I’d be even more surprised if they end up having multiplayer spaceship battles, but I won’t count them out entirely. Gears 3 gave a glimpse of the 4 player co-op, weapon swapping, and a bayonet charge on the old gun. I’d like to see more gameplay of the female Cogs but so far so go and at this point I think Cliff can do no wrong. They also told us of a new mode called “Beast”; everything is still up in the air about it but some think you can be one of the giant monsters in the game while your friends try to murder you. Fun times. Fable 3 looks very intriguing, I don’t know if it is possible, but I got a serious vibe about a dual story, since it seems to follow two separate countries of the continent. We saw some gameplay and again, looking great. Now, for the rest of the event we get Kinect, Kinect is Natal’s official name (and when i first saw it I kept thinking “Kinetic”). As a device, I have no qualms, it looks amazing, voice activating, hand-motioning, video chatting goodness. However, as a gaming hardware, I’m not a 100% sold yet. The applications do show promise, but as one of the G4 hosts aptly said everything looks like what Nintendo already did and if I might add, minus the cute charm that came with the Wii. While this isn’t a bad thing I guess, it doesn’t really seem to show off the power of the system on its own. Now, from the 3rd party developers, that looks like where the Kinect will start to shine. Ubisoft is bringing what is essentially a more robust and deeper WiiFit called Your Shape Fitness Evolved. Some cool applications and it has grown one me somewhat. Really the only thing that super stood out for me was Harmonix’s offering to the dance game, Dance Central, which actually looks fun. I’ve never been much of a DDR player, and I doubt I’ll play DC, but it does look cool and seems to really utilize Kinect to its fullest for something devoted to purely fun. I also think it will be more accessible that DDR since the coordination seems more natural than the flailing about on a giant D-pad, but we’ll see. We get a release date for the thing but no price point. The rumor at one point was that it would be $150 which I think throws it out of the price range for the casual audience Microsoft wants to attract, especially if they don’t already own a 360. Unless it’s somewhere in the $50 range I don’t see mobs of people lining up to grab the thing and an Xbox along with it. The biggest thing that made me drool though was what was shown next: Star Wars. I’m a Star Wars nut and the fantasy to swing a lightsaber around since the Wii came out is still there. It looks like we’re getting a rail-shooter type game where you control a Jedi. It was just a video so you couldn’t see what motions correlated to what was going on screen, but if a game made me buy Kinect, that might be it: Star Wars Kinect Lightsaber game (Yep, they don’t need a better name than that to sell me. Told you I was a nut). All and all, Star Wars aside, nothing really made me want to buy the Kinect game wise. Everything just looked kind of ‘meh’ to me. The technology looks cool enough and I love the applications of working a 360 with voice commands and minimal hand gestures – I mean who wouldn’t? Connectivity through Xbox Live and the camera on Kinect also shows some cool possibilities (as long as your friend on the other end has it too) for networking and video chat. But as a gaming platform, I’m not biting, not yet at least. It also raises a point that Sony used when the Move popped up: Sometimes you just need a controller. The game’s with driving left me a little bewildered as to how you control speed. Speech commands can only go so far before they get annoying and none of this looks like something I can last playing a long time. Sure quick games are nice, but that’s what my iPhone is going to be for, sometimes you want a meaty game to sink into and not only did I not see it, I’m not sure I could last playing a game like that on Kinect for very long. I’m not sure when or if we’ll see that type of game either. With the controller already established, I see Kinect as falling to number 2 unless a developer sees it as a means to something they couldn’t do before, like Harmonix. I’m interested to see where this tech goes, cause it really is cool, but it looks like it should come as a pack in, not something I want to go blow extra money on as opposed to a second controller and a copy of the latest Gears or Halo game. The final bomb from Microsoft was the Xbox Slim, they aren’t calling it that but that’s what it is. The shape is kind of growing on me, it matches the sleek shiny black of Kinect, but it’s just not there for me – course this isn’t a beauty contest. 250GB HDD and the latest in WiFi do make it a pretty nice package and a $299 price point should move units handily and possibly give the PS3 a run for the top seller position. And to cap the whole thing off, everyone in the audience got a slim for FREE. If you never wanted to go to E3 before, you sure as hell will now.
Since this post ran a long, I’ll be breaking it up. EA and Ubisoft will be up next, look for them later. Enjoy the rest of E3 and follow all the press events at G4tv.com | {
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Lab focuses on more accurate, targeted drug delivery through nanotherapy
He sees medicine scaled down, with vanishingly small nanoparticles playing a big role, delivering drug doses measured in molecules directly to cancerous tumors.
He sees “theranostic” particles that not only deliver nanotherapy, but also beam back diagnostic images of changing tumor cells. He sees “smart” nanoparticles that release tiny doses of drugs, such as insulin, in response to body conditions, like changing blood sugar levels.
Nanotherapy visionary Omid Farokhzad is helping bring to reality nanoparticle-based vaccines that can take the joy out of smoking, reverse allergies, and more.Farokhzad sees nanoparticle-based vaccines that can take the joy out of smoking and reverse allergies, and the development of therapeutic nanoparticles that can be taken orally instead of injected, opening whole new classes of medications, like cholesterol-lowering statins, to nanoparticle therapy.
An associate professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Farokhzad sees these things because he’s helping bring them to reality. Of the seven targeted nanoparticle-based drug candidates currently in human trials, two are based on technologies developed in part in his lab.
“I think the medicine my own kids will see in the next 30 to 40 years will be very different from what we practice today,” said Farokhzad, the director of the Brigham’s Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Biomaterials. “Targeted therapies will be the mainstay of treatment for almost all diseases.”
Nanoparticles are molecular-scale capsules that can deliver tiny payloads, such as anti-cancer drugs, into the body. A common method uses fat molecules to create the particles, which release the drugs inside when the fat breaks down. Farokhzad, building on work by scientist Robert Langer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has developed controlled-release nanoparticles made of polymers instead of fat. These better resist breakdown and so release drugs over longer periods.
If the disease doesn’t kill you …
Using a controlled-release nanoparticle in therapy has several advantages over conventional drug delivery, Farokhzad said. Particles with molecules that bind to the outside of cancer cells can target a tumor cell and release drugs directly to the malignancy. In addition, the particles’ extended survival in the bloodstream extend the tumor cells’ exposure to the anti-cancer drug, delivering a greater cumulative dose to the tumor even while lowering the toxicity to the rest of the body.
In traditional chemotherapy, for example, doctors blast a patient’s entire body with chemicals in an effort to kill tumor cells. Almost all of the drug, however — upwards of 99 percent, Farokhzad said — misses the tumor entirely. Instead, the highly toxic chemicals hit other organs and tissues, forcing physicians into a high-wire act balancing tumor-killing effectiveness and toxicity, which can lead to a range of side effects, and even kill the patient.
In addition, Farokhzad said, the traditional chemo infusion results in a short-duration pulse during which the tumor sees most of the drug. Concentrations then typically fall quickly as the body clears away the chemical.
In controlled-release therapy, the nanoparticle concentration is also highest in the blood immediately after infusion, but because the drug is released from the particles more slowly, its peak concentration — and its highest toxicity — is lower, blunting unwanted side effects.
At the tumor site, the opposite happens. The nanoparticles’ ability to lock onto tumor cells delivers between five and 10 times the dose of traditional chemotherapy at any moment. And because particles circulate in the blood longer, the tumor’s exposure is also longer.
“A tumor sees a materially increased drug concentration compared with the drug given in conventional form and the rest of the body sees about the same level of the drug,” Farokhzad said. “[But] it’s being delivered much more gently over time.”
Two potential therapies based on work in Farokhzad’s lab are in human testing. The first, BIND-014, uses targeted nanotherapy for lung and prostate tumors. The drug candidate recently passed phase 1 trials, which are focused on a drug’s safety, and entered phase 2 trials, which measure the therapy’s effectiveness. Farokhzad said the molecular target on the prostate cancer cell is also found on the cells of tumor blood vessels, giving the therapy potentially broader cancer-fighting applications.
The second therapy, which is in phase 1 trials, is a nicotine nanoparticle vaccine, meant to help smokers quit and prevent relapse for those who have done so. The vaccine works by sensitizing the immune system to nicotine, a small molecule that normally escapes the immune system on its way to the brain’s pleasure centers. The vaccine makes nicotine visible to the immune system, clearing it from the body and removing the pleasurable sensation it causes.
The trials are being run by two of the three companies Farokhzad has founded since 2007. The first, Bind Therapeutics, was established to develop the early promise of targeted nanoparticles for cancer treatment. The second, Selecta Biosciences, was similarly founded to pursue nanoparticle-based vaccine development. The third company, Blend Therapeutics, is designing drug molecules that are optimized from the start to work with nanoparticles to target infectious diseases, inflammation, pain, and cancer.
Passing the “who cares’’ test
Farokhzad, who received his M.D. from Boston University, was drawn to nanoparticle research during his residency at BWH. In addition to his clinical duties, he was conducting research on the transcription factors that regulate the expression of genes involved in myeloid differentiation, but he was looking for a project that had a near-term potential to improve the lives of patients he was seeing in the clinic every day.
“I was just stepping back … and looking at the big picture. If I did everything well and understood the transcriptional regulation of these genes, whose lives would it change? At the end of the day, does it pass the ‘who cares’ test?” Farokhzad said. “I wanted things that had a human application, a bench-side innovation that could go to the bedside.”
Farokhzad heard about Langer, who runs the largest biomedical engineering lab in the world and has conducted pioneering work in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems, including long-lasting nanoparticles. He contacted Langer, who agreed to take him on as a postdoc.
Farokhzad explored creating nanoparticles with nucleic acids on their surface that bind to specific sites on cancer cells, like a key that fits a lock, as he described it. In 2004, he demonstrated that the technique worked on cells in a lab dish and, a year later, delivered a talk at an international cancer conference in Paris describing experiments showing that the technique worked in animals.
“I thought if there was a way to spatially control which tissues saw more of the drug, it would be a paradigm shift,” Farokhzad said.
The response was immediate. Conference organizers chose his work to be among the handful of findings they promoted out of the conference, and the media attention drew venture capitalists looking to finance the next big discovery.
Farokhzad, who had left Langer’s lab in 2004 to start his own lab at the Brigham, turned to Langer, who he knew had started several companies. Together, the two co-founded Bind Therapeutics.
“He totally took it to a huge new level,” Langer said of Farokhzad’s development of earlier nanoparticle research. “Omid is passionate about making discoveries into new products that can help people’s lives.”
Farokhzad not only took from Langer’s lab an interest in nanoparticles, he also adopted Langer’s view that private industry is an essential partner in bringing discoveries to the patient.
“My philosophy has been: ‘How do you get these things to the public?’ Our lab is a pretty good size and does pretty well in grants, but you can only go so far in what you expect students to do,” Langer said. “These companies provide a terrific vehicle for bringing these ideas from the lab to the clinic.”
Tools to deliver needed drugs
Today, Farokhzad’s lab takes up one entire floor plus part of another in the Brigham’s Medical Research Building in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area. Its 30 investigators, including fellows and students, explore ways to make nanoparticles with novel properties that might make them useful in therapy. One of his longtime fellows, Jinjun Shi, has received an appointment as an assistant professor of anesthesia and is moving upstairs to open his own lab.
Nanoparticles, Farokhzad said, can be engineered to do more than just target specific cells. They can be used flexibly to answer any number of therapeutic challenges, eliminating the need to find compounds that by themselves are both effective therapies and effective delivery systems within the body.
One recent thrust has been to develop a nanoparticle without using organic solvents because the solvents react with some types of therapeutic drugs, breaking them down before they can enter the bloodstream. Another effort, in collaboration with Langer and Richard Blumberg, a professor of medicine at HMS and the Brigham, has been to develop a particle that can be taken orally. The process mimics the natural process through which infants gain the antibodies that give them their initial protection on entering the world. The babies absorb the antibodies in their mother’s breast milk, and the antibodies cross the gut/blood barrier to give them immune protection. When nanoparticles are attached to antibodies, they can hitch a ride into the bloodstream through a barrier they couldn’t cross alone.
“If oral delivery of biologics is so difficult, why do babies do it so effectively?” Farokhzad asked. | {
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We know that when you talk to people who actually live in the Seattle they're usually pretty adamant that it doesn't rain all the time like most of us think. Next thing you know, they'll be telling us that it's hard to find good coffee up there, too. We have our stereotypes and we aren't going to let go of them that easily, especially when they help us make an important point about an automobile accessory like Toyota Tacoma vent visors and window deflectors. If you own one of these trucks up in that area we know a great reason you should install Tacoma vent visors. And with countless Toyota Tacoma vent visors & window deflectors reviews to read, you'll discover real experiences from real customers like you.
With Toyota Tacoma vent visors and window deflectors installed you can drive around with your windows open even when it's raining outside and your truck cab will stay dry. This is a great way to enjoy the fresh Washington State air, or a warm summer thunderstorm. Toyota Tacoma vent visors and window deflectors also alleviate the discomfort you get at speed when you have your windows open. Tacoma vent visors cut down the noise and the pressure differential that causes your ears to pop. No matter which reason you choose, AutoAnything gives you the best deal on Toyota Tacoma vent visors and window deflectors.
Toyota Tacoma Vent Visors & Window Deflectors ReviewsCheck out this recent Toyota Tacoma EGR In-Channel Rain Guards customer review: Thomas S from Mount Holly, NC says "I could not be more happy with my EGR Visors. They arrived in perfect condition.I thought they might give some trouble with installation but the whole process from opening the box to discarding the packaging took at least 5 whole minutes. They look great and do a good job keeping water out of my '04 Tacoma."
Toyota Tacoma Vent Visors & Window Deflectors are Available for the Following Trims & Body Styles: | {
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We’re just days away from the unveiling of the Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL (plus a bunch of other stuff) but never doubt the resourcefulness of leakers, as the final design of the latter may have just surfaced.
Two leaked renders from EvanBlass showcase the upcoming phone, one of which sees it fit snugly into a form-fitting case, and another that shows it in the buff. Only the front is within view, but for all that’s hidden, there’s still plenty to look at.
Credit: Evan Blass
For instance, we can see the minimized bezels near the top and bottom, which are drastically reduced from what we saw in the original Google Pixel. They rock a subtle curve near the corners, which are reminiscent to what we’ve seen on the LG V30. We’ve heard that this design will be a Pixel 2 XL exclusive, leaving the smaller Pixel 2 looking similar to day’s Pixel devices in the bezel department.
Among a few other small observations in the Pixel 2 XL leak, it’s also possible to see the dual front-facing speakers, the array of familiarly-located buttons on the side and a selfie camera. Standing out on the display, other than the gorgeous-looking 2.5D curved screen itself, is what’s on it: a new-look Pixel Launcher.
A small, but potentially huge update
Judging from what can be seen here, the Google search bar now resides near the bottom of the screen. For most, if not all, Android users, this will look a bit strange on the first few glimpses.
Next, the new launcher displays pertinent calendar information up top, including the weather (which has a matching rainy wallpaper to match, no less. Coincidence?). Strangely, this all puts the time and date on the back burner, though what’s being displayed might just be contextual and fade back to the usual view after the event has passed.
Not to needlessly whip out our tin-foil hats here, but we’re picking up the slightest whiff of Google’s Fuchsia operating system here. From the bottom-oriented search bar to the way the notification text is listed out looks a bit like what we saw pop up in May.
Combine these small changes with the cloud of mystery surrounding what on Earth could require the Google Pixelbook to launch with upwards of 512GB of storage and the signs, even if nothing turns up at this week’s event, may be beginning to point toward Fuchsia, the company’s merger of Android and Chrome OS. | {
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Premier Gymnastics of the Rockies hosted the Region 3 Level 8 Gymnastics Meet on April 4 through April 6. It was held at Loveland High School. Teams from 8 different states from around the Region competed in the three day event. The gymnasts competing in this meet had to qualify at their state meets in order to be eligible to compete.
In the Senior A Division, Tatum Graham placed 21st on Vault, 25th on Floor and 24th in the All- Around Competition. Sidney Strizki tied for 10th on Uneven Bars and placed 25th in the All-Around Competition. Kairey Vela tied for 17th on Uneven Bars. In the Senior B Division, Morgan Adams tied for 8th on Vault, tied for 11th on Balance Beam, and placed 19th in the All-Around Competition. | {
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KRISPY KREME'S PRIVACY POLICY
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Children’s Privacy
Protecting children’s privacy is of special importance to us. Accordingly, Krispy Kreme has developed privacy practices in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA").
Krispy Kreme collects the following information on our Sites from individuals younger than 13 (“children”): first name, last name, address, e-mail address, phone number, birthday, and parent’s name, e-mail, and physical address. Krispy Kreme does not condition children’s participation in any online activity on their disclosure of any more personally identifiable information than is reasonably necessary to participate in the activity.
Krispy Kreme will not use information we receive from a child until we receive verifiable consent from the child’s parent or legal guardian (collectively, the “parent”) to our use of the information. After we receive a parent ’s consent, we will use the information we collect from a child to enable us to offer information about our Sites, our products, our activities, and special events. We may also use such information for our internal marketing plans and purposes.
Unless parents specifically register on our Sites to receive information from us, we will not use their e-mail addresses for any reason except to notify them about their child’s desire to register on our Sites and to effect and validate the registration of their child. After we receive the parents’ response to our request for information, we may, at our option, maintain the parents’ information in our internal records, but only to allow us to demonstrate that we have complied with our privacy policy and with applicable laws.
Krispy Kreme will not sell any child’s personal information to anyone outside our company. We may share information from children with licensed franchisees, store operators, and external service providers (such as mailing houses and IT providers) that have agreed to follow our Privacy Policy.
Parents and children will find information below regarding how they can give Krispy Kreme permission to register a child on our Sites and permit them to receive the information we provide to our Site registrants.
Children who are younger than 13 will be asked to provide their parent’s name, e-mail address, and physical address. After we receive the information, we will send an e-mail to the parent stating that the child is attempting to register on our Sites and providing the parent with the URL, user name, and a password to access the information the child has provided to us. When a parent submits the child’s registration information, the child is notified via e-mail that the submission has been made and that the child is now officially registered on the Sites.
Parents may review personal information collected from or about their child that has not already been deleted. Parents may also request that Krispy Kreme review, modify, or delete any personal information about their child by contacting us and providing specific instructions on what we are to do with the information. To contact us by e-mail, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Include your user name and e-mail. To contact us by U.S. mail, write to "Join Friends of Krispy Kreme,” c/o Customer Experience, P.O. Box 83, Winston-Salem, NC 27102.
Security of Your Personal Information
Krispy Kreme has implemented security policies and practices to protect the personal information it collects from misuse and loss. These policies and practices are also designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Although we make every effort to help ensure the integrity and security of our network and systems, we cannot guarantee our security measures. We will update these measures as new technologies become available, as appropriate.
Other Websites, Links
This Privacy Policy applies only to the Sites. The policies of other websites operated by Krispy Kreme or its affiliates may vary because of local customs, practices, laws, or circumstances unique to the particular website. Please review the privacy policy of each website before using that site.
Our Sites may have links to our or third-party websites or applications, which may have privacy policies that differ from Krispy Kreme’s. Please review the privacy policies of those websites or applications. We are not responsible for the policies and practices of other parties, and any information you provide to those parties is subject to their privacy policies.
Reviewing, Updating, and Deleting Personal Information
If the personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date, please contact us and we will take reasonable steps to correct the information. To review or update your personal information, or if you wish your personal information to be deleted, please contact us by e-mail at [email protected] or by U.S. mail, at "Join Friends of Krispy Kreme,” c/o Customer Experience, P.O. Box 83, Winston-Salem, NC 27102.
Changes
This privacy policy is effective as of January 28, 2014. We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy from time to time. If this Privacy Policy changes, we will place an updated version on this page. Regularly reviewing this page ensures that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, how we store it, and under what circumstances, if any, we share it with other parties.
Contacting Krispy Kreme
If you have questions or need further information, please send us an e-mail to the following address: [email protected]. You may also contact us by mail at the following address: Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation, Attn: Customer Experience, P.O. Box 83, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. | {
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OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box: Which cloud storage service is right for you?
If you're ready to take the plunge into storing your files, photos and more in the cloud but need help deciding which service is right for your needs and wallet, we've got you covered with our in-depth cloud storage comparison.
Storing your files in the cloud has many advantages. You can view your files from any phone, tablet or computer that's connected to the Internet, and the cloud can also provide backup for files so they'll never disappear if your phone gets lost or your computer crashes. Using the cloud is a no-brainer, but picking which service to use is a bit more difficult.
For that reason, I've compiled a guide to the most popular cloud storage services, covering how they work and their strengths and weaknesses. I've also highlighted some lesser-known options if you want to get away from the mainstream.
Editors' note, March 25, 2016:This guide originally include cloud storage service Copy, but we've removed it because it is shutting down on May 1, 2016.
Before we get started, just a note about Apple's iCloud Drive. I didn't include it here because the service is not available for Android and it's really meant to be used within the Apple ecosystem, meaning if you use Mac computers and iOS devices together. If you do use mostly Apple products, it's a solid choice for cloud storage. For a full run-down of its features, pricing and availability, check out CNET's guide to Apple iCloud Drive.
OneDrive's Android app.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
OneDrive
First up is OneDrive, Microsoft's storage option. Those who use Windows 8 and 10 have OneDrive built into their operating system, where it shows up in the file explorer next to all of the files on your computer's hard drive. However, anyone can use it on the Web, by downloading a desktop app for Mac and earlier versions of Windows, or the OneDrive Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Xbox apps.
You can store any kind of file in the service, including photos, video and documents, and then access them from any of your Windows PCs or mobile devices. The service organizes your files by type for you, so it's easy to find what you need.
The Android, iOS and Windows Phone apps all have automatic photo uploads, meaning that when you shoot a photo with your phone, it's automatically saved to your account. OneDrive's biggest strength is that it works closely with Microsoft Office apps, such as Word or PowerPoint, so when you launch one of those applications you'll see a list of recent documents saved to OneDrive. If you have an Office 365 subscription and open a document saved in OneDrive, you can collaborate on it in real time with other people. You'll even be able to see the changes they make as they make them.
Microsoft is hoping that OneDrive will be the place where you store your photos, and the company is working on technology that will eventually sort all of the photos you take based on how important and meaningful they are. For instance, if you take a photo of your kids, a picture of a special meal and a shot of your parking space so you can find your car later, OneDrive would be able to understand the importance of each picture, save the ones it thinks are the most useful, and trash the rest. That's still big-picture stuff for OneDrive, but it gives you an idea of the direction Microsoft is moving in.
In late 2015, Microsoft made an announcement that it would no longer offer unlimited cloud storage to Office 365 subscribers. Instead, they are limited to 1TB. Additionally, beginning in early 2016, the 100GB and 200GB paid storage plans will be discontinued, replaced with a 50GB for $1.99 per month plan. You will no longer get extra space if you allow the OneDrive apps to automatically backup photos on your phone. Finally, anyone with a Microsoft account will only get 5GB of free storage, instead of 15GB. We will update this guide in 2016 when those changes are made.
Where it excels
Works seamlessly with Windows devices because it's built in to the Windows operating system.
It's easy to open and edit files from OneDrive in Microsoft's other applications, such as Word or Excel.
Signing up for OneDrive gets you a Microsoft account, which gives you access to Outlook, Xbox Live, and other Microsoft services.
Where it falls flat
Best for: If you have a Windows PC, tablet and phone, and need to get to your files from any device with little effort.
Dropbox on Windows.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Dropbox
Dropbox is a favorite in the cloud storage world because it's reliable, easy to use, and a breeze to set up. Your files live in the cloud and you can get to them at any time from Dropbox's website, desktop applications for Mac, Windows and Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora or compile your own), or the iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Kindle Fire mobile apps.
You can store any kind of file in Dropbox, by either uploading to the website or adding it with the desktop apps. Those apps live in your file system so that you can easily move files from your computer to the cloud and vice versa by dragging and dropping them into your Dropbox folder. The service automatically and quickly syncs your files across all of your devices, so you can access everything, everywhere. There is no size limit on files you upload to Dropbox with the desktop or mobile apps, but larger files can take several hours to upload, depending on your connection speed.
Dropbox gets a lot of praise for its clean design, and rightfully so. Though I am not a fan of Dropbox's website because the design is very basic and it doesn't give you many options to view and organize your files, its mobile apps and desktop apps are beautiful and easy to navigate.
Dropbox gives its users plenty of opportunities to get extra storage to beef up the paltry 2GB you get when you sign up. If you participate in the quick Getting Started tutorial, you get 250MB. Turn on the automatic photo upload feature on any of the mobile apps to get 3GB of extra space (you can get only 3GB total, not per device). You can earn 500MB for each friend you refer to Dropbox who actually signs up for the service, up to 16GB total, or 32 referrals.
Where it excels
Dropbox works equally well on PCs and Macs, Android and iOS.
The service is so simple and elegantly designed, that it's easy for anyone to master.
Where it falls flat
Dropbox's website doesn't let you control how your files are displayed.
Best for: Simple sharing when you use tons of different kinds of devices.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Google Drive
Google combines a complete set of office tools with cloud storage in Drive. You get a little bit of everything with this service, including a word processor, spreadsheet application, and presentation builder, plus 15GB of free storage space.
If you already have a Google account, you can already access Google Drive. You just have to head to drive.google.com and enable the service. You get 15GB of storage for anything you upload to Drive, including photos, videos, documents, Photoshop files and more. However, you have to share that 15GB with your Gmail account, photos you upload to Google+, and any documents you create in Google Drive.
While you can access any of your files from the Drive Web site, you can also download the Drive desktop app for Mac and PC to manage your files from your computer. You can organize all of your files in the desktop app, and they'll sync with the cloud so you can get to them anywhere.
Drive is built into Google's Web-based operating system Chromium, so if you have a Chromebook, Google Drive is your best cloud storage option. Like other cloud storage services, Drive has apps for iOS and Android for viewing and managing your files from your phone.
Google Drive has the benefit of a built-in office suite, where you can edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, even if you created the document in another program. The service also a large collection of extras, such as third-party apps that can send faxes or sign documents.
Google also recently introduced Google Photos, an online photo locker, where you can organize photos into albums. Google Photos is built into Drive in a separate tab, but you're really better off going straight to googlephotos.com to see and organize photos. However, you don't need to download the Google Photos app on your phone or tablet to back pictures you take there. The Google Drive app can take care of that.
What I like most about Google Drive is that you can drag and drop files into the Drive Web site and they'll be uploaded automatically. You can also preview attachments from Gmail in Google Drive, and save those files to your cloud.
Where it excels
Google Drive requires very little setup if you already have a Google account.
If you use Gmail, it's easy to save attachments from your e-mail directly to Drive with just a few clicks.
The app can automatically back up your photos on its own, without the need for the separate Google Photos app.
Where it falls flat
If you use Google Drive's tools to create documents, spreadsheets or presentations, you must export those files to edit them in another program.
You have to share your storage space with Gmail, so if you're inbox is overflowing, you'll get less cloud storage space.
Best for: Google diehards, or anyone who wants a few office tools with their cloud storage.
Box on Android.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Box
Anyone can sign up for a free individual account on Box, but the service's endless list of sharing and privacy features were built specifically for business and IT users. Beyond the basic cloud storage setup, where you can store just about any kind of file, Box lets you share files with colleagues, assign tasks, leave comments on someone's work, and get notifications when a file changes.
You can preview files from Box's website and even create basic text documents in Box. Like other cloud storage services, you can download a desktop app and sync your files between your hard drive and the cloud.
Box also gives you a lot of control over the privacy of your files. For example, you can decide who in your business can view and open specific folders and files, as well as who can edit and upload documents. You can even password-protect individual files and set expiration dates for shared folders.
Business users can also connect other apps, such as Salesforce and NetSuite, so that you can easily save documents to Box. There are also plug-ins for Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom that let you open and edit files saved to Box from those applications.
Where it excels
Box comes with tons of tools for businesses, including collaboration and file privacy control.
Where it falls flat
The service's endless list of sharing and privacy features can be lost on someone who's just using the service for personal storage.
Because of all those features, it can feel overwhelming to navigate the Box website if you're only trying to manage a few files and folders.
Best for: Teams of employees working together on projects, and large companies that need a place to securely share documents with everyone.
Amazon Cloud Drive's website.
Screenshot by Sarah Mitroff/CNET
Amazon Cloud Drive
Amazon already sells you nearly anything under the sun, and it wants to be the place you store all of your music, photos, videos and other files too. Amazon Cloud Drive has been around for a few years, but the company introduced new storage plans in March 2015; one just for photos and one for all other kinds of files.
Neither plan is free, but both have three-month trials. Unlimited Photos is available for free for all Amazon Prime members or anyone with a Fire device. If you don't have a Prime subscription or a Fire phone or tablet, you'll need to pay $12 per month for the storage.
True to its name, Unlimited Photos gets you unlimited storage for your photos (GIF, JPEG, BMP, TIFF and so on) and 5GB of free storage for other file types, including videos, PDFs and documents.
Unlimited Everything gets you storage for an unlimited number of files of any type, for $60 per year. There is no limit for how many files you can upload, but each file needs to be under 2GB unless you use the Cloud Drive desktop apps.
The Cloud Drive desktop apps are available for PC and Mac, and let you upload or download files. However, unlike other cloud storage services, the Amazon Cloud Drive app doesn't let you view your files from a folder on your computer. You can upload individual files and download your entire library, but if you want to view them or make changes, you'll need to go to Amazon's website.
Amazon Cloud Drive has apps for iOS and Android with automatic upload so videos and photos you take with your phone get saved to the cloud right after you shoot them. The service is also baked into Amazon's Fire tablets and phone.
Where it excels
If you already have an Amazon account, you don't need to sign up for a new service, you can simply sign into Cloud Drive.
Where it falls flat
The desktop app doesn't work with your file system, you can only use it upload or download files.
You can only view and manage files from the Cloud Drive website, but you cannot upload files larger than 2GB there.
Best for: Anyone with an Amazon Fire tablet or Fire phone, because it's part of the operating system. Unlimited Photos is good for Amazon Prime members, because you get it for free as part of that subscription.
Extra cloud options
One is SugarSync, a Dropbox-like alternative with apps for every mobile platform. The catch is that after your 90-day free trial, where you can play around with 5GB of storage, you need to pay at $7.50 per month for 60GB to keep using the service (you can upgrade to more storage for extra money).
There's also Space Monkey , which has an entirely different take on cloud storage. For $200, you buy a 2-terabyte (TB) hard drive from the company. You get to use 1TB of the drive's space to store any and all of your files as a local backup. Your files also get encrypted and broken into bits that are sent to other Space Monkey users' hard drives, so that you can access your files from another computer or mobile device. That's where that extra 1TB of space on your drive comes in -- it's used to store bits of other people's files. The service is free for the first year, then costs $49 per year to keep storing your files in the cloud. | {
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Olympus C-5050 Zoom
Their best camera yet? - Olympus introduces a top-of-the-line five-megapixel model with noise reduction technology, optimum image enlargement, an improved interface, and support for three memory formats.
Page 2:Executive Overview
Review First Posted: 01/09/2003
Executive Overview
Olympus' "C-series" digicams have a long, distinguished history, reaching
back to the original C-2000. With each generation, Olympus has advanced the
design a bit further, steadily increasing features and capabilities. With the
C-5050 Zoom though, they've taken a much larger step forward than in any of
their previous revisions of the line, adding a wide range of features, but also
substantially overhauling the camera's user interface in the process. The result
is really an all-new camera design. The new design and excellent image quality
combine to make this the best digicam Olympus has yet made, at least in the
eyes of this reviewer.
The 5.0-megapixel C-5050 is similar in many ways to Olympus' recent
4.1-megapixel model (the C-4040), incorporating the same super-bright 3x zoom
lens for excellent low-light capabilities, and a classic all-black advanced
rangefinder-style body with textured, non-slip holding surfaces, including the
rubberized-grip lens barrel. Newly-added features expand the C-5050's versatility
and exposure capabilities, and a host of new external buttons and revamped LCD
displays greatly improve the user interface. Measuring only 4.5 x 3.1 x 2.7
inches (114 x 80 x 70mm) and weighing 13.5 ounces (383 grams) without batteries
or memory cards (17.5 ounces, 495 grams with standard AA NiMH batteries), the
C-5050 is fairly easy to stash in a large pocket or purse, though I highly recommend
purchasing a soft cover or small camera bag for added protection.
Like its 4.1-megapixel predecessor, the C-5050 offers many advanced user controls,
including a Multi-Spot metering mode that averages up to eight selectable spot
readings, a one-touch white balance function (with optional manual white balance
correction for minor color adjustments), spot autofocus, contrast, saturation,
and sharpness adjustments, and QuickTime movies with simultaneous sound recording
capabilities. It also incorporates several new features, including a tilting
LCD monitor for more convenient viewing; advanced white balance options; a live
histogram feature in Record mode; an external flash hot shoe for both generic
and dedicated flash units; an array of Scene and function modes for more creative
shooting; and an improved user interface with more external control. There's
also a three-way memory compartment, with a Compact Flash slot as well as a
clever dual-function slot for SmartMedia and xD-Picture Cards.
The C-5050 Zoom features both an optical, real-image viewfinder and a rear panel,
1.8-inch, wide-view color TFT LCD monitor, with 114,000 pixels. The tilting
LCD monitor lifts out from the back panel, and tilts down about 30 degrees,
or upward 90 degrees for better viewing angles when the camera is held above
or below eye level. When the LCD monitor is engaged, it automatically displays
detailed exposure information, with the current exposure mode, f/stop setting,
shutter speed, and exposure compensation listed across the top of the monitor
(a nice feature not found on all digicams) and the number of images remaining
on the memory card in the current resolution setting (displayed briefly when
the monitor is turned on), at the bottom of the monitor. The C-5050 also provides
a very helpful numeric distance display when using the manual focus option,
as well as a zoom bar (activated when digital zoom is on) that shows both the
camera's 3x optical zoom in operation, as well as the digital zoom's progress,
when you zoom past the optical telephoto limit. New on the C-5050 is a live
histogram display, which displays the tonal values of the subject at your current
exposure setting. This is helpful for checking the exposure before capturing
an image.
The 7.1-21.3mm 3x zoom aspherical glass lens is equivalent to a 35-105mm lens
on a 35mm camera, with a very fast f/1.8-f/2.6 (wide angle to telephoto) maximum
aperture. In addition to the C-5050's 3x optical zoom, images can be enlarged
up to 3.4x with the digital zoom, depending on the image resolution size. (Users
should be aware that digital zoom is not the same as optical zoom, since the
digital zoom is merely cropping and enlarging the center portion of the CCD.
As a result, digitally enlarged images often result in higher image noise and/or
softer resolution.) After a long absence from the Olympus line, the C-5050 Zoom
sports an optional autofocus assist illuminator, greatly extending the camera's
usefulness for low-light shooting.
The C-5050 Zoom offers a great deal of exposure control, including Program (P),
Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Speed Priority (S), and Manual (M) exposure modes.
Program mode controls both aperture and shutter speed, while Aperture and Shutter
Priority modes give you control over aperture or shutter speed, while the camera
chooses the best corresponding settings. When used in A or S modes, apertures
range from f/1.8 to f/8.0 and shutter speeds from 1/2,000 to four seconds. The
Manual exposure mode provides the same aperture range, but with shutter times
as long as 16 seconds. The C-5050 also has five preset Scene modes, including
Portrait, Sports, Landscape-Portrait, Landscape-Scene, and Night modes, for
point-and-shoot style shooting. Additionally, in any of the main record modes
(P, A, S, M, My, or Movie), the "Scene" option of the Shooting menu
lets you apply Night, Portrait, or Landscape characteristics to the shot automatically.
Since not all of the Shooting menu options are available in the actual Scene
modes, this is a way to let the camera set itself up for a specific kind of
exposure without giving up any manual control.
The C-5050 Zoom provides five ISO options (Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400), automatic
exposure bracketing, Digital ESP and Spot metering modes, Single and Multi-Spot
Metering AE Lock modes, plus exposure compensation from +2 to -2 exposure values
(EV) in one-third-step increments. An advanced Noise Reduction System uses dark-frame
subtraction to minimize background noise (particularly in low-light conditions
and long exposures). The C-5050 Zoom's white balance offerings are some of the
most extensive I've seen on a prosumer digicam to date, with a total of nine
settings (Auto, Shade, Cloudy, Sunny, Evening Sun, Daylight Fluorescent, Neutral
Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, White Fluorescent, Incandescent, or One-Touch,
the manual setting). With the manual white balance option, you can save as many
as four custom settings, which is useful if you frequently shoot under a specific
light source. A white balance color adjustment function lets you dial in red
or blue color shifts from +7 to -7 steps (arbitrary units), providing excellent
control over color balance.
Image contrast, sharpness, and saturation adjustments are available through
the Mode Setup menu, and a Function menu option allows you to capture images
in black and white or sepia tone (with additional White Board and Black Board
settings for capturing text). An adjustable Automatic Exposure Lock (AEL) function
locks an exposure reading independently of the autofocus system, without having
to hold down the Shutter button halfway while you reframe the image. AEL optionally
takes a single exposure reading or up to eight averaged spot readings for more
accurate exposures. There's also a 12-second self-timer option for self-portraits,
and an infrared (IR) remote controller with a three-second shutter delay.
The C-5050 Zoom's Movie mode records QuickTime movies with or without sound,
in either SQ (160 x 120 pixels) or HQ (320 x 240 pixels) modes. Four-second
sound clips can be recorded to accompany still images, either with image capture,
or later during image playback. A Sequence mode is available for capturing multiple
images at up to 3.3 frames per second, and a Panorama mode allows you to take
up to 10 formatted shots for merging with Camedia's Panorama Stitch software
in the computer. A 2-in-1 capture mode snaps two vertically-oriented images
in succession, and saves them side-by-side as a single image. The effect is
like a split-screen view.
The camera's internal flash offers five operating modes (Flash Off, Auto-Flash,
Forced Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Synchro), with a range that extends
to approximately 18 feet (5.6 meters) in wide-angle mode and to about 12 feet
(3.8 meters) in telephoto mode. A standard hot shoe allows you to connect an
external flash unit when additional flash power is needed. You can also increase
or decrease the internal flash power from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments
through the Shooting menu.
The Olympus C-5050 Zoom ships with a 32MB xD-Picture Card for image storage
(larger capacity cards are available separately), but the camera also accommodates
CompactFlash (type I or type II) and SmartMedia card formats. You can connect
the camera directly to your computer via a high-speed USB interface to download
images, and if you want a larger viewfinder (or image playback) display, Olympus
provides a video output cable for connection to a television set (which works
nicely with the included remote control). Software shipped with the unit includes
Olympus' Camedia Master 4.0 utility package, which provides minor organization
and editing tools, in addition to a panorama "stitching" application.
Apple QuickTime and USB drivers for Macintosh and Windows are also supplied.
The new Camedia C-5050 Zoom offers exceptional creative control, great low-light
capabilities, and large file sizes for maximum print output. Combine this with
first-rate image quality, and an excellent user interface, and it's easy to
see why I call this the best camera Olympus has ever made. (Yes, I actually
do rate it above their excellent E-10 and E-20 models, largely for the C-5050's
much greater shooting speed.) | {
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That’s right: Hole In One International will happily insure any/all Club Professionals in your event! Sure, they’re a little more costly to insure (3x the price of 1 amateur golfer, to be exact) given their skill level; however, when you take the odds into consideration, it makes perfect sense.
Did you know that the odds of an amateur golfer making a hole-in-one are roughly 13,600 to 1, while for professional golfers, those odds are lessened all the way down to 2,500 to 1!
Insuring a hole-in-one, million dollar shootout or putting contest at your golf tournament this season? Have touring professionals in your event? Make sure not to exclude them from all the fun — Hole In One International will still allow you to insure them!
The price of one touring professional is approximately 5x the price of one amateur. When we take a look at the three hole in ones that were made during the 2012 Masters Par 3 Tournament a few months back, it only makes sense that they’d cost a bit more to insure, given their skill level. Touring professionals are a much higher liability in comparison to an amateur player. Did you know that the odds of a hole in one for amateurs are 13,000 to 1 while for professionals, it’s only 2,500 to 1? How’s that for putting things into perspective?
Hole In One International also allows club professionals to participate in any of our insured contests as well. While not as expensive as a touring professional, they’re still pricier than an amateur — 3x the price, to be exact. But again, just because they’re in your golf outing doesn’t mean you have to have them sit out while everyone else gets to take a swing (or putt) for some major dough. Nobody likes being left out … especially when it comes to being able to score a big prize!
Have any other questions about including amateurs, club professionals and/or touring professionals at your golf tournament? Feel free to give us a call at 800-827-2249 or email us!
“When it comes to the game of life, I figure I’ve played the whole course.” — Lee Trevino
There’s no doubt about it… there are quite a few pro golfers out there who have “deserved” to win The Masters over the years, but for one reason or another, haven’t quite met the mark.
One of the professional golfers who first comes to our minds here at Hole In One International is Lee ‘Buck’ Trevino.
Trevino, the self-taught Mexican-American golf icon, made quite a name for himself during his career. With his Vardon Trophy win, 2 PGAs; 29 PGA Tour wins, 2 Open Championships and 2 US Opens (just to name a few of his major accomplishments), his skill — while unique and not quite ‘par for the course’ — goes unquestioned.
Having had the chance to play at Augusta National, it’s a wonder why he never won The Masters since the beginning of his professional career in 1967. Not even being struck by lightning at the 1975 Western Open and having a major spinal disk surgery stopped this man from going on to achieve many more victories during his professional career.
It’s because of these reasons (and many more) that we here at Hole In One International feel that Trevino is one of the greatest golfers never to win The Masters.
And chances are that we’re not alone in feeling that way. What do you think?
Who, in your opinion, should have won a past Masters — or still has a chance at winning one — yet hasn’t?
The event may have been cancelled early on due to weather; however, Mother Nature herself could not stop professional golfers Mark Wilson, Craig Stadler and Thomas Bjørn from achieving the statistically near-impossible: all three golfers made a hole in one today, April 4, 2012 during the 2012 Masters Par 3 Tournament.
Looking to insure a hole-in-one contest at your next Par 3 Tournament? We’ve got you covered! For as little as $150 per hole, you can insure a great grand prize… and Hole In One International will pick up the tab if one, two or even three of your golfers make a hole in one on any insured hole(s)! Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote at 800-827-2249… or email us if you have any questions!
When the name Kirk Triplett comes to mind, you likely think about the fact that he’s a 3-time PGA Tour winner. Or maybe your mind wanders to his signature “bucket hat” that he’s known for wearing. The fact that he has approximately $14,089,515 in career earnings is definitely noteworthy as well. But did you know that he’s also part owner of Hole In One International?
That’s right: Triplett has been on-board with Hole In One International as part owner since 2004.
Triplett turns 50 on March 29 and will make his Champions Tour debut at the Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, Fla.
People are now learning more than ever that there’s a lot more to Triplett than meets the eye. | {
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Over 300 protesters were arrested overnight and the army was deployed in several Tunisian cities as violent demonstrations over prices, taxes and unemployment have swept the country.
In Thala, near the Algerian border, troops were sent in after protesters burned down the national security building forcing police to retreat from the town, witnesses told Reuters.
Violent anti-government protests have raged in other towns in the country since Monday, among them the tourist resort of Sousse, against prices and tax rises imposed by government to cut a ballooning deficit and satisfy international lenders.
While Tunisia is widely seen as the only democratic success story among "Arab Spring" nations, it has also had nine governments since the overthrow of authoritarian leader Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, none of which have been able to deal with growing economic problems.
"Three hundred and thirty people involved in acts of sabotage and robbery were arrested last night," interior ministry spokesman Khelifa Chibani said, bringing the number of detainees since the protests began to around 600. | {
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Honor 6X Review!
Honor 6X Unboxing & Overview Camera Centric Smartphone
Huawei Honor 6X Unboxing & Overview this is a camera centric mid-range android smartphone it has a 12MP dual camera setup and a 8MP front facing camera it is powered by the Kirin 655 Octa Core chipset comes with 3 / 4GB RAM option a fingerprint scanner and I do the unboxing and give you an overview and some camera samples shots taken with the Honor 6X SHOW MORE
Honor 6X Full Review
Complete review of Honor 6X
Honor 6X review
Honor 6X Unboxing, First Look, Good, Bad, Expected Price
Honor 6X Review in Hindi
Honor 6X Review in Hindi - Honor 6X handset is an upgradation of Honor 5X which was launched almost a year ago. Equipped with a dual rear camera, the look of this handset is to create a special place for yourself in the 15,000 segment. Will Honor be able to challenge the popular brands such as Shaomi and Lenovo from this handset? Let's know | {
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Welcome to a new feature here at Cubs_an_appreciation. When Phil Wrigley was owner of the Cubs he loved to find ways to put fans in the ballpark. One of the most typical was to acquire future HOFers or former World Series heroes or All Stars, now sadlypast their prime. So there have been so many of these players I can feature a different player in that category each week and not run out for a while. I hope you enjoy this fun new feature and suggestions are always welcome!
Dizzy Dean
Jay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was one of the most colorful and talented players in the history of baseball. He is still the last National League pitcher to win 30 games and his antics are still well remembered. He reached the pinnacle of fame in 1934 when he and his Gashouse Gang teammates defeated the Tigers in an exciting and controversial World Series, though he was still in top form in 1937 when he appeared in the All Star game. However, when he got hit on the toe by a line drive it would forever change the course of his career. The toe itself wasnt the problem. The problem was that Diz tried coming back too soon, because of discomfort in the toe he changed his motion and proceeded to blow his arm out. Suddenly the Cardinals found themselves saddled with a useless pitcher. Meanwhile, PK Wrigley, barely 4 years into his tenure as owner and having just 2 years earlier named himself Club President, saw this as an opportunity to make a big splash with the fans. So he worked out a deal in which the Cubs would acquire the dead armed pitcher for a young healthy Curt Davis. Despite the protests of GM Boots Weber, the deal went through. Somehow it actually seemed to work out at first. Pitching every so often, Dean won 7 games with a 1.73 ERA. And he would help win the pennant for the Cubs. Then in the Series, even though it seemed like the sore armed pitcher would be outmatched by the Yankees, somehow Diz managed to show one last glimpse of the brilliance that once brought 31 victories in 1934. He held the Bronx Bombers scoreless for 7 innings before Joe Dimaggio slugged a home run to win the game. The game, both emotionally and physically would take its toll on ol Diz, as he would spend most of the next 4 years on the DL. He would never be an effective pitcher again. After leaving the Cubs, Dean made one final appearance with the Browns retiring to become an announcer where he enjoyed continuing popularity through the 70s. He would be inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1953. I was lucky enough to see ol Diz in person in 1972 when he appeared to throw out the first ball at a White Sox game. Not long after wards, in 1974 Dean would pass awayat the age of 64. He was really the first, but certainly not the last past their prime star to join the Cubs.
We will see more future HOFers pass through Wrigley before too long.........
Jimmie Foxx
"Theres no crying in baseball"
That quote from the movie "A League of Their Own" was attributed to a character that was loosely based on Jimmie Foxx, though theres no proof that Foxx ever uttered those words. But other elements of the character played by Tom Hanks are close to real life. And one was that he once played for the Cubs past his prime.
Jimmie Foxx already had 524 home runs when he signed with the Cubs in 1942. He was born in Maryland and joined the Philadelphia A's in 1925 originally as a catcher, but when Mickey Cochrane emerged as their best catcher, Foxx moved to 1st base, where he began an incredible career. 3 MVP awards, 9 All Star Game appearances, 12 seasons over 30 homers including a 58, 13 over 100 RBIs including a 175, 11 seasons over 100 runs, including a 150 and a .325 BA with only 4 seasons under .300! But a sinus issue and a growing dependence on drinking began to take a toll by 1942. After hitting .300 and 19 homers in 1941, he was hitting .270 with 5 homers when the Red Sox released him.
For the Cubs, it was all about getting people into the little ballpark at Clark and Addison and PK Wrigley had already shown a propensity for washed up stars when he acquired Dizzy Dean. Dean, at least helped get the Cubs to a World Series. There was no way Foxx would do the same with this team. Foxx would appear in 70 games for the Cubs, hitting .205 with 3 homers, then announced his retirement. After a year out of baseball, he returned in 1944 as a player coach, and also managed in the minors. He finished his career with the Phillies in 1945, a stint that also included Foxx pitching where he actually had some success with a 1.59 ERA in 22 innings. Following the season he retired for good. He would struggle to find work in his post playing career, because of an increasingly problematic drinking problem. But in 1952 he found employment with another of Wrigleys ventures, the All American Girls Professional Baseball league, whose story was told in the popular film "A League of Their Own". In the movie the manager of the Rockford Peaches was a onetime baseball superstar now washed up because of a drinking problem, played by Tom Hanks. Although the character was clearly based on Foxx, there were differences. In the movie it was suggested that the Hanks character had quit drinking and lived a long life, but in reality Foxx's drinking would only get worse and Foxx would die way too young. He did get elected to the Hall of Fame in 1951, but would continue to struggle to find consistent employment. He passed away from a heart attack in 1967. And clearly, Wrigley would not be discouraged from signing past their prime stars as several prominent former members of the New York Giants would put on Cub uniforms during the 50s as would other former All Stars and World Series heroes during the 60s. | {
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Big round heads and tiny bodies make the Powerpuff Girls instantly identifiable to their fans in America. The preteen karate superheroes star in one of the top-rated shows on cable’s Cartoon Network.
Last year, though, the “Powerpuff Girls” showed up in Japan with a whole new look. On “Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z,” the heroines have grown up, sprouted long legs and wear skirts well above their knees. In the original American storyline, the girls were created of sugar, spice and everything nice; their Japanese counterparts are normal girls who acquire superpowers from a chemical reaction initiated by a rice cake.
Once, American entertainment companies exporting characters just dubbed them into other languages. But in recent years, Asia has become the testing ground for character reinvention, a process called “transcreation.”
That Powerpuff Girls is the flagship example of transcreation surprises me, because I’ve always sort of found the animation style very anime-ish and I’m not an anime fan. In fact, I’ve been known to yell at the television “How can you possible fight crime when you don’t even have fingers?! And when your head is bigger than your body??” (I am a joy to watch TV with, let me tell you.) Further down in the article I get more information, though:
When Craig McCracken created the Powerpuff Girls show, he deliberately gave it what he thought was a “Japanese look.” But when the show first aired in Japan in 2001, it failed to attract a wide audience. So Cartoon Network decided to reinvent the characters to boost its appeal in Japan, an idea Mr. McCracken welcomed.
In their transcreation, Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles got Japanese names and the lives of typical Japanese junior-high-school students. Since Japanese kids like to dress up like their favorite characters, the girls got more realistic outfits, with miniskirts, matching vests and hip-hugging belts.
While I understand the premise, I suppose, I am disturbed by the fact that part of this reinvention is making the girls older. My understanding of the American version (granted, we don’t watch it all that often) is that the girls are much younger than junior high. Why the age change? Is that cultural, or does making them older allow for racier themes and clothing, and appeal to a, er, wider audience? To whit:
“In Japan, girly love themes are a must,” Ms. Seki [a producer at Toei who helped create the show] says. When “Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z” was launched in Japan a year ago, the executives at Cartoon Network soon realized that the revamped plots and skimpier outfits not only attracted young girls, they also broadened the audience to include animation-obsessed adult men known in Japan as otaku, or geeks, who were also fans of the original.
That last bit sort of creeps me out, quite frankly. Look, I don’t have a problem with grown men who are obsessed with cartoons, and don’t even particularly have an issue with grown men who are obsessed with sexy cartoons, but if it’s all the same to everyone involved, could we not market the same shows to my children as to those guys? Please? Sheesh.
Do go read the entire article; although the discussion of Powerpuff Girls is perhaps the most compelling/controversial, changes made to Big Bird of Sesame Street are also touched on, as well a brief discussion of how Spongebob Squarepants managed to thrive in Japan as is (and against expectations).
So that’s the scoop on transcreation. Learn something new every day, I guess.
Yesterday marked the announcement of this year’s prime-time Emmy nominees, and so this seems like a good time to confess that I’m a total awards show junkie. Can’t get enough of ‘em. I mean, there are always shows I love which are overlooked by the awards committee(s), but sometimes the right show is recognized and there’s nothing quite like seeing something you really enjoy being recognized for the hard work that goes into it.
(The fact that you can also see a bunch of expensive dresses, outrageous hairdos, and funny commercials doesn’t hurt, either.)
