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World Rugby’s proposals to ban trans women from playing women’s rugby have been criticised by dozens of academics, who have written to the sport’s governing body to insist there is “no evidence” that trans women pose a safety risk to others playing the sport. One, that’s absurd, but two, it’s beside the point. Women and men are physically different in many ways, and that’s why they compete mostly on separate teams. Trans women are physically men, so they should not force themselves onto women’s teams. The letter, which has been co-signed by 84 leading academics from a range of fields including sport, public health and sociology, also questions the science behind the proposed ban and warns it will discriminate against vulnerable people. Women are vulnerable people. Women as a group are vulnerable to men as a group. Trans women are socially vulnerable in many ways, but they are not physically vulnerable to women in the way women are physically vulnerable to men. Forcing women to accept men who identify as trans in their sports would discriminate against vulnerable people. It’s bizarre how quickly all these “academics” have lost sight of the vulnerability of women to male physical dominance. “We are opposed to World Rugby’s proposed ban of an entire population group from playing women’s rugby: non-binary people assumed male at birth and transgender women,” it says. “There is no peer-reviewed, scientific evidence to justify a ban which would only be harmful to trans and gender diverse people.” Who said anything about banning “non-binary” people? Anyone? Surely women who call themselves “non-binary” are not banned from women’s rugby? It’s only men, whether trans or “non-binary,” who are banned from women’s rugby. And there’s no such thing as “assumed male at birth.” However, World Rugby has issued a robust defence of the research on which its recommendations are based, as well as its application of that research, which has concluded there is a minimum of 20% to 30% increase in injury risk factors when typical male-bodied and female-bodied players are involved in tackles – even when trans women suppress their testosterone in line with International Olympic Committee rules. I wonder if any of these 84 academics have female children. If so I wonder how many of them would genuinely feel perfectly happy for their daughters to play rugby on teams that include men who identify as trans women. Related posts But where will they play? Whether you have a place How to become vulnerable 26 Responses to “Vulnerable people” #1 September 2, 2020 at 10:54 am Sounds to me as if these academics need a refresher course in anatomy. Probably because over-specialised. September 2, 2020 at 10:56 am I wonder if any of these 84 academics have female children. If so I wonder how many of them would genuinely feel perfectly happy for their daughters to play rugby on teams that include men who identify as trans women. If these dons’ sportsmanship is as robust as their scholarship, I expect they’d love for their daughters to gain an unfair advantage. Whether they’d feel perfectly happy for their daughters to play rugby against teams that include men might be a different question. September 2, 2020 at 11:35 am Sure, there’s no evidence…if you close your eyes and ears and ignore the evidence. Just like there is no evidence that violence against women will increase if male-bodied people are allowed access to women’s room; all you have to do is wave your hand and claim the evidence is biased (and throw in racist, with a couple of snide mentions of cis-women and Karens, possibly a handful of ageist claims about “old” women), and the evidence disappears! Poof! It’s like putting two scoops in front of Pussygrabber Donnie…gone in a flash. #4 September 2, 2020 at 11:46 am Would I be correct in thinking that what appears to be the latest switch of terminology, namely that a person’s sex is now said to be assumed rather than assigned at birth, is because we are told not to make assumptions as they are often wrong? Well, congratulations to them for making the identification of a newborn’s sex sound even more unreliable than assigning, with the added bonus that they get to keep the ‘AMAB/AFAB acronyms. Bloody ABWACs (assumed bright when at college). #5 September 2, 2020 at 12:00 pm It’s going to turn out that this letter is exactly like the letters full of “scientists” that support intelligent design. A sociologist signing this letter is as irrelevant as I (chemist) would be signing it, as the ban is about a safely issue that can be studied by researchers in sports medicine. And at any rate, the proper way to show that World Rugby’s decision is wrong is to put up your own evidence about how transition completely removes all advantage trans women have over women and how they do not pose a safety threat to women players of the game, now that World Rugby has gathered evidence that suggests there are advantages and threats to safety. This letter … does not appear to be that. September 2, 2020 at 12:10 pm “recent research by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 3.4% of American school students (year 9-12) identify as trans or gender diverse, or they were ‘not sure’ about their gender identity” This is a case study in how to lie with statistics. The writers of the letter want you to read that as “3.4% of American school students identify as trans”, but they’ve added on “gender diverse” and “not sure” to fluff the numbers up. If that’s an example of the quality of the rest of the letter, well … I think we know how seriously World Rugby should take it. September 2, 2020 at 12:19 pm Trans women are physically men, so they should not force themselves onto women’s teams This needs some of those clap emojis. They always have been, so if anyone wants to change that around, they really need to grapple with the reasons that sports were separated by sex in the first place. Like the fact that most things we call “sports” at the moment just so happen to be things that male bodies do really well at when compared to female bodies. September 2, 2020 at 12:47 pm These “nonbinary people assumed male at birth and transgender women” are MALE! Why can’t they begin to acknowledge that? So many of the arguments for allowing transwomen to play on women’s teams work perfectly adequately as arguments for fully co-ed sports. Is that what they really want to advocate? If not, what, then, is the purpose for having separate men’s and women’s events, if some men are allowed to compete in the women’s competition? (I do know people for whom that’s an explicitly sought end position, the elimination of separate sporting events for men and women. It’s very strange to me.) September 2, 2020 at 1:03 pm Yes that, that’s what I was trying to get at. Why were sports divided by sex in the first place? So that women could play too, basically. The physical differences meant and have always meant and still mean that women need their own teams and leagues to be able to play at all, so this petulant “There’s no evidence that trans women have an advantage” is just…just maddeningly coat-trailing and infuriating and above all misogynist. What a Maroon September 2, 2020 at 1:11 pm Surely by “assumed male at birth” they meant “assigned male at birth”. They were just mixing up their “ass”es. September 2, 2020 at 1:34 pm I’ve read that some TRAs are claiming that the penises of “lesbian” trans identified males feel and smell different than those of cis males — more like vaginas, really. Gender identity carries womanhood. Perhaps this same line of reasoning is being followed for rugby. Transwomen don’t really move with the same power and motivation as men do. When you’re tackled by a transwoman, it just feels different. Gentler and softer, somehow. September 2, 2020 at 2:21 pm Agreed. It’s a case of mind over body. One’s body can be whatever one thinks or wishes it to be. So while hefty shoulders on a non-trans male rugby player can be used to create mayhem and damage to the opposing side, on a trans male body they function instead as cushions or shock-absorbers; as long as their owner wants them to. September 2, 2020 at 2:26 pm I’ve read that some TRAs are claiming that the penises of “lesbian” trans identified males feel and smell different than those of cis males — more like vaginas, really. One wonders how they know? How was the research done on this? Who made the determination? What were their objective standards? Huh? WTF? Transwomen don’t really move with the same power and motivation as men do. When you’re tackled by a transwoman, it just feels different. Gentler and softer, somehow. This is just like the argument I have heard that since transwomen are women, their bodies are women’s bodies, and therefore they are just like women who happen to be larger than other women, but are allowed to play women’s sports. Too bad for them that the evidence doesn’t back this up. Hey, you guys! If you have a penis, you are male. If you ever had a penis, you are male. If you were brought up male, you have had a shitload of male privilege, even if it doesn’t feel like it to you (because you really, really wanted to be a girl, and no one would let you). If you were brought up male, you imbibed a strong sense of entitlement that females do not get. You were taught to be confident in your own abilities, something most females do not get, in fact, many of us get the opposite. You were taught that you are important as a person, and are allowed to pursue what you want, and don’t have to spend your entire life nurturing and caring and so forth. I’ll believe TWAW when transwomen (1) don’t leave the toilet seat up;; (2) get talked over in every meeting, and have their ideas credited to someone else; (3) do the bulk of the cleaning in their family; (4) get crapped on by absolutely everyone because they go out to work while someone else takes care of the children; and (5) get their ass grabbed/breasts fondled/upskirt pictures taken/dogpiled on the internet just for saying something perfectly ordinary. Not one of those things…ALL OF THEM. Because that is our life. When they are told that they have to stay at the local college, while loser brother is given whatever he wants, because college is more important for boys? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. When they are told the man they worked with gets a raise because he has to support a family (even though he has no family and I am a single mother)? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. When they have tampons or pad shoved in their face at school or on the bus because they bled too hard, and it showed on their pants? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. When they have more education than anyone they work with, so are assigned the extremely complex and difficult tasks of making the coffee and watering the plants? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. When they are dangled on a man’s arm as a trophy, because they are attractive and intelligent, and the man wants to move up in the world (and pretends to the wife she isn’t a trophy wife)? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. When they are told to smile all the time, even as the men around them have no smiles on, because it’s just ordinary shit going on and not a lot of reason to smile? Yeah, I’m guessing they haven’t heard that. They have no idea what being a woman is about. They only play at woman; we have to live it every day of our lives. Sorry for the length of the comment. I’m feeling a bit pissy and needed to rant. #14 September 2, 2020 at 2:56 pm Transwomen will be women when they’re expected to renounce women’s soccer, women’s changing rooms, and women’s everything else because It’s Better To Be Nice Than Right, and they shouldn’t/wouldn’t want to make other people uncomfortable, now would they? September 2, 2020 at 3:23 pm Aw, no, you peeps have this whole “being a woman” thing wrong, it’s not about being talked over and ignored at promotion time and expected to do all the cooking, it’s about making duck face and flicking your hair back and forth and wearing chase me-fuck me shoes. #16 September 2, 2020 at 3:51 pm This had me laughing: I’ve read that some TRAs are claiming that the penises of “lesbian” trans identified males feel and smell different than those of cis males — more like vaginas, really. One wonders how they know? It’s pretty clear how they know, they pulled the fact out of their collective arses. Whilst I can claim no personal knowledge of the feel and smell of any other penis than my own (well, the feel of my own penis, certainly. I think that if I could smell my own penis I’d either be concerned about my standards of personal hygiene, or booking a visit to my doctor. Or just a damn sight more flexible than I’ve ever been) and have no empirical studies to draw on, I can still confidently dismiss the idea. Simply put, every human has his or her unique scent, which is the sole reason that tracker dogs can do their thing. Because of the existence of this unique scent there can be no one generic odour to all penises and therefore no distinction between those on men and those on men who think they’re women. Further, smell and taste are directly related, and I have had enough candid conversations over the years to be able to assert that there is a wide range of scents and tastes within men, as well as variance in how they feel. For the same reasons as above, there is no generic scent to vaginas, so while it’s technically possible that some transwomens’ penises might smell like some vaginas, this also means that some vaginas might smell like some penises on men who don’t think that they’re women, which negates that part of the TRA narrative. As for the idea that transwomens’ penises feel more like vaginas, I can only conclude that the people who believe this have only ever felt one or the other, not both. Still, to prove their case all the TRAs need do is organise some studies where the participants are blindfolded and asked to seperate men from transwomen by the feel and smell of their penises alone. Imagine the positive PR value if their success rate turned out significantly better than chance. #17 September 2, 2020 at 4:41 pm World Rugby’s proposals to ban trans women from playing women’s rugby Even this first clause of the first sentence is dishonestly framed. Women’s teams have always banned male entrants since their inception; that’s what it means to say that the team is for women. It is only recently that the idea has been advanced that males should be granted entry if they ‘identify as women’, and so the Rugby organisation is forced to reiterate the ban that has always been in place. #18 September 2, 2020 at 5:27 pm @iknklast #13, every time I read something like this, hear it from women, or observe it happening, I can’t help but be grateful I was born male. I do not have a wish to suffer any more than I already do, so why would I want to trade my current position for that of a woman? There is only one answer to my mind – misogyny. September 2, 2020 at 5:28 pm It is indeed – it had me in a fury right from the beginning. Yes, chum, men should be banned from playing women’s rugby, BECAUSE IT’S WOMEN’S RUGBY. This is why we have to be obstinate about refusing the language changes. Saying “trans women” makes it sound as if we’re talking about women even though we know trans women are not women. It’s subliminal, it’s conditioning, and it works. It’s much of why this nonsense is having such a long run. September 2, 2020 at 10:02 pm How about transwo-MAN. September 2, 2020 at 11:04 pm “We are opposed to World Rugby’s proposed ban of an entire population group from playing women’s rugby This is why I’ve always been a pedant regarding the value neutraility of exclusion and inclusion. But regardless, this stupid argument says that men, however defined, should not be prohibited from playing women’s rugby. I mean, it’s consistent with the Queer Theory goal of dissolving all boundaries between concepts, but seriously. September 2, 2020 at 11:06 pm Omar: You may have to get a lawyer. September 2, 2020 at 11:39 pm NiV: I don’t see any competition there, but whatever floats your boat. I might consider Charlie McKenzie as a support act if he asks me nicely; provided he is available when I open.on Broadway; which I prefer both to the West End and Vegas. I had a little difference of opinion with the owner of a casino in Vegas. Don’t worry. The day is not far off when he will get his. I could go on. September 3, 2020 at 5:51 am Who are the 84 “leading academics”? The Guardian doesn’t say and neither does any other site I’ve found that mentions the letter. What are their qualifications? The only name I have found is that of Holly Thorpe, who is a Professor in the School of Health at the University of Waikato (New Zealand). I’m surprised she counts as a leading academic. September 3, 2020 at 7:13 am I’m surprised she counts as a leading academic. According to my trans-speak decoder ring, leading academic means “academic who agrees with me”. September 3, 2020 at 10:01 am I need to brush up my understanding of trans-speak. It’s clearly going to be an essential skill in the future. At the beginning of 2019 I sent the Guardian a donation to support their journalism. At the beginning of 2020 I was planning to do the same thing until I saw the extent to which they had become the voice of trans lib.	18,225
Planning for the future involves anticipating expenses, and it is a good idea to take this very seriously and pragmatically. You want to have solid numbers to work with, and you also want to remove the rose-colored glasses when you’re working with them. The last thing you want is to be overly optimistic and find yourself in a difficult position when you are reaching an advanced age. With the above having been stated, Americans who are planning for their elder years should understand just how expensive long-term care has become. Most senior citizens will need long-term care of some kind, and the average length of stay is between two and four years. These are facts that you have to accept if you want to plan ahead intelligently. Every year the MetLife Mature Market Institute puts out a survey for public consumption that enlightens us with regard to the current state of long-term care costs. They have released their 2011 figures, and as expected, long-term care costs are continuing to rise. The national average for a year in a private room in a nursing home in the United States in 2011 rose by 4.4% to $87,235. The average cost in New Jersey was $316 a day and if you multiply this by 365 you’re looking at $115,340 per year. This is certainly a significant expense for most people. As considerable as they are, there are steps that you can take to prepare yourself for these expenses. To explore your options, take a moment to arrange for a consultation with a licensed and experienced central New Jersey Elder Law attorney. Author Recent Posts Alan Augulis, Estate Planning Attorney Mr. Augulis founded his Warren, New Jersey law firm so that he could focus his practice in the areas of advanced estate planning and tax law. Mr. Augulis has invested considerable time and energy helping to educate others on the topic of estate planning and has become a sought-after speaker in the tax and estate planning arena because of his informative and entertaining seminars. Latest posts by Alan Augulis, Estate Planning Attorney (see all) Advantages of Including a Spendthrift Provision Your Trust - June 23, 2022 Should I Invest in a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan? - June 14, 2022 What Is the Best Way to Plan for Incapacity? - September 17, 2021 About Alan Augulis, Estate Planning Attorney Mr. Augulis founded his Warren, New Jersey law firm so that he could focus his practice in the areas of advanced estate planning and tax law. Mr. Augulis has invested considerable time and energy helping to educate others on the topic of estate planning and has become a sought-after speaker in the tax and estate planning arena because of his informative and entertaining seminars. Augulis Law Firm There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future. Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ August 4, 2020 Very happy with work. Everything explained clearly and concisely and all my questions were answered completely. Process of putting together plan and review of documents was very organized and easy to understand.	3,373
Gapsquare, a pioneer of machine learning into gender pay disparity, is acquired by XpertHR • TechCrunch Gapsquare, a pioneer of machine learning into gender pay disparity, is acquired by XpertHR Inequalities between women and men in the workplace have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are likely to persist in the near future, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). The World Economic Forum estimates globally it will take 267.6 years to close the gender gap in economic participation and opportunity. So it’s even more crucial that the global gender and ethnicity pay gap be “squared away” by entrepreneurs passionate about the issue. Gapsquare, a U.K. startup that’s been addressing this issue since 2017, has been among a handful of startups addressing these concerns via machine learning around the issue. Its analytics software, which analyses and tracks pay disparity, pay equality and pay gap data, has now been acquired by XpertHR, a part of RELX, for an undisclosed sum. TechCrunch understands from sources that Gapsquare never raised institutional venture funding. The Gapsquare platform — along with co-founders Dr. Zara Nanu and Ion Suruceanu — will be joining the XpertHR team. Gapsquare previously counted Vodafone, Condé Nast and Serco as clients, amounting to data from tens of thousands of employees. Gapsquare’s model is to provide HR and Reward professionals with actionable insights about their company’s existing pay gaps. Through its “FairPay Pro” platform, Gapsquare says it can identify variables for employee demographics such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability, identifying the causes of pay gaps, and proposing and tracking remedial actions. In a statement, Nanu said: “We know for many businesses transparency around compensation fairness and pay reporting is high on the agenda. Gartner research indicates that over 80% of businesses globally are driven to take action around pay equity and pay gaps as the workforce is changing and younger generations entering the workforce are increasingly interested in transparency, sustainability, and equality. By joining forces, XpertHR and Gapsquare are better equipped to support our customers’ evolving needs and those of the businesses around the globe.” Scott Walker, managing director at XpertHR, said: “I am excited to bring Gapsquare into the XpertHR family. Our mission is a simple one: to create purposeful workplaces for every person in every organization. Both businesses are dedicated to improving the experiences of millions of working professionals around the globe. By combining Gapsquare’s advanced technology with XpertHR’s expertise in reward data, we can better equip employers to build a world where work is inclusive, where pay meets value and diverse talent thrives.” The child and grandchild of teachers, Nanu was inspired to look more deeply into the issue of the gender pay gap after working with a female trafficking prevention program in Moldova, a small country in Central Europe. She realized women were being thrown into sweatshops and paid a minimum wage, thus trapped in poverty. After growing up in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, she relocated to Bristol, U.K., and started Gapsquare. Nanu has previously talked about how Soviet attitudes to gender equality — where the Communist system dictated that men and women should be equally treated — made her realize that Western practices had actually become retrograde by comparison. Speaking to The Guardian in 2018 she said: “We had quotas around women in parliament, quotas around the representation of women in any sector. Childcare was free, so my mum could go back to work six months after giving birth. When I came to the UK [in 2007] it felt like, to some extent, I was going back in time in terms of gender equality.” Ultimately, the background to the Gapsquare story is reflective of the environment in which Nanu operated. Raising venture capital to highlight gender disparity in a male-dominated corporate and venture environment was a tough gig. Perhaps one of the toughest. It’s a testament to Nanu’s persistence that she bootstrapped, got this far, and exited with her team. But it’s also an indictment of the VC industry. We haven’t seen the last of this entrepreneur.	4,329
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Sometimes I wonder...can I even call myself a runner??? Don't get me wrong, the blogging world is very supportive and 99% of the time is very encouraging...so I guess we're talking about the other 1% (that is purely made up in my crazy mind) I read all these posts about "easy" miles (I don't know about you - but I don't have "easy" miles everyday when I run) or how people had a horrible run and were just dragging their butts and their pace suffered...meanwhile their crappy pace is a good 1-3minutes faster than my best running pace. So can I consider myself a runner when I can't run as fast, I can't run as far, I don't run as often, and a marathon distance is (as we all learned the other week) is not on this gal's bucket list?!? So I looked up the definition of a runner: I gotta say - this didn't do much for my running self confidence - when I can't say yes to either one. I buy all of the running "gear" so does that make me a runner? I buy the shoes, the GPS watch, the compression gear, the running clothes etc. When I start getting all these crazy thoughts - I just have to remind myself that this is my journey - and not anybody else's...and at the end if the day I run for me. For the way it makes me feel and for the solitude it brings me during a run. I know I am never going to be the fastest or go the furthest...and I'm ok with that (well...most of the time ;-) ) And just in case there are others of you out there that have these same mental craziness thoughts sometimes - here's a few more words of wisdom for you: And in other news - I TOTALLY want to try this: Any of you ever have bummed out moods from reading other's posts? What do you do to overcome these thoughts? Posted by CheapRunnerMichelle at 10:11 AM 12 comments: Sugar Coated Sheridan June 27, 2013 at 10:21 AM Let me just tell you!! My best pace is around 9:00 minutes per mile...BEST. Usually when I'm running everyday, I do really really well to get a 10:00-10:30 minute miles so I get bummed out all the time reading all of the posts from people who run 7:00 minute miles or less but I've gotten to the point where I can't let it bother me. I have just settled on the fact that i wasn't made like that...I do the best that I can and I'm super proud of myself for just getting out there and running at all!! This image is like my favorite of all time ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle June 27, 2013 at 12:19 PM he he he...that is too funny So true - we need to celebrate the accomplishments that "we" make! ReplyDelete Replies Kim June 27, 2013 at 4:16 PM When I first started blogging, I questioned if I was a runner because I don't race all the time and I've never competed in a marathon. But, like all of your great quotes above - we are runners!!! ReplyDelete Replies Charlotte@CommitnessToFitness June 27, 2013 at 4:49 PM you know i think you bring up a good point- the official definition of a runner really needs to be tweaked!! a runner in my mind is somebody who is committed to getting out there and moving their feet one after the other quicker than they would walking. its more about heart than anything else. so whether you have a 5 minute mile or a 13 minute mile, if you're dedicated, you're a runner :) and ps- i want to try that aqua cycling! ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle June 27, 2013 at 5:42 PM Yes we are :) ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle June 27, 2013 at 5:45 PM where do we file our appeal?!? totally - doesn't that look so interesting...my biggest problem would be...what do I wear? bathing suit or cycling clothes... ReplyDelete Replies katie @ fromicecreamtomarathon June 28, 2013 at 8:40 AM It's so hard not to compare ourselves to others. It is hard not to do that when I read about people running 7 or 8 min miles. I do have to fight the voice that tells me because I'm not fast, I'm not a 'real' runner. But you know what? That's baloney! I've discovered there are people out there who would like to be able to run my 10 min. miles! It's NOT about how fast we are, or if you have or haven't ran a marathon. It's that you get out there and do it. I think you're awesome, Michelle. BTW, they need to change the definition of that word in the dictionary! Ugh. ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle June 28, 2013 at 10:37 AM ...I know...who comes up with these definitions anyways?!? ReplyDelete Replies cori @olivetorun.com June 28, 2013 at 2:28 PM I am a firm believer that you can invent your own definition to "runner". Throw that definition poster to the wayside and keep on running, runner :) ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle June 28, 2013 at 4:20 PM BTW...I went to another CRXWorx class this morning...it was much better than the 1st one I went to...but still would prefer and hour long bodypump class instead... ReplyDelete Replies cori @olivetorun.com July 5, 2013 at 7:28 AM I know I'm super late to this but I had it bookmarked to respond back to you again. I agree with you on the cx vs bp but I have heard from one of my most hardcore instructors that she saw a huge difference in her running/cycling from taking cx so I'm going to keep going 2-3 times a week. Luckily we have ours right before classes that I love (combat and pump) so I typically do the 30 mins cx then into one of those classes. Do you think you'll keep it up? ReplyDelete Replies CheapRunnerMichelle July 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM I think I will...instead of the class being before BodyPump it's actual right after - so the class just naturaly transitions into it...I figure what do I have to lose - I'm there anyways. Thanks for sharing your feedback!	5,859
This has been a very different year for most of us. Perhaps you are facing challenges far beyond your normal boundaries of life. In this episode, Jimmy and co-host Lori Few share strategies and approaches to maintaining your thankfulness mindset even when the world is spinning out of control. Episode Keys The physical and neurological outcomes of a grateful person such as self-control which leads to even greater feelings of thankfulness. Why being thankful for the additional time in our day due to disruption is a positive gift When you should empower yourself by expressing gratitude to give you the highest probability of experiencing a better day. How to think about your goals when you may be unable to complete them due to the pandemic. Don’t give up! Lori’s Mashed Potato Recipe! You know it’s that time of year in which I really have some problems with people. These people are the ones that, you know, get that last piece of chocolate pie. Or maybe the best part of the turkey, the most juicy piece. I got to tell you, that is really dispiriting to me for Thanksgiving. But hey, that’s not what we’re here about today. I digress a little bit. Hey, this is Jimmy Williams with Live a Life by Design, here to give you today your pandemic positive moments to be thankful. And folks we’ve got a ton of them. I even have a little secret I’m going to share with you in just a moment. Somebody that’s gonna enlighten you today with the great ideas that come to them during a time of craziness in our world. And she’s gonna share that with us. So you ask yourself, what is a grateful mindset? Why should I even be thankful during a pandemic, federal election chaos, crazy holiday season? Well, gratitude, or thankfulness, has been linked with an increase in self esteem, resiliency and overall life satisfaction. Two things occur when you are happy or thankful. One, when you’re grateful you think about gratitude more. And number two, the person receiving the gratitude you are expressing feels good and that causes them to want to express gratitude back. A neurological action also happens when you are smiling and grateful. Your body creates chemicals in your brain called endorphins. These chemicals are so powerful, they’re like morphine, and they actually make your brain feel better and do better. And lastly, people who are grateful are more likely to demonstrate self control which can help them make better decisions regarding their behavior. Like eating better and not participating in bad habits, perhaps like smoking. So I am excited today to bring with the, this episode some things for you to think about. I know everyone listening has had a very difficult, difficult year. But listen, we can turn it around today. Implement some of these things today and all this week of Thanksgiving, and while you’re kicked back on Thursday. You’ve overeaten. You’ve loosened up that belt and you’re watching football. This will be something I hope brings to mind some gratitude. Hey, I’ve got to tell you it is an extreme honor in this episode to share with my co host with the most, she’s back, ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Lori Few. Welcome Lori! LF: Woo hooo! Good morning everybody! We are embracing the chaos and we are caffeinated this morning. So we are going to have a great day. JW: This is the only podcast, I guess, we had a drug free zone, but Lori has violated that by caffeine addiction, but that’s ok folks. She is here and doing wonderful. Lori, what have you been up to? LF: Oh, my goodness. Well, embracing the chaos, just like every other person on this planet right now. Trying to figure out one step at a time. One foot in front of the other. And thank goodness that coffee is still accessible and free flowing and just gotta have it. Still. That’s the thing that helps me get my morning going. JW: Oh, that is awesome stuff. Well, Lori, I’m excited you’re here with me today. I’ve got to tell you folks, when Lori’s on the show our ratings just go through the roof. JW: And I’ll tell you, this lady brings it. You bring it every episode. And today Lori, let’s share with our audience the top ten reasons for being thankful and showing gratitude to others, particularly during such a crazy year. So, we’ve not slowed this virus a bit. From exploding across our population of citizens. Our country does not even have a definitive President Elect at this point. And Disney World, Lori is limiting the number of guests so drastically that the It’s a Small World Ride has only one person per boat. LF: Ugh. JW: Well, perhaps I embellished a little on that last one. But that’s what it feels like Lori. LF: Yea. No, I totally agree. When the Mouse has a mandate, it gets real. JW: You know, I’ve got to tell ya. When they just told me that they’re limiting the daily guests, and of course that’s what they call them, daily guests to the parks for Disney World and Disneyland, I was gut punched, Lori. What am I to be thankful for about that? LF: Well, I just really think that one of the first reasons that we need to be thankful during this time, even though we obviously can’t go to Disney, or partake in the Disney experience, is that we have to be thankful for time. And I know that’s a crazy statement. And a lot of people are saying that, well, I’ve got all the time in the world now. I’m gonna do X, Y, and Z because every other plan in my life has been canceled or changed or, you know, done away with, and so we really do have to remember that we have to be thankful for time. Because if anything, the pandemic has given us more time to be with our families. To learn ways to connect with other people. It’s great to watch my son Facetime or Zoom meeting with his friends, or my parents who live out of town. And so, just giving us that time to slow down and take stock of everything from daily life to work life to social circles, even. And so I think that, first of all, we’ve got to be thankful for time. And we may not ever get this time back. Hopefully in a year or six months, maybe we all wake up tomorrow and things go back to what we used to recall as normal. But we still need to be grateful for that time that we’ve been given. JW: You know, that is a great, great thing to be thankful for. And what I’m looking forward to Lori is in 10 years when I’m a little bit old and I look back and my journals from this period of time, and I go, who was that dark guy that wrote all this stuff. Why’d he say that, I don’t get it? I’m hoping this is vanished from our memory, except for those good moments, right? LF: Right. JW: So, time is a great one. Well, hey, you know great one on your part too, but one of my biggest reasons for showing gratitude during this crazy time in our lives is simply this, it makes me feel better by controlling what I can control. You know that’s been my big mantra this year. JW: Is controlling what we can control. So Lori, I wake up every morning, early, early, especially with this time change. Sometimes 4:30 in the morning, but it gives me that piece of mind time I call it. Get to do my Bible study, I get to do my journaling. I get my mindset ready for the day to say, bring it 2020. Whatever you got, I can defeat this! LF: Bring it! JW: So, I love that! Yea! LF: But bring it with coffee! JW: Well, yes, in her case, yes. Lori actually starts her IV at 5:30. LF: I do, I do! It is legitimate need. And it’s got, I really think this pandemic has gotten, it’s more serious than it ever has been. JW: It is, and you know I’m not taking that lightly today, having a little fun on this podcast, cause you know what, this is what I can control, and you can control. So I’m going to have a good time with this. And I think, to be honest with you there, our listeners, our audience has been so kind to us during this time. Listening to these episodes. That’s the thing about Lori’s having time to be thankful. Listen to something positive. Fill your mind with something that’s powerful. And don’t allow the pandemic to be the controlling factor for the day. Hey, my biggest time to be thankful, my number one thing is simply that. LF: And I think that’s a great mindset to have, even though there’s no way I’m getting up at 4:30. I applaud you for doing that, however, I’m 5:30ish. You know, not, I try not to get up earlier than that. But you know, along those same lines, and we’re talking about, you know, it is November. And so November brings a whole new set of challenges even when it’s not a pandemic. November means, well it means football, which is great because we all love football and hope that we’re gonna get to go back to a traditional setting in football too soon. But it brings in the holiday hustle and bustle. So November, kind of, you see that meme on social media that says on October 31, at the stroke of midnight it becomes holiday season. And so, November brings all of those things, you know, family and friends, your scheduling is getting packed and every weekend you have this or that and it’s coming, but really in November one of the things that I’m truly grateful for, a lot happens in November. I mean, my birthdays in November. My wedding anniversary is in November. So it’s kind of a Thanksgiving of course is in November. So it’s, November is a happening spot in my world. But truly November is being, to me it’s about being gracious. We can be thankful. We can be appreciative. But graciousness is such an important thing that we have somehow during the pandemic we kind of lost that. And so I always feel a sense of gratitude and it just helps me get through. I know when November gets here, the stress of a normal year is heightened, but with a pandemic it’s 20 times that. People are stressed and worried. And, you know, how are they gonna do this? And how are they gonna make that work. And they’re sad because they haven’t seen their family in months, and this is supposed to be the time where we get to do that. But the thing that we have to remember is that everybody needs a little bit of grace. No matter if it’s the person delivering your mail. If it’s the person you meet on the street. Or if it’s a person in your office. Everybody is on a different schedule and a different wavelength. And so you don’t know when you walk into a room or you walk up to someone what their reaction is going to be cause honestly we don’t know inside their life or inside their circles and so we don’t know what they’re going through and so I really think that grace is something very, very important for the month of November. So that’s why, I don’t know, it may sound kind of hokey to some people, but for me it’s important. JW: I love that. And folks, I want you to know, she does accept birthday cards, gift cards with dollar amounts of any kind to Amazon or anywhere, any coffee shop, at Starbucks, just whatever you want to send her. LF: That’s very true. I won’t deny those things. I have needs. But I will say that, you know, I heard that covid birthdays don’t count. JW: Oh, that’s what I’ve heard too. And I’ve heard I don’t want anyone blowing out candles that could have any kind of molecule coming out of their mouth on the cake. I’m not going to eat the cake, right? You know, you brought up something important, and folks I want you to make note of this. In November is her anniversary and her birthday. So what I want you to know is the reason they got married so close to her birthday, they had to wait until she turned 13 under state law because her husbands so much older. So. LF: Well, in all actuality, I am the older woman. I’m two months older than him. JW: You’re not supposed to say that, never, never. LF: Well, don’t ask me what number this is supposed to be this year. Because I’m struggling with it. JW: That’s right. That’s right. Hey, you know I know this sounds crazy, but let me tell you especially why it’s important for me to be thankful all year round is it gives me such an empowering mindset of tackling those difficult, seemingly, almost insurmountable goals I set for myself. Because it’s coming up that time. I set them in November and December for the next year. And I had to sit down and I was doing some thinking about 5 o’clock in the morning yesterday. And I said to myself, what can I do to really grow as a person through this pandemic, and carry into 2021 as a goal? And I just set down and started writing some things out and realized that my gratitude is what drove my ambition. Now think about that, Lori, so my gratitude drove my ambition. I am thankful that I get to work with people like Lori. I am thankful that I’ve got a great company, that I have great people on that team that help us everyday give our clients the best we can give them in terms of service and gratitude. To me, Lori, that is the most important thing. It drives my ambition. If I have a grateful mindset. LF: Spoken like a scholar, my friend. It’s really early, but I totally, yeah. I get it. You know, and it’s hard. It’s so hard right now, because, again, you just don’t know what people are going through and we hope that people that listen to this podcast know that you are not alone. You positive, forward thinking people out there that just say, today I choose to be positive. We applaud you because it is a difficult decision for everybody to make. And lots of people are not able to have that positive mindset. And so, just simple things to remember when you’re out and about. Smile. Even if you’re wearing… JW: You know, that’s exactly it. LF: Yeah. Even if you’re wearing a mask. Smile, we call it smiling with your eyes now. JW: You know, I did that the other day when I was at a store. And this lady slapped me. JW: So I don’t know if that works. Yea, maybe I winked. But I said, I got something in my eye. But anyway, she was only eight, she was eight and she was getting ready to buy her doll and I was giving her a hard time. And she smacked me on the leg. I get that, you know, so don’t wink guys, but smile with your eyes, I think Lori, is what you’re trying to say. Yea. LF: Yea, and it’s so important. You know, we don’t know what people are struggling with. Smiling, saying hello, waving, of course at a distance. Because we’re supposed to be practicing social distancing. But just because we’re going through a difficult time doesn’t mean we can’t do the simple things that can impact somebody’s life in a strange way. I can remember a week or so ago. I was just having a pity party. I was just so frustrated and I was so upset and I was parked in my car and a kid walked across in front of my car and I just happened to look up and just so excited and waving. I didn’t have a clue who the kid was. I’m wondering if maybe he thought I was somebody else that he was looking for. But just seeing him wave his arms in the air and smile and walk in front of my car really just hit me and I thought, huh, I could just forget this for a moment and just be happy and be okay. And I so enjoyed that moment and it was something so random and so miniscule that I could have just brushed it off or ignored it, but it really changed my whole attitude for the rest of the day. And if that’s all it takes then we all need to be practicing that. JW: You know a lot of people are going through a very, very difficult time. And I am not discounting that as being caused by job losses, furloughs. Whatever it might be. But I will say this, and if we approach each day with the mindset of we only have 24 hours, what would you do today if you knew you couldn’t fail at doing it? And that gives you some of that ambition that comes from your gratitude. You know, I can be grateful. There’s nothing going to be taken away from me if I am thankful for those things in my life, or those people in my life. You know, I’m thankful for Lori in my life. Even though she did agree to come on this episode. And she said reluctantly that I had to pay double this time. But that’s ok, it’s two cups of coffee now. It’s a pretty big contract. LF: Hey, I’m not, I require. I have certain needs. Two cups, for sure. For real. But I, you know, going back to doing what you can control. I think that we really, and during the pandemic we’ve learned that we do have that control. We do have the ability to say to ourselves, I’m going to choose to be positive, or I’m going to choose to be grateful. We can control that mindset and have that open dialogue even with ourselves. You know, I’m not saying that, I mean if you drive past me on the highway I’m that crazy lady that’s singing at the top of my lungs, it doesn’t matter what song it is. I might be singing the wrong words. But I’m a car singer, and I love that because it’s just a moment where I can be free to be and do whatever I want to do in the car. And I think with the pandemic, again, we’ve kind of conditioned ourselves to, we are in control of our mindset. Because we’re not interacting as much in person as we have in the past where we’re influenced by other people. We’re really kind of self reflective and doing things that we probably never envisioned that we would be doing. But you really can control that yourself. And why not, this is a great time to do it. So, you know, embrace whatever weird, quirky thing you think you have. Or don’t have, or you might stumble upon and find it. But I do, I apologize for all those people that drive by and think, oh what’s wrong with that lady? What is she doing? Is she… JW: I’ve got to tell you, Lori, if I ever see somebody parked up, you know at a stop sign or stop light. And I get to pull up beside them, I’m going to roll the window down and start belting out that Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody. LF: Yes! Yes! Own it my friend. JW: Yes, that is awesome. LF: Own it, because it’s the best to, you know, pull up to somebody. You’re driving down the road, and you’re just in the zone and you just, you know, maybe they see you do it, and they think, okay, I’m gonna do it too. I mean, it’s whatever makes you happy. JW: So, I’m gonna utilize though my premis in life, just like I do at church if they ask me to sing at all. It does say in our Bible to make a joyful noise. JW: It doesn’t say it has to be on key, Lori. So. LF: Oh, absolutely. Umm, talk to my mom. Like for years she would go to the Wednesday night church choir group and she would stand there in the choir loft and she would sing. And finally the pastor was like, now, we love you, but if you could just lip sync and let the other ladies do the singing. And she did. She loved it, she said, yeah, I’m game, I’m here, I want to make joyful noise. Yeah, her noise was definitely not joyful. JW: So, a real quick story, not to digress too much here, a really quick story. So I did want to sing with the church choir. And after a few moments up there and trying to fit in anywhere I could fit in any section. I went from the bass, soprano, alto. I went all over this choir to fit in, Lori, and finally the choir director came up to me and said, you know, your talents, I tell you what we just always needed someone of your talent. I thought, oh, she’s talking about my singing. And she said, no we need someone that can put together the sheet music, staple it, hand it out. Do that kind of stuff. And I said, well thank you, honey, cause it was my wife that was the choir director. So, I got relegated to admin. JW: Yes, I had an admin position. LF: God bless, Dena. I, you probably rocked that admin position too. JW: I did, buddy, I can staple anything, buddy, one handed. Well, you know, my favorite method, though, of showing gratitude. You talked about smiling with your eyes. But let me say it this way. My favorite method of showing gratitude, you’re gonna laugh, a handwritten note. JW: Talked about this before, right? LF: Yes, yes. JW: This is something I started years ago in a habit. Not something typed up. I want them to know it came from my penmanship. That way, also, it takes a little time for them to decipher what I really said. But anyway, you know, Egyptian hieroglyphics, you know or Sanskrit. Or something, but anyway. So, what I do is I literally take two to three people that I haven’t had an opportunity to speak with, maybe, in a few days or weeks and I literally have some note cards that I buy personally, hand write, and fill in the inside and let them know with a hand dressed envelope that people care about them. And people are thinking about them. And it’s just so touching, cause they’ll call me and go do you know how long it’s been since someone has sent me a handwritten note or card? It’s incredible the impact it makes. And I don’t do it for that impact, other than to help them understand that I’m thankful for them. And I’m grateful for their friendship. Or if they’re family, you know, for the relationship. So, anyway, that’s just one of my methods of showing gratitude. LF: I love that. I’m a big card writer myself. And I have people that tell me all the time. Oh, thank you notes and stuff, that’s just a dying art. People don’t have time for that. They’d rather send you an email or a text. But for me, I don’t get the same sentiment. I love to read a card that someone has taken the time to do, to sit down and write for me. I keep all of them. I have them in a cedar box that I just, if my house ever burns down, like that’s the one thing, oh I might have to run in and get. Because it just means so much to me. And I am a huge advocate for that and it’s funny because my 11 year old will get cards from different people or in the mail. And he’ll come to me and say, Mom, I can’t read cursive. And it’s such a struggle, cause I’m just like, what do you mean? Aren’t you working on penmanship in school. Yeah, but we don’t write like this. It’s like a foreign language. So, ugh, we’re working on it at home. But it’s definitely a struggle. LF: Parenting. Parenting is another thing. If I could snap my fingers and change one thing right now, it would be parenting during this pandemic. Because no one seems to have a page out of their playbook that they can share with the rest of us. We’re really going at it alone. I’ve had multiple conversations with other parents. And you know, when we as parents now, we call our parents and they are, all give us the same speech. Well, I don’t know, we didn’t have a pandemic when you were growing up. We didn’t have to handle situations like this. But if I could change anything it would be parenting. And when I say that I don’t mean I don’t want to be a parent anymore, although…, it’s, there’s been a couple of times where, it’s like uhhh, are we sure we want to do this? But, no we love our son, and thank god we only have one. My hats go off to people who have more than one child right now during this, because I pray for you daily. I can just tell you that. Because it is very difficult. The emotional toll that is taking on our children is so, it’s hard, and it’s scary. And as an adult we have to calm their fears and reassure and tell them that it is going to be ok. While in the back of our minds we’re questioning every daily decision that we’re making. I know it’s difficult, the conversation about sending your kids to school. Or choosing virtual school or distance learning. It’s hard. My hat goes off to all the teachers who are being, they’ve always been sub-parents for our kids, but they really are also stepping up and doing things during this time that they did not sign up to do. So, yea, I think that if I could just change that, you know, maybe snap my fingers and give us a play by play guide of what we’re supposed to be doing. But I think again it goes back to being grace, or having grace. You know, be kind to yourself as a parent, because we don’t know what we’re doing. And we’re doing the best that we can. And one of my favorite social media memes is, hey, give yourself a break. The mother in the movie E.T. did not know she had an alien living in her house for a week, so you’re good! JW: Although she found a lot of Reese’s Pieces all over the place. Nah. LF: Yea, I mean but you can’t, you can’t, you now, you can’t control the pandemic. But you can, going back to what you said earlier. You can control your attitude. You can control your thoughts and you can control your emotions for the most part and just really be that rock and solid ground, you know, whether it’s your child, your grandchild, your niece, your nephew. All the kids. All young people right now need that positive mindset. So if we stay in that positive mindset, then they’re gonna watch us and we need to be leading by example there. JW: Absolutely. I will tell you, though, Lori, if you’d look at my goals that I had set last December for Janurary of this year. And man we were just cranking it along until March. And I mean it just seemed like this thing came on, this virus, boom, everything went crazy, but what I wanted to tell people about that, if you’re listening to this, take note of this. Cut yourself some slack. I’m this guy tho, I’m type A, you know me by now Lori, I set a goal I’m going to fight tooth and nail to myself to get it done. I’m gonna take whatever course I need to learn. I’m going to speak the language. Whatever I got to do, I’m going to get there. And I just had to sit down and look at my goals in March, after the first quarter, and said this may not happen as I’d hoped, but it could happen in another version of this. So for example, we had planned a vacation. My wife and I were gonna spend about a month in Europe in the summer. Obviously not a good time to go to Europe when they’re having such health issues over there. So we canceled that and put it on the backburner. But that doesn’t mean you just give up on that goal. You just certainly wait for better timing of it. So I like to tell people the best way for us to spread some things, if I could snap my fingers and say give yourself some slack. Cut yourself a little break. And at the end of the day it just happens if you do that your mind can then refocus on a new goal that will work within whatever factor or environment you’re facing. So we set another goal today. Well, we’ll just go to Canada, spend some time at Lake Louise in Alberta, got some friends up there. And guess what, Lori, that didn’t work out in July. So… LF: Your backup has a backup has a backup plan? Is that right? Is that what we’re saying? JW: My…I’m about on backup number four right now in my goals. Hey, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this phase of life. And like you just said, I believe if we approach each day with the opportunities it gives us to seize those opportunities. You’re still growing and you’re still going and that’s what’s important. Thank you to all of our listeners of the podcast. We’ve received many reviews on iTunes and appreciate your comments. If you haven’t subscribed to the show, please do so today so that you will not miss an episode of this outstanding content. It would help us spread positivity around the world if you would rate and review the podcast on iTunes. Now, back to the show. LF: So let’s share some of these ideas for implementing these gratitude prompts with the audience. It is one thing to say them, but another to live them. Sincerity of purpose of thankfulness of heart paves the way for a more happy life even when the world is turned upside down and or wrong side out. JW: Yeah, so here’s the thing I want you to do today, if you’re listening to this podcast, and I hope that you gained some thought today about a few approaches to being thankful even in the midst of a pandemic. Now, just because your turkey didn’t turn out as moist as you wish, or your gravy ended up with lumps in it while you put it on there, which by the way I will tell you Lori’s best recipe for Thanksgiving, mashed potatoes extraordinaire. LF: Oh, yes. JW: So I may get Lori to let me post that on the website for all of our people during Thanksgiving. This would be something that I know your family would love, if you’re gonna be at home with family at Thanksgiving where you should be, show up with these mashed potato extraordinaire. This will set the table on fire. But, anyway… JW: That’s exactly right. Well, she drinks a lot of coffee, she eats a lot of carbs, how does she stay so thin? I have no idea, but anyway. So the one thing I want you to think about, just because your world is wrong side out or upside down, or you know, it’s just not within your control as Lori said earlier. I want you to think about taking a moment. Find that still quiet moment in your refuge. Lori, right now, I hate to say is sitting in her closet doing a Zoom meeting recording. So, I mean, you do what you have to do to make things fit your environment. And I will tell you, you will gain a lot of emotional growth if you’ll come to that conclusion that says, I don’t have to own it all in terms of control, but I can control all that I own. You see what I’m saying, Lori? LF: Oh absolutely. And earlier and when you were talking about your trips, you know having that backup plans. I have been saying all year, well, it seems like all year, but I’ve always said, you know, when something doesn’t go right in your story in life, just yell plot twist, and move one. We have to be able to adapt, we have to know that our story continues and that it doesn’t stop because we’ve hit a roadblock or an uncomfortable situation or something that, you know, we just don’t think we can handle. We will and we’ll be better for it, but we’ve got to be together to make it better. I absolutely believe in that. I think that 2021 is coming and it’s going to get better, but we have certainly learned a lot in 2020, things that we never thought we could do. We are pressing forward and we are doing, and we’re doing it with smiles on our faces and in our eyes. JW: Here here. I will tell you this quick story about our daughter, our younger daughter is at a major university here in Oklahoma and she’s in a sorority house, of course, crowded about 100 girls. And I keep telling her, literally everyday we have a conversation about, ‘oh my goodness dad, guess what happened today’. And it’s usually not something that positive because you have so many thousands of kids, you know, on campus and they’re trying to keep school in session as best they can, but smaller class sizes and so forth. And all I keep saying is alright sweetheart, just keep pivoting. Pivot. Just pivot away from that and go to something new. And she said, dad, it’s now November, I have pivoted so much my neck has whiplash. LF: That is a true statement. And I absolutely believe that. And you are probably gonna pay for that chiropractic bill. LF: I, it’s absolutely the truth. But, you know, you say the word pivot, and it just has so much more meaning now than it ever has. Because we are relying on that to get us through. JW: Absolutely. Well, I want to enter this episode at this point by saying this, every week, Lori and I like to give you a challenge of implementing these things we speak of during the podcast. It’s not necessarily enough to just simply hear them. If we don’t act on them, and we don’t reflect on them, we won’t change to be that bigger, better, bolder person that’s within us. So this week, I want you to purposefully, not randomly, but purposefully exhibit thankfulness in your life for all the good things you recieve or experience or share. Write down each day this week of Thanksgiving, five statements of items or people you are grateful for in your life. By acknowledging your gratitude in writing, you are empowering your spirit and your mind to live a bigger, better, and bolder you. Go ahead, live your life by your design. There you go, thank you for joining us this week, and look enjoy your Thanksgiving from Lori and I, we wish you nothing but the most thankful of Thanksgiving season, be safe, stay well and we’ll see you next week, right here on Live a Life by Design. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window) First Last Tell Me What You're Thinking:* Not today I agree to the privacy policy. Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The Live A Life By Design Podcast is a LifeMasterKey production, the program is copyrighted by Jimmy J. Williams and Company all rights reserved. Our recording engineer is Happy Design Company, our production assistant is Amy Cotton. Now go out and live your life by design.	33,139
funny that i would have a blog with that title, huh? it is so the pot calling the kettle black, but i am slowly learning a lesson when it comes to kidmin teaching – we talk too much. go back to the last time you taught and compare your talking time to that of the kids in your class. if you are like me, you win every time. the problem is i am not sure if us saying more words than the kids is actually a win. this really came to a head recently for me when i was in the middle of our mission smasH event with our 5th graders. (you can read more about that here.) kids received cd clues throughout the night that directed them in teamwork challenges and devotions. (adults are not allowed to help, just keep the kids safe. the clues and children lead this event.) the clue (which is me talking) told them to look up a scripture and pause the cd while a child read it. when the child finished reading they were to un-pause the cd and hear what i had to say about the verse. that is not what happened. several times before pushing play, the 5th graders began discussing what the verse meant and how they would apply it to their world. that was not how i designed it. if i am honest, i admit that my immediate reaction was to stop them and tell them to listen to the debrief i gave them concerning the scripture. for once i kept my mouth shut. what happened when i was silent created a chance for the children to grapple with the scriptures and try to apply them to their lives. this whole incident had me thinking about all the times i teach and interact with children. so here are my questions for us to consider: – first, do we even allow time for children to answer questions and discuss the truth they have been taught? – are we more concerned with getting the lesson elements taught or do we desire for the truth to really be caught? – when was the last time we waited in uncomfortable silence to allow children a chance to share, ask questions, or discuss? – are we convinced that the real learning can only come from what we share, or do we believe God can teach a lesson through the words of a child? – what is the real reason we do all the talking? control? fear? pride? how do you make sure kids have a chance to talk and share? i would love to hear how God is speaking through children in your ministry. like what you read? please subscribe to receive blog posts by email. by danielle Danielle has over 25 years of kidmin experience and she possesses a great fervor for sharing, discipling, and shepherding children and families with the message of Jesus Christ. Danielle is a well-respected leader and trainer in the area of Children's Ministry and has spoken regionally at local churches and nationally at children’s ministry conferences. She is a curriculum writer for Gospel Project Kids. and Awana brite. She has also written the following resources: “God’s Brave Girl” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), “The Gospel God’s Plan for Me” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), and the Younger KidMin chapter for “Children’s Ministry Volunteer Handbook” (Outreach). Danielle is the lead instructor for the Children's Ministry Certificate at beadisciple.com. In 2010, Danielle was named by “Children’s Ministry Magazine” as one of the top 20 Children’s Ministry Leaders to watch. Danielle’s blog, dandibell.com, is one of the top 100 kid’s ministry blogs. Don't miss a post! Enter your email address below to subscribe to my newsletter Published Works The posts on this site are my own personal opinions. These posts do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the companies I write for or my church.	3,678
When Mrs. Crucis and I drove to Jeff City on Tuesday for the rally, I kept an eye out for changes. The last time I drove that route was several decades ago. For the most part, the route has not changed since the late 1970s and early 1980s. Thirty years ago, I traveled across a number of states installing, maintaining and repairing computer systems. Several of these systems were in Jeff City, operated by several state agencies. I drove that section of US-50 from Kansas City to Jeff City several times a month. One of those trips occurred during the annual Missouri Box Turtle migration. One stretch of US-50, just east of Sedalia, was two-lane. It still is today and, if my memory is correct, virtually unchanged since the early 1980s. As we drove over those few miles of highway, I turned to my wife and said, “Crunch! Crunch!” Three-toed Box Turtle You see, on one of those trips to Jeff City way back then, coincided with the annual Box Turtle migration. Most of the time, the number of turtles migrating is slight. You see a few here, a few there, no big deal. On that day, back in the early 1980s, it was a big deal. For a distance of a mile or more, the highway was covered, yes literally covered with box turtles attemping to cross the highway. In my estimation, few turtles made it across that two-lane stretch of highway alive. As far as the eye could see, in both directions, the carcasses of dead—mashed box turtles littered the highway. You have heard the expression, “Slicker than snot!” Let me assure you, the innards of mashed box turtles are truly “slicker than snot!” The highway could not have been more slick than if someone had dumped thousands of gallons of grease all over the pavement. My first sight of that piece of highway were the emergency lights of police, ambulances, firetrucks, wreckers and more law-enforcement vehicles than I’d ever seen before in one spot. Cars were off both sides of the highway. Some down in ditches, others upside down, on their sides, a tractor trailer rig was off into a small creek, all of the distruction caused by a small box turtle that rarely grew more than 6-7″ across. Thousands of box turtles. Maybe tens of thousands of dead, mashed box turtles. I was stopped just short of the scene for a half-hour or so while wreckers pulled cars, trucks and tractors from the ditches and creeks along the highway. Finally, a path was cleared and a few cars were allowed through. A Highway Patrolman told me as he waved me forward, “No faster than 5 miles-per-hour!” It was a wise order. I slowly drove through and around the wrecked cars and trucks. As I did, I drove over the remains of the box turtles, some still alive or only slightly injured but unable to move. I’m glad it was only a “Crunch!” A pick-up ahead of me ran over an intact turtle. It went, “Pop!” I don’t think I drove over any living turtle. I think. Since that day, I can’t drive through that mile or so of highway without remembering, “Crunch! Crunch!” From Crucis' Court Reddit Related This entry was posted in Memories, Missouri by Crucis. Bookmark the permalink. 1 thought on “Crunch! Crunch!” Snigglefrits on Saturday, March 31, 2012, 11:37 am at 11:37 am said: I've not seen turtles like that before. However, the other day on I20, there was a HUGE turtle of some sort attempting to cross the expressway. I've never seen such a big turtle (or terrapin as the case may have been) and I've never seen so many drivers dodging anything on I20.	3,586