My take: I think Avatar deserves to win, but I don’t know that it will. There’s been a lot of buzz about Robot Chicken, and with the Simpsons movie about to come out—despite the series having been around forever—people are sort of rediscovering it. So I just don’t know.
My take: If Foster’s doesn’t win this one, my faith in a just deity will be shaken. I know I went into that one already loving Foster’s, but Good Wilt Hunting was even better than I expected it to be. To me, it’s the clear front-runner. But I don’t get to vote. (Which is a travesty in and of itself. Clearly.)
The 2007 Emmy Awards Show will air this year on Sunday, September 16th at 8:00 PM. Mark your calendars and get ready to make fun of famous people. (Oops. Did I say that last part out loud? My bad.)
Well, as it happens, this particular picture is Spongebob Squarepants. But there’s a man in northern California who begs to differ about that.
Cartoonist Troy Walker created a comic strip in 1991 about a sponge with a personality.
Bob Spongee had eyes, legs and arms. He lived on Apple Street with his wife, Linda, and their daughter, Bubbles.
Walker, of Fairfield, Calif., then produced 1,000 dolls: yellow sponges with a “drawn-on” face that he sold as collectibles in flea markets and through the mail.
In 2002, he learned about Nickelodeon’s buck-toothed animated character, “SpongeBob SquarePants,” who lives underwater in the fictitious city of Bikini Bottom.
You know where this is going, right? Walker only wants what’s rightfully his, of course.
The 40-year-old cartoonist has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in San Francisco against Nickelodeon, Viacom, Paramount Studios and Stephen Hillenberg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Walker has demanded $1.6 billion in damages, alleging that the defendants used his idea without his permission.
Well, it all makes perfect sense. I mean, the two characters sound completely identical. Gary the Pet Snail is clearly the wife, Linda; and Patrick the Starfish is obviously Bubbles. Also, Apple Street? Pineapple under the sea?
Why, the blatant thievery is shocking.
And I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you that when I notice that someone has infringed on my intellectual property in 2004 (5 years after the series launched), I wait until 2007 to file a lawsuit. I just think that increases my chances of winning, what with all of the additional pain and suffering.
In fact… well, I think I can share something with you, seeing as how we’re so close and we’ll just keep it between us, Internet. I’m not going to move on this one for a little while, yet, but just so you know, these backpack clips? Totally my idea. Why, once in eighth grade I removed a barrette from my hair—a yellow barrette, as it happens—and clipped it onto my backpack. It had a couple of ribbons hanging down and I ended up drawing on some eyes and then… well, it’s very painful to talk about. I’m still reeling from the theft of my unique idea, as I’m sure you understand. But in a year or three, I’ll be seeking retribution.
Have you ever been to the Mall of America? I suppose folks living in the greater Minneapolis area go there as a matter of course. Me, I visited for the first time just a few years ago and thanked my lucky stars that the kids weren’t with me at the time—I doubt they ever would’ve wanted to leave. (Not that I would blame them. When I got to the Lego area I didn’t much want to leave, myself.)
The Mall of America has signed a branding-rights deal with the cable television network Nickelodeon for the megamall’s indoor amusement park, according to the Star Tribune.
The park used to be called Camp Snoopy, but the mall’s 13-year partnership with the “Peanuts” gang ended last year. Since then, the amusement park has been simply named, “The Park at MOA.”
Hmmmm. I wonder what they’ll call it now. Nickelodeon at MOA? Major Network Branding at MOA (MNB at MOA!)? Don’t Be Scared Of This Here Giant SpongeBob at MOA? The possibilities are endless, really.
And should you be taking the time to mourn the loss of the “Peanuts” characters, you might be interested to know that Avatar is moving in along with SpongeBob, Jimmy Neutron, and Dora:
A new roller coaster is planned based on the animated series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Construction on the upside-down roller coaster will begin this year.
I… don’t really understand how you make a rollercoaster themed. It’s based on the Avatar? Do people come shoot fire at you while you’re riding it? Do the cars resemble flying bison? Does the track get bent right before your eyes? (I am a wealth of fabulous ideas, no?)
My guess is that some of these more “modern” characters will increase the appeal of the place, sure. Though I can’t help wondering if anyone will miss Snoopy and Woodstock. And also if I’m the only person who thinks that the SpongeBob in the photo above looks more like a hunk of cheese than a sponge.
It’s an interesting marketing move by television giant Nickelodeon, made even more interesting by the fact that they more or less decided not to bother advertising it: Nickelodeon has thrown their hat into the interactive online kiddie environment ring with the brand-new world of Nicktropolis.
Yesterday, this article detailed the launch, ending with this rather vague bit:
Nicktropolis will launch without advertising, but it expects to incorporate marketers in myriad ways, according to Stephen Youngwood, executive vp at Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids & Family Group.
Has anyone seen any advertising or “incorporated marketers” in association with this? No? Me neither. (But wait; I’m talking about it right now. Somehow I’ve become an unwitting pawn in their game! Aiiieeeee!)
The Yahoo! News article had a few slightly more informative tidbits, as well:
In Nicktropolis, kids can customize the appearance of an avatar, the onscreen character with which they navigate a digital world complete with its own currency. The environment includes branded regions like Nicktoon Boulevard, where surfers can visit rooms inspired by such Nick shows as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Danny Phantom.” Avatars can interact with icons representing characters from the shows or cue up episodes for viewing.
It’s hard to know how I feel about it, really. On the one hand, I appreciate that it’s completely free (unlike Webkinz, which requires purchase of a stuffed animal), and I like the safety features (Nicktropolis offers various restricted levels of chat, much like Penguin Island). On the other hand, wouldn’t I rather that my kids not spend their time on the computer watching more cartoons?
Then again, if I’m going to let them watch SpongeBob SquarePants, isn’t it sort of cool to let them play a game where they can go hang out in his pineapple?
I’ll be very curious to see if Nicktropolis develops the sort of following that other sites of its kind have, or if Nick has just overreached and produced a pale imitation of the great communities already giving our kids a safe place to play and interact. I guess time will tell.
*I apologize for sticking the SpongeBob theme song in your head. I didn’t want to feel so alone, is all. (P.S. Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!) (Sorry.) | {
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Recent Achievement
Congratulations, Walnut Grove Animal Hospital in Langley has been selected as the 2015 consumer choice award winner in the category of Veterinarians - Private Clinic & Hospital - South Mainland for the city of Vancouver and surrounding areas. | {
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2015 Residential and Commercial HVAC Contractors of the Year
ContractingBusiness.com is accepting nominations for the 2015 Residential and Commercial HVAC Contractor of the Year Awards. These annual awards are given to commercial and residential HVAC contractors who represent the best that the HVAC industry has to offer.
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ContractingBusiness.com is accepting nominations for the 2015 Residential and Commercial HVAC Contractor of the Year Awards. These annual awards are given to commercial and residential HVAC contractors who represent the best that the HVAC industry has to offer.
If a residential contractor, must have at least one NATE-certified technician on staff
Must be open to new ideas, technologies, and business practices
Should have a philosophy around which the company is built
Must have a marketing strategy and a marketing budget.
We look for candidates who embrace change and look for innovative ways to better understand and serve customers. Candidates should be companies that can shed positive light on the HVAC industry and on the contracting profession. They should also be willing to give back to the industry in terms of knowledge sharing via peer groups, or association participation (local a must, national is good, both is best).
In addition, they must agree to the following: 1. Provide description of market area as well as a corporate history 2. To allow an editor to spend up to two days with them, interviewing key personnel and customers for use in a feature article that will appear in the February (residential) or March (commercial) issue of the magazine. 3. Must be willing to let editors talk to customers. 4. Provide letters of recommendation — one from a customer, one from an association, one from either a distributor or manufacturer. 5. To be willing to share ideas and information with other contractors from around the country and participate in industry events such as the HVAC Comfortech meetings 6. To be a member of the ContractingBusiness.comadvisory board for at least two years.
To submit a nomination, first contact the nominee and see if they agree to all of the above criteria. If so, then write a nomination letter and send to [email protected] explaining why you think they deserve this award. Please provide the type of information outlined above. Any brochures or other material you can also send for substantiation would be greatly appreciated.
Sometimes the great outdoors gets into an HVAC system! Other times, good contractors find total hack jobs. Our updated "Wall of Shame" gallery shows what the good HVAC guys find on the job, sometimes in new homes!
Growing a business from the ground-up can be tough. We can’t all be lucky enough to win the lottery (like some HVAC companies have), but with the proper steps and work ethic, we don’t need to strike it rich. A business can be grown organically and see a fantastic level of success. | {
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The invasion
you probably are more advance than he is
get a vison ward or whatever and try catching him low heath against blue or red
now you killed him it's time to invade the ennemy jungle and kill every monster
by the time you finished that, your jungle is probably full so go back and empty it
take care : the ennemy jungle might want to get his vengence
Gank time :D
The good position for a nice gank is when the ennemy has gone more than halfway through the lane so you should nock him back towards your allies with your Devastating Charge
If you're level 6 you can also engage with your Onslaught of Shadows , you can also ult to finish the ennemy if he is getting away
Finish them
now just do what you want , you can stay in the jungle to try and finish your build or you might try to teamfight to victory :D
That might not be the best way to play Hecarim , but i'm not a pro and i like playing him dis way so i hope you like it :D
Well that's all , have a nice time playing hecarim :D | {
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James 1:23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
James is letting us know when you read the word of God and hear the word be imitators of Christ Jesus. Don’t read it or listen to the word and walk away from it forgetting what it says. Meditate on the word of God until it soaks in. When I’m doing my Bible study time and I don’t understand a certain scripture. I will read it over and over until I understand it. I will go in my room and shut the door and turn the volume to the world off so I do understand it. I become like Martha nothing can take me from the word of God.
Why? Because there are too many distractions in my home. The television is going on in the other room. Noise. I can be easily distracted by a messy house and the mess others leave behind. I can stay there and let the devil enter my mind about the mess in the house or I can walk away and go to my room. There it’s just me with God.
I can’t be distracted. Because, it does me no good if I read it, and I don’t get it. I’m like the one standing in front of the mirror and forgetting what I look like.
The word of God is the only thing that can save you in this corrupt world in which we live. There are a lot of people that play the church game and pretend to be believers but their actions say otherwise. They don’t listen to the word and they don’t live by the word. They’re too engrossed in self and what others think about them. They can tell you every high score of their football team but they can’t tell you one Bible verse or recite it. These people play by their own selfish rules and rule out the truth the word of God that can save them and their families. When Jesus comes it will be like the days of Noah where some will be left behind.
We need to always stay ready and prepared for the harvest time when Jesus separates good from evil. We don’t want to be like the weeds that are thrown into the eternal flame. When you look in that mirror and stand there looking at yourself you should know who you are in Christ. I would suggest sticking your favorite Bible verse on that mirror or one that you want to learn. So when the day comes and you need the word you have the knowledge at your hands and for your mind to soak it in. I take my favorite verses and stick them in the bathroom in the kitchen and in my bedroom and yes on my mirror. I create my own mess with the word. And I figure if I have to live with their messes they can get use to mine as well. That’s Bible Study 101 for dummies. I was dumb when I first started reading the Bible. I don’t know how many times I have read it and each time I get something new out of it. It is a book to be treasured. It should be your special time with God. The only way you’re going to have an intimate relationship with God is by spending time alone with him and by getting to know him through his word. And you find yourself falling in love all over and over, again!
Psalm 1:2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Father God, I ask that you give us the wisdom to understand your word and the time to meditate on your word to change us and mold us into the person that you want us to be. I pray Father, that you have your way in me. Change my heart and give me a heart of flesh. Help me Lord to get along with others and to be an example for others to follow. I praise you and worship you! When I think of all that you’ve done for me I stand in amazement that my God loves me so much, and me, him. My God that created the whole universe wants to spend time with me. Thank you for being the lord of my life. Thank you for being my Savior. Oh, how I love you and cherish your word. It’s a book to be treasured. It’s like searching for lost treasures in each page. I find a new word that’s more valuable than silver or gold. Your word that sustains me and gives me hope. Your word that changes current circumstances and the temperature to weather. Your word that heals achy and broken bones. When I think of all you have done. I start to cry with joy! My God! How great Thou Art!
Gospels for AmericaMy Special Pajama Time with God: with Author Patricia Kelley
You can now get my original charcoal artwork. Click on the Picture to take you there.https://www.facebook.com/charcoalartwork/
Raw Grief Escaping Fire to Water is available on Amazon. It covers a personal testimony about getting over child abuse, sibling sexual abuse through spiritual strength. It also covers the same grieving process as those that grieve over the loss of a loved one.
The Potter’s House Assembly of God Church that we built in Ghana, West Africa. We believed in young Pastor Samuel Asante-Beecham
Gospels for America helps support feed and clothe 71 orphans in Kenya through Pastor Moses Simiyu. | {
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St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development department have released renderings of the future Pedro Park, which will occupy 1/4th of a city block off 10th and Robert streets in downtown St. Paul. The $4 million park construction would be funded in part by the sale of the city’s adjoining public safety annex building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis for $1.4 million. Capital improvement bonds would raise another $2.23 million, and $200,000 would come from the city’s existing parkland dedication fees. Ackerberg has promised to contribute $40,000 annually toward park maintenance at the site. (St. Paul Parks and Recreation)
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development department have released renderings of the future Pedro Park, which will occupy 1/4th of a city block off 10th and Robert streets in downtown St. Paul. The $4 million park construction would be funded in part by the sale of the city’s adjoining public safety annex building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis for $1.4 million. Capital improvement bonds would raise another $2.23 million, and $200,000 would come from the city’s existing parkland dedication fees. Ackerberg has promised to contribute $40,000 annually toward park maintenance at the site. (St. Paul Parks and Recreation)
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development department have released renderings of the future Pedro Park, which will occupy 1/4th of a city block off 10th and Robert streets in downtown St. Paul. The $4 million park construction would be funded in part by the sale of the city’s adjoining public safety annex building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis for $1.4 million. Capital improvement bonds would raise another $2.23 million, and $200,000 would come from the city’s existing parkland dedication fees. Ackerberg has promised to contribute $40,000 annually toward park maintenance at the site. (St. Paul Parks and Recreation)
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development department have released renderings of the future Pedro Park, which will occupy 1/4th of a city block off 10th and Robert streets in downtown St. Paul. The $4 million park construction would be funded in part by the sale of the city’s adjoining public safety annex building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis for $1.4 million. Capital improvement bonds would raise another $2.23 million, and $200,000 would come from the city’s existing parkland dedication fees. Ackerberg has promised to contribute $40,000 annually toward park maintenance at the site. (St. Paul Parks and Recreation)
St. Paul Parks and Recreation and the St. Paul Planning and Economic Development department have released renderings of the future Pedro Park, which will occupy 1/4th of a city block off 10th and Robert streets in downtown St. Paul. The $4 million park construction would be funded in part by the sale of the city’s adjoining public safety annex building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis for $1.4 million. Capital improvement bonds would raise another $2.23 million, and $200,000 would come from the city’s existing parkland dedication fees. Ackerberg has promised to contribute $40,000 annually toward park maintenance at the site. (St. Paul Parks and Recreation)
Pedro Park remains at the center of a lawsuit against the city of St. Paul, but city officials say they’re nevertheless weeks away from securing approvals to begin construction of a new $4 million downtown park in 2019.
On Tuesday night, St. Paul Parks and Recreation officials unveiled plans and renderings for a nearly half-acre park that would be funded, in part, by the sale of a vacant city building next door to developers interested in creating modern office space.
“We need both — parks as well as jobs,” said St. Paul Planning and Economic Development Director Bruce Corrie, in an interview.
The sizable new city park off 10th and Robert streets would include a children’s play area, picnic benches, a designated dog area, shade trees and a water feature next to a future Rush Line station. The bus rapid transit route is expected to someday traverse Robert Street as it travels from downtown St. Paul to downtown White Bear Lake.
Park construction could get underway next year, provided that $1.4 million can be raised from the sale of the city’s vacant public safety annex building off 10th and Minnesota streets.
Corrie said his department expects to close on the sale of the three and-a-half-story, 50,000-square-foot building to the Ackerberg Group of Minneapolis within six months, and all of the money would flow into the nearly $4 million Pedro Park project.
“Ackerberg is confident that they’ll find tenants,” Corrie said.
The city could generate $2.23 million for the park project from the sale of public capital improvement bonds. The final $200,000 is already available from parkland dedication funds generated by existing real estate projects.
In what city officials described as a particularly unusual benefit, Ackerberg has agreed to donate $40,000 annually to Pedro Park maintenance for 20 years.
“It’s not a payment in lieu of taxes. It’s a cash contribution,” said St. Paul Parks and Rec director Mike Hahm, who called the arrangement a public-private collaboration and “an out-of-the-gate case study in how that can be successful.”
Hahm said the plans — which came together with input from a design advisory committee — will be presented to the city’s Parks Commission on Thursday, and the city’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee on Monday. Both groups will make recommendations, but the final approval will rest with the St. Paul City Council.
“I’m looking forward to putting the opportunity in front of them,” Hahm said. “The value proposition is a $2.23 million investment for a $4 million product, with construction next year.”
The seven-member council will meet as the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority on Oct. 24 and will vote on both the building sale and the park plan.
A FAMILY PROMISE, A LAWSUIT
With Lowertown’s population booming and demand for green space increasing in step, controversy over the future of Pedro Park has spanned nearly a decade — or twice that, depending upon how you count — and an ongoing legal fight.
An alley separates the park and annex building from the southern half of the block, which includes a privately-owned parking lot and the Union Gospel Mission Childcare Center.
City officials have said alley access to the annex building would remain in place for now, though they say they’ve designed the future Pedro Park to be expandable if the additional properties are put up for sale.
“The ‘expandable park’ has never been explained — nor can it be,” said Kati Berg, a plaintiff, in an email Tuesday night. “The physical reality of the lot if the annex is sold prevents future expansion. There will always be cars driving through the alley, as they plan to sell the annex with an alley easement.”
Berg, a co-chair of the Friends of Pedro Park Expansion, said the Pedro family donated the Pedro’s Luggage store to the city in 2009 with the expectation that the city would build a two-acre park, or something close to that, within five years. The building was demolished in 2011, but little more than a temporary garden has ever been planted.
Marilyn Pitera, the last remaining Pedro sibling, joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff.
“If there isn’t the political will now to expand the park with land we own, there will never be the political will,” Berg said. “I wish I was excited by a $4 million dollar investment into our neighborhood, but it is a bad deal for our neighborhood and a bad deal for St. Paul taxpayers. Short-sighted planning always comes with buyer’s remorse.”
Hahm said the arrangement with the Ackerberg Group has won initial approval from downtown business advocates, who see the value in creating new green space to complement new office space.
“It’s time to see something happen on that block,” said Joe Spencer, president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. “It’s the worst block in downtown, and it’s been sitting fallow for a decade. If the (city) council can come up with the money for something bigger and better this year, then great. If not, we have a fantastic option in front of us right now.”
Frederick Melo was once sued by a reader for $2 million but kept on writing. He came to the Pioneer Press in 2005 and brings a testy East Coast attitude to St. Paul beat reporting. He spent nearly six years covering crime in the Dakota County courts before switching focus to the St. Paul mayor's office, city council, and all things neighborhood-related, from the city's churches to its parks and light rail. A resident of Hamline-Midway, he is married to a Frogtown woman. He Tweets with manic intensity at @FrederickMelo.
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The St. Paul City Council has rejected an appeal submitted by residents in the West Seventh neighborhood against a mixed-use project that would replace Bonfe's Auto Service. Northland Real Estate and the Ackerberg Group have proposed a seven-story building up to 85 feet tall, or 10 feet taller than normally allowed. With retail space and up to 200 apartments, the...
The damage caused by looters and rioters this past week has left a charred scar on St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. Dozens of businesses were devastated along the popular strip and many more were damaged elsewhere in the east metro. According to the reports from local chambers of commerce and others, here is a list of burned out, looted and damaged...
The Holy Land grocery, butcher shop and deli has been kicked out of the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis after past racist social media posts by the CEO's daughter, an employee, surfaced. The Lake Street market posted on Facebook Thursday afternoon that it was "deeply offended and saddened" by the posts that denigrated black people made "a number of years ago"...
Target announced Friday that it will invest $10 million to support groups working toward social justice and provide ongoing resources to rebuilding and recovery efforts in the Twin Cities. In its news release, the Minneapolis-based company said that along with supporting its long-standing partners, such as the National Urban League and the African American Leadership Forum, it will also partner with...
Mussie Embaye was protesting the killing of George Floyd on Saturday night when his business on University Avenue in St. Paul was broken into and looted. He returned to Go Get It Tobacco on Sunday morning to survey the damage, wandering around the destruction of the tobacco shop he worked so hard to open a mere 11 months ago. The... | {
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Yes. To this I would add: before satoshium, there is no way to give someone bitcoin hand to hand and trust free, without requiring the recipient to understand bitcoin addresses and how to determine the value.
With satoshium all you need is the token and the phone client shows you the dollar value which the only thing a newbie cares about. All complexity is hidden.
Contrary to global platform facilities claimed in the posted whitepaper, we have determined that the cryptoprocessor manufacturer does not sign install receipts. In fact, there is generally no widely known public key for the cryptoprocessor manufacturer. We are reworking section 5 of the whitepaper (counterfeiting) in light of this new information.
Meanwhile we are looking into an alternate third party attestation mechanism that makes insider attacks sufficiently unfeasible in practice. Stay tuned. | {
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Osi Umenyiora Hurt
The ability of the New York Giants to defend their Super Bowl title took a major hit on Saturday night.
According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Umenyiora suffered a torn MCL, and will miss the entire season.
Umenyiora suffered the injury in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Jets. It’s not the first time a key member of the team’s defense was lost for the year in the annual showdown with the team that shares a stadium with the Giants. Several years ago, cornerback Jason Sehorn tore an ACL while returning a kickoff against the Jets. He was never the same after that.
The loss of Umenyiora will prompt immediate speculation that Michael Strahan might be lured out of retirment. It was widely believed that, if the Giants had paid Strahan enough money, he would have returned for another year. Now that Umenyiora is gone, the Giants might be inclined to break the bank to bring back Strahan.
Without Umenyiora or Strahan, look for the Giants to move Mathias Kiwanuka or Justin Tuck (or both) to defensive end on a full-time basis. | {
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After an hour of dogged determination, or stubbornness, if you will, I have matched my real life best score of 288.... I can sleep easy now! Even if it did take me a dozen or so frames just to get past the hundred mark! | {
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The fire originated and was mostly contained to the second story of the building, Crossman said, and damage was quite extensive.
While the building was vacant, Crossman said he was unsure if the building had electrical services or not. Power crews were on the scene following the fire to remove lines running to the building.
Not far from this morning's fire, another vacant building burned down under suspicious circumstances on November 25, leaving the couple rennovating that LaPlanche Street home without any recourse and displacing a home-business neighbouring the scene of the fire. Crossman said it wouldn't be fair to say the two are connected at this point and more investigation needs to be done.
Members of the Amherst Police Department presently investigating the fire reported in a press release Monday afternoon no power was running to the building at the time of the fire and are calling it suspicious.
"This is the second suspicious house fire in the past seven weeks," the statement from the department reads. "A fire at 42 LaPlanche Street was deemed to be an act of arson and remains under investigation."
Anyone with any information is asked to conacct the Amherst Police Department at 667-8600 or Crimsteoppers at 1-800-222-8477. | {
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Corporate Advocacy Program: The best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Hiding negative complaints is only a Band-Aid. Consumers want to see how businesses take care of business. All businesses will get complaints. How those businesses take care of those complaints is what separates good businesses from bad businesses.
I used the HR Block online tax service for years and have never had a problem until this year. I paid for their online service as I do every year. However, this year I filed using the educational credit and at the time was informed that the IRS will not start accepting taxes until end of January. Then it was people who filed the educational credit the IRS will not process these until February 15. Then after that it was March 9th then March 15th and now its 4-6 wks from March 15th. HR Block did not send out any information regarding this nor did they reach out to their customers regarding the many date changes. When I HR Block to check the status they immediately forward me to the IRS. The Reps do not try to answer any questions, when I asked not to be transferred to the IRS, I was then asked what level of service did I pay for. That determines how much assistance they will offer you. I rec'd three different answers from their reps. When I finally reached someone at the IRS office, I was informed that HR Block used the wrong educational credit form which caused the issue w/ the IRS software, so a program had to be updated in order to process the thousands of tax returns that had been put into pending status because of this error. HR Block does not admit this. I finally rec'd a general letter addressed dear customer indicating they are working very hard to resolve this matter. HR Block is not doing anything to help resolve this matter. People are having to wait until end of April in hopes that everything works out and people rec'd their returns. HR Block need to refund these people of their payment because of an error on their end. I have filed a complaint w/ BBB and Atty Gen for that state. I will never use their service again ever. Take your business elsewhere.
Corporate Advocacy Program: The best way to manage and repair your business reputation. Hiding negative complaints is only a Band-Aid. Consumers want to see how businesses take care of business. All businesses will get complaints. How those businesses take care of those complaints is what separates good businesses from bad businesses. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Once again the Alexandria Aces are highlighted by some top talent. In the Cal Ripken League the Aces have been struggling as a team and are in 6th place, 5 games behind the Youse’s Orioles. This has not been a deterrent for its players to rise at their respective post. A sophomore infielder by the name of Nick Allen is leading the league in hitting with a batting average of .393 after 61 at bats. Allen has hit safely in his last 10 games, including a 4 for 5 showing against the Baltimore Redbirds on June 27 where he also scored 3 runs. He’s constructing a learning experience since this past spring when he played for George Mason University where he hit .271 in 96 at bats. The Aces are also being led by an ace in his own right, Max Knowles. He continues to mow down hitters like a John Deer tractor. Knowles has 3 complete games and 1 shutout in his 40 innings of ceaseless pitching. He’s racked up 30 strikeouts, a record of 4-1, and an incredible ERA of 1.35. In his 5 starts he’s never pitched less that 7 innings, and in his latest start he pitched a complete game against the Southern Maryland Nationals taking a 2-1 victory allowing only 8 hits, 1 earned run, and striking out 7. Knowles command of the strike zone is what’s most impressive. In his last 3 starts, he’s gone for 24 innings and has only walked 3 batters. Pitching like that has earned him the leagues Pitcher of the Week honors. The Aces are not short of quality arms.
A freshman by the name of Kyle Zimmer has been right behind Knowles in directing the lightning from the mound. Zimmer has pitched 20.1 innings, 0.98 in 5 games, including a save, 13 strikeouts, a 2-1 record, and has limited hitters to a .192 batting average. The 6’3 right hander pitched as a freshman this past spring at San Francisco University, and even though he struggled in his minimal play, the outlook for his projectability has grown this summer. Zimmer began the summer as a reliever, and has slowly become part of the starting rotation. On June 24th against Bethesda Big Train, he pitched his longest game (6.2 innings) where he recorded his 2nd win in a 2-1 victory. Zimmer is also demonstrating incredible control by only walking 2 batters this summer, and it’s becoming clear that the Aces have a much better team on paper than one would judge from the standings.
The Bethesda Big Train is a team that’s enjoying some success as they sit in 2nd place in the Cal Ripken League with a record of 11-6 and only 1 game back from 1st place. On a 3 game winning streak, the Big Train are fully aware that their buttered bread is being slathered by incredible hitting. They lead the league with a team batting average of .276. A big part of that is junior Cody Freeman, the catcher has the 3rd best batting average in the league (.353), and has a slugging percentage of .529 after 51 at bats. This past spring he was the #2 catcher at Mississippi State and proved that he has the stuff to become the schools #1 catcher next spring. Mississippi State featured 4 catchers and Freeman hit .301 in 123 at bats, and now that senior catcher Ryan Duffy has moved on, Freeman is poised to step in and take complete control of the catching role at Miss State. Only time will tell how Freeman will develop, but he should be watched closely this summer as he tries to solidify himself as one of the top D1 catchers of 2011. He weighs 184lbs and stands at 6’0, whether he puts on a few more lean pounds, or he goes as light as he his, great catchers are in high demand and in low supply. The world of baseball will have their microscopes ready. | {
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Tools
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare and Assemble the Posts:
1. Cut the 2x4's into 4'-6", 2'-9", and 9" pieces (2 of each size). "Measure twice and cut once!"
2. Drill two holes in the bottoms of each length of wood, using a template (see base instructions).
3. Attach the 19" long 1x2" support between the top ends of each pair of posts, spanning the posts like a beam. Attach the 9" pieces together, and the 2'-9" pieces, and then the 4'-6" pieces. Use nails to fasten these pieces. Put them between the posts, not on top of them.
Assemble the Base:
1. Glue the 2'x2' pieces of 3/4" plywood together to form one 2'x2'x1-1/2" base.
2. After the glue dries, drill six holes along two opposing sides of the base about 2" from the edge.
An easy way to do this is to make a template on cardboard or heavy paper then trace it onto the underside of the plywood base.
The template should be a rectangle 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" (the actual size of a finished 2x4). Place the template in the corner of the base 1" from the each edge (you can use the leftover 1" block as a guide), trace the edges, and repeat for each corner. Measure 10-1/4" from either end to position the edge of the template for the middle rectangle on each side.
You will have three rectangles in a row along either side of the base, 1" from the base edge, as shown in the drawing.
Place two marks inside each rectangle for the bolt holes (the center of the hole will be the diameter of a nickle from the end and the sides of the rectangle).
3. Countersink the holes with a 1" drill bit. This will allow the bolt heads and washers to be recessed into the wood (so you won't scratch your floors).
4. Cover the top surface of the base with the 34" square of fabric, by centering the base on the overturned square of carpet, wrapping the edges of the carpet around the sides of the base, and securing the fabric with staples tacked through the under side only.
Assemble the posts and base:
Attach posts to base with the 3-1/2" lag bolts:
1. Insert a bolt through a washer first, and attach the 9" post assembly in the front.
2. Next, attach the 2'-9" post asssembly in the middle.
3. Then, place the 4'-6" post assembly in the rear.
This forms a ramp the cats can run up.
(Do not completely tighten the bolts yet. Bring them close to tight, then back them off a bit.)
Attach the Support shelf Perch:
1. Stand the tree upright.
2. Clamp a 13" 1x2 between the 2'-9" and the 4'-6" posts, one on each side, on the inside of the posts. Be sure the base bolts are loose, so the posts are free to align themselves properly.
3. Place the top of the 1x2 supports 21" above the base, and level them.
4. With these shelf supports clamped in place, place the 13"x19" shelf perch on them. It should lay flat, and not wobble.
5. Adjust the clamps and support 1x2's until the shelf lays flat.
6. Once the shelf is laying flat, remove it and attach the 1x2's to the posts more permanently. While still clamped in place, screw them to the posts with the 1-1/2" wood screws (two per post). Then remove the clamps. (A screwdriver clutch drill attachment makes this easy work.)
7. Screw the 13"x19" shelf to the 1x2 supports. Use three screws per side.
8. Now tighten the base lag bolts.
Attach the Perches:
1. Cut the 12" diameter Sono Tube into thirds, lengthwise, to form three curved sections each 22" in length.
2. Place one section on top of a post assembly. Screw it in place using the wood screws. Put two screws in each 2x4 post. Repeat for each perch.
3. Cover each curved section of tube with poly batting and a 24" square of fabric, placing seams on the the under sides of the perches, attaching the fabric with staples. Also cover the Shelf Perch with batting and fabric, stapling to the underside of the shelf.
Wrap the Posts with Sisal Rope
1. Start at the base of the post, and use heavy wire brads and a hammer. Fasten the rope to the bottom of the post, and begin wrapping. Every 6 or 8 winds, tamp the rope down with a hammer. Fasten the rope in the back of the 2x4's only, so the fasteners don't show.
2. At the shelf perch, we cut small sections of rope and attached them individually around the 1x2 shelf supports. Then we continued winding after we passed the shelf. Each 50' length of 3/8" sisal rope will wrap about 20" of 2x4.
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Problems That Aging Cats are Susceptible to
It’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old.
Cats are now living longer than ever before with the average age of a house cat that has been well cared for being around 15 years of age. Additionally, cats that have been neutered or spayed tend to live longer than those that have not been. The speculation here is that cats that have not been “fixed” tend to roam around a lot more and are there prone to even fatal injuries. It also holds true that they succumb to diseases and health maladies because of exposure to the outside environment.
Felines are amazing pieces of machinery, so to speak, in that they have the capability of repairing themselves. For instance, despite the fact that they have two kidneys, they only need a part of one of them in order to stay healthy. Eventually, the aging process in cats takes its toll on them, just like it does with us, and therefore they experience those bodily changes that are characteristically associated with getting older.
The bottom line here is that the key elements of exercise, health care, and proper nutrition, combined with the special care they need once they have entered their “golden years,” will affect your cat’s life expectancy positively. The following list, though quite lengthy, are the more common conditions and problems that older cats may eventually face and that you as an owner will have to deal with when they arise:
From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle.
About the Author
feline health For more easy, practical tips on taking great care of your cat be sure to visit the author’s feline health site now.
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Protect Your Feline With House Plants That Are Safe For Cats
Finding house plants safe for cats is not always the easiest thing to do. However, responsible pet owners search through the listings of poisonous and not poisonous plants put out by the ASPCA for appropriate plants. Then they decorate their homes with the plants that are safe for their precious cats.
Sometimes, you get a cat after you have already decorated your home. In this case, you bring your brand new kitty home and you do not give a second thought to your house plants. You go about your daily life never even thinking that those plants could be poisonous to your new edition.
Then one day, you come home from what is usually an otherwise normal day at work to find your cat a little ill. You have no idea what is wrong. This scenario goes on for a few days before you take your precious kitty to the vet and find your feline has been nibbling on a house plant. This is when you find out that the English ivy that you have had for years is actually poisonous to your kitty cat. Lucky for you, your cat did not ingest enough to be fatal but did ingest enough to get ill.
Tips on Managing Cat Allergies
In the United States, half the number of households owns either a cat or a dog as pets. However, it is just a little unfortunate that many people are allergic to cats, which discourages them from owning one, despite their fondness for these loving domestic animals. In fact, there are about 10 million Americans who have shown allergic tendencies to cats.
To help manage cat allergies, let us focus on the specific forms of cat allergies. The first one would be dander, which is dust coming from the cat’s body. Dander is a term used to refer to old skin that is shed off from the cat’s body in the forms of minute flakes.
Aside from causing skin irritation, dander also penetrates the immune system, which consequently causes allergic reactions. Once it enters the immune system, it becomes a problem, and although it is not a disease-producing element, it can certainly cause problems with people prone to allergies.
Cats spread allergens in many ways- blood, saliva, and urine. Even after the cat has left the area, his excretions can still bring about problems. You will find these things all around the house as the cat’s daily routine such as licking, scratching, and rubbing, makes it possible to do so.
Continue Reading About Tips on Managing Cat Allergies
How To Find a Lost Cat
Cats can occasionally wander off, and this can be a very scary time for pet owners. Most cats are found quickly, but it can take some effort for this to happen. If you are trying to find a lost cat, here are the steps you should take:
1. Confirm that the cat is actually lost. Cats are known for being excellent at hiding, and may simply be taking a nap somewhere. Search your home thoroughly, and your yard if your cat is allowed outdoors. Confirming that you cannot find the cat is the first step of the search. Listen carefully for your cat’s meows; it is possible that your cat has wandered into somewhere where they have gotten stuck.
2. Try to entice the cat back home. Even if your indoor-only cat has escaped the home, they are often able to be lured back with food. Set a bowl of food outside and see if the cat comes wandering back. Tuna fish or soft cat food often works best for this, because their smell is easier to detect for a cat than that of dry cat food. However, watch out for other animals who may also be attracted by the scent.
3. Look around the neighborhood. Check all of the streets of your neighborhood. If your neighbors are outside, ask them if they have seen your cats. They may have seen your cat wandering around the neighborhood before you realized that he was lost. Call your cat’s name while searching the neighborhood, and your cat may come running. Make any other noise that your pet is familiar with, like the sound of a treat box being shaken or his favorite squeaky toy.
4. Put up signs. Place signs up around your neighborhood on mailboxes and posts. Your poster should say “LOST CAT” and include the cat’s color and a description as well as your contact info. Include a photo of your cat, if you have one. A color photo is best. These should be distributed up to a one mile radius from where your pet went missing.
Continue Reading About How To Find a Lost Cat
I Think My Cat is In Heat, What Do I Do?
Cat's Heat Cycle
If you ahve an un-spayed cat, whether because you haven't gotten around to having her spayed or because you don't believe it spaying female animals or whatever the reason, you should be prepared for the cat to go into heat.
Usually a cat will come into her first season between 4 and 10 months old. That is a pretty lengthy time span, which is why if you don't want to deal with the cat going into heat, you should consider spaying the cat as soon as your vet recommends.
A cat's normal heat cycle lasts between 7 to 10 days, and occurs every 2 to 3 weeks.
If you do not spay your cat and you do not breed her, there is a high risk that the female cat will develop cancer in her reproductive organs or she can develop pyometra, which is a fatal infection in the uterus. So, needless to say if you do not want to breed your cat, then it's highly suggested that you spay the cat by at least 6 months old.
Signs of a Cat in Heat
Any or all of the below signs may indicate that your cat is in heat.
* More affectionate.
* Rolls around on the floor more than usual.
* Carries tail to one side.
* Very vocal, meowing a lot, with a more piercing tone.
* Points bum in the air with head and front half of the body on the ground.
* Licking vulva area.
* Rubs face against you or furniture more than usual.
* If an inside cat, she may try desperately to escape and run outside.
Precautions to Consider When Your Cat is In Heat
Continue Reading About I Think My Cat is In Heat, What Do I Do?
When The Indoor Kitty Decides to Escape
I think that the most frightening thing that can happen to an indoor cat owner is to have their dearly beloved cat escape out the door. Whether it is an accident, where the cat broke through a screen, or someone leaving the door ajar and the cat's curiosity got the best of it. It is an experience that can make even the bravest of cat owners fall to their knees.
However, accidents do happen, no matter how careful we are. So what should a cat owner do first? In some instances prepare yourself for a long day or night of endless searching and calling.
Many studies have shown that indoor cats often show certain types of behavior when they find themselves in strange and unknown territory.
Most often they will go into what is called a "shut down mode" which is a type of self-preservation mode due to the fact that they are frightened and overwhelmed.
Most indoor-only cats have never seen the new sights and sounds of the outdoors and the experience is not only over whelming, but also down right scary.
If you are lucky enough to see your cat escape, keep a watchful eye on where it is going if it is at all possible. A frightened cat generally will not come when called, and now that you are outside, you too, are considered a scary person by the cat.
An indoor-only cat's first impulse is to hide somewhere that is why if you can keep your eye on the escapee you have a better chance of catching him/her.
A word of warning here, however, even if you know where Kitty is hiding, the chances of him/her coming into your arms willingly are slim and none.
First try offering food or treats, should you get no response do not be dismayed, as your cat may just be too frightened or distracted and does not realize you are its friend and not an enemy. If you try to grab the cat or make a fast motion toward it, you are only frightening it more. Talking softly and moving slowly will work better; again, keep in mind that Kitty is frightened and when you try to pick him/her up, Kitty may scratch or bite. This is a defense mechanism and has nothing to do with you. Remember how you would react if someone came toward you when you were frightened, how would you react?
How Do I Stop My Cat From Biting Me?
Sometimes, you end up with a cat that is a bit too aggressive for its own good. If you've felt the nipping of tiny teeth on your fingertips, you know that biting cats aren't fun to have. Good thing is that it's an easy behavior to stop.
Kittens instinctively nip and bite each other as they grow up. If you have a kitten and it's biting you, it's even easier to stop than in a fully grown cat.
As kittens, cats learn which behaviors are acceptable and which aren't by, simply, getting their fuzzy butts kicked by their litter mates. If they bite one of their siblings too hard and end up getting bitten back, they learn, "Hey, maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all!"
Continue Reading About How Do I Stop My Cat From Biting Me?
Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas (SCAT)
San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition
San Antonio Feral Cat CoalitionSan Antonio Feral Cat Coalition is organized to promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and public education of feral cat issues in the San Antonio area.
South Texas Persian Rescue
South Texas Persian RescueWe are a rescue specializing in rescuing persians, himalayans, exotic shorthairs, and ragdolls. Most of our rescued cats are pulled from shelters. Some are given up by their owners due to family situations, financial situations, or a behavioral problem the cat is having. All cats are treated for any existing medical condition(s); they are spayed/neutered, FIV/FELV tested, and given all necessary immunizations before adoption; and any behavioral problem(s) the cat may have is addressed and resolved. All of our foster kitties are housed in actual homes with foster parents - so they get used to being in a home environment.
Become part of the San Antonio Pet Scene
Newest Cat and Kitten Articles
Those Undignified Cat ClothesIf your cat will sit still for you to put an outfit on, you can buy cute hats and even a cat bikini for summer! Of course, your cat will be totally embarrassed but your friends will probably get a kick out of it!
How To Handle Cat AllergiesWhen it comes to popular pets that people keep in their house, cats are the winners by a long shot. Over 50% of all families living in the US have either cat or a dog. Even though they are so loved, a lot of people have cat allergies. According to the statistics, there are more than 10 million people suffering from cat allergies in the US.
Easy Cat Litter Box Cleaning Techniques: Successful cat litter box habits stem from many different factors. A small investment of time pays off big with timely, periodic cat litter box cleaning. The best "Thank You!" from your cat is when she deposits a gift in her clean cat litter box
Training Your Cat To Use The Toilet
You can train your cat to use the toilet. By doing this it will
save you time and money. There will be little or no mess. Once
the cat has been trained to go into the toilet, you will be able
to eliminate the cat litter
Shelter Cats Make Great Companions
Other Crazy Stuff
An Engineer's Guide to Cats
/www.youtube.com/v/mHXBL6bzAR4&hl=en&fs=1">
Worlds First Bio-engineered Pet
Yemengzhu - The 3 billion dollar rock
Yemengzhu - The 3 Billion Dollar RockWhat weighs 6.2 tons and is worth more then 3.1 billion dollars? Are your guessing a new high tech battleship or maybe a new stealth fighter? Well it's a big ball of glow in the dark fluorite. Thats right a rock!read more --- Yemengzhus, 亦稱傳奇光亮珍珠在中國, 是罕見的煥發的球在黑暗的熒石。
Red fluorescent cats
Red fluorescent cats: This picture, taken through a special filter in a dark room, shows a cat, left, possessing a red fluorescent protein that makes the animal glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays, appearing next to a normal cloned cat.
10 Questions to Ask When Adopting a Kitten or Cat
Each year in the United States millions of unwanted cats and kittens are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes for them all. This is a very sad but true fact. If you are planning on adding a new furry friend to your family, won't you please consider adoption first? If you want a purebred cat, such as a Maine Coon or a Siamese, no need to worry, there are many cat rescues in the United States that specialize in the adoption of specific breeds. The Siamese Rescue Organization, for example, has saved over 15,000 cats nationwide. They are truly dedicated to finding homes for misplaced, abused and abandoned Siamese. They have rescue centers located in California and Texas as well as in the Pacific and Rocky Mountain regions of the country.
If you are interested in adopting a kitten, spring time is the best time! Though shelters receive kittens all year long, they are usually over-run with kittens in the spring. Though kittens are adorable, please don't forget about the wonderful, older felines that need homes too. Older cats are often harder to place and, therefore, at greater risk of euthanasia. If you are interested in adopting a solid black cat, be aware that most shelters and rescue organizations do not allow the adoption of black cats around the Halloween season. Unfortunately, there are people in the world that do not treat our furry, black, four-legged friends very nicely, especially around this haunted holiday.
Once you have decided that adoption is the best option for you, it is a good idea to have a list of questions prepared before you walk into the rescue shelter. Knowledge is power, the more you know about the cat or kitten you are about to adopt, the better!
When Cats Are Aggressive
Cats are usually viewed as relatively peaceful creatures. Most people assume that if a cat is given food, water, and a suitable place to rest then it will remain docile and loving toward its owners while also displaying the usual feline independence.
Not all cats are wired this way. Individual cats have varying personalities, just like people do. While one cat might be cuddly and laid back, another cat might be so high strung that the owners miss out on sleep at night because the cat is constantly bouncing off the walls. As long as the personality quirks of each cat are acceptable to the owners, there isn't a problem about differing personalities among cats.
The one personality trait that does not go over very well is when the cat has aggressive tendencies. With dogs it can be more acceptable since dogs have the reputation of protection, but an aggressive cat is not something most people are looking for.
Aggressive cats can inflict a lot of damage. While a cat can't compare to the damage that can be done by a large dog, their speed and agility can cause some great pain. Aggressive cats should never be around young children with supervision.
Continue Reading About When Cats Are Aggressive
Helping Feral Cats, Part 1:
This is the first in a three-part series on feral cats. In this article, "feral" is defined. In Part 2, I give some pointers on how to socialize a feral or semi-feral cat. In Part 3, I discuss what we can do to help feral colonies and unsocializable ferals.
History
The domestic cat evolved from the African wild cat, Felis libyca. Feral cats are offspring of stray or abandoned domestic cats that revert to a wild state. Having been raised without any human contact, they have a natural fear of humans. The domestic cat was introduced throughout the world by explorers and scientists, in an effort to control the rodent populations. Being predators and scavengers, feral cats have become successful survivors.
Why Are There Feral Cats?
Feral cats live in streets, alleys, and parks because of human neglect of their unaltered domestic cats, allowing them to roan and reproduce. A California study revealed that about 60 percent of unaltered household cats become feral within three years. Many people abandon or dump unwanted, unaltered cats, and these often end up in feral colonies.
Stray and lost cats congregate near food sources such as garbage dumpsters where rodents collect to feed. The cats start breeding and form colonies. An estimated 60 million feral cats live in the U.S., and worldwide are part of the urban ecology in virtually every city. They live in deserts near human settlements as well as on islands near Antarctica.
Classes of Feral Cats
There are three classes of feral cats. This classification was initiated in an effort to know how to approach these cats and which cats would be the easiest to re-domesticate for companion animals. It has been proven that any feral cat can be re-domesticated, given the right circumstances and enough time.
Continue Reading About Helping Feral Cats
How Do I Stop My Cat From Biting Me?
Sometimes, you end up with a cat that is a bit too aggressive for its own good. If you've felt the nipping of tiny teeth on your fingertips, you know that biting cats aren't fun to have. Good thing is that it's an easy behavior to stop.
Kittens instinctively nip and bite each other as they grow up. If you have a kitten and it's biting you, it's even easier to stop than in a fully grown cat.
As kittens, cats learn which behaviors are acceptable and which aren't by, simply, getting their fuzzy butts kicked by their litter mates. If they bite one of their siblings too hard and end up getting bitten back, they learn, "Hey, maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all!"
Continue Reading About How Do I Stop My Cat From Biting Me?
SOMETHING NEW FOR BLOGGERS
Free changing picture gallery for your blog or webpage
Here is your chance to put a rotating picture gallery of the cats of CatNews.org on your blog or website.
Drop this code into your page and the gallery will function just like the pictures you see on my site, changing each time your visitor refreshes the page. I am always adding pictures to these galleries. They already has quite a few in them.
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Even Healthy Cats Act Sick When Their Routine Is Disrupted
A cat regularly vomiting hairballs or refusing to eat probably isn't being finicky or otherwise "cat-like," despite what conventional wisdom might say. There is a good chance that the cat is acting sick because of the stress caused by changes in its environment, new research suggests.
Healthy cats were just as likely as chronically ill cats to refuse food, vomit frequently and leave waste outside their litter box in response to changes in their routine, according to the Ohio State University study. Veterinary clinicians refer to these acts as sickness behaviors.
The researchers documented sickness behaviors in healthy cats and in cats with feline interstitial cystitis, a chronic illness characterized by recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and often both an urgent and frequent need to urinate.
When the cats experienced what were called "unusual external events," such as a change in feeding schedule or caretaker, the healthy cats were just as likely to exhibit sickness behaviors as were the chronically ill cats. The two groups had the same number of sickness behaviors in response to unusual events, and both groups were at more than three times the risk of acting sick when their routines were disrupted.
Previous research has indicated that a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, known as IC, in cats is strongly associated with a number of other health problems. The fact that healthy cats exhibit some of those same problems in the face of stress suggests that veterinary clinicians should consider cats' environmental conditions during assessments for health problems, researchers say.
"For veterinary clinicians, when you have a cat that's not eating, is not using the litter box or has stuff coming up out of its mouth, the quality of the environment is another cause that needs to be addressed in coming up with a diagnosis," said Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State and senior author of the study.
Continue Reading About Even Healthy Cats Act Sick When Their Routine Is Disrupted
Choosing the Healthiest Cat Food Brand
Choosing be best cat food brand for your pet is more important than ever. Recent pet food recall events have alerted cat owners to the dangers posed by many commercial cat food and kitten food brands.
Healthier Cat Foods Have Higher Quality Ingredients
Although most commercial cat foods meet the criteria for "complete and balanced" as determined by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), these standards do not assure the safety or quality of the ingredients. All products in the recent cat food recall bore the AAFCO certification.
Better foods will cost more initially, but the lack of fillers and increased bioavailability of quality ingredients will save money over time. Your cat will get more nutrition out of less food and suffer fewer food allergies. Ultimately, the cost savings of inexpensive, poor-quality foods is a false economy.
Foods that contain excess fillers like corn, soy and wheat are like junk food for cats. You cat eats more of these foods to obtain the nutrients she needs, and obesity results. Obesity can cause joint problems, heart failure and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
Read Labels on Cat Food Brand Recipes
Look passed the enticing design of the bag and read the ingredient labels. As obligate carnivores, cats must have meat in their diet to survive. The better the source of the meat protein, the better.
When reading the label, look at the order of ingredients. They are listed in order of quantity. The first ingredient should be a named meat or fish like "chicken" or "salmon." Avoid foods that say simply "meat" or "meat by-products."
Problems That Aging Cats are Susceptible to
It’s a given that a cat ages more rapidly than what humans do. Some veterinarians will tell you that a one-year old cat is equivalent to a 16-year old child, although I think this is extreme. The different schools of thoughts propounded by vets and feline experts will tell you that the ratio is anywhere from 4 to 7:1 when it comes to comparing the aging process of a feline to that of a human. Despite the difficulty in predicting an exact age, most vets and experts consider a feline to be “geriatric” once it is 10 years old.
Cats are now living longer than ever before with the average age of a house cat that has been well cared for being around 15 years of age. Additionally, cats that have been neutered or spayed tend to live longer than those that have not been. The speculation here is that cats that have not been “fixed” tend to roam around a lot more and are there prone to even fatal injuries. It also holds true that they succumb to diseases and health maladies because of exposure to the outside environment.
Felines are amazing pieces of machinery, so to speak, in that they have the capability of repairing themselves. For instance, despite the fact that they have two kidneys, they only need a part of one of them in order to stay healthy. Eventually, the aging process in cats takes its toll on them, just like it does with us, and therefore they experience those bodily changes that are characteristically associated with getting older.
The bottom line here is that the key elements of exercise, health care, and proper nutrition, combined with the special care they need once they have entered their “golden years,” will affect your cat’s life expectancy positively. The following list, though quite lengthy, are the more common conditions and problems that older cats may eventually face and that you as an owner will have to deal with when they arise:
From the time they are kittens, cats need to be provided with four critical elements in order to enter their golden years in the best possible shape – an appropriate amount of regular exercise, good health care, proper nutrition, and a stimulating lifestyle.
About the Author
Problems That Aging Cats are Susceptible toFor more easy, practical tips on taking great care of your cat be sure to visit the author’s feline health site now.
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Homemade Kitten Food
Do you need a cheap, healthy alternative to store bought kitten food to help wean your kittens off their mother's milk and transition them to traditional canned kitten food? More than likely, they have shown little interest in regular canned food, preferring the milk to anything you might put in their bowl. Dry food will also be too hard on their developing teeth. The best option would be to start them on a food that reminds them of what they prefer, but can be mixed with traditional wet food to help transition them over. This recipe is simple to make, and kittens find it delicious.
Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and mix in one envelope of unflavored gelatin. Be sure to mix thoroughly, and do not boil the gelatin. If the water tastes bad or has a heavy chlorine taste when it comes out of the tap, consider using filtered water instead.
Pour this mixture into a blender along with half of a 12 ounce can of goat's milk. Blend just long enough to combine thoroughly. Do not substitute cow's milk because cats tend to be lactose intolerant. Using cow's milk can lead to discomfort, diarrhea, and worse if fed to kittens.
Add the following ingredients one at a time. After each addition, blend briefly to combine before moving on to the next. You will want to use the lowest setting to avoid overmixing. Add: 3 tbsp full fat yogurt, 3 tbsp real mayonnaise, 3 tsp light corn syrup, and 1 raw egg yolk. Concerning the egg yolk, raw eggs carry a small risk of salmonella poisoning. To eliminate any risk of accidentally passing this on to your kittens, use eggs that have been pasteurized in their shells.
You can serve the completed homemade kitten food the way it is, or you can store it for use later. To store for later usage, cover the mixture tightly in a small container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to ten days or in your freezer for up to three months.
If you are going to use food that you have prepared in advance, you will want to warm it up before serving, especially if it is coming from the refrigerator or freezer. Cold food causes severe stomach upset in kittens. Warming it up will also make it more aromatic, and thus more appetizing to the kittens.
How to Litter Train A Kitten
If the mother cat is still in the home and she is already litter trained, then litter training her kittens is a natural process. Her kittens will simply follow what she does. However, ultimately, each cat should have its own litter tray or else it may create a host of other litter tray problems for you!
For most kitten owners, the mother cat is not in the home if the kitten was orphaned or purchased. But this is not a problem. It is easy to litter train a cat when it's still a little kitten. Cats are creatures of habit and it may not be as easy to litter train once they have become used to their favorite toilet spots.
The key to litter training a kitten is to let it get used to the litter tray as soon as possible. You will need to manually place your kitten onto the tray initially, as it is neither used to it nor is it able to climb over the edge to get in.
Most kittens would defecate soon after waking up and after a meal. You could place your kitten in the litter tray during these times and after a few weeks, your kitten would get used to the routine and it would become a habit.
Just be sure to place the litter tray a reasonable distance away from where the kitten is fed and where it sleeps. Cats and kittens are fastidious creatures and do not like to do their toilet near where they eat and sleep.
When a kitten is still very young, it will not be able to "cover up" very well after its toilet, as most adult cats are capable of. But you don't have to worry about this. Once they are about 1 to 2 months old, they will instinctively know how to cover up their poop.
In the wild or in the garden, cats will scoop soil and earth to cover but in the home, if you provide commercial cat litter, they will naturally scoop the litter to cover up the poop. You will notice, even if you only provide a newspaper for their soiling, your kitten will still scoop at the newspaper in an instinctive act to cover up their poop.
Although you can expect to pick up poop after your kitten in the first few weeks, litter training a kitten is relatively easy and can be 100% trouble-free once it gets used to the routine of using the litter tray.
New Kitten Care - How to Kitten-proof Your Home
A very important aspect of new kitten care is keeping your kitten safe from danger. There are a lot of potential hazards round the home for little kittens. This article lists the most common ones and suggests ways you can minimize risks to your kitten and keep her safe.
Washing machine and tumble dryer:
If you leave the door open and there are clothes inside, there's a good chance your kitten will climb in and go to sleep. Always check your kitten isn't inside these before you use them.
Raw meat:
Keep it out of reach - it can give your kitten food poisoning.
Garbage:
Put all garbage in a sealed bin that your kitten can't access.
Plants:
Many plants are poisonous to cats. If you're not sure whether a certain plant is safe for your kitten if she eats it, put it out of her reach.
Pot pourri:
The oils used to scent this can be poisonous.
Open fires and candles:
Use a guard on the fire. Never leave a kitten in a room alone with lit candles.
Electrical wires:
If your kitten is a wire chewer, you'll need to put wires out of her reach or buy plastic covers for them.
Curtain tie-backs and cords on window blinds:
Kittens can get caught in these. Either remove them completely or tie them up out of reach.
Filled bathtubs and sinks:
Make sure your kitten doesn't have access to the room when the tub or sink is full.
Open toilet:
Try to get into the habit of keeping the lid down when the toilet's not in use.
Medications:
Keep them in a cupboard that your kitten can't get into.
Small objects:
Kittens can swallow small things like paper clips, rubber bands, staples and needles.
String, wool, fishing line and thread:
Kittens can swallow large quantities of these. For this reason, balls of wool or string and pom-poms aren't good toys for cats.
Household chemicals:
Most cleaners etc. are highly poisonous to cats and need to be kept somewhere your kitten can't access.
Tobacco:
Tobacco, nicotine patches and nicotine gum are all poisonous to cats.
Reclining chairs, futons, folding beds, drawers:
If kittens get caught when this type of furniture is moved, they can get crushed. Make sure your kitten isn't asleep somewhere she could get trapped before you use any of these.
Safety is a major factor for new kitten care. It's fairly easy to keep your kitten safe as long as you anticipate potential dangers and take the necessary steps to prevent them. Putting brightly colored post it notes up around your home is a good way to do this. Stick the notes on or near potential dangers - for example the fridge, washing machine, oven, toilet and futon - and anywhere else that could be a hazard.
Kitten Feeding with a Bottle
Kitten feeding can feel like a difficult process without a mother cat to do it for you. Newborn kittens are so tiny and fragile, and have to operate almost entirely by instinct. It may seem a daunting task at first, but the process of kitten feeding with a bottle is not so much from that of feeding a newborn human. Once they know what to do, they will do it all on their own. All you have to do is show them proper care and follow a few simple guidelines.
Step 1 Make up the bottle of formula. To do this, first sterilize the bottle and nipple in boiling water for several minutes and allow to cool thoroughly before adding the KMR (kitten milk replacement) formula. KMR is specifically formulated for kittens, and cow's milk is not an adequate replacement. To avoid clumping, add just a little bit of water to the powdered mix and stir until thoroughly combined before adding the rest of the hot water. The final temperature of the formula should be about 95 degrees. If the bottle gets cold, just warm it up in a small bowl of very warm water, but always check the temperature before offering it to the kitten.
Step 2 Prepare the kitten. Place a warm, soft towel either on your lap or on the feeding surface, then place the kitten gently on top of it. When feeding newborn kittens, they will need to be lying flat on their stomachs. It is best if you can do this with the kitten gently cuddled against you, because you need to be sure that the kitten is warm before feeding. Cold kittens do not digest their formula well.
Step 3 Feed the kitten. Gently work the nipple against the kitten's mouth. They will get the idea quickly and take it in. If not, very gently stroke the kitten until it gets the idea. You will need to do this six to ten times per day, around the clock, just like a newborn human. Newborn kittens will need a little over one ounce of formula per day, divided between feedings. Be careful to not overfeed them.
Step 4 Clean up and burp the kitten. While the kitten is still on the blanket, gently slip one hand under its belly and hold it while you very lightly pat its upper back. This will stimulate the burp response. Then, using a warm, damp, slightly rough cloth, gently clean its anal and genital area to stimulate urination and defecation.
Step 5 Put the kitten back to bed. It is worn out from its feeding and needs to rest.
Getting Ready for the Newborn Kittens
Caring for your cat during pregnancy may require a lot of time and effort in your part but it is a very wonderful and rewarding experience. But after the kittens are already born, you will need to do a different task and that is to take care of the newborn kittens. These kittens will need special kind of attention and care and you must make sure that you could provide it to them.
One good way to start is to prepare your home for the arrival of the newborn kittens. Kittens tend to play with, chew, or nibble anything that attracts their interest like plants, cords, and other materials. You should remove the things that could be harmful to the newborn kittens like anything that could poison them or hurt them. Electrical cords must be kept out of reach. Look for anything sharp and pointed and remove them from the area immediately. Deal with anything that could strangle your kitten like ropes, ribbons, and cords to provide a safer place for your kittens.
You might also want to save your curtains and drapes from kitten scratches so it would be advisable to tie them up so your kittens will not be able to reach them. Make sure that the cabinet for your cleaning liquids are out of your kittens’ reach. Most of these cleaning liquids are poisonous and you wouldn't want your kitty to play with them to prevent any kind of accident.
Another good preparation that you should not forget is to shop for things that your kitten will need. You will have to shop for foods that are suitable for newborn kittens. You should opt for foods that could give your kittens the kind of nutrition they need for growth. The food should also be easily digestible by kittens to prevent any troubles with their tummy.
You should also get them the things they need like their own bowls, kitty basket or bed, blanket, litter box, and toys. This is to ensure that your kittens will be comfortable and that they will have a good playing time. You should provide them with warm and comfortable place or area to sleep in. When choosing toys for your little kittens, make sure that they are safe and will not put the safety of your kittens at risk.
Lastly, you must make sure that your kittens are healthy. After birth, you could have a vet take a look at them to check them up for any illness and to give them vaccines that they need. If your vet saw some signs and symptoms that suggest illness, your kitten might be subjected to some tests and examinations. This is to ensure that they will grow healthy and will reduce the risk of getting sick. These things will help prepare you and your home for the arrival of your cat’s newborn kittens. You will not have to get worried about their safety inside your home and you can be sure that you will able to provide them with anything they need for them to grow happy and healthy.
Feeding Your CatOne of the most important factors in your cat’s health and longevity is nutrition, so your most important responsibility to your cat is to provide them with the necessary nutrition for its growth and health. To do this properly, it is first necessary to understand what their diet should consist of.
Everything A New Cat Owner Needs To KnowBefore you look for a new cat, you should know what you are getting into. Cats are not animals that you can ignore. Unless your are prepared to spend time with them, do not get one. If you have never owned cats, you may not realize that they do certain cat things and need certain cat things. New and unsuspecting cat owners may be surprised when they find their cats regularly do the following.
Learn About Cat Beds And What Cat Bed Is BestSeveral people assume that since domestic and wild cats get enough water and food, cats may survive in cold climate because of their thick coats. Although, studies say that in harsh climate, shelter is preferred the most over any other needs. Without shelter, wild and domestic cats develop risk of possible dangers such as frozen paws and ears. Severe climate may harm their respiratory system too. Particularly, in the rains, fur of cats get wet and may cost them their lives.
Neutering Your Cat...Why, When and HowNeutering a male is a procedure known as castration. It involves complete removal of the testes via two small surgical incisions over the scrotum. The scrotal wound is usually left open to heal up by itself. Cats do not have vasectomies like humans do as they are neutered for other reasons in addition to birth control. There have been several occasions where owners have been unaware of this fact until the operation has been done, causing resentment in some cases. The pros and cons of castration will be discussed shortly.
Just For Fun
Blackjack: Play Free Blackjack
Magic Square Puzzle
Try to eliminate all the boxes to win. When you check a box, all the squares around it (one above, one below, and one to each side) are unselected. You can play in five different levels of difficulty.Magic Square Puzzle
Kitty Card ShopCheck out my new Ecard shop. No sign up with dozens of cat and kitten cards to send
FELINE DENTAL DISEASEThe current status of feline dental disease consists of several well-recognized conditions. Proper and aggressive treatment of these conditions can greatly contribute to the well being and longevity of the patient.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus infection. Many different strains of coronavirus are capable of infecting cats, but most do not produce serious disease. FIP-producing strains are distinguished by their ability to invade and grow in certain white blood cells. The infected cells transport the virus throughout the cat’s body. An intense inflammatory reaction occurs in the tissues where these virus-infected cells locate. It is this interaction between the body’s own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the disease.
Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,
"It seems to have grown in popularity," she said, adding that last year they had 20 people join them for the free session ... She said she has attended Cats on the Mat all three years. This year, the humane society brought a litter of kittens all named ...
Cats are predators and they catch and eat infected rodents and birds. The parasite is then carried in the cat’s faeces and out into a litter box or soil ... Keep all your pets as parasite free as possible by using one of the number of natural products ...
(Deal Ends 9/23) Head on over to Target this week where you can score Litter Genie Cat Litter Disposal Pail for only $6.24, regularly $14.99! Right now there’s a high value $5 off one Litter Genie Disposal Pail coupon, stack it with a 25% off Litter ...
After all, cats are predators, killing birds and small mammals alike. They can also spread diseases that may affect wildlife and humans. Their quality of life can be pretty poor as well. Free-roaming ... Longcore’s photo in a litter box and let her ...
Remember as well that you are always free to call your cat vet or your local emergency ... Initial symptoms may be subtle: Affected cats may urinate outside the litter box, strain but produce only small quantities of urine, vocalize, or groom their ...
It has provided low-cost spay/neuter services and adopted out thousands of beautiful cats and kittens to good homes. Through its Trap-Neuter-Return, or TNR, program, it has humanely trapped and fixed free-roaming ... he had poor litter box habits.
A litter of kittens born to a cat in China featured a rather jaw-dropping feline among the bunch: one with two faces. The animal's incredible condition is believed to have been caused by a rare genetic mutation creating what is known colloquially as a ...
Tablift, the beloved iPad stand for hands-free lounging, is now available in white! Set your iPad up at any angle, in any position, on any surface. Tablift has four flexible legs that provide stability for your iPad on a couch or even in bed, and it works ... | {
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Paul Cézanne - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Paul Cézanne. Modern Artist of France. Born 1839, Died 1906 Paul Cézanne was born in France to a wealthy family. His father owned a bank and wanted Paul to take over the bank when he was grown up.
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When Cézanne returned home from his time in Paris, his father insisted he start work at the bank. However, after one year his father realized that Paul would never be a banker and let him move back to Paris.
In Paris, Cézanne attended classes and spent time with other artists, including Monet. Many of these artists could not get their work recognized by the Salon. Cézanne was also rejected by the Salon and agree to show his works with the group who were to be known as the Impressionists.
But even the Impressionists were not comfortable with Cézanne’s work. It was very different from everyone else’s and his art was called the work of a madman. Cézanne was very hurt by the criticism.
Cézanne found help from friends and learned how to control how he organized his paintings. He set a rigid schedule that included waking at 4 am, painting from 6 to 11 am followed by lunch and a rest. Then we would walk with his easel and supplies and paint outdoors. He would eat a 6 pm and be in bed by 6 pm every evening.
This allowed him to focus on the one thing he found comfort in, his art.
Cézanne’s paintings were not accepted by the critics or public while he was alive. Within a year after his death, Cézanne’s paintings were accepted and written about by the art critics as an artist with a vision. His paintings were sold around the world at record-breaking prices.
By 1914, 8 years after his death, his paintings had been seen in some of the top art museums. He was no longer Cézanne the madman but Cézanne the master. | {
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amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Warnings
amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Uses
This medication is used to treat a variety of serious fungal infections. It is often used in patients who cannot tolerate or who do not respond to the regular amphotericin treatment. It works by stopping the growth of fungi.
How to use amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous
This medication is usually given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. It should be injected slowly over 2 hours. Dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy.
If you are giving this medication to yourself at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
It may be necessary to continue this medication for several weeks to several months in order to treat certain infections. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.
amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Side Effects
Fever, shaking, chills, flushing, loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, or fast breathing may occur 1 to 2 hours after the infusion is started. In some cases, other medications (e.g., acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone) may be necessary to prevent or relieve these side effects. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Precautions
Before using amphotericin/lipid complex, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex intravenous Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away to establish a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE:
Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: About User Reviews on RxList
RxList is part of the WebMD Health Network. The opinions expressed in the WebMD User Reviews are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training, and do not represent the opinions of WebMD. These member reviews have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other purpose except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about uses of the drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
WebMD User Reviews should not be considered as medical advice and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences may be a helpful health information resource but they are never a substitute for professional medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. | {
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6 weeks passes and I still can’t achieve a full erection. My maximum was 70% and I was having weird symptoms with my member. I had developed a torsion of maybe 10 degrees, as in the head was rotated. Nothing too grotesque as I’ve seen other guys born with this naturally, but it just wasn’t straight anymore. The other symptom led to seaches online pointing to something called ‘hard flaccid,’ something not medically recognized as a real symptom. My penis would not go soft basically. It felt rubbery and stiff all the time, and it only relaxed to what I was used to if I was urinating or laying down on my back. It’s resistant to being moved and prevents me from getting an erection while standing up.
Tip #3 – Stay away from the websites that are using the “spamming methods”. As soon as you get an unsolicited email, you know that a company responsible for it is acting illegally. There are companies that are just looking for ways to make a quick buck rather than to run a serious business. Do you really want to begin your journey of recovery and improvement with an unsolicited email?
The first is Jelging, a technique in which you turn yourself into a cow and milk your penis from base to head. The theory is that you elongate the three columns of soft tissue that comprise it. Your gains are temporary and you risk damaging yourself by overdoing it. The second is the classic pump. This works by drawing blood into the two cylinder shaped chambers of your penis by creating a vacuum. Again, once removed, you will be back to normal size.
In terms of what constitutes small, big and average, a 2007 study from British urologists Kevan Wylie and Ian Eardley revealed that the average erect penis is 5.5 inches in length and 4.7 inches in girth. According to Wylie and Eardley, most men who suffer from small penis syndrome (i.e., the anxiety of thinking their penis is too small even though it isn’t) have nowhere close to what scientists define as a micropenis. Not to mention, according to one of the studies cited, 85 percent of women surveyed said they were satisfied with their partner’s genitals, whereas only 55 percent of men were happy with what nature had given them. In other words, almost half of the men surveyed would like to have a bigger dick.
Chicago urologist Laurence A. Levine, MD, director of the male fertility program at Rush University Medical Center, tested the FastSize Extender on 10 men afflicted with Peyronie's disease, which can cause bending and shrinkage of the penis. At the end of the six-month study, which was funded by the maker of the FastSize Extender, Levine found increased penile length and reduced curvature in every man and increased girth in seven of the men. Calling the results "remarkable," Levine now prescribes the device to many of his Peyronie's patients and reports no significant complications. (Levine has also worked as a paid consultant to FastSize Extender.)
• Embrace meditative relaxation. The arteries the carry blood into the penis are surrounded by muscle tissue. When men feel anxious (including worrying about penis size), these muscles contract, constricting the arteries and reducing blood inflow and size. But as men relax deeply, these muscles also relax, opening the arteries, maximizing blood flow, and boosting size, (Erection drugs work by relaxing these muscles.)
It's ironic that the male preoccupation with enhancement seems to be independent of the needs of women, the supposed benefactors of improved sexual performance. A recent study found that 85% of women are pleased with their partner's penis proportions, but 45% of men say they want a larger penis. Given that the vast majority of men fall within a certain penis size -- about 5.5 to 6.2 inches long when erect -- most men fall within the normal range. It's a little awkward, so we'll get straight to the point: This Sunday we humbly ask you to defend Wikipedia's independence. This is your last chance to help in 2018. If everyone reading this gave $2.75, Wikipedia would thrive. The price of your Sunday coffee is all we need. Many of our users don't realize that volunteers create nearly all of our content. But it still costs a lot to keep Wikipedia running smoothly. More than 70% of our budget goes to direct support of the website and communities who build Wikipedia. This is where you come in. We rely on donations from our users, averaging about $16.36, to keep Wikipedia going. So far this year, more than 2,438,307 people in the U.S. alone have made contributions to Wikipedia. Would you please join them to help us maintain our high standards for speed and accuracy? Any amount will help.
It is also worth noting that a man’s penis may change size considerably depending on time of day, temperature, and factors other than sexual stimulation or excitement. During sexual stimulation or excitement, the penis becomes engorged with blood and stands erect – but there is a wide variation in normal size and shape and angle for an erect penis also. In some men, the erect penis is almost the same size as the flaccid (soft or non-erect) penis, while in other men the erect penis is much longer and wider than the flaccid penis. You cannot tell by looking at a man’s flaccid penis what size it will be when erect.
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Even in reputable studies, the statistical average varies, US median is about 5.5 inch according to the biggest study (1661 sexually active men) we could find by the well known Journal of Sexual Medicine. Most men have an erect size between 5 and 6 inch, so below 5 inch can be considered small. Don’t be fooled by the penis sizes you often see in adult movies, all actors are selected individuals far above the average size. These movies certainly don’t depict any statistical average and also use visual tricks to make the manhood of the male actors appear even larger. Features Male Enhancement, Testosterone Booster, Natural Sex Performance Enhancing Treatment, Increase Size, Energy, Sexual Libido & Blood Flow Volume Maximises cardio, endurance and provides maximum energy during workouts and training sessions Increase Free Testosterone, Build Lean Muscle, Improve Performance Strong Herb Formula Melatonin, Valerian Root, Magnesium, Hops, Passion Flower, Chamomile Gaba & B-6 Increase Free Testosterone, Build Lean Muscle, Boost Energy, Improved Performance, Improved libido for Men and Women
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The GenoDrive is the prevailing male augmentation procedure with the purpose of moving parts to augment the level of testosterone in the deceased to encourage strong sexual presentation. This is the prescription with the intention of facilitates you to improve the sexual staying power and endurance so with the intention of you be capable of carry out at your hit the highest point on the room.
I created this how to get a bigger penis guide after lots of search because I was once in your boots. I always feel my penis will grow during Puberty but it never grows or maybe it grows but not that much. Since I am living on very tight budget that is why surgery is not the option for feel. Secondly, forums and discussion boards are full of negative reviews about penis enlargement pills that is the reason these are very risky to try. This doesn’t mean penis surgery isn’t a viable solution for various medical indications like e.g. a penile prosthesis in case of complete impotence (erectile dysfunction), circumcision in case of serious foreskin constriction (phimosis) but for enlagement only, there are less risky ways with good rewards as well. Responsible plastic surgeons only offer surgical penis enlargement for patients suffering from a very small penis or micro penis. In addition, there are only very few surgeons who have the skills and knowledge to safely perform this very special type of medical intervention.
Popping Pills. This is another method which should be given a mention since there are so many "penis pills" out there claiming size gains are possible by simply popping pills. These do actually have their place as there are effective herbs out there that will increase size, but once again it is only temporary. The other catch is that the size is most noticeable in the state of erection. That is the effective penis pills (and there are a lot of non-effective pills out there as well) will make your erections much harder and stronger. This results in even more blood being pumped up creating larger looking erection size as well as a much more "veiny" look.
There’s also another way that makes you harder, longer and thicker by around 15-20% that doesn’t require stretching, surgery or pills; wear a cock ring like the popular TOR™ 2 penis ring. The size-enhancing effect of cock rings are simple and immediately effective: it works by restricting the blood flow in your penis, and provides a fuller appearance while worn.
Flaccid girth is awkward because different men have different flaccid girth as they measure flaccid girth from different position. Again the best way to measure your flaccid girth is by measuring it from center position. Stand straight then extend your penis with one hand and use other hand to put measuring tape around the penis at the center of shaft. Mark the measurement and write it down into piece of paper.
When you do Kegel exercises, you can target, train and strengthen your pelvic muscles. “Strengthening your pelvic muscles improves sexual performance, reverses or prevents erectile dysfunction, promotes urinary health (incontinence and overactive bladder), and benefits prostate health by providing increased blood flow,” says Rybchin. “Once you achieve initial pelvic muscle strength, you then add the resistance training — a resistance ring and weights. As you get stronger, you then add the additional weight.”
Some surgical methods have the most evidence of effectiveness, whereas others have fairly frequent complications, sometimes severe, including scarring that lead, ultimately, to penis shrinkage or erectile dysfunction.[1][2] Noninvasive methods have received little scientific study, and most lack scientific evidence of effectiveness, although scientific evidence supports some elongation by prolonged traction.[3] Some quack products may improve penis erection, mistaken by consumers for penis enlargement.
Penis is made up of three chambers – two bigger chambers that are known as Corpora Cavernosa and one small chamber that known as Corpus Spongiosum. When we gain erection, blood fills up into these three chambers. The smaller chamber (Corpus Spongiosum) is mainly use for urination and ejaculation. However, the other two bigger chambers (Corpora Cavernosa) hold the 90% of blood.
The majority of men simply believe that it is not possible to secure longer and bigger penis. It isn’t new that both women and men have various views on penis size. Every guy is obsessed with the notion of having a larger penis. Actually, more and more men are looking for methods on how best to maximize their penis size. Many men would love to learn how to improve penis size without medication. Even cause allergic reactions to the majority of men using them. There are just a few men on the surface of the earth that would rather not find a larger penis.The same as women are always watching for ways to better their breast size or tighten their vagina men are for the most part dissatisfied with the dimensions of their penis because it is an issue of pride and a question on their manhood. Regardless of what enlargement method you pick, just do not forget that penis won’t increase overnight and a lot is based on the response rate of the body. One of the greatest ways to raise penis size would be to choose a penile exercise that you may function with.You have to locate a pill that has amazing ingredients, modern and effectual nutrient shipping technology, and you have to locate a company that supplies maximum support. To begin with, Vimax pills are created solely by high-end ingredients, which can find the best results, with just one pill every day, contrary to other businesses which make you take a couple of pills per day. Some high-quality penile enhancement pills include completely free access to highly acclaimed penis exercise programs so you can receive the maximum benefit.
• Forget surgery. The full monty, lengthening and girth enhancement, is expensive (around $15,000) and problematic. Lengthening surgery cuts the ligament that makes an erection stand up. This adds an inch, but erections no longer salute. They just hang between your legs and must be manually directed into erotic openings. Girth enhancement takes fat from the buttocks and injects it under the penis skin. Sounds good, but quite often, the result is a lumpy, deformed-looking penis.
Then, in the back of a weightlifting magazine, he saw an ad for the FastSize Extender, a device that claims to make the penis longer and fatter through traction. Richard began wearing the device almost eight hours a day, every day. He was shocked to notice a difference within a few days. After four months of wearing the device, he says his flaccid penis has stretched from 3 inches to over 5 inches; erect, he has gone from less than 6 inches to over 7 inches. The device cost $298, but Richard says the effect on his self-confidence has been priceless: "It made a world of difference to me."
Having had my Wife leave me for a Guy with 9.5 inch Penis compared to my 5.5 inch Penis made me wonder !!! Now that I am in my 60's ; I am no longer worried about the size of my penis !!! Plus she passed away sometime in 2012 !!! Me ?? I could care less now if I ever have sex !!! Pleasing a Woman without Intercourse is easy !!! I still hear Women in the work place complaining about their Partners having a small penis !!! Go figure !!! Here’s a simple truth about this extremely annoying problem. If you want to deal with the ED, then you have to boost the blood circulation in your penis blood vessels. So, as soon as you’re sexually stimulated, the nitric oxide influences all the tissues and blood vessels that are giving your penis an erection. Plain and simple, horny goat weed helps you deal with your erection-related problems. The most important thing about it, this solution helps you maximize the effectiveness of nitric oxide in your body. This is undoubtedly a win-win scenario for both your sexual partner and your erection.
Some surgical methods have the most evidence of effectiveness, whereas others have fairly frequent complications, sometimes severe, including scarring that lead, ultimately, to penis shrinkage or erectile dysfunction.[1][2] Noninvasive methods have received little scientific study, and most lack scientific evidence of effectiveness, although scientific evidence supports some elongation by prolonged traction.[3] Some quack products may improve penis erection, mistaken by consumers for penis enlargement.
If you want to improve penis size with penis exercises, then you’ve got to bear in mind, that it requires time to observe success. Hence, you can boost penis size utilizing home remedies like Mast Mood Oil. There’s a way to improve penis size without the use of any medical therapy or strange equipment. Even if it’s the case that the dimensions of the penis are of average dimensions, most men desire to raise their size as they aren’t confident of the dimensions of their penis in regards to satisfying their partner in bed. Your penis size is now restricted to the quantity of blood these two key chambers can take when they’re filled, you have your highest possible erection size. How to Increase it Follow the Following penis Exercises. The Best Exercise to make it bigger.
The team at Morganstern Medical strongly suggests that you do extensive research on any doctor and every technique before you get agree to get your penis enlargement surgery. Dr. Steven L. Morganstern, M.D. is an internationally acclaimed board certifies Urologist and Surgeon who has invented a guaranteed solution for penile size. Over the past 25 years he has successfully performed over 4,000 penis enlargement surgeries. Dr. Morganstern is a pioneer in the men’s health field and was on the front lines of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) therapeutics. He served as a leading media spokesperson and expert on ED before others were even talking about it. Additionally, he was chosen as the only private clinician to be included in the original trials for Viagra. To put it in simpler terms: He “was reversing ED-when ED wasn’t even cool.” To schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven L. Morgenstern in his Atlanta office please call or send a request through our contact form. If traveling to Atlanta is not an option we can set up a phone consultation or you can send in a request to be put in contact with other physicians in your area that perform the Morganstern Penis Enlargement Surgery.
Erect Girth also varies for different factors. To measure your erect girth length you have to use measuring tape or piece of sting (then put it on the ruler). The measurement of erect girth length is different for various people because different people measure girth from different positions. We recommend you to measure your erect girth from the center of penis shaft. This will give you correct measurement.
No herbal remedy can restore erections like Viagra and its prescription counterparts, says Steven Lamm, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at New York University and author of The Hardness Factor. But Lamm says these remedies may be appropriate for men who have experienced a decline in sexual performance but do not suffer from a diagnosable sexual problem. Lamm has endorsed an herbal remedy, marketed under the Roaring Tiger label, that combines horny goat weed and other herbal extracts with the amino acid L-arginine. (The supplements are made by the same company that makes the FastSize Extender.)
✔ GrowthXX™ is the scientifically proven formula for permanent growth for thousands of men. We are excited to present you with the newly reformulated formula. This new formula has been reformulated to provide you with even better result. Produced in a FDA approved facility. Growthxx™ contains a unique blend of natural ingredients that safely and effective increases the male sexual size.
In an operation to increase penis length, the surgeon cuts the suspensory ligament, which attaches the penis to the pubic bone. The result is that the flaccid penis appears longer (but not much), because more of the upper part of the shaft is exposed outside the body. Skin from the abdomen is used to cover the new longer shaft of the penis. The risk involved in cutting the suspensory ligament is that its function, that of supporting an erection and angling it upwards, may be lost. The erect penis may be unstable or point downwards.
Jelqing is another popular exercise for penis enlargement. This exercise is also known as ‘milking’ because it is very much similar to milking the cow. This exercise is very effective and that is reason many experts talk about it. There is hardly any penis enlargement plan that doesn’t talk about this exercise. Even the sellers of extender, penis pumps and pills recommend some Jelqing exercise.
I created this how to get a bigger penis guide after lots of search because I was once in your boots. I always feel my penis will grow during Puberty but it never grows or maybe it grows but not that much. Since I am living on very tight budget that is why surgery is not the option for feel. Secondly, forums and discussion boards are full of negative reviews about penis enlargement pills that is the reason these are very risky to try. | {
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Florida Birding Trail - Panhandle Section - The first in a series of 4 Sections of the Florida Birding Trail. The West Section will come next, followed by East and South Florida Guides. The GPX file has site descriptions from the guide itself. As Florida is a "Sunshine Law" state, all information is public & therefore should not result in any intellectual property infringement. | {
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
"The king is dead, long live the king."
The resurrection of Michael Jackson is at hand. Say "Halleluiah!" The second coming of The King of Soda Pop will soon blanket the country with TV spots, internet, Twitter and Facebook ads, billboards, movie theater spots, bus benches, newspapers, you name it. So hide your children, 'cause Michael the Jackson is a-comin' back!
In case you haven't heard, Pepsi Cola has made an agreement with Jackson's estate to roll out a billion Pepsi cans with a silhouette of Michael Jackson-who died in 2009-as part of its newly launched "Live For Now'' global marketing campaign. PepsiCo and Jackson's estate declined to disclose the financial terms of the latest deal. Michael Jackson signed onto a Pepsi sponsorship deal in 1984 for a then-record $5 million. He soon became the drink's spokesman, moon walking and moon hawking the soft drink to kids throughout the 80's and 90's.
A couple of questions come to mind with this promotional campaign. First off, in general how do feel about raising the dead to sell soda pop? And we're not talking about a famous person in history who is a long time dead like Julius Caesar or Shakespeare or Orville Redenbacher. Jackson died in June of 2009, that's not even three years ago. I don't know if the sealant has even dried around his drawer at the mausoleum yet.
In 2007, when ConAgra Foods Inc. reincarnated their company spokesman, Orville Redenbacher, (who had died in 1995) they ran a commercial that featured a computer-generated version of Mr. Redenbacher who had gotten a modern makeover. Some folks dubbed the character "Orville Deadenbacher." An ad critic for Adage, an industry trade magazine, called the posthumous pitchman: "Madison Avenue's first pitchzombie."
Using dead people to sell stuff lowers the bar in marketing ethics (if there is such a thing) into the creepy and slimily department. Resurrecting a celebrity from their grave who has no say in how their likeness is to be used has always bothered me. A prime example of bad taste is that TV commercial where they used a dead Fred Astaire to sell Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaners.
There's more than just a dead celebrity going on here, you've got the whole Michael Jackson creepiness attached. Jackson's weird lifestyle (remember bubbles the monkey?), his drug abuse that finally killed him, and the criminal charges of child molestation. Wow, sounds like a perfect spokesperson for a soft drink product to me!
If that isn't creepy enough, how about the official campaign slogan? "Live For Now" What message does that send? Just live for the moment and don't worry about the future? Don't worry about consequences, if it feels good do it and the hell with tomorrow? That's what it sounds like to me. And I guess that's what Jackson did, he lived in the moment. At least that was the image he projected. And look what it got him - a premature death. What a great role model for all the kids out there. And what an odd campaign slogan to attach to a man who died of an overdose under mysterious and illegal circumstances. Creepy doesn't come close to describing this.
Weird stuff is nothing new for Michael Jackson Pepsi Cola spots. You might remember the infamous commercial shoot for Pepsi in 1984 that inadvertently set the King of Pop's hair on fire, burning his scalp. This time Pepsi's new campaign around Mr. Jackson is timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of "Bad,'' the multi-platinum album. "Bad" is kind of fitting; you know, "bad" taste, "bad" marketing idea. But what the heck, if it sells soda pop, well that's all that counts, right?
A spokeswoman for Mr. Jackson's estate said the PepsiCo campaign represents the first branding deal since Mr. Jackson passed away, but that more such marketing agreements are planned. Oh boy! I can't wait to see all the marketing plans next year for the 30th anniversary of Jackson's "Thriller" album. The music video featured "living dead" zombies with Jackson becoming a zombie himself. Now that is perfect! At least that promotion will make sense. Michael Jackson, pitchzombie.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here. | {
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Help Laurel today! Go to the the Kickstarter:
Wonder Crew: More than Just a Toy - Expanding Boys' Play!
Just a few more days to make this positive product for boys a reality.
I'm thrilled to present this guest blog post by another parent … [Read more...]
Here at Marketing, Media and Childhood, we love it when people take action. So I invited reader Catherine Cook of Denver to write a guest post about her petition to Mega Brands (owned by Mattel) to stop shelving toys based on violent video games in … [Read more...]
Only if you are concerned about women's stalled progress in STEM fields, and how that potentially effects their own futures in terms of income and fulfilling careers, as well as the innovative and competitive strength of the overall U.S. economy. No … [Read more...]
"Houghton Mifflin's Channel One News makes the execution of James Foley the top news story for students down to the third grade. Picture of executioner holding the knife that beheads James Foley is shown to middle school students."
Read more: … [Read more...]
Michelle Cove, who is the founder of MediaGirls, a media literacy program in Brookline, Massachusetts, sent along this photo and comment, as a follow up to my previous post about Old Navy advertising.
"Sexualizing girls early isn’t always about … [Read more...]
I'm wondering how exactly Old Navy could have made the decision that this is an appropriate advertisement for its clothing for little girls.
Remind you of anyone?
This child is about 10 years old, and recreating a pose from … [Read more...]
Never before have parents had to "deliberately and consciously counter many of the dominant messages of their own culture."
(A synopsis of a Must Read article for all parents of small children)
One day, Gloria DeGaetano found herself with two … [Read more...]
My nephew, 9 years old, was watching one of the early games of the World Cup when he came into the kitchen and asked his mother, “Can we go see The Purge?”
"Is that a kids movie?" she asked. No he said. It's rated R.
Then he said, “What does … [Read more...]
Two things in the news that parents need to be aware of: unsafe apps your child may be using, and ways media may be using your child.
Companies are collecting information about your child for profit
As schools hand out laptops and tablets and … [Read more...] | {
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Friday, October 31, 2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
There are some surprising things you're not being told about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, the flight that basically vanished over the Gulf of Thailand with 239 individuals ready for.
While specialists are perplexed, the standard media isn't letting you know the entire story, either. So I've amassed this accumulation of realities that ought to bring genuine inquiries up in the personalities of anybody after this circumstance.
1.All Boeing 777 business planes are outfitted with discovery recorders that can survive any ready for.
No blast from the plane itself can pulverize the discovery recorders. They are bomb-verification structures that hold computerized recordings of cockpit discussions and also itemized flight information and control surface information.
2.All discovery recorders transmit locator signals for no less than 30 days in the wake of falling into the sea
Yet the black box from this specific episode hasn't been discovered whatsoever. That is the reason agents are experiencing such difficulty discovering it. Ordinarily, they just need to "home in" on the discovery transmitter signal. However for this situation, the nonappearance of a sign means the discovery itself — an item intended to survive effective blasts — has either vanished, broke down or been pulverized by some influential drive past the most noticeably bad reasons for alarm of air ship outline engineers.
3.Many sections of decimated airplane are characteristically light and will coast in water
In past instances of flying machine demolished over the sea or colliding with the sea, trash has dependably been spotted drifting on the surface of the water. That is on account of — as you may review from the wellbeing instructions you've figured out how to disregard — "your seat pad may be utilized as a flotation gadget."
Yes, seat pads glide. So do numerous other non-metallic airplane parts. In the event that Flight 370 was cut around a blast or something to that affect, there would be enormous trash coasting on the sea, and that garbage would not be hard to spot. The way that it has not yet been spotted just adds to the puzzle of how Flight 370 seems to have actually vanished from the substance of the Earth.
4.If a rocket wrecked Flight 370, the rocket would have left a radar signature
One hypothesis as of now coursing on the 'net is that a rocket cut down the air transport, by one means or another impacting the air ship and all its substance to "bits" — which implies exceptionally minor bits of matter that are imperceptible as flotsam and jetsam.
The issue with this hypothesis is that there exists no known ground-to-air or aerial rocket with such a capacity. All known rockets create colossal garbage when they blast on target. Both the rocket and the garbage create extensive radar marks which would be effectively obvious to both military vessels and air activity. | {
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Pages
Thursday, June 17, 2010
On June 8, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace organized a fascinating round table on the situation in Iran a year after the fateful and disputed presidential election of last summer. National Public Radio's Steve Inskeep moderated the discussion between Abbas Milani of Stanford University, Gary Sick of Columbia University, and Carnegie’s Karim Sadjadpour:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Painting the Iranian people's struggle for freedom with the broad brushstrokes of history, popular Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë invoked his own city's tumultuous battles for liberty minutes before he made Nobel peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi an honorary citizen on Thursday, June 10, 2010 (video at the end of this report).
'At this particular moment in time, June 10, I would like to tell all Iranians if they are able to hear me, Paris stands alongside you. The Paris of the French Revolution, the Paris which with its people and its allies overcame Nazism at the liberation of this city on August 25, 1944,' said Delanoë, a senior Socialist leader and national figure. 'In exactly eight days, we will commemorate General de Gaulle's call for resistance, dignity, and love for the homeland, which unified, by the way, all religions, cultures, origins, and even all political opinions. The struggle of Iranians today is simply a struggle for Iran. It is a struggle for the greatness and nobility of this people.'
The press and guests had been called to Paris's city hall to attend a ceremony in honor of Shirin Ebadi. It was the third time the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist had been officially welcomed by Delanoë. Hundreds of guests and dozens of television, radio, and print journalists attended the event.
'By bestowing honorary citizenship of the city of Paris on you, I would like to offer our support to you -- for who you are -- and beyond that to the Iranian people. When I say that I would like to proffer the support of Paris to the Iranian people, I am not speaking of politics in the partisan sense of the word. I am not speaking of this or that candidate. I am speaking of the Iranian people in all their diversity, who have the right to live upright, free to express their beliefs as masters of their own destiny.'
In her acceptance speech, Ebadi recalled the events of a year ago, when millions took to the streets of Tehran and were countered with unabated state violence. 'They expressed their opposition peacefully, based on a right enshrined in the constitution,' Ebadi reminded the audience. 'The only response they obtained was bullets and violence. Over 70 people were killed and thousands were jailed. Some died under torture and others testified that they had been raped in prison.'
And of the regime's hypocritical and cynical release of some political prisoners, the Nobel peace laureate said, 'Some prisoners have been released temporarily, after having paid astronomical bails. The threat of extremely long prison sentences still hangs over them and there are still many detainees who have no access to due judicial process.'
Asked by a blogger after the ceremony how the cyber community can help prisoners of conscience, Ebadi responded, 'Tell the world what they are doing to the Iranian people.'
Ebadi shared the stage with representatives of Reporters Without Borders and the International Federation for Human Rights, who have launched a joint campaign for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Iran. Before the ceremony, the groups distributed leaflets bearing the names of 40 Iranian journalists currently in prison -- from Emadeddine Baghi to Ahmad Zeidabadi -- and recounting the Islamic regime's sorry record over the past year. The web site created by the two organizations contains a petition, naturally open to the general public, which has already been signed by dozens of artists, writers, and activists.
To date, the mayor of Paris is the only political leader to have signed the petition which demands the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners held by the Islamic Republic. Delanoë has been a staunch supporter of the Iranian democratic movement from the start.
The day after the ceremony with Shirin Ebadi, Bertrand Delanoë published a virulent post on his blog entitled 'Long Live a Free Iran.' I invite readers to visit this page and leave a message of appreciation for this true friend of the Iranian people.
'Today, the intense hope for the future has not abated and the desire for freedom still inflames this proud people who aspire to live upright,' wrote Delanoë. 'Do we understand the extent of the courage these women and men exhibit by defying such a regime? In one year, 23 newspapers have been banned, opposition web sites have been blocked. Dozens of protesters have been arrested and torture appears to have become a sinister norm. On May 9, five political prisoners were hanged in Tehran's Evin prison.'
'Meanwhile, Iran, the one and only, the true Iran has risen up to express its yearning to live free. This is the Iran I would like to address today,' continued the Paris mayor on his personal blog.
And who represent the face of this free Iran? After mentioning Ebadi, Delanoë added, 'It has the face of filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who could not break his chains in time to attend the Cannes film festival and whose empty chair we will never forget. It has the face of poet Simin Behbahani, who was supposed to come to Paris at my invitation to attend International Women's Day on March 8, and who was informed by border police that she had been subjected to a travel ban as she tried to go through Tehran airport. It bears the faces of those young men who defied an order which pretends to be immutable and demonstrated with a veil over their heads, while young women marched with their heads uncovered. It has the face of Ahmad Zeidabadi, Shiva Nazar Ahari, and all prisoners of opinion who have committed no other crime than to want to think, speak, and write freely. It has, alas, the face of those who have left us: Neda, Taraneh, Sohrab, those victims of a security force which is becoming all-powerful as the regime falls increasingly into impotence.'
'To all of them, I wish to express my admiration and affection. And from Paris, on the anniversary of the start of their revolt, we join them in their struggle and their hopes, to cry out alongside them: Long live a free Iran!' concluded Delanoë.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Protesters projected a short film documenting the unrest and crackdown following the disputed election onto the facade of the Islamic Republic's embassy in London, south of Hyde Park, on the evening of June 12, 2010.
Footage of the operation was posted on YouTube. The group placed the video projector on the roof a car which was parked across the street from the embassy building. After a few minutes, embassy staff turned on a spotlight situated on the front of the building. 'This is a new form of attack we can wage against the embassy,' the cameraman says at the end of the video:
Earlier in the day, hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in front of the embassy to mark the first anniversary of the disputed election, chanting, 'Neda [Agha Soltan] is not dead. It is the Leader [Ali Khamenei] who is dead.'
Another slogan called out by the crowd was, 'Mesbah, you're dreaming if you think you'll become the supreme leader,' referring to Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, a hard-line mentor of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has been a key leader of a faction within the regime which is inspired spiritually by the Hojjatiyeh Society and aims to radicalize the system even more. He has been accused by reformists in the Majlis of seeking to replace Khamenei as the country's next supreme leader.
Two weeks ago, reformist Hadi Khamenei, none other than the brother of Leader Ali Khamenei, blasted the Hojjatiyeh Society for trying to divert and endangering the values of the revolution and its founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The Hojjatiyeh is increasingly called the Mesbahiyeh because of Mesbah Yazdi's influence within the Shiite adventist organization which opposes religious minorities and adheres to a totalitarian interpretation of the position of supreme leader.
Footage of the London protest earlier in the day was also posted to YouTube:
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The human rights group June12.org handed out fliers in support of human rights in Iran on the first day of the World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group also paid for large advertisements on the backs of buses, calling for the release of jailed activists, including Tehran Transit Workers' Union chief Mansour Ossanlou and journalist Kouhyar Goudarzi.
Video posted to the Internet purports to show heavy security in the Iranian capital on the first anniversary of the disputed election of June 12, 2009. Opposition leaders earlier called off a march along Azadi all the way to Azadi Square. However, some opposition sites have announced plans to congregate on six squares around Tehran from 4PM local time: Sadeghiyeh, Vanak, Saadat Abad, Haft Howz, Rah Ahan, and Hafteh Tir.
Friday, June 11, 2010
In a video posted to YouTube, the Paris chapter of Where Is My Vote announced its intention to organize a human chain of green-clad, masked protesters to mark the anniversary of the June 12 disputed election and honor the faceless political prisoners being held in the Islamic Republic's jails.
The short film shows the preparations for Saturday's event which will begin at the Mur de la Paix (Wall of Peace art installation, southeast of the Eiffel Tower) and extend to the Invalides at 2PM, June 12, 2010.
In a tongue-in-cheek reference to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's claim that the Islamic Republic is the freest democracy in the world and that any legal group can obtain a permit to stage a demonstration, the video begins with one of the group's members going to the Paris police headquarters. He exits a short while later, holding up his fingers in a V sign and brandishing a permit for Saturday's protest. 'It says we can do everything. Wear masks, make a human chain, expose Ahmadinejad,' says the organizer.
'Who said it was difficult to get a permit in France?' asks the cameraman. 'Ahmadinejad,' responds his associate. 'They said, wear masks, hold hands, and go all the way from the military school to Invalides.'
The organizers are then shown distributing and posting fliers around the city -- from crepe shops to rug stores to telephone booths.
Where Is My Vote has been particularly active over the past year and has launched spectacular protests. In the lead-up to the February 11 anniversary of the revolution, they splattered the IRI embassy with green paint and famously heckled a garden party organized by the Islamic Republic's embassy which led His Excellency the ambassador to get into a scuffle with French police. In August, they covered the windows of the Iran Air office with stickers bearing slogans against the Islamic regime:
A young Iranian director's short film has garnered enough votes to be among the 18 finalists of the Democracy Challenge competition, organized by the US government and featured on YouTube. The film with the greatest number of votes by midnight, June 15, 2010, will be declared the winner of the challenge to create a short video that completes the phrase 'Democracy is...' and will be awarded with the chance to meet industry insiders, democracy activists, and government leaders in Washington DC, New York, and Los Angeles.
Farbod Khoshtinat, 21, entered the competition with a short film called 'ATTN: Mr. Democrat.' He is currently one of the front-runners, but needs more votes to win the challenge.
Khoshtinat, aka Fred, attended the 'Seda-va-Sima' high school where he obtained a degree in cinema. He graduated from Tehran's University of Applied Science and Technology (Elmi Karbordi) in 2007.
After founding Persian Underground Cinematic Arts, he directed the wildly-successful video of 'Ye Mosht Sarbaz' (Bunch of Soldiers) by rapper Hichkas in 2008. The regime's radio-television used a short segment of the clip in a propaganda program which compared rappers to drug-addled Satanists:
Director Bahman Ghobadi called on Khoshtinat's talents to edit all the video clips in 'No One Knows About Persian Cats' which won the special jury prize in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes film festival last year.
His short film 'ATTN: Mr. Democrat' features animation by Taraneh Golozar and a beautiful score by Shahin Pajoom.
To help Khoshtinat win the Democracy Challenge, please vote in the following manner:
Sign In to your YouTube account
Go to YouTube.com/DemocracyChallenge
Click on VOTE, search for ATTN: Mr. Democrat
Click on green thumbs up to vote
A new video posted on the Internet shows the last moments of Neda Agha Soltan. It also provides a fleeting glance at the face of the person -- a balding, gray-haired man -- who filmed the original footage of her death.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Much of the information coming out of Iran is in the form of footage uploaded to the Internet without the benefit of any description or explanation. Each installment in the Close-up series provides an in-depth analysis of a single video or a series of videos covering one event.
Summary
The Islamic Republic's state television broadcast a video on its evening news on Monday, June 7, 2010, which it contended was made by Shahram Amiri, an Iranian scientist who went missing on June 3, 2009, and was obtained through 'special methods' by the Islamic regime's intelligence agencies. The Islamic Republic claims that Amiri is a scientist who does not work for the country's nuclear program and that he was abducted in Medina, Saudi Arabia, by the United States while he was on a pilgrimage. The US has declared that it has no information concerning Amiri, although ABC News reported in March 2010 that Amiri was a scientist working in the IRI's nuclear program, and that he had defected to the US and was cooperating with the CIA. The grainy film, apparently shot on a computer, shows a person alleged to be Amiri saying that he is currently in the US, that he was abducted by the US, and that he had been tortured in order to get him to tell an American news outlet in a televised interview that he had handed over crucial secret information about the IRI's nuclear weapons program.
8 hours later, a second film, this one much more polished, appeared on the Internet, showing the same person. This time the person alleged to be Amiri said that he had not been abducted, that he was free and safe in the US, and that he planned to obtain a doctorate in an American institution.
The veracity of the films, their source, and whether or not they are a part of a disinformation campaign, are unclear.
The videos
Video 1
This is the first video from the state television of the Islamic Republic (translation follows). I am placing quotes around the name Shahram Amiri because the individual's identity remains to be confirmed:
Voice-overThis individual is Shahram Amiri, the Iranian researcher who disappeared a year ago. How was Amiri abducted and where is he now? The answer in Amiri's own words...
'Shahram Amiri'In the name of God. Today is Tuesday, Farvardin 17, 1389, which corresponds to April 5, 2010. I am Shahram Amiri, expert and researcher at Malek-Ashtar University of Technology. I am currently in the city of Tucson, state of Arizona in the United States. On Khordad 13, 1388 (NB June 3, 2009) in an operation coordinated between the terroristic and abduction teams of the American intelligence agency CIA and Saudi Arabia's Istikhbarat, I was abducted from Medina Munnawarah (NB alternate name of Medina, Saudi Arabia, which means enlightened city). They transferred me to a house in an unknown location in Saudi Arabia. They injected me with a syringe which made me unconscious in this house. When I regained consciousness, (garbled) in an American wide-body aircraft going towards the United States.
Voice-overDuring this time, what did the Americans want from Shahram Amiri, this Iranian researcher?
'Shahram Amiri'Over the eight months that I was kept in the United States, I was subjected by interrogation teams of the American intelligence agency to the most severe torture and psychological pressure. The main goal and the main pressure that these interrogation, in reality torture, teams exerted on me... Their goal was, they wanted this from me, that I claim, in a televised interview with an American news outlet, that I am an important person in the Iranian nuclear program and that I requested asylum from the United States. And that in the course of requesting asylum, I had handed over important evidence and documents from my country, along with a laptop containing secret information on Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Voice-overWhy do the Americans want to force Shahram Amiri to falsely claim that he has important information about Iran's nuclear program?
Shahram AmiriThe main goal in these developments is to put political pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran and to condemn... to prove the lies that the United States continuously utters about the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Voice-overThis Iranian researcher also directed a request to international organizations in this footage which lasts minutes...
'Shahram Amiri'I ask organizations and departments which are concerned with human rights and are active in seeking freedom for captives to pursue my case. I have truly been abducted unjustly from a third country and brought to the United States. I ask that you put all your efforts and energy into obtaining my freedom so I may return to my dear homeland, Iran.
Voice-overAnd his words for his family...
'Shahram Amiri'I'd like to say a few words to my dear family. If they see my speech some day, if they hear my final words, I ask them to please be patient.
Voice-overThe words of this Iranian researcher which were obtained by Iran's intelligence bodies through special methods are the clearest evidence of his abduction by the United States, with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia's government. This film also constitutes unique proof that the United States' claims about Iran's nuclear program are no more than worthless fabrications. The United States must now answer for this abduction.
Video 2
The following is the footage posted to YouTube channel ShahramAmiri2010 about 8 hours later (translation follows):
'Shahram Amiri'I would like to express my greetings and gratitude for the opportunity given to me to be able to speak directly to the international community. I, Shahram Amiri, citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, am in the United States and intend to continue my studies in this country.