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients comprise a population susceptible to disparities in health care. Although the LGBT community has the same health concerns as their heterosexual counterparts, LGBT individuals may be at higher risk for other health problems due to various factors including societal discrimination and difficulty accessing health care. But what about the health care of our LGBT pediatric and adolescent patients? I'm your host, Dr. Jennifer Caudle, and with me today is Dr. Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH, and Full Professor of Pediatrics and Preventative Medicine at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine. He's also an attending physician at Children's Memorial Hospital and he's the director of the first and only gender, sexuality, and HIV prevention center at the Anne and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Garofalo, welcome to Reach MD. Thank you for having me. I first wanted to talk about the center that you have. Can you tell us a little bit about the mission of your center and some of the work that you're doing there? Sure. It's a multidisciplinary center that focuses on both clinical care and a range of sort of academic subjects that really include sexual health, gender, sexuality, HIV prevention, and health disparity is affecting sort of adolescent and young adult populations that largely are at risk of acquiring HIV. The center sort of does this through a variety of mechanisms, clinical care, research and evaluation, education, professional training, as well as some advocacy work mostly tailored toward sort of high risk adolescent populations that include but are not limited to sort of the homeless, LGBT adolescents, questioning youth, and our center really strives to sort of do our work internally at our academic center, but also to partner with likeminded sort of community-based organizations to kind of create an environment where clinicians, academics, scientists, and community health workers can really collaborate and design projects that are sort of significant for this population. What's your specific role at the center? So I'm the Division Head of Adolescent Medicine and I'm also the Director of the Center. I started the center back in I think 2011, and it really was sort of organically created, and it grew out of both our clinical programs related to sort of HIV positive youths and gender non-conforming children and adolescents, as well as a fairly robust sort of NIH-funded sort of research program dedicated largely to HIV prevention but increasingly hopefully towards other disparities affecting this population. So this is something that you created the center, I mean with all of the resources that you were talking about, but I think that's quite fascinating. You talked about doing some research and special projects that you all are involved in. Are there any particular projects or research that you'd like to talk about today? Sure. I mean I think our research projects tend to be community driven and community engaged, and kind of focused on hopefully the practical solutions to problems. They are things that really help young people get through sort of certain aspects of their lives. So one example is that we have pilot tested and have an ongoing study that looks at the use of text messaging as a component of hopefully helping HIV positive adolescents successfully take their medications. We also have a project, the first ever project that's an HIV prevention program and intervention for young transgender women that was written by young transgender women. It started with funding from the CDC, now has funding from the National Institute of Mental Health as a two city efficacy trial that we're doing with the Fenway Community Health in Boston. It's a very gritty, sort of youth driven intervention that hopefully is going to reduce the incidents or at least the risk of HIV for a very high risk population of young transgender women. We also have sort of a longitudinal study, one of the first longitudinal studies of HIV negative young men who have sex with other men, or young gay and bisexual men aged 16 to 20 that hopefully will follow them throughout their young adulthood to look at factors related to the acquisition of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Those are just sort of a snippet of some of the research that we have but we tend to be very practically focused and community engaged here with our research efforts. Right. I think it's really great. I actually was looking at your website the last couple of days and I saw kind of some of the logos even that as assigned to the projects that you were just describing, and they do seem very specific to the groups that they're working with and it's really community engaged. You get that feel from the website. I really like that. Yeah. We have one hopefully that we'll get, I mean this is...you never know with the NIH, but we do have one project that's a collaborative process with Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of California San Francisco, and Harvard Boston Children's Hospital, which would be the first national study of the impact of medical interventions such as pubertal blockers or cross-sex hormones on gender non-conforming children and adolescents. So that grant is currently pending at the National Institute of Child Health and Development, and we're very hopeful that that might receive funding because it would be a very important non-HIV oriented study that I think would really move the field forward with regard to the medical care of transgender children and adolescents. You know, going back a little bit to some of the projects that you have that are focused on the HIV risks in the LGBT community, can you talk to your listeners a little bit about some of the risks, maybe some of the numbers or statistics with regards to LGBT youth and HIV risk? The numbers are kind of hard to pinpoint. I mean we do know that upwards of two thirds of new infections occur among men who have sex with men, an overwhelming majority of those at least increasingly tend to occur in younger populations. So we do know that it's a significant health disparity that continues to affect at least young men and really men who have sex with men across the ages. Over the past probably five to seven years I would say it's really, the HIV epidemic has increasingly become one that affects younger and younger ages. So it's really that younger demographic group, maybe ages 16 to 24 or 16 to 29 of young men who have sex with men, particularly those of color and particularly those in the African American or black community that are increasingly becoming affected and represent the, I don't know about the new face, but increasingly the face of this sort of epidemic as we begin to combat it in now the third decade. So that's one group. Transgender women, I think represent another unique risk group with regard to the acquisition of HIV, and their risk of acquiring HIV tends to be greater than even that of gay men. I don't think we know population based numbers or population based estimates because we don't necessarily have good epidemiologic data on transgender women that we collect in a systematic way, the way we would collect information on say males or females sort of in this country. I don't think we do a very good job of systematically collecting data on transgender individuals and that's going to be very helpful as it begins to define health disparities for this population. But for transgender women, we know that they face unique risk factors with regard to their acquisition of HIV and it's complex. I mean, I think for transgender women there's sort of an odd or dual risk factor related to their gender identity. I think it's sometimes very hard for them to find sort of romantic or sexual partners that sort of validate their gender identity as women, and then they also face oftentimes sort of economic hardship or marginalization with regard to sort of economic stability which for a subset, certainly not all, but a subset of transgender women may lead them to things like commercial sex work or prostitution as a way of sort of seeking or gaining economic stability that can otherwise be elusive for them. So for transgender women they face some really tricky risk factors with regard to HIV that very much contribute to the disparities we're seeing with HIV. If you are just tuning in, you are listening to Reach MD. I'm your host, Dr. Jennifer Caudle, and I'm speaking with Dr. Robert Garofalo, a national authority on LGBT health issues, adolescent sexuality, and HIV clinical care and prevention. Can you maybe talk a little bit about the health disparities in general or health problems in general that we might see in adolescent or pediatric LGBT or questioning patients? I think to a large extent they're poorly understood. We know that there are disparities with regards to things like HIV and sort of the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections, but we don't necessarily have a good feel of whether there are health disparities in other areas like heart disease or depression or diabetes, things that we might otherwise look at health disparities in other populations such as ethnic minority youth or males versus females. We don't necessarily collect good data on sexual minority populations such as LGBT youth to really fully understand where the health disparities may lie. So we tend to think of health disparities in this population across what I tend to call a spectrum of dysfunction which is sexually transmitted infections, homelessness, substance use, perhaps issues around depression or suicide, yet I'm always careful to think that that spectrum, that spectrum of dysfunction in no way captures the very strengths that this population has. You know, in my clinical population I think the LGBT youth today here are some of the strongest, some of the most resilient, some of the hardiest young people that really navigate, I think, the difficult road of adolescence in some ways a much more robust way than some of their peers because they've had to. I'm reticent to talk about sort of the health disparities that are often framed from within this perspective of dysfunction because I just don't think that it captures the whole picture of sort of LGBT youth that I think we're going to need to take a look at if we're really going to begin to combat the health problems that this population has. So I think we need to look at both the strengths and perhaps some of the disparities, if that makes any sense. It does. It makes perfect sense, and it's quite inspiring, and I think it's appropriate. Absolutely. Let's shift the conversation to physicians. We've got a lot of physician listeners and taking what you just said, not just health disparities as you mentioned, but the strengths of our LGBT pediatric and adolescent patients, how can physicians, how can we better reach our patients? How can we better support our LGBT, questioning adolescent and pediatric patients? What are some tips for us? I think the first thing is that I often hear from doctors or nurses or providers at conferences that I speak at, they often come up to me and say, "You know, I think I do a really good job of reaching this population, but none of my patients ever come out and tell me that they're gay or lesbian," and I always think to myself, well that's kind of the wrong bar to set. I mean many young sort of LGBT patients have very good reasons for not necessarily coming out to their providers. So I wouldn't have that expectation that all your patients that are gay or lesbian are necessarily going to come out with their gender identify or their sexual orientation to a provider because they may have very realistic fears about either inadvertent or advertent disclosures of their sexuality within the context of the health care environment and the implications that that could have on other aspects of their lives, including things at home, things with their families, things related to housing, things related to their own economic stability. So I think sometimes that's a false bar that we set, like having this expectation that our patients are going to come out to us. I do think that we should let the general guidelines for pediatric and adolescent care guide us with regard to our clinical management. So it's not about their identity per se, it's really about their own individual behaviors or their own individual feelings about who they are. So for instance, it's not being a gay man per se that should necessitate a certain test for HIV or STI, it's really your engagement in sort of some specific risk behaviors that should really guide our clinical practice, if that makes any sense. I'm sort of... It makes perfect sense, which is you're advocating and you're talking about treating the patient as a patient and not defining them, we should treat people according to our guidelines and what's appropriate for our patients. Yeah. I mean I also don't think we should pigeon hole young people. I think sometimes for instance we may think if we have a young lesbian patient, for instance, there may be a tendency on clinicians to not ask that young woman about the need for things like birth control or some aspects of sort of sexual health, and yet it may be very important that at least periodically, per our guidelines, we continue to ask our patients regardless of what they might have identified as six months ago or a year ago, at least general questions regarding their behavior to guide whether they might need some preventive health services around either STI testing or family planning. So it's important not to sort of buy into say stereotypes and where they may lead us. It's really important to take an individual history from each individual patient and then use that history to guide our diagnostic evaluation. This has been a great discussion about your center, about HIV in the LGBT population, about other health issues, and some of your thoughts. Are there any other things that you'd like to add to the conversation? Any other final thoughts that you might have for our listeners? I think in general we're doing a better job of conceptualizing and caring for sexual minority youth that identify as lesbian or gay. I think the new frontier for pediatricians tends to be this area of gender non-conforming children and adolescents. You know, I think this is a new and evolving area, I think there will be centers popping up across the United States that begin to do this work, ours is one of them now, but I definitely think that this is a relatively new clinical area that I think you're going to see pediatricians and clinicians needing to become more adept at dealing with, and I'm talking about children that present at younger ages with sort of gender non-conforming...conditions that are gender non-conforming and may require an added type of clinical care that's sort of multidisciplinary, and that may occur at earlier ages. So you know, we think of sexual orientation as an adolescent construct, but gender identity might occur and can occur at younger and younger ages. Many thanks to our guest, Dr. Robert Garofalo, for helping us to advance our health in the adolescent LGBT community. Thank you so much. Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to be on the show. I'm your host, Dr. Jennifer Caudle. You've been listening to Reach MD, and to download this podcast and others in the series please visit us at ReachMD.com. Thank you so much for listening. Completing the pre-test is required to view this content. Completing the pre-survey is required to view this content. Comments The Gender, Sexuality and HIV Prevention Center at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is the first of its kind facilty for adolescent patients. Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcoms the center's director, Dr. Robert Garofalo. Dr. Garofalo will share the center's mission of supporting multidisciplinary academic subjects including sexual health, gender, sexuality, HIV prevention and health disparities which affect adolescent and young adult populations at risk of acquiring HIV. The Center partners with similar organizations throughout the country in creating an environment where clinicians, academics and scientists can collaborate to design projects with public health significance. Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH, is Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He is also an Attending Physician at Lurie Children's, where he directs the Adolescent/Young Adult HIV Program. Dr. Garofalo is a national authority on LGBT health issues, adolescent sexuality, and HIV clinical care and prevention. Recommended Comments Recommended The Gender, Sexuality and HIV Prevention Center at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is the first of its kind facilty for adolescent patients. Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcoms the center's director, Dr. Robert Garofalo. Dr. Garofalo will share the center's mission of supporting multidisciplinary academic subjects including sexual health, gender, sexuality, HIV prevention and health disparities which affect adolescent and young adult populations at risk of acquiring HIV. The Center partners with similar organizations throughout the country in creating an environment where clinicians, academics and scientists can collaborate to design projects with public health significance. Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH, is Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He is also an Attending Physician at Lurie Children's, where he directs the Adolescent/Young Adult HIV Program. Dr. Garofalo is a national authority on LGBT health issues, adolescent sexuality, and HIV clinical care and prevention.	18,604
I have a horrible philosophy about foods that I should not eat. For background information, I am diabetic and should not be eating sugar in any form except on special occasions. Yeah, I’m bad about that. I’ve been having a bad time of it, and I know that I tend to eat my troubles away, but self awareness doesn’t equal a solution. All of that to say, Sugarfina has some sugar free candies that I really wanted to try. They also have Caffeinated Gummy Bears! I am a caffeine hound, I drink 2-3 energy drinks a week (of course I work a 13 hour day one day then have to get up about 6am the next to get to work on time) and can often be seen sipping diet mountain dew. I am trying to drink water as well as using Cirkul to add flavor and sometimes caffeine. All of this to say, I placed an order at Sugarfina. Next week is extended hours week (where the library will be staying open later than usual as well as having snacks and extra tutors to help students through the last week of classes at the community college I work for), so I will be bringing the caffeinated gummy bears in to share with my co-workers and student workers. Since I received my package I tried the sugar free champagne gummies, very yummy, and brought in the three pack that I ordered. It contained Prickly Pear gummies, Chocolate Pearls, and Rose flavored Gummies (part of a Mother’s day promotion). I am very glad that I tried these, the pear gummies have a light flavor but a very gummy (not rubbery) texture to them. The same with the rose gummies, light interesting flavor, good chew, nice finish. I am so glad that I brought the chocolate pearls in to work. I would have the entire container devoured like they were M&Ms. Am I going to order from Sugarfina again? Probably not unless they greatly expand their sugar free line, of if I hear of an international sweet that I cannot get elsewhere. I am happy with what I received for the money, however this was one instance where I would rather have the experience of trying something new than really messing with my blood sugar on a regular basis. About crafting, that thing I do when I’m not eating things I shouldn’t? I’m 9 rows from being done with this section of the shawl, and I firmly believe that this is going to be the last section and the size is going to be whatever it turns out. If it is only about 30 inches I’ll tell my sibling that it is a bed accent or a mandala for their wall, I’ll think of something. Should it actually be between 40-60″ wide, yay! I’ll tell them that it is a shawl/lap blanket and they can style it however they want to! Since I will be seeing them two weeks from Tuesday this should turn out fantastic! Thoughts of Spring by CZeitler December 17, 2018 December 14, 2018 I know, the year has not even ended and I am thinking about a Spring Dye Garden. To be fair to me, January is National Seed Catalog Month. I have just under 2 acres of land around my home, however much of that is either forest or too hilly to be useful for planting. Fortunately I have 2 raised beds in the back of the house and one large raised bed facing the front of the house. Throughout these past few years the beds have gone to seed. I intend to put down some material that is supposed to deter weeds and cut around the few plants that I want to keep. Then I intend to make some cement blocks, with inlaid glass designs on top, to hold down the material as well as further deterring weeds. The cement blocks will also be a great base for the pots that I hope to use so that I can plant a dye garden out front. I also hope that creating cement blocks is truly as easy of a craft as it seems so that I can use that as a craft at the public library I work at next year. To get an idea of what plants I want to put in my dye garden I am researching using several resources. From Knitpicks I purchased The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes by Sasha Duerr. So far I find it to be a fascinating resource that will help me a great deal toward understanding how to create dyes from plant materials. I also purchased A Garden to Dye For through the Amazon Kindle Store. These should give me a really good basis for understanding what plants I am going to need. I am also trying to figure out what plants are native to my area of the USA so that I can avoid planting invasive species in my area. In my two back beds I do hope to plant some vegetables. Cherry tomatoes, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, spaghetti squash, and perhaps some others. Again, I do plan on deterring the weeds and utilizing planters to create a garden with reasonable maintenance needs. I firmly believe that this is going to take me several months, both to figure out what plants are good for dyeing and native (or at least not destructive) to my environment. I would love to plant some cotton or flax but the reality is I am a little too far north for that to be a realistic dream. So, I will keep dreaming, planning, and crafting. Happy Crafting to All! by CZeitler November 16, 2018 November 14, 2018 I want to make it very clear at the outset, this is just my personal experiences with these boxes. I am not the greatest cook, and I do not have a very adventurous palette. My first Green Chef box was supposed to arrive on Saturday, it was delayed due to weather and arrived on Monday. The meat was still good, as were the vegetables. There was absolutely no spoilage, even the chicken which was my primary concern. The first meal that I made was the southern chicken and biscuits. My biscuits burned on the bottom, my Brussel sprouts (cooked on medium high as recommended on the package directions) burned. I’ll take the blame for one but not both, the sprouts were likely my fault, I should have known that lower and slower would cook them evenly. That being said, the chicken turned out alright, the sprouts and other veg were edible, and the biscuits were on the dry/flat side. The next dish was the Vietnamese meatballs, with noodles and veg. The meatballs turned out alright, there was a seasoning packet to work into the meat along with salt and pepper. I boiled the water, soaked the noodles and veg as instructed for the maximum time recommended. Everything was perfectly edible, the noodles were a lot tougher than I would have liked, the meatballs were bland (I did not add a lot of the red pepper flakes because I wanted to taste the spices not heat), and the sauce did little to perk things up. My last dish was steak, mushrooms, over polenta with a red kale (or something green and leafy) salad with a blue cheese vinaigrette. I knew that I was going to have some trouble with the salad, Blue cheese and I do not like each other. I tried it anyway, the advice to massage the leaves worked wonders and the leaves themselves were sweet and supple. If that were the only issue I would be fine. I think I can salvage the polenta, there was not a lot of flavor so I am going to find out what cheese the British or Italian use for cheesy polenta and throw some of that in. The mushroom sauce was pretty good. The steak, it was chewy, there was some connective tissue that I had to discard, and there was not much flavor even after I made sure I used the entire seasoning, packet. I could obtain a really nice New York Strip Steak for less than I spent on this box. This company prides itself on their organic ingredients and commitment to recycling. I love that idea, not enough to wash out the sauce packets and find out where I am permitted to drop the bags off so that Green Chef can recycle them. I’ll drop them in with my regular recycling, thanks. Again, maybe I just made some bad decisions regarding the meals that I chose. Perhaps I read and followed the directions a little too closely (the area between medium and high is Medium-High right?). I am willing to accept that my experience is probably the anomaly. Perhaps in the future I will try this box again, but for now I have a Sun Basket box on the way and a few other subscription services to try before circling back to this one. Foodbox meal experimenting Food Ordered and Delayed by CZeitler November 12, 2018 I officially have my Spinolution electric Firefly spinning wheel ordered. Since they are an American based company and they make each wheel to order it will be between 4-6 weeks before mine is shipped. This is actually a good thing, it will give me time to enjoy the anticipation and look forward to seeing if there are any huge sales that are going to occur for the other crafting materials I hope to obtain. I know that this seems like a sudden spree, and fairly irresponsible. Truthfully I have ensured that I am spending less than half of what I have come into, saving what I can when I can, and that I have enough left over to cover the major expenses that are going to come up in the next year. These three purchases are not going to significantly impact my financial situation, however they will significantly improve my productivity. For the rest of 2018 I will be working and learning to enjoy what I have and what I can do. For most of 2019 I will be figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life, what my priorities are, and how I am going to achieve them. At present I am overwhelmed by possibilities, and need to have time to settle down and figure out where I want my energies to go. I know that spinning and weaving are two things that I want to have as a priority in my life. Paradise Fibers November 2018 box was themed around Harry Potter, to the extent that they are running a house cup. Once specific goals have been accomplished then points are assigned and the house with the highest number of points will win. The prize is 500 paradise points for each member of the house, which in reality is five dollars off of an order, nothing to sneeze at. On another note, my first Green Chef box was scheduled to be delivered this past Saturday, I thought Wednesday but checked again and it was supposed to be Saturday. This did not happen, due to the weather, and I am anxious to see how the ingredients have held up over the weekend. I will report more about this in my next post. So, major life decisions are on hold, but pending. Expenditures are not beyond what is feasible at this time (though some house repairs might have to be accomplished using loans). This is going to be a year of self exploration and renewal. It will also be a year of renewal for my home and sweeping out what I do not (realistically) need. by CZeitler November 4, 2018 November 4, 2018 Over this past weekend I have decided to do some experimenting with my Instapot as well as some spinning. Okay the spinning was just something that I remembered to do Sunday morning, but I managed to get over half of a batt spun into singles. I attenuated the other half into mini nests of roving and look forward to an easy spin with them later this week. I tried out two recipes with my instapot, Lasagna Soup and Butter Chicken. Both of these turned out better than I thought they would. I substituted a box of vegetable pasta and a bag of random vegetables for some of the ingredients in the lasagna soup. It turned out quite well. Not the same without at least Mozzarella Cheese on top, it is just like a tomato soup without the cheese. I will certainly make this recipe again. Butter chicken is either at Thai or East Indian recipe, and I do not think that I did it justice. I substituted the tomato paste for a can of stewed tomatoes and the Garam Masala for cumin, coriander, cloves, curry paste and vindaloo mix that I had around. I’ll be honest, I really liked it. There was no explosion of heat, I was concerned about that, but there was some decent flavor. I am going to look around and see if I can find the proper spices, but this is certainly a recipe I will keep on the back burner. On Wednesday my first experiment with one of the ‘meals in a box’ delivery services arrives. I have three meals coming, two servings for each meal, and I look forward to posting a review of that service here. Crafting is a large part of my life, so there will certainly still be crafting posts, but I intend to expand this blog to include other aspects. As far as my crafting life goes, I have an e-mail in to a dealer of a variety of wheel I am thinking about obtaining. I had some questions and hope that they get back to me this week.	12,754
As you’ll recall, I gave a rather damning assessment of Lippi’s China when they got mauled by Wales last time out. This time, I’ve been tasked with something slightly different to do; as opposed to writing the match report due to the fact that has already been done brilliantly here. So, what I’m here to do this time is go through the Czech Republic’s first two goals as China went from a winning position to a losing position in a matter of minutes; while I ripped into Yan Junling last time, I actually ended up feeling rather sorry for him as he was cruelly let down by a terribly mediocre defence. What On Earth Did Lippi Say In His Teamtalk? Just in case you don’t know, at the interval, China were one goal to the good and actually had something to hold on to in complete contrast to the Wales game. Whatever Lippi said to them at halftime, it didn’t work, unless of course, he said, let’s see how many goals we concede because they were dreadful in the second-half. Instead of me harping on about how bad they were, let me show you. Right, this is goal number one… Awful, awful marking. As you can see, the ball is on its way into the box. Take a moment to remember that the team in RED is Lippi’s team. This is a bloke who built somewhat of a dynasty with Juventus and Italy built around having a strong defence which is in part to do with discipline. You can’t even argue that it’s zonal marking gone wrong because Lippi has quite clearly set his team up to mark man to man. I use the word mark very, very loosely. Not a single player that is circled is being marked properly and if you look closely at the circled player closest to the ball, you will be able to see that two players have decided to mark him now which in turn means the second closest circle player to the ball is left free. I wonder what happened next… Outrageous amount of room. To have that amount of room in the penalty area from a set piece is inexcusable. You could perhaps make a case if China were losing 3/4-0 then the players might’ve given up, but they are WINNING at this point. For once in my life, I’m actually lost for words. It’s literally the first thing from the defensive handbook, stick with your man from a set piece. That makes the scoreline 1-1. As the saying goes, you’re always the most vulnerable when you’ve just scored though or in China’s case, when you’ve conceded because within ninety seconds of that free-kick being whipped in and the Czech’s equalising, China find themselves in this situation… In case you’re wondering, China are shooting from right to left. Right, so the ball is going out to the left which isn’t too much of an issue in itself, what is much more alarming is that the onrushing Czech trio are already goalside of their Chinese counterparts, again bear in mind this is just over a minute after they conceded due to some lax defending. It’ll come as no surprise to anyone that eight seconds later, this was how it looked. That was how China went from a winning position to a losing position and I would show you the other two goals, however, it’s just more of the same, poor marking from China. It’s actually annoying how bad it is. That’s how I feel, I don’t feel sorry for China because surely Lippi must’ve drilled them better than that. If he hasn’t then maybe Lippi isn’t as good as I first thought and maybe he was helped out by having very good players. Nevertheless, he has to improve China if they want to make a go of it next year in the Asia Cup which is being held in the UAE because, on this showing, they won’t be getting out the group stage regardless of how kind the draw is to them. That’s all from me today, I’ll be back next week for another piece, don’t try and second guess what it’ll be because I haven’t got a clue myself yet! Until the next time. About the Author Football and writing are my two biggest passions, so seems right to combine the pair, don't you think? Doing a bit of moonlighting over here. My main playground is down the road at: http://www.indiansuperleague.uk where we cover another Super League, namely the Indian one. See you over there.	4,190
Group Study Rooms are available for students who wish to work together in a collaborative environment. These rooms are available at Scott, SMIL, Steacie, Bronfman and Frost libraries. Most rooms can be booked online at any time. The Law Library hosts its own booking system. You must be a current York undergraduate or graduate student with a passport york account to book rooms in the Scott , Peter F. Bronfman Business Library, Steacie Science & Engineering Library or Leslie Frost libraries. A student may book a room for one time slot per day. The duration of a time slot is in half-hour increments to a maximum of 3 hours. Bookings cannot be made more than 14 days in advance. A minimum of 2 people is necessary in order to book a room. Only the person who created a reservation may delete it. An entry must be made in the NAME field to identify the booking. It is not necessary that this be your actual name. In addition, the following apply in the Sound and Moving Image Library (SMIL). A minimum of four(4) people is necessary in order to book a room. Rooms that are not booked or not occupied within the first 10 minutes of a booking will be made available for others to use. Most rooms will accommodate up to 6 or 8 people, however some can only accommodate 3 or 4. The room capacity is indicated in parentheses beside the room name on the booking calendar.	1,379