I am free here and assure everyone that I am safe. My aim in today's comments is to put an end to all the rumors and accusations concerning me in the past year.
I am an Iranian and have not taken any action against my homeland. My hope is to see Iran and its people at the summit of progress and success. I am not a political individual and have no particular interest in the political affairs or positions of any government or country.
I do not believe in weapons research and have no experience or knowledge in this field. I am a simple health physics researcher who is studying and researching in the field of protection against radiation.
My plan, while I am in the United States, is to obtain a doctorate in health physics in order to help improve the health and safety of Iranians and the international community. After completing my studies, if the conditions for my safe travel are ensured, I hope that my studies here will be beneficial for Iranians and international academic and scientific circles.
During the period I have been engaged in scientific and academic activities, I have really missed my dear wife Azar and my son Amir Hossein. I know that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will take care of and protect my family. I want them to know that I never abandoned them and that I will always love them. I hope to see them again and to join them after the completion of my studies.
I ask everyone to stop giving the wrong image of me.
Finally, I thank and express gratitude to the international community for its correct understanding and support for Iran's positive advances and its proud people's achievements
Thank you.
What follows is my personal analysis, which is obviously not infallible. I must add that I believe that no intelligence service, including the CIA, is above carrying out such an abduction and that Amiri may very well have been taken to the US against his will.
But I also believe that the evidence strongly suggests that both videos were made by the same intelligence service, most probably the intelligence unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in order to put pressure on the US and to discredit allegations made against the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. If this is the case, then either the person in the videos is Amiri, he was never abducted by anyone, and the whole affair was a disinformation operation from the start or the person in the videos is a lookalike employed by the IRGC. I lean towards the second option.
The videos are complementary although they are made to look as if one is genuine (Video 1 which is grainy) and the other is fabricated (Video 2 which is polished), a hurried reaction by the CIA. The messages in both, overt in Video 1 because it is supposed to be the truth and hidden in Video 2 because it is so obviously acted out that any any reasonably intelligent person is expected to believe the opposite of what is being said, is the same: 'I am not free. I was abducted. The US violates human rights and is making false accusations against the Iranian nuclear program.'
I encourage readers to freely comment at the end of the article.
Where is Shahram Amiri?
Given the Islamic Republic's astute use of disinformation in the past, it is worth asking whether Amiri is missing at all or whether he is somewhere in Iran. This is the same regime, for example, which created the story of a young woman, Saeedeh Pouraghai, who was allegedly raped and murdered by the Islamic Republic's security forces. After the opposition started reporting this 'fact,' the intelligence services presented Saeedeh, very much alive, on the evening news show '20:30.'
According to the Islamic Republic, Shahram Amiri went missing on June 2, 2009, but it was not until October 7 that Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki officially accused the US of being behind his disappearance. Meanwhile IRI Supreme National Security Council chief Saeed Jalili had been engaged in nuclear talks with US Undersecretary of State William Burns, of which even Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had said, 'The U.S. representative had asked for talks, Mr. Jalili welcomed the proposal, and their negotiations were fruitful.' During the same period hard-liner Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the arch-conservative Keyhan daily and the representative of the Leader at the Keyhan Institute, was writing vociferously against the talks in his newspaper's columns and wrote of Ahmadinejad's positive comments about the discussions, 'There is no doubt that Dr. Ahmadinejad’s remark was a slip of the tongue.' (For a look at the reformists' opinion of these events, please click here to go to the foreign policy web site of Sadegh Kharrazi, former ambassador to the UN and France, and senior adviser to President Mohammad Khatami.)
The fiasco that ensued -- Jalili first accepted the terms put forth at the Geneva 2 Talks, but then Leader Ali Khamenei backtracked -- indicate that there may have been serious differences in the country's senior leadership at the time. Ali Alfoneh, an expert on the IRGC at the American Enterprise Institute, told the Voice of America that Jalili would not have been able to agree to the Geneva proposals if he had not received the express acquiescence of Khamenei. He surmised that the IRGC, which is in charge of the nuclear program, had subsequently convinced Khamenei that he should not accept the terms of the agreement.
Could the Amiri affair have been designed by hardliners to derail any nuclear agreement? Could part of the intelligence services, particularly the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards whose power has increased at the expense of the Intelligence Ministry, have organized a fake disappearance?
Not only would such a plan have been useful in sidelining those in the regime who wish to reach some sort of nuclear settlement (and they certainly exist), but Amiri could also be pulled out at an opportune time, in a grainy video somehow secreted out of an American dungeon for example, to discredit accusations against Iran's nuclear program. This week, with Russia's hardening stance towards the Islamic Republic and UN sanctions looming in the near future, appears to be just such an opportune time.
Is the man in the videos Shahram Amiri?
It is particularly difficult to judge whether the man who appears in the videos is the same man whose photo has been presented by the Islamic Republic as Shahram Amiri.
First the easy part. I think it is clear to everyone that both videos almost certainly show the same man. So the best image, one from Video 2, can be used as a point of comparison.
The following are the very few photos which have been made public and I managed to find. If readers have located others, please send a file or a link.
First, a photo of Shahram Amiri's passport with a detail showing the ID photo. This is the passport used by Amiri to travel to Saudi Arabia. The pages on the left show a Saudi visa and an entry stamp:
Next, a batch of three photographs which are really variations of the same shot. Strangely, although the Islamic Republic has publicized the case of Amiri for close to a year, it had refrained from issuing any other image of the scientist except this low-quality shot until last night. Photo 1A appears stretched and Photo 1C seems compressed. Photo 1B is the most likely original portrait. My initial reaction is that any customs officer receiving a passport bearing the photos below from the gentleman in Video 2 would take a much closer look.
Photo 1A
Photo 1B
Photo 1C
The following photograph was used in the state television report last night. It was, as far as I could ascertain, the first new photo allegedly of Amiri that had been released since the one above. Notwithstanding the similar beard and the nose, a comparison between Photo 2 and Photo 1B does not seem conclusive. Why did state television suddenly decide to use this new photo instead?:
Photo 2
Photo 2 more closely resembles the man in Video 1 and Video 2, than Photo 1B. Is Photo 2 the image that state media will be using from now on?:
Most international news reports wrote that the person in the video somewhat resembled Shahram Amiri, but they were basing themselves on the photo that state television had placed next to the video. What if photo 1B had been used?:
The greater resemblance between Photo 2 and the man in the videos is more apparent when I place a beard on him and make him thinner:
Furthermore I find differences between the eyebrows of the man in Video 2, which actually appear plucked, and those of Photo 1B which arch slightly at the ends. The eyes are not completely similar either and appear larger in Photo 1B:
Biometrics is a complex science and I am not an expert by any means. However the inconclusive evidence seems to suggest that the man in the videos more strongly resembles the man in Photo 2 than the one in Photo 1B. That state media decided to introduce another alleged photo of Amiri (Photo 2), instead of the one which had been used thus far (Photo 1B), provokes some suspicion.
Tortured and placed under psychological pressure for eight months?
The man in video 1 claims that after his abduction he was taken to the US, where he was subjected 'to the most severe torture and psychological pressure' for 8 months. That means he was mistreated until early February, allegedly two months before the video was made. Is it likely that such a person would have gained so much weight? Is it also likely that such a person would have access to a computer and an unsupervised private room two months after enduring such hardship? And if he did, would he also be given a headset with a microphone?
Why the analysis?
Halfway through Video 1, the man explains why the US wanted him to say certain things in a televised interview: 'To put political pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran and to condemn... to prove the lies that the United States continuously utters about the Islamic Republic of Iran.' Would a captive give political analysis of this sort? The statement appears contrived and manufactured to play well on the evening news in Tehran. In fact, it is somehow the exact conclusion given in the voice-over at the end of the footage.
The Istikhbarat?
How does the man in Video 1 know that agents of the Saudi intelligence service helped the Americans abduct him? Because they spoke Arabic? Just like the analysis mentioned above, this detail appears incongruous and designed to play well to audiences. It also places pressure on a regional rival of the Islamic Republic and ally of the US.
The date
The man in Video 1 begins by giving the date: 'Tuesday, Farvardin 17, 1389, which corresponds to April 5, 2010.' The 17th of Farvardin was indeed a Tuesday, but it corresponded to April 6, not 5. Wouldn't a captive being held in the US be more familiar with the American date rather than the Iranian one?
Details of the actual abduction?
The man in Video 1 provides many details -- I'm an expert AND researcher, it was a wide-body aircraft that took me to the US... -- but he fails to give the first information that one would expect from a victim of an abduction: The actual place and time and manner he was taken. Was it at his hotel? On the street? In a restaurant's lavatory? Did four men jump out of a car?
Patently fake
Video 2 so obviously looks fake that it is laughable and seems designed to make the viewer question its veracity. The decor desperately screams out that it is in the US. All that's missing is a fireplace and prints of Sedona, Arizona, on the wall. The globe is turned so that the US is pointing towards the camera. The man hams it up to the camera to appear uncomfortable and glum, regularly swallowing hard, his eyes darting in an excessively obvious manner to the side every now and again to read what we are expected to understand is the text prepared for him.
This is supposed to help the US?
Why would the CIA want the man in Video 2 to say that he has no experience in nuclear weapons research and that he works in the field of health physics? This would confirm what the man says in Video 1. And why would the CIA want him to say, 'I thank and express gratitude to the international community for its correct understanding and support for Iran's positive advances and its proud people's achievements,' when the statement sounds like an Ahmadinejad speech extolling Iran's advances in nuclear research?
Why would the CIA want him to say he is pursuing a doctorate in health physics when this can easily be verified by checking the limited number of institutions which offer doctorates in that field? And wouldn't every reasonably intelligent person wonder where and when he had obtained his student visa? I don't suppose everyone at the CIA is a genius, but I expect that they could have come up with a more convincing story that could not be debunked so easily. Not to speak of a better video that did not appear so fake.
And finally, a threat to the real Amiri? 'During the period I have been engaged in scientific and academic activities, I have really missed my dear wife Azar and my son Amir Hossein. I know that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will take care of and protect my family.' No comment.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Arch-concervative newspaper Keyhan wrote yesterday that two million people would attend. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps announced that it could have brought in five million people, but that housing issues precluded busing in so many.
Whatever the number of participants at the ceremony for the 21st anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini's death held at his mausoleum on June 4, 2010 -- and we can almost be certain that Keyhan's figure of 2 million will be presented as fact in tomorrow's newspapers -- it wouldn't be a proper regime-organized, yet somehow 'spontaneous' show of popular support, if there were no handouts for the masses, particularly the ever-popular Sundis fruit juice. The term Sundis-khor (Sundis drinker) has entered the Iranian political lexicon as a term for those who support the regime out of interest.
Already yesterday, as a part of preparations for the event, Basij trucks loaded with crates of juice, fruit, and other goods could be seen around Tehran and the suburbs. The photo to the right shows a vehicle with the emblem of the Karaj chapter of the Basij.
Well today's event did not disappoint as videos posted to the Internet show.
The beginning of the first video shows what are referred to as istgaheh salavati or praise booths where gifts are handed out to participants. The second part shows people carrying away crates of fruit or other gifts. Incidentally, the voice heard over the loudspeakers is Leader Ali Khamenei delivering his long-awaited sermon:
The second video shows youngsters carrying away as many crates as they can, with whatever means at their disposal. Notice another mainstay of such events -- the buses in the background:
In the following videos, the masses converge on the handout booths with extreme vigor:
The film shows a police officer ordering the captured Afghans to beat themselves, beat the person in front of them, or stand and sit repeatedly. 'One, two, three. One, two, three. Harder. Harder,' the police officer shouts, setting the pace for the prisoners to beat themselves on the head. A fellow security officer can be clearly heard laughing and snickering in the background.
'We won't come to Iran again,' says an Afghan. The sadistic police officer is inspired by this remark and asks everyone to repeat it in unison.
Leader Ali Khamenei radically hardened his stance against opposition leaders during his sermon at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's mausoleum in a ceremony marking the 21st anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic's founder.
Referring to Islamic history, Khamenei recounted how Imam Ali, the first imam of Shiites and Muhammed's son-in-law, led his forces from Medina against former allies who had strayed from the true path in the 7th century AD.
The two main opposition figures, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, were close companions of Khomeini and held important positions in the Islamic Republic. Mousavi was Khomeini's prime minister during the crucial war years in the 1980s. Karroubi was placed at the head of the powerful and extremely well-funded Martyrs Foundation at Khomeini's personal order in the same period. Karroubi later served as the Speaker of the Majlis.
In an allusion to the two men in particular, and dozens of senior leaders from opposition parties who also held important functions within the apparatus but have been imprisoned or otherwise silenced since the presidential election, Khamenei said that the true criteria for judging individuals is their current positions towards the regime, not their pasts.
Then Khamenei made a thinly-veiled and extraordinary threat. 'There were individuals who accompanied the Imam [Khomeini] on the plane to Tehran who were later executed [for treason],' he said. Khomeini, who had been residing in the french village of Neauphle le Château, flew triumphantly from Paris to Tehran on February 1, 1979. Only his closest aides accompanied him on that trip. Many were later arrested, exiled, or executed, including Sadegh Ghotbzadeh, who sat next to Khomeini on the flight to Tehran. Ghotbzadeh served as the head of state radio-television and foreign minister before being arrested and executed in 1982. He was allegedly severely tortured to obtain his confession of plotting against the regime.
Mousavi and Karroubi ran in the disputed June 12 election of last year after the Guardian Council validated their candidacies. Mohsen Rezai, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps during the Iran-Iraq War, was the fourth candidate. All three men initially made accusations of fraud after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner, although Rezai subsequently retracted his charges and tempered his critique of the government.
Rezai was present in the audience at today's sermon. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Expediency Council chief and Assembly of Experts president, was also there, sitting in the front row, a few places away from Ahmadinejad who has famously accused him and his family of corruption.
Ahmadinejad employed the same bellicose tone and themes in his speech which preceded Khamenei's. Stressing that the Islamic Republic has the most democratic government in the world and that he had really garnered 25 million votes, Ahmadinejad said it was strange that the opposition leaders claimed they were followers of Khomeini's path, when they were actually moving in line with 'monarchists [...] and world arrogance (NB The US or Western powers) who were the worst enemies of the Imam.'
'According to the Imam, preserving the regime is of the highest importance,' Ahmadinejad said. 'I am sorry to say that those who are tarnishing the reputation of the Islamic Republic cannot claim to be followers of the Imam.'
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Islamic Republic Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki received a less than enthusiastic reception from some EU parliamentarians as he made his way into the Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels to make a speech on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.
British conservative legislator Struan Stevenson held up a photo of Neda Agha Soltan, who was killed by regime security forces during a protest in Tehran last year. He shouted 'murderer' at Mottaki as the Foreign Minister pushed his way into the committee hearing room.
Other legislators, particularly from Italy, Spain, and Estonia, joined the unusual protest, during which EU parliament security agents pushed back members of parliament, who were brandishing photos of Neda. 'We should never have invited him in the first place,' a British lawmaker can be heard saying on footage of the skirmish.
Satellite news channel Al Arabiya reported on the event and broadcast the same footage:
Meanwhile, protesters stood outside the European Union building in Brussels. One Iranian woman took a Belgian representative to task for organizing a luncheon with Mottaki as she explained that members of her family had been killed by the Islamic regime. She pointed to an older woman next to her and said that she had also lost dear ones, namely a son and a niece:
Much of the information coming out of Iran is in the form of footage uploaded to the Internet without the benefit of any description or explanation. Each installment in the Close-up series provides an in-depth analysis of a single video or a series of videos covering one event.
Hundreds of protesters commemorated the death of fellow student Kianoush Asa with a peaceful march that began at noon on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, on the campus of Elm-o-Sanat (Science and Technology) University, where Asa was pursuing a graduate degree.
Kianoush Asa was killed by security forces in Tehran's Azadi Square on June 15, 2009, but his family only managed to find his body at a Tehran morgue on June 24. He was buried in section 58, plot 12 of Bagh Ferdows cemetery in his hometown of Kermanshah a few days later.
The organizers of today's ceremony may have decided to hold the commemoration two weeks earlier than the real anniversary of his death in order to circumvent severe security measures which are expected to be in place in Tehran during the anniversary of the disputed election of June 12.
Students were asked to congregate in front of the chemical engineering school (number 1 on map below) of Elm-o-Sanat University at noon. Kianoush Asa was studying to become a petrochemical engineer before he was killed.
The following footage shows students amassed in front of the chemical engineering school as they shout, 'Students would rather die than accept humiliation':
The protesters then marched peacefully towards what has come to be called Martyr Kianoush Asa Park (number 2 on map), a green area between the men's cafeteria and the professor's cafeteria. Students have started calling the area Asa Park since a memorial service was held for Kianoush there last year.
Students chanted 'Honorable student, support, support.' They cover their faces as they go past a man who is filming them:
The same man can be seen in this footage trying to film the faces of the students:
'We are all Kianoush and Neda. We speak with one voice,' they said, referring to Asa and Neda Agha Soltan, perhaps the most famous protester killed by security forces:
'Woe on Science and Technology University if it accepts humiliation':
Students sang the protest anthem 'Yareh Dabestaniyeh Man' (My Schoolmate). For a subtitled clip of a new version of the song, please click here:
The Green Democracy group, based in Sweden, has staged another anti-Ahmadinejad event, part performance art, part demonstration. The participants organized a mock ballot in front of a banner proclaiming, 'Iran re-election 2010. Ahmadinejad is not Iran's president':
In March, to mark protests which took place around Iran during the chahar shanbeh souri fire festival, members of the group stationed themselves in public places in Stockholm and displayed videos documenting the post-election unrest on laptops:
Featured articles
The Secrets of Khamenei's LifeThe secret life of Iran's Leader, Ali Khamanei, is exposed by former staff members of the Intelligence Ministry and his household in a fascinating article by internationally renowned filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf... (part 1)(part 2)(part 3)Humiliation even in deathDetailed analysis of several videos shows the final moments of a protester run over by a car and the refusal of her body by a medical center... (more)
The banality of evilShocking footage of a man being lashed in Iran reminds the viewer of what Hannah Arendt called the banality of evil... (more)Provisional list of 72 dead protestersOriginally compiled by the opposition committee looking into the abuse and deaths of protesters, the list has been enhanced with photos, video footage, and commentary... (more) | {
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January, 2009
Actually, been online for at least a month or two, as far as I can tell. But want to give you the link and make sure you're aware of what's going on.
Why? Because Service Manager is on the way soon ( available currently in beta ) and keeping... | {
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*Special pricing is available on select colors and sizes and is valid on territoryahead.com purchases only. Hurry, quantities are limited! As a result, items shown may sell out. Click quick to get your favorites before they're gone!
TravelSmith Z1 26" Upright
TravelSmith Z1 26" Upright: Enjoy the future of travel with this ultra-lightweight and beautifully designed upright. Sturdily constructed to hang tough, it has a hardshell exterior made from pure polycarbonate, which is 15 times stronger than steel. The main compartment offers minimal fuss and maximum packing space, with mesh ...
TravelSmith Z1 26" Upright: Enjoy the future of travel with this ultra-lightweight and beautifully designed upright. Sturdily constructed to hang tough, it has a hardshell exterior made from pure polycarbonate, which is 15 times stronger than steel. The main compartment offers minimal fuss and maximum packing space, with mesh wing tie-down straps to cinch down the load on one side and a mesh zipper for neat storage on the other. Four double wheels offer 360-rotation maneuverability. Ergonomic, comfort-grip handle; TSA-locking zipper. Instructions for setting lock are located inside bag. Set lock at OOO to begin; button below releases lock. Includes protective storage cover.
TravelSmith Z1 26" Upright: Enjoy the future of travel with this ultra-lightweight and beautifully designed upright. Sturdily constructed to hang tough, it has a hardshell exterior made from pure polycarbonate, which is 15 times stronger than steel. The main compartment offers minimal fuss and maximum packing space, with mesh wing tie-down straps to cinch down the load on one side and a mesh zipper for neat storage on the other. Four double wheels offer 360-rotation maneuverability. Ergonomic, comfort-grip handle; TSA-locking zipper. Instructions for setting lock are located inside bag. Set lock at OOO to begin; button below releases lock. Includes protective storage cover.
Inseam: To measure your inseam, find a pair of pants with a fit you like. Lay them flat and measure the leg inseam from the crotch to the hem. Round up this measurement to the nearest half-inch to find your inseam length.
Hats: Measure across brow and just above ears. See individual item description first to convert inches to equivalent hat size.
Men's Measurements
Chest
Waist
Neck
Sleeve
S
34-36
28-30
14-14½
32-33
M
38-40
32-34
15-15½
33-34
L
42-44
36-38
16-16½
34-35
XL
46-48
40-42
17-17½
35-36
XXL
50-52
44-46
18-18½
36-37
Men's Regular: 5'8" to 6'.
Men's Long: 6'1" – 6'3". Long sizes are 1½–2" longer in the body; 1–1½" longer for long sleeves; ½–¾" longer for short sleeves.
Men's Short: Under 5'8". Short sizes are 1½" shorter in the body; 1" shorter for long sleeves.
How To Measure For Men
Chest: Measure around fullest part of chest, keeping tape up under arms and around shoulder blades.
Neck: Starting from the Adam’s apple, measure around the neck leaving no space. Add ½ an inch to this.
Arm/sleeve: Bend elbow and measure from center of back of neck, over shoulder, past elbow, and to wrist.
Inseam: To measure your inseam, find a pair of pants with a fit you like. Lay them flat and measure the leg inseam from the crotch to the hem. Round up this measurement to the nearest half-inch to find your inseam length.
Hats: Measure across brow and just above ears. See individual item description first to convert inches to equivalent hat size.
Do you know your acetate from a hole in the ground? Your gussets from your grommets? If not, here's a list of the more commonly used textile words and terms that you'll see in our catalog. For more information or clarification, you can call us at: 1-800-770-3387
ALPACA - The fleece from an Alpaca, a cousin to the llama. Alpaca fleece is similar in characteristics to wool, but softer, silkier and more lustrous.
BANDED COLLAR - A shirt without a fold-over collar; there is only the band at the neck.
BARTACK - A close series of stitches crossing a piece of cloth in order to reinforce at a point of concentrated strain (e.g. belt loop or patch pocket corner).
BASKET WEAVE - A variation of the plain weave in which two or more threads weave alike in both warp (down) and filling (across) directions, joined in the regular order of the plain weave. So named for the basket-like pattern of the weave.
BATIK - A method of resist dyeing which employs wax as the resist. The pattern is covered with wax, and the fabric is then dyed: the wax patterns will not take the dye. The wax is removed after dyeing by boiling the fabric or applying solvent. The fabric is often streaked where the dye has gone through cracks in the wax. Batik dyeing originated in Indonesia.
BESOM - A narrow piece of fabric that works as an edging on a pocket; can be single besom, one side of pocket opening or double besom, both sides.
BOX PLEAT - Two small, back to back outward facing pleats that have a box- like appearance. On shirts, box pleats are positioned in the center back at the bottom of the yoke to allow ease of movement in the shoulders and arms.
BROADCLOTH - A fine, closely woven, lustrous cotton or cotton/poly blend made in plain weave with a fine rib in the direction of the filling (across). The filling yarn is heavier and has less twist than the warp yarn (down). The cloth is usually mercerized, and has a soft, firm finish.
BRUSHING - A finishing process for woven or knit fabrics in which brushes or other abrading elements are used to raise a nap (a fuzzy or downy surface). Brushed fabrics have a soft, slightly weathered, broken-in feel.
BUTTON-DOWN COLLAR - Having buttonholes on the collar points so they fasten to the shirt.
CAMP COLLAR - A one-piece collar that lays flat, part of the shirt also lays flat to create a notch. Also called a Convertible Collar or Notched Collar.
CANVAS - A general classification of strong, firm, closely woven fabrics usually made with cotton. A heavier, open weave comprised of plied yarns (a number of single yarns, usually three, twisted together). Characteristics: very hard-wearing, generally water-resistant.
CASHMERE - The fleece that comes from a Cashmere goat. These animals roam at high elevations (10,000 - 15,000 ft.), hence their very warm, soft fleece. Garments made with cashmere are normally more expensive because of limited yield (one goat produces only 4 ounces of fleece a year).
CHAMBRAY - A general class of plain weave, usually cotton, made with a colored warp (down) and white filling (across). Most often made using blue and white, but also available in stripes, checks and figured patterns.
COMBING - The removal of short fibers or noils from material so that the resulting yarn be composed of larger fibers. The comb straightens and arranges them in parallel order.
CORDUROY - A strong, durable fabric with cotton ground and vertical cut-pile stripes (wales) formed by an extra system of filling yarns. The foundation of the fabric can be either a plain or twill weave. Of all cotton fabrics, corduroy is the warmest because its wales form an insulated cushion of air.
COTTON - A vegetable fiber consisting of unicellular hairs attached to the seed of the cotton plant. The normal color of cotton is light to dark cream, and its chemical composition is almost pure cellulose. A distinct feature of the mature fiber is its spirality or twist. In fabrics, cotton makes for strong, versatile, cool-wearing and comfortable garments.
CREPE - A general classification of fabric characterized by a broad range of crinkled or gained surface effects. Methods of making crepe include the use of hard twisted yarns, special chemical treatment, special weaves and embossing.
DART - A tuck in the fabric that is sewn. It is used to define the shape of a garment making a two dimensional piece of fabric into a three-dimensional garment. Darts are usually seen where the body curves: bust, waist, hip.
DENIM - A well-known basic cotton or blended fabric in a right- or left-hand woven twill. Generally, the warp (down) is dyed blue with a white filling (across). Also called "dungaree."
DOBBY - A general term for a fabric woven on a special dobby loom, which allows the weaving of small, geometric figures. These patterns are beyond the range of simple looms, yet too limited to be produced economically by Jacquard loom. A dobby weave can be distinguished from a plain weave by its more ornate and intricate woven appearance.
FLANNEL - Generally, a cotton or wool fabric, napped on one or both sides (usually both), then bleached, dyed or printed, and brushed or rerun through the napping machine to revive the nap. Flannel fabrics are very soft and cozy.
FLEECE - 1). A heavy napped surface, most often in knit goods, made with a heavy and soft-spun back yarn, which is napped in finishing (e.g. the inside surface of a sweatshirt). 2). Wool sheared from sheep or other animals in the wool class. The term is especially used for the entire coat of wool shorn from the sheep at one time; it is generally taken off the animal in one piece.
GARMENT DYEING - The garment is first produced, then the complete garment is dyed.
GARMENT WASH - The garment is constructed and then washed to soften the fabric and minimize shrinkage.
GAUGE - A measurement used in knitted garments that reflects the size of the needles used to knit the garment. The larger the gauge, the smaller the needle - therefore, the finer the knit.
GORE - Vertical panels in a skirt or dress; enhances the fit of a garment.
GROMMET - Little air holes reinforced with metal ring, usually on jackets, hats or shoes to allow ventilation.
GROSGRAIN - A firm, closely woven, ribbed fabric. It has a dressy appearance and is used for ribbons, neckties, hatbands and trimmings.
GUSSET - A triangular piece of fabric inserted into a garment to improve the fit or for reinforcement (e.g. on the sleeve of a jacket under the arm to allow for extra layering).
HERRINGBONE TWILL - A broken twill weave composed of vertical sections which are alternately right hand and left hand in direction, resembling the vertebral structure of the herring (zigzag). The twill changes direction perfectly where the weave breaks, balancing the overall pattern of the fabric.
HOLLYWOOD WAISTBAND - The waistband is the same piece of fabric as the rest of the garment. Advantages are that it has a smooth silhouette making the transition from hip to waist more gradual.
JACQUARD - A system of weaving which, because of a pattern-making mechanism of great versatility, permits the production of very ornate, complex woven designs. This type of weaving is used for tapestry, figured necktie and dress fabric, and figured patterns on knit goods (sweaters).
JERSEY - A generic term for a plain knitted fabric; its principal distinction is that it is not a fabric with a distinct rib (e.g. T-shirt fabric).
KNIT - Knit fabrics are made up of a series of interlocking loops that result in a flexible construction. All knits have some stretch.
LINEN - One of the oldest textile fibers known. Though the fiber and the fabric are both commonly known as linen, it is actually flax, the fiber of the Linum plant. Linen is generally favored for its fine, strong, cool-wearing properties. It drapes away from the skin rather than clinging to it. In knitwear, linen is combined with other natural or synthetic fibers for improved strength and resiliency.
MERCERIZATION - A treatment of cotton yarn or fabric to increase its luster. Its affinity for dyes is also enhanced. In the process, the material is immersed under tension in a sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) solution. This later is neutralized in acid. The process causes a permanent swelling of the fiber, thus increasing its luster.
NYLON - The generic term for man-made fibers composed of polyamides derived from coal and petroleum. Characteristics: high strength, elasticity, low water absorption and quick-drying.
OMBRE - A color effect woven into the fabric that has gradual changes in shade from light to dark, generally produced by arranging different tones in the warp.
PIGMENT DYEING - A process in which a specific type of dye is applied to the surface of a fabric, then after one washing it fades into a softer color. The color will slowly continue to fade with age. Pigment dyed products from TravelSmith are prewashed and will not harm other garments during washing after they've been washed once.
PLACKET - An opening with fabric piecing and buttons or snaps on a garment that facilitates dressing. Plackets can be at the neck of a shirt, the cuff of a sleeve, or the waist of a skirt or pair of pants.
PLEATS - Small tucks in clothing to allow for extra room and ease of movement. Pleats can be seen at the waist of pants or skirts, the cuff of a sleeve, the waist or bust area of a blouse or dress.
PRINTING - Applying color(s) in definite, repeated patterns of fabric by any one of a number of printing methods. Color is deposited in thick paste form and treated with steam or chemicals to cause it to migrate into or adhere to textile material. The design is not woven into the cloth but stamped in after the cloth is woven or knit.
RAMIE - A strong, soft fiber yielded by the inner bark of the Ramie plant. The fiber is white, soft, lustrous and slightly coarser than flax (linen) when degummed and bleached. Ramie fabrics are strong, smooth and durable.
RAYON - A generic term for man-made fibers composed of regenerated cellulose derived from trees, cotton and woody plants. Characteristics: high absorbency, bright or dull luster, pleasant feel or hand, good draping qualities, ability to be dyed in brilliant colors and superior strength.
REACTIVE DYE - A type of dye that completely saturates the fabric for a long lasting color.
RIB KNIT - A double-knit fabric in which the rib wales or vertical rows of stitches intermesh alternatively on the face and the back of the fabric. Rib knit fabrics have good elasticity and shape retention, especially in the width.
RISE - The measurement on pants from the front waist between the legs up to the back waist. This refers to how high or low a pant will ride (i.e. "short-waist" or "long-waist")
SANDBLASTING - The garment is literally sandblasted for a worn-in look; fabric has to be very durable to withstand the abuse, usually 14 oz. denim for jeans.
SANDWASH - Sand is put into the industrial wash for a softened feel and texture for the garment.
SHIRTTAIL HEM - The curved bottom hem of a shirt - higher on the side hip area (for ease of movement) dipping low in the front and back (so that the shirt will stay tucked into pants).
SILK - Continuous protein filament produced by the larvae of various insects, especially the caterpillar when constructing its cocoon. The chief portion of commercial silk is produced in Japan and China. Characteristics: resiliency, aesthetics, elasticity and strength, warm in winter, cool in summer.
SLUB - A lump or thick place on yarn caused by small lengths of yarn adhering to it during the spinning process. This adds a random texture to the fabric when the yarn is woven or knit into a garment.
SPREAD COLLAR - An open collar with no buttons to hold the collar points to the shirt. Spread collars have two pieces: the fold over collar part and the stand that keeps the collar close to the neck.
STANDARD WAISTBAND - An extra piece of fabric that is sewn to the body of the pants, shorts or skirt.
TENCEL - A cellulosic fiber produced by Courtaulds, spun from an amine oxide solvent that offers a higher degree of polymerization than is available with rayon. Characteristics: pleasant feel or hand, good draping qualities, ability to be dyed in brilliant colors, superior strength, and easy care.
VENTED BOTTOM - The bottom hem of a shirt that is cut straight with side slits to allow ease of movement. Vents are usually 2" deep.
WALE - In woven fabric, one series of ribs, cords, or raised portions. In corduroy fabric, wales per inch are counted to distinguish broad- from fine-textured cloth. The higher the wale number, the finer the texture of the fabric.
WEIGHT OF CLOTH (OZ.) - A description or classification of many fabrics by weight per yard.
WELT - A piece of fabric that works as an edging on a pocket; usually a single welt and wider than a besom.
WOOL - Primarily the fleece of a sheep or lamb - but can also refer to fleece of the alpaca, angora, cashmere goat, camel and vicuna. The fiber is distinguished from hair by the character of its covering: minute overlapping scales, which give it a felting property. Characteristics: strong and resilient, soft and warm, wicks away moisture and dyes well for rich coloration.
WOVEN - Woven fabrics are produced by the interlacing of yarns. Each filling yarn goes alternately over and under each warp yarn.
YOKE - An added section of fabric in a shirt or pants that enhances the fit. On a shirt, the yoke is usually on the back across the top shoulder area but can also be on the front shoulder to chest area. On pants, it is generally on the back of jeans-style pants located below the waistband.
"Bought this to replace a larger bag that doesn't fit in the back of our car. It is nice and certainly will fit as it is definitely smaller than the 26" suitcase I was trying to match. Have to see how we do with no outside pockets but that was clear when I ordered it."
By Linda
Linda
Parma, MIOctober 15, 2017
October 15, 2017
5.05
"Just got back from an extended trip to China. I bought this bag to check ( already have the smaller carry on in graphite). I must say that it is very roomy, lightweight and functioned beautifully. It held up to 2 international flights, train and several domestic flights during this trip. The outside is scuffed a bit here and there but not too awful. So glad I went with the darker color. The interior seperater and mesh pocket on it kept things from shifting and made it easy to close. Ward Church"
By L.M.
L.M.
Parma, MISeptember 06, 2017
September 06, 2017
5.05
"All packed for a month in China. I usually just carry on but this is a long trip and I am bringing things for my son. Seems well constructed wish it was a 24 inch. We will see what it looks like after being on the road for a month." | {
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To wrap this puppy up I want to stick my head in and interject. November has been National Novel Writing Month, and I have been participating in writing a novel for the month of November. Yes people I'm writing a novel in one month. 50,000 words in 31 days. My fingers are cramped and tired. But playing off of Toni Morrison's quote, and a quote Lorraine Hansberry made that is similar, I'm writing my own story to be read by millions! Or at least by my s.o. and a few friends. The first week was great, the second week I totally slipped up, so this is the third week and I'm playing catch up, but I'm determined. I like my story and I like how I feel when I'm writing the story. So I'm going to finish this novel, danngit. I encourage you all to write, it doesn't matter if you think it has all been written before, we haven't heard your story and your story needs to be told. | {
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The Rev. Tim Schenck, rector of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Mass., looks for God amid domestic chaos
10 Reasons Not to Pledge
About this blog
Tim Schenck is an Episcopal priest, husband to Bryna, father to Benedict and Zachary, and \x34master\x34 to Delilah (about 50 in dog years). Since 2009 I've been the rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Mass. (on the
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Tim Schenck is an Episcopal priest, husband to Bryna, father to Benedict and Zachary, and \x34master\x34 to Delilah (about 50 in dog years). Since 2009 I've been the rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Mass. (on the South Shore of Boston). I've also served parishes in Maryland and New York. When I'm not tending to my parish, hanging out with my family, or writing, I can usually be found drinking good coffee -- not that drinking coffee and these other activities are mutually exclusive. I hope you'll visit my website at www.frtim.com to find out more about me, read some excerpts from my book \x34What Size are God's Shoes: Kids, Chaos & the Spiritual Life\x34 (Morehouse, 2008), and check out some recent sermons.
As stewardship season rolls around in churches throughout the country and people begin to squirm in their pews, I thought I’d help parishioners who don’t want to pledge with some helpful justifications. I encourage you to use these on your rector, stewardship chair, parish treasurer, or the poor sap designated to give you a follow-up phone call. With a little creativity, you too can do your part to avoid furthering the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.
10 Reasons Not to Pledge
1. “I’m morally opposed to pledging.” This allows you to stake out the moral high ground. And, after all, shouldn’t the church live up to its name as a community of “faith” and take it on faith that there will be enough money to pay for the heating bill this winter?
2. “The disciples didn’t pledge. Why should I?” True. Plus, this statement demonstrates your expansive knowledge of Scripture. Nevermind that they gave their entire lives over to Jesus — they never actually filled out a papyrus pledge card.
3. “I don’t attend church very often.” Only Christmas and Easter. Oh, and every family baptism, wedding, and funeral. You may not be there when the church needs you but, boy, that church better be there when you need it.
4. “It can’t cost that much to run a church. Just bread, wine, and a priest, right?” Make sure to tell the priest you assume he/she took a vow of poverty upon ordination. And that if your priest actually wanted a lifestyle that included a working boiler in the rectory, he/she should have become a hedge fund manager instead.
5. “You’d just waste my money on candles. Or give it away.” Accuse the church of spending too much on frivolous things like feeding programs.
6. “I don’t trust the treasurer. He has shifty eyes.” It’s always good if you can blame others as the reason for not pledging. Some popular ones include “I don’t like the rector’s sermons” and “The senior warden avoided me at coffee hour last May.”
7. “I prefer to give my talent rather than my treasure.” Who cares if your real “talent” is avoiding contributing to the life of the community?
8. “I give when I can.” In other words, you drop two single dollar bills in the plate (rigorously folded to look like an $11 bill) on the one Sunday a month you happen to show up. | {
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Find Help for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Arizona
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, is a weak and bulging part of the wall of the aorta. The aorta is the major artery that brings oxygen-rich blood to the lower body. Aneurysms can burst, causing a life-threatening emergency. Large abdominal aortic aneurysms often require surgery to prevent rupture. Small aneurysms may be monitored and left alone, what doctors call “watchful waiting.”
Our treatment plans for abdominal aortic aneurysm focus on avoiding rupture. Once an abdominal aortic aneurysm has been found, we monitor it with yearly imaging tests. If necessary, we offer advanced cardiac imaging and cardiac MRI.
If an abdominal aortic aneurysm becomes too large, aortic aneurysm repair surgery may be necessary. This procedure involves placing a stent inside the weakened part of the artery. The stent relieves pressure on the artery wall and reduces the likelihood of rupture.
What Causes Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
Aneurysms, including abdominal aortic aneurysm, are caused by the pressure created by the force of blood pumping through an artery. Eventually, this pressure causes the artery wall to weaken and bulge outward, forming an aneurysm.
Men are more likely to develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm than women.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is considered a “silent” disease because it often causes no symptoms until it bursts and becomes life threatening. Because there aren’t always signs of abdominal aortic aneurysm, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for men who have smoked and are between the ages of 65 and 75. When symptoms are present, they may include: | {
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Comet Comments
Get Essential Supplies with Home Delivery Services
Everyone in the United States has heard the term "In this unprecedented time…" to describe our current state of living due to COVID-19. Those of us old enough to remember past pandemics like the bird flu know that this is indeed unprecedented in our country's modern history.
Every citizen is being asked to self-isolate and stay home unless their jobs are deemed essential. Even so, life continues, and we all still need basic life necessities like groceries, medicines, and dry goods. Thankfully, many grocery stores, pharmacies, and supercenters have established curbside pickup.
However, there are times when you can't make that pickup yourself, or when you need items from more than one place. Comet Delivery Services is your one-stop provider when you need delivery of your essential shopping items. These are unprecedented times, and Comet Delivery Services is here to provide unparalleled service!
Take the Worry Out of Getting the Essentials
It is your priority to stay safe yet provide for your family during this time. Our officials are working hard to keep us informed, though the data changes daily. In short, we could be staying home for much longer than we'd like.
Staying safe means staying home, which means home delivery services are a way to relieve the stress of trying to coordinate those tasks from your newly formed home office. You don't have to do everything yourself. Comet Delivery Services can do your errands for you, whether that be groceries, pharmacy pickups, or items from the local home improvement store.
Same Day Delivery
Our services are available to everyone, and deliveries are the same day. We even pick up refrigerated and perishable groceries for same-day delivery. Here are some of the items we commonly deliver:
Groceries
Medications and Medical Supplies
Cleaning Supplies
Home Office Supplies
Paper Products (as they are available)
Home Improvement Items
And More!
Call to place your order with us for delivery the same day, or schedule it for later in the week. Keep in mind, that if your order has to be held for any reason (overnight or longer), it cannot contain refrigerated items. With Comet Delivery Services on your family's team, there's no reason to do without the items you need!
Bulk Orders Too
Because we are structured to handle business deliveries anywhere from across town to across the country, we can handle bulk grocer orders or other volume deliveries. Our fleet is prepared to move any items of any size. Many people are buying in bulk in order to build reserves. We have you covered.
Explore Home Delivery Services Today
Your priority is to stay well while continuing to work if you can, and to provide for yourself and your family. Even if you are an essential employee and traveling to work and back, it's still wise to avoid unnecessary contact with others.
Stay safe, stay home, and take advantage of home delivery services to make our temporary situation a little easier. Let Comet Delivery Services run those errands for you! For more information, contact us today.
Call our 24 hour hotline: 1-888-266-3833 and find out how Comet can serve you and your customers. | {
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100 Good Women News & Updates
Volunteer Needed
Posted by Sarah, 7 November 2014 - 10:40am
Volunteer Needed Immediately: Request Taker and Process Maker - Someone who is full of energy, compassion, realism & idealism (balanced) who has a desire to fix everything in the world. This person must have home/work access to a computer and be able to:
1. Check 100GW email requests and respond a few times per week
2. Make decisions on grocery and gas cards autonomously in most cases (help will be given, if needed, by past request takers).
3. Add in all requests to the Drive spreadsheet and update spreadsheet as requests are filled.
4. Go to Board when necessary for input.
5. Send needs on to Sarah for newsletter and/or Facebook.
6. Coordinate givers and getters if necessary, including text/ call/ email individuals with card pickup (check database to ensure no double-dipping). Gotta get the stuff to them.
7. Keep in contact with Melissa Dimoush at Hedges Insurance, who acts as our card giver and holding tank, regarding when a request is made and when they will be coming and what they need. i.e. a $50 Dillon’s card goes to ______ or ______ will be in to pick up sheets, etc.
8. Refer people to agencies as needed, again with the help of previous request takers if necessary.
9. Attend Board Meetings once a month on a Sunday afternoon. We offer support, fun and lively conversations at our board meetings, which we try desperately to keep to one hour.
10. Check in with the Forum to discuss Board decisions as email notifications come in.
11. Keep a healthy perspective and understand that even though you want to help everyone and save the world, it may not be possible. This is a mind boggling task but the one that our organization is built on.
Contact [email protected] if you are interested or know someone you'd like to recommend. This is not a permanent position. It is only as long as you are able and invested. When you are ready to move on, we will work at finding another volunteer. We can't wait to hear from you.
Thank You Received, and Thank You
Posted by Sarah, 10 March 2014 - 10:06am
Thank You From a Client
Thank Yous are wonderful to receive. It is even better when it is in a hand-written card mailed the old-fashioned way. Ahhhhh. So lovely to know that we have helped and that what we have done has mattered. Thank yous are few and far between in life, so remember to tell someone thank you today.
The following is what we received (redacted):Dear 100 Good Women,
Thank you for your generosity. Before Christmas my job coach X was able to receive a gift card to Dillon's, through you, so that I could pay for gas money and the application fee for my substitute teaching license. The holiday was a very stressful time regardless, and being jobless only added to the problem. I am happily employed now with a great job. Thank you for your help in making that happen.
Sincerely,
X
So thank you to all of you who help by donating via our website, or by dropping off a grocery card. These are real people with real lives and real need. Your help matters.
Please click >>> for Paypal donations or to renew membership ($10 dues).
We will have reusable fantastic white and grey 100 GW bags for sale at our Clothing Exchange on April 13th! This will be an exciting and fun event. More details in Flyer.
Dues, If You Can.
Posted by Sarah, 27 February 2014 - 4:39pm
Hello community! Dues time has come again and we would very much appreciate the payment of the dues if you can swing it. No pressure, but we are thankful for the money that we use to keep the website going, make flyers, put on the events (Clothing Exchange being one) and more. You can pay straight to Paypal. You can even set up a recurring amount if you are so inclined.
We recently realized that last year we received approximately 10-15% of the dues from members. If we could inch that a bit higher, it would be trememdous. But if you cannot donate at this time, don't worry about it. You do what you can do.
Furniture and Cards and a Hospital Bed and a Helper and...
Posted by Sarah, 27 February 2014 - 4:28pm
When times are tough we need to rely on each other for the things needed. Sometimes that is physical help, sometimes it is an item, sometimes it is food or gas money. Right now we have requests for all of those things. Please help us fulfill these needs. Thank you for everything you do.
Dressers!
a Dining set
Adult Beds (3 Queens)
a Hospital-style bed for blood-flow control
Someone to help move stuff from Ottawa to Eudora for a woman who was homeless until very recently but cannot get her things.
In case you missed it, we had a "Pay it Forward" moment recently. Someone who was in need last year and received grocery help came back to us and donated a grocery card to go to the next person in need. This was a full circle moment that touched our hearts. Thank you for donating, thank you for being involved, and thank you for all you do.
UPDATE: The Clothing exchange is on April 13th from 1-3 at Crown Toyota.
Team Dain
Posted by Sarah, 18 September 2013 - 12:06pm
100 Good Women was started 30 years ago by Sarah Jane Russell and Janet Bouley. They got 80 women together for a potluck to see how they could help those that fall through the cracks. Down-home, grass-roots, do-what-we-can-to-help-others kind of thing.
Sarah Jane's son, Dain, has been injured in a fall recently that has left him with some serious injuries. Follow these links and show your support for Team Dain. Here is his facebook page. Here is his YouCaring site if you would like to make a donation. Thank you for your support.
Compassion Starts Young
Posted by Sarah, 3 September 2013 - 12:08pm
What can we pass on to the generations below us? Beyond the building blocks of basic needs and growth and education, there is the sharing of the good. Let's teach our children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren about what it means to give and to be kind and gracious.
School has started. It is a difficult time for those without friends. It is difficult, too, for those who are different in some way. Maybe they're shy. Or have a limp. Or use a wheelchair. Or don't have nice clothes. Or aren't fed breakfast at home and are ravenous and grumpy. Or get pulled out of class for extra math help. Or they stay back in the shadows because they don't look like everyone else.
What have we taught our children and nieces and nephews and grandchildren about how to ensure that a child isn't alone or persecuted? Maybe we teach them to smile and say hello. Perhaps they're confident enough to sit next to or make friends with that child who is different.
Let's notice someone in the right way. Don't let him or her walk alone, sit alone, play alone. Don't let that young person be persecuted or taunted or teased. Don't let that kid continue to think they are too different or not worthy of being loved enough. Because they aren't too different. And if they aren't loved enough right now, that can change. Their worlds will expand as they grow older. They will meet more people with whom they have things in common. They will find more and more acceptance. They don't know that yet. That life can get better and good people are out that will care about them. That they can grow up and find acceptance in the life they create for themselves.
But for now, today, let's teach our kids that thisis their responsibility. To notice that someone is in need, and that maybe all they need right at that moment is a kind word or a smile. It is not enough to teach our children to try not create pain in the world or simply have strength against the pain in the world. Let's teach them to change the pain in the world. It all begins small. But it doesn't end small. It becomes a community of people helping each other and creating good.
Dalai Lama- "It’s in our interest to take care of others. Self-centredness is opposed to basic human nature. In our own interest as human beings we need to pay attention to our inner values. Sometimes people think compassion is only of help to others, while we get no benefit. This is a mistake. When you concern yourself with others, you naturally develop a sense of self-confidence. To help others takes courage and inner strength."
Welcome and Thank You
Posted by Sarah, 7 August 2013 - 12:12pm
Welcome to the new members who have signed on to be a part of 100 Good Women. And thank you to the members who continue to support this community.
You may have noticed that you received five request emails over the past week and hadn't seen a request for a month. We don't want to inundate you with a big long request list, and we don't get all the requests at once. We also want to have the subject matter in the email as it comes into your inbox so you know if it is pertinent to you.
You see an email that says a fan is requested, and you think you may have a fan? You go ahead and open that email and see what we have to say.
You see an email subject asking for some school supplies and you are headed out this week to get some and maybe could grab a few packs of paper? That's also a good one to click.
You see an email with the subject being "Does Anyone Fix A/C?" and there is no way you have any abilities in that area. Sure, skip that one.
Because here is the thing that sometimes we need to remind each other. This whole thing is about guilt-free giving. It's about us helping when and if we can. There are people around Lawrence... whether they are single parents struggling on one income or disabled adults or women working to build a life after abuse or a family who can't afford Christmas. These are people in need. There's no agency that helps provide bedding when a family leaves the shelter. There's no government program for the last week of the month when the budget just doesn't allow for one more tank of gas.
That's why we appreciate you all so much. Open the emails when you can or check the website for a current list. If you have something that we need, let us know. And there you go. That is our process.
Please share with friends. We would love to have even more members, more contributors, more opportunities to answer yes to requests. We're now on Twitter. (100GoodWomenKS). You can follow us there or find us on Facebook. (One Hundred Good Women)
Mattress Firm is our Favorite Firm of All
There's always a process. What someone needs, what someone has, how we get it to the someone from the someone else. And there are a lot of really great people mixed in there in those someones.
But we met someone we really really like. As in, possible adoration. It is born of generosity and empathy. Doug at Mattress Firm is this guy. And here's how it went down. We had a client who really needed a new mattress. She was having breathing issues, there was mold in her mattress (yes.), and she needed a new one. Well, we don't have new mattresses. There are businesses in town who do, though. So, what kind of deal could we strike? We're a real organization doing real things. Doug at Mattress Firm figured that out and shared his generosity with us. He did us one better than we expected. Yeah, you could say that. He said his company has a philanthropic side. We like that kind of side. Doug also has that side.
So thank you, Doug at Mattress Firm. You did us a solid. You did this woman a solid. And if any of you are in the market for a mattress any time soon, we know a real good guy who is a joy to work with. I bet you guessed who. Yeah, Doug at Mattress Firm.
To sign up as a member or to sign up for the newsletter/ blog, please visit 100GoodWomen.org
Small Things that are Big Things
One small thing added on to another small thing can make the world change. See, abuse is a big thing. A huge thing. Pervasive, world altering, gigantic. Gas cards are just small things.
100 Good Women provided a gas card to someone who was staying at the local haven from domestic abuse. She was able to take this gas card and leave. She got in her car and drove somewhere safe. Somewhere new. This small thing provided the means to end this big thing. Doesn't that just make your heart smile?
Thank you to all of you who have donated and helped. There are a lot of these stories and a lot of you who make a difference. If you know someone who wants to be a part of 100 Good Women, please send them to the site to sign up. Move these stories along so people know they can make a difference.
Bathing and Toiletries are a Big Deal
Posted by Sarah, 23 May 2013 - 11:01am
Every day your friend's sister's cousin's old neighbor wakes up at the community shelter. It isn't the same as when you wake up. You might pour a cup of coffee and go take a shower. You pull out your Aveda shampoo and then deep condition. You brush your teeth with your Colgate Whitening. (After your coffee, of course.) You slap on some deodorant and lotion. Then you put on your make-up and fix your hair.
But that friend's sister's cousin's old neighbor is using whatever the community shelter has on hand. We don't always remember that this is an ongoing need. Every day someone needs to bathe, shower, deodorize.
And so we want to remind you of these few things that could help:
1. If you are at a hotel and don't need the travel size goodies they offer, bring them back and make a "donate" pile. The Shelter would love those little Paul Mitchell small sizes. And the brand doesn't matter at all.
2. If you are at Dillon's and see a discount on toiletries, buy a few extra. Those BIGIF deals? Do those! Add them to your "donate" pile.
3. If you buy some new face wash and don't like it after a few uses, don't toss it. Put it in your pile. This goes for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, too.
4. If you happen to be at Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, Target, Dillon's, and any place like that, can you spare an extra bit of money on a grocery card for the single mom, the working dad, the person who just can't make enough to get by and needs a little groceries? If you would throw down for a card now and again, we would love that. Holler at us when you have it. We are keen on sharing those and having them on hand for requests. Mention that you are getting them for a non-profit and maybe they have a discount!
Thank you for your help. Let us know if you have some things to donate. It is really what we are all about.
Ongoing Needs
Food Banks
Don't forget our local food banks need your support!
Check out the Ongoing Requests page for needs that never go away and that YOU can help with.
Rewards/gift cards
Did you know? One Hundred Good Women will now accept your donated credit card reward certificates or unused gift cards! We keep them on hand for folks and families in need. Email Jennie for more information.
Are Your Dues Due?
We don't send a notice. We just ask that you kindly remember to give your $10 per year dues. You can use the Membership Renewal form and then mail your dues or you could just bring your 10 bucks with you to the next 100 Good Women event! | {
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future of work
HR service delivery is the new frontier. Innovation in HR is exploding. We are transitioning our focus beyond core HR recruiting and talent management systems to how HR is going digital in the service delivery space and what that means for the employee experience as well as the HR profession...
New research by Burning Glass Technologies, a company that analyzes nearly a billion job postings and employee resumes from millions of companies, has documented a growing and under-the-radar trend in the workforce. Jobs are rapidly becoming more “hybrid,” combining skill sets that previously never...
The role of the chief human resources officer is changing. Over the years, the best CHROs became much more focused on the business and its strategic needs. Today, the needs of the business have evolved—and with it the demands on the CHRO. Long-established business models face disruption across...
Recently, I had a conversation at the birthday party of my five-year-old daughter’s friend. I spoke with other parents about how different kindergarten is today compared to when we were 5 years old. As I recall, and as my mom confirms, kindergarten used to be about learning our shapes and colors,...
By sheer numbers alone, Millennials have already impacted the U.S. workforce. In 2015, this generation became the largest in the workplace and, today, they account for 50 percent of the job applications received by organizations. Human resources is already playing, and will continue to play, a...
The future of work and the fast-paced advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics are transforming how people work and the way businesses operate to deliver value to customers. Furthermore, global trends are changing the way we conceptualize work, workplace, and workforce. In...
For the last 60 years, NASA has been marked by talented, curious, and relentless adventurers who have explored the unknown for the benefit of humanity. This workforce has achieved the impossible, including setting foot on the Moon, landing rovers on Mars, living for nearly two decades in Low Earth...
Artificial intelligence (AI) expert Kai-Fu Lee estimates that within 10 to 20 years 40 to 50 percent of jobs in the U.S. will be technically capable of being automated. He stresses that inertia, new jobs, and other forces will likely diminish the amount of actual job losses to 10 to 25 percent. A...
Whether you know it or not, you are using artificial intelligence (AI) every day. You may be listening to your personalized playlist on Spotify or using Waze to navigate your route in traffic. These companies have developed a highly personalized user experience powered by AI technology.
So while... | {
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2001 Gibson Les Paul Standard '59 Historic Reissue Tom Murphy Aged
Market Price: $0.00
As a professional guitar custom shop, we are able to make all kinds of guitars in any style. For example, you can change the finish color freely, or add your personalized elements to your guitar, such as your autograph, your pictures or any other somethings you like. Importantly, our customized guitars are pricing in a very reasonable price range, only a few hundreds of dollars for a custom made guitar, that is really a great deal! Contact us right now, we are waiting for you!
The guitar pictures here aim to show you our ablity of what style we can build, and provide some reference for your custom plan model, so if you want to customize the guitar you want, please email us and make a enquiry.Our email address: [email protected]
2001 gibson les paul standard '59 historic reissue - tom murphy aged
up for sale is this exceptionally beautiful lemon drop, gibson historic reissue '59 les paul standard, which was manufactured back in 2001, and was meticulously aged by mr. tom murphy, down to the finest details. this is a truly exquisite instrument, and it's looks are only trumped by it's sound. you can either put it on display, or play the … out of it every day(or night); this guitar can make both the discerning collector or the professional player very happy!
it is in absolute mint condition, and shows no real signs of use or wear, other than what mr. murphy intended, of course. it's all original and comes in the original brown lifton case, with all the accessories, papers and coa included, plus an extra set of premium, aged, amber pot knobs(worth well over $100). the guitar has been permanently kept in a climate controlled environment, and i have also placed a humidipak inside the case throughout this time, for good measure.
the guitar will be shipped worldwide, with ups express, and if you choose the bin option, shipping will be free. | {
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Minecraft Mods
http://cherryredlicensing.co.uk/?author=1 Do you often find yourself storing a lot of items in Minecraft? Maybe you want more ways to organize and easily find things? This is a great mod for you to try out today! This is the Storage Drawers Mod for Minecraft. What this mod does is add new drawer systems that range in color from
http://wendykendalldesigns.com/?m=20140110 Do you build a lot of items in Minecraft, spending often countless times accessing your workbench to place items one by one while you essentially beat your mouse to bits by clicking everything in sight? Perhaps you want to spend less time in the menu crafting and tediously placing items when you could use shortcuts,
Don’t have a use for gold? Do you have uses, but none of them are very helpful? Yeah, sure, clocks are cool, but can’t you just look into the sky? Gold armor looks pretty sweet, but it can only take about 4 hits from a zombie. Wait, what about Gold tools? They look awesome! But
Buy Valium Glasgow Wood is a crucial part of day to day minecraft life, wood is extremely useful whether it be for building, crafting or scaffolding. In fact, it’s probably the first thing you will attempt to harvest when spawning in a new singleplayer world or server. When jungle trees were implemented into minecraft, cutting wood became just
I was kind of hesitant of taking this mod up, since two years ago the only use was making these things fight. It’s changed so much since then I think I’m going to be keeping it around for my own use. The clay soldiers mod adds little colored steves that you can make from clay
Soma 350 Mg Dosage Too Many Items Mod for Minecraft 1.8.9, 1.7.10 and 1.7.2 – Sometimes players may find that minecraft can become slightly boring. Sure the game itself is incredibly fun to play. However, sometimes the minecraft updates can only entertain you to a certain extent. Often the amusement updates bring only last a short time; In fact not
The rei’s minimap mod introduces a unique feature to your everyday minecraft gameplay. The mod itself, updates on the very day Mojang updated the game proves the dedication of the modder. But the question remains, is the mod worth it, what features could this mod offer that could convince a player to use it? The
Minecraft began without mobs, however, it was only a matter of time before they were implemented. Both hostile and stock animals were created. Both genre’s had few purposes, mainly those for food and experience. Up until this point the only mobs/animals that have been Implemented Into the game are hostiles, including the mighty wither boss.
The Carpenter’s Blocks Mod for Minecraft 1.7.10, 1.7.2 and 1.6.4 adds some custom and varied blocks into the game that allow for total customization and let you build whatever you want to! This mod is very compact, and features compatibility with most other Minecraft mods. This mod is an interesting idea and one which I | {
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The musician Paul Simon came to fame collaborating with his childhood friend Art Garfunkel, yet launched another chapter with his Graceland album, collaborating with musicians from Soweto. Ratan Tata made his name expanding his family's firms in India, yet in recent decades has reached even greater success helping foreign firms such as Daewoo and Jaguar find new markets.
Whether artists, entrepreneurs, or executives, some individuals are especially able to bridge cultural gaps and leverage foreign ideas and opportunities. Why can some people collaborate creatively all around the world while others succeed only with people quite similar to themselves? Are there psychological characteristics that distinguish global collaborators? Do they form different kinds of relationships?
New research by Michael Morris, the Chavkin-Chang Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School, finds that mindfulness about cultural assumptions is a key driver. People who are habitually aware of their cultural frameworks tend to develop more affectively trusting relationships with people from other cultures, opening the free flow of ideas that is intrinsic to creative collaboration. The paper, published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, is led by former Columbia Business School doctoral student Roy Y.J. Chua (currently an assistant professor at Harvard Business School) and co-authored by current Columbia Business School doctoral student Shira Mor.
The globalization of business is increasingly creating demand for managers adept at working creatively with people from diverse backgrounds. Researchers have drawn attention to individual differences in cultural metacognition, the proclivity to reflect on and fine-tune one's cultural assumptions when interacting with others. In three studies using different ways of measuring cross-cultural collaboration, Morris's research team found that success can be predicted from an individual's cultural metacognition score, assessed with a survey inventory beforehand.
The first study asked business executives for lists of people from other cultures with whom they have worked over the course of their careers. The researchers then tracked down these associates and surveyed them about many aspects of the executive's management style, including the executive's success in collaborating creatively across cultural lines. These scores of intercultural collaboration success (from the vantage of individuals from different cultures) could be predicted by an executive's cultural metacognition score even when personality and other standard individual differences were controlled.
So many acts in our daily lives - refusing that second slice of cake, walking past the store with the latest gadgets, working on your tax forms when you'd rather watch TV - seem to boil down to one essential ingredient: self-control. Self-control is what enables us to maintain healthy habits, save for a rainy day, and get important things done.
But what is self-control, really? And how does it work?
In a new article in the September 2012 issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, researchers Michael Inzlicht of the University of Toronto and Brandon Schmeichel of Texas A&M University argue that the prevailing model of self-control may not be as precise as researchers once thought. Rather than being a limited resource, self-control may actually be more like a motivation- and attention-driven process.
Research on self-control has surged in the last decade and much of it has centered on the resource model of self-control. According to this model, originally proposed by Roy Baumeister and colleagues, self-control is a limited resource - if we exercise a lot of self-control by refusing a second slice of cake, we may not have enough self-control later in the day to resist the urge to shop or watch TV.
Over 100 papers have produced findings that support this model. Research has found, for example, that people who are required to manage their emotions show impaired performance on later tasks, such as solving a difficult puzzle, squeezing a handgrip exerciser, and keeping items in working memory.
But Inzlicht and Schmeichel point out that a newer crop of studies are yielding results that don't fit with this idea of self-control as a depletable resource. Recent studies have shown that incentives, individual perceptions of task difficulty, personal beliefs about willpower, feedback on task performance, and changes in mood all seem to influence our ability to exercise self-control. These results suggest that self-control may not rely on a limited resource after all.
Paul Zak calls oxytocin the ''moral molecule''. He tells Oliver Burkeman how hugging, massage and watching soppy movies could make us better people.
The American academic Paul Zak is renowned among his colleagues for two things he does to people disconcertingly soon after meeting them. The first is hugging: seeing me approach across the library of his club, in midtown Manhattan, he springs to his feet, ignoring my outstretched hand, and enfolds me in his arms. The second is sticking needles in their arms to draw blood.
I escape our encounter unpunctured, but plenty of people don't: Zak's work, which he refers to as ''vampire studies'', has involved extracting blood from a bride and groom on their wedding day; from people who have just had massages, or been dancing; from Quakers, before and after their silent worship; and from tribal warriors in Papua New Guinea as they prepare for traditional rituals.
Comment: Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which the Éiriú Eolas program does wonderfully, also triggers the release of ocytocin. Learn more about the ocytocin releasing effect of the Éiriú Eolas program here.
Long before they are able to talk, walk, or even sit up, babies are able to distinguish among different races and genders. A psychologist from the University of Delaware has found that babies are able to classify people by race and gender at 3 months; by 9 months, babies have difficulty remembering the faces of people from less-familiar races.
At 3 months, Paul Quinn says that Caucasian infants prefer Caucasian faces over Asian faces, choosing to stare at Caucasian faces for longer periods of time. At 3 months, infants were able to remember faces of different races equally, but that ability disappeared by the time babies were 9 months old.
Researchers measured babies' preferences by noting how long they stare at different objects, since babies of those ages are generally unable to speak. Looking time also demonstrates babies' familiarity with objects. Babies look at things for longer periods of time when they are more unfamiliar with it; when babies see familiar objects, they spend less time looking at them.
Researchers showed infants pictures of people of the four major ethnic groups: African, Caucasian, East Asian, and South Asian. They realized that 3-month-olds were able to recognize faces from all races, not just their own, but that the ability disappeared for 9-month-olds. Researchers wondered if that development could be changed.
A heartbreaking story out of Kazakhstan: According to reports, a dog was killed while trying to save its owner from an oncoming train.
The suicidal owner had passed out on the train tracks after drinking a bottle of alcohol. According to Russian news site Ria Novosti, the man told authorities that his dog dragged him to safety. The dog wasn't able to avoid being hit.
"Upon seeing the train, the dog started pulling its owner away," said Aida Muldashevam, who investigated the incident. "When train drivers saw the dog on the rail tracks, they used the emergency brake."
Unfortunately, it was too late. The dog was killed instantly, while the owner was taken to the hospital. He had two broken ribs and an injury to his shoulder.
Dogs have a well-deserved reputation for loyalty. At a funeral for a Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan in 2011, dog Hawkeye lay by the casket during the memorial service. And in a small village in China last year, a dog remained at its owner's grave for weeks. When villagers took the dog back to town, the dog returned to the grave. Villagers eventually decided to build the dog a kennel near its departed friend.
Forget about reading minds; researchers from Case Western University have developed a way to insert memories into mice's minds.
Ben Strowbridge, a Professor of Neurosciences of Physiology and Biology, and Robert Hyde, a neuroscience post-doctoral student, have discovered how to store diverse types of artificial memories into brain tissue. They believe that their research will allow them the means to study exactly which brain circuits are responsible for creating short-term memories.
Memories are generally grouped into two categories. Implicit memories are the type of memory that uses previous memories to inform a new skill, even when a person is not consciously aware of those memories; these are used when a person rides a bike or other similar tasks. Declarative memories are ones that can be consciously recalled, like names or facts.
The study tried to create declarative memories, like the ones that are used to remember a phone number or email address that someone has just given.
The neuroscientists used isolated rodent tissue to form a memory in which one of four neural pathways was activated. The neural circuits located in the hippocampus maintained the memory of input for 10 seconds. Researchers were then able to identify which pathway was being stimulated by examining brain cell activity.
How does Venus Williams return smashing serves? How does Josh Hamilton hit home runs off 90 mile-per-hour pitches?
It's not just talent: preparing to leap over a hurdle or dunk a basketball makes the brain process information differently. The athlete perceives it as a slowing down of time, say researchers at University College London after a new study.
"John McEnroe has reported that he feels time slows down as he is about to hit the ball, and F1 drivers report something very similar when overtaking," Dr. Nobuhiro Hagura from University College London's Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience told BBC News. "Our guess is that during the motor preparation, visual information processing in the brain is enhanced. So, maybe, the amount of information coming in is increased. That makes time be perceived longer and slower."
Sexual coercion is a mark for both male and female psychopaths. Painting above: Frederic Leighton - The Fisherman and the Syren - c.1856-1858
In one of the largest studies of its kind ever published, US psychologists have found a particular aspect of personality in men and women, predicts what the researchers refer to as 'hypersexuality'.
The 'hypersexual' have more sexual partners than the rest of the population, fantasise more about others than their current partner, and tend to favour more sex without love. They take greater pleasure in casual sex with different partners, and don't need attachment to enjoy lovemaking.
Hypersexuality was found strongly linked with a particular aspect of personality.
Another especially intriguing aspect of this research, conducted on 482 people aged 17-56 years old, was that this personality feature applied equally to both men and women, in predicting hypersexuality.
Psychologists are beginning to concur that it's this unique element of character which most powerfully predicts higher numbers of different sexual partners, as well as impulsive one night stands, and a gamut of risky sexual behaviours.
Joking around can land us in hot water. Even the professionals often shoot themselves comedically in the foot. Last month, comedian Jeffrey Ross's routine at a roast of Rosanne Barr was censored when he joked about the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. "Too soon!" everyone said.
And yet, it's not quite as simple as certain topics being "too soon" to joke about. Two weeks after 9/11, The Onion was able to successfully publish a satirical issue about the terrorist attacks.
So the question is: When are tragedies okay to joke about -- and when are they not?
According to the "Benign Violation Theory," humor emerges when we perceive something that is wrong (a violation), while also seeing that it is okay (benign). Psychological distance is one key ingredient that can make a violation seem okay and several studies have shown that being removed from a violation - by space, time, relationships, or imagination - enhances humor.
But new research suggests that psychological distance isn't the only feature that matters - the severity of the violation also plays an important role.
"Having some distance from tragedy helps to create a benign violation, which facilitates comedy," observes psychological scientist Peter McGraw, who runs the Humor Research Lab (HuRL) at the University of Colorado Boulder. "But when you become too distant from a mild violation, it's just not funny anymore."
Evidence
In a new article forthcoming in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, McGraw and colleagues explore how violation severity (how "bad" it is) and psychological distance (how removed we are) work together to facilitate humor.
In their first study, the researchers looked at the effect of psychological distance in terms of time. In an online survey, participants were asked to describe an event from their lives that either became more funny or less funny as time passed. Participants then rated the event's severity. In line with the researchers' hypothesis, events that became funnier over time were rated more severe than the events that lost their comedic effect, which were seen as mild violations.
A team of Israeli scientists have experimented on rats to see how they cope with stress, and hope the study would contribute to understanding the cause of human depression and suicide.
Results of the study suggest that while exposure to stress in childhood increases the risk of depression, as one might expect, exposure to stress in adolescence may actually provide protection against depression and suicidal behaviour later in life.
Pictureof the Day
Quoteof theDay
There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.
Scientists living under an oppressive regime
decide to clinically study the founders and supporters of evil regimes to determine what common factor is at play in the rise and propagation of man's inhumanity to man. | {
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Policy Analysis
Netanyahu's New Settlements Policy: Advantages and Limitations
The prime minister's recent policy adjustment comes across as 'Bush letter minus,' though it may represent the first of several reciprocal steps still required to preserve the two-state solution.
On March 30, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told members of his security cabinet that Israel will act with restraint when it comes to further settlement activity. The decision followed a February 15 joint White House press conference in which President Trump asked him to "hold back on settlements for a little bit" in the West Bank. It also came on the heels of White House envoy Jason Greenblatt's trip to Israel, and on the eve of Washington visits by Egyptian president Abdul Fatah al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah. While Netanyahu said the policy shift was solely an Israeli decision, a subsequent White House statement welcoming the move suggests there was a modicum of coordination with Washington. The prime minister and Greenblatt held around eight hours of discussions in Jerusalem, apparently at least in no small measure focused on the settlement issue. Netanyahu subsequently told the cabinet that no verbal bilateral understandings on the matter had been reached, but speculation persists.
DEFINING RESTRAINT
The settlements issue is so sensitive to Netanyahu's governing right-wing coalition that he has yet to release a formal statement about the March 30 announcements. Likewise, his aides waited until very late that day to brief reporters on the matter, after the weekend newspapers had gone to press, leading some to believe the delay was not coincidental. He has still not posted the decision on any official website.
According to the official backgrounder, the new restraint policy includes the following provisions:
No new outposts. By definition, settlement "outposts" (as opposed to full-fledged settlements) are constructed by a few dozen families without government authorization, and Netanyahu agreed to prohibit that practice under the new policy. Yet Israel had already committed as far back as 2003 to dismantle all existing outposts, not just forbid new ones. In February, however, the Knesset passed the Regularization Law, which legalized even outposts built on private Palestinian land (after providing compensation to the owners). In an extraordinary step, Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit announced that he would not defend the law before Israel's Supreme Court, apparently believing that the justices would inevitably strike it down.
No new settlements except Amona. The lone exception stems from Netanyahu's commitment at the end of the Obama administration to build a new settlement for the forty-one families recently evicted from the Amona outpost. The Supreme Court ordered their removal because they were illegally living on private Palestinian land. Although Netanyahu previously insisted that no new settlements had been built in recent years, Obama administration officials disputed this claim, noting that nineteen outposts were legalized during the period in question. They also questioned whether gaps between construction constitute new settlements.
Limits on existing settlements. Netanyahu reportedly told the cabinet that Israel would expand existing settlements only "within previously developed areas." The terms typically used in this context are "built-up areas" or "the construction line," so it is unclear if he had a different meaning in mind. Whatever the case, he qualified this limitation significantly. First, he noted that if no room for expansion was available within a developed area, Israel would pursue construction adjacent to it. Second, in cases "where neither of these criteria are met due to legal, security, or topographical constraints, Israel will allow construction on the closest land possible to developed areas," according to Haaretz. Israel appeared to reach a similar agreement in principle with the Bush administration in 2003-2004, implicitly limiting construction to built-up areas of settlements and, where needed, adjacent areas. Although this was not codified as a public agreement, the two governments did establish an enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance at the time, though it eventually broke down. No such mechanism is mentioned in Netanyahu's latest decision, raising questions about how to ensure compliance in the future and avert loopholes.
No annexation. The new policy will curb any demands by Netanyahu's recalcitrant coalition partners for annexing some settlements to Israel.
Fewer planning meetings. The planning committee of the Israel Defense Forces' Civil Administration in the West Bank, the body that approves construction plans for settlements, will now reportedly meet only once every three months.
AVOIDING A BLOCS-ONLY APPROACH
When Netanyahu addressed the Knesset in May 2011, he stated that he would focus on retaining Israel's settlement blocs when discussing the Palestinian peace process with U.S. officials, referring to the cluster of large settlements inside the West Bank security barrier. An estimated 76-85 percent of the settlers live in these blocs, which comprise around 8 percent of West Bank territory and are largely adjacent to Israeli urban areas inside the pre-1967 boundary, with notable exceptions. This view is consistent with President Bush's April 2004 letter to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, which stated that any final peace deal with the Palestinians would probably involve Israel retaining control of "existing major Israeli population centers" -- diplomatic code for the blocs. While the letter did not discuss Israeli construction in these areas prior to a final deal, Israel interpreted it as an implicit green light for such activity.
Many speculate that Netanyahu secretly does not want to build outside the blocs because he fears it would enmesh Israel in a binational reality and undercut its identity as a Jewish state. Yet he does not talk about blocs today the same way he did in the past. His current coalition is more right-wing than previous ones, so he likely believes he lacks the domestic political capital to ask Trump for an endorsement of Bush's 2004 letter -- despite complaining when the Obama administration did not endorse it in 2009. If he focused on the blocs alone today, he would risk offending the approximately 90,000 settlers who live outside the security barrier, along with their political patrons in the coalition, the Jewish Home Party and a vocal wing of his own Likud Party.
Therefore, one could call Netanyahu's new approach "Bush letter minus." Whether he provided a private pledge to Trump via Greenblatt is unknown, but publicly barring all non-bloc construction would ostensibly confer diplomatic advantages for the U.S.-Israel relationship even if it would incur the anger of non-bloc settlers. By pledging not to build in the isolated settlements outside the barrier, Israel could signal its potential readiness to at least consider giving up 92 percent of the West Bank down the road, thus maintaining the viability of a two-state solution. At the same time, Netanyahu could show his right-wing constituents that he is committed to increasing development in the 8 percent of the West Bank where most settlers live.
Yet his current approach is much more modest, seemingly designed to demonstrate just enough restraint to the Trump administration without causing coalition headaches back home. Under the new policy, he is essentially telling his settler supporters the following:
They can continue building outside the blocs and enlarging the footprint of their settlements where needed.
There will be no limitations on construction in Jewish neighborhoods over the Green Line in Jerusalem, an approach that has wide support in Israel.
The Amona residents will be given a new settlement along a road southeast of Ariel en route to the Jordan Valley. The settlements clustered in this area (e.g., Eli, Shiloh, Shvut Rachel) have never been considered part of the blocs, but the settlers clearly want to change that status. Taken together, the cluster will now be home to nearly 10,000 people.
Some 2,000 new housing units are already slated to be built in bloc areas largely adjacent to the pre-1967 boundary (Netanyahu pointed out that this plan was in the pipeline before Trump came to office).
TRUMP, ARAB STATES, AND THE SETTLEMENTS
Both Trump and Netanyahu have publicly voiced hope that the commonality of threats such as Iran and militant Islamist groups have created a strategic convergence between Israel and various Arab states. They have also touted this as an "outside-in" approach to the two-state solution, whereby Israel makes peace with the Arab world alongside reaching terms with the Palestinians. The implicit assumption is that Arab states would then use their influence with the Palestinians to yield concessions in a way they have never done in the past to facilitate agreement with Israel.
Yet any such approach is predicated on Israel making moves on the ground that justify active Arab diplomatic engagement. In other words, Israeli actions are necessary to woo the Arabs into greater involvement. Accordingly, the Trump administration seemed to nudge Netanyahu in recent weeks toward signaling a new settlements policy before Sisi and Abdullah came to Washington, perhaps to set the stage for a multilateral peace meeting later this year. But Arab leaders are unlikely to view the "Bush letter minus" approach unveiled last week as true restraint.
To enable a broader set of diplomatic moves, more reciprocal steps need to be taken. This includes Palestinian efforts to curb incitement, various moves by Arab states, and further Israeli steps on settlement restraint. In theory, each of these steps should open political space for other parties to act. Yet such choreography is never easy in a messy Middle East due to domestic political constraints -- including in Israel, where the settlers seem to hold the balance of power. If Arab states respond by agreeing to reciprocal incremental steps (with Israel making larger subsequent moves on settlements), Netanyahu could be caught between them and his coalition at home. It is difficult to see how he would be able to square this circle.
David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow and director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process at The Washington Institute.
The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them. | About the Institute
The Institute is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible. | Support the Institute | {
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Raising hopes for an effective intervention in diagnosing the risk of early onset of disease, German scientists have developed a new blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s long before the first symptoms appear in patients.
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to begin long before patients show typical symptoms like memory loss.The team, led by Klaus Gerwert, professor at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany, noted that one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques in the patient’s brain.
Alzheimer’s can now be detected using a blood test.Pixabay
The findings, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, showed that the blood test uses a technology called immuno-infrared sensor to measure distribution of pathological and healthy structures of amyloid-beta in the blood.
The pathological amyloid-beta structure is rich in a sticky, sheet-like folding pattern that makes it prone to aggregation, while the healthy structure is not.
The two structures absorb infrared light at a different frequency, allowing the blood test to determine the ratio of healthy to pathological amyloid-beta in the sample.
The pathological form is a misfolded version of this molecule and known to initiate the formation of toxic amyloid-beta molecules that starts accumulating in the brain 15 to 20 years before disease onset.
They found that the test reliably detected amyloid-beta alterations in the blood of participants with mild cognitive impairment that also showed abnormal amyloid deposits in brain scans. In order to detect blood changes well ahead of disease onset, the researchers compared blood samples of 65 participants that were later in the follow-up studies diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease with 809 controls.
This can be very beneficial for potential Alzheimer’s patients. Flickr
The assay was able to detect signs of the disease on average eight years before diagnosis in individuals without clinical symptoms with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 86 per cent. The blood test would thus offer an opportunity to identify those at risk and may thereby open the door to new avenues in drug discovery, the researchers said. IANS
A future non-invasive eye test may allow early detection of Alzheimer’s disease before memory loss kicks in, say a team led by an Indian-origin researcher.
Retina being an extension of the brain, the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) will check patients’ vision as well as brain health, said the study published in the journal Ophthalmology Retina.
The researchers said that loss of blood vessels in retina would reflect changes in the brain, be it for both healthy people or Alzheimer’s patients.
“We know that there are changes that occur in the brain in the small blood vessels in people with Alzheimer’s disease, and because the retina is an extension of the brain, we wanted to investigate whether these changes could be detected,” said lead author Dilraj S. Grewal, ophthalmologist at Duke University.
Using the OCTA that uses light waves that reveal blood flow in every layer of the retina, the researches checked more than 200 people.
A lady suffering from Alzheimer’s. Flickr
They found that in people with healthy brains, microscopic blood vessels form a dense web at the back of the eye inside the retina — as was seen in 133 participants in a control group.
Conversely, in the eyes of 39 people with Alzheimer’s disease, that web was less dense and even sparse in places.
The OCTA machines, relatively a new noninvasive technology, measures blood vessels that cannot be seen during a regular eye examination.
“It’s possible that these changes in blood vessel density in the retina could mirror what’s going on in the tiny blood vessels in the brain, perhaps before we are able to detect any changes in cognition,” added Sharon Fekrat, ophthalmologist at the Duke University in the US. (IANS) | {
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packaged FINDINGS: Diet Coke – IT’S MINE
Product packaging has an incredible impact on our daily lives. Our perceptions of products and the decisions to purchase them are influenced from the structural design to the graphic design used to communicate a compelling story about the product inside. Having spent over 30 years in the packaging industry, we love finding new and different packaging ideas that break the mold and deliver something new, maybe even chancy. Every other week we’ll be examining packaging that catches our eye and sharing our insights with you.
I am, admittedly, a brand loyal and lover of Diet Coke. We have a relationship going back to TAB, the sugar free alternative to Coca-Cola and the competitor to Diet Pepsi.
In the 1980’s, Diet Coke replaced TAB and quickly became the diet cola beverage of choice – or at least my choice. During that time span, the structural container or package remained generally the same. Glass bottles gave way to plastics, and the aluminum got thinner but 30 years later we still reach for a bottle or can of soda. The challenge today is how do you maximize relevance and creativity within significantly limited space, with limited printing capabilities and on a mass distribution basis? Of course advertising and marketing play a large role in communicating the brand message but there is still the challenge of the container itself.
All brands invest significant effort in creating and reinforcing the brand image of their products. The addition of flavor cues and beverage styles vary within brand color palettes, serving to quickly and simply communicate the differences in product flavor and content. Looking at a retail shelf, we quickly see how brands distinguish themselves from each other with their “owned” colors, and it is surprising to realize how imprinted each of us have come to instinctively reach for the blue or red product simply because we have learned where that product is or it is our preferred flavor. And really, what is there to know? We are buying carbonated flavored water to quench our thirst. It is a question of personal taste.
But that is the challenge – how can you create a product that has both individual and group appeal? That is where Diet Coke has had a creative breakthrough. They have embraced the trend to connect the product relationship with the consumer and used its most powerful and omnipresent tool to make that connection – packaging. They have created a design program to appeal to the tastes of their fans, elevating the ubiquitous soda can to the level of accouterment. Their advertising slogan says it best – “IT’S MINE”. Partnering design, technology and production they now have packaging that stands up and steps out and off of the wall of “brands”, and immediately brightens the lives of their customers. There is a wide and varied collection of designs that are joyful, fun, active, and vivid – and dare I say effervescent? They raise the bar of expectation. Diet Coke is no longer just a can of soda – it is MY can of soda, MY brand. Coca-Cola does all of this while staying true to their established brand hierarchy.
Over it’s history, Diet Coke has used a variety of thematic or seasonal packaging graphics to appeal to the broad consuming public. In my opinion, Diet Coke has attempted to individualize packaging on a large-scale basis and “personalize” a highly depersonalized product – to deliver an expression of individuality along with a beverage. They have applied design coordination to graphics standards across a broad range of containers, sizes and formats, and coupled it with a marketing campaign that includes the ability to submit your own unique bottle design in a contest. Unfortunately the campaign will run for a limited time but I hope that Coca-Cola will find that customer engagement with the program is worth expanding upon it. When Diet Coke becomes a fashion accessory at Fashion Week, it has achieved style status. I am just happy to have the designs I selected stocked in the fridge where they stand out as brilliantly as they did on the store shelf.
If you are looking for innovative ways to personalize your package or product, we invite you to check out our packaging design capabilities and check out our website or contact us at 920-725-4848 | {
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This is my blog. My website is PopCulturePirate.com
Palettes of Painters
A painter’s palette is the unconscious window into the artist’s psyche. I love how it tells us about their workflow, emotion and use of color as a language.
Not nearly as beautiful or poetic, the same can be said for our computer’s desktops. It really is a window into the psychology of the user. How much battery do they have left? What time is it? How are their files arranged and what’s their desktop image? I foresee a coffeetable book of famous people’s desktops. I’m not famous but I’ll start us off. | {
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Upperplayground News
Instagram photo by jamesjeanart - Signing the limited edition letterpress print that will be inserted into the box edition of Xenograph. Barring any unforeseen delays, we will be shipping all books in September! #xenograph #letterpress #embossment | {
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Hennessey does it again…
Meet the Hennessey Performance VR1200…. essentially a hyped out Cadillac that sports 1250 horsepower. Watch it accomplish 220 miles an hour on a closed road down in Texas. Not sure about you….but watching an American car kicking this much ass puts a huge smile on my face. | {
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An award-winning, market-leading Manchester based Multi-Channel Marketing agency is looking to hire a consultative and ambitious Sales Executive. You will be tasked with selling our clients full range of Digital Marketing services from bespoke web build, integrated marketing services and PPC/SEO campaigns.
In this role you will work alongside the leadership team with full autonomy; the business is going through a period of excellent growth and are now looking to recruit a proven Digital Sales professional to shape their Sales function and help to achieve their ambitious growth plans.
You will be responsible for:
• Identifying & winning new business opportunities
• Nurturing warm leads generated by the marketing function
• Following up & developing website enquiries
• Building credible relationships with clients to create, manage, and close sales opportunities
• Providing input to and support the communication of marketing activity
• Working hard to obtain personal targets and all targeted business objectives
Successful candidates must be:
• A proven digital sales professional with at least two years’ experience in business to business sales role
• Organised and efficient with the ability to work autonomously
• An exceptional communicator
• A Strong team player
• Self-motivated with a proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets
• Experienced using CRM software
In return, you will be given the opportunity to work for an industry-leading business offering an excellent package and genuine long-term career development opportunity.
If you would like to apply for the role or find out more, please apply directly or contact Simon Cannon at Nobul Resourcing.
Required skills
Business Development
Digital Marketing
Sales
SEO
ppc
Reference: 34152304
Bank or payment details should not be provided when applying for a job. reed.co.uk is not responsible for any external website content. All applications should be made via the 'Apply now' button. | {
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On November 20, Kazuyo Sejima, Shigeru Ban, Sou Fujimoto, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, and six other renowned architects will launch the results of a project kept under wraps for months: a line of breed-specific dog houses commissioned by Muji design director Kenya Hara, who has also designed an abode (for the Toy Poodle).
— archrecord.construction.com | {
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User icon Cliparthttps://openclipart.org
A media feed of User icon clipart.en-UShttps://openclipart.org/image/144px/svg_to_png/193993/Openclipart-Scissors-Logo-in-Green.pnghttps://openclipart.org
User icon Clipart144144African Programmer with slower Internethttps://openclipart.org/detail/263351/african-programmer-with-slower-internet
Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:02:23 -0400The MartinThis is a remix of work by j4p4n and of course thenanobel and Antoine. I had noticed some issues with one or two nodes on some strokes and just wanted to fix those. Then I got carried away - sorry - and made the guy less happy (because his internet is sooo slow). And I gave him a stool (notice how programmers in all the world have this slouch, whatever they sit on, backrest or no backrest) and made his screen a little mouldy - because the poor guy is still on Windows XP (as of October 2016).https://openclipart.org/detail/263351/african-programmer-with-slower-internethttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/moon over the bridgehttps://openclipart.org/detail/260392/moon-over-the-bridge
Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:23:19 -0400yamachemThe image depicts a landscape where the crescent moon is over the bridge.On the crescent moon, a fairy and a cat are sitting.
The original landscape image is from the symbol library called "Emoji one" in Inkscape 0.91.
By default,
Inkscape 0.91 includes just five example libraries: logic symbols, AIGA/DOT transportation symbols, map symbols, flow chart shapes and word balloons made by Martin Owens and Tavmjong Bah.
You can download symbol libraries called the open source icon sets to use as Inkscape symbols from here: github.com/Xaviju/inkscape-open-symbols.
In the github page,
push green button called "Clone or download" and select "Download ZIP".
The downloaded file name is "inkscape-open-symbols-master.zip".
Speaking about how to install it into your local machine,
I introduce the excerpts of README.md which is included in the downloaded file.
Below is the excerpts.
## How do I install Inkscape Open Symbols?
1. Grab the icon libraries you need by **cloning the repo** or **downloading the ZIP**. You can also save the SVG files to your system directly from github.
2. Copy the individual SVG files into your Inkscape share directoy (typically ```share/inkscape```) under the ```symbols``` folder. If it's not there, create it.
- For OS X and Linux, the local user directory is `~/.config/inkscape/symbols`.
- For Windows, the directory is:
- `%PROGRAMFILES%\Inkscape\share\symbols`. (64 bits)
- `%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Inkscape\share\symbols`. (32 bits)
3. Launch Inkscape (close it first if it's already running).
4. Open Symbols from ```Object > symbols``` or press ```Ctrl+Shift+Y```. You should see all the Material Design Icons sets as well as Octicons in the "Symbol set" dropdown.https://openclipart.org/detail/260392/moon-over-the-bridgehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/landscape at nighthttps://openclipart.org/detail/260385/landscape-at-night
Fri, 02 Sep 2016 01:17:48 -0400yamachemThe image depicts a landscape at night.
The original image is from the symbol library called "Emoji one" in Inkscape 0.91.
By default,
Inkscape 0.91 includes just five example libraries: logic symbols, AIGA/DOT transportation symbols, map symbols, flow chart shapes and word balloons made by Martin Owens and Tavmjong Bah.
You can download symbol libraries called the open source icon sets to use as Inkscape symbols from here: github.com/Xaviju/inkscape-open-symbols.
In the github page,
push green button called "Clone or download" and select "Download ZIP".
The downloaded file name is "inkscape-open-symbols-master.zip".
Speaking about how to install it into your local machine,
I introduce the excerpts of README.md which is included in the downloaded file.
Below is the excerpts.
## How do I install Inkscape Open Symbols?
1. Grab the icon libraries you need by **cloning the repo** or **downloading the ZIP**. You can also save the SVG files to your system directly from github.
2. Copy the individual SVG files into your Inkscape share directoy (typically ```share/inkscape```) under the ```symbols``` folder. If it's not there, create it.
- For OS X and Linux, the local user directory is `~/.config/inkscape/symbols`.
- For Windows, the directory is:
- `%PROGRAMFILES%\Inkscape\share\symbols`. (64 bits)
- `%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Inkscape\share\symbols`. (32 bits)
3. Launch Inkscape (close it first if it's already running).
4. Open Symbols from ```Object > symbols``` or press ```Ctrl+Shift+Y```. You should see all the Material Design Icons sets as well as Octicons in the "Symbol set" dropdown.https://openclipart.org/detail/260385/landscape-at-nighthttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/GIS userhttps://openclipart.org/detail/253533/gis-user
Mon, 27 Jun 2016 19:32:39 -0400JuheleSimplified icon of computer user with mapping software, so called GIS, with linux penguin sticker on PC case and on a cap, with generic logo similar to QGIS opensource GIS software.https://openclipart.org/detail/253533/gis-userhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Icon: Glasses Hair Part White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250358/icon-glasses-hair-part-white-on-grey
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:48:36 -0400mrjeremiahrossIcon: Glasses Hair Part White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250358/icon-glasses-hair-part-white-on-greyhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Icon: Glasses Hair Part Grey on Whitehttps://openclipart.org/detail/250357/icon-glasses-hair-part-grey-on-white
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:43:33 -0400mrjeremiahrossIcon: Glasses Hair Part Grey on Whitehttps://openclipart.org/detail/250357/icon-glasses-hair-part-grey-on-whitehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Icon: User Grey on Whitehttps://openclipart.org/detail/250354/icon-user-grey-on-white
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:37:48 -0400mrjeremiahrossIcon: User Grey on Whitehttps://openclipart.org/detail/250354/icon-user-grey-on-whitehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Icon: User White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250353/icon-user-white-on-grey
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:37:15 -0400mrjeremiahrossIcon: User White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250353/icon-user-white-on-greyhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Icon: Engineer White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250352/icon-engineer-white-on-grey
Wed, 01 Jun 2016 04:10:54 -0400mrjeremiahrossIcon: Engineer White on Greyhttps://openclipart.org/detail/250352/icon-engineer-white-on-greyhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/ abstract user icon 1https://openclipart.org/detail/247324/abstract-user-icon-1
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 12:09:28 -0400TreerAn abstract icon for a user profile. Black with transparent background.
(You can edit the word "black" inside the .svg file to change the color)https://openclipart.org/detail/247324/abstract-user-icon-1http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/abstract user icon 4https://openclipart.org/detail/247320/abstract-user-icon-4
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 08:43:32 -0400TreerAn abstract icon for a user profile. White on black, with transparent background.
(Edit the words "black" or "white" inside the .svg file to change the colors)https://openclipart.org/detail/247320/abstract-user-icon-4http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/abstract user icon 3https://openclipart.org/detail/247319/abstract-user-icon-3
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 08:21:18 -0400TreerAn abstract icon for a user profile. White on black, with transparent background.
(Edit the words "black" or "white" inside the .svg file to change the colors)https://openclipart.org/detail/247319/abstract-user-icon-3http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/abstract user icon 2https://openclipart.org/detail/247316/abstract-user-icon-2
Sat, 23 Apr 2016 08:02:55 -0400TreerAn abstract icon for a user profile. Black with transparent background.
(The line color can be changed by editing the word "black" inside the .svg file)https://openclipart.org/detail/247316/abstract-user-icon-2http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Female User Icon (personalized)https://openclipart.org/detail/245340/female-user-icon-personalized
Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:25:36 -0400AstroFemale icon designed to look like me. I enjoyed it a lot, would be happy to personalize it for anyone else.https://openclipart.org/detail/245340/female-user-icon-personalizedhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Professional Group Icon Minimalisthttps://openclipart.org/detail/244455/professional-group-icon-minimalist
Sun, 20 Mar 2016 21:42:10 -0400MaiconfzProfessional Group Icon Minimalisthttps://openclipart.org/detail/244455/professional-group-icon-minimalisthttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Liberty Bellhttps://openclipart.org/detail/242333/liberty-bell
Thu, 25 Feb 2016 08:18:07 -0400FirkinI came across a 19th-century line drawing of this potent symbol of American independence. And since there was no Liberty Bell clipart on openclipart.org that was sufficiently detailed to show the inscription, I invested the time to trace, clean and touch up this one particularly for all the American users. Enjoy.https://openclipart.org/detail/242333/liberty-bellhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Book Pictograph 1 (remix)https://openclipart.org/detail/241603/book-pictograph-1
Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:00:28 -0400Arvin61r58One of two icons "hidden" off canvas from a upload by user liuzhongjun.
book pictograph/iconhttps://openclipart.org/detail/241603/book-pictograph-1http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Book Pictograph 2 (remix)https://openclipart.org/detail/241602/book-pictograph-2-remix
Thu, 18 Feb 2016 20:58:53 -0400Arvin61r58One of two icons "hidden" off canvas from a upload by user liuzhongjun.
book pictograph/iconhttps://openclipart.org/detail/241602/book-pictograph-2-remixhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/User silhouettehttps://openclipart.org/detail/238968/user-silhouette
Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:11:27 -0400sniftyA very simple square icon of a user.https://openclipart.org/detail/238968/user-silhouettehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/Vafaen ffhttps://openclipart.org/detail/223946/vafaen-ff
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 08:46:05 -0400johan_wuser icon with tiehttps://openclipart.org/detail/223946/vafaen-ffhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/ | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
The string keyword is used in field, method, property, and variable declarations and in cast and typeof operations as an alias for System.String. That is, it indicates an immutable sequence of characters. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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(NEW YORK) – Graduations, summer vacations, weddings – chances are good that you’ll be boarding a plane in the next few weeks. Take control of your inflight experience by giving your feedback directly to the airline. The Passenger Choice Awards are a way for you, the passenger, to rate every aspect of the travel experience. This is your way to say which airline is rated the best!
The Passenger Choice Awards give passengers a way to recognize when airlines get it right and to let them know when there is room for improvement. The deadline to participate for 2014 is 30 June.
“What makes this awards program so useful for passengers is that the data collected is sent directly to airlines at regular intervals. And it’s not just the raw ratings they see – airlines actually get to read passengers’ written comments,” said Katie Goshgarian, general manager for the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the group that created the awards. “In addition to invaluable data, airlines are competing for the best airline award, chosen by passengers, at the annual Awards Ceremony, this year to be held in September in Anaheim, California.”
Passengers may complete the survey after every flight by visiting www.passengerchoiceawards.com. The survey is customizable and asks passengers to rate aspects of the travel experience that are applicable to them. Questions cover ticketing, ground experience, comfort, inflight entertainment and more. Results, including individual comments, are tabulated by ratings and research specialists at The Nielsen Company and are sent to the airlines.
Past winners include Virgin America, which was awarded with the Best Overall Passenger Experience award in 2013. TAP Portugal wowed passengers with its inflight video, and Norwegian Air Shuttle was honored for Best Inflight Connectivity & Communications, to name a few.
Join the conversation! Become a fan of the Passenger Choice Awards on Facebook and follow the awards on Twitter for air travel tips and information, and updates about the Passenger Choice Awards!
About the Passenger Choice Awards
The Passenger Choice Awards were created to give voice to airline passengers. For an opportunity to “Choose Who’s in First,” for 2014, visit www.passengerchoiceawards.com to vote and be sure to visit the Passenger Choice Awards fan pages on Facebook and Twitter. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
STORE DESCRIPTION:At Scotch & Soda, creativity is king. It’s about the clothes and nothing but the clothes. Advertising is virtually non existent, “People who feel confident about themselves, don’t need logos to show the world what they’re about". | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Posted Thu May 18 10:48:05 EAT 2017
Senators to grill Governor Mandago over county funds
By IBRAHIM ORUKO
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago is expected to appear before a Senate committee Thursday to respond to audit queries related to the county.
Mr Mandago was expected to appear before the County Public Accounts and Investment Committee on Wednesday but did not show up.
The governor sent his deputy, Daniel Chemno, who told the committee Mr Mandago could not appear due to unavoidable circumstances.
The committee however turned away Mr Chemno and other senior county chiefs because House rules only recognise governors as the CEO of the counties.
Senator Henry Ole Ndiema wondered what was so important to the governor than answering questions related to expenditure of county.
“This committee only listens to the governor who is legally recognised as the CEO of the county. The buck stops with him and we shall not waste time entertaining deviations,” Senator Kimani Wamatangi, (Kiambu, Jubilee) who chaired Wednesday’s session, told the deputy governor.
“We are aware the governor is in Nairobi. We have reports that he was seen somewhere in this city earlier today (Wednesday) and therefore we order that he appears before this committee on Thursday without fail.”
Mr Wamatangi warned that failure by the governor to appear will leave the committee with no choice but proceed to consider the audit report without the involvement of the county.
The committee will on Wednesday, May 24 hold a meeting with key institutions of state concerned with integrity issues to try to explore ways of ensuring those county chiefs who have defied its summons are not cleared to contest in the August elections.
The institutions include are the electoral commission, the Judiciary, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Controller of Budget, Inspector General, the Council of Governors, the Principal and Cabinet Secretaries in the National Treasury. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
US Cabling Pros offers expert low voltage inside wiring solutions for data network & telecom systems throughout the whole Glendale Missouri area. We provide expert onsite IT data cabling services from the top down, whether you require brand new voice and data cabling installed, or current cabling evaluated as well as fixed, we have it covered 100%. Additionally, we supply high quality support services for PBX & VoIP telephone systems and also linked telecommunications inside wiring services, whether you only have a couple of phones or thousands of physical handsets. Our onsite networking techs are extremely experienced, networking industry accredited pros that have the skills, knowledge, tools and also the materials to take care of any kind of IT information network or telecom voice cabling service need that you might have. Why wait? Feel free to give us a phone call today for a no cost low voltage inside wiring estimate –(859) 780-3061.
All of our knowledgeable, experienced onsite cabling specialists in Glendale are field tested network and telecommunications technicians with a wide range of industry accreditations and field engineering experience, in a wide array of places performing information systems networking and telephone solutions. Every one of our registered cabling and networking techs are background checked, drug tested, and also totally vetted to supply only the finest onsite solutions offered in Glendale and any of the bordering areas. Our voice and data service technicians are highly trained and prepared to tackle any type of network job that you could need from basic Cat5e-Cat6 and telephone jack repair services to informative network evaluations and offering specialized structured cabling services for thousands of voice and data network drops in existing or new construction environments. We supply high quality onsite repair services for your existing LAN/WAN as well, including recabling, testing, certifying, cabling clean-up, and also telecommunications tag & locate solutions. No matter what your low voltage inside wiring requirements are, we have an onsite engineer and onsite solution for you. Reach out and give our office a call today and find out why an overwhelming majority of Glendale services and general contractors depend on our pro on-site structured cabling services to address all their network cabling requirements –(859) 780-3061.
Beginning in 2008, US Cabling Pros has been supplying high quality onsite network and telecommunications voice & data low voltage inside wiring services to regional Glendale commercial clients and also to Glendale residential clients. Our expert services have been utilized in a wide array of different sectors including medical, residential, hospitality, industrial, retail and federal government, and by a wide range of completely satisfied clients including general contractors, electrical contractors, 3rd party technology solutions suppliers, area supervisors and small business owners who merely require seasoned cabling professionals to pull new cabling or repair existing voice and data facility wiring on an as needed basis, or for complex wiring jobs. Our on demand T&M solution is as simple as a call to our office to have a cabling expert onsite for you to take care of any network or telecommunications cabling task you may require. Reach out and give us a call right now to review your existing network issues and any future network needs to make sure that we can produce a customized inside wiring option for you and your Glendale Missouri business –(859) 780-3061. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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We are stoked to welcome Tryptich to the label with the follow up to his super-fresh "Afterlife EP" that spent weeks at the top of the Beatport glitch-hop charts, firmly establishing his own brand of psychedelic space-funk
The Sunspot EP dials it up a notch, featuring four unashamedly funky tracks in the 100-110bpm range. Super charged with fat swingy basslines, infectious tripped-out melodics and chunky-ass beats, each track is adroitly crafted, emotionally vibrant and infused with funk! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Afghanistan's agony seems
endless. Thousands of Afghans are starving. Hundreds of thousands have
become internal refugees after two years of terrible draught and famine.
Three million Afghans remain refugees in Pakistan and Iran.
Enraged by Afghanistan's sheltering
of Osama Bin Laden, the US has imposed punishing sanctions and near-total
isolation on this shattered nation.
Russia is infiltrating troops and
weapons into northern Afghanistan. India, China, and the Central Asian
states have allied against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement in Kabul.
Almost every hand is raised against Afghanistan, which continues
to suffer and bleed after 22 years of war.
So what does Taliban's leadership
do?just as the world's 1.2 billion Muslims are observing the holy month
of Ramadan?
Like the legendary Don Quixote de
la Mancha, who tilted at windmills, believing them evil giants, Taliban's
leader, Mullah Omar, proclaimed al l-out war against two 1,500-year old
statues of the Buddha carved into sandstone cliffs in Bamiyan province.
He ordered them destroyed forthwith. These towering idols, 175 and
120 feet high, are the most impressive relics of Afghanistan's pre-Islamic
era, when much of the population was Buddhist.
As Taliban soldiers blasted away
at the statues with heavy machine guns and explosives, the world pleaded
with the Islamic Don Quixotes of Kabul to halt their vandalism.
But Taliban's fierce mullahs refused to be deterred from their jihad against
idolatry, though they agreed to a temporary delay. Islamic
strictly bans any form of idols and their worship. This has led many Sunni
Muslims to oppose all religious artifacts and ban depiction of the human
form in art.
The notoriously stubborn Afghans
refused to heed worldwide pleas, including from the UN, many Muslim
nations, and Islamic leaders, to spare the statutes. Taliban rejected
offers by museums to buy the Buddhas. `We must strike down idolatry,'
thundered Kabul's later-day Savanarolas.
Muslims in general, and Taliban,
in particular, have an uncanny knack for negative public relations.
Think of the bloodcurdling but empty threats made in 1967 by the PLO's
windbag spokesman, Ahmad Shukairy: `we are going to drive the Jews into
the sea.' Such ludicrous bombast gave Israel a perfect pretext to
attack its Arab neighbors. Of Col. Khadaffi's clownish threats,
and Saddam's `Mother of All Battles' that turned into a catastrophe.
Taliban ended anarchy in Afghanistan,
brought peace to 90% of the country, largely halted the opium poppy
trade, and is holding off Russian attempts to infiltrate
northern Afghanistan. In spite of these important accomplishments,
the rural clerics, rustic mountaineers, and religious seminarians who make
up Taliban have managed to incur the wrath of the outside world by foolish
acts of medievalism, such as forcing women to go veiled from head to toe,
stoning alleged adulterers, and, now, in the supreme act of demented anti-public
relations, blowing up the giant Buddhas.
It should be noted Taliban is not
the world's only destroyer of religious sites or art. The greatest
destruction of religious and laic art in our era occurred under Chairman
Mao during China's Cultural Revolution. In Bosnia and Kosova, Serb forces
blew up large numbers of old mosques and Muslim shrines, without a peep
of protest from the west. In 1992, Indian mobs, incited by Hindu extremists
of the now ruling BJP party, torn down an ancient Muslim mosque, the Babri
Masjid., and threatened to `cleanse' India of all Muslim-era holy places,
palaces, and artifacts.
Still, why would Taliban leaders
act in such a self-defeating and foolish manner?