initial date 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 Final date 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 December November October September August July June May April March February January 31 August 2015 China's economy is reducing the cost of basic metals The cost of nickel, copper, aluminum and other commodities fell again. New lows form on fears of faltering Chinese economy. Experts are seriously worried that the market simply drown in the metal supply. Nickel prices fell by 10%. Aluminum and copper show 6letnego drop to a minimum. Lead and zinc fell to lows 5letnih. As for gold, the most hard currency in any scenario, it is scrambled. Now there are few who believe that China's economy, being the 2nd largest, will reach the goal. Namely — to 7.5% growth rate. According to the latest statistics from China's manufacturing sector is slowing down. And it is the most important consumer of steel and aluminum. The last devaluation of the yuan to bolster suspicions about the deplorable situation of the Chinese economy. The Shanghai index has fallen, which has negatively affected the global markets. This was preceded by 5letnee slowing economic development of China. And after all, China is a leader among consumers of raw materials. For China, the overproduction in the steel industry familiar phenomenon. And China is routinely fights with him. In 2014, export of steel has been increased twice. This year, the desire to build up exports increases. And China has no plans to remove certain operations on the development of a low value-added products. Accordingly, the steel market is watching a glut in conjunction with a low cost of metal. Prices for metallurgical coal and iron ore rushed down with incredible speed. For 4 years the minerals used to produce steel, have lost 70% of its value. And this destructive trend spread to other products. Base metals are used in all sectors, be it construction or electronics. And the decline in their value — an important economic indicator. For the mining sector surplus is virtually disease. In Australia and Canada, some companies reduce production and conserve initiated projects. However, manufacturers have invested considerable sums for the extension to the needs of China, slow down the pace reluctantly. Saying that the production of steel in China will inevitably decreases prematurely. Of course, the July figures showed decline. But influencing factors are here to move forward repair time. According to CISA data in August, production output increased compared to July.	2,889
Ewan Irvine's journey through the strange continues with a discussion about reincarnation and 'soul power'. In this episode, he interviews Audrey Yeardley. Audrey is an intuitive tarot reader and astrologer. Her intent is to guide others towards the paths that best serve them mentally, spiritually and physically. She uses her own intuition as a navigator of the myriad of possibilities - continuously seeking hidden knowledge and better ways of Being. She has a keen interest in the path of the soul. What do we refer to when we discuss the soul? Is it something that carries on after our bodies die? Does it reincarnate? How does that tie in with what is known about genetics? Audrey gives us a lot to think about. Support the show Share Episode Support Share Episode Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share This Episode Start at Ewan Irvine's journey through the strange continues with a discussion about reincarnation and 'soul power'. In this episode, he interviews Audrey Yeardley. Audrey is an intuitive tarot reader and astrologer. Her intent is to guide others towards the paths that best serve them mentally, spiritually and physically. She uses her own intuition as a navigator of the myriad of possibilities - continuously seeking hidden knowledge and better ways of Being. She has a keen interest in the path of the soul. What do we refer to when we discuss the soul? Is it something that carries on after our bodies die? Does it reincarnate? How does that tie in with what is known about genetics? Audrey gives us a lot to think about. Support the show Welcome to the Conan Doyle case book where there's always a story to tell Well, welcome to the Conan Doyle case spook with myself, you and Ervin and last week we spoke to Jimmy kostar fun, both the history fascinating facts and the spooky currencies and Edinburgh's Greyfriars kirkyard. But tonight, my guess is Audrey Yardley is an astrologer and intuitive tarot reader, and a consultant member of mind, body, spirit professionals limited using our intuitive guidance and integrity to help you to reach where you need to be in life. She also has a keen interest and experience and real inclination. And tonight, we are going to be looking at that subject of reincarnation. So welcome, Audrey. Good evening. Okay, Hello, nice to be with you. And you have some fascinating information experiences and reincarnation. So let's just start by asking you, Emma, suppose what some of these are your experiences and all about that interest and belief. Although they're not all of them, because I'm concentrating on soul, which is really intro, how we get into the world and how we get the experience. But I started asking questions when I was about four years old. And I had a series of dreams, which came pretty much in so modern till I was about nine. And then they stopped. And they didn't confuse me because I accepted even though I was so young. That what I was, when I was dreaming was was something to do with four previous lives that I've had, I've been feminine and all of them. They were fragments. And within him, there were clues about unfinished business. And taking that on board, when you're quite young, was quite a big thing to do. But somehow, I managed to accept that. And then we get on with growing up going into puberty, having ideas about what you're going to do with your life. But when I was 16, coming up to 17, I got kicked into touch on the plans that I've made, were taken over by a sudden invitation to come north, where the man who disappeared in the first dream. Now at the time I went along with it, but it was only in retrospect, retrospect, that's when we get really educated. When I look back, and I realised I'd taken on board, the unfinished business in that first dream. And a bit later, well quite a bit later, because I was married for 30 years. And I after my husband died, I changed my life and came north and met somebody it was just a year long situation which in retrospect, I understood the picking up the fragments of the secondary. Now, I didn't really want to examine the third one because that was the one that really scared me. I won't go into the details here. But it was eight years of experience and eight years of recovery. But it jolted me into really really taking all of this very seriously. So if you're happy with this, I'll go into the account of what reincarnation is like for me and for some other people. And also looking at what soul is all about, and the theories of how our connection becomes manifest when we're human beings. there's going to come a time you can better On this, when we get to know what you've made of yourself, and just what kind of a soul you've grown into. And like the song says, Even easy in the ways that you get to this point, some call that the dark night of the soul, and others entering the shadow for the show's eggs or eggs, we'll learn more from experience than ever, you will from the hunky dory kind of life. Wendell Berry wrote a poem about this. To go into the dark with a mate is to know the late to know that dark, grim dark without sate and found that the dark two blues and stones, and was troubled by dark feet, and wings causeless pains are about so it may well be that poets understand more about the scientists ever seem to do? Well, many of their offerings come from having delved into their own darkness, and their deepest pain. And more often than not cover the board because of that most painful the wall spiritual experiences of betrayal, either by someone else on actions. And here's one that I wrote, almost resorted to me by another piece of me in the darkest hours of the night. And after, for the first time in this life, I'd send up a prayer. Oh, God, I can't do this on my own. When it feels as though my very soul was close to being overwhelmed. There was a recess. And it was also within two minutes when their guardian angel sent in help. No time to tell me what there was like no. But it was the beginning of an eight year long search for understanding that was the totally to America and Greece. And to knowing that I'd worked my way through. This isn't my usual kind of poem. So we'll be talking souls for a little better. It's sitting up in bed yesterday, except beef tea today. It said, I had a dream. They told me I do well, but they despaired I'd make it because I know. So still, they thought it was a goner. And so they said it for you. They said they really thought there's nothing else to do. I thank them that they sent you. I thank you that you came because they've gone so low when the mother made me known three times, and the third went in the three times I felt the blame. Three times are dead, and then the death, my heart have turned to stone. And I'm an angel, so my state and hold me and that's the way it goes. In the darkest moment. And Angel always knows. Thank God you came to listen to me. Thank God, You came in time. Thank God you healed me. Thrice Blessed are those again. And very, it was a dream. I hold the floor and still recall the pain. And there it was a dream on you the power. I heard you call my name. Dream over dreams and better. You have not dreamed in vain. Souls talking souls talking souls talking souls talking. Now let's think about soul and just what it is as a capitalised. Imagine a beautiful diamond with 614 facets, not the usual 57 But 614 and everyone fell in with a preternatural Nate, a kind of floating crystal resonating to the music of the universe. Every one of us has one, a vital component that never incarnate with a white Syrah term with the lessons we've learned in only one lifetime. So many. They can be very old ones with maybe 35,000 years under their belt, or they could be very new ones and they're first starting and each other in a world right now, with different levels of accrued wisdom, but all with the intention of reaching enlightenment. Souls are made of lightmeter. The older they are the brighter they become. And on average, they weigh between 0.75 and 1.4 forms depending on the more developed and the energy of each one of the 614 facets, has five components and each with a tremendous Pamela. But firstly, let's talk about DNA. The combined information of one person's DNA with full the Grand Canyon more than 74 If times and if it was placed on to end, it would stretch from here to the moon a staggering 500,000 times. Think about that. So it's that personal do me inscribed in words of a very, very short language, to confirm its power that's in the first component of the soul. The second component is actors, which records all we've ever done, and will do on our possible choices that are in the learning is the third component containing the name of God, the archetype and its destiny. The energy of the universe that the soul uses to create a body is contained in the fourth component is called prema. And the fifth is where its unique spiritual name was given to it at the time of its creation, which never turned is and was rather like a very personal phone number. Because it's very important that each soul is known. Why did I take this on board in Sedona, Arizona, at a three day workshop set up there, Mitchell Gibson, after his first presentation in Albuquerque is overturned on Moto at one of the sons in consciousness conferences. Just after I began to gather my emotional roots together, I'd say the poster in the wall of day with names office just after on quadra explicably, I've been asked to target the chair of region troll, the Scottish region of the NFS age of Kornfeld, as a healer in 1998, after equally inexplicably being woken up their loud voice, and it's usually around 220. When it comes through, telling me it was time to go to Scotland. For the past 10 years, I've been dedicated to restoring a very old house I've made a promise to to make it beautiful. When I first seen it in 1965. And right then, when I was getting close to fulfilling it, here was a voice telling me I had to move, actually older saying it was sold talking, because it told me it will keep working out until I got in touch with the state agent, which it did, until I gave in and moved to the Isle of Skye. The number eight has always been a significant number for me, but never thought that I'll be getting myself into an eight year long relationship, which would end badly know that it would take another eight to fully recover. But I guess deep so that's a part of the hero's path, that you have to heal yourself at some point to get a qualification in unnecessarily empathy. Oh boy, we had other ways. And now it was telling me I had to go to Albuquerque, not to worry about my skinny finances. And as it would make sure I'll be meeting some very interesting people. Actually, it was to support me for five more visits to America for to Findhorn and I was down to the Arthur Findlay College and Stansted to fall in my own version of travelling on my own yellow brick road for the next eight years, until I can almost bless the man who conned me so very well. Not quite, because there's enough of the rich in me to have turned him into a toad, metaphorically speaking. And no, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Without that dastardly deed, so we're doing a debt of gratitude. To sell and Sedona mature Gibson had passed them His understanding, because it takes 3500 or three years to get through all the lessons that qualifies. So to complete a level one qualification, and before it can move on to the much longer courses to become levels two and three. After that, we have a choice to come back or to move on and not come back to Earth. Now this time, I was imagining each soul as being rather like a beautiful cosmic egg with the capacity to lay and hatch out enough personalities to fulfil the 3500 timeframe. And as we learn the necessary lessons, a window is opened. So it shines out. It's very different knowledge and all its windows are open, and it floats off to the next stage. It's already a civil cratic for that I'm happy with that. On the last day, one of our group asked Mitchell, what levels we were. He'd said, I recognise that when you first walked, walked through the door, but I'll tell you when the call was urns, which he heard. Most of you are level one souls, some slightly ahead of the others. But you put your, you put your feet on the path after much effort, so well done. There are here who made it to level two. And I commend all the hard work and persistence. And there's one of you who've reached level three. It was them who made the classic sign of recognition, holding his hands together, and slightly boring, but not to only one person more to the distant all and what he said. And one of you is verging on utter depravity. And all of us with our headstone and rethinking, please don't let that be me. Please don't let that be me. And for every one of us, silently half of the room as a question rather quickly to close on no million souls in homogeneous for their allotted time, obviously, you are going to be more interested in their lives than will ever get you more and then rather more interested in those, then what's going to happen to the lovers when our time has come. And when we get back to where we all come from. Still, I've been pondering whether or not about the possibility of a great gathering, that all of us who leaves the world on the one particular day will be a part of, and looking around at the variety of different countries background, colour, and belief systems. I was around five when I saw a wonderful movie, a matter of life and death is a movie made by Michael Powell and Pressburger, which made enough of a significant impression on me to get me thinking about what happens after we die. And which added an extra something to the memory is the four previous lives that it haunted my dreams, beginning when I was about four years old. Those of you who've seen it where we call David Madden, trying to land his damaged aircraft in the time of war, and being guided by a young Canadian woman seated in an operation firm as a merger airfield. And the subsequent debate or higher authorities, at one point descending on a very long staircase, to the sons of some very haunting music, to check out the former details of whether his time had come or not. And then each side of this magnificence, or the statues of fairness long from earlier times, this alone reinforcing the ethos of what reincarnation means the knowledge brought to the world by its greatest thinkers of our time. writers, artists, musicians can't just disappear. And Michael Powell has written in pencil the names of the statues that are to be there. Alexander the Great book read from Beethoven, Frederick shahpur, Confucius, Benjamin Franklin, Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Michelangelo, Muhammad, Moses Bartolomeu. Plato. I'm glad he was there. Rembrandt van Rijn, Cosmo vision, William Shakespeare, King Solomon, and John Jonathan's with a very individual kind of list. And I'm sure you'll think of your own. But I still remember going back to the movie, the number of pilots and their crew who are arriving in a large gathering space, still confused by their deaths, but acknowledging companions who died in similar circumstances. If you haven't yet seen the movie, then get you to the DVD, or check out Amazon or Netflix. Actually, it will be those who don't battle who will fill the spaces on the days of their particular battles, who will keep those who checked the new arrivals. Very, very busy recently, or watched a movie called us Indianapolis starring Nicolas Cage justice in a similar way, we might go well, what's the move is made from every one of our lives. Let me get back was based on real events. It made me want to discover more of the real life events on which it was based. And I found that in a meticulously researched book called fatal void by Dan Guzman. And I'm thinking about the whys and wherefores. are the stories behind all of our lives, but particularly the military ones that both take us back into the ones that we've learned. And the one that was our starting point. In the book, or two standout sentences on soul that I want to pass on. There are times when one has to follow the dictates of the soul, which is what I did when I was 16, coming up to 17, against all logic, and another, the experience in the water had demonstrated within a grotesque relief, that the quality of a man is not demonstrated by rank, wealth, or colour, but rather the nature of his soul, which was just one of the reasons for my taking myself to Sedona in 2003. I've always been fascinated by military history and events that lead on to armed conflict. And I remember through war sitting on the table, and listening to Neville Chamberlain announcing that we were at war, asking my father What was my dad was an elderly parent. He'd fought in the First World War, and now he was weeping. And so only 20 years and that last one, and telling me that war is home. But it may well be that so no more past lives have been in the military, for I carry with me an instinct that recognises where military installations have been, although hidden to the state. General George Patton, one of the Second World Wars, legendary figures, have recollections of eight previous lives in the military, fighting in Turkey, the Alexander the Great at the siege of China, fighting coliseums for Rome, working on his way to Valhalla, an Englishman imagine call a Scottish Highlander supporting the students after the death of Charles the First. Well, there's a load to Napoleonic morsel, when we all of us left North Africa to invade Sicily, a British General Sahara, Alexander toe Patton. But if he'd been alive in the 19th century, Napoleon would have made him a morsel to which hadn't had replayed allegedly. But he did. And so how are the natures of our souls formed? or individual tendencies? Something to think about, when we consider time dim and distant future have a great gathering of souls, when they've explored every possibility of what it takes to be a human being. And then, what are we gonna do about that? That was absolutely fascinating. OJ Lewis and a couple of questions, actually, from what you mentioned here. And one of the ones I was fascinated by you mentioned the 3500 years that, I guess most takes us to complete that pathway or gain or fool Siouxland. Say, and I was wondering about these 3500 years, because I suppose personally speaking, I'm happy coming back to the aeroplane a couple of times, but that would take me 3035 times of a lift about 100. To go back there, it is something to consider, particularly level two, three, which will take a bit longer. But human beings have been on earth for a very long time, Adam and Eve and of course there was no she began with a No Didn't she she took off because she got she didn't like what was going on. The first wife of Adam, and Phil will just think about now think about it as soon as we stop worrying about this. But your nerves and our lives go way, way back to the first time that human beings became cognizant. And maybe that was stepping out after he handed the apple to Adam. So already, you could have had your 3500 level ones. You could be well into your level two, on heading for level three. Post life chips can often give you clues. But mostly it's they tend to nag at you. If there's unfinished business. I've never actually gone for a past life consultation. I did. I did Yes. Once with whatever to Hamilton, which took me about six hours getting on almost the same coming back. She brought in something I've been I've been living in Wales. And I got very annoyed when a level of nine was hurt by some rather nasty people. And I did my best to get rid of them. But they burnt me. They burnt me alive in the towel. I have no recollection of that. And I didn't when John told me about it. But you could be well, on the way already with quite a lot of lies behind you. Does that make sense? Yes, it does interest me as well. You spoke about the gentleman in the military, going back to the war, and how that military connections seem to go through his previous life. So it was almost as if there was a thread that came through each of them. And the one that was wondering if that's something that can often happen. Yes, the first time. There isn't time now to talk about an experience I had with someone I saw when I walked through the door. It was a donor meeting. And it was as if I knew who he was. And I stopped my thoughts self and stepping forward. And truly, he was there with his wife. But when I went up to collodion, to just about two weeks or four got back from Sedona, we went up to Culloden, to do some healing. And we chose to stand by the dollar Donald graves. And that was a connection with this morning. But the first time I went to collodion, I stopped myself but I wanted to fall on my knees and tear my hair. Because I still thought the anguish of that, but I've no recollection of how there was got his life. Right. And yet there was no as you say, there was no memory of that. Do you feel that? If you were to go for a past life regression that may come forward? Or can these things perhaps just be hidden never come to the surface yet we do have these feelings or glimpses was the name of Adam's first wife? She took off in her house because she didn't like what was going on next, I believe. Yes, I did. I went to a lovely lady who lived on a Scottish home and to try to I tried everything I could to work out why I got involved with this disastrous relationship. That was in the third dream. The fourth dream was I was a very stocky over powerful woman who was seeking revenge and I needed to have my my hand slapped for, for being how I was. So for most of the lessons have been may not overstepping overreaching, not getting clever, and all of this. So I've got rid of that one. Unless I get very close, and then she comes forward. But the thing is this lovely lady Marie, she done a course with Judy Hall. And he's written so many books on crystals, and she's, you know, very intelligent psychic. But she said, I'm still learning. As I lay on the bench, she kept passing the book over to me to check if we're on the right on the right cause. So it was amazing. But it did bring back memories of the connection I'd held with this man, man, over many lifetimes. And we've never been equal. He'd always been in a position of power using using me particularly but others. And so I helped to get myself away from that. Was pretty much in finding it took a lot of effort. But the thought was interesting. Well, it's been a fascinating subject and unfortunately, each of our podcasts seems too short. But as delightful to speak to you and I know that you do readings with the Arthur Conan Doyle centre and people can find out more details about these there and the type of readings that you do. Thank you. So So once again, thank you very much for joining us and if anyone wants to find out more information apart from the coolant oil centre page, where can you check Do you have a website or Facebook page? What so what is your website? Website is Audrey warbly Why do le y at Weebly, W W b y.com. No Evil is to double calling tiscali.co.uk on our I'm also do WordPress as well, but just a moment that that's just escaping me. But I can give book lists and give more information about Michel Gibson on the work that he does. Very multi talented man who runs a school of Seoul in North Carolina. Okay, well once again, Audrey, thank you very much for speaking to us and have a lovely Thank you very much. Transcribed by https://otter.ai What is a soul? Listen to this podcast on	24,780
I was reading the other morning and I thought ‘hello, what’s happened to the writing?’ I couldn’t understand where the words in the middle of the page had disappeared to. Then I remembered that this had happened before. That sounds like the line out of a film. ‘It had all happened before, and it would all happen again.’ What movie is that from? Yes, all you clever lot out there it’s JM Barrie in Peter Pan echoing the, Bible the book of Ecclesiastes. I think it’s also been used in Battlestar Galactica among other movies and series. So, had my eyes become youthful, childlike, like Peter Pan? No that’s not what I’m saying. I remembered that ten years ago I kept losing the central vision in my right eye. The GP I had at the time recognised it an ocular migraine. I was put on medication that has stopped the problem for ten years; it seems to be back. The loss of vision lasted about an hour, then it went. That’s good I thought, until a bright shining light appeared across my right eye. It was brighter and more vibrant than any visual migraine light shows I have ever had before. I honestly thought that there was some sort of light sabre being waved around in front of me. Now I’m onto Star Wars; is this a movie trivia blog, I hear you say; no, I reply. The light was just so distinct and bright it reminded me of a light sabre. Although unlike a light sabre it had sparking colours at the edges. Ah the joys of a visual migraines. For anyone unfamiliar with ocular migraines and who might confuse them with migraine auras let me quickly explain. An ocular migraine is where you get a series of visual disturbances caused by blood vessel constriction in the eye itself. A migraine aura is where blood vessel constriction in the brain cause a series of problems which make you hypersensitive to light, smell, touch and then leads onto excruciating pain. You can also get visual disturbances. I was therefore hoping these visual disturbances were an ocular migraine and not an aura, warning of imminent pain. There was a point when I started this. My vision loss was central, looking straight at the page of writing I couldn’t read anything. But I could move my eyes to one side and use peripheral vision. That way I could just about read, albeit blurry. Of course I could have just used my good eye, but I don’t see well with one eye. It got me thinking sometimes we need to look at problems indirectly. Instead of staring at them head on so hard that we lose sight of the issue. We need to look to one side. Allow our minds to go into idle perhaps. Don’t focus on the problem, look to one side. One definite result will be a lowering of your stress level. Sometimes a result can be seeing a new way forward. It’s just a thought if you are struggling with an irresolvable problem. I speak from experience here. Just to round off I didn’t get a full-blown migraine. It was only an ocular migraine. At least it got me thinking. If you have enjoyed this blog, please like and share Reddit Related Author: Mike Nevin I decided to write about the funny side of being cared for. I am a full time wheelchair user with daily carers. It's my experiences with my carers that inspired this blog. View all posts by Mike Nevin	3,377
Jiff the collie represents “shaded yellow,” one of five coat color patterns in domestic dogs identified by Danika Bannasch at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and collaborators in the U.S. and Switzerland. The genes for these coat types originated about two million years ago in an extinct relative of dogs and wolves. (Photo courtesy: Susan Larson) by Trina Wood August 12, 2021 Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but variations in color patterns provide some of their most distinctive characteristics. A newly released study sheds light on a subset of these patterns, unexpectedly leading to new questions about long-held tenets of dog evolution. The study, co-authored by Professor Danika Bannasch, the Maxine Adler Endowed Chair in Genetics at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, was published Aug. 12 in Nature Evolution and Ecology. It reveals structural variants that control expression of the agouti signaling protein, or ASIP, gene at two separate locations to produce five distinctive dog color patterns. These different patterns are widespread, occurring in hundreds of dog breeds and hundreds of millions of dogs around the world. The question of when these changes arose surprised the group of international researchers. They discovered that the genetic combination for one of the coat patterns — dominant yellow, or DY — is shared with arctic white wolves and, based on phylogenetic analysis, originated from an extinct canid that diverged from gray wolves more than 2 million years ago. “While we think about all this variation in coat color among dogs, some of it happened long before ‘dogs’ were dogs,” Bannasch said. “The genetics turn out to be a lot more interesting because they tell us something about canid evolution.” The researchers hypothesize that lighter coat colors would have been advantageous to an extinct canid ancestor in an arctic environment during glaciation periods 1.5 to 2 million years ago. Natural selection would have caused that coat pattern to persist in the population that eventually gave rise to dogs and wolves. “We were initially surprised to discover that white wolves and yellow dogs have an almost identical ASIP DNA configuration,” said Chris Kaelin of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama, who is co-first author of the work with Bannasch. “But we were even more surprised when it turned out that a specific DNA configuration is more than 2 million years old, prior to the emergence of modern wolves as a species.” Bannasch conducted the research during a sabbatical in Professor Tosso Leeb’s lab at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Her work at UC Davis focuses on identifying molecular causes for inherited diseases in dogs and horses. During one of Leeb’s lab meetings she became interested in figuring out the basis for black and tan coat colors in dogs. Bannasch expanded her collaboration to include colleagues at the HudsonAlpha Institute who could contribute their expertise in phylogenetics and mammalian coat patterning. Two mutations lead to five phenotypes Wolves and dogs can make two different types of pigments, a black one called eumelanin and a yellow pigment, pheomelanin. The precisely regulated production of these two pigments at the right time and at the right place on the body gives rise to very different coat color patterns. Pheomelanin (yellow) production is controlled by the agouti signaling protein, which is produced by the ASIP gene. The researchers realized that no single genetic mutation accounted for the five major color phenotypes. Dogs need mutations in two areas of the ASIP gene to get different coat patterns. Bannasch and colleagues renamed the phenotypes to better describe the variations: dominant yellow, shaded yellow, agouti, black saddle and black back. They also discovered that the haplotype for dominant yellow was much older than anticipated. “It didn’t come from modern wolves. It had been around for much longer,” Bannasch said. So, the researchers tested the genetics of ancient wolves and dogs to confirm that the dominant yellow haplotype has been around for about 2 million years, long before the domestication of dogs some 30,000 years ago. The black back pattern was identified in a dog sample that was 9,500 years old, showing that the rich variation in dog coat colors was present in the earliest canine companions. In addition to her scientific research, Bannasch has a passion for raising and training dogs. Along with her Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers, Bannasch has a black back patterned Danish Swedish farmdog. Soon after coming back to Davis, she brought home her second of that breed, which carries the dominant yellow pattern. Now all she needs are the three other coat patterns, she joked, and she’ll have a full set.	4,866
When I opened up Instagram and saw “hold your baby, mama” on the Full Feedings grid, it was exactly what this mama needed to hear. I was a new mom who was struggling to know exactly how to best take care of my newborn. “If they take naps on you they’ll only take naps on you.” Why anyone is telling a new parent that they can’t hold their baby I will never understand. Of course we want to work on crib and independent sleeping. But, come on, you’ve just welcomed this new baby into your life whether via pregnancy and childbirth, surrogacy or adoption, it doesn’t matter. You are going to want to hold this new baby and show them the love and comfort you both need. Entering the world is hard for a little baby. They went from being in this dark, warm place where you’re basically hugging them 24/7 to entering this world with lights, sounds and changing temperatures. They’re going to need comfort and you both need to bond. We encourage holding your baby. The Full Feedings Method focuses on maintaining full feeds and getting your baby into an age-appropriate routine. If your baby is overtired or hungry, they’re going to struggle sleeping anywhere, even in your arms. Instead of spending so much mental energy stressing about where your baby sleeps, let’s focus on setting them up for success once they fall asleep. We do this by: Sticking to a consistent OWT during the day Making sure your baby has full feeds Starting their naptime routine 15 minutes before the end of their OWT, so they can be asleep in time without becoming overly tired. The best way to assist your baby to get into this routine is by helping them into it and helping them to sleep. We’re so focused on the things we need to teach our babies, like rolling over, that we forget we also have to teach them how and when to sleep. In the womb, they don’t need help sleeping because it’s dark, cozy and they’re being rocked all the time while you move around. Just like we teach them to drink from a straw, we have to teach them to go to sleep when they’re tired. It would be nice if babies just ‘knew’ to fall asleep when they’re tired, but this isn’t always the case, especially if they’re overly tired! Of course we want you to put your baby to sleep in the crib but, personally, I think there’s a happy medium where some naps are contact naps, some are stroller/carrier and others are in the crib. Find your balance and keep doing what you need to for your family. The thing about having kids is, everyone has an opinion. Everyone will tell you exactly what you should and shouldn’t do based on what they did or didn’t do. Trust yourself and your instincts and let the rest of it go. At the end of the day, you’re the parent and you have to do what you’re comfortable with. And that’s really all there is to it.	2,909