First, to petulantly strike back
at the US, which is now punishing Afghanistan the way it did with Iraq,
and, in league with Russia, trying to overthrow Taliban.
The Buddha outrage reminds be of
my godfather, a Balkan nobleman and soldier of fortune, who married a Spanish
duchess. Whenever they had a fight, which was often, he used to take his
favorite .45 automatic and shoot her collection of priceless Majollica
ceramics. As each plate exploded into fragments, the count roared with
laughter while the duchess screamed in horror and agony.
Second, as the result of a power struggle inside Taliban between isolationist
and more moderate factions. The former says `to hell with the outside
world?we defeated the Soviet Union and won't be told what to do by anyone.'
The moderates urge better relations with the west and Afghanistan's nervous
neighbors. Washington's intensifying war against Taliban has emboldened
the extremists and sidelined the moderates.
Pakistan, Taliban's main supporter,
along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has only limited influence over Taliban's
hardliners. Islamabad has been repeatedly frustrated in attempts to soften
Kabul's policies and image. In fact, no one has much influence over Taliban's
wildmen, who pride themselves, in true Afghan style, in rebuffing
all outside pressure, as the refusal to hand old comrade-in-arms Osama
Bin Laden to the Americans shows. The Afghans fear no one, a fact that
infuriates the great powers who are unused to having a small nation thumb
its collective nose at them.
However wanton and stupid, the destruction
of the Bamiyan statues should not divert us from the fact that Russia is
steadily reasserting its influence in strategic Afghanistan. No matter
how unlikeable, Taliban remains Afghanistan's only legitimate government
and the sole bulwark against Russian southern expansion. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Coaxial cable
Coaxial cable, or coax (pronounced /ˈkoʊ.æks/), is a type of electrical cable that has an inner conductor surrounded by a tubular insulating layer, surrounded by a tubular conducting shield. Many coaxial cables also have an insulating outer sheath or jacket. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing a geometric axis. Coaxial cable was invented by English engineer and mathematician Oliver Heaviside, who patented the design in 1880.[1]
Coaxial cable differs from other shielded cables because the dimensions of the cable are controlled to give a precise, constant conductor spacing, which is needed for it to function efficiently as a transmission line.
Description
Coaxial cable conducts electrical signal using an inner conductor (usually a solid copper, stranded copper or copper plated steel wire) surrounded by an insulating layer and all enclosed by a shield, typically one to four layers of woven metallic braid and metallic tape. The cable is protected by an outer insulating jacket. Normally, the shield is kept at ground potential and a signal carrying voltage is applied to the center conductor. The advantage of coaxial design is that electric and magnetic fields are restricted to the dielectric with little leakage outside the shield. Conversely, electric and magnetic fields outside the cable are largely kept from interfering with signals inside the cable. Larger diameter cables and cables with multiple shields have less leakage. This property makes coaxial cable a good choice for carrying weak signals that cannot tolerate interference from the environment or for stronger electrical signals that must not be allowed to radiate or couple into adjacent structures or circuits.[2]
Common applications of coaxial cable include video and CATV distribution, RF and microwave transmission, and computer and instrumentation data connections.[3]
The characteristic impedance of the cable () is determined by the dielectric constant of the inner insulator and the radii of the inner and outer conductors. A controlled cable characteristic impedance is important because the source and load impedance should be matched to ensure maximum power transfer and minimum standing wave ratio. Other important properties of coaxial cable include attenuation as a function of frequency, voltage handling capability, and shield quality.[2]
Construction
Coaxial cable design choices affect physical size, frequency performance, attenuation, power handling capabilities, flexibility, strength, and cost. The inner conductor might be solid or stranded; stranded is more flexible. To get better high-frequency performance, the inner conductor may be silver-plated. Copper-plated steel wire is often used as an inner conductor for cable used in the cable TV industry.[4]
The insulator surrounding the inner conductor may be solid plastic, a foam plastic, or air with spacers supporting the inner wire. The properties of the dielectric insulator determine some of the electrical properties of the cable. A common choice is a solid polyethylene (PE) insulator, used in lower-loss cables. Solid Teflon (PTFE) is also used as an insulator. Some coaxial lines use air (or some other gas) and have spacers to keep the inner conductor from touching the shield.
Many conventional coaxial cables use braided copper wire forming the shield. This allows the cable to be flexible, but it also means there are gaps in the shield layer, and the inner dimension of the shield varies slightly because the braid cannot be flat. Sometimes the braid is silver-plated. For better shield performance, some cables have a double-layer shield.[4] The shield might be just two braids, but it is more common now to have a thin foil shield covered by a wire braid. Some cables may invest in more than two shield layers, such as "quad-shield", which uses four alternating layers of foil and braid. Other shield designs sacrifice flexibility for better performance; some shields are a solid metal tube. Those cables cannot be bent sharply, as the shield will kink, causing losses in the cable. When a foil shield is used a small wire conductor incorporated into the foil makes soldering the shield termination easier.
For high-power radio-frequency transmission up to about 1GHz, coaxial cable with a solid copper outer conductor is available in sizes of 0.25inch upward. The outer conductor is corrugated like a bellows to permit flexibility and the inner conductor is held in position by a plastic spiral to approximate an air dielectric.[4] One brand name for such cable is Heliax.[5]
Coaxial cables require an internal structure of an insulating (dielectric) material to maintain the spacing between the center conductor and shield. The dielectric losses increase in this order: Ideal dielectric (no loss), vacuum, air, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene foam, and solid polyethylene. A low relative permittivity allows for higher-frequency usage. An inhomogeneous dielectric needs to be compensated by a non-circular conductor to avoid current hot-spots.
While many cables have a solid dielectric, many others have a foam dielectric that contains as much air or other gas as possible to reduce the losses by allowing the use of a larger diameter center conductor. Foam coax will have about 15% less attenuation but some types of foam dielectric can absorb moisture—especially at its many surfaces — in humid environments, significantly increasing the loss. Supports shaped like stars or spokes are even better but more expensive and very susceptible to moisture infiltration. Still more expensive were the air-spaced coaxials used for some inter-city communications in the mid-20th century. The center conductor was suspended by polyethylene discs every few centimeters. In some low-loss coaxial cables such as the RG-62 type, the inner conductor is supported by a spiral strand of polyethylene, so that an air space exists between most of the conductor and the inside of the jacket. The lower dielectric constant of air allows for a greater inner diameter at the same impedance and a greater outer diameter at the same cutoff frequency, lowering ohmic losses. Inner conductors are sometimes silver-plated to smooth the surface and reduce losses due to skin effect.[4] A rough surface extends the current path and concentrates the current at peaks, thus increasing ohmic loss.
The insulating jacket can be made from many materials. A common choice is PVC, but some applications may require fire-resistant materials. Outdoor applications may require the jacket to resist ultraviolet light, oxidation, rodent damage, or direct burial. Flooded coaxial cables use a water blocking gel to protect the cable from water infiltration through minor cuts in the jacket. For internal chassis connections the insulating jacket may be omitted.
Signal propagation
Twin-lead transmission lines have the property that the electromagnetic wave propagating down the line extends into the space surrounding the parallel wires. These lines have low loss, but also have undesirable characteristics. They cannot be bent, tightly twisted, or otherwise shaped without changing their characteristic impedance, causing reflection of the signal back toward the source. They also cannot be buried or run along or attached to anything conductive, as the extended fields will induce currents in the nearby conductors causing unwanted radiation and detuning of the line. Coaxial lines largely solve this problem by confining virtually all of the electromagnetic wave to the area inside the cable. Coaxial lines can therefore be bent and moderately twisted without negative effects, and they can be strapped to conductive supports without inducing unwanted currents in them.
In radio-frequency applications up to a few gigahertz, the wave propagates primarily in the transverse electric magnetic (TEM) mode, which means that the electric and magnetic fields are both perpendicular to the direction of propagation. However, above a certain cutoff frequency, transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) modes can also propagate, as they do in a waveguide. It is usually undesirable to transmit signals above the cutoff frequency, since it may cause multiple modes with different phase velocities to propagate, interfering with each other. The outer diameter is roughly inversely proportional to the cutoff frequency. A propagating surface-wave mode that does not involve or require the outer shield but only a single central conductor also exists in coax but this mode is effectively suppressed in coax of conventional geometry and common impedance. Electric field lines for this [TM] mode have a longitudinal component and require line lengths of a half-wavelength or longer.
Coaxial cable may be viewed as a type of waveguide. Power is transmitted through the radial electric field and the circumferential magnetic field in the TEM00 transverse mode. This is the dominant mode from zero frequency (DC) to an upper limit determined by the electrical dimensions of the cable.[6]
Connectors
The ends of coaxial cables usually terminate with connectors. Coaxial connectors are designed to maintain a coaxial form across the connection and have the same impedance as the attached cable.[4] Connectors are usually plated with high-conductivity metals such as silver or tarnish-resistant gold. Due to the skin effect, the RF signal is only carried by the plating at higher frequencies and does not penetrate to the connector body. Silver however tarnishes quickly and the silver sulfide that is produced is poorly conductive, degrading connector performance, making silver a poor choice for this application.
Important parameters
Physical parameters
In the following section, these symbols are used:
Length of the cable, .
Outside diameter of inner conductor, .
Inside diameter of the shield, .
Dielectric constant of the insulator, . The dielectric constant is often quoted as the relative dielectric constant referred to the dielectric constant of free space : . When the insulator is a mixture of different dielectric materials (e.g., polyethylene foam is a mixture of polyethylene and air), then the term effective dielectric constant is often used.
Magnetic permeability of the insulator, . Permeability is often quoted as the relative permeability referred to the permeability of free space : . The relative permeability will almost always be 1.
Fundamental electrical parameters
Series resistance per unit length, in ohms per metre. The resistance per unit length is just the resistance of inner conductor and the shield at low frequencies. At higher frequencies, skin effect increases the effective resistance by confining the conduction to a thin layer of each conductor.
Shunt conductance per unit length, in siemens per metre. The shunt conductance is usually very small because insulators with good dielectric properties are used (a very low loss tangent). At high frequencies, a dielectric can have a significant resistive loss.
Derived electrical parameters
Where R is the resistance per unit length, L is the inductance per unit length, G is the conductance per unit length of the dielectric, C is the capacitance per unit length, and s = jω = j2πf is the frequency. The "per unit length" dimensions cancel out in the impedance formula.
At very low frequencies (s≈0), the two reactive terms are negligible, so the impedance is real-valued and looks like
.
With increasing frequency, the reactive components take effect and the impedance of the line is complex-valued.
At higher frequences, the reactive terms usually dominate R and G, and the cable impedance again becomes real-valued. That value is Z0, the characteristic impedance of the cable:
.
Assuming the dielectric properties of the material inside the cable do not vary appreciably over the operating range of the cable, the characteristic impedance is frequency independent above about five times the shield cutoff frequency. For typical coaxial cables, the shield cutoff frequency is 600 (RG-6A) to 2,000Hz (RG-58C).[8]
The parameters L and C are determined from the ratio of the inner (d) and outer (D) diameters and the dielectric constant (ε). The characteristic impedance is given by[9]
Attenuation (loss) per unit length, in decibels per meter. This is dependent on the loss in the dielectric material filling the cable, and resistive losses in the center conductor and outer shield. These losses are frequency dependent, the losses becoming higher as the frequency increases. Skin effect losses in the conductors can be reduced by increasing the diameter of the cable. A cable with twice the diameter will have half the skin effect resistance. Ignoring dielectric and other losses, the larger cable would halve the dB/meter loss. In designing a system, engineers consider not only the loss in the cable but also the loss in the connectors.
Velocity of propagation, in meters per second. The velocity of propagation depends on the dielectric constant and permeability (which is usually 1).
Single-mode band. In coaxial cable, the dominant mode (the mode with the lowest cutoff frequency) is the TEM mode, which has a cutoff frequency of zero; it propagates all the way down to d.c. The mode with the next lowest cutoff is the TE11 mode. This mode has one 'wave' (two reversals of polarity) in going around the circumference of the cable. To a good approximation, the condition for the TE11 mode to propagate is that the wavelength in the dielectric is no longer than the average circumference of the insulator; that is that the frequency is at least
.
Hence, the cable is single-mode from to d.c. up to this frequency, and might in practice be used up to 90%[10] of this frequency.
Peak Voltage. The peak voltage is set by the breakdown voltage of the insulator. One website[11] gives:
where
Smils is the insulator's breakdown voltage in volts per mil
din is the inner diameter in inches
The 1150 factor converts inches (diameter) to mils (radius) and log10 to ln.
Choice of impedance
The best coaxial cable impedances in high-power, high-voltage, and low-attenuation applications were experimentally determined at Bell Laboratories in 1929 to be 30, 60, and 77 Ω, respectively. For a coaxial cable with air dielectric and a shield of a given inner diameter, the attenuation is minimized by choosing the diameter of the inner conductor to give a characteristic impedance of 76.7Ω.[13] When more common dielectrics are considered, the best-loss impedance drops down to a value between 52–64Ω. Maximum power handling is achieved at 30Ω.[14]
The approximate impedance required to match a centre-fed dipole antenna in free space (i.e., a dipole without ground reflections) is 73Ω, so 75Ω coax was commonly used for connecting shortwave antennas to receivers. These typically involve such low levels of RF power that power-handling and high-voltage breakdown characteristics are unimportant when compared to attenuation. Likewise with CATV, although many broadcast TV installations and CATV headends use 300Ω folded dipole antennas to receive off-the-air signals, 75Ω coax makes a convenient 4:1 balun transformer for these as well as possessing low attenuation.
The arithmetic mean between 30Ω and 77Ω is 53.5Ω; the geometric mean is 48Ω. The selection of 50Ω as a compromise between power-handling capability and attenuation is in general cited as the reason for the number.[15] 50Ω also works out tolerably well because it corresponds approximately to the drive impedance (ideally 36 ohms) of a quarter-wave monopole, mounted on a less than optimum ground plane such as a vehicle roof. The match is better at low frequencies, such as for CB Radio around 27MHz, where the roof dimensions are much less than a quarter wavelength, and relatively poor at higher frequencies, VHF and UHF, where the roof dimensions may be several wavelengths. The match is at best poor, because the antenna drive impedance, due to the imperfect ground plane, is reactive rather than purely resistive, and so a 36 ohm coaxial cable would not match properly either. Installations which need exact matching will use some kind of matching circuit at the base of the antenna, or elsewhere, in conjunction with a carefully chosen (in terms of wavelength) length of coaxial, such that a proper match is achieved, which will be only over a fairly narrow frequency range.
RG-62 is a 93Ω coaxial cable originally used in mainframe computer networks in the 1970s and early 1980s (it was the cable used to connect IBM 3270 terminals to IBM 3274/3174 terminal cluster controllers). Later, some manufacturers of LAN equipment, such as Datapoint for ARCNET, adopted RG-62 as their coaxial cable standard. The cable has the lowest capacitance per unit-length when compared to other coaxial cables of similar size. Capacitance is the enemy of square-wave data transmission (in particular, it slows down edge transitions), and this is a much more important factor for baseband digital data transmission than power handling or attenuation.
All of the components of a coaxial system should have the same impedance to avoid internal reflections at connections between components. Such reflections may cause signal attenuation and ghosting TV picture display; multiple reflections may cause the original signal to be followed by more than one echo. In analog video or TV systems, this causes ghosting in the image. Reflections also introduce standing waves, which cause increased losses and can even result in cable dielectric breakdown with high-power transmission (see Impedance matching). Briefly, if a coaxial cable is open, the termination has nearly infinite resistance, this causes reflections; if the coaxial cable is short-circuited, the termination resistance is nearly zero, there will be reflections with the opposite polarity. Reflection will be nearly eliminated if the coaxial cable is terminated in a pure resistance equal to its impedance.
Issues
Signal leakage
Signal leakage is the passage of electromagnetic fields through the shield of a cable and occurs in both directions. Ingress is the passage of an outside signal into the cable and can result in noise and disruption of the desired signal. Egress is the passage of signal intended to remain within the cable into the outside world and can result in a weaker signal at the end of the cable and radio frequency interference to nearby devices. Severe leakage usually results from improperly installed connectors or faults in the cable shield.
For example, in the United States, signal leakage from cable television systems is regulated by the FCC, since cable signals use the same frequencies as aeronautical and radionavigation bands. CATV operators may also choose to monitor their networks for leakage to prevent ingress. Outside signals entering the cable can cause unwanted noise and picture ghosting. Excessive noise can overwhelm the signal, making it useless.
An ideal shield would be a perfect conductor with no holes, gaps, or bumps connected to a perfect ground. However, a smooth solid highly conductive shield would be heavy, inflexible, and expensive. Such coax is used for straight line feeds to commercial radio broadcast towers. More economical cables must make compromises between shield efficacy, flexibility, and cost, such as the corrugated surface of flexible hardline, flexible braid, or foil shields. Since shields cannot be perfect conductors, current flowing on the inside of the shield produces an electromagnetic field on the outer surface of the shield.
Consider the skin effect. The magnitude of an alternating current in a conductor decays exponentially with distance beneath the surface, with the depth of penetration being proportional to the square root of the resistivity. This means that, in a shield of finite thickness, some small amount of current will still be flowing on the opposite surface of the conductor. With a perfect conductor (i.e., zero resistivity), all of the current would flow at the surface, with no penetration into and through the conductor. Real cables have a shield made of an imperfect, although usually very good, conductor, so there must always be some leakage.
The gaps or holes, allow some of the electromagnetic field to penetrate to the other side. For example, braided shields have many small gaps. The gaps are smaller when using a foil (solid metal) shield, but there is still a seam running the length of the cable. Foil becomes increasingly rigid with increasing thickness, so a thin foil layer is often surrounded by a layer of braided metal, which offers greater flexibility for a given cross-section.
Signal leakage can be severe if there is poor contact at the interface to connectors at either end of the cable or if there is a break in the shield.
To greatly reduce signal leakage into or out of the cable, by a factor of 1000, or even 10,000, superscreened cables are often used in critical applications, such as for neutron flux counters in nuclear reactors.
Superscreened cables for nuclear use are defined in IEC 96-4-1, 1990, however as there have been long gaps in the construction of nuclear power stations in Europe, many existing installations are using superscreened cables to the UK standard AESS(TRG) 71181[16] which is referenced in IEC 61917.[17]
Ground loops
A continuous current, even if small, along the imperfect shield of a coaxial cable can cause visible or audible interference. In CATV systems distributing analog signals the potential difference between the coaxial network and the electrical grounding system of a house can cause a visible "hum bar" in the picture. This appears as a wide horizontal distortion bar in the picture that scrolls slowly upward. Such differences in potential can be reduced by proper bonding to a common ground at the house. See ground loop.
Noise
External fields create a voltage across the inductance of the outside of the outer conductor between sender and receiver. The effect is less when there are several parallel cables, as this reduces the inductance and, therefore, the voltage. Because the outer conductor carries the reference potential for the signal on the inner conductor, the receiving circuit measures the wrong voltage.
Transformer effect
The transformer effect is sometimes used to mitigate the effect of currents induced in the shield. The inner and outer conductors form the primary and secondary winding of the transformer, and the effect is enhanced in some high-quality cables that have an outer layer of mu-metal. Because of this 1:1 transformer, the aforementioned voltage across the outer conductor is transformed onto the inner conductor so that the two voltages can be cancelled by the receiver. Many sender and receivers have means to reduce the leakage even further. They increase the transformer effect by passing the whole cable through a ferrite core one or more times.
Common mode current and radiation
Common mode current occurs when stray currents in the shield flow in the same direction as the current in the center conductor, causing the coax to radiate.
Most of the shield effect in coax results from opposing currents in the center conductor and shield creating opposite magnetic fields that cancel, and thus do not radiate. The same effect helps ladder line. However, ladder line is extremely sensitive to surrounding metal objects, which can enter the fields before they completely cancel. Coax does not have this problem, since the field is enclosed in the shield. However, it is still possible for a field to form between the shield and other connected objects, such as the antenna the coax feeds. The current formed by the field between the antenna and the coax shield would flow in the same direction as the current in the center conductor, and thus not be canceled. Energy would radiate from the coax itself, affecting the radiation pattern of the antenna. With sufficient power this could be a hazard to people near the cable. A properly placed and properly sized balun can prevent common mode radiation in coax. An isolating transformer or blocking capacitor can be used to couple a coaxial cable to equipment, where it is desirable to pass radio-frequency signals but to block direct current or low-frequency power.
Standards
Most coaxial cables have a characteristic impedance of either 50, 52, 75, or 93 Ω. The RF industry uses standard type-names for coaxial cables. Thanks to television, RG-6 is the most commonly used coaxial cable for home use, and the majority of connections outside Europe are by F connectors.
A series of standard types of coaxial cable were specified for military uses, in the form "RG-#" or "RG-#/U". They date from World War II and were listed in MIL-HDBK-216 published in 1962. These designations are now obsolete. The RG designation stands for Radio Guide; the U designation stands for Universal. The current military standard is MIL-SPEC MIL-C-17. MIL-C-17 numbers, such as "M17/75-RG214", are given for military cables and manufacturer's catalog numbers for civilian applications. However, the RG-series designations were so common for generations that they are still used, although critical users should be aware that since the handbook is withdrawn there is no standard to guarantee the electrical and physical characteristics of a cable described as "RG-# type". The RG designators are mostly used to identify compatible connectors that fit the inner conductor, dielectric, and jacket dimensions of the old RG-series cables.
Shorter coaxials still carry cable television signals to the majority of television receivers, and this purpose consumes the majority of coaxial cable production. In 1980s and early 1990s coaxial cable was also used in computer networking, most prominently in Ethernet networks, where it was later in late 1990s to early 2000s replaced by UTP cables in North America and STP cables in Western Europe, both with 8P8C modular connectors.
Micro coaxial cables are used in a range of consumer devices, military equipment, and also in ultra-sound scanning equipment.
The most common impedances that are widely used are 50 or 52 ohms, and 75 ohms, although other impedances are available for specific applications. The 50 / 52 ohm cables are widely used for industrial and commercial two-way radio frequency applications (including radio, and telecommunications), although 75 ohms is commonly used for broadcast television and radio.
Types
Hard line
Hard line is used in broadcasting as well as many other forms of radiocommunication. It is a coaxial cable constructed using round copper, silver or gold tubing or a combination of such metals as a shield. Some lower-quality hard line may use aluminum shielding, aluminum however is easily oxidized and unlike silver oxide, aluminum oxide drastically loses effective conductivity. Therefore, all connections must be air and water tight. The center conductor may consist of solid copper, or copper-plated aluminum. Since skin effect is an issue with RF, copper plating provides sufficient surface for an effective conductor. Most varieties of hardline used for external chassis or when exposed to the elements have a PVC jacket; however, some internal applications may omit the insulation jacket. Hard line can be very thick, typically at least a half inch or 13mm and up to several times that, and has low loss even at high power. These large-scale hard lines are almost always used in the connection between a transmitter on the ground and the antenna or aerial on a tower. Hard line may also be known by trademarked names such as Heliax (CommScope),[40] or Cablewave (RFS/Cablewave).[41] Larger varieties of hardline may have a center conductor that is constructed from either rigid or corrugated copper tubing. The dielectric in hard line may consist of polyethylene foam, air, or a pressurized gas such as nitrogen or desiccated air (dried air). In gas-charged lines, hard plastics such as nylon are used as spacers to separate the inner and outer conductors. The addition of these gases into the dielectric space reduces moisture contamination, provides a stable dielectric constant, and provides a reduced risk of internal arcing. Gas-filled hardlines are usually used on high-power RF transmitters such as television or radio broadcasting, military transmitters, and high-power amateur radio applications but may also be used on some critical lower-power applications such as those in the microwave bands. However, in the microwave region, waveguide is more often used than hard line for transmitter-to-antenna, or antenna-to-receiver applications. The various shields used in hardline also differ; some forms use rigid tubing, or pipe, while others may use a corrugated tubing, which makes bending easier, as well as reduces kinking when the cable is bent to conform. Smaller varieties of hard line may be used internally in some high-frequency applications, in particular in equipment within the microwave range, to reduce interference between stages of the device.
Radiating
Radiating or leaky cable is another form of coaxial cable which is constructed in a similar fashion to hard line, however it is constructed with tuned slots cut into the shield. These slots are tuned to the specific RF wavelength of operation or tuned to a specific radio frequency band. This type of cable is to provide a tuned bi-directional "desired" leakage effect between transmitter and receiver. It is often used in elevator shafts, US Navy Ships, underground transportation tunnels and in other areas where an antenna is not feasible. One example of this type of cable is Radiax (CommScope).[42]
RG-6
RG-6 is available in four different types designed for various applications. In addition, the core may be copper clad steel (CCS) or bare solid copper (BC). "Plain" or "house" RG-6 is designed for indoor or external house wiring. "Flooded" cable is infused with waterblocking gel for use in underground conduit or direct burial. "Messenger" may contain some waterproofing but is distinguished by the addition of a steel messenger wire along its length to carry the tension involved in an aerial drop from a utility pole. "Plenum" cabling is expensive and comes with a special Teflon-based outer jacket designed for use in ventilation ducts to meet fire codes. It was developed since the plastics used as the outer jacket and inner insulation in many "Plain" or "house" cabling gives off poison gas when burned.
Triaxial cable
Triaxial cable or triax is coaxial cable with a third layer of shielding, insulation and sheathing. The outer shield, which is earthed (grounded), protects the inner shield from electromagnetic interference from outside sources.
Twin-axial cable
Twin-axial cable or twinax is a balanced, twisted pair within a cylindrical shield. It allows a nearly perfect differential signal which is both shielded and balanced to pass through. Multi-conductor coaxial cable is also sometimes used.
Semi-rigid
Semi-rigid cable is a coaxial form using a solid copper outer sheath. This type of coax offers superior screening compared to cables with a braided outer conductor, especially at higher frequencies. The major disadvantage is that the cable, as its name implies, is not very flexible, and is not intended to be flexed after initial forming. (See "hard line")
Conformable cable is a flexible reformable alternative to semi-rigid coaxial cable used where flexibility is required. Conformable cable can be stripped and formed by hand without the need for specialized tools, similar to standard coaxial cable.
Rigid line
Rigid line is a coaxial line formed by two copper tubes maintained concentric every other meter using PTFE-supports. Rigid lines cannot be bent, so they often need elbows. Interconnection with rigid line is done with an inner bullet/inner support and a flange or connection kit. Typically, rigid lines are connected using standardised EIA RF Connectors whose bullet and flange sizes match the standard line diameters. For each outer diameter, either 75 or 50ohm inner tubes can be obtained.
Rigid line is commonly used indoors for interconnection between high power transmitters and other RF-components, but more rugged rigid line with weatherproof flanges is used outdoors on antenna masts, etc. In the interests of saving weight and costs, on masts and similar structures the outer line is often aluminium, and special care must be taken to prevent corrosion.
With a flange connector, it is also possible to go from rigid line to hard line. Many broadcasting antennas and antenna splitters use the flanged rigid line interface even when connecting to flexible coaxial cables and hard line.
Rigid line is produced in a number of different sizes:
Size
Outer conductor
Inner conductor
Outer diameter (not flanged)
Inner diameter
Outer diameter
Inner diameter
7/8"
22.2mm
20mm
8.7mm
7.4mm
1 5/8"
41.3mm
38.8mm
16.9mm
15.0mm
3 1/8"
79.4mm
76.9mm
33.4mm
31.3mm
4 1/2"
106mm
103mm
44.8mm
42.8mm
6 1/8"
155.6mm
151.9mm
66.0mm
64.0mm
Cables used in the UK
At the start of analogue satellite TV broadcasts in the UK by BskyB, a 75 ohm cable referred to as RG6 was used. This cable had a 1mm copper core, air-spaced polyethylene dielectric and copper braid on an aluminium foil shield. When installed outdoors without protection, the cable was affected by UV radiation, which cracked the PVC outer sheath and allowed moisture ingress. The combination of copper, aluminium, moisture and air caused rapid corrosion, sometimes resulting in a 'snake swallowed an egg' appearance. Consequently, despite the higher cost, the RG6 cable was dropped in favour of CT100 when BSKYB launched its digital broadcasts.
From around 1999 to 2005 (when CT100 manufacturer Raydex went out of business), CT100 remained the 75 ohm cable of choice for satellite TV and especially BskyB. It had an air-spaced polyethylene dielectric, a 1mm solid copper core and copper braid on copper foil shield. CT63 was a thinner cable in 'shotgun' style, meaning that it was two cables moulded together and was used mainly by BskyB for the twin connection required by the Sky+ satellite TV receiver, which incorporated a hard drive recording system and a second, independent tuner.
In 2005, these cables were replaced by WF100 and WF65, respectively, manufactured by Webro and having a similar construction but a foam dielectric that provided the same electrical performance as air-spaced but was more robust and less likely to be crushed.
At the same time, with the price of copper steadily rising, the original RG6 was dropped in favour of a construction that used a copper-clad steel core and aluminium braid on aluminium foil. Its lower price made it attractive to aerial installers looking for a replacement for the so-called low-loss cable traditionally used for UK terrestrial aerial installations. This cable had been manufactured with a decreasing number of strands of braid, as the price of copper increased, such that the shielding performance of cheaper brands had fallen to as low as 40 percent. With the advent of digital terrestrial transmissions in the UK, this low-loss cable was no longer suitable.
The new RG6 still performed well at high frequencies because of the skin effect in the copper cladding. However, the aluminium shield had a high DC resistance and the steel core an even higher one. The result is that this type of cable could not reliably be used in satellite TV installations, where it was required to carry a significant amount of current, because the voltage drop affected the operation of the low noise block downconverter (LNB) on the dish.
A problem with all the aforementioned cables, when passing current, is that electrolytic corrosion can occur in the connections unless moisture and air are excluded. Consequently, various solutions to exclude moisture have been proposed. The first was to seal the connection by wrapping it with self-amalgamating rubberised tape, which bonds to itself when activated by stretching. The second proposal, by the American Channel Master company (now owned by Andrews corp.) at least as early as 1999, was to apply silicone grease to the wires making connection. The third proposal was to fit a self-sealing plug to the cable. All of these methods are reasonably successful if implemented correctly.
Interference and troubleshooting
Coaxial cable insulation may degrade, requiring replacement of the cable, especially if it has been exposed to the elements on a continuous basis. The shield is normally grounded, and if even a single thread of the braid or filament of foil touches the center conductor, the signal will be shorted causing significant or total signal loss. This most often occurs at improperly installed end connectors and splices. Also, the connector or splice must be properly attached to the shield, as this provides the path to ground for the interfering signal.
Despite being shielded, interference can occur on coaxial cable lines. Susceptibility to interference has little relationship to broad cable type designations (e.g. RG-59, RG-6) but is strongly related to the composition and configuration of the cable's shielding. For cable television, with frequencies extending well into the UHF range, a foil shield is normally provided, and will provide total coverage as well as high effectiveness against high-frequency interference. Foil shielding is ordinarily accompanied by a tinned copper or aluminum braid shield, with anywhere from 60 to 95% coverage. The braid is important to shield effectiveness because (1) it is more effective than foil at preventing low-frequency interference, (2) it provides higher conductivity to ground than foil, and (3) it makes attaching a connector easier and more reliable. "Quad-shield" cable, using two low-coverage aluminum braid shields and two layers of foil, is often used in situations involving troublesome interference, but is less effective than a single layer of foil and single high-coverage copper braid shield such as is found on broadcast-quality precision video cable.
In the United States and some other countries, cable television distribution systems use extensive networks of outdoor coaxial cable, often with in-line distribution amplifiers. Leakage of signals into and out of cable TV systems can cause interference to cable subscribers and to over-the-air radio services using the same frequencies as those of the cable system.
1936 — AT&T installs experimental coaxial telephone and television cable between New York and Philadelphia, with automatic booster stations every ten miles. Completed in December, it can transmit 240 telephone calls simultaneously.[48][49] | {
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Need some maintenance on your pool? Call us!
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For your convenience, our Melbourne mobile pool maintenance service is available to assess and explain pool and spa equipment service repairs and cleaning needs onsite or over the phone. With years of experience in the industry and a wealth of knowledge in pool care, our mobile pool maintenance service in Melbourne offers the advantage of being able to determine any problems with your pool or spa before they develop into serious issues.
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Whether pool requires cleaning manually or chemically, repair or maintenance, the team at AquaTech Pool and Spa Solutions possess all of the necessary experience and expertise to take care of all jobs on time and on budget, no matter how big or small. At AquaTech Pool and Spa Solutions, quality service is important to us. That’s why we use brand-name products from leading suppliers to guarantee reliability, ongoing support and unbeatable warranty.
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Cleaning our pool is something we all need to worry about as overtime we will all see our pools turn green, filled with algae, dust and sticks and more floating in our pool rendering it useless and unable to use. Leaving it till it gets to this point can be problematic and can cause more damage adding to the costs of fixing the pool.
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For quality service with a smile and a renewed ease in maintaining your pool or spa, contact AquaTech Pool and Spa Solutions for mobile pool maintenance services in Melbourne today on Free Call 1800 101 102 or [email protected] | {
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Corporate writing projects often go through an arduous and convoluted processes. Typically, Communications Managers can only bear witness to the time-wasting because they lack the power to change the workflow.
One of the simplest, most effective ways to simplify and clarify your writing is to eliminate prepositions. It’s incredibly easy to do, and usually you can replace them with strong adjectives or adverbs instead.
“Misplaced modifier” is one of those fancy phrases that most people have heard of but aren’t really sure what it means. A modifier–or descriptive phrase–is misplaced when it’s sitting next to a noun it doesn’t describe.
Received wisdom among typesetters and designers is that capital letters are harder to read and that all-caps text is especially difficult to read. I’ll address legibility a bit later in this post, but for right now I want to focus on a more pragmatic issue relating to capitalization. | {
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[ezcol_2third] Gurgaon 12-11-2014: First Green Consulting and First Solar Jointly conducted a Webinar on Solar Plant Layout Strategies. For First Green Consulting, Solar is our passion and nothing makes it more rewarding than an overwhelming response to our webinars or to our any training program .We received 20 registrations which included people from various walks of Solar field. There were CEOs, Directors, Managers, Engineers, Professors and Students who registered with us.
Webinar started at 3 p.m. The opening speech was delivered by Mr. Gaurav Sharma (Representing Firstgreen). He introduced organization corporate profile, speaker and shared the idea, how Firstgreen has conceived this webinar.
After that Dr. Sanjay Vashishtha took the charge and explained the importance of different layout strategies for the solar PV and how does it impact the performance of solar PV plant. Along with this, he also explained the basic structure of the solar PV plant and the core basics of solar PV design.
Later on Mr Suhas Sutar,Head engineering,Mahindra EPC enlightened the different layout strategies.He explained the impact of Tilt angle as well as inter row spacing between the string of modules on the plant perrformance.With the help of different designs and animations he explained the effect of shading of different objects on the energy generation and hence the performance of solar PV plant.This session included lots of interaction of the participants.
After this session, there was a questions answer session, in which participants have cleared many questions and cleared their doubts.[/ezcol_2third][ezcol_1third_end] | {
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Lifestyles of the rich and elected
Monday, while working Michiganders struggled to make ends meet, Gov. Snyder was being wined and dined at a luxury steakhouse in Beijing. Meals on Snyder’s China junket have lasted three hours and included everything from eel to white chocolate flower petals that blossomed when marinated in hot chocolate.
In the background of this video, you can hear Gov. Snyder say “look at that” and “wow.” It must be nice living the lifestyle of the rich and elected. Unfortunately, most Michiganders don’t have the luxury of sitting down for a 12-course, three-hour meal. No, most Michiganders have much more plebeian concerns like how they’ll manage to put food on the table, or where they can find a second job to help pay for their kid’s college.
While the average per capita income in Michigan is $23,482, Gov. Snyder appointee Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr pulls down $275,000 while his assistants make a cool $225,000. Apparently, the lifestyles of the rich and elected transfer to political appointees and Kevyn Orr has taken full advantage, ordering crab cakes and calamari from his penthouse suite.
Meanwhile, Michigan retirees whose average pension totals $18,000 per year are told to expect a hair cut and anything more would be greedy. Maybe if retirees blossomed when marinated with hot chocolate Snyder would be more inclined to pay attention to their concerns, but until then working Michiganders will continue to pick up the tab.
One Response to “Lifestyles of the rich and elected”
I don’t think articles like this really do much to advance the argument that he’s detached, or living the high life. Every politician that is touring other areas on junkets to work new deals is wined and dined. What you need to point out is how long he’s gone and how little he comes home with. Granholm toured other countries and had something to show for it. | {
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Pages
June 8, 2015
Strathcona—Long in the works, Red Truck Brewery's big, shiny, and brand new facilities are finally fully open. Centred in the still up and coming industrial area (historically known as Brewery Creek) that currently meets at the triple nexus of Strathcona, Mount Pleasant, and Olympic Village, the American style diner meets craft brewpub hybrid looks very bright and appealing right off the bat.
Not quite the craft brewing tasting room we're now accustomed to, the counter service eatery is heavy on the truck stop diner theme with its shipping container walls and light industrial decor. The tire and pump washroom sink is a particularly nice touch.
The lengthy food menu is intriguing with a deep variety of options from hot dogs to egg foo yung and "blue plate specials". I munched on a Saigon hot dog (with barbecue pork belly, slaw, and Sriracha mayo) and found it quite tasty with a mild kick to it. It's a messy snack but fairly pleasing as far as hot dogs go.
As for the beer, I was already fairly very familiar with Red Truck's ubiquitous reliable lineup of beers from over the years. I drank four of their brews: the Red Truck Ale, India Session Ale, Belgian Blonde (above), and VCBW Campfire Kolsh.
All were reliably solid and refreshing in their stark tastes. The Blonde was easily my favourite with its crisp, smooth flavours. The Ale is a mild, appealing, and an easy drinking standard.
I think the snack options are a little more appealing and a better deal than the more substantial meal items. The garlic fries in particular were a perfect treat paired with your beer and an easy pick for three bucks.
I found the ISA (above) also rather mild yet quite refreshing. The Kolsh was a crisp tasting German style pale lager (Kölsch). The beers are good and along the safer more broadly pleasing varieties (on a bigger scale) than other local craft breweries.
I was tempted to try the soft serve ice cream (with a chocolate chip cookie) and was pleased by the satisfying texture of the dessert as it cooled me down.
Red Truck already feels like a winning neighbourhood style brewpub with its retro nostalgic twist, small patio, and industrial aesthetic. Everything fits the overall theme and brand they're going for as it fairly successfully recreates the modern diner experience in a brewery setting. | {
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Category
mash ups
“…a database of ongoing and recently completed research projects funded by, or of interest to, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).”
In a nutshell it allows you to search for completed or ongoing research in a particular topic. The results can then be added to a map of the UK (up to a maximum of 100 results). Below is a picture of the 76 ongoing, single-centre research projects, looking at ovarian cancer. | {
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shiva and shakthi
Consciousness and Energy
Amongst the attributes of the Chakras we meet two important symbols: Shiva and Shakti.
SHIVA symbolises consciousness, the masculine principle.
SHAKTI symbolises the feminine principle, the activating power and energy.
Whenever a power becomes active, and wherever energy exists, Shakti is working. Other terms for these primal principles are PURUSHA and PRAKRITI; Purusha is consciousness and Prakriti is nature.
Lord Shiva is generally portrayed holding a trident, which represents the trinity of Īshwara, Purusha and Prakriti .
2/11
2
consciousness and nature
Eshwara is the omnipresent, eternal, formless divine principle; Purusha is the Ātmā and Prakriti is the manifestation, nature. An electric light can be used to explain their relationship. The electric current, which is the source of the light, is Eshwara; the light is Purusha, and the object that is illuminated is Prakriti.
3/11
3
shakthi
SHAKTI (or Prakriti) means energy, power, movement, change, nature. It is the maternal principle – the provider, abundance. In the human as well as in the animal kingdom the mother offers nourishment, warmth and security. There is no greater love than the love of a mother. The mother carries and nourishes the child in her own body. When it is born she provides it with mother’s milk and raises it at the sacrifice of her own self until it becomes self-reliant.
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4
shiva
SHIVA (or Purusha), on the other hand, is pure consciousness – the unchanging, unlimited and unswayable observer. Purusha has no desires whatsoever; these are inherent only in Prakriti. Purusha is the empty, clear screen onto which Prakriti projects her colourful film.
5/11
5
ardhanareshwara
Shiva and Shakti are manifestations of the all-in-one divine consciousness - different sides of the same coin. In many pictures these two primal powers are each depicted as being one half of the same image; one side female and one side male. The left side is the Divine Mother, Pārvatī, the “feminine” energy, and the right side represents Shiva, the “masculine” consciousness.
Through the splitting of the primordial principle at the advent of creation the duality within our lives came into being, together with a strong force that is constantly striving to re-unite with the other part.
6/11
6
consciousness and energy
Only when Shiva and Shakti combine can action, movement and creation arise. Until energy is impregnated with consciousness it is ignorant, disordered, aimless and “blind”. Energy alone can produce nothing; consciousness bestows upon it content, form and direction. Conversely, consciousness without energy is dormant power, sleeping energy, and on its own is unable to be the cause of anything. Just as Prakriti without Purusha is unable to act, and vice versa, Purusha without Prakriti is also incapable of creating anything.
7/11
7
sexuality and spirituality
The meaning of Shiva and Shakti is occasionally misunderstood when Shiva and Shakti are looked upon as “man” and “woman” and their union is regarded as a sexual relationship. Sexuality is something completely natural, and misunderstanding arises only when sexuality and spirituality are mixed.
1. Sexuality is the union of man and woman
2. Spirituality is the union of the human and the divine consciousness.
8/11
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sexual attraction
Shiva and Shakti exist within each of us as the masculine and feminine principles. This has an effect on the physical level – it is the cause of sexual attraction. Within man there exists a tendency towards the feminine qualities, and within woman a tendency towards the masculine. Through this the masculine consciousness is attracted by the feminine and vice versa. If both are in balance there is no sexual attraction. But if a tendency for the masculine predominates in man, or the feminine in woman, this results in a preference for a homosexual partner.
9/11
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chakras
Shiva resides in the Sahasrāra Chakra and Shakti in the Mūlādhāra Chakra. When Prakriti and Purusha unite in the Sahasrāra Chakra, knowledge, knower and the object of knowledge become one. Once we have experienced this no desires remain within us because we realise unequivocally that everything we have ever yearned for is carried within us. In this state of absolute consciousness there are no polarities and therefore no more sorrows; there is only everlasting joy, unconditional love, unlimited compassion and total understanding for all living beings.
10/11
10
chakras
For as long as consciousness is connected to the physical body it is unable to remain constantly in the Sahasrāra Chakra and so returns to the residence of the Ātmā in the Heart Centre (Anāhata Chakra). A realised person always thinks, feels and acts from the heart. Embedded in eternal love and eternal happiness, that person is always conscious of the immortal Ātmā, the ocean of bliss, and their consciousness is forever connected to the divine consciousness.
Shakti is the motherly love of God that surrounds us with warmth, caring and protection.
Shiva is the paternal love of God that gives us consciousness, clarity and knowledge.
11/11
11
shiva and shakthi
I wish for you the blessing of the Divine Mother who lives within you as energy and vitality, and the blessing of the Divine Father who resides within you as consciousness and knowledge. May they always take care of you, protect you and guide you, and in their infinite love lead you to the cosmic consciousness. | {
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"In the future there will be no diplomacy and no diplomats."
Graf Nesselrode, 1859.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
THE NEW IRAQI DEBACLE: A COMMENT
"Battles continue to rage across northern Iraq, pitting jihadist group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant against Iraqi security forces and their allies. The growing reach of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has escalated an already brutal campaign in Iraq. Alarmingly quick advances by the militants across an important region of the Middle East could draw in regional powers as well as the United States.
Utilizing hit-and-run tactics, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL, has sought to keep Iraqi security forces under pressure and dispersed. ISIL has achieved this by striking at areas where security forces are weak and withdrawing from areas where Baghdad has concentrated its combat power. The jihadists have been working hard at improving their tradecraft by developing skill sets ranging from the staging of complex ambushes to using Iraqi army equipment effectively in surprise raids. ISIL has also sought to better develop its ties with local Sunni communities.
As far back as the days of al Qaeda in Iraq and its predecessor, Jamaat Tawheed wa al-Jihad, founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, militancy has had a presence in Anbar province -- and indeed in Mosul. During the Iraq War, the U.S. military considered Mosul one of the key gateways for foreign al Qaeda in Iraq fighters to enter the country. ISIL operations in Mosul and the wider Nineveh Province are unsurprising. What is surprising is the degree of success that ISIL has managed to achieve in its latest offensive in the region".
"The US is examining air strikes and other forms of direct military action against the jihadists who have taken control of a large area of northern Iraq but the White House remains deeply reluctant to involve itself again in the country’s conflicts.
The Obama administration has received requests from the Iraqi government since the end of last year to use air power against extremist groups in the north. That pressure has become more urgent since the capture on Tuesday of Mosul, the country’s second-largest city, say current and former US officials.
However, although the administration has indicated it will accelerate the sale of arms to Iraq, it has not yet decided to get directly involved in the conflict with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the al-Qaeda splinter group known as Isis" .
Geoff Dyer, "Isis drags US back to where Washington fears to tread". The Financial Times.
12 June 2014, in www.ft.com.
The downfall of Mosul in a lightning attack by the "Islamic State in Iraq and the
Levant" otherwise known as 'ISIS' is both surprising and alarming. That an ultra-extreme
Sunni group of out and out terrorists have managed to attack and take Iraq's second largest
city without almost any opposition by the nominal Iraqi army seems to indicate the pitfalls post-facto to the 'decent interval' American strategy towards Iraq since 2009. Which is not to have any nostalgia for the endemic idiocy which caused the United States to invade Iraq in 2003 in the first place. Merely that having invaded and overthrown the Saddam Hussein regime, the Americans did indeed to a degree 'reap the whirlwind' by not ensuring that either a sufficiently strong regime remained on the ground once they decided to withdraw or conversely ensure that a trip-wire American presence remained 'in country'. Of course, both the former and the latter are in retrospect easier said then done. The egregious Maliki government, which being au fond, a junior ally of the regime of Mullahs in Persia, was hardily enthusiastic about a continuing American presence. Nor did the fact that Maliki has insisted on governing as not a national Iraqi leader but a sectarian and partisan Shiite and pro-Persian one make matters any better. Indeed there would have been and in indeed would be something quite absurd in having American forces prop-up a irresponsible, pro-Persian, sectarian Shiite regime in Baghdad. While the American, neo-conservative commentator, Mr. Max Boot's own prior history on the subject of Iraq is riddled with errata to numerous to speak of, his comments to-day point up to an obvious fact: that the Maliki government must go 1. That aside from perhaps air strikes (which may result in horrific civilian deaths) on ISIS forces, there does not appear to be much that the Americans can do at this stage:
"Maliki has presided over the disintegration of Iraq. He doesn’t deserve a third term. The country desperately needs a new leader. Until a change of leadership happens, there is little point in sending more U.S. aid which, if Mosul is anything to go by, is likely to wind up arming the insurgents 2."
Indeed according to perhaps the premier American military strategist and commentator, Anthony Cordesman, the Americans and indeed the West do not have much of a choice, when it comes to either Maliki or ISIS:
Whether Iraq can move forward as long as Maliki remains its leader. He may still be able to bribe some key Sunni tribal leaders, and ISIS may soon alienate many Sunnis in the areas it occupies, but Maliki has emerged as something approaching the Shiite equivalent of Saddam Hussein, and is as much a threat to Iraq as ISIS. Iraq desperately needs a truly national leader and one who puts the nation above himself. Without one, ISIS may become a lasting enclave and regional threat -- dividing Iraq into Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish sections -- or drag Iraq back to the worst days of its civil war and create another Syria-type conflict in the region" 3.
In short the Americans and damned if they do something, and equally damned if they do nothing. At this point in time, masterly inactivity appears to be the only realistic option.
Indeed if one were to look at the matter from a purely regional perspective, ISIS rampage
will force the regime of Mullahs to spend a considerable amount of money, arms and perhaps
even men to prop-up the Maliki regime if indeed ISIS does endeavor to take Baghdad in a
similar lightning strike. Given the expenditures that Tehran is already undertaking propping-up the Assad regime in Syria, one may well wonder if Persia will have the necessary wherewithal to endeavor something similar in Iraq. Of course, if that were to
indeed occur and Persia were to intervene militarily and successfully, then it would represent a strategic breakthrough for Tehran in the region. It would at that point, with
its forces on the ground in Iraq, truly be the leading regional power or hegemon. Which merely highlights the strategic cul de sac that the Americans are in at the moment as per both Iraq and the larger Near and Middle East. The entire affair is merely one is afraid a harbinger of another failed 'decent interval' scenario in Afghanistan circa 2016-2018.
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About Me
Charles Coutinho, has been a keen student of diplomacy and International affairs since he was a undergraduate. A member of Chatham House; the Royal United Services Institute and the Royal Historical Society in London, he holds a Doctorate in history from New York University. Where he studied with Tony Judt, Stewart Stehlin & McGeorge Bundy. His dissertation topic, was British diplomacy during the 1950s. He has taught diplomatic history at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights and in the fall of 2010 gave a talk at West Point Academy on early 20th century diplomatic history. He has recently written for the French online history journal 'Cercles' and the Institue of Historical Research's 'Reviews in History'. He is the Managing Director of a
properties firm in New York
(coutinhoproperties). He was interviewed, in the real estate periodical, The Real Deal's November 2011 issue. A member of the Lotos, National Arts, Metropolitan Opera Clubs and the Princeton Club, he is also President of 'SAC', Sutton Place's premier community organization. | {
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It would appear I was making dinner, drawing things in the kitchen. We have this ceramic vessel that we put dish soap in, and I put the pepper grinder beside it. On the window sill are little jars that Manien uses to take her lunch in.
The second picture is not reaaaally how I was feeling, I just thought it would be a good thing to try to draw. | {
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Rockford woman attends Vatican ceremony, says ‘it just made me cry’
Janet Bedin of Rockford was one of about 6,000 people to receive an invitation from the Vatican to attend today’s canonization ceremony for Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II.
Bedin, a member of Rockford’s St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, had a bird’s eye view of the ceremony from her seat in the loggia of St. Peter’s Square.
The ceremony lasted about two and a half hours, Bedin said. It was magical from start to finish.
“When Pope Benedict walked out, all around there was the smell of incense, and Pope Benedict and Pope Francis embraced,” Bedin said. “It just made me cry. There we were with four popes present — two popes up in heaven and two down below on the square.”
The only aspect of the ceremony that surpassed the beautiful music, Bedin said, was when Pope Francis read the proclamation of sainthood for the two popes. The clouds that hung heavily over the Vatican all morning parted slightly letting a couple of small beams of sunlight through the overcast skies.
“It gives me goose bumps just talking about it,” she said. “It was like a movie.”
Bedin attended the ceremony with the former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Jim Nicholson, and his wife. Nicholson also served as U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs under President George W. Bush.
Bedin will attend another Mass at the Vatican on Monday, celebrating the sainthood of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II.
The canonization ceremony was “so spiritual,” Bedin said. “We’ll never see anything like this again.”
All day, Bedin said, she thought about her mother, Dolores Bedin, who died in 2011. Bedin and her mother met Pope John Paul II in Rome in 2000.
“It made me cry to think that she was touched by a saint,” she said. “I hope she saw him up there today and was able to say, ‘Remember me? We met on the square. My daughter is down there today.’” | {
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Detectives: Marine wife Brittany Killgore died during sexual attack
New search warrants unsealed in the murder case of a Marine wife reveal that, according to detectives, Brittany Killgore was an unwilling participant in sadomasochistic sexual activity involving the three suspects accused of killing her.
AP Photo/San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Brittany Killgore was reported missing April 14. Her body was found a few days later.
The San Diego, Calif., North County Superior Court released 22 search warrants in the Killgore murder case on Wednesday. The documents had previously been sealed at the request of the San Diego County district attorney.
Last week, an amended complaint was filed, adding new allegations to the murder charges, The North County Times reported.
The complaint also accuses the three suspects of conspiring to kidnap, torture and sexually assault Killgore. The allegations stem from what investigators believe is the alternative sexual lifestyle the three suspects participated in.
In the 22 search warrants obtained Wednesday by NBC 7, detectives say they believe Killgore was killed during sexual activities with the suspects, right before her body was taken to Lake Skinner.
Detectives believe Perez never intended to take Killgore on a dinner cruise because he picked Killgore up from her apartment after the boat would’ve already departed, at approximately 7:37 p.m.
Search warrants reveal Perez and Killgore’s telephone records show their phones were being used in the Fallbrook area when they were supposed to be in San Diego that night.
Warrants also show that Killgore sent a text message to a friend asking for help 13 minutes after she was picked up by Perez. Soon after, additional text messages were sent from Killgore’s phone that weren’t consistent with her normal texting style.
In the warrants, detectives say Killgore’s cell phone appears to have been turned off for approximately two hours on the night of April 13, between 8:14 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. Detectives believe Perez and his accomplices turned off Killgore’s phone during that time so they could kill her and dispose of her body.
The documents confirm Killgore had injuries on her neck, consistent with being strangled, as well as injuries on her wrist and leg.
The warrants also reveal detectives found a receipt for cleaning supplies purchased on April 13, the day Killgore disappeared.
A shopping bag containing blue latex gloves and a stun baton were also found during the investigation according to the warrants. Both the bag and the gloves had a red substance on them that tested positive for blood, the documents show.
In the warrants, investigators say that San Diego County Crime Lab technicians confirmed the blood to be "a match for the DNA profile of Brittany Killgore."
On April 17, detectives attempted to contact Maraglino at a Point Loma hotel after a vehicle registered to her was located in the parking lot.
Once officials gained access to the hotel room, they spotted blood on the bed and saw a woman who identified herself as “Rosalin” inside, the search warrants document.
"Rosalin" was later identified as Jessica Lopez.
Disturbing finds inside hotel roomAlso inside the hotel room were large knives in the bathroom and a note on the dressing area mirror stating, “Pigs read this,” the documents show.
On the dressing table officers said they found a seven-page handwritten letter that began: “I’m sorry Mistress I know you would’ve tried to stop me…You have the wrong f--king person,” according to the warrants.
The letter went on to say “I hid the body of that whore in plain sight," investigators stated in the warrants. One of the search warrants contains the note, which describes the injuries Killgore reportedly suffered and how she was murdered.
The search warrants also reveal more about the unusual sexual activity that prosecutors say was happening at a home on East Fallbrook Street, the residence of Maraglino and her roommate Lopez.
According to the warrant, an ex-girlfriend of Perez allegedly told police they were involved in bondage, whipping, cutting and spanking.
She told police that on one occasion a female was held in the sex dungeon and not allowed to leave without Perez’s permission, according to the search warrants. | {
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Did you know that money isn’t the only asset that employees steal, and many times, it is not the most valuable asset that a company possesses? Find out what theft in the workplace looks like and how you can avoid it! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
This recipe for High Protein Hemp Oatmeal is a dairy-free protein-packed breakfast dish that comes together quickly on a busy morning. With 14 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber per serving it’s a delicious morning meal that will keep you full for hours. Top with your favorite berries and nuts for added texture,…
Hi guys! Yesterday some of the headaches that come along with moving reared their head. I tried to get internet set up at home yesterday but since someone has to come out and install it, there’s a bit of a delay. I ended up setting an appointment for Wednesday so for the next day or…
Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to two energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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- McDonald's -
Mc Donalds
Posted by: John ( Australia ) on February 23, 19100 at 12:03:12:
McDonalds can't be blamed for selling junk food, polluting environment, cruelty to animals etc more than any other take away company. But the thing that makes Mcdonalds different to me is that they spend so much money on slick public relations and advertising to 'educate' people that the food is healthy, their employment practices are good for the workers, they are environmentally aware etc when everyone knows they are not. At least KFC Burger King etc do not seem to take this hypocritical approach.
-- McSpotlight: They do; just not quite as hard; and they don't have the idiocy to try and sue people for saying so. By and large, fast food companies are as bad as each other; it's naive to insist that one is good and one is bad. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Editor Charles H. Smith's Note: An interview/obituary
by W. B. Northrop printed in the 22 November 1913 edition of the New York
magazine The Outlook. Note the several flagged errors of factual
detail. Original pagination indicated within double brackets. To link
directly to this page, connect with: http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/wallace/S753.htm
[[p. 619]] Dr. Alfred
Russel Wallace, the famous English scientific and sociological writer,
who recently passed away in his ninety-first year, was a man of marked
personality. It was the good fortune of the writer some time ago to spend
a day with him at his country home in Kent,1 near Broadstone, and to obtain
from him first-hand an interesting account of his own life, together with
his views on some of the many present-day topics on which the versatile
mind of the naturalist delighted to speculate.
Dr. Wallace, with all his distinction as the
co-discoverer, or rather expounder, of the theory of natural selection--sharing
the honor with Darwin--and despite his many other achievements in intellectual
pursuits, was a man of great modesty. It is seldom that greatness in this
world is allied to humility; but Dr. Wallace possessed self-abnegation
to a rare degree. This was evinced early in his career, when his researches
in natural history led him to conclusions in natural selection identical
with those of Darwin. In 1858 Dr. Wallace was in New Guinea and made a
careful study of the inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago, a treatise
on whom he forwarded to Sir Charles Lyell, President of the Royal Society.2
He requested Sir Charles to show his paper to Darwin, and the latter was
astounded to find that young Wallace had worked out in its entirety his
own ideas on natural selection. The reception of this paper by the President
of the Royal Society compelled Darwin to "rush into print" with the "Origin
of Species," thus receiving all the credit for the so-called discovery
of natural selection. Dr. Wallace never attempted to deprive Darwin of
any of the glory of the work, and when he lectured in America some years
later insisted on paying all honor to his co-discoverer and friend.
Dr. Wallace's home life was ideal. He occupied
a small tract of land called the Old Orchard, not far from the little
village of Broadstone, one of the prettiest hamlets of Kent, about five
hours' ride southwest from London. His house was of the rambling English
country type, and stood on a knoll commanding a view of the town of Poole
and its pretty harbor. Here Dr. Wallace spent the evening of his days,
devoting his spare time, when not writing books and magazine articles,
to raising chickens, gardening, cross-country walking, and playing chess
with neighbors who chanced to call. Up to within a year or two ago Dr.
Wallace had been assisted in his work by Mrs. Wallace, who helped to prepare
all his manuscripts and to read the proofs of his various books and articles.
Dr. Wallace, like our Mark Twain, did all of his work with a pen, and
never cultivated dictating to stenographers or using a typewriter. He
made it a point to turn out each day about six thousand words--a high
average for literary production.
As President of the English Society for Land
Nationalization Dr. Wallace took a keen and active interest in the crusade
of Chancellor Lloyd George against landlordism. Dr. Wallace's book on
Land Nationalization has recently sold extensively throughout England,
and accomplished much toward educating the democracy as to the power possessed
by those who own the soil.
There was scarcely a
living topic of the day in which Dr. Wallace was not interested. He was
a great believer in country life, and one of his dreams was the "demagnetization"
of great towns. He believed that a return to country life was a panacea
for many social evils, and lent every encouragement in his power to the
efforts put forward in many parts of England to build "garden cities."
The reading of Edward Bellamy's famous "Looking Backward" exerted considerable
influence on the mind of Dr. Wallace, and it was the attempt to carry
out some of the ideas of Bellamy that gave the learned Doctor the reputation
of being an out-and-out Socialist. Among others who exerted a strong influence
on his mind were Robert Owen, Adam Smith, and Ebenezer Howard. The last-mentioned
person was the builder of the first English "garden city" at Letchworth,
in which enterprise Dr. Wallace was deeply interested. He hoped by building
numerous "garden city" centers near the big towns to attract most of the
residential population away from the latter, and thus, in time, to [[p.
620]] destroy their glamour for the multitude. Congestion of population
would thus naturally eliminate itself, through the process of "demagnetization;"
that is, by the great centers losing their attractiveness.3
The first occasion on
which the writer met Dr. Wallace was the result of a visit following a
request for an interview. On arriving at the village of Broadstone I was
met by a tall, lank, broad-shouldered figure, with snow-white beard and
hair, wearing a broad-brimmed hat of Western style and blue glasses which
emphasized the pallor of the countenance. The suit of dark material which
Dr. Wallace wore seemed a few sizes too large and the shoes looked particularly
well adapted for cross-country walking. Though a certain amount of disregard
of conventionality was displayed in his dress, there was no untidiness.
Dr. Wallace showed no signs of old age except his white hair. His gait
was a vigorous stride and his conversation brisk and full of human interest.
He had walked over to meet me--a mile from home--and thought nothing of
walking back, though it was raining with that persistent downpour so typical
of the English climate.
On the way Dr. Wallace
discoursed eloquently on the advantages of country life. He had lived
in London for some time after his return from the Malay Archipelago in
1858,4 but in 1871 he decided definitely to
shake the dust of cities from his feet forever.
"Since that time," he
said on this occasion, "I have stuck to the country, and nothing could
ever again induce me to return to city life. The life now lived by people
in modern cities is absolutely false--not false in that it is not true,
or that it is deliberately deceitful, but false in the fact that it is
not the life conducive to human happiness. I believe," he continued, "that
a strong reaction is setting in towards a return to more healthful conditions,
and in order to obtain them the cities must be abandoned. I have traveled
a great deal," added the Doctor, "not so much because I wished to travel
as that I wished to study life under different conditions, and I am convinced
that the truly happy life of the future will be that spent in the country.
Life in the cities destroys the spiritual in man; and while it is true
that more money is to be made in cities, and more creature comfort may
be obtained, the materialism of cities offsets any advantage which might
otherwise be derived in the centers of population."
On the occasion of my
visit to Dr. Wallace he was asked to sit for the photograph which accompanies
this article. He demurred a little to the ordeal, but finally consented,
and while thus posing for the camera discussed the advantages of modern
illustrated journalism. No subject seemed too small for his keen analysis,
and his conversational powers were exceptional. With all his great knowledge
on many deep subjects of science, he displayed no self-assertiveness whatever,
and, though having pronounced and daring views on many debatable topics,
he put forward his arguments without dogmatism.
On the occasion of this
visit I asked Dr. Wallace to sketch for me briefly the principal events
of his career. He said:
"I don't know that there
is anything especially interesting in being born, but of course I was.
You always begin with that, I think, in interviews. The day was January
8, 1823, to be exact. My father was Thomas Vere Wallace, and he died when
I was eleven years old.5 I am of Scottish
descent.6 I was educated in the ordinary way
at Hertford School, where I lived until my fourteenth year.
"My brother was a surveyor
and architect, and from my fourteenth to my twenty-first year I worked
in his office. I enjoyed outdoor life, and the career of architect did
not appeal to me. When twenty-one, I became a teacher of English in the
Collegiate School at Leicester. My brother died in the following year,
and I succeeded to his business.
"I spent some time as
a surveyor on the railway, but, as part of my duty was to collect money
from farmers in the neighborhood, I became thoroughly disgusted with that
phase of life and made up my mind to abandon it. As a matter of fact,
I never did take to business, my bent being more towards travel and science.
"I applied at this time
to H. W. Bates, whom I met at Leicester, and asked him to send me to the
Amazon River on an expedition which he was fitting out.7
I wished particularly to go to that section, having read Edwards's 'Voyage
up the Amazon' and Humboldt's 'Personal Narrative.' My object in going
to this place was to collect natural history material, with a view to
solving the great problem of the origin of species. I returned to England
in 1853, and wrote a book called 'Travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro.'
The following year I set out on an expedition and spent eight years between
[[p. 621]] Malacca and New Guinea, writing
a book on the Malay Archipelago and the 'Land of the Orang-Utan.'
"I did a great deal of
work on the natural selection theory, and my paper came before Darwin
in 1858. It seems that Darwin had been working along the same lines, and
shortly after reading my paper he published his 'Origin of Species.'
"On my return to London,
in 1866, I gave up traveling for a while and married the daughter of William
Mitten, the well-known botanist. I soon tired of London and decided to
live the rest of my life in the country. I have never had cause to regret
this decision."
Dr. Wallace was, as every
one now knows, a confirmed spiritist, and it was his research into the
occult that, perhaps more than anything else, brought upon him much of
the unfriendly criticism which he had to face in later years from his
fellow-scientists. Like Sir Oliver Lodge and the late William T. Stead,
however, he has not lacked the courage to uphold his opinions boldly with
pen and voice, and his work in the field of psychical research awaits
the test of time. Now that another famous spiritist, Dr. Charles Richet,
of Paris, has just won the Nobel Prize for work in medical research, perhaps
the world will begin to lend a more attentive ear to the subject of future
life: a theme which for many years occupied much of the attention of Dr.
Wallace.
In the course of our
interview Dr. Wallace was asked how he first came to direct his attention
to Spiritism.
"When I returned from
abroad," he replied, "I had read a good deal about Spiritualism, and,
like most people, believed it to be a fraud and a delusion. This was in
1862. At that time I met a Mrs. Marshall, who was a celebrated medium
in London, and after attending a number of her meetings, and examining
the whole question with an open mind and with all the scientific application
I could bring to bear upon it, I came to the conclusion that Spiritualism
was genuine. However, I did not allow myself to be carried away, but I
waited for three years and undertook a most rigorous examination of the
whole subject, and was then convinced of the evidence and genuineness
of Spiritualism.
"The religion of the
future will be based solely on Spiritualism. When great scientists like
Sir Oliver Lodge, Professor W. F. Barrett, Lord Kelvin, and others are
coming out in favor of the spiritualistic truth, it is time for ordinary
people like myself to fall into line.
"While I am a pronounced
Spiritualist, it is not exactly in the popular sense of the term. I believe
that there is a great deal to be learned along lines of legitimate psychological
investigation, and I am of opinion that many students who are pursuing
these studies earnestly will, before long, arrive at some startling truths.
Most scoffers will tell you that this is entirely speculative, but the
well-attested experience of hundreds of investigators cannot be so lightly
set aside.
"It was on this very
point--the existence of spirit--that I differed so largely from Darwin.
He implied that the nature of man--his mind and his soul (if he had one)--was
derived from the lower animals, just as the body was so derived. While
Darwin did not deny the action of the Great First Cause--most persons
think Darwin was an atheist, but they do not understand his work--at the
same time he believed that man's physical and mental structure developed
from the struggle for existence, and that even the intellectual nature
proceeded from the lower animals.
"My argument has always
been that the mind and the spirit, while being influenced by the struggle
for existence, have not originated through natural selection. For hundreds
of years it was believed that the surface of the earth, with all its beauty,
was caused by volcanic action, by wind, frost, rain, and rivers. Most
people admit this, but scientists had to point out that the action of
glaciers was also a cause for the molding of the earth's surface. After
the glacier theory was advanced all the old theories had to make way for
it. It was the same with evolution. It accounts for a great many things,
but there is a limit to its application. Evolution is extremely interesting,
and men fastened on it as the only explanation for all the manifold mysteries
with which they are confronted. Evolution is true in part, but it does
not account by any means for all the facts. I am one who believes there
is something in man that is infinite and which differs in nature as well
as in degree from anything which is seen in the lower animals. I believe
that at a certain epoch of our life, when the body is ready to receive
it, there is an influx of spirit, and our existence in the future depends
very largely [[p. 622]] on how we adapt ourselves
to this new condition when it comes before us.
"It is all very well
to talk about the soul and the spirit and things of that kind, without
any definite idea of just what these phrases mean. But, aside entirely
from these considerations, I maintain that the theory of evolution does
not account for many of the mental attributes of man. It does not account
for our wonderful mathematical, musical, or artistic faculties. Who can
claim that man has received these endowments from some lower animal which
never possessed an inkling of them? Many of the lower animals, it is true,
display a much finer physical and muscular development than man does.
They are gifted with greater agility and endurance, and undoubtedly we
have derived from them many of our physical attributes. But who can reasonably
say that we are indebted to any of the lower animals for our high intellectual
faculties? The gulf which separates the ant from Newton, the ape from
Shakespeare, the parrot from Isaiah, cannot be bridged by the struggle
for existence. To call the spiritual nature of man a 'by-product,' developed
by us in our struggle for existence, is a joke too big for this little
world. It was on this very point that I differed from Darwin, and it is
on these points that I cannot meet the modern materialists who say that
man is merely an animal and there is nothing for him beyond the grave.
It is very well for us to try to account for the material on a mere material
basis, and it may be very satisfactory to some people who do not seriously
consider the subject; but, if the soul has come into being from what is
popularly termed 'the struggle for existence,' how is it that in this
very struggle for existence we meet daily with people who are making self-sacrifices,
exhibiting wonderful heroism and disinterested affection--live men and
women of the day who are actually spending their existence for the sake
of others? If every one were merely engaged in the desperate struggle
for existence, why should any member of the human family try to help along
or support anybody else?
"Evolution can account
well enough for the land-grabber, the company promoter, the trust, and
the sweater, but it fails to account for Raphael and Wagner, Swedenborg,
Newton, Florence Nightingale, or others of this character. The world has
been moved far more by spiritual forces than by material and selfish ones.
Neither Darwin nor Moses has yet conquered mankind. Life, with its mysteries
of consciousness and personality, is still the dumping-ground of theories
and dreams. Until science has demonstrated the existence of the soul man
approaches death with an open mind. I hold that the existence of the soul
and the presence of consciousness beyond the grave have been already proved.
It is because the scientific investigation of psychical matters has become
confused in the popular mind with the imposture of charlatans that indiscriminating
people regard Spiritualism as a fake. An honest and unbiased examination
of all the facts gathered by modern psychologists would certainly open
the eyes of even the most doubtful of all the Thomases.
"Truth is
born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh
truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to receive a new truth,
or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those
miracles which do not occur."
*
*
*
*
*
Editor's Notes
1Kent is not the correct county here--Wallace lived in Dorset.
2This
and the following sentence contain gross inaccuracies. Lyell was not President
of the Royal Society at this time, nor did Wallace send his essay (hardly
a "treatise") to him--rather, it was sent to Darwin himself in the hope
that the latter might forward it to Lyell if he (Darwin) thought it might
interest him.
3Wallace's
Land Nationalisation (S722) appeared in 1882, and he had already
published an even earlier lengthy essay on the subject in a prominent
review. This was well before Howard's main works appeared. It has never
been suggested--but is quite possible--that Howard's ideas were as much
or more shaped by Wallace's as the reverse. | {
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UK: Big donors ‘buying’ government policy
Wealthy donors appear to be buying Government policy by securing “preferential” access to ministers and senior politicians, the standards watchdog has warned.
Sir Christopher Kelly said the perceived influence of rich businessmen over politicians is undermining public trust in Westminster. He cited the Coalition’s planning reforms as an example of a policy that raised suspicions after The Daily Telegraph disclosed that property developers were paying thousands of pounds for access to senior Tories.
Such preferential treatment leads to increasing concerns that there is “no smoke without fire”, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
“There is no doubt that significant donors do have preferential access to political decision makers,” he said. “The thought that anyone would give such a large sum of money to a party solely for altruistic reasons is quite a difficult one. The risk is policy being influenced in other, more subtle, ways because some people have access because they have given donations.
“There is a risk of it [influencing of policy by donors] happening and more importantly there is a public perception that it does happen.”
The comments by Sir Christopher amount to one of the most strident warnings yet that Britain’s political system is at risk of being corrupted by wealthy individuals.
Successive governments have faced scandals over allegations that donors are buying power, from “cash for honours” under Labour to concerns about the influence of City financiers over the Conservatives. All three main political parties run donors’ clubs, under which wealthy people willing to make minimum donations of, for example, £50,000 can buy access to senior politicians at private dinners and meetings. Sir Christopher says people are right to be suspicious of the motives of anyone who donates more than £100,000 to a party.
“There have been sufficient allegations in the past of people receiving honours, or policies being influenced, for people to think there is no smoke without fire,” he said.
“Whether it [influencing policy by donors] happens or not, the public clearly believe that it happens. There is a risk of it happening and, more importantly, there is a public perception that it does happen. That perception by itself is so important in terms of the confidence and integrity of the way that important decisions are taken that it seems to me it needs to be addressed.”
Sir Christopher said party donations should be capped at £10,000 and state funding increased to remove the taint of corruption.
A poll carried out by his committee last year found that eight out of 10 people thought rich people gave more than £100,000 only in the hope of receiving special favours. Electoral Commission figures show that 54 people last year gave more than £100,000 to political parties — 22 to Labour and 17 to the Conservatives.
The Daily Telegraph disclosed last year how major property developers have given hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Property Forum, a Tory donors’ club, in return for access to MPs.
The disclosure came after the Government was accused of granting developers a “state licence to print money” by overhauling planning laws to make it easier to build on greenfield sites. Sir Christopher says: “That is a very good example of the difficulties of assessing whether policies have been influenced by donations. If there is a coincidence with what they might have done and donations, then it is inevitable people will make allegations.”
Sir Christopher said that without change there would continue to be a “drip, drip of stories that create innuendo that there is a connection between donations and something else”.
A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said: “There has never been any suggestion any Liberal Democrat donor has used their money to influence our policy-making.” A Tory spokesman said: “There is no question of individuals influencing policy or gaining an unfair advantage by virtue of their financial contributions to the Conservative Party.”
A Labour spokesman said: “We recognise there is still real public concern about party funding which is why we support further reforms.”
Michael Brown, the Liberal Democrats’ biggest donor who has been on the run for three years after being sentenced to seven years in prison for a £40 million fraud, has been arrested in the Dominican Republic. Mr Brown, 45, who donated £2.4 million of stolen money to the Lib Dems in 2004, disappeared while on parole in 2008. | {
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In this artistic rendering, mitochondria (enlarged at top left) are depicted inside heart muscle cells. Watch an animation about mitochondrial transplantation.
For decades, cardiac researcher James McCully, PhD, has been spellbound by the idea of using mitochondria, the “batteries” of the body’s cells, as a therapy to boost heart function. Finally, a clinical trial at Boston Children’s Hospital is bringing his vision — a therapy called mitochondrial transplantation — to life.
Mitochondria, small structures inside all of our cells, synthesize the essential energy that our cells need to function. In the field of cardiac surgery, a well-known condition called ischemia often damages mitochondria and its mitochondrial DNA inside the heart’s muscle cells, causing the heart to weaken and pump blood less efficiently. Ischemia, a condition of reduced or restricted blood flow, can be caused by congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest.
For the smallest and most vulnerable patients who are born with severe heart defects, a heart-lung bypass machine called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can help restore blood flow and oxygenation to the heart. But even after blood flow has returned, the mitochondria and their DNA remain damaged.
“In the very young and the very old, especially, their hearts are not able to bounce back,” says McCully.
Ischemia can be fatal for the tiniest patients
After cardiac arrest, for instance, a child’s mortality rate jumps to above 40 percent because of ischemia’s effects on mitochondria. If a child’s heart is too weak to function without the support of ECMO, his or her risk of dying increases each additional day spent connected to the machine.
But what if healthy mitochondria could come to the rescue and replace the damaged ones? … | {
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The easy part is deciding you want a dog. For many, probably too many, the next part serves to be
the only part. After a pragmatic discussion over coat (typically filled with misinformation over which
dogs shed most and how they shed) and how large we are willing to tolerate, they are likely to end up
with the next dog that marginally fulfills those minimal requirements and crosses their path, whether
that is a "free puppies" sign on the side of the road, the local shelter or a breeder advertising in the
local paper.
As much as coat or size, if not more, temperament will figure into the total living experience you enjoy
with your dog. A foolhardy choice will leave you with only more difficult choices, give the dog up to a
shelter or give away to someone else who likely will have the same problems? Regardless of the
source of your dog, you should take the time to SCREEN yourself much as a responsible rescue,
breeder or shelter might.
1) Where will your dog be during the day? Will it have regular access to exercise (potty)?
Some dogs are asked to restrain themselves for up to 10-12 hours a day. This can lead to
destructive behaviors as well as a loss of housetraining as the end result. DigitalDog recommends that
your dog not be left for more than 4 hours ROUTINELY without an opportunity for a visit and potty
break. Leaving a dog outside in a fenced yard can be risky. Tying/chaining is never a responsible
option. Lots of options can help from utilizing an exercise pen and an open crate to keep a dog safe
but properly confined while you are out, to utilizing a pet sitter to allow your dog a break and needed
interaction during your work day. Other products like puppy pads (newspapers still work as to old
towels) for small dogs and puppies provide a great option especially when combined with the exercise
pen and crate for housetraining. Your cratetraining questions can be answered by DigitalDog with our
Cratetraining Guide combined with our Housetraining Guide, you have a complete and highly effective (not a
failure in over 20 years) method for accomplishing this critical component to domestic bliss.
2) Where will your dog sleep? Your dog will be quietest if sleeping near you. This may be
crated in your room or nearby. Dogs love to be part of the goings on, so keeping them in the hub of
your household helps keep the peace. Dogs also love comfort too, so a comfortable sleeping
arrangement (with a blanket or pad in their crate) can be helpful.
3) Do you feel comfortable with the process of cratetraining and housetraining? With
puppies this is critical and with adults or juveniles it is highly recommended to make the transition
period less stressful for you, them and potentially other members of your family. Again, DigitalDog
offers two guides Cratetraining and Housetraining as a complete method with tips, suggestions and
theory, that have proven very effective.
4) Do you have access to a training professional or highly experienced friend? Some types
of dogs and/or less knowledgable owners require a more experienced trainer to help them achieve
their potential and be "good dogs". Regardless, having access to classes and activities will make life
with your dog more fun. Now would be the time to investigate trainers and classes and other
resources (like dog friendly parks and more) in your area. You might want to start by visiting the Association of Pet Dog Trainers for their list of trainers in your
area. These trainers are simply members of a club (there is no requirement to join except pay a
membership fee) but they do agree to precepts of positive training techniques. Even so, thoroughly
screen the trainer(s) you seek to work with, talk to others who have trained with them and contact
local pet professionals (like your vet, groomer and shelter) to see if they can offer more information
and experience or suggestions. Options like classes offered by PetsMart are generally not as sound a
choice since the experience of the trainer may be very minimal with their only dog training being the
result of canned videos. This "choreographed" approach doesn't allow for individual needs and
personalities of the dog.
5) In all honesty, how much time will your dog be with you each day? Less time means less
physical and mental stimulation for the dog. Having a great time with your dog doesn't have to take
alot of time nor does it have to be limited to sitting on the couch sharing some potatoe chips! If you
don't know how to play with your dog, or dog doesn't seem to know how to play or you just want
some ideas check out DigitalDog's Guide to Play .
6) Do you know type? Many people think different types of dogs are all the same
underneath their varying sizes and wrappers. Not so! A dog's history and its selection process for
breeding, it's genetics, leave it predisposed for behavior as well as appearance. So the Terriers (even
those that are now Toy breeds) will generally offer a rather different personality and behaviors than a
Herding dog or a Retriever. Add to that the individual life and experiences and the variations become
even greater! So first, consider the question of whether a Mixed Breed Dog or Purebred is the perfect fit for you. If you aren't clear on what advantages each offers, it's impossible to make the best decision.
DigitalDog's Breed Profiles also include general
information in the group sections and will be valuable to someone sorting out all the purebred options. Keep in mind, that every advantage available through having a purebred companion can be achieved with a mixed breed one as well.
Now the really tough questions!
7) How much time do you have to dedicate to educating yourself and training your dog?
Many confident, demanding breeds will need knowledgable handling to establish boundaries, routine
and other rules of the game without creating fear and resentment. Dogs left without these basic skills
can become terrors because their puppy games become the springboard for more dangerous
behavior as adults. Or if treated roughly, these dogs as they learn to distrust and feel anxiety will be
more likely to address problems with their own methods. Breeds and types of dog that seem too
cute and cuddly and charming can often be indulged to the point of becoming little tyrants. Being
willing to educate yourself and watch for the things others do that work! If you don't have the time to
dedicate to it, don't get the dog! Most dogs would benefit from more socialization. Socialization is
the amalgamation of the experiences a dog has had. A dog that has been kept in a garage its entire
life (or backyard or home) will generally have difficulty coping when you take it to a park. So, while
they are young (generally under 2 years) it is of great benefit to give them the opportunity to see lots
of interesting things and make the experience fun! DigitalDog offers a Socialization Program
through a partnership with Pet Wear as the first of
their training assistance programs. This program will help with assessing your dog, planning the
elements of socializing as well as training help for the handler! After all, the effort is pointless if the
experience isn't pleasant for the dog. Another, and better option, is to take advantage of local
socialization classes with the guidance of a knowledgable trainer.
8) What is your tolerance for clean? Those wonderful shaggy dogs are typically wonderfully
messy! Hairy feet pick up leaves and debris, just getting a drink of water can be a trip to the
logflume! While everyone focuses on shedding, with the assumption being that shorter coats are less
of an issue, this is not the case. Everything that grows hair, sheds it. Curly coated breeds are more
inclined to mat and tangle rather than have it hit the floor and long, rough coats shed twice a year
profusely! Smooth coated breeds can vary markedly and some shed much more than others and all
the time. Additionally, stress can induce shedding, so just the experience of meeting you for an
interview could be enough to give a "false" read on the amount that a smooth coated dog might shed.
Keep in mind that as living with virtually anything requires some compromise and commitment when
making your choice. Additionally, the more hair, the more time committed to keeping it in order.
Considering whether you will groom your dog yourself (this includes brushing, ear cleaning, nail clipping
and emptying anal glands) or seek a professional can also be a concern for someone on a budget. If
you would like to do it yourself, seek the advice of the staff at your veterinary clinic, most would be
more than willing to show you how to safely address all aspects of this critical care. If more
information would be helpful, check out DigitalDog's Grooming
Information for the most general overview.
9) Preparation and Special Needs
Are you prepared for all the demands that can evolve? What if you dog develops a chronic health problem? What about the day to day expenses
from food (which everyone tends to think of as the only need) to even basics like an id tag or replacing a lost collar? What about anything around the house that the dog may damage? Professional grooming? Will you need help with things like cleaning ears or trimming toenails? What about when you go out of town? Can your dog go with you or will you be paying for kenneling, boarding or a pet sitter? Clearly the financial demands deserve some consideration for your sake as well as your dog's.
10) How much energy do you have for your dog's energy? Some breeds and types are
absolute whirlwinds, others are more sedate. Some tend to be extremely challenging as youngsters
but then mature at an even keel. Virtually every puppy will be much more energetic than the same
dog as an adult (this is probably not accurate for many Terriers! They often keep their energy levels).
Many of giant breeds (especially those of Mastiff extraction) tend to be more laid back and easy going
(think Great Dane and Newfoundland) than smaller breeds. Even if you are looking at a mixed breed,
it will likely have a personality and energy level similar to that of one of its parents. Being willing to
spend time seeking activities that you and your dog can enjoy together doesn't have to be
exhausting! From Pet Therapy to Search and Rescue and lots of stuff in between, there are some
great endeavors to consider. Digital Dog offers information about lots of options with GreatDogs. You'll have a blast!
11) What's age got to do with it? So many people automatically search for that puppy. The
reasons vary... we want it to bond with us, we want the experience of raising a puppy, our child wants
a puppy, we don't want someone else's problems, and on it goes. Certainly, puppies are charming,
delightful, fun and loving... and they HAVE to be! Otherwise no one would take the time and effort
required to make them into dogs someone could live with! Unless there is someone home virtually all
the time who can tend to the first year (more for the larger breeds) of puppy development, everyone,
is better off looking for a juvenile or adult dog. Consider, an older dog has greater focus and can
handle longer training periods, they have better physical control and housetrain much more quickly
(and reliably). Additionally critical behavior tendencies like getting along with other pets and children
can be assessed readily in older dogs. As a final note, let's just say those Italian leather loafers and
your wonderful antique ottoman would probably be safer too? Check out Petfinder.com,
Pets911.com and PetBond.com for information on
great dogs, regardless of age, available nationwide or in your local shelter or rescue.
12) Where to go? For many, the Animal Shelter is a source of woe. Regardless of your
intent, it is difficult for anyone considering themselves a dog lover to go to a shelter without walking
out with a new roommate. Obviously, this doesn't always result in the best choice. Dogs in shelters
are more likely to have been recently exposed to disease and less likely to have a health history with
them. A Rescue can offer options to you and to dogs in the shelter. When you adopt from a rescue
(who typically assesses a dog prior to placement physically and mentally as well as getting its vet care
up to date), they will then have a vacancy for another rescue. Breeders ideally, offer a careful bred
puppy (sometimes adults) that is the product of exceptional parents that the breeder knows well.
Unfortunately, many breeders fall short of the ideal. How can you tell the difference? Education
helps.. but the quick and dirty litmus test might be, how quickly are they willing to let you have one of
their dogs? Someone who is very slow to commit to you without getting fully informed about you
and your life and your lifestyle and ability to care for the animal (emotionally, physically and financially),
in other words, the one that puts you through the Spanish Inquisition and would seemingly run off
most puppy buyers, that is very likely the one you WANT to work with. Not only will you be confident
that you can deal with the challenges of raising the pup but you can be sure that they will always be
there as a resource for that dog if you should ever fail. If you are even considering using a Pet Shop,
PLEASE read DigitalDog's Guide to the Problems with ALL Pet Shops
FIRST. Other guides from DigitalDog include Considerations in Adopting from
a Shelter , Important Notes about Adopting from a Rescue and
Evaluating a Breeder . All of these offer solid information and tips on
working with these sources for your new companion.
13) What is your history of commitment? Ultimately, someone who is committed to their
dog will find ways to use the resources they have to keep their dogs well and safe for their lifetime.
Less commitment is what fills the shelters with dogs who aren't housetrained, get out of the fence,
had puppies, owners don't have time for, or they moved and the new home didn't accept pets. All the
questions above matter for nothing if the commitment is not there. Your dog will likely live to be in its
teens. We guarantee your life will change in that period of time. You will probably have a new car,
new home and in this day and age, a new spouse during the life of your dog. In contrast to those
choices (that one expects you made carefully) the dog deserves similar consideration. If you have
any doubts, consider volunteering with a local shelter or rescue prior to bringing anyone home. You
can also help by becoming a foster home for a rescue group. This needed service is generally serving
as a temporary home for a dog that has no where else to go. While you care and perhaps help train
them, they are able to buy time for an organization (like a shelter or rescue) to find a permanent
placement.
Ultimately the choice of a companion can transcend a myriad of poor decisions if the family is determined to provide the dog with the support and care they need. Even so, while commitment and sacrifice are wonderful to hear about, a dog is happy if their people are happy and the easiest path to that end is to find a companion that is well-suited to the lifestyle and schedule you want.
If DigitalDog can help with more questions, feel free to join us on the DigitalDog Forums. | {
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Kings top Devils in OT for 2-0 series lead
By Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior WriterJeff Carter scored 13:42 into overtime and Jonathan Quick held the Devils at bay with 32 saves, as the Kings notched a 2-1 victory to take a 2-0 series lead heading to L.A. READ MORE ›
By any measure, the Devils exceeded their dismal Game 1 showing -- they had more shots, an improved forecheck, stronger play in the neutral zone, were better on faceoffs and were calmer and stronger on the puck along the boards and with their passing.
It didn't translate into victory, though, as the Kings once again emerged with a 2-1 overtime victory at Prudential Center to grab a 2-0 grip on the best-of-seven series that shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Monday night at Staples Center.
"It [stinks]. There's no way around it," Devils center Adam Henrique. "There's nothing we can do about it. It's obviously a position we don't want to be in, but we're here so we have to correct our mistakes, be better where we need to be better. I think we played well. We had chances throughout the game. We just have to move forward from here."
In Game 1, the Devils mustered a mere six shots on net through the first 38 minutes and 17 for the game. In Game 2, they attacked from the get-go and had 33 shots in 73:42. They had only three shots in overtime, but Dainius Zubrus failed to redirect a pass from the point with Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick down and out.
"We came out stronger and had some chances right off the bat," forward Alexei Ponikarovsky said. "We forechecked pretty hard and turned some pucks over and got some odd-man rushes as well. It just their goalie made some good saves. We battled till the end."
Defenseman Marek Zidlicky took a shot from the point that Carter deflected high in the slot and past Quick to even the score. While it was the only line DeBoer left alone that produced the Devils' lone goal, he felt the line juggling was a big reason why his team was at its best in the final 20 minutes of regulation.
DeBoer said putting Kovalchuk, Parise and Zajac together wasn't the sole reason for the mixing and matching of lines -- but it was a factor.
"It's not the end of the world. We're down two games, so we have to win another two and get back in the series. It's just one of those things you have to deal with emotionally and physically." -- Alexei Ponikarovsky on trailing the series 2-0
"We decided the end of two periods to shuffle some lines," DeBoer said. "It wasn't necessarily to put those three together. That was part of it. But we mixed up and got [Patrik] Elias, Zubrus and Henrique together. I like how they played. It was just a shot in the arm to try to find a goal. We haven't scored enough, obviously."
In the dying seconds of regulation, Kovalchuk had a chance to win it for the Devils. Kings captain Dustin Brown turned the puck over behind the net and put it right onto the stick of Kovalchuk, whose shot was deflected by L.A. center Anze Kopitar and went off the crossbar.
It was the second straight game in which the Devils couldn't get a bounce to go their way. In a series where the margin for error has been razor-thin, those missed opportunities are why the Devils need to win four of five to bring home the Stanley Cup.
"What are you going to do?" Kovalchuk said about his close call. "I thought we worked really hard, forechecked better than the first game. We have to just keep working. Every game we had a chance to win. I liked the way we worked, tonight especially. I think our lines were really good. But it bounced their way tonight."
For the fourth time in as many rounds, the Kings find themselves heading home with a 2-0 series lead. As the playoffs have progressed and the Kings' road record has swelled to 10-0, their opponents have talked about how one victory could help damage their confidence, make them question themselves.
Martin Brodeur
Goalie - NJD
RECORD: 12-7-3
GAA: 2.00 | SVP: 0.924
As the Devils have shown through two games in this series, that's easier said than done.
"I really think a win would accomplish that," said goaltender Martin Brodeur, who made 30 saves, including 10 in overtime. "They are feeling very good about themselves. I thought we pushed really hard today. I thought we played a lot better than in Game 1. But it's the same result. It's unfortunate, but with a little luck on our side, we could be up 2-0. I think we have to find that positive and go into the L.A. and sneak one game as early as we can and go from there. It makes it a little harder, but we're here now."
"How do you recover? You just have to stay positive," Ponikarovsky said. "It's not the end of the world. We're down two games, so we have to win another two and get back in the series. It's just one of those things you have to deal with emotionally and physically."
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By IAN ALLEN | intelNews.org |
►►North Korea defector sentenced for assassination plot. The man, only identified by the Seoul Central District Court by his surname, Ahn, was sentenced on Thursday after being found guilty of plotting to kill Park Sang-hak, a leading anti-North Korea activist, last September. When apprehended, Ahn —a former member of the North’s special forces— was carrying a black torch that was actually a gun capable of firing a projectile around 30 feet and a bullet coated with a poisonous chemical. Another weapon that he was carrying was disguised as a fountain pen that could fire a bladed projectile, while a second ballpoint pen concealed a poison-tipped needle.
►►Russian arrested in Cyprus for alleged espionage. Media in the Turkish-controlled part of Cyprus are reporting an alleged “espionage incident” at the port of Famagusta. The incident concerns a crewmember of the Russian cargo ship Natali 1, which is docked there. Police authorities say they arrested the Russian national, identified as Nanec Hikov, after he was caught taking photos of Turkish warships. Photographing or filming in the port area is strictly forbidden by Turkish occupation authorities. The Russian Embassy has been informed and the sailor remains in custody.
►►Mystery deepens over death of UK intel expert in China. Last week, the British Foreign Office confirmed that it had asked China to open a fresh ivestigation into the November 14 death of British businessman and intelligence specialist Neil Heywood . The Foreign Office said other businessmen in Beijing had suggested there may have been foul play. Diplomatic sources suggested that the Foreign Office had acted on information given by Wang Lijun, the former police chief of Chongqing, where Heywood died, to the United States consulate in Chengdu, in February.
By IAN ALLEN | intelNews.org |
►►Israeli company exported Internet-monitoring hardware to Iran. Israel bans all trade with its enemy, Iran. It turns out, however, that Israeli Internet-monitoring equipment has been finding its way to Iran for years, through Denmark. An Israeli company shipped the equipment to Denmark, where workers stripped away the packaging and removed the labels, before forwarding it to Iran. Now Israeli trade, customs and defense officials say they “did not know” that the systems were ending up in Iran.
►►Court decision revives NSA lawsuits. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the case of Jewel v NSA, which claims that after the 2001 terrorist attacks the NSA began large-scale monitoring of digital traffic, with the assistance of AT&T and others, can proceed. At the same time, the court denied leave to continue on a linked case against AT&T, for aiding and abetting the surveillance. The court upheld the 2008 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) revision, voted for by the current president, which grants the telecommunications companies retroactive immunity from any actions carried out during the period.
►►Czechs charged with espionage in Zambia sent home. Three Czech citizens, who were detained in Zambia on October 12, 2011, and charged with espionage, have returned home, the Czech Foreign Ministry said Sunday. A ministry spokesman declined to give any details on the return of the three Czechs, who were arrested after they were found taking pictures near military sites.
►►US spy agencies want to use photos to trace people. In announcement for its new Finder research program, IARPA, the US intelligence community’s research arm, says that it is looking for ways to “geolocate images” by extracting data and metadata from the images themselves and using this to make guesses about where they were taken.
►►Norway to reassess domestic intelligence gathering. Norway’s main domestic intelligence agency, the Police Security Service (PST), is facing questions over whether its focus on Islamic radicalism caused it to miss a rising threat from far-right extremists, such as Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people on July 22. But PST Director Janne Kristiansen says it would have been hard to stop Breivik even if more attention had been focused on far-right groups.
►►CIA pulls second station chief from Pakistan. For the second time in seven months, the CIA is replacing its station chief in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, citing “medical reasons” for the move. Last time this happened, Read more of this post
By JOSEPH FITSANAKIS | intelNews.org |
Three well-known Georgian photojournalists have been arrested and charged with conducting espionage on behalf of the Russian Federation. They include Irakli Gedenidze, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili’s personal photographer, as well as Giorgi Abdaladze, who works for Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The leader of the alleged spy ring is Zurab Kurtsikidze, who works for Frankfurt-based European Pressphoto Agency. All three were arrested in early morning raids last Thursday, during which their homes and offices were searched by Georgian counterintelligence officers. A Georgian government statement issued the following day stated that the searches uncovered confidential information about the daily itinerary of Mr Saakashvili, as well as a classified diagram of the Presidential office. According to the statement, the classified documents were secretly accessed and photographed by Gedenidze and Abdaladze, who then passed them on to Kurtsikidze. He in turn turned them over to the GRU, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry. Along with the statement, Georgian government prosecutors released surveillance recordings of telephone exchanges between the three photographers, in which they are heard discussing payment arrangements in return for classified documents surrendered to the Russians. Read more of this post
By JOSEPH FITSANAKIS | intelNews.org |
A previously unknown fracas between two British diplomatic officials, their wives, and a team of Soviet intelligence agents, has been revealed in declassified British government reports. The documents, which were released last weekend, show that two employees of the British embassy in Moscow were detained, along with their wives, allegedly for photographing a Soviet military installation. The British diplomats were Lieutenant-Commanders Ian Clapham and Aubone Pyke, who was the embassy’s assistant military attaché. Escorted by their wives, the two officials were allegedly taking a tour of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), in February of 1979, when a group of “about 25” Soviet intelligence agents rapidly approached them. The agents proceeded to confiscate a cameral belonging to Pyke, after rapidly pulling down his trousers, an old trick aimed to prevent a suspect from running away. Read more of this post
Ex-Monaco spymaster renews lawsuit on principality. Robert Eringer, who until recently was spymaster to prince Albert II of Monaco, and is now suing him for €360,000 ($542,000) in alleged unpaid income, has filed a new lawsuit against the principality itself, to prevent Albert II from invoking head-of-state immunity.
Stasi files reveal covert war against Western musicians. Files kept by the former East German secret police indicate that they were worried about rock concerts held within listening distance of East Berlin neighborhoods by Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Bruce Springsteen, among others.
Greece arrests Muslim minority member for ‘spy photos’. The man was arrested last weekend on charges of spying for Turkey, following the confiscation of hundreds of photographs from his home, most of which depict Greek military facilities. Greece’s State Intelligence Service (EYP) had been monitoring his activities for nearly a year. | {
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Esai Morales is has joined the cast of CBS‘ legal drama pilot The Advocates. Written by Bruno Heller and directed by David Nutter, Advocates centers on lawyer Shannon Carter and ex-con Henry Bird who team up as “victim advocates,” going to the very edge of the law to right wrongs and fight for the underdog. Morales will play Rafael “Raffa” Cortez, an ambitious and somewhat Machiavellian district attorney. He joins recently cast CCH Pounder. Morales, repped by Innovative and KLWGN, is recurring on the upcoming second season of Starz’s Magic City.
Tyler Labine is set to co-star opposite Rupert Grint in Super Clyde, Greg Garcia’s single-camera pilot for CBS. The project, from CBS TV Studios, centers on Clyde (Grint), a meek, unassuming fast food worker who decides to become a super hero. Mike Fresco is directing. Labine, repped by CAA and manager Tyman Stewart, will play Duke, Clyde’s older brother. He most recently co-starred on NBC’s Animal Practice and before on CBS’ Mad Love, and he’ll be next seen in the feature Best Man Down. | {
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In an organization, there are many employment policies in the company handbook. This handbook is given to employees at the start of the employer-employee relationship, and although generally not construed as a binding contract against the company in a later lawsuit over the policies, it governs the expectations of employees at the workplace. This Mini Project will have you analyze a company handbook as it relates to the company's disability policy(ies) and provide a written report of your findings. The report should be at least two pages in length. Please cite your reference using APA format.
Review the employee handbook at your place of employment. If you are unemployed, you can review the handbook you might have handy from a previous employer, or ask to look at one from your spouse, other family member, or friend.
In your response, discuss what the handbook says about how the company deals with disability issues and accommodating employees with disabilities.
Explain what, if any, steps the company provides for an employee to present a request for accommodation. Use specific examples within the contract to support your answer.
Do the company policies articulate a difference in how the company treats workplace injuries as opposed to other disabling injuries (such as non-work related injuries or congenital or innate disabling issues)? If so, how? If no, do you think it is effective and/or wise not to include a written distinction?
Is the policy fair? If yes, why? If no, what could the company do to improve the policy? Think about the term "fair" from both an employer and an employee perspective.
Write a vision and mission for an organization or firm that you are currently associated with. How could you use the balanced scorecard to assess how well that organization is fulfilling the mission you wrote? | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Jarvis Island Dependency status
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Definition: This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. | {
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Modo FAQs.
Modo 13 Series FAQ
How much does Modo 13 Series cost?
If I’m on an earlier version of Modo, can I upgrade directly to Modo 13 Series?
Current perpetual license owners of users on Modo 12.2, or any version prior, can upgrade to the Modo 13 Series by attaching maintenance. You can find the latest pricing information on maintenance by clicking here.
How can I get my Modo 13 Series update if I’m an annual education customer or on maintenance?
As an annual education customer or a customer on maintenance, you can get the update from our downloads page, where you will also find Modo 13 assets and sample content. As always, our support team is ready to help with any issues you may have with downloading and installing the update.
Is Modo 13 Series included in the Collective?
Yes. Modo 13 is included in the Production and Education Collectives. The Education version of Modo is exactly the same as the commercial version so you get all the benefits of our world-class application. If you are a Collective owner and would like to upgrade your Modo license, you can download the latest version at your convenience.
What are Modo Addons?
Modo Add-ons include both kits and plug-ins. Modo kits are productivity-enhancing packages that combine scripts, streamlined UI, plug-ins, learning materials and content to accelerate certain task-specific workflows. Kits are created by both Foundry and by third-party developers.
Modo plug-ins generally offer completely new functionality that extends the capabilities of the core technology of Modo. Modo plug-ins are usually created by third-party developers who specialize in a particular discipline.
Will all the current Add-ons and training series work with Modo 13 Series?
Most Add-ons and training were tested with Modo 13 and should work fine. We will update the web pages for individual kits or plug-ins that are found to be incompatible. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Story highlights
Shots were fired at one vessel, which was eventually rammed by a Russian ship
Local media reports claim the ships were illegally fishing in Russian territorial water
The Russian coast guard seized two Chinese vessels and detained 36 fishermen Tuesday after they were allegedly found fishing in Russian-controlled waters in the Sea of Japan, according to state media
Warning shots were fired at one vessel during a three-hour pursuit by Russian Coast Guard, which eventually rammed the vessel and soldiers fired directly on the ship when sailors resisted being boarded, according to Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
No one was killed or injured in the incident, according to RIA.
The ship had 22.5 metric tons of squid and a crew of 17 RIA reported, and didn't have documents allowing them to fish in Russia's Exclusive Economic Zone. A second Chinese fishing vessel, with 19 crew members, was also detained in nearby waters.
An Exclusive Economic Zone is an area within 200 nautical miles of a nation's shores which gives the country sole rights to fish and develop resources in the area.
China's Xinhua reports that the ships were from the city of Weihai in China's eastern Shandong province.
An editorial in China's People's Daily condemned the firing on the vessel, calling the move "reckless."
"In 1983, the Soviet Union shot down a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 civilian airliner. Now Russia, for at least the second time, has fired on a Chinese civilian ship. Such conduct will stay in the memory of people in Northeast Asia," the editorial said. "The aggressive behavior by some Russians at the grass-roots level not only harms Chinese confidence in fostering a long-term friendship with Russia, but also provides excuses for forces seeking to undermine China-Russia ties." | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Forget the evil machinations of energy magnate C. Montgomery Burns on “The Simpsons” and the scheming of oil baron J.R. Ewing on “Dallas.” They are mere caricatures. The most subtle, vivid portrait of a corporate executive to ever appear on the small screen is nearing the end of his run: John Francis Donaghy — he goes by Jack — on the NBC show “30 Rock.”
For all of Jack Donaghy’s nutty hijinks and pithy one-liners, there is a surprising set of lessons hiding under the surface of the show, which premiered its seventh and final season Thursday night. The simple fact is that Jack, as portrayed by Alec Baldwin, is a superb executive.
When not busy managing a complex love life (Donaghy has dated characters played by Elizabeth Banks and Salma Hayek, and Condoleezza Rice as herself) or the travails of his ever-beleaguered employee Liz Lemon (Tina Fey), Donaghy manages to run the East Coast television and microwave oven division of General Electric with remarkable skill.
He has overcome seemingly thwarted ambition, created new products and mentored younger executives with aplomb. He may lack eloquence. (He once proposed a line for a speech honoring GE’s real-life chief executive: “Jack Welch has such unparalleled management skills they named Welch’s Grape Juice after him, because he squeezes the sweetest juice out of his workers’ mind grapes.”) But he is shrewd, ambitious and has a vision for what the company under his command could be.
Donaghy is a plutocrat, but in a proud American tradition — a self-made plutocrat. He grew up the son of a working-class single mother in Boston, put himself through Princeton on a “handsomeness scholarship” and by working “the day shift at a graveyard and the graveyard shift at a Days Inn,” then made his way to Harvard Business School and GE’s management training program.
He has some mighty impressive mind grapes. Pour a scotch, stand wistfully staring out the window and consider some of Jack Donaghy’s lessons that every manager should take to heart.
Have a career plan, but don’t let it stifle you.
Donaghy had spent his professional career climbing the ranks of General Electric, aspiring to be its chief executive. He was disconsolate when the division he headed was sold to Philadelphia-based Kabletown (a thinly veiled take on Comcast’s acquisition of NBC Universal), and his longtime mentor, GE chief executive Don Geiss (played by Rip Torn), died.
Suddenly, Donaghy was exiled from a company he had long hoped to lead, his dream seemingly shattered. His ambition to lead GE had been the force driving his ascent up the corporate ladder, and that chance disappeared seemingly overnight.
After some brooding, though, Donaghy redirected his energy to dreaming up new products for Kabletown, learning its corporate culture and climbing a new corporate ladder. As disappointed as he may have been about not becoming CEO of “the General,” and there is nothing wrong with that, the key was channeling that disappointment in productive ways — toward making his mark at a new firm, in this case — rather than just moping.
It’s great to have a career driven by the ambition to reach a particular goal; in Donaghy’s case, that surely served as the motivation for years of hard work. But the point of having a goal is not that one can be absolutely certain of attaining it; rather, it gives you a point on the horizon that ensures a career is heading the right general direction over time.
What Donaghy didn’t do was try to ease his way back into the fold at GE when it was clear his moment had passed. The desire to be its CEO was a force that fueled ambition, not an end in itself.