Department of Defense, Iraq Special Inspector General Lessons Learned on the Commander’s Emergency Response Program in Iraq April 30, 2013 January 24, 2013 The CERP was formally established by the Coalition Provisional Authority in July 2003 to provide U.S. military commanders in Iraq with a stabilization tool that benefitted the Iraqi people. The program supported urgent, small-scale projects that local governments could sustain, that generally cost less than $25,000, and that provided employment. DoD defined urgent as “any chronic and acute inadequacy of an essential good or service that, in the judgment of the local commander, calls for immediate action.” Among other things, CERP funds were used to: build schools, health clinics, roads, and sewers; pay condolence payments; support economic development; purchase equipment; and perform civic cleanup. DoD used CERP as a “combat multiplier” whose projects helped improve and maintain security in Iraq through non-lethal means. The program was considered “critical to supporting military commanders in the field in executing counterinsurgency operations” and its pacification effects important to saving lives. … The authoritative guidance for using CERP is the DoD document, Money As A Weapon System (MAAWS), which provides the policies and procedures for administering the program. MAAWS establishes important procedures regarding accountability, including requiring project data to be entered into a system called the CERP Project Tracker when funds were committed to a project. The tracker was supposed to be updated to track obligations, disbursements, and project completion status, among other things. MAAWS describes the reporting requirements and performance metrics that are to be used to capture how CERP projects benefit the Iraqi people. Specifically, it requires the inclusion of performance metrics in a letter of justification for individual projects costing $50,000 or more. MAAWS further required that commanders in Iraq coordinate reconstruction efforts and determine project needs with the Department of State (DoS), Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of Iraq (GOI) to gain the greatest effect. SIGIR previously found that this happened too infrequently. A DoD review of CERP, issued in July 2010, stated that the Department was working to enhance weak coordination with U.S. government agencies, the GOI, and other partners to ensure that CERP projects were appropriately designed and implemented, and met key criteria including a requirement that they be sustainable. … … … In Iraq, cash transactions were prevalent due to the post-invasion broken banking system. CERP projects were primarily funded with cash. Such cash transactions must have strong controls, especially in a war zone where they are highly vulnerable to theft or misappropriation. SIGIR’s audit work and investigations found instances of weak controls over CERP cash transactions. Our January 2011 report on the SOI program concluded the MNC- I exercised weak financial controls over its cash payments to the SOI. In our review of 98 SOI project files, we found that payments were often made directly to an SOI leader to distribute instead of to the individual SOI members directly, without any means of verifying that each SOI received his salary. In addition, the MNC-I often provided the same amount of money each month without determining how many SOI were actually working during that period. In some instances where payments were made to individual SOI members, the payments were lower than the original agreed-upon estimate. Furthermore, key financial control documents including cash receipts and vouchers were often missing from the project files. Among the most significant missing documents were receipts and statements of agent accounts which are important internal control documents to ensure funds are used appropriately. Symptomatic of loose controls over cash, SIGIR’s investigative work caught many individuals who stole CERP funds. For example, a U.S. Army Major was convicted of stealing more than $47,000 in CERP funds that were to be used for humanitarian relief or rebuilding purposes and depositing the funds in his bank account. The Major was deployed with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Mosul, Iraq, from September 2004 to September 2005. From September 2004 to January 2005, he was appointed the paying agent for CERP funds and was responsible for requesting and obtaining the funds from the Army finance office and disbursing the funds. The Major was the Contracting Officer’s Representative and was responsible for day-to-day contact with contractors in Iraq on behalf of the U.S. government. He pleaded guilty in February 2011 and was subsequently sentenced to three years’ probation and required to pay $47,241 in restitution. In another example, a U.S. Army Captain pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $690,000 in CERP funds while deployed to Iraq. He gained access to the funds (which were intended as payments of security contracts with the Sons of Iraq and humanitarian relief and reconstruction programs) in his capacity as the project purchasing officer for the U.S. Army. The Captain was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and was required to pay $200,000 in restitution, and forfeit his interest in all personal property bought with the stolen money.	5,847
FILE – Affidavit printers are lined up at the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix, Sept. 8, 2022. The seeds of misinformation about next week’s… FILE – Affidavit printers are lined up at the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix, Sept. 8, 2022. The seeds of misinformation about next week’s midterm elections were planted in 2020. And despite efforts by tech companies to slow their spread, misleading claims about mail ballots, vote tallying and certification never went away. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) AP U.S. News Misinformation and the midterm elections: What to expect by: DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press Posted: Nov 3, 2022 / 04:28 AM CDT Updated: Nov 3, 2022 / 11:51 AM CDT FILE – Affidavit printers are lined up at the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix, Sept. 8, 2022. The seeds of misinformation about next week’s… FILE – Affidavit printers are lined up at the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix, Sept. 8, 2022. The seeds of misinformation about next week’s midterm elections were planted in 2020. And despite efforts by tech companies to slow their spread, misleading claims about mail ballots, vote tallying and certification never went away. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) by: DAVID KLEPPER, Associated Press Posted: Nov 3, 2022 / 04:28 AM CDT Updated: Nov 3, 2022 / 11:51 AM CDT Conspiracy theories about mail ballots. Anonymous text messages warning voters to stay home. Fringe social media platforms where election misinformation spreads with impunity. Misinformation about the upcoming midterm elections has been building for months, challenging election officials and tech companies while offering another reminder of how conspiracy theories and distrust are shaping America’s politics. The claims are fueling the candidacies of election deniers and threatening to further corrode faith in voting and democracy. Many of them can be traced back to 2020, when then-President Donald Trump refused to accept the outcome of the election he lost to Joe Biden and began lying about its results. “Misinformation is going to be central to this midterm election and central to the 2024 election,” said Bhaskar Chakravorti, who studies technological change and society and is the dean of global business at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. “The single galvanizing narrative is that the 2020 election was stolen.” A look at key misinformation challenges heading into the 2022 election: Political misinformation often focuses on immigration, crime, public health, geopolitics, disasters, education or mass shootings. This year, it’s mostly about voting. Claims about the security of mail ballots have grown in recent weeks, as have baseless rumors about noncitizens voting. That’s in addition to claims about dead people casting ballots, ballot drop boxes being moved or wild stories about voting machines. Trump, a Republican, attacked the legitimacy of the election even before he lost. He then refused to concede, spreading lies about the election that inspired the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. His contention was rejected in more than 60 court cases and by his own attorney general, William Barr. Together, these misleading claims about the nation’s electoral system have led some Republicans to say they’re going to hold onto their mail ballots until Election Day — a move that could slow down the count. Others vow to monitor the polls to prevent cheating, leading to concerns about intimidation and even the possibility of violence at election sites. Tech companies say they’ve implemented new policies and programs designed to ferret out misinformation. “We’ve seen hundreds of elections play out on our platforms in recent years and we’ve been applying lessons from each one to strengthen our preparations,” Facebook and Instagram owner Meta said in a statement. Yet critics say the volume of false claims spreading now shows there’s more to be done, such as better enforcement of existing rules or government regulations requiring more aggressive policies. “This is no longer a new problem,” said Jon Lloyd, senior adviser at the nonprofit Global Witness, which last week released a report showing that TikTok failed to remove many advertisements that contain election misinformation. Big social media platforms, he said, “are still simply not doing enough to stop threats to democracy.” Elections involve the combined efforts of tens of thousands of people working under pressure. Mistakes are expected, which is why there’s a robust system of checks and balances to ensure errors are found and corrected. Taken out of context, stories about glitchy voting machines, mixed-up ballots or even “suspicious” vehicles arriving at election centers can become fodder for the next election fraud myth. And with so much work to do at such a fast pace, election workers, local officials and even the media can have little time to push back on such claims before they go viral. In Georgia in 2020, a water leak at a site where ballots were being counted was used to spin a far-fetched tale of ballot rigging. In Arizona, the choice of pens given to voters filling out ballots led to similarly preposterous claims. To avoid falling for a misleading claim, consult multiple sources including local election offices. Any significant voting irregularity will be covered by multiple news outlets and addressed by election officials. Be skeptical of claims from second-hand sources, said Shaye-Ann McDonald, a behavioral researcher at Duke University who studies ways to improve resistance to misinformation. The most viral misinformation often elicits anger or fear that motivates readers to repost it before they’ve had time to coolly consider the underlying claim. “When you read about something that provokes a strong emotion, that should be a warning sign,” McDonald said. Just before the 2020 election, Spanish-language Facebook ads falsely claimed Biden, a Democrat, was a communist. On other platforms, posts warned Latinos in the U.S. not to vote at all. Misinformation in non-English languages is a particular concern cited by researchers who say the major platforms — most of them U.S.-based — are focused on content moderation in English. Automated systems written to detect misinformation in English don’t work as well when applied to other languages. “As bad as they (tech companies) are moderating content in English, they’re even worse when it comes non-English languages,” said Jessica Gonzalez, co-CEO of Free Press, a nonprofit that works on issues of racial justice and technology. While misinformation about elections spreads easily on big social media platforms like Facebook, it also has taken root on a long list of less familiar platforms: Gab, Gettr, Parler and Truth Social, Trump’s platform. Meanwhile, TikTok has emerged as a key network for younger voters — and the politicians who want to reach them. The platform, owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance, has created an election center to connect users with trustworthy information about elections and voting. But nonetheless misinformation persists. The problem isn’t limited to social media. The number of false claims transmitted by text and email has steadily increased in recent years. Last summer, Democratic voters in Kansas received misleading texts telling them a yes vote on an upcoming referendum would protect abortion rights; the opposite was true. Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter just weeks before the 2022 election upended that platform’s plans for combating misinformation ahead of the midterms. Musk quickly fired the executive who had overseen content moderation. Over the weekend he posted a tweet advancing a baseless conspiracy theory about the attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, before deleting it. Musk has called himself a free speech absolutist and had said he disagreed with the decision to boot Trump from the platform for incitement of violence on Jan. 6, 2021. He has said that a content moderation committee will examine possible revisions to Twitter’s rules but that no changes would be made until after the election. “We’re staying vigilant against attempts to manipulate conversations about the 2022 US midterms.” Yoel Roth, Twitter’s head of safety and integrity, tweeted Tuesday. Russian efforts to interfere in U.S. elections go back years, and there are indications that China and Iran are stepping up their game. Tech companies, government officials and misinformation researchers say they’re monitoring for such activity ahead of the midterms. But the misinformation threat posed by domestic groups may be far greater. Follow the AP’s coverage of misinformation at https://apnews.com/hub/misinformation. Follow the AP for full coverage of the 2022 midterm elections at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ap_politics. And check out https://apnews.com/hub/explaining-the-elections to learn more about the issues and factors at play in the midterms. Your email(required) Δ Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.	9,541
The past weekend witnessed a surge of incidents that kept the Drishti Marine lifesavers on their toes. There were a total of 7 rescues involving 9 persons, 1 medical emergency, and 4 children who were reported missing and later reunited with their families. Baga witnessed two single rescues over the weekend, a 24-year-old male from Nagpur, was rescued by Lifesaver Narayan Govekar using a jet ski. The other rescue involved a male aged 27 years hailing from Mumbai, who Lifesaver Naresh Govekar rescued. Coincidentally, there were two single rescues at Dudhsagar. Upon noticing a 33-year-old male from Hyderabad drowning due to his life jacket getting loose and coming off, Drishti’s lifesaver Shahnawaj Nadaf rushed to aid the victim with the rescue tube. Also, on observing a 37-year-old male from Gujarat suffering from breathing difficulty while swimming, lifesaver Hanuman Bhajrantri rushed into the water with a surfboard and saved him. Meanwhile, Morjim riverside witnessed a single rescue where a 55-year-old local from Pernem was found in distress and was drowning, lifesavers Suvesh Nagvekar, Jhilu Parab, and Aman Salgaonkar quickly jumped into action and secured the victim with the help of rescue tube, rescue board and jet ski respectively. There was a single rescue at Vagator wherein a male aged 50 from Bardez was rescued by lifesaver Suhas Gawas with the help of a rescue tube. In another single rescue at Ozran beach, a 15-year-old girl from Ponda was rescued by Lifesaver Ketan Nagvekar with the help of a rescue tube. There was a double rescue at Calangute, two males from Calangute aged 18 and 19 were rescued by Lifesaver Ajay Gaonkar with the help of the rescue board. All the rescued victims are in stable condition. At Candolim, a child aged 14 was reported missing by his brother, he was found a few minutes after the announcement was made by the lifesaver and was subsequently handed over to his brother after getting confirmation from the police officials. Drishti lifesaver Sangharsh Asolkar found 2 children at Calangute who were reported missing by their respective families. One was aged 4 from Belgaum and the second was from Kolhapur. Both the children were safely reunited with their families after confirmation from the police officials. In another incident, a 5-year-old boy from Karnataka was reported to be missing at Baga, he was found later and handed over to his family in the presence of police officials. There was a medical emergency at Baga wherein a 38-year-old female from Kolkata while searching for her glasses in the water got overthrown by a huge wave. She managed to get out but was short of breath and oxygen had to be administered to her, later she was shifted to Candolim PHC. The condition of the victim is reported to be stable. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Events Sports Recent Posts 148 of Goa’s cricket players went under the auctioneer’s hammer at the PGML 2.0 Defence paving the way for FC Goa this season 15 rescued from waters while 6 children who were reported missing, reunited with their family along the coast	3,401
SUZETTE MARTINEZ STANDRING has been a published columnist since 1997, and nationally syndicated (2007-2021). Her two award winning books, The Art of Opinion Writing (2014) and The Art of Column Writing (2008) are used in journalism courses such as Johns Hopkins University. Suzette is a past president of The National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and the host of It’s All Write With Suzette, a cable TV show about writing. Visit www.readsuzette.com or email suzmar@comcast.net Latest posts by Suzette Standring (see all) Man with Asperger Finds His Voice in Toastmasters - October 20, 2022 Meatless and Motivated: Boosting Black Veganism - March 14, 2022 My mother’s unloved diamond ring - January 28, 2022 John Lewis, longtime U.S. congressman and civil rights icon for “good trouble,” was buried on July 30, 2020. The Georgia legislator was legendary for his lifelong patriotic protest and dissent against inequality. He played major roles in the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. I once held his hand. Few can connect the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act with getting their heads cracked open. That’s what happened to him and scores of African-Americans on “Bloody Sunday” on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. Their peaceful protest for equality in voting was met with violence by state troopers. Lewis was unconscious from a fractured skull and never knew how he made it to a hospital. Nationally, the brutality was televised, and days later, The Voting Rights Act was signed into law. But Mr. Lewis’s work did not end there. The respected legislator was a voice of conscience to those who might prefer easier, palatable solutions to burning issues of social injustice. Nowadays boldness takes the form of name-calling and blame on social media. Today character killing is done from a distance by tweets. Tit for tat fingerpointing, “What about (fill in the blank),” frames our national conversations. But John Lewis gave front-line physical boldness as a clear thinking advocate for equality. Anyone can google his illustrious career. I will say that to have heard him in person, a man mighty in historical undertakings, took my breath away. I was there in 2017 when Mr. Lewis received The Gleitsman Citizen Activist Award from Harvard University for his leadership in social change that improved the quality of U.S life. Today’s higher awareness and necessary action for equal treatment continue on the foundation he built with other heroes. In 2017, my lawyer friend, Janet Mangini, was invited as a 1998 award recipient for her work against the tobacco industry, which enticed children to smoke. You don’t see those Joe Camel ads anymore, do you? I was her guest. How refreshing (rather novel in today’s terms) to hear Mr. Lewis ascribe no blame and to have no bitterness from the past. His approach was find unity in our humanity. Just keep fighting the good fight. I wanted to hug him in person, but alas! Long lines formed to shake his hand. I stared longingly from a distance as Janet visited with colleagues, and finally we made our way to the exit. Oops! Janet forgot her scarf and ran back inside to find it. Suddenly, Mr. Lewis appeared, all alone like an apparition. I thought, “Where’s Janet? I need her to take a photo!” But it felt selfish to subject him to yet another tedious snapshot. Instead, I could only stammer, “Mr. Lewis, your life has meant so much to me.” He smiled and said, “Thank you. Do you think you could help me down the stairs?” He offered his hand, and then, arm in arm, we descended the steep, stone steps, and I was wonderstruck at touching greatness.	3,797
Survivor Retreat, Those Left Behind. This retreat is for families of Firefighters, Emergency Medical Service and Dispatch that have taken their own lives. By providing education, experiences, and tools, it is our hope to help ease the grief from such a traumatic event. Parents, spouses, partners, siblings & children over 16 are invited to attend. There will be presentations, planned activities and free time to explore. Included in the retreat: Accommodations Activities/Entertainment (lLimited) Transportation to and from the airport if needed Please consider attending this event. You will be with other families that have experienced a similar tragedy. It is our hope that you will come away with information that is beneficial to your own behavioral health and friends for a lifetime! Space is limited. All pre-registrations will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. Have you attended an FBHA retreat? Yes No Your loved one's name* In order for FBHA to be able to serve the needs of the fire service family, the more information we can gather on the firefighter suicide mechanism for pro-active training, the better. By gathering as much information as we can, we can provide a profile that helps identify at-risk firefighters before this tragedy strikes. This information has proven to be an invaluable tool for the police service. We request that anyone having information on a firefighter suicide please contact FBHA using the form below. Because we are mindful that some agencies prohibit the release of information by their Departments, and that some family members may not be aware that there is a way to make notifications, we have developed a "blind form" that assists in providing anonymity for the submitting party. This form has been graciously given to FBHA to use from Robert E. Douglas, Jr. of the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation. Once you submit this confidential form, it is transmitted to Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance's email, with the sender information removed. Since we have no means to contact the submitter back because that information is blocked, we appreciate as much information as you can provide. FBHA then uses this information to keep its training pro-active and post-event, current. At a minimum, we require the agency's name, state, firefighter's sex, rank, years of service, date of death, how death occurred, and any stressors identified or suspected as being a catalyst. We would appreciate any additional information or details that can be provided. It is FBHA's policy not to release firefighter or department specific information. We respect the privacy of the families and agencies involved. It is not our intention to cause any undue pain to families or agencies. Additionally, we do not release this specific case information to the media. Sincerely, Jeff Dill Founder Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance	3,033
Arriving from You're in the right place - although we no longer support your language, you can still book all our fantastic European destinations with more than 50.000 holiday homes to choose from. If you haven't been redirected please click continue is now NOVASOL Arriving from You're in the right place - although we no longer support your language, you can still book all our fantastic European destinations with more than 50.000 holiday homes to choose from.	472
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The University of Pennsylvania recently announced Intel’s intention of releasing a new Bitcoin mining ASIC chip which will be released during the 2022 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference on February 23. Described as an Ultra-Low-Voltage Energy-Efficient Bitcoin Mining ASIC, the chip titled Bonanza Mine will make Intel the first major semiconductor company to jump into producing traditional Bitcoin mining ASICS. Although AMD has been a part of the crypto mining industry for a while now owing to its super-powered GPUs, it never witnessed any competition as such. But since Intel has a higher production capacity, and both ASICs as well as GPUs are priced almost similarly, Intel could bolster the production to give AMD serious competition. But for Intel, the concern is bigger than just AMD since there are already better established ASIC production companies in the market. Bitmain, Bitfury, etc are some such companies that have dominated the ASIC-specific mining rig manufacturing industry for most parts. However, Intel might have actually made this decision at the right time. The mining industry just a week ago finally recovered from the effects of The Great Migration and is currently growing at a quick pace. Hash Rate marked an all-time high a few days ago after taking 7 months to recover from the dent made by China’s mining ban. Bitcoin Hash Rate is at an all-time high \| Source: Glassnode Additionally, at the moment, miners are now entering the market. Chinese educational company Midland International is one of the most recent ones. The company had already secured 147 cryptocurrency mining rigs and AGMH shipped another 1335 BTC mining rigs which are set to be operational this month. Additionally, the success of mining Bitcoin is pushing companies to go public. Rhodium Enterprises is one such company, valued at $1.7 billion which is about to go public tomorrow. So if Intel can tap the market properly, it could gain footing in the mining industry. These developments are yet to have any major impact on the king coin’s price action since Bitcoin is still stuck in the lower $42k zone. Although price indicators do show an uptrend, we are yet to see how far up it could take Bitcoin.	2,276
Cuba, like any other country, is part of the global debates on freedom of movement. To this day, various countries restrict entry to their territory for reasons of national security. In many cases, these decisions, in addition to being highly questionable from the legal point of view, constitute cases of political discrimination against categories of nationals prevented from accessing third states, as is the case in the United States. The island is part of those debates, for its own reasons. Unlike other countries, it suffers from explicit official belligerence by the United States government. In this context, the immigration issue, and the control of movements have experienced great politicization. In the international context, critical voices demand that the issue of national security be included in the framework of the discourse and practice of the protection of human rights. A very recent case has reactivated this discussion for the Cuban context. On March 18, 22-year-old Cuban journalist Karla Pérez González began a trip, via Copa Airlines, from Costa Rica to Havana, after completing four years of studies in that country. The young woman had arrived in the Central American country in 2018, after being expelled from a Cuban university for being part of a counterrevolutionary group. Now, during the usual stopover in Panama, she was prevented from continuing her flight to Cuba. According to her testimony, the agent of the airline who attended her gave her a WhatsApp audio to listen to, in which a Cuban official reported that she was prohibited from entering the country. The following day, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations confirmed the ban and denounced that a “media show” had been built by the “enemies of the Revolution” around the case. In his statement, he claimed the approach of national security in defense of that decision. However, the legal framework on which that decision would be based and how it is combined with the rights recognized by the Cuban constitutional order has not been addressed at the official level. Related Posts Past present (IV and final) September 17, 2022 Postscript to “Letter to a young man who is leaving” June 12, 2022 Cuba: Leaving, staying May 28, 2022 The Bible and politics May 15, 2022 OnCuba, in an exclusive interview with Professor Harold Bertot Triana, a specialist in Constitutional Law, addresses the existing legal regulation in Cuba on entering the country, the problems faced by this regulation, the international standards that would be applicable to the case, and the needs for protection of rights that the invocation of the concept of national security demands. What does Cuban legislation regulate on entry and denial of entry to the country? The current state of the normative regulation on the limitation of entry to the country of any person, including Cuban citizens, is a serious problem. The constitution establishes in its article 52 the freedom of people to enter the national territory. The limits to this freedom, the Constitution itself mandates, must be defined by law. That law is Decree-Law No. 302 Amending Law No. 1312, “Migration Law” of September 20, 1976. Article 24.1 establishes the assumptions for which the entry of a person into the national territory would be “inadmissible”: having a history of terrorist activities, human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, or others internationally prosecutable; be linked to acts against humanity, human dignity, collective health or prosecutable under international treaties to which Cuba is a party; organize, stimulate, carry out or participate in hostile actions against the political, economic and social foundations of the Cuban State; when reasons of Defense and National Security so advise; for being declared undesirable or expelled; for failing to comply with the regulations of the Migration Law, its Regulations and the complementary provisions for entering the country. Article 24 itself, in its section 3, establishes that the immigration authority can authorize the entry to the country of people who have been declared “undesirable or expelled” or those who have breached the regulations of the Migration Law and the rest of the legal provisions, “when humanitarian reasons or state interest so advise.” We already know that there are specific provisions for the entry into the country of citizens who abandon medical missions, sports delegations, or diplomatic or official functions, and for those who left illegally through the United States Naval Base in Guantánamo. The problem here is that anyone can ask when, for example, is it a case of “defense reasons” or “national security.” The Law has the same concern and the same problem. Therefore, it requires that the limitation of the right be marked by precision and clarity in the assumed limitations. What do you mean by “precision and clarity in the assumed limitations”? First, the basis of the limitation may be based on “defense reasons” or “national security,” but the limiting regulation, the factual assumption of the behavior, has to be as precise, as clear as possible. The factual assumption then cannot be “national security.” The factual assumption should not be left to the indeterminacy of the concepts. The abstract concepts cannot be what is constituted in factual assumptions. It has to be typified. When the basis is appealed (“national security,” for example) as if it were already the factual assumption, then the construction of that punishable behavior, due to the indeterminacy and abstraction of the concept, shifts to the discretion of the authority. Thus, it is the authority that defines and considers what is a punishable act that threatens “national security.” In terms of limitation of rights, that is inadmissible. Who should impose the limitations and how should they be imposed? While article 52 of the Constitution establishes that a law will set its limitations (which is known as the “reserve of law,” which is to say that the National Assembly will be the only “reserved” body to impose limits on this right), I understand that it should be this body that establishes the factual assumptions that will be sanctioned. In other words, it would be that body that must explicitly determine which specific behaviors would be condemned in terms of freedom of movement and not leave this matter to the discretion of an authority. What are the consequences, then, of this “legal limbo” that is created in some cases with respect to Cuban citizens who are prevented from entering Cuba and do not have another citizenship? Although there is a protective framework for those persons who are not considered a national by any State, “de jure statelessness,” as defined by the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention to Reduce Cases of Statelessness—of which Cuba is not a party, incidentally—, there is no similar level of international protection for those nationals or citizens of a State who are prevented from entering its territory without having the citizenship of another State. In these cases, people often speak of “de facto statelessness” but the truth is that they do not have an international protective framework that can be equated with “de jure statelessness.” However, there are other international protection institutions for a person who is in a situation of this type, such as the refugee status, although it will be in the hands of the authorities of the country where that person requests this type of protection if the requirements are met to be considered as such, whose fundamental legal instruments are the Convention on the Status of Refugees of 1951 and its Protocol of 1967, with the provisions that the 1984 Declaration of Cartagena implied in the application of the definition of refugees. It actually is a very complicated situation, from the legal point of view, for the person who may find himself in that situation. What is the international legal standard regarding entry to and exit from the country of origin? The answer involves many questions, but it is worth saying that bodies in charge of ensuring compliance with certain human rights covenants, international courts, and a widespread practice in Comparative Law, among others, set standards on the international responsibility of States, that is, whether or not an international obligation in this regard is violated. The issue of denying entry to a national to his country is so sensitive, for example, that the UN Human Rights Council, the body in charge of ensuring the observance and application of the International Covenant, has used expressions such as “in no case can a person be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country”; and when it is done, there must be a guarantee that “the interference provided for by law are in accordance with the provisions, purposes and objectives of the Covenant, and are, in any case, reasonable in the particular circumstances,” although it stressed that in its consideration “there are few, if any, circumstances in which deprivation of the right to enter his own country may be reasonable.” And would this be enforceable for Cuba, if one takes into account that its State has not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Law? The answer to this is much more complex than yes or no. There are many ways, beyond giving consent to be bound by a Treaty, and with more weight when it comes to human rights obligations, for a State to be bound by an international obligation. However, and leaving aside an in-depth discussion on this matter here, we would be in very much of a strait if we do not incorporate into our practices, our regulations, to give content to what is called the “Rule of Law,” everything that is guaranteed in human rights, everything that helps to reduce and eliminate arbitrariness and is in line with the level of discussion and application of what is called “international law on human rights.” On more than one occasion, for example, Cuba has shown its commitment, despite not ratifying it, to be in tune with the aforementioned International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The incorporation of an extensive set of rights in the current Constitution is one example of this. At the same time, the regulation of the procedure to prevent a person from entering Cuba is not contemplated in the migration law or its regulations. If it exists in other regulations, I do not know of it. This is very serious because not only is a national deprived of knowing exactly when they incur in some assumption to prevent their entry into the country, but their right is completely “bypassed”: it is an authority that decides who enters or exits, without notifying any act, without the need to give reasons for its decision, without the possibility of challenging that act in administrative or judicial channels, without giving the person the opportunity to speak or be heard, etc. It is an area that escapes legal guarantees, an area not reached by the “struggle for the right,” paraphrasing Ihering. Here, there are clear violations of article 92 of the current constitutional text, which establishes the right of citizens to “effective judicial protection” (that is, the right to “access judicial bodies in order to obtain an effective protection of their rights and legitimate interests”), and a violation of “due process” that according to article 94 extends to the administrative sphere. The Law exists to set limits to power, the “chain” that the Law supposes is a key to state legitimacy and certainty of justice for citizens. Author Previous Post Cuba makes headway in Code that will address same-sex marriage Next Post Cuba reports three deaths from coronavirus, 816 infections and 827 discharges this Wednesday Next Post Cuba reports three deaths from coronavirus, 816 infections and 827 discharges this Wednesday Cuba: ETECSA launches internet offers for private programmers Coronavirus: Mass vaccination in Cuba is planned to start in June Leave a Reply Cancel reply The conversation here is moderated according to OnCuba News discussion guidelines. Please read the Comment Policy before joining the discussion. Your email address will not be published. 