There is an interesting real-life parallel. When Jack Welch was retiring as the chief of GE, there was a three-way competition to succeed him between Jeffrey Immelt, Bob Nardelli and James McNerney. Immelt got the job, and Nardelli and McNerney quickly moved on: the former to run Home Depot, the latter to Boeing. Neither took their failure to reach a long-standing career goal as an excuse to stop chasing something big.
Innovate whether they like it or not
An old friend who worked at Kabletown explained to Donaghy that the cable business is a piece of cake: With all the money that rolls in from pay-per-view porn, the joke goes, there’s no need to “make” anything.
Donaghy found himself in a corporate culture that had little appreciation for the very work that animated him as an executive: creating innovations, turning them into products and bringing them to the marketplace.
The key to emerging from his professional rut was realizing that innovation can bloom even in places that don’t seem ripe for it. It is a state of mind.
Donaghy becomes something of a guerilla innovator at Kabletown, inventing, among other things, what he called “porn for women,” offering a pay-per-view service with handsome men staring deeply into the screen asking women to talk about their day. A funny joke, yes, but one with a broader lesson. Not every company will be a Google or Apple, turning out never-before-seen products. But in any company, there are opportunities to look at old products in new ways or make customers happier.
The best managers find ways to bring that innovation sensibility to their jobs, regardless of their industry or what the environment around them encourages.
Take mentorship seriously
In the first season of “30 Rock,” Donaghy decided to take Liz Lemon under his wing and mentor her. She resisted, seeing him in those early days as a clueless corporate suit. With time, she would come to understand that having Jack Donaghy as a mentor was no small matter.
He sees a big part of his job as preparing his underlings to go out into the world and achieve success as he has done. It is not entirely selfless; Lemon and his other mentees will surely maintain a loyalty to him that could ease his own corporate ascent. But he goes far beyond the mere obligations of a boss, trying to ensure that his mentees reach their every goal.
When Lemon resists his initial entreaties, Donaghy presents her with his handiwork: Howard Jorgensen, a vice president of locomotives at GE who — before he met Jack — “dressed poorly, had bad posture, walked around with lettuce in my hair,” as he says. When Donaghy was done, Jorgensen was “earning seven figures and married to a swell Filipino gal.”
One fault in Donaghy’s management style is that he seems to view taking someone on as a binary event: Someone is either worthy of extraordinary time and effort or none at all. When his new wife, Avery Jessup (played by Elizabeth Banks), is uncomfortable about his close relationship with Lemon, he “tries out” other potential mentees, only to find them all wanting.
Of course, no manager can insinuate himself deeply into the lives of all his or her employees (and Donaghy’s relationship with Lemon often does veer toward being a little too close, though not in a romantic way). But mentorship doesn’t need to be the all-or-nothing enterprise that it seems to be for Donaghy, in which there are some worthy of his overwhelming efforts and everyone else is not. There is plenty of room for helping junior colleagues advance in small ways as well as large, and doing so can help assure an even larger network of allies.
But still, it is clear that part of Donaghy’s success comes not just from his own achievements, but in Liz Lemon’s and Howard Jorgensen’s.
Tolerate idiosyncracy
As the executive in charge of a television network, Donaghy oversees a lot of colorful people. The stars of the fictional NBC show “TGS,” Tracy Jordan (played by Tracy Morgan) and Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski), are self-absorbed, difficult and often unreliable. Donaghy sees them as nothing like himself, a buttoned-up aficionado of power ties and good scotch.
But they are the talents at the core of a TV show that is part of Donaghy’s empire. And to hold onto those first-rate talents, he tolerates the frustrations of working with people whose aesthetic sensibilities and work habits are very different from his own. He assesses their talent, and then adjusts his management style to get the most out of them.
Sometimes that means simply tolerating late arrivals or people storming into his office with odd demands. At other times, he takes a deeper personal role in resolving problems that are keeping his charges from doing their best work.
He went particularly above and beyond in the second season. The conceit is this: Tracy Jordan was stirring up trouble because of unresolved issues with his absent father. Donaghy helps him get through the frustrations during a role-playing therapy session in which he portrays Jordan’s father, a droopy-lipped Campbell Soup factory employee from funky North Philly. The (quite politically incorrect) result is not just among the funniest sitcom scenes of all time. It is also a manager doing whatever it takes to make one of his most talented employees more productive, even at no small cost in terms of personal dignity (and, if it were real life, some unpleasant consequences from the HR department).
Personal touches matter
Donaghy is highly attuned to the personal lives of his employees and what makes them tick. He is a superb giver of gifts, viewing it as the “purest expression of friendship” and invariably selecting uniquely appropriate presents. He may be a coldhearted corporate tactician at times, but he also cares deeply about his people, and does the little things to let them know it.
This, more than any other character trait, appears to be based on Jack Welch, the GE chief executive from 1981 to 2004.
“Do you know why Jack Welch is the greatest leader since the pharaohs?” Donaghy asked in the first “30 Rock” season. “Because he didn’t only involve himself in our work lives, but our personal lives as well. He introduced us to the finest booze, the most restrictive country clubs. He gave us the names of the most discreet private investigators to spy on our ex-wives. He held our hands during our triumphs and our Senate hearings.”
The real Jack Welch may not favor restrictive country clubs or spying on ex-wives, but he has a reputation for taking intense interest in the lives of his underlings. For example, in an interview with BusinessWeek, Bob Nardelli told of Welch once making him work through a holiday weekend that he had been supposed to spend with his wife — and then sending a case of Dom Perignon and an apology note saying, “I was thinking more of myself than you and Sue. Have a toast on me.”
Donaghy practices the same philosophy. He understands that you can get more out of an employee when they know you will fight for them when the chips are down and help them emerge from personal crises or other challenges in life.
Learn from everyone around you
For all his elitism, Donaghy has often displayed an ability to learn lessons from those around him. He has an especially savvy ability to learn lessons and adapt strategies used by people who might seem to have little to offer to an accomplished businessperson.
Never was that more true than in Season 6, when he found himself being outnegotiated by his baby daughter’s night nurse, Sherry. She refused to accept a pay cut when her hours were reduced, negotiating by sitting quietly and eating an orange while Jack awkwardly acquiesced to her demands. He was, as he put it, “reamed by a woman in Winnie the Pooh hospital pants.”
Donaghy, he told Lemon later, violated every rule of negotiation. “I spoke first. I smiled. I negotiated with myself. If I had done that during a mock negotiation in business school, Professor Woodmer would have spanked me in front of the whole class. Bare bottom.”
But a key negotiation over licensing fees between the hapless NBC and its parent company, Kabletown, was shaking Donaghy’s confidence until he learned the crucial lesson that Sherry had taught. When somebody’s helpless baby is in the mix, the usual negotiating strategies don’t apply. And NBC was Kabletown’s baby. By negotiating like Sherry, he prevailed.
Of course, if he had been blind to her effectiveness and the lessons it offered, he might not have found himself on the cover of that month’s “Meetings” magazine. | {
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135 Rentals · Piara Waters
135 Rentals · Piara Waters
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This July and August, you can try one of these 100 highly-rated homes, at all price points, and experience a local’s view of Sonoma. 24-hour check-in, Instant Book, and local wine and snacks let you just sit back and enjoy your trip.
Ready to move in private room with shared bathroom in the hottest suburb in Perth. Open parking, Hi Speed Wifi.
Welcome to our home. This 2015 built house has been designed an decorated with our Indian roots in mind. We are a couple who enjoy quiet time with our puppy or in front of the TV.
The room you book will be completely your own. The bathroom might be shared very rarely with guests we have occasionally.
We are more than happy to answer any queries you may have to the best of our abilities.
The nieghbours are mostly young couple and families who have moved into their first homes and are settling into adult lives.
Bus stop is 600mts away. Train station is 8kms away. Bus routes connect straight to train station and major bus terminal.
We have a puppy who is extremely friendly. Please let us know if you have allergies or are scared of pets.
Tito and his wife were great hosts while my mother stayed from New Zealand. Thanks again!
ShereeOctober 2016
Room type
Private room
Property type
Accommodates
1
Bedrooms
My place is close to parks, shopping, public transportation. You’ll love my place because of the comfy double bed, the kitchen, the high ceilings, and the coziness. My place is good for solo adventurers and business travelers.
Connie is an excellent host highly recommend great atmosphere easy to chat to would definitely stay again thanks for having me it was lovely
JakeOctober 2016
Connie was an excellent guest. She was easy to communicate and done everything she could to make my stay comfortable. I felt like living at a friends place.House is brand new,extremely clean and in a very quite location. I loved staying and will stay next time I am in Perth. I highly recommend her place.
RashidSeptember 2016
The host canceled this reservation 6 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.
Michael
Couldn't have asked for a better host or place! Connie was amazing and very accommodating. Her place was really clean, quiet and very peaceful. New neighbourhood too!
Rainbow Dream House comes with Four Quality Bedrooms that comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests. Modern and Contemporary home design, with spacious living area, plus a very unique Cinema/Theatre Room to make your stay a perfect holiday experience in Perth! Also suits corporate booking perfectly.
Rainbow Dream House features include:
• Large Master Bedroom ensuite with double vanities.
• Master Bedroom has a wall-mounted 40" LED TV
• 3 Comfortable Bedrooms, all with Built-in wardrobe.
• ALL 4 Bedrooms are fully air conditioned (Reverse cycle air conditionings) for best comfort!
• Unique Cinema/Theatre room with 100" Projector Screen, big screen experience, perfect for your movie night!
• Complimentary ONLINE movie/documentaries (NETFLIX) to watch in the BIG SCREEN theatre/cinema room.
• Lounge area with comfortable 6 seated sofa with 55" LED TV.
• Spacious open plan living and meals area.
• Large and modern Kitchen, stone bench with 6x breakfast bar stool. Kitchen utensils (pots, plates, cups, cutleries, kettles) fully provided.
• Quality stainless steel appliances and large walk in pantry.
• Double Drawer Dishwasher.
• Large Dining Table and Chairs
• Good sized laundry.
• FREE UNLIMITED High Speed WiFi internet connection. Rainbow Dream House offers FREE High Speed 25mbps Fibre Optic Internet!
• Children playground and nice parks is only a few steps from Rainbow Dream House.
• Brand NEW shopping centre (Harrisdale Shopping Centre) will be ready in Mid-2016, with Fast food outlets like McDonalds, KFC, and restaurants, just few steps away from the house, extremely convenient.
Customer service is our top priority. We certainly are more than happy to meet our guest, and we will try our best to accommodate Guest requirements.
Rainbow Dream House is located in an award winning suburb in 2014, the new Haven estate, in southern Perth area. Surrounded with beautiful parks, and BBQ facility.
Very near and Easy access to major highways, connecting you quickly to the North/South regions of Perth.
A brand new shopping center (Harrisdale Shopping Center) is currently under construction and will be ready in mid-2016. The new shopping center is only 1 min walking distance from Rainbow Dream House! All other nearby Shopping Centers are easily within reach approximately 10 mins driving distance only.
A network of walk and cycle paths as well as nearby bus stations along Nicholson Road.
Just 25 kilometres south of the Perth CBD, approximately 25 mins drive to reach Perth CBD.
We have a STRICT policy on smoking and partying inside the house, please see details at the House Rules section.
Olivia met with me to show me the house & provided me with an array of information & provide many map of local points of interest in the house. The house was clean, new, tidy and comfortable. Though it is not located in the centre of town, but it is convenient if rent a car. Basically, everything is pleasant!
RegineOctober 2015
Our stay was indeed a pleasant one! The actual house design were exactly the same as the pictures taken! Renting a car here would be a good idea because the journey to the city is quite a distance. The house was very well equipped, especially the kitchen. We do not have to worry about missing home cooked food - all we need to do is to buy the ingredients and cook it at home! 1 of the Asian supermarket is at westfield carousel shopping centre! Lastly, the theatre in the house was simply magnificent! It is good for family bonding time right after your long day of touring the city - super spacious and of course spoilt for choices! Super Highly Recommended!!!
MuhammadJuly 2016
We had a great time at Rainbow Dream House, warm welcome from Ambrose when we reach. A very clean, big and nice house with well equipped for family or buddies holiday! Me and 6 of my friends were enjoyed to stay there and had a fantastic cooking moment, and, we love the cinema room so much! Well located in new neighbourhood, quite and peaceful, a brand new grocery can be reach in walking distance, & you can find Mc'Donald & KFC at the same place too. But it will be more convenient if rent a car, because it's not located in the centre of town. Highly recommend " Rainbow Dream House" to anyone who going to Perth, this lovely home brighten up our holiday
MelvinJuly 2016
We have a very great stay at Ambrose's. The house is indeed comfortable, clean and located in a lovely new neighborhood. Everything is more than perfect for anyone who's expected a well-equipped house for a family holiday. In fact, Ambrose was prompt at replying all of my inquiries. Would definitely recommend "Rainbow Dream House" to anybody that coming to Perth!
AFIQJune 2016
Ambrose was very welcoming and very helpful. The house is very spacious and clean which was great for the kids. We would definitely recommend this house to our family and friends. And of course for ourself when we come to Perth again.
StephenJuly 2016
We had a wonderful time staying in Rainbow Dream House. Olivia and Ambrose are fantastic host and very responsive. They both gave us a warmth welcome when we reached there. Rainbow Dream House is spacious, clean and definitely a cosy place to stay in. We would highly recommend to our friends and relatives.
CeceliaNovember 2015
Ambrose n Olivia r very nice and friendly welcome us at our residence before we reach. they give help to all our needed.the house is very big and clean enough for 8 of us.comfortable and enjoy some movies at movie (URL HIDDEN) is available or if u want to dine out not far got Mcdonald too.very convenient .
sunnieMay 2016
My family of 4 spent 5 nights at Rainbow dream house. Ambrose was there to give us a warm welcome, and gave us all the information needed to make the stay care-free. He aso sent text messages daily to check if everything was ok. The house is a beautiful modern design with fully equipped kitchen, which is important for us because we love cooking and the local produce is fantastic. The rooms are all very comfortable and spotlessly clean. The neighbourhood is very safe and peaceful, with malls and shops easily reached, but it's best to hire a car to get around in Perth. We had a wonderful and relaxing time staying there and would definitely stay there again when we next visit.
peterMay 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property type
Accommodates
14
Bedrooms
Lovely quiet street with parklands and walkways on the doorstep. Trendy pub/restaurant in easy walking distance. Very spacious comfortable home with bbq in very private back garden with under roof alfresco. Space to spread out.
Enjoy a bottle of complementary wine from the fridge while tasting the chocolates also in the fridge.
Unlimited NBN Wi Fi is provided - refer to the guest book for logon details.
4 spacious bedrooms all with robes.
Open plan family, living and modern kitchen with island bench cooking.
Seperate large enclosed theatre room.
2.5 bathrooms.
Private back garden, mostly paved with bbq and under roof alfresco.
Ducted reverse cycle air con throughout.
Whole house is available plus extra large double garage with additional storage space.
Hosts are available to answer telephone enquiries throughout your stay
Piara Waters is a quiet neighbourhood, with lots of green space and walkways on the doorstep.
There are restaurants and a pub plus a doctors surgery and other small shops within easy walking distance and several shopping centres within just a few minutes drive.
We are approximately midway between the port of Fremantle and the city of Perth, very convenient.
The house is large and comfortable and perfect for relaxing with your family and friends whilst you are having your break.
Bus route is close by (details in guest book) but a car would make travel more convenient. There is a double enclosed garage and also lots of parking on the drive.
Approx 25km from both Perth CBD and Fremantle.
Unlimited NBN Internet access is provided via WiFi- please refer to the guest book for logon access.
We provide a complementary bottle of wine and a box of chocolates for your enjoyment.
Shampoo, Shower gel and hair conditioner are all provided in dispensers installed in both showers.
Advertised price is during winter months only plus one month of autumn and one month of spring (June/July/August/September/April/May)
For all other months (October/November/December/January/February/March) The price is increased to $220 per night with a discount of 5% for stays of seven nights or more and 10% for stays of 30 nights or more. Note that price increases to $250 per night over the Christmas period.
A childs Travel Cot and High chair are available.
A gas barbecue with a charged gas bottle is provided for outside entertainment.
We had a very comfortable stay! The house is clean and everything is just as pictured. The location is great because it is very close to the Harrisdale shopping center that is newly opened. Overall I would rate this house as excellent and we will surely be back again if we ever come to Perth again.
Maria Laurentia KJuly 2016
Though we did not meet our host Sara, he sent message to enquire if we needed any assistance and that make us feel comfortable. The home is exactly what we expected and we had a great time staying there. We especially like the island cooking area. If we were to visit Perth again, we would be happy to stay there and would recommend to our friends.
Ho September 2016
Good location with own transportation. all the shops and restaurants with short driving distances. we like the kitchen especially.
AngJune 2016
Wonderful stay at Sara's place. Love the porta bed for our baby in the master bedroom. Even his little bed came with bedsheet and blanket. 9 of us stayed comfortably in the house with everything working in order. We had fun exploring the city during the day, and then enjoyed cooking dinner, watching tv and playing chess during night time. Highly recommended!
CarmenOctober 2016
Sara has been a wonderful host, very responsive to our questions and very considerate during our stay. The house is really very spacious as advertised, and well equipped with all the necessities. The only problem maybe the inconsistent hot water during bath. Location wise, this is located at a very quiet street, but still very accessible to nearby supermarkets. Livingston marketplace and Cockburn shopping area are just about 10 minutes drive away.
Sing HongJune 2016
We stayed in Sara's place for a month while we renovating our place in Beeliar. It was a convenient location because we were still close to all the amenities we were used to (and were able to keep an eye on the reno progress). We have 3 young children (3 months to 5 years old). The place was perfect for us to keep their routine going and the boys loved having their own big beds! The back yard was perfect for them to ride their bikes and scooters and the area was great for us to explore on walks around the superb. We found several playgrounds and parks in easy walking distance. Sara was a wonderful host who responded immediately to anything we asked for and who was keen to make sure that the place was equipped with everything we needed. When the air-conditioning broke down one cold night (which happens) Sara was straight around the next day with a repairer and, just to be sure, an electric heater too. Thanks for a wonderful stay Sara. You made it quite a relaxing experience for us
PeterMay 2016
Sara is very helpful and thoughtful before and throughout our stay at his place. He is very reachable just by the Airbnb messaging platform and he had recommended me several places for nice food at Fremantle and around the neighbourhood (Piara Waters). Sara's place is super spacious, especially at the living room and theater room! His place is also very organised and he is also a very considerate host who provide a list of nearby amenities to his guest. The house is located at a very convenient location as it is just a 10 minutes drive to supermarkets and restaurants! Overall a great stay and I will want to come back again!
DominicJuly 2016
Sara is a wonderful host who provided us with detailed instructions before our arrival. We were pleasantly surprised not only by the lovely and spacious house but also by the availability of cooking essentials such as pots/pans, salts/spices, etc. Overall a great experience. Thanks, Sara.
YuSeptember 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property type
Accommodates
8
Bedrooms
Nice, comfy & quiet bedroom located at the beautiful park.
Clean and quiet environment.
I own the house and I mainly live in the master-room, and the theater room. I've had my housemate living with me, and we get along very well.
7 mins walk to Harrisdale Woolworth, Aldi supermarket, fruit store, pharmacy, cafe, Mcdonald, KFC and other groceries. 3 mins walk to bus station, close to Cockburn Station, Jandakot Spudshed for grocery shopping, Livingston shopping mall, Canning Vale market, Southern River Coles and also 15 mins drive to Murdoch University.
Oats, Fruits, Coffee, Tea, Bread are provided, please help yourself.
There's a nice park around my place. You can have a nice walk early in the morning or evening.
I am mature, professional who work full time at the city. I'm clean, tidy, and like to keep the house in a manageable state. However I am a sociable person, fun, easy going and welcome you to join me for a dinner but will always respect your privacy.
Evaporated air con - cool in summer
Please feel free to contact me if you have any question.
Cheers
Free Wifi
Free use of Laundry - Washing Machine
TV at the theatre room
Free to use kitchen utensils and of course you can cook :) But please make sure to keep kitchen clean
Tea, Coffee, Bread, Oats are provided
Please let me know if you have any other questions I will try to answer all of your questions :)
Peggy is very friendly and the place was awesome. If someone want to visit, I will definitely recommend peggy everything was perfect. Room was clean and quiet fast Wifi ( very important :) ) nice parking and clean and quiet neighborhood Peggy is very friendly and nice host. she try to help me out and she always ask me I think Peggy is the BEST host. I am truly happy to stay in peggy's house
donFebruary 2015
My trip was exactly how i would have wished, I arrived late and everything was in order and the room comfortable. Friendly atmosphere throughout and really accommodating with anything i required and sharing of the usual kitchen items. If i was coming back to Perth in the future i would be more than happy to stay again. Thanks for making me feel welcome in your home.
paulAugust 2015
Peggy and her partner were great hosts. The place was very clean and quiet.
JamesMarch 2016
Peggy was an awesome host, no complaints from my end was exactly what I needed. Thanks Peggy
Peggy was working but her friend was there to meet us when we arrived and was very welcoming. We were'nt sure of the accomodation as it was a room in Peggy's house but it was better than expected, great TV room, very clean and cosy and Peggy was very helpful, even her house share guy was wonderful. Would thoroughly recommend the property.
PaulaApril 2015
My husband and I had a pleasant stay here at Peggy's. Everything was as expected and Peggy is very friendly and accommodating. She made sure we were comfortable throughout our stay. Her place is very cosy and quiet, and is located near shopping areas and food. Would definitely recommend to other travelers.
Room type
Property type
Accommodates
Bedrooms
It's your home away home! Walking distance to the new Harrisdale shopping centre and it's only 3 minutes drive to the newly opened Robot Park! Spend a relaxing day at the park with picnic and BBQ and let your kids to burst out their energy!
Have your breakfast at the alfresco overlooking the beautiful nature park from the backyard. Take the kids to the park and playground for a morning tea picnic. Walk to the shopping centre in the afternoon and you're spoilt with choices of Japanese sushi, Vietnamese pho, Indian curry, the award winning meat pie, cafe etc for lunch! Do your shopping there with fresh vegetables and meats and enjoy your cooking in our fully contented open plan gourmet kitchen! Happy days!
The entire house is yours!
It is 25 minutes drive from the airport. Transfer service available upon request. Charges applies.
As often as you need!
Residents of Newhaven estate Piara Waters enjoy an active lifestyle and brand new homes close to all day-to-day services one needs. At Newhaven, local parks, sport facilities, shops, public transport are all in easy walking distance - making life very convenient. It is a family oriented area with lovely neighbourhood.
Newhaven is a family-friendly community in Piara Waters, just 25 kilometres south of the Perth CBD.
The most cost effective way to travel Perth is car hiring.
Anyway, if you prefer public transport, bus stop is 3 min walk away from the house
and it takes you to the nearest train stations of Cockburn or Murdoch. Easy access to Perth city and Mandurah or just everywhere you want to go!
Fremantle and Swan Valley is 25 min drive away!
Nearby attractions: The Newhaven Estate Robot Park Piara Waters. It is unlike any other park in Perth. It has been fantastically designed with mix of industrial robot themed play equipment and a contrast of nature, sand and water play. It caters for kids of all ages and is the perfect place for families to spend a day having fun!
Room type
Property type
Accommodates
Bedrooms
Luxuriously appointed Apartment with 2 Double King size bedrooms complete with ensuites. Kitchen, dining/living. close to amenities, freeways and arterial roads. FREE Wifi, own smart TV's, heating and cooling. No expense spared here for your comfort.
SPECIAL! Stay 7 nights at $150 per night! Peaceful Lakeside setting. A short stroll across lake to shopping centre.
Luxuriously appointed, 2 King sized bedrooms.
2 Bathrooms including washing machines and hair dryers.
Suits 4 adults.
Complete Apartment with kitchen, dining/lounge and outdoor area.
Parking for 2 cars.
FREE Wifi and Smart TV's.
Free Wifi, smart TV's. Peaceful Lakeside setting with BBQ's, short stroll to bus. 10 minutes to Murdoch station, 25 minutes from airports. Parking for 2 cars.
The owners live in an adjoining property. we respect your total privacy, yet are close by if you have needs we can help with. Are happy to either interact, or leave you to yourselves. We respect differences between guests regarding this.
Close to Canning Vale.
Superb neighbourhood to live in. Peaceful. Predominantly owner occupied housing around us. Minimal traffic in our Street.
Lovely walks.
Coffee shops and Restaurants nearby.
Half hour to Fremantle.
Half hour to Araluen in the hills.
Commute to Perth from Murdoch Station or nearby bus.
Bus 5 minute walk. Train station 10 Minutes.
Close to Freeways and major arterial roads. 25 minutes from airports
The accommodation has 2 King Sized bedroom and 2 bathrooms. The beds are both King Size Doubles, with luxury linen. Suits adults or a family with older children.
We cant thank you enough Glenice for making our stay a truly memorable one from the day of our arrival till the the day we bid goodbye. We love everything about the property, so cosy with comfortable king sized beds great little kitchenette that has everything u need in a home, a fridge thats filled with consumables and every attention to details that this lovely host has delivered from the super clean bedsheets, luxury towels and bathmats to the luxurious toiletteries to the extra pillows complete with iron and ironing boards to the nice comforters to keep your chilly nights warm! Glenice spent a lot of effort doing up this place and the beautiful lake with water birds across the road with scenic but secluded surrounding is a cherry on top of this fantastic homestay. Contributes to great local feel to it and the host Glenice has done commendable job in making it a fun-filled stay. Well done Glenice...cant wait to be back!!
TutiMarch 2016
Very friendly hosts with great little touches like coffee etc available. Very clean property in a great location.
AdamOctober 2016
Warmly greeted by owners and walked through the apartment. Glenice was thorough and very proud of the space she had provided - and rightly so. She had gone to a lot of trouble to provide more than I could have imagined in "extras" to make my stay comfortable. Immaculately clean, modern and comfortable. Quiet and perfectly located close to shops, access roads and Gosnells Golf Club. I would definitely stay again.
Room type
Property type
Accommodates
Bedrooms
This stylish modern home is the epitome of Perth living. We are nestled amongst many parks, lakes and humble people. Although the area is quaint and we work hard for the lifestyle we have, we also enjoy letting loose as soon as the weekend begins!
Room type
Private room
Property type
Accommodates
2
Bedrooms
A fully furnished, brand-new private flatlet adjoining the main house in leafy Canning Vale. It has a separate entrance. The living area is an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge room. There is easy access to public transport and shops.
The flatlet can accommodate a maximum of three people i.e. 2 adults and 1 child (under 18):
-The bedroom has two king single beds.
-There is a double sofa bed in the living area for another guest (children only - 18 and under).
Linen and towels are provided.
This well appointed flatlet has a kitchen complete with all utensils, fridge/freezer, electric cooktop and convection microwave. The bathroom includes a shower, vanity and toilet + washing machine. There is a dedicated clothes line outside. Free WIFI, LED TV with DVD player + reverse cycle A/C
There is a dedicated off-street parking bay. Access is through a private gate to a separate entrance. There is a door in the living area to the main house that is locked and sealed with no possible access from the main house.
We will meet & greet our guests and show them around the flatlet. We enjoy interacting with people and are readily available to help when needed.
Canning Vale is a quiet, leafy suburb with many parks. There is a greenbelt nearby for walkers and cyclists. A large shopping center and fast food outlets are 1 km away.
Perth Airport (International and Domestic) is approx 25 minutes away by car.
The CBD of Perth and the waterfront of Fremantle are both approx 25 minutes away by car. There is a bus that runs during weekdays just a few meters up the road - it runs between Murdoch and Armadale Stations
The listing description was accurate and the place was very clean.
EngAugust 2016
The flatlet was a perfect home away from home. It is brand new and had everything we needed for our stay. Kerry and her husband were very accommodating and friendly. The area was beautiful and safe. There were walking trails, parks and stores within walking distance. We would recommend the flatlet to anyone and hope to return in the future! Thanks again for a great stay Kerry!
CassandraMay 2016
Kerry was a great host. She was available to meet us we arrived to show us around the flatlet and responded to us almost immediately when we required assistance during our stay. The flatlet was a perfect home away from home - it had all the amenities we required. We would definitely wish to stay there again if we come back to Perth. Thanks so much for everything Kerry!
KimJuly 2016
We had a great time in this lovely apartment. It's really a home away from home. You'll find everything you need in there. And everything looks so nice. The owners even provide a folder with lots of infos of Perth. They are really friendly people, who let us our privacy but were also there for us, when we needed them or had questions.
MelanieApril 2016
Great place to stay, very well appointed, clean and comfortable. Felt very much at home. Would highly recommend staying here!
PetaSeptember 2016
It was really lovely place to stay. There were everything we needed and it was very clean. The host family is friendly and kind. I will recommend this place to other people. Thank you Kerry.
AkikoAugust 2016
The unit was great will be back again thanks
GeoffJune 2016
It was fabulous. Kerry made it very easy for us to pick up keys and made everyone feel very welcome. The flatlet is brand new and perfect for a stay in Canning Vale. Would highly recommend it to anyone.
MidoriMarch 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property type
Accommodates
3
Bedrooms
My place is close to parks and bus stop. You will love my place because it is located in quite and peaceful suburb as well it is close to local shops, pub and train station.
Comfy queen bed with built- in - robe and private view.
Modern newly built 4 bedroom , 2 bathroom family home located in a quiet and peaceful suburb.
Comfortable queen bed( air mattress if required) , built in robe and private view.
Kids are welcome in our house and we can provide an air mattress that will fit in the room. The play area is open for kids to enjoy themselves.
Very well located . Close to bus stop. Local shops , medical centre and pharmacy is near by.
In our lovely house you can enjoy air conditioning , outdoor area, living area. Access to kitchen equipped with fridge, microwave, toaster , coffee machine . You can cook but kindly clean the stove afterwards. Continental breakfast supplies ( coffee, milk, tea , bread, cereal ) will be available to you at all times.
Please don't leave any dishes in the sink . There is plenty of room to eat in the common areas so please avoid eating in the bedroom.
Unlimited wifi is available for guest use.
I work from home and will be able to assist. Your comfort is our main concern and as such your privacy is respected at all times. We will be able to recommend places to go and visit. Let us know what you need.
Airport pick up or drop off can be organised for $40 each way but depends on the days, just ask me.
The neighbourhood is very safe and quiet. There is a park and playground within walking distance from our house which is good for early morning or evening walk.
Bus stop is close
Local shops , pubs , medical centre , restaurants are near by.
Bus stop at the end of the street which links to Cockburn Station.
The medical centre is walking distance.
Local shops are just around the corner with lots of options for dining .
We are open for guests who won't mind staying in a family home and likes to feel home away from home.
We have one daughter , 5 yr old and a son 1 yr old. They are at home after 2:40 pm .
Room type
Private room
Property type
Accommodates
2
Bedrooms
Room to rent in new house in Piara Waters. I own the house and am a fifo worker so the house is basiccally yours for the time I am away. House is spotless and must be kept that way so im looking for someone clean and respectful. Includes all bills
Room type
Private room
Property type
Accommodates
1
Bedrooms
This is a modern & contemporary home that will appeal to the whole family,an outdoor spa &modern quality finishes,it exudes a timeless elegance throughout. With 4 generously sized bedrooms and 2 sparkling clean bathrooms it has ample space for family
The living accommodation features a theatre, study zone, dining area and living area which embraces a kitchen that's fit for any masterchef! The designer kitchen is openly located with easy service to the dining area-which will be the heart of all social and relaxed occasions. The space is filled with stainless steal appliances, microwave, range hood, oven, kettle, dishwasher, crockery and utensils.
The master bedroom encompasses a built-in wardrobe and impressive ensuite which boasts his and her basins and a glass shower.
A large side door access leads to a paved alfresco area, landscaped garden and electric spa which creates an unmatched outdoor entertainment area which is available all year round. With ceiling speakers, ceiling lights, barbeque and an amazing outdoor spa it is the complete package that will keep the whole family entertained.
Additional features include unlimited WiFi connection, Foxtel and assorted bathroom amenities.
With only minutes from major shopping centres, large array of restaurants and parks it is excellently located for those who enjoy convenience. This is an impeccable place for the family that demands a perfect stay in Perth! Please contact us now to book your stay at Eden Holiday Home.
Alicia is a great host and so is her place! Nice, clean and lots of room for the kiddos to run! The added wifi and cable channels is a big plus for me too!
JamesNovember 2016
It looks exactly like the pictures. The instructions to the home was perfecto. Simple and easily done. We had no issues and enjoyed the home totally, thank you Alicia.
KavalJune 2016
Great place and near the airport :)
KellyOctober 2016
Nice place & clean exactly how the pictures show !! Located Very convenient to everywhere. The hosted so kind alw keep updated requests & inquiries to us
N NieNovember 2016
Very nice stay. Full facilities and convenience. Happy with everything. Will stay the same place next time.
GaryMarch 2016
Great property, very comfortable place to stay. Alicia was great in communicating with us and being willing to help and answer any questions we had. Conveniently located near shops and supermarkets and not far to main roads. The spa was a wonderful addition
AndyMarch 2016
We would like to thank our host Alicia for allowing us to stay at the property. The house is in ideal location close to supermarket and facilities. Exactly described. We enjoyed our time and looked after the property if it was like our own. Spa and Alfresco adds value for outdoor area. Theater room very comfortable. Plenty of space to move around. Alicia was easy to comunicate with and very helpful. We will definatly be booking again on our next visit.
RenataJune 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property type
Accommodates
8
Bedrooms
My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, business travellers, families (with kids), and big groups.
There is a shopping centre nearby and easy access to public transport. This place is ideally suited for individuals/group with a car. Garage can accommodate 2 cars.
Happy to assist with any queries or requests, including flexible check-in/out times etc. Don't hesitate to ask.
Room type
Property type
Accommodates
Bedrooms
We are a friendly, mid-20s couple working full time. House includes a double bed, spa, large TV, close to shops and public transport.
Staying with Ben and his partner Nicky, was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Ben's hospitality and warm demeanour allowed us to experience a pleasant stay in a relaxed, clean and stylish home. We would highly recommend this place. You will not be disappointed...go for it! Kind Regards, Dane and Mamy
DaneMarch 2016
Great place to stay. Comfortable place and very nearby the mall. Ben and his partner were really welcoming too. Even though we were there for just one night, he made sure that we got everything needed and sorted out the admin things really efficiently. Overall, a great place to stay. Thanks ben.:)
JonathanApril 2016
Lovely couple, felt very comfortable also the room is at the other end of the house so you have your own space! Would definatly stay again
TaraOctober 2016
Comfortable and clean room. Great experience staying with the lovely couple and they had been great hosts. Highly recommended for other users.
KentApril 2016
Me and my partner both enjoyed staying at Ben's place a lot. Everything is in order and is like what we expected or even better. The room is clean and the bed is comfortable. The bathroom is big and clean too. The house is also very complete and we cooked a few meals in the kitchen. Supermarket, retail stores and a few restaurants is just 5 to 10 minutes away by foot. Overall, we just had an awesomely great stay at Ben's.
VictorJuly 2016
It was a really nice stay in Ben & Nikki 's house ! We had some really great time with them ! We recommand this place !! :-) We will see you again :-)
MélanieDecember 2015
Very lovely and friendly hosts. Ben and the partner were very welcoming and caring. The house is very beautiful with the additional top class treatment of a spa. The communication was excellent and Ben was the perfect host you can wish for. Very excellent accommodation i would recommend everyone to try this affordable but luxurious house, no regrets.
JackieSeptember 2016
It was a pleasure to stay four nights at Ben and Nikki house. They are a sweet couple. The welcoming was good, their house is perfect, all you can hope! I highly recommend.
MathieuFebruary 2016
Room type
Private room
Property type
Accommodates
2
Bedrooms
My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, and business travelers. One bed room with queen bed in a 4x2 house we are a family of 4 ( 2Adults+2kids); Exclusive Toilet and Shower for guest. Access to TV/lounge room; Close to Public transport, 3 shopping centres within 3km radius; Approx 20 mins from International and Domestic airports. Local tour planning/support can be arranged on request. Close to park lands . Pick up from airport can be arranged with prior agreement at a nominal charge.
One bed room with queen bed in a 4x2 house we are a family of 4 ( 2Adults+2kids)
Outdoor area accessible for guests( See Photos)
Swimming Pool and Spa at a charge of $5/day per person
One Bed room
Tv/Lounge Room
Toilet
Shower
Laundry
Kitchen
Swimming Pool at a charge of $5/day per person
Happy to help in local tour planning.
Quite residential area in close proximity to Catholic Church, Hindu temple, Shopping centres, Parkland
Close to Public transport (Bus Stop)- within 200m
Murdoch train station ( 10km) accessible by frequent bus service
10Km to Westfield carousal shopping centre; 21km to CBD
Plenty Uber cars available around the area. Normal response within 5 minutes
No party/ loud noise
Stayed again , enjoyed the stay .very friendly host
MiniNovember 2016
John's place was very comfortable ,very hospitable host . We did not felt meeting first time , highly recommended .
MiniOctober 2016
Overall, we've had a pleasant stay in a safe neighborhood. The exclusive use of the toilet and bathroom is a bonus!
Room type
Property type
Accommodates
Bedrooms
我的房源靠近適合家庭的活動、機場、公共交通,健身房,餐廳,大型商場,大型買酒商場,數家速食店等等。因為溫馨、人、地段,簡約乾淨,您一定會愛上我的房源。我的房源適合情侶、孤獨的冒險家、家庭(帶孩子)。
To Perth CBD around 20~25min,
Have Bus Stop to Train station
5min To Livingston Market Place (Shopping Center)
5min to Dan Murphy ( Liquid store)
20 min To Perth Airport
Clean Tidy Small New Houses.
Good for family travel suitable for 5 people Unit ~
If Need someone pick u up at the airport , Pick up fees is $30.(Per Car)
But make sure the owner is available.
Cross the road have Shopping Center, Can purchase any articles of daily use .
and also in that area have many 24hour Fast (URL HIDDEN) U able to walk trough and have u nice meal ^^
Outside the House have Bus stop go to the Train Station (Thorlie) the train station can access to Perth City.
(please make sure (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN) the Bus and Train Time Table before u Going out.)
Lovely accomodation
ZedNovember 2016
Listing description was accurate and really appreciated the tea / coffee / snacks. House is like new. Bed was very comfortable. Great value for money.
AndrewSeptember 2016
It's very a lovely place, very quiet and perfect to start his Aussie adventure. thanks for your kindness ! Romain/Steven
stevenAugust 2016
Ming is very kind, he was waiting me in the house, showed me around the house, introduced all the facilities. Room is new and very clean. Bed is very comfortable. The breakfast and drinking water are free. Very good place to stay.
XUZHONGJuly 2016
It was great time when I stayed a week. Ming has welcomed me. House and room are very cozy, clean. Pretty quiet neighborhood, there is shopping centre nearby. It takes a little time to city, but good location to take public transit.
JAEHOON KWONJune 2016
The place is lovely, clean, complete accomodation. easy access to mall and amenities, would recommend to others.
muhamad salehudinNovember 2016
I hav almost a week stay with Ming's unit. His fast response and easy negotiate made my trip planned well. The house is clean and neat as well as quiet neighborhood. No worries abt the kitchen, you will hav all the stuff you need there.
KCOctober 2016
I stayed 3 nights at the place. It is clean and new, exactly as shown in the pictures. It is in a quiet neighbourhood. We rented a car, so we didn't bother about the public transport. The host replied promptly to the messages when I communicated with him during the stay.
KelvinJuly 2016
Room type
Entire home/apt
Property type
Accommodates
5
Bedrooms
Lavender Cottage is close to public transport, airport, city centre, but not walking distance, you will need a car. You’ll love it here because of the location, the ambiance, and the outdoor space. This little cottage/guest house is very separate, and is situated in the middle of a 5 acre block, which gives the feeling of being in the bush but only 5 mins from shops etc. Free range eggs supplied. This cottage will suit couples, solo adventurers, and families. Must be OK with dogs.
Our place is situated in the middle of a 5 acre block which gives the feeling of being in the country while here, but leave the gate and you are 20mins from the city, 30 mins from Fremantle and 5 mins from a large shopping centre. We have chickens, and you can enjoy a complimentary carton of eggs on your stay. We have 3 very friendly (sometimes too friendly) dogs roaming the property, and 2 miniature donkeys which I often let roam over the property, nothing like looking out your window to see a donkey amble past. :)
This cottage has its own key, as you can come and go as you please. Feel free to wander over the property and take a dip in the pool.
You will have complete privacy, but we will always be there for any questions or if I can help with anything.
We have parking right in front of the cottage. There is a train station 5 minutes away, but unfortunately not close enough to walk.
We don't have many rules, except please shut the main gate as the donkeys are usually out, and if they go down the street, bit hard to get them back.
One of our best airbnb experience ever! Sue and her three dogs are very welcoming and everything about the cottage was as described. Clean, comfortable, lovely cottage , a home away from home. Bed was extremely comfy with a beautiful bathroom and kitchen. Would definitely recommend Sue's place to all.
JacquelineNovember 2016
What a find! This is a superb stay so close to the city yet it feels like it's in the country. Host was friendly and helpful on arrival and then stepped back and gave us our privacy. Highly recommended.
ChristineNovember 2016
She was very helpful, friendly and approachable. She also gave us alot of privacy. House is well equipped with everything including bread and eggs and filtered water. Convenient and great. Location is great if you have a car and you can drive to mall which is 5 mins away
PeterNovember 2016
Lovely place,environment and most importantly that we felt like we are at our home! The house is very nice,neat, and quiet too :).Thanks Sue for the great hospitality | {
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Tomorrow: If You Like Comedy & Free Beer You Should Go to Red Hot Video Fun Time
This Friday, a comedy series called "Red Hot Video Fun Time" will be premiering at Bat Haus. RHVFT invites comedians and filmmakers who hale from the likes of SNL, Adult Swim, Jezebel and Funny or Die to make short comedic videos. THIS IS NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE, GUYS. And for those with a short attention span, fret not. Each of the 15 preimiered videos are only 3 minutes long, so you won't get antsy. Entry is $5, but did we mention the show is sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery which means... free beer?
So if you're ready to laugh and drink (cheaply), go to the Bat Haus ( tomorrow night at 8 p.m. and enjoy the show. In the meantime, check out some of these videos from their past series: | {
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Yeah, that IS wrong. I wanted to take SF so I allow the non-regular betting public move the line down to 3', and I actually got 3 in one spot. But if you want SF, take them now because come Saturday it will start to move back up, maybe up to 4'.
Pardon my simplicity, but I always bet the night after the Championship games, cause I don't want to be affected by 2 weeks of hyperbole.
That being said, Balt + 3.5 was my pick. I believe SF's inability to pressure the QB since J. Smiths injury, and The Raven's D's ability to control the middle of the field will be the difference. A close physical game will ultimately hinge on red zone success and kicking games. The Niners will come out strong, dominating TOP and yardage, but missed opportunities will prove costly. Ravens win 27-23.
There are articles by local sportsbook directors that explain why the line was so high. In the west this is Niner country. They have the money at 60 40 and anticipate Niner money by the weekend thus getting closer to the 50 50.
i got 5.5 in vegas 10 minutes after the Balt Ne game. During the first game there was far more niner bettors than the other 3 teams. In this game there is nothing to be gleened fron the line movement on the outcome of the game. Personally I think the books will come out on the plus side BALT
Everyone is talking about SF Pistol O and how unstoppable they are. They point out that BAL lost to 2 teams with moblile QB PHI & WAS. But that was when Lewis Ngata and Suggs were out. Now the 3 are back BAL D has been outstanding. BAL will have success against SF Pistol. Lewis Ngata and Suggs will blow up the Pistol and be very disruptive. They will sit and wait and try to figure who has the ball. They will hit Kap early and often and punish him and run to the ball.
I like the Ravens in a somewhat lopsided win much like the Pats game. Kaepernick is still just a rookie with only 10 starts. While he is talented and well coached, I just can't see him beating Baltimores defense. Ravens will focus on him with schemed and tough defense. Hoping Baltimore will get up early on the 9ers like Atlanta did. Flacco will rune a very balanced offense and with time running out, Kaepernick will press and start making mistakes. Baltimore won't look back. Take the points and over.
The more I study this game the more I like BAL. They are now healthy and playing the right way. They revamped the O line for the playoffs and have been playing outstanding. Lewis Ngata and Suggs are back for the playoffs and the D have been playing outstanding. They have outstanding special teams. BAL are solid in all 3 phases offense defense and special teams. It should be a great game. | {
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Happy Boxing Day dude! You look pawsome in that box, and I just saw Maggie, and she is lookin' adorables in hers too! I hopes you and your Moms had a very Merry Christmas and had lots of funs and love!Kisses,Ruby ♥
This Moment See Beautiful
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Hi my name is Goose and I occasionally have an inspirational thing to say now and then. I also like to share with you my adventures that I have with my MOM and my friends. I hope you find them inspiring and up lifting. If you would like to contact me you can e-mail me at pastormichelle13 (at) gmail (dot) com. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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it has now expired and we are running a free license, this is having a huge effect on our server, multiple emails/tickets to support and only 1 response saying they would activate the license for us and look into the issue, the following day, still on free licesne and no further contact from 'support'
any help at all? or could anyone recomend a server manager to replace this one? | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
They're teenagers, of course they have Facebook. Multi-chaptered Facebook fic. Open to prompts. Rated T because I have no idea where this'll go. Chapter six: in which Nick makes an interesting discovery.
I'm so sorry for not updating in ages; it just wouldn't happen. Please accept my most humble apologies.
From Pottergirl1: Will you forgive me if the prompt is stupid? Cuz I'm not any good at this...okay, maybe like Nick catches Klaine doing "something" in Blaine's room and Santana(she MUST be in there cuz I love her) comments and mentally scars everyone, with a bit of Brittany confusion in there as well? I hope that's okay...
So I tweaked this a little; like, I put them in Kurt and Nick's shared room, because I forgot about that bit of the prompt, and Santana doesn't scar anyone, except possibly Finn...I hope it's okay, though :)
Nick Duval: I so did not want to see that. Thank you very much, Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson!
Kurt Hummel: You could have knocked!
Nick Duval: I didn't know I'd have to! And you could try not making out on MY bed!
Santana Lopez: Okay, hold up. Hummel was getting down and dirty with his pet hobbit? I never thought I'd see the day.
Nick Duval: They were making out. There was tongue. There was hip action. They were not just kissing.
Santana Lopez: Pretty damning indictment there, Hobbit. Gonna argue?
Nick Duval: It's been five minutes. I don't think he's arguing.
Santana Lopez: Radio silence is very telling, Pippin. Prep school has a point.
Brittany S. Pierce: 'Tana, why did you call him Pippin? Is he Kurt's bird?
Santana Lopez: What? No, Britt. Why would he be a bird?
Brittany S. Pierce: I had a bird called Pippin, but Lord Tubbington ate him.
Blaine Anderson: No, Brittany, I'm not a bird. I wouldn't have facebook if I were a bird.
Brittany S. Pierce: Lord Tubbington has facebook.
Lord Tubbington Pierce: Meow.
Finn Hudson: Wait, what? Kurt and Blaine were making out? Nick Duval, you did not need to share that!
Nick Duval: Sorry, man. Think how I felt, having to see it!
Kurt Hummel: Finn, for goodness' sake, it's not really any of your business.
Finn Hudson: I'm your brother, I don't want to know about what you get up to!
Kurt Hummel: But you could have spoken to me about not wanting to talk about it. You didn't have to make a whole new status about it, two hours after Nick originally posted. I bet everyone is reading this.
Noah "Puck" Puckerman, Mercedes Jones and 169 others like this.
Jeff Sterling: They've done much worse, for the record.
Nick Duval likes this.
Kurt Hummel: JEFF!
Finn Hudson: OK, dude, I seriously don't want to know.
Kurt Hummel: Finn, you are such a hypocrite! You don't want to know anything about my sex life, but you're perfectly fine with asking me how to get Rachel to let you get to second base!
Rachel Berry: Excuse me?
Finn Hudson: Thanks, Kurt!
Rachel Berry: Finn Hudson, get yourself on chat right now!
Finn Hudson: Thanks, Kurt!
Kurt Hummel: My pleasure :)
Nick Duval: Oh, for goodness' sake! Guys, if you have to go at it, at least do it on Kurt's bed! Or, I don't know, in Blaine's SINGLE room! | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Other miscellaneous taxes and hotel fees which are not fixed or due at time of booking may be payable at the property at time of stay. Please see our partners for more details.
MACLIN LODGE is situated amongst landscaped gardens in the heart of the Macarthur Area. We offer FREE WIFI to all rooms, room service breakfast available daily, on site Chinese Restaurant open 6 days (closed Mondays) and outdoor swimming pool. . With friendly staff to assist you, guests have access to an extensive range of things to see and do during their stay. Maclin Lodge is within walking distance to restaurants, shopping centres, clubs, entertainment venues and local historical attractions. With Campbelltown’s bus and rail network just 10 minutes walk away, guests also have the advantage of catching public transport into the city with ease. Less than an hours drive from Sydney’s CBD.
Recently booked the Maclin Lodge based on the photos and reviews... and that where it all went WRONG! We were looking for accommodation in proximity to the train station, looking at the reviews and images, Maclin Lodge seemed a suitable solution. Not sure which decade the…
We booked two rooms to sleep 6 and 5 people. The rooms had two double beds and a sofa bed. It was a very big complex and close to shops and cafes. The place was a little dated and might be in a bit of a rough area as the windows and sliding doors had wooden dowels to prevent…
Thank you for your feedback. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us. It sounds like you stayed in our apartments which are located at the back of the motel. The Motel is not located in a rough area but we do have the wooden dowel in the doors for security purposes. The barbed wire was put up by the high school behind the units. We are glad you found everything to be clean and tidy we are looking at giving the apartments a refresh in the next 12 months. Thank you for staying with us, we hope to see you again in the future.
Well what a great place to stay excellent accommodation the room was great we had our granddaughter with us no trouble accommodating her the staff was great most obliging restaurant on the premises so didn’t have to worry about a meal highly recommended a stay
Stayed in one of the 2 bedroom apartment it was great pool is great staff are great definitely will recommend to others rooms clean more like spotless can't fault anything reception are welcoming and was always so helpful thank u guys so much | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Union home minister Rajnath Singh will chair a meeting of home ministers, chief secretaries and directors general of police of coastal states and Union territories in Mumbai on Thursday.
Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju and senior officers of the ministry will attend the meeting organised by the department of border management, ministry of home affairs.
Dignitaries from the nine coastal states (West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat) and four Union Territories, (Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands), interstate council secretariat (ISCS), registrar general of india, ministry of defence, ministry of shipping, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries and Indian Coast Guard are participating in the meeting, a release stated.
During the pre-lunch session of the meeting, there will be discussions on expeditious implementation of coastal security scheme, institutional set up in states/UTs to review coastal security, constitution of State Maritime Boards, security of non-major ports and single point mooring, coastal mapping, security of islands, distribution of Biometric Identity Cards and Card Readers, colour coding of boats, monitoring of fish landing points and crossing of International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by fishermen.
There will also be presentations by the Indian Coast Guard and the coastal states and UTs in which they will be highlighting, before Singh, the steps being taken for ensuring coastal security and their requirements or suggestions for further strengthening it.
For all the latest news and updates from India and across the globe, follow us on @NewsWorldIN on Twitter and News World India on Facebook
Rajnath Singh To Chair Meeting Of Coastal States To Review Security Situation
Union home minister Rajnath Singh will chair a meeting of home ministers, chief secretaries and directors general of police of coastal states and Union territories in Mumbai on Thursday.
Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju and senior officers of the ministry will attend the meeting organised by the department of border management, ministry of home affairs.
Dignitaries from the nine coastal states (West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat) and four Union Territories, (Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands), interstate council secretariat (ISCS), registrar general of india, ministry of defence, ministry of shipping, department of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries and Indian Coast Guard are participating in the meeting, a release stated.
During the pre-lunch session of the meeting, there will be discussions on expeditious implementation of coastal security scheme, institutional set up in states/UTs to review coastal security, constitution of State Maritime Boards, security of non-major ports and single point mooring, coastal mapping, security of islands, distribution of Biometric Identity Cards and Card Readers, colour coding of boats, monitoring of fish landing points and crossing of International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by fishermen.
There will also be presentations by the Indian Coast Guard and the coastal states and UTs in which they will be highlighting, before Singh, the steps being taken for ensuring coastal security and their requirements or suggestions for further strengthening it.
For all the latest news and updates from India and across the globe, follow us on @NewsWorldIN on Twitter and News World India on Facebook | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
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