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Living In the Sweet Spot – Page 2 – "You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present." Jan Glidewell "You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present." Jan Glidewell Posts Posted on November 3, 2020 May 17, 2022 It’s Election Day 2020! I’m breathing! Voting is important; especially this year! I’m a history junkie and and a fanatic regarding politics. I’ve been this way since I was about 9 years old. I vividly remember the presidential election of 1960. My 9 year old memories are of two things; JFK is Catholic and the chatter about JFK’s good looks! I always thought the chatter around the Catholic issue odd, even as an 9 year old. Folks were sure that if JFK were elected that the Pope would essentially be the President. Again, I thought this odd. This is a book that I have kept safe since 1960! There are pages to explain how the Constitution is set up to elect our President. I remember reading this over and over again! Growing up my Mom and Dad voted. I don’t remember going to the polls to vote with them. My parents weren’t overt in speaking about politics. My memory is vague but I believe that my vote matters was instilled in my DNA at a young age. So fast forward to going to College, University of Mississippi. I grew up in the time of Civil Rights and Vietnam. You had to be 21 years old to vote during this time. Yes, you could be drafted to serve in one of the armed forces at 18 years old and yet you couldn’t vote. You had to be 21 years old. This was changed on June 22, 1970. I was a rising sophomore at Ole Miss. I immediately began to calculate when I could vote for the first time; 1972. I could wait two more years! So vote I did on November 7, 1972 for George McGovern. Nixon won in a landslide. I still remember that sad feeling. It took until November 2, 1976 for me to feel that exhilaration that Jimmy Carter won that election. I took JJ with me. He was two years old. Taking my sons became a ritual with me as did crying during the voting process. I called JWF to verify my memory. “Yes Mom. You always cried as you were voting.” So fast forward to 2004. I am beginning a new chapter in my life by moving to Charleston, SC. Someone at the school where I had worked for 19 years gave me a fabulous book; Founding Sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment. I read it and was shocked at my utter ignorance of what women had done on my behalf to vote. It took 72 years of women tirelessly working for women to vote. 72 years! It began in Seneca Falls in 1848. In the end, women would be jailed, beaten and force fed. Read that again. Where was this taught in my history class? It wasn’t! I asked a friend the other day if women’s right to vote was taught in her High School history classes. She is 10 years younger than I. No, she wasn’t taught this. I can only remember photos of women in white. I remember feeling betrayed and mad after reading this book. And then I began to think about the young women of today. Sometimes I wonder if they take their freedom for granted. Ruth Bader Ginsberg paved the way for us. We’ve got to do better and tell our stories. So today I voted. I believe this is the most important vote that I have ever cast in my 48 years of voting. Thank you to the thousands of women that worked tirelessly and never were able to cast their vote. May we never forget how we got here. And there’s the sweet spot! Living in the midst of history! Recording our stories! Yes, I cried while voting. My right hand was shaking! That one was new! November 3, 2020 And I end with this. . .my Mother’s mother was born on October 19, 1888. In 1920 she would have been 32 years old. I wonder if she voted? I am going to make it up to be yes! Sure wish I could talk to her right now! Posted on January 15, 2020 May 12, 2022 May 1, 2019 I have the ring and I’m getting ready to get ready. I submitted my profile to e-harmony and yet I have no idea of what to expect. The first day e-haromony sent me a number of men that scored high to being compatible to me. I click over and then read their answers to the questions that e-harmony encourages you to answer. At first it was just plain fun imagining. And then It quickly became a full time job. Every morning I had to get people off of my island because I was getting smiles from men that didn’t even remotely interest me. I hadn’t anticipated this but I had to quickly find out about my deal breakers. It was an easy list to put together. Here it is. You are off the island if you: Are a religious fanatic There were men that wanted a “god fearing woman.” I’m not kidding. Here are a few observations from the first day. A lot of men and I mean a lot of men don’t answer the questions. They just write what they want to write. The other weird thing was a lot of men typed in all caps! So now you are off the island if you typed in all caps. All caps translates to me that the man is screaming. In the second week it became apparent that I needed to be assertive, not complacent. I’ve got to be an active participant in this process. How scary and different from the 1960’s dating scene when it was the boy that asked you out. I remember what my intuitive guide said 5 months ago! “It’s going to be a year of self-empowerment, self-nurturing and self-promotion.” So I would again, get men off the island first and then figure out if I would send anyone a “smile.” I would literally hold my breath, close my eyes and hit the “smile” button. On and on this went. A man from NC answered my smile and then immediately sent me a question. E-harmony provides you with questions that you can send someone. I answered the question and then asked him how he would answer but then there was another question from him. This went on with five questions with no answers from him. He’s off the island just like that. I don’t like the Spanish Inquisition. Then there was the guy from Wisconsin. I seriously had to think about the snow and cold but what the hell. He went to Stanford and Harvard. Looks like he is crazy smart. He would ask me a question and I would answer it in a timely manner. I would ask him a question and it would take him 5 days to answer. I am not exaggerating. I’ve yet to hear his answer and that was back in May 2019. I’ve gotten adept at this full time job. I would literally wake up in the morning, reach for my phone and get men off the island and then send a smile or two and then get my coffee. I do regret that I didn’t keep track of how many smiles I sent out between May 1 and June 8. My hunch it was probably somewhere around 10, maybe more! I rarely heard from anyone. I quickly learned not to take it personally and believe that the universe was taking care of me. The perfect man is out there for me. Just do your job! The answer to this question was elusive for a few days and then it just hit me one morning. I love music and this song is just so much fun and it is the perfect sweet spot. It’s Raining Men Absolutely soaking wet Rough and tough and strong and mean She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do She taught every angel she rearranged the sky So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy! Where’s your sweet spot when you’re clear about what you want to achieve and it seems to be taking forever? How do you keep yourself going forward? How do you keep yourself sane? Describe your sweet spot. As always I look for your comments below. Did you know that you comment? Just scroll down and find the comment box. Posted on January 8, 2020 October 4, 2022 I wrote this phrase back on April 11, 2019 in Beaufort, SC and thought it a fitting title for this post. “I’m getting ready to get ready.” I listen to Abraham Hicks on YouTube and have read her books so I want to give her credit for this phrase that she uses a lot; getting ready to get ready. It has always resonated with me and especially during this moment in my life. So read on. . . . let’s back up in time! January 1, 2019 The holidays are behind me! I’ve set aside this day to think, reflect and make a plan for this new year. I have my new ring and the energy is literally changing. I can feel it. I made an appointment to speak with my intuitive guide, Christen McCormack for January 1. I’m ready with my questions for our hour together. The first thing she said was “I see you as a Phoenix rising from the ashes. It’s going to be a year of self-empowerment, self-nurturing and self-promotion.” She also indicated that it was a year to express myself without censoring. It’s a year to leave karma behind me. It’s the year to say, “enough is enough.” I had spoken to her in October 2018 and asked if there would be another love? She said, “yes.” I’m elated and I am ready to get ready so I asked her in January if I need to sign up for online dating because I’m not making any connections out there! I’m ready to get ready but nothing is happening! January 19, 2019 I had a Reiki session, my first. My throat chakra was blocked. He cleared that block and encouraged me to to find my voice and speak my truth. So interesting how he collected my negative energy and deposited into a bowl of water. I’m sensing a theme of finding my voice, are you? Finding my voice leads to a sense of empowerment which leads to promoting myself. Yes indeed there’s a theme! Now I have to insert here that my Mom is in my ear and she’s saying some stuff like this: “You’re getting too big for your britches young lady.” “Who do you think you are, the Queen of England?” You know the drill don’t you? I’m wondering what your Mom said to you in moments like this? February 9, 2019 “You get what you think about! Yikes! So it’s imperative to be clear about what I am going to attract into my life? Looking forward to being in a relationship—practice feeling good—the balance—being with someone that I can be me without asking for forgiveness—-and that he can be that also. Feeling like you have come home. A mirror.” So I began a list, a detailed list of what I want in a man. That list is in the back of my journal because it’s a running list. You know what I mean don’t you? My calendar is full with me flying to present workshops, staying in hotels and I have to keep my journal close just in case I think of something. It’s deliberate and intentional. Is good looking. Values his health Is educated Enjoys all different kinds of music Likes to dance Likes Bailey Bailey likes him Is curious Bailey looking her best! March 5, 2019 I had lunch with a colleague for some professional advice and then I ask her about her success with finding someone online. I hit the gold mine with her. Here’s my Cliff notes. Match.com is easy to do a profile. e-harmony takes time. Guys are attracted to Match.com. So I am all about e-harmony I want to attract a guy that is thoughtful. April 28, 2019 “I’m so grateful for waiting to do e-harmony because my energy hasn’t been right. I could have attracted someone that I really didn’t want. So I am free the next few days and my energy is in the right place to attract the perfect match.” My Angel cards were Kindness and purpose. April 30, 2019 It’s Tuesday and it’s time for e-harmony. That’s my priority for this morning. All the signs are present that this is the day. It is a beautiful morning and I am outside with my computer. A song comes on Could It Be I’m Falling In Love? I’m getting ready to get ready. And so I began my profile. It took time to write about me and then what photos to include? Fortunately I had asked a few close friends for adjectives that would describe me. Here’s that list. Sassy in a good way Willing to take risks My profile is ready. I’ve taken the test. I’ve answered the questions. I’ve carefully chosen photos. All I have to do is hit the submit button. And then scared literally comes to take home in my heart. All the negative talk in my brain comes out. “Who is going to be attracted to a 68 year old woman?” “Who are you kidding Jessica?” “Get over yourself.” And then there were these thoughts. “Why do you want to mess up this lovely life you have created with a man?” “Aren’t your friends enough?” I almost didn’t hit the “submit my profile button” and then I remembered my two value words of courage and integrity from Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead and in that moment I literally hit the submit button. And just like that I’m out there. It’s January 8, 2020 as I write. My sweet spot is all of my friends that have encouraged me faithfully to seek out a new relationship. Each of them were honest and candid with me. I could have done it without them but the process would have looked very different and would not have been authentic. So I am indebted to Kim, Susan K, Susan D, Renee, Mandy and of course my Sharon. So I love ending like this! Where’s your sweet spot when you endeavor a new adventure in your life? Where do you find your strength? What are your road blocks and how do you get over them? As always I love reading your comments and so grateful for each of you. Posted on December 4, 2019 August 7, 2022 July 22, 1998 The divorce has been finalized and I find a message on the answering machine that they are engaged; JMF and Doo Dah are getting married. I sat on this piece of information for four days. It’s interesting how memories can be a bit fuzzy after so many years. I thought that I called her on July 22. Thank goodness for my journal. I wrote a lot about my goals and objectives if I were to meet her. I’d forgotten that piece of information. My hope was that if I met her my thoughts would shift about her. So here’s the celebration! I’ve not lost myself. I am still the eternal optimist. Never the less it’s important to meet her and get the boulder out of the way so that I can continue to heal. The weekend is just lonely. JJ and T have moved out and JWF is with a friend for the weekend. It’s a gift and a curse. Great to have the house to myself to just be me and yet all three of them provide a great distraction for me. I decide that I would call Doo Dah and that decision loomed in front of me because I couldn’t act on it until Monday. July 27, 1998 I call Doo Dah. I can’t remember how I knew her phone number. I did know that they worked together. I didn’t sleep the night before. Again, thank you journal for accurate notes. I call her and she is stunned to hear from me. I ask to meet her TODAY. She replies that she will have to call JMF. Sure I say. I will wait for you to call me back. I can remember thinking that she has to get permission from him? I am going to celebrate that I will never have to have a man’s permission to do anything in my life; thank you very much. She calls back and we are to meet in Reston at 11 AM. I set the place and time. I quickly call a dear friend, LM, to see if she can be my wing woman. I tell her the details and she agrees that she will be in Williams Sonoma to keep an eye on me to make sure that I am safe. I’m set. I’m ready. July 27 11 AM From My Journal My knee caps are shaking! How do knee caps shake and then I realize that my entire body is shaking. I then begin to write over and over again. Just let me be me. Let my words be worthy and truly reflect who I am. And there she is. I remember wondering what she looks like. I have no idea but then I realize, oh, she knows what I look like. That stung. She sits down and there is this HUGE diamond ring on her left hand. It’s so big that it takes my breath away. And then it just came out of my mouth. . .something like this after the obligatory thank you for coming: woman could do this to another woman; have an affair. JMF is the one that started it. Me: I take a really deep breath; maybe two and respond calmly: “Well, it takes two to fuck!” And there it is. The silence. The ugly truth. Doo Dah is visibly taken aback. She has nothing back for me. and please believe me, YOU are my worst enemy. There was something else that was said but I cannot remember. Me: I stood up and said: “I promise you this. I will always be cordial to you when we are in public.” Then I walked to LM at Williams Sonoma. LM quickly scooped me up and we walked to Clyde’s, one of my favorite restaurants. I went to the bathroom and threw up over and over again until there was nothing left. LM can probably remember this best. I sort of remember a fabulous waitress with a heart of gold that brought me bread. I remember that bread. LM and I sat there and just talked and I told her everything. I couldn’t eat anything except that wonderful bread. July 28 Writings From My Journal I write about how Doo Dah implies that the entire blame for the affair is on me. Maybe this is the piece that I can’t remember from the meeting? Thankfully and gratefully my brain doesn’t remember thisI I wrote it so she must have said it. Even more gratefully I don’t buy it. I’m just stunned and disappointed. July 30 I really need to give myself the time to feel the pain again. . .yet in a new way. Really clean the wound out. After having time to sort this experience out, reflect on words and facial expressions. Doo Dah is filled with perceptions about me that are false. Blaming me? This is the hard one and probably the button that got pushed for me when we met. I will readily take responsibility for some things in my marriage but I will never take responsibility for his betrayal. I have a second chance at life! I believe there are two sweet spots! The first one is that I am beginning to find my voice; speaking my truth to Doo Dah was huge for me and to have such a quick come back! I amazed myself. The other sweet spot was having such a dear friend that would drop everything and surround me with love and just listen to me. What do you say to a person that has acted in hurtful ways to you and they deny it? How do you handle yourself with a person that is speaking falsehoods about you? What do you do? What do you say? I love your comments because it helps all of us. Let’s be the butterfly in search of the sweet spot. Yes, I took this photo in October 2006. Posted on November 28, 2019 December 4, 2019 I thought about this from the very beginning of the separation and divorce in 1997. It would be healthy for JJ and JWF if their parents are cordial and civil; dare I hope for us to be on the same page? I remember therapy sessions with SL about this subject. I remember her saying “better to have an ass of a Dad than no Dad at all.” She encouraged me to “push them to their Dad.” Ugh! But I did it. I can’t say that I pulled it off 100% of the time but I gave it my best shot. The hard years,1997 and 1998 They were so angry at their Dad for the affair. They handled it differently, which was par for the course. Here’s what I didn’t know for many years. JMF wanted my/our sons to meet Doo Dah, over and over again. And over and over again they both drew their boundaries of not meeting her until the divorce was final. Pretty cool. Right? They were so young and so wise at the same time. JWF’s college graduation May 2002 So back to therapy with SL in early 2002! JWF is going to be graduating from James Madison University. JMF and Doo Dah were married in October 1998. I met Doo Dah right after JMF called and left a message that they were getting married. Just Doo Dah and I met in July 1998. That’s another blogfor another day. I had that meeting because I knew that JWF would be graduating one day and I wanted my meeting Doo Dah to be behind me. I wanted his college graduation to be as normal as possible. So graduation day arrived. We are in Harrisonburg, Virginia; home of James Madison University. My Mom, sister and brother-law are there. JJ is glued to my side protecting me. JMF and Doo Dah are there. It’s going to be my first time to see them together. There is the main graduation and then parents are escorted to the disciplinary schools on another part of the campus. I can close my eyes now and remember this moment forever. SL had coached me to trust myself when I first see them together. So I walked over to the next graduation, a more intimate graduation site; through a tunnel under Interstate 81. All of a sudden here’s JJ running to me and whispers in my ear, “ Mom, tits up! They are straight ahead.” Boy did I need that! And indeed, I stood up straight with my tits up and hugged Doo Dah! It was an out of body experience for sure but I was so proud of myself. I was hoping to format our future; that we could all be on the same page for my sons that I grew and birthed. So fast forward to the current situation. Remember the cutoff with JJ? That graduation day seems like light years ago and it seems as though I worked so hard for nothing because I had it wrong for so many, many years. I kept forgetting that it takes two to tango and JMF doesn’t think like me. We’ve never been on the same page; ever! My vision, my hope that we would be on the same page in regards to our sons is just plain disappointing for me. I had it wrong. And this is me finally facing the truth. I’ve made him up to be someone that he isn’t. Now what? Brené Brown writes in her book Dare To Lead: “The research participants who demonstrated the most willingness to rumble with vulnerability and practice courage tethered their behavior to one of two values, not ten.” She gives an entire list of values on page 188. My two values are integrity and courage. These adjectives ring true for me and my journey in life. I believe that the Mom and Dad are the leaders in the family; even when divorced. I begin to think about JMF and our oldest son. I wonder if JMF is fearful if he takes a stand with JJ on my behalf that our oldest will cut him out of his life like he has done with me. What would that sound like if he spoke with our son? It may sound like this, “I think that cutting your Mom out of your life is hurtful, possibly toxic for you. I encourage you to reach out to her. I realize that I can’t make you reach out to her but I think it would be good for everyone.” I did this back in 1997. I told my sons, “This is between me and my husband. He’s your Dad and everyone needs a Dad. So stay connected to him.” It was that simple. Of course they wanted to bad mouth him but I would 95% of the time encourage them to stay connected with their Dad. I am glad that I pushed them to him. I just expected something different from JMF. Taking a stand for what is good and right is so important to me. So where is the sweet spot for me in this mess? Owning my feelings and saying them out loud is important; stating my truth as I see it even when it sounds harsh and judgmental. That’s my sweet spot. My intention is not to be judgmental. This cut off is hurtful and unnecessary. I do believe that sometimes cutoffs are necessary in some families. I just encourage you to think long and hard about the consequences if you choose a cutoff. What Are Your Thoughts? Families are interesting for sure! Navigating situations like this can be tricky. What are your two values? Where’s your sweet spot when you find yourself in the midst of a family mess? I found this quote from M. Scott Peck way back in 1997 which helped me because belief me, I lived with a lot of fear. “Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear, the moving out against the resistance engendered by fear into the unknown and into the future.” So I would love to hear your thoughts when there is a cutoff in your family! Well this is a funny for sure. Click on over to find my thoughts about JWF’s graduation from my Ripple Blog. I’ve come a long way! And thanks Robyn over at The Robyn’s Bird Nest. You may want to follow her on her brilliant blog. Posted on October 15, 2019 May 17, 2022 It’s October 2018 and I find myself in Arizona. It’s for professional and personal reasons. I had the pleasure of helping at a two day training by Dr. Becky Bailey and then my good friend and colleague, Kim and I went to Sedona for a few days of fun! I’ve been traveling extensively for work; flying all around the country and feeling exhilarated and let’s be truthful. I am a bit exhausted. Kim and I drove to the Orchards Inn and arrived late at night. It was my first time to be in Sedona. Kim had been previously and loved this Inn! I couldn’t see anything because it was so dark when we arrived. I woke up and opened the curtains and literally gasped. I have never seen anything so spectacular as the glorious red mountains and outcroppings. We made coffee and grabbed blankets to go and sit outside to enjoy the view. I have looked forward to this time away from work and to be with a friend that I admire and respect. My hope is to recharge and regroup. I’ve been flying all around the country training for months. I have to be honest. I thought I would have met someone organically by now. I mean don’t you love a story that starts with, “we just met at a bar in the airport and then the rest was magic!” Right? Well it wasn’t happening. I’m ready and have been ready to meet someone. I’ve done the hard work of grieving for Michael. Michael would applaud this for sure. So there Kim and I are outside drinking coffee in the beauty and I began to speak about how I don’t need a man in my life. Thank you very much but I am self sufficient and I really don’t need a man. I think that I went on with this diatribe for at least 3 minutes. I then came up for air and then Kim calmly responds with one sentence. “Would you like to share your life with someone?” Well f#ck! And this is where the trajectory changed with that one sentence because I answered quite humbly and quietly, “yes!” So we began to talk about the obstacles in meeting someone. The world is a different place. Why is it not happening organically? I asked her about the diamond ring on my left hand. This ring is not an engagement ring but it certainly looks like an engagement ring. The main diamond was my Aunt’s engagement ring. I received her ring after she died and it just means so much to me. But that question hit me hard and the answer. Yes, it looks exactly like an engagement ring. So we quickly make our goal for the day. We are going to find a different ring today. What a lovely day we had of wine tasting at Chateau Tumbleweed in Clarkdale, Arizona. We then drove to Jerome, Arizona. I felt like we were on the movie set of Gunsmoke; real salons! I could close my eyes and imagine gun shoot outs in the wild, wild west! It was just amazing. Kim and I found small places to duck in and have an appetizer and a drink. We found this lovely place, Raku Gallery, that had amazing funky and unique jewelry. I had so much fun trying on rings and closing my eyes to feel if it was the “right ring.” I finally found it and Kim captured the moment of realization. Of course the ring will have to be sized. My new friend from the Gallery called the artist asking if the ring could be sized down that much. He agreed to make a ring just for me. My finger is that small. It took 6 weeks for the ring to arrive. So hooray for me! The first step in my plan is accomplished. So where’s the sweet spot? Kim is the sweet spot! I treasure our friendship. I value her honesty. I count on her clarity of mind that helped me create a plan that will more than likely help me to find that certain someone. He’s out there. I believe it. Now to the second step in my plan. So where’s your sweet spot when you feel stuck in your life? Who do you turn to for inspiration? Who can pull you out of that place? I look forward to your comments. Posted on October 1, 2019 October 1, 2019 How do I release such anger; rage? I feel crazy; utterly and totally crazy! It’s the summer of 1997; the first summer of dealing with all that is going on in my life! JMF has moved in with Doo Dah! I vacillate between great sadness and pure anger and rage. Living in ambiguity is exhausting and confusing. Living in suspension is painful. My journal entries account for me hiking to seek some comfort and clarity. I write that “my chest hurts the majority of the time, my heart doesn’t beat normally most of the time and my brain feels fried.” I write endlessly about what I want in my life. Here’s one entry! “So what do I want? I want so much in life. I want passionate kisses. I want joy and laughter. I want to be comfortable. I want to be vulnerable and I want all of these things to be reciprocated.” And then July 2, JMF calls to say that he is moving out from Doo Dah’s house. He even cancelled his vacation plans with her. And then the next 10 weeks are a roller coaster. From movies and dinner with JMF to deep worries that I will not be happy if we reunite. He is not well. He is distant. He goes MIA for days. I write endlessly about my doubts. My marriage vows come to haunt me; through sickness and in health? Well f#ck! On July 19,1997, I find two phone messages from him. My journal does not recount what the messages are, however my journal notes my great disappointment in his message. “Saying that I was disappointed would be wrong. I was so mad. Hurling dinner plates off the top of my deck and seeing them explode on impact was of great comfort; a great release.” Please note that it is necessary to scream, “f#ck you as the plate is hurled!” So the hurling of plates became my “go to” when I needed to release my rage. It was important to note how mad I was during these times. Was I a “two plate mad” or a “five plate mad” kind of day? The summer of 1997 and into the fall was full of rage. I did this so much that JWF comments to me that he won’t mow the lawn anymore. I respond back that the consequence of my actions are that I go out into the yard and clean it all up. It’s quite healing and cathartic. Hurling plates off of my deck was my sweet spot. Writing, talking with a friend or taking a walk would not have touched this feeling. I felt helpless and powerless. I was just plain scared that I would be left without financial security for a lifetime. I was plain scared that I would be alone for the rest of my life. Hurling plates released the pain at least for awhile and that is just what I needed. What’s your sweet spot when you find yourself enraged: helpless and powerless? I am interested in knowing what you do and covet your responses. Posted on May 12, 2019 May 10, 2022 May 12 marks three years since Mike left this world. It seems like it has been forever. I’ve been thinking about this day for a few weeks now and I kept coming back to the songs that give me comfort and make me smile; bring me joy! I’ve listened to them a lot over the past few weeks wondering if I should write something. If yes, then what on earth would I write. I wrote some Last Thoughts for 2018 on January 1. What else do I want to say? And then I listened to the song, I’ve Had the Time Of My Life, by Bill Medley and boom! I knew what I was going to write; I knew exactly what I was going to post because: I’ve had the time of my life No, I never felt like this before And I owe it all to you! Click over to that last link. I can close my eyes and imagine that is Michael and me dancing. There was that much magic and chemistry. So I thought I would share photos of us over the years that we were together; 13 years! Just enough time. For those of you that don’t know, Michael had a massive stroke on August 26, 2004. He had aphasia and apraxia! He was my hero. So 12 of those 13 years I lived with Michael and his stroke because I had a stroke on that day also. So fasten your seat belts. Here comes the memories. Therapy at The Medical University of South Carolina Michael was approved to be in an experiment through the Medical University of South Carolina. Click over to read about it. He was featured in the Post and Courier. Michael and Bailey We decided that we were ready to get another Scottish Terrier. Michael was adamant that we had to go and meet all the puppies. He held each one of the puppies and chose Bailey. Michael and Me! Cheers to you Michael! There is no one compares with you! So I will end with a Beatles song that is poignant for this day, this moment. I loved you Michael! There are places I’ll remember All my life though some have changed Some have gone and some remain All these places have their moments With lovers and friends I still can recall Some are dead and some are living In my life I’ve loved them all But of all these friends and lovers There is no one compares with you And these memories lose their meaning When I think of love as something new Though I know I’ll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I’ll often stop and think about them Though I know I’ll never lose affection For people and things that went before I know I’ll often stop and think about them So the sweet spot for me is remembering! Remembering all that we had! The sweet spot for me is feeling grateful for all that Michael taught me and gave me. What is your sweet spot concerning the loss of love? Posted on May 3, 2019 November 11, 2020 I spent the past four months chronicling the break up with my oldest son with the intention of posting it on my blog. I titled it “The Unseen Cord That Never Breaks.” It turned out to be five pages. I read it over and over and thought about posting it and finally decided not to post it. It is ready for my granddaughter. It’s important to put my story down for her. My intention is to tell my side of the story. But here’s the important part, the part I am choosing to post. It is important to identify how I feel each day. I don’t want to get stuck in the story and live miserably. I want everyday to be a conscious act of remembering my oldest son with love. It’s important to note here that it has been six years since I have seen my oldest or heard his voice. It was his decision for the cut off at his wife’s insistence. They are now divorced. I will call her M. I know what he said the reason was but it just doesn’t ring true. Mother’s know these things. At this point though it’s not important. What is important is to continue to love him from a distance. That cord never breaks. That’s called unconditional love. The first time I held GDM. December 2011 I was able to care and love her once a week for the first year. I called this MY time! My last time to see her! This photo was quickly taken. It is the last time that I saw her in December 2012. So how do I feel? When I think of my oldest I feel empty, disconnected; sad and sometimes angry. Sad that I am missing out on what is going on in his life; missing out on my only granddaughter’s first years of life. She turned seven years old this past December. What does her voice sound like? What is her favorite color? Does she play with dolls? Does she like dresses? So many questions that will have to wait for another day; another year? I’m angry that my oldest didn’t take up for me! Really? I don’t do angry well. There are times that I just want to throttle him and give him a piece of my mind. That would really help things wouldn’t it? You may be thinking to yourself, what have you been doing for the past six years? The first year I sent books to my granddaughter via JMF. The inscriptions were so important to me. Then I received a note in the mail from JMF. WOW! This will be another blog about my great disappointment in JMF. He is a coward. So my granddaughter never received Zen Shorts. It’s waiting for her. The letter that arrived in the mail. The e-mail that I sent with his response. So no more books for my granddaughter. If my oldest wants me to know his address he will give it to me. I am just trying to honor him and his wish. Sounds crazy but there you are. Last summer, 2018, I texted my oldest to ask if he would be willing to meet me. I asked for professional help with the text to make every attempt for success. No response! I went to his house, yes I did ask for the address, and I sat on the steps to his house. The house felt sad. I went and sat on the steps of his house. So where’s the sweet spot in this mess? The sweet spot is small but terribly important to my well being. It is to believe that unseen cord never breaks. I choose to intentionally send him love and well wishes each day AND believe that one day we will be reunited. So have you ever encountered a cutoff in your family? How did you handle it? How did you reconnect? What’s it like now? I’m looking for stories. It’s a lonely feeling. Posted on February 24, 2019 February 24, 2019 Today is my birthday and I am in Little Rock, Arkansas! I am traveling, training and coaching in early childhood classrooms. Lucky me to do what I love; my passion. So the traveling piece got me to thinking of my Aunt Erma. Every summer I spent weeks visiting my favorite aunt in Jackson, Mississippi. She was the fun aunt who loved me and spoiled me. She was the aunt who loved adventure and I loved listening to her stories of riding on camels and elephants; of her travels to far off places. I adored receiving postcards from those exotic places. I still have those postcards. In 1962 she bought me a plane ticket to travel from Jackson, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee via Memphis. It was a present; graduating from sixth grade was a big deal back them. I had to change planes and I was solo; all by myself! My first flight on a plane ever! I still remember that day; walking on the tarmac, turning around to my Aunt to capture this photo; getting on the plane with my purse and book, feeling so big. All by myself. It was a window seat and I don’t believe I ever opened the book. My nose was pressed on the window and I was in total awe of what I seeing below. And then we landed in Memphis. My first landing ever! And to this day I remember that landing because when the wheels touched the ground there was a “bump” and my nose hit the glass. To this day I press my nose on that glass and remember my Aunt. And I always say “thank you!” Thank you for giving me the “gift of the world,” my ticket into the world. This ticket changed my life forever and that is why I am writing today. I love to fly! I love the adventure. I love the window seat. I love pressing my nose on the glass and to feel the bump and remember the love of my aunt. I love you Aunt Erma! Happy Birthday to me! Blogs I Follow So, I was thinking. a day in the (preschool) life December 2022 M T W T S S « Sep Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address: Recent Posts What Do You Think? It Took A T-Shirt and A Scottie! Responsive Design Goran’s layout adjusts itself depending on the device you are using. This means your site will look good not only on laptop browsers, but also on devices with smaller screens, such as the iPad and the iPhone. Try to do better than you used to do! "You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present." Jan Glidewell	41,246
Business, Creative, Life's Lesson, Parenting, Personal, Relationships, Service, Short Shorts - March 6, 2015 By Becky Mackintosh The tears surfaced and rolled down my cheeks as I observed poverty far greater than I thought humanly possible. As I walked the very streets that Mother Theresa walked in Kolkata, India, I noticed something peculiar as I looked beyond the trash, makeshift shanties and barefoot children. I saw smiles and heard laughter! […] Needless Worry. Restless Nights. Life's Lesson, Parenting, Personal, Relationships - February 26, 2015 By Becky Mackintosh I’m a mom. I’m a worrier. Thus… Restless Nights. Lately I have had a hard time sleeping, I stay up late, get up early and toss and turn in-between. After another restless night, I logged onto Facebook with the intent to share what was on my mind. As I wiped the tears […]	871
No ratings yet. This is a very overstable midrange designed to handle a lot of torque and give accurate, consistent flights. These are unique discs with a flat, almost concave top. All Verdict’s stamped either “Prototype” or “First Run – Prototype” are stamped with Truth on the back. The disc was originially to be released…Read more October 26, 2012FrisbeeManInnova Discs No ratings yet. The Gator is a bulky overstable midrange disc, ideal for those shots you want to have stay put right next to the basket. The Gator has very little glide (Innova rating of 2) and will go only as far as you throw it. It makes a decent putter on very windy days….Read more October 26, 2012FrisbeeManDiscraft, Mid Range No ratings yet. The Wasp is one of the more popular overstable midrange discs. This disc is great for windy conditions and strategic spots of fade. The Wasp is only available in the ultra-durable Elite-Z and ultra-premium Titanium plastics. If you’re looking out for a quality midrange that will last, the plastics will do a…Read more October 25, 2012FrisbeeManLightning No ratings yet. The #2 Hyzer is a “radical, overstable Hookshot that is totally wind resistant”. This Hyzer is not only the most overstable disc Lightning makes, but boasts of being one of the most overstable on the market. If you are a power thrower who wants a medium driver that won’t flip over at…Read more October 24, 2012FrisbeeManDiscraft No ratings yet. The Hornet is the moderately overstable midrange disc in the Discraft bee themed lineup.This disc is substantially more overstable than the Buzz, but not as insanely overstable as the Drone performs. Though this disc fades hard, it makes up for it in it’s far glide distance. This is the perfect midrange for…Read more October 23, 2012FrisbeeManMillennium No ratings yet. The Sentinel MF is one of the most accurate midrange golf discs on the market. It has been around since 1998 and is still sticking around because of it’s consistent reliability. The Sentinel MF (midrange fade) is overstable, but the fade it provides is consistent and predictable. This midrange is great for…Read more	2,213
Reyes: Business growth can be compared to climbing a mountain. Without hiking to the top, there is little gain and no reward (the views!). To reap maximum benefit of your business investment, consider the following actions to prepare, as you would for a mountain adventure: Know the climate and set an objective. Your plan must be timely, and you must be committed to reaching the top! Gather the right equipment, tools and resources and be prepared for setbacks – blisters, weather changes, unexpected disruptors. Patience is critical. Hold steady in your vision and transformation will happen along the journey. All good things take time and planning. Take one step at a time. When the benefits of business growth are visible, celebrate that your business is stronger and you’ve opened your eyes to a sky of opportunities that lie ahead! Q: How do I know when it is time to invest in my business for growth? Reyes: One thing the pandemic taught us is the necessity to be hyperaware of the economic climate and to be willing and able to pivot in a moment’s notice. The first step in growth readiness is to conduct an objective check-in on your business. Consider the following: Is there a demand for my product or service now? This could be a physical demand, or a demand that is driven by a change in circumstances. In this case, growth can mean developing a more robust product or service offering in advance of your competitors or responding to the need in the market based on trends. Business owners may shy away from investing in new equipment or process improvement because the expense can be costly. However, this investment can springboard your business to the next level. In addition, customers often interpret changes like this as a sign of relevance and keeping up with the demands of a market or community. Conversely, complacency of a business model can lead to lackluster long-term growth. This presents an opportunity for a competitor to outshine the business you’ve worked so hard to grow. If you haven’t stepped out of your comfort zone to try something new or make adjustments, then now may be the time. If you are assessing the right time for growth, then also consider the following while objectively evaluating your business: Is there an opportunity being presented now that is too good to pass up (e.g., possibly a price reduction on equipment or software)? Is your business feeling stagnant? How will an investment change your business for the better? Your answer should set a benchmark for gauging success when the investment is put into motion. Are you prepared for the personal commitment (time, sweat equity, etc.) necessary to make improvements to your business? Q: What are the different ways to grow my business and how do I know what is right for me? (e.g., market penetration, market development and alternative channels, such as ecommerce, new product introductions, acquisitions, diversification, etc.) Reyes: When you think about growing your business, there are a variety of ways you can do so; but you can start by asking yourself a few questions: Are you looking to broaden your client base? Do you want to grow your presence in either physical stature/size or through alternate channels like ecommerce? Any of the above actions start with conducting a needs assessment and creating a plan that details, among other items, your financial plan for growth. The plan should also include the sweat equity and time commitment you will make to realize your goals. When the time is right, people must know about the changes you’ve made. Capitalizing on social media, networking and community engagement are important areas of focus when communicating plans and changes, and helping these changes be visible to your audience. Q: Who at a financial institution like KeyBank can help me figure out my growth strategy? Reyes: KeyBank has been committed to the growth and longevity of business clients for decades. This includes a focus on Women-Owned Businesses through the Key4Women® program. Our business banking professionals and Key4Women certified advisors consult and strategize with business owners to ensure they are positioned to meet their business goals. KeyBank experts are ready to help in a wide variety of areas – from cash management and foreign exchange to wealth management and succession planning. From Key’s perspective, your business is our business – and we lead with passion and dedication when it comes to understanding your business needs. Q: How would I prepare for meeting with a KeyBank business expert? Reyes: We most likely have experts in your community. Use our KeyBank branch locator to find and contact your local Key branch. Ask to speak with a business banking expert or a Key4Women certified adviser. Come prepared with your business history, your goals and immediate needs, and be ready to discuss the financial aspects of your business. Open and honest conversation is critical so we can best guide and partner with you to build a plan that meets your needs. Q: Are there other ways I can invest in my business? Reyes: The most successful businesses I’ve worked with are those that have a strong Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to help them understand their finances, as well as a strong banker who has a seat at the table regarding future growth and needs. In addition, owners also benefit from partnering with a committed business mentor who keeps financial and growth discussions objective. KeyBank’s Key4Women program helps connect women business owners with certified advisors and provides impactful networking, coaching and mentoring opportunities to all women-owned businesses in our communities. At KeyBank, we have access to internal tools that help us identify and understand specific industry trends impacting verticals from bakery shops to trucking and logistics. We take pride in helping provide the most up-to-date, relevant data to our business owners to help them stay ahead of the curve. Q: What are the ways I can fund the growth of my business? Reyes: A sit-down meeting with your banker is always the first step. Having said that, outside of the minimum 4-6 months of liquid cash reserves needed to support your business through a downturn, all other reserves should be considered investment resources. If business credit has not been established at your financial institution, then now is the time; this could be as simple as overdraft protection or a credit card for incidentals. It became apparent during the pandemic that many businesses without reserve credit lines reevaluated having accessible funds available through their financial institution to protect them in unexpected situations. Depending on the scope of the project and company financials, KeyBank routinely partners with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer a variety of resources to acquire capital or help with expansion, and the Small Business Development Center has a variety of unconventional resources available to help with funding your next big move as well! My biggest piece of advice is to start the funding conversations early and always keep your financials up to date. Best of luck on your journey! Our advisors offer customized advice to help you change the business world. Find a Certified Advisor For more Key4Women® resources to help you reach your goals, visit key.com/women, or email us to learn more. From Fashion Editor to Champion for the Poor: The Bold Career Path of Susan L. Taylor From Paper Route to Telecommunications: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Margaret Smith The information contained herein has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but it is not represented to be accurate, complete or objective. Viewpoints in the list of resources do not necessarily reflect those of KeyCorp.	7,920
At the point when it’s the ideal opportunity for recharging of your car insurance numerous things are going in your mind like whether to remain with and get it reestablished from a similar Insurer or compare car insurance designs of different companies and check whether you could show signs of improvement bargain. Indeed, it won’t do you any damage on the off chance that you look around a bit and welcome statements from different companies. Contrasting might be to support you as you can foresee Premium from your current safety net provider by demonstrating the statements got from the market, in the event that you choose to remain with that company. Then again it might enable you to change to a superior arrangement of an alternate company. Basically; don’t reestablish your Policy before contrasting. Investigate your options; it isn’t required to proceed with a similar back up plan except if you have some add-ons in your policy which express that the benefit can be profited just on the off chance that you remain with your present safety net provider. Presently, how about we comprehend on what premise you should compare car insurance designs A standout amongst the most evident reasons to compare insurance designs is to get a decent arrangement with the least expensive premium accessible in the market. Compare online on insurance aggregator sites to get free of cost unprejudiced correlation at a solitary web area. Along these lines, in an exceptionally improved manner you can get different car insurance statements to compare on a solitary site. 2. Most noteworthy IDV Particularly if there should arise an occurrence of top of the line cars the proprietors need to get the most elevated IDV (protected announced esteem). IDV is the most noteworthy esteem recoverable from the insurance company in the event of aggregate misfortune. At the point when your car is costly one must go for the company offering the most noteworthy IDV. Much the same as most noteworthy IDV companies have a top of least IDV too. At the point when your car is old and to spare upon premium is your essential goal, in such case search for back up plans consenting to guarantee your car at the base IDV. As premium increment with the bring up in IDV you have to compare anticipates the premise of the least IDV a company will guarantee your car at when looking insurance for an old or modest car. Much the same as Health Insurance portion, cashless Claim facility is picking up energy in the car insurance space. Guarantors brag of the quality of their tie-ups with various engine carports wherein you can send your car for repairs and not pay forthright. When looking at based on arrange quality guarantee that the carports close to your region frame some portion of their system. It is of no utilization to you if their system carports are situated at far off spots. A few companies connect some free add-ons to improve the quality of their car insurance policies. Careful statistical surveying would tell you about the companies offering such plans. For reference, experience the accompanying table to comprehend the accessible add-ons in the India car insurance showcase. Not all car insurance companies give all the add-ons appearing in the rundown above. Go for companies that are putting forth you your required add-ons and at sensible rates. Compare premiums in the wake of joining the add-ons to perceive how much additional you wind up paying and assessed the added cost against the benefits anticipated that would be gotten from such add-ons. This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged designs, Insurance, Insurer, Online, premium. Bookmark the permalink. ← Importance of Medical Coding for Insurance Partner Links Select Month November 2022 January 2022 December 2021 October 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020	3,993
To comply with Section 150 of the Legal Services Act 2015 you must be notified of your liability for legal costs and outlays For this reason please read this carefully and if you wish to instruct us please tick the box at the end to agree with its terms. Thank you for asking us to assist as your Legal Adviser. We are pleased that you’ve chosen our firm. As the client you are responsible for the discharge of fees VAT and outlays. All work carried out by this firm or other persons /companies such as barristers on your behalf will incur a charge. At the date of this notice it is not reasonably practicable for us to inform you of the legal costs and outlays that will apply. Even though we do not know the exact amounts at this time, we must let you know how we calculate legal costs that we will charge. To comply with the above Section 150 you have to be informed about charges. We set out the basis on which our legal costs/charges will be calculated now . If your file is based on time spent our charge out rate for Michael is €285 per hour and €150 for support staff. Value-added tax will be charged in respect of any professional fee. The rate at present is 21% If your fees are based on an agreed fixed figure for example buying and selling property, a separate Section 150 will issue at the start of your file. Please note there are occasions when a file goes beyond what was initially quoted for. In that case we will serve a new Section 150 notice as soon as we are aware of extra time and outlays. There are times when legal advice relates to complex or high-value matters. The High Court rules outline 10 criteria to assist in the calculation of fees in these circumstances. Every case is different but these criteria give some idea in your particular case as to what’s involved. These 10 criteria are as follows the complexity and novelty of the issues involved in the legal work. The skill or specialised knowledge relevant to the matter which the legal practitioner has applied. The time and labour that the legal practitioner has reasonably expended on the matter. The urgency attached to the matter by the client and whether this requires will require the legal practitioner to give priority to that matter over other matters. The place and circumstances in which the matter was transacted. the number, importance and complexity of the documents that the legal practitioner was required to draft, prepare or examine. Where the money, property or an interest in property is involved, the amount of the money, or the value of the property or the interest in the property concerned. Whether or not there is an agreement to limit the liability of the legal practitioner as outlined in the contract between the legal practitioner and client Whether or not the legal practitioner necessarily undertook research or investigative work and if so the timescale within which such work was required to be completed. the use and costs of expert witnesses are other expertise engaged by the legal practitioner and whether such costs were necessary and reasonable. We may be able to take your call if not we will get back within 24 hours. We’ll see if we can help you. You have no commitment to stay with us. We cannot advise you until we either have a meeting or a Zoom call. At that meeting or call we can work out what the cost of employing us would be. We cannot provide legal advice until you are signed up as a client. What we can do is give an opinion whether you should meet with us to discuss further.	3,675
I am a working mother of two whose passion (besides my family) is books. I am an avid reader who enjoys all types of books, although I mainly read fiction. In addition to reading, I also love crocheting, knitting, cooking, running, and watching Penn State sports. Contact me: bookingmama@gmail.com @bookingmama (Twitter) What I'm Reading Now Monday, November 9, 2009 Summary: When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it's hardly…Perfect Timing In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar's whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger... Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be done—which included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger? Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out what—or, rather, who—is in her heart? -- Sourcebooks Landmark Sometimes I think that, at 40, I might be a getting too old for chick lit books. But then, I realize that I still enjoy reading a "good one" every once in awhile. Sometimes it's just nice to sit back and read a book that deals with love, romance, and relationships. And it's an added bonus when the book can make me laugh. Jill Mansell's latest U.S. release PERFECT TIMING fits the bill on all of these accounts. I thoroughly enjoyed PERFECT TIMING, and I definitely recommend this novel to fans of British chick lit; however, I have to admit that I don't think it's my favorite Mansell book. MIRANDA'S BIG MISTAKE (my review) still holds that honor! I thought the premise of PERFECT TIMING sounded cute though. Poppy meets the man of her dreams the night before her wedding at her bachelorette party. She ends up calling off her wedding and ruffling a few feathers along the way. Poppy then decides that she needs a new start and leaves her hometown for London. PERFECT TIMING is really about her new life in London -- her jobs, her friends, and her love-life. While I did like all of the characters and their side stories, it took me a little while to really "get into" the story and appreciate all of the characters. I don't think I was able to relate to Poppy as quickly as I did with some of Mansell's other characters. Poppy's roommate Claudie, and her best friend Rita were also hard to really appreciate at first -- although I know that was the author's intent for these characters. They both were extremely self-centered; however, I did find many of their actions to be very entertaining and quite funny! The character that I immediately found myself liking, though, was Poppy's landlord, the gorgeous artist Caspar. His relaxed attitude and artist mentality made him very attractive! It wasn't until about halfway through this book that the story really took off for me. At that point, I started to recognize all of the things that I love about Jill Mansell's stories and characters. As far as I'm concerned, she is one of the very best writers in the chick lit genre. What always amazes me about Ms. Mansell's novels is the sheer size of them (they always seem to be over 400 pages.) But what impresses me even more is how fast I devour her books. The books are fast-paced and extremely readable. I love that Ms. Mansell's books are so entertaining because they deal with love, relationships, and friendships -- the normal chick lit fare. What is more fun that just love wishing that the characters would realize their true feelings? However, I also truly appreciate how she tackles some serious issues. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but I think Ms. Mansell does a wonderful job of mixing the lighter moments with the serious ones. I think showing both sides of the characters definitely makes them more real to me and actually brings her chick-lit books to a whole new level. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book. Posted by Julie P. at 3:33 AM 9 comments: Shona said... Jill Mansell is definitely one chick lit author whose books never fail to impress me. I agree Miranda's Big Mistake is definitely her best yet.Nice review November 9, 2009 at 5:01 AM Beth F said... I haven't read any of her books so if I decide to take the plunge, I'll start with Miranda. November 9, 2009 at 7:53 AM rhapsodyinbooks said... Well, I figure if we're not too old to read kids and YA, we're not too old for chick lit! And there isn't too much "wrinkly lit" as they say, out there! November 9, 2009 at 9:50 AM Jill Mansell's books are a lot of fun - Miranda's Big Mistake would be hard to beat, though. This sounds like a good one too. November 9, 2009 at 11:52 AM Amused said... I love Brit Chick Lit so I'll have to check her out! Thanks for the great review! November 9, 2009 at 5:42 PM The romantic query letter and the happy-ever-after said... A thoughtful and informative review. Thanks for sharing. All the very best. November 10, 2009 at 12:02 AM Julie! Thank you so much AGAIN. What a great review - so very glad you liked it. I think Caspar is one of my favourite characters too! November 10, 2009 at 3:24 AM Serena said... As you know, I've already proclaimed myself a Mansell Junkie! I agree that this is not the best of her books, but I really enjoyed Poppy and Caspar!	5,749
...it's the legendary train journey between Adelaide to Darwin making a stop at Alice Spring and Katherine! 04th, July 2014 Average train speed with a maximum of 115 km/h Not as fast as our French speed train! 300 km/h Average train length and weight! Over 1km and 43 carriages when the train is fully booked! Staff aboard 2 nights and 3 days (stops & excursions along the way are part of the journey, it seems a long time but was actually too short!) The Ghan in a few dates 1929: inaugural journey Adelaide to Alice Springs, with 100 passengers, mail and fresh fruits! 2001: after almost a century of deliberation, construction of the rail link between Alice Springs and Darwin finally starts 2004: inaugural journey of the 1420 km new track with the longets passenger train in Australian history (over 1km in length, 2 locomotives and 43 carriages!) The Ghan: where does this name come from? From 1839, camels were imported to carry goods for explorers venturing inland. Their handlers left families behind overseas to work in Australia. Many cameleers were mistakenly thought to be from Afghanistan and were called Afghans or 'Ghans. The cameleers played a vital role in the construction of the first track between Adelaide to Alice Springs, carrying food and supplies to the surveyors and builders. Camels were ideally suited for the harsh landscape of Australia's Red Centre. Able to go without water for days, they can carry up to half a ton of weight. 11h20, Adelaide, South Australia, Max and I are overexcited to discover our hotel/restaurant/way of transport for the next 54h ( actually not for us as we have decided to stop in Alice Springs for a week before travelling onto Darwin). The Ghan, one of the most legendary trains in the world, with its 40 something carriages and 800 metre long is standing in front of us on the platform,ready for a new transcontinental journey, direction Darwin, Northern Australia! An hostess welcomes us aboard, we travel in class in Gold service :-) Our cabin is cosy with all you can need and imagine for a trip on a train! We already love our room with a view! The train starts moving and here we go ! The scene of rolling green hills flattens into wine country, which becomes vast farmland, then dry rugged terrain. The land is soon stark and desolate, in the distance the Flinders Ranges appear. I recognise their jagged peaks, we were climbing a couple weeks ago. Their dramatic escarpments sit majestically in the haze. From the window it looks quiet out there...in complete contrast, the train interior is bustling. Passengers enjoy free-flowing wine and drinks at the Lounge, while others go through a three course lunch. We are still gazing out the window! Travel aboard the Ghan is one of the greatest holidays of Australia but as it costs from $1600 per person for a single cabin (Gold service), this is a one very popular among the Grey Nomads. So no need to say that Max and I, two Frenchies, not even turned 30, are a pretty unusual profile. The atmosphere is convivial, counting and listening to travel stories is part of the journey. A magazine in hands, well seated, I find myself dreaming staring through the window...The train goes slowly but surely and this is very relaxing. Jazz ambience in my cabin, the afternoon goes way too quickly in my opinion! Almost 500 km north-west of Adelaide, the lowering sun sets in a golden haze over the vast red landscape, while a few kangaroos stops still and watches the train as it passes. One of these typical Australian scenes we love! After a delicious dinner at the restaurant, we find our cabins in a night configuration, they have done our bed! Rocked by the movement of the train, I imagine a legendary night!... 9pm, the train is getting very quiet, we turn off the lights, the moon is enlightening the rugged red country, it's spectacular...but it's time to close the curtain and say Good night! At the end, we hardly slept during the first night because of the clanking noises, but just knowing we were moving through the heart of the Australian continent made it worth it. To wake up in style, a generous brunch is awaiting in the restaurant. At the same moment, we cross the Northern Territory border and the majority of the guests rush to the window to capture the moment! The Finke River is announced, it's dry (as it is most of the time) but the site stays spectacular: a vast sandy river bed stretching as far as the eye can see. I look at the numerous red river gums and wonder how they survive in such a dry place. Australian nature will always impress me. We are told that the Finke is thought to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, dating back a few 300 million years!! The sand is turning more red (if this is even possible) as we approach Alice Springs, probably the most iconic outback town in the whole country. 1:30pm The train stops. While guests are going on a town tour or camel ride, we hop off the train and say good by to the lovely staff, we will see you all in a week! Time now to explore the Red Centre. If you are looking for ideas, best tours and things to do while in Alice, click here :-) Exactly one week later, 5pm, we are back to the train station, happy and more ready than ever to board again on the Ghan! Next stop: Darwin. 1420 km left to travel, we are shown our way to our cabins. We are not lost as we are located in the same carriage as last week:-) We meet the new crew and hardly left the Outback town that we are invited to dinner, what a spoilt life! I missed it J ! After a nice classic cocktail in the lounge and another exquisite dinner at the restaurant, we have no trouble to sleep (this time) like babies until the sun rises on the following day! It is with a new landscape that we enjoy our breakfast, the vegetation is lush and green, welcome to Katherine! This morning, all the passengers are invited to board a boat cruise which explores the Katherine Gorge, renamed with its aboriginal name Nitmiluk National Park. We pass under towering cliffs, up to 70 metres tall. Camera ready to snap! It's such a treat to travel with the Ghan, everything is well organised and thought. The bus is waiting us to take us to the Park, water and fresh fruits are for us to enjoy. Among the different free tour options, we go for the cruise through the gorges. We would have loved to kayak the river but we are on a tight schedule. The boat is a quicker alternative :-) as the train is waiting for us! Back on the train, we settle in for the last stretch, 320 km to go to Darwin. Another lunch and a few drinks later, we are already in Darwin, disembarking. Yes already! Some people can say it's a long journey, for us it was just perfect and even too short! A experience we won't soon forget! And a few hours later, we surprise ourselves talking of our next train expedition! How to travel The Ghan? A good deal for Backpackers: The Pass The Ghan is more expensive than an ordinary flight however it is a unique experience. The good news is that there is some solutions for those who want to travel aboard without breaking the bank! - During our trip with Wayoutback, we meet Maud and Nicolas, two French backpackers who have bought a Ral Explorer Pass. Maud's chosen the one for 2 months (495 AUD) whereas Nicolas prefered the 3 month one (595 AUD). Thanks to this pass, it is possible to travel aboard the Great Southern Rail trains as much as wanted for the time chosen! After the Ghan, you can go West with the Indian Pacific (Sydney-Perth) or travel with the Overland which links Melbourne to Adelaide. With this pass, you will travel on Red service, which the cheapest class. No private cabin but a inclinable seat, no restaurant or off tour included. You are welcomed to bring your own food or there is a café – bar. -If you want or have only the time to travel with The Ghan, then the cheapest fare will be the Ready Rail Fare, 398 AUD for backpackers. -For those who don't have much time, you can also decide to travel only half way: Adelaide to Alice Springs (or vice versa). www.greatsouthernrail.com.au It's important to plan your trip well in advance, especially in the peak season which is between June to September. Australians book at least 6 months before! 2 trains are running weekly at this time of year, otherwise, it's only one per week. The Ghan behind the scene! Drinking a limonade in the lounge, I wait for Penny, member of the staff. A few minutes later, she meets us and is happy to share her job routine, if only there is one ?!? Penny is in charge of the guests' comfort on board. From preparing the cabins to organizing dinner and lunch timetable for everyone, she has an important supervision role to make sure that everyone has an unforgettable experience. She was going to work in trains for a few months and 6 years later, here she is, still welcoming every week thousands of tourists travelling with The Great Southern Rail. She likes her job, this is pretty obvious, her eyes are sparkling when she tells us her work life on board. Whether she is off to Darwin, Perth or Adelaide, Penny likes being part of people's holidays and make them a once in a life time experience! Some guests have been waited this journey for a long time and Penny feels fortunate to contribute to people's joy. Don't think her job is an easy one, some days are more difficult than others.You get few hours sleep but you have to keep the same energy, smile and empathy nevertheless. Fortunately, the ambience between colleagues is very good, spending entire weeks together on rail helps creating strong friendship :-) “Stress? Yes sometimes!” she said, thinking of some difficult situations where the train can be stuck in the middle of the bush because of flash floods or because another train has derailed a bit further ways blocking the way...Then you have to relocate urgently all the passengers on plane /buses /taxis to get to their home!! Of course, we imagine that Penny has welcomed many people on board over the past 6 years but some must have been more characteristic? She mentions right away a retired couple who has been travelling aboard the Great Southern Rail 99 times in 50 years!!...And they are actually planning their 100th trip for next year! Such great ambassadors!	10,472
So America has a new president. It’s not the person most people were expecting to win. I was expecting Clinton to win but was not very excited about it. Both candidates in my mind were equally poor choices for different reasons. Somehow both parties picked despicable candidates which could explain Trump’s upset victory. Despite trumps sexist and racist rhetoric during the campaign, 42% of women voted for him and 21% of non whites voted for him according to exit polls. Clearly there were larger issues at play here. Well, there are so many things I could say here but it’s already been said elsewhere. Hopefully the Democrats learned from this and will pick a candidate for 2020 that will unite people instead of divide them. I do not think Trump will be the leader America needs. But I’m hopeful things won’t be as bad as everyone makes him out to be. Time will tell. I’m willing to give him a chance. I think everyone else should to. This entry was posted in daily life on November 13, 2016 by kph76. Leave a reply By now, the whole world should know, the king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai:ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช) died on October 13, 2016. He was the 9th king of Thailand beginning his reign on June 9, 1946. At the time of his death, he was the longest serving head of state in the world and the longest reigning monarch in Thai history, serving for 70 years and 126 days. For nearly every Thai person, he was the only king they knew. The king of Thailand was highly revered. People considered him a family member, and often he would be referred to as “father”. He had reached a nearly divine status. For the first week after his death the entire country was extremely somber. A 1 year mourning period was declared and overnight wearing black became the new fashion trend. Thailand has had a turbulent history. Frequent military coups and 30 prime ministers since the king took the throne. Like any leader some of the king’s decisions and actions were controversial. But he did a lot of good for the country. He helped a lot of people. He was the one constant in Thailand over all the changes of leadership. He held the country together and prevented the coups from developing into civil war. He was an honorable person. He was a humble person. He loved Thailand and he loved all Thai people. He understood his great responsibility and served with pride, dignity, and grace. For these reasons, he was universally loved by all Thai people. It is my hope that one day America can have a leader like this. This entry was posted in daily life, thai culture on November 13, 2016 by kph76. Leave a reply We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming for something completely different. A few days ago there was yet another mass shooting in America. Over the last few days without fail people have been using this tragedy to advance their own political agendas. Democrats are calling for a ban on scary looking guns and magazines with a capacity over 10 rounds. Republicans are saying it’s not guns but our failing mental health system even though they have no intention of actually fixing it. So I thought it would be interesting to compare the United States gun ownership rates, murder, and suicide to some other countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate United States – ‘Merica Fuck Yeah! We’re number one in gun ownership. We have the highest murder rate of other developed countries but despite the high rate of gun ownership we’re about average when compared to the rest of the world. Suicide rates are similar to other developed countries. Japan – Has almost no guns in private ownership and also has an extremely low murder rate with 0 murders committed with guns. Amazing! It would seem to support the Democrats conclusion to ban guns but what’s up with Japan’s suicide rate? It’s off the charts. Perhaps this suggests that banning guns would not do much to reduce the suicide rate in the United States. If people want to kill themselves, it seems like they will find a way, gun or not. Switzerland – Pro Second Amendment groups often like to use Switzerland as an example of guns not causing murder. Switzerland has the second highest gun ownership rate in the world yet the murder rate is much lower than the United States. It’s also interesting in that Switzerland allows people to store fully automatic assault rifles in their home while serving in the military and gives them the option to keep them when their service is done (after being converted to semi-automatic) yet these scary looking black rifles aren’t indiscriminately killing people on the street. Sweden – Another country that has a relatively high gun ownership rate yet low murder rate. It should be noted that Sweden (and I presume Switzerland) have stricter gun control laws than the United States with laws that require licensing and registration but I’m not yet convinced these laws are responsible for their drastically lower murder rates. Australia – Is interesting because in 1996 there was the Port Arthur massacre. In the wake of this tragedy the prime minister basically said, “OK, no more guns”. There was a massive gun buyback and strict gun control laws were put into place. So this gives us some data to compare the effect of these laws on the murder and suicide rates before and after they were implemented. Since 1996, Australia has seen a decline in murder and suicide rates but the United States has also seen similar declines over the same period. Yet over this same time period, Australia has actually seen an increase in robbery and sexual assault while the United States has seen a decrease. Before 1996 the murder rate in Australia was already relatively low so I’m not sure how one would conclude gun controls similar to Australia would solve the United States gun violence problem. Thailand – Oh Thailand! My beloved “Land of Smiles”, full of kind, gentle, and peaceful Buddhists actually has a thriving gun culture! Who knew!? The firearm ownership rate is very close to Australia and has licensing and registration requirements but has murder and suicide rates similar to the United States. I’m not sure how to explain this one. To me it seems obvious guns are not the root cause of the gun violence problem in the United States. It’s not even mental health. Would stricter gun control and increased funding of mental health reduce gun violence? Maybe, maybe not. I picked the countries to compare above because they all have very different cultures. I believe it is these cultural differences that are responsible for the varying murder and suicide rates. Not the types of inanimate objects that people own. When will people wake up and realize it’s not just guns or mental health but the entire culture of the United States? Gun violence will not be reduced until a meaningful conversation on the root cause of these problems can take place. I’m not sure what the solution is but it’s not banning guns and it’s probably something more along the lines of better education, eliminating poverty, social injustice, police brutality, and inequality. Big issues that will take generations to address. Not passing a feel good, do nothing gun control law. I’m not confident any real change will take place when the media, society, and politicians are more interested in “calling out”, “slamming”, and “shutting down” other people through sound bytes, click bait articles, and deceptive tactics. This entry was posted in daily life and tagged politics on October 7, 2015 by kph76. Leave a reply A friend of mine from work was coming to Bangkok so Anong and I booked some airplane tickets to visit her (thanks for the hospitality Jackie!). During the day Anong and I explored Bangkok, visited temples, and sampled the many options for food in the city. In the evenings we met up with Jackie and her friends for dinner and drinks. On the 17th, we arrived in the afternoon. Getting from the airport to the city isn’t too difficult but it does take some time… We flew into Don Mueang Airport which means we had to take the A1 bus to the Mo Chit Bus Station which connects to the BTS (Sky Train). Once in the sky train station it was pretty easy to figure out how to get to Jackie’s place. I think it took about 2.5 hours to get there though. Once we got off the BTS is was a 20 minute or so walk. It didn’t take us long to find some street food. If I go to Bangkok again I think I will try flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport which I think connects to the subway and BTS which would save lots of time by avoiding the bus ride. A little later in the evening we all went out for dinner at a Thai restaurant then met some other friends for drinks at a place called Small’s Bar. They had a pretty cool rooftop seating area. The next day was a gruelling tour of all the wats (temples) in Bangkok. Well, not all of them but we went to 7 or 8 wats and a couple other shrines so it felt like we went to all of them. But first Anong and I went to a yoga studio for a nice morning workout. It was interesting trying a new yoga studio with different teachers and a different style of yoga. Anyone in Bangkok should check out Roots8Yoga. Now for the wats! I think the first place we went to was called Chao Pho Suea Joss House. I can’t recommend going there. Once we got close to the entrance a few ladies selling incense, candles, and other things start quickly talking to us and showing a price list of various things. Anong is discussing various things with them. This is all happening in Thai so I’m not really sure what is being discussed. I don’t have a good feeling about this but I thought I’d just let Anong do her thing since it’s important to her and it seems they agreed on an offering tray with a few things on it for around ฿200 which didn’t seem too bad. So we go in side, light the prescribed number of incense sticks at each spot, burn some candles and do our thing. Meanwhile some dude is talking over a loudspeaker and some lady is following us around seemingly explaining various things to Anong but this is all unusual to me so I ask why is this lady following us around. Not getting a clear answer I just go with the flow. About 10 minutes later we walk out and back to the stand that sold us the tray of things and they tell us it’s ฿790! What!? Being in a little bit of shock I just pay it unsure of what service they provided for 10 minutes that was worth ฿790. After explaining to Anong that I don’t like being taken advantage of and that we can not spend ฿790 at every wat we go to we were on our way. You can bring your own incense and candles. But if you use the incense and candles at the temple, they usually suggest a donation of ฿5 to ฿20. More popular temples will have vendors selling flowers outside. Flowers will cost between ฿25 to ฿100 but none of this money goes to the temple so skip it. When going inside the temple, take off your shoes. There are usually 1 or 2 monks inside the temple. It’s ok to talk to the monk and you can get a blessing from the monk. It’s not required but a ฿20 donation is appropriate. There will be other donation boxes inside the temple. Donate any amount you feel is appropriate. The next stop is Wat Phra Kaew. It’s inside the Grand Palace and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. Outside they have a recording that plays every minute or two to remind people the palace is open every day and to be suspicious of anyone approaching you. Apparently a big scam is to tell tourists the palace is closed today then take them on a tour of gem and tailor shops with high pressure salesmen. It’s nice to see something being down to cut down on the tourist scams. The price to go inside was ฿500 for tourists! Thais are free. Thanks Thailand for yet another reminder that although you are happy to take my money, I am not really welcome here and do not belong. Still feeling sick from the last experience it was an easy decision to wait outside while Anong went in. It was so crowded that Anong wasn’t able to take any pictures so I feel like I didn’t miss anything. Here’s a couple pictures I got while I waited. Mother Earth Squeezing Her Hair. A shrine to Queen Patcharindra who set up access to clean water for the people. Next was Wat Pho. ฿200 to get in (free for Thais). No thanks. Here’s a picture of the ceiling over the bench I sat on while waiting outside. After Wat Pho we went to Wat Arun. Wat Arun had lots of interesting things to look at. Most of which can be seen without paying a fee. There is one section that does have a fee but it’s a more reasonable ฿40 so I ended up paying that and got a few more pictures. After Wat Arun we bought some boat tickets and rode up and down the Chao Phraya River (Thai: แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) and saw a few more temples. Note the “Ch” is pronounced with a ‘J’ sound. At this point all the temples started looking the same so here’s a few more pictures: Done with the temples! Here’s another street food picture. They are making Kanom Krok. My favorite Thai snack / dessert: On the 19th, I went to yoga in the morning. After yoga we relaxed then headed out on the BTS to explore Bangkok a little bit. We did a little shopping at MBK but didn’t buy much. Walked around, and ate some food. On the 20th, we went to see the Erawan Shrine. It’s a statue with four faces. Then we went to China Town. Of course we went to more wats! Painting on a ceramic pot. This is a solid gold statue of Buddha. This picture cost me ฿40 The temples in China Town reminded me of Hong Kong. The durian was delicious. Then we ate pizza at Via Vai. A guy we were with is friends with the owner so we got this extra fancy pizza. We drank red wine and ate some more normal pizzas. Best pizza I’ve had in Thailand so far. And on our last day, we just went to the airport. Back on the BTS to Mo Chit. Then take the A1 to the airport. It was a bit of an adventure finding the bus station and the bus. I learned that Thai people are happy to give you directions even when they don’t know the location of where you are trying to go. The bus stop didn’t list the A1 bus so I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to come here. Anong asked someone and they said walk up to the next spot about 100 feet away. Still no indication that the A1 bus would come here and nobody can explain to me why it comes here when it’s not listed as stopping here. Eventually a #29 bus comes. I’m not sure how but Anong quickly figured out it also goes to the airport and we confirmed it with the bus driver. So we get on the bus and about a half mile up the road pass another bus stop with clearly marked sign for the A1 bus. Eventually we made it to the airport and got to the gate 20 minutes before boarding. Bangkok was a fun city. I’d like to go back to sample more of the street food and see some of the other areas. I was really amazed at how much food is in the city. There are many restaurants but the sidewalks are packed with food vendors at all times of the day. I was also pleasantly surprised with the taxis. I’d heard horror stories about taxis not using the meters, over charging, and refusing to take you to where you wanted to go but the couple times we took a taxi we did not have any of those problems. This entry was posted in daily life, temple, thai culture, tourist, yoga on July 27, 2015 by kph76. Leave a reply Thailand is a beautiful country but it has a trash problem and most of the people here do not respect the environment. I think this is slowly starting to change though with the Trash Hero movement. There is also a local chapter in Ao Nang that I participated in a few weeks ago when they went to Koh Poda. It’s nice to see locals and tourists working together to keep the beaches clean. The amount of plastic, styrofoam, and other garbage picked up just this one day from the beach was staggering. I think it was over 1000 Kilograms. It’s not just the beaches that have problems though. Many roads are littered with trash. I think most people don’t really see it because almost nobody walks along the road so it’s not seen as a problem. Most of the trash is plastic bags, water bottles, straws, and styrofoam containers used for takeout food. I’m not sure why but Thailand really loves plastic bags. I’m no environmentalist and thought the plastic bag ban in Seattle was silly but even I can see the use of plastic bags here is excessive and damaging to the environment. It’s not uncommon to see somebody buy a bottle of water at 7-11 then have the cashier put the bottle in a plastic bag with a few straws then as the customer walks out the door throw the plastic bag and straws in the garbage can then drive off on their scooter. That plastic bag was used for about 3 seconds. Such a waste. So I’ve started refusing plastic bags every chance I get. I also got this sweet stainless steel food container that I use when I want to bring food back to my room to eat. So, before the cashier has a chance to put your items in a plastic bag say this: Mâi sài tǔng ná kráp / ไม่ใส่ถุงนะครับ. It means “Do not put in a plastic bag”. Note that women should say ká / คะ instead of kráp /ครับ. When the cashier looks at your like you are crazy (because nobody ever asks for this), you can say: Mii tǔng léao / มีถุงแล้ว. It means “I already have a bag”. Then the cashier will probably smile and happily let you put your items in your bag. It’s not much but I’m trying to be more mindful of the amount of plastic I use. This entry was posted in daily life and tagged environmentalguilt, waronplasticbags on July 11, 2015 by kph76. Leave a reply It’s always fun reading signs that are in Thai and English. I haven’t seen any horribly bad translations but there are definitely a few that have raised an eyebrow. From a roadside fruit stand near my room in Ao Nang. Here is a sign selling pineapples. ฿15 per pineapple or a little bit less than 50 cents. Pretty good. No apples or pies were to be found. This is a sign in the Krabi Immigration parking lot. The Thai script basically says “Parking lot for people who come to contact the government office”. May I suggest simply “Visitor Parking”. Here’s a sign on Poda Island. I find this very funny for childish reasons. A mostly literal translation of the Thai script says “It is forbidden to dump trash of all kinds within the national park. People who infringe will be penalized according to the law”. Also note the oddly placed comma after “law”. A better translation would be “It is forbidden to dump trash. Violators will be prosecuted”. Or simply “No dumping! Violators will be prosecuted.” Here’s a sign at Wat Sai Thai. I haven’t translated the Thai script yet but I really want to know what this marine transgression was and if the sea has been properly punished for its crimes. This entry was posted in daily life and tagged thailand on July 5, 2015 by kph76. Birthday! Leave a reply Yesterday was Anong’s birthday so we went out and did a few fun non-climbing things. We slept in then went to the Catfish Farm. It’s sort of like a zoo. They have lots of catfish obviously and a few other animals. It costs ฿50 to get in and they also give you some food for feeding the fish. It was fun throwing the fish food in the lake and watching the fish try to be the first one to eat it. Next we went to lunch. I don’t remember the name of the place but it was on the way back from the catfish farm. The food was pretty good but the best part was it was next to a creek and under a canopy of trees so it was relatively cool. The weather has been quite hot this week. Getting up to around 37C. After lunch we went back to the room to relax for a bit then went out and got massages. There are dozens of places to get a massage in Ao Nang and most of them are pretty cheap with an hour long massage costing ฿200 to ฿300. Quality of the massage is hit or miss but it’s usually not bad. When paying for the massages I was reminded that not every Thai person is out to scam the tourists. I accidently gave a ฿1000 note instead of ฿100 note and the lady let me know I gave her too much. After the massages we went back to the room again to get cleaned up for dinner at Lae Lay Grill. The food is pretty good but the view is amazing. This entry was posted in daily life, food, massage on March 27, 2015 by kph76. Leave a reply A few days ago I rode to the Natin Spicy Garden. It’s a nice garden with lots of Thai herbs, plants, and trees. Admission is free which is nice. This entry was posted in daily life, food on February 16, 2015 by kph76. Leave a reply Yesterday I went to Ao Nam Mao. It’s about a 15 minute drive from Ao Nang. There was some place called “Heaven-7”. It was really weird. It almost looks like an unfinished amusement park. They were playing what I think the kids these days call EDM (Electronic Dance Music) really loud. They also charge ฿50 to get in. Not sure why. There’s nothing to do except walk around. But it’s on a big hill and at the top of the hill is a nice view of the Andaman Sea. View from the top. Not sure if it was worth ฿50. Next I decided to walk along the beach. It was free and lots of fun. There were all sorts of crazy rock formations. I kept thinking there should be rock climbing here. It would be lots of fun but people probably don’t climb here because access is dependent on the tide and the beach is very rocky. But it was still fun to look at all the rocks. Lots of stalactites, stalagmites, and this one section had a super huge roof section.	22,538
Restrepo is about a group of soldiers out in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan for their 15 month deployment, which was considered to be one of the most dangerous posts in the military. These men are shot at AT LEAST 4-5 times a day. Could you imagine?? The outpost these men created at Korengal Valley IN ONE NIGHT was named after PFC Restrepo, who was killed early in the campaign. Interviews with the soldiers who were there plus the footage there at the valley by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger are included in the movie and interwoven very well. This documentary was nominated at the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and definitely deserved it. I don't have to stress just how good this movie was. It's REALLY good! If you are in the military, watch this film! If you know anyone in the military, watch this film! If you have nothing to do with the military, WATCH THIS FILM!!! There are very few movies that have made me TRULY appreciate the art of film and Restrepo is definitely one of those movies... Powered by Blogger Copyright © 2021 Sequel Buzz. All rights reserved. Tweets by sequelbuzz Comments Sequel: A movie that presents the continuation of characters and or events of a previously filmed movie.	1,275
Growing up my mom couldn’t pay me to wear tights. I dreaded every Sunday when I knew I would have to put a pair on with my church outfit. I always hated the annoying feeling of a sagging crotch and the uncomfortable excess fabric that always collected at the toe seam of the foot. Over time, of course I had to learn to live with them as not to freeze my thighs off in less than favorable weather. In doing this I became a girl who only preferred black opaque tights; as I very much loathed the skin/flesh tone thin tights that you purchased from your local pharmacy or corner store. It seemed that no matter what size you purchased you had to stretch them to fit and somehow always ended up with a “train track” run in them after just a few hours, if not minutes. Well the hosiery game has certainly come a long way since my adolescent days getting ready for church on Sundays. I have grown to appreciate them even more and have even started to venture into the luxury tights arena. But luxury tights can come at a pretty hefty price tag and many people wonder if they are worth the hype. Since I have purchased two pairs recently I thought I would give an opinion on whether they’re worth the splurge. Here’s my review of my most recent purchase the Gucci GG pattern tights. These particular Gucci pattern tights I have been eyeing for a while. I loved the pattern and thought it would be a fun yet functional way to jazz up an outfit. However these particular ones are a bit pricier than others coming in at $350 US dollars. I do feel like they are a bit pricier for something more limiting, but I figure you’re paying for the legendary GG house logo. In that sense I feel the price is worth it. But when considering price in terms of price per wear (PPW) it can be debatable. I don’t find them to be as versatile as my black GG logo tights so I hardly get to wear them. I also feel that the brown pattern makes it hard to wear with black so you are limited to certain colors that will compliment the pattern the best like creams, olives, browns and orange tones. So if you’re a person who loves to wear black, these may not be the choice for you. But if you are looking for a statement tight then the price will totally be justified. They are definitely a showstopper and can definitely make an outfit. So if you’re okay with pulling them out for a cameo here and there; then these tights are it. Make sure to keep in mind how often you are expecting to wear them before splurging on these. Quality I do feel that the quality is pretty good considering the fashion house who made them. However they are pretty thin and delicate. The material is 95% polyamide and %5 elastane. I’m not sure that because there is minimal elastane that they are not as soft as I would imagine. These particular ones don’t feel as soft as I was expecting, and are definitely not a very stretchy stocking as I normally prefer. I was very careful with putting them on because they are so delicate. And let me tell, you being afraid you’re going poke a hole into your $350 pair of tights with your fingernail, causes much anxiety. I have yet to wear them for an extended period of time, so I will update this post about the lasting wear over time. Now the sizing on these are pretty inaccurate in my opinion. As most European brands run small, I felt these were extremely small. I have a size medium in my other style of Gucci tights, however those have 20 percent elastane versus only 5 percent in this pattern style. They are definitely not a super stretchy stocking so I was afraid to pull and stretch them too much as not to rip them. For that reason I suggest going up one more than your normal size, especially if you are curvy. I am only 5″1 so not tall at all, but curvy, and I feel that the medium is a bit too small for me in this style. The damper about these is that you can’t exchange hosiery at the Gucci store. For that reason I would suggest maybe purchasing from a third party that may have a different return policy unless you are absolutely sure of your size. So with those points being stated, overall, I think the GG pattern tights are totally worth the price if you want a pair of statement tights to take your look to the next level. If you want a more wearable style I would opt for the black or white GG logo tights. I have worn them several times over the past 2 years and have no complaints; so I’ve certainly gotten my cost per wear. If you are not a fan of Gucci, there are lots of other designer tights out there to consider. my opinion would be to start with a neutral pair like black or a color that will work seamlessly with your wardrobe. Slowly but surely I will be adding a few of those to my fashion rotation so stay tuned for reviews on those. I will list a few of my favorites below. Let me know your thoughts on these tights or other luxury hosiery you have tried below. This post contains affiliate links in which I receive as small commission. All opinions and selections are curated by me. Thanks in advance for your support. You may also enjoy: The Feather Trend at NYFW 2022 How to Colorblock for Spring November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 Hi guys. I'm Angela B. I have a passion for style and am glad you decided to follow me. Read more about how I started...	6,251
In the 1920s Nashville’s Union Street was called the “Wall Street of the South” because of the many banks and brokerage houses had located there. The most famous of these was Caldwell & Company, founded by Rogers Clark Caldwell in 1917 to help Southern municipalities sell bonds. By the time of the Great Crash in 1929, Caldwell & Company was a regional investment banking powerhouse doing $100,000,000 a year in securities sales alone. Soon Caldwell was involved in investment banking, hotel and newspaper ownership, and the sale of municipal bonds. With the end of World War I the Federal government ceased monopolizing the bond market and the states were able to move in to the market. The South, meanwhile, enjoyed a boom not seen since before the Civil War. Agricultural prices increased every year from 1920 to 1927 and infrastructure that had been untouched for sixty years could now be improved. In short, for most of the “Roaring Twenties” Caldwell & Company enjoyed ideal conditions for profitable expansion. By 1925 most buyers of Southern bonds knew the House of Caldwell and its slogan, “We Bank on the South.” The next expansion of Caldwell was into bank and industrial ownership. Two Nashville banks, the American National and the First and Fourth National, came under his control. Other banks in Knoxville, Little Rock, Memphis, and various small towns in Tennessee also came under the aegis of Caldwell. Soon the House of Caldwell controlled department stores, manufacturing and mining companies, and a Nashville baseball team, among many other businesses. Two newspapers, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis and the Knoxville Journal, were under his ownership and an unsuccessful attempt was underway to gain control of the Atlanta Constitution. The Nashville Tennessean was owned by Colonel Luke Lea, Caldwell’s partner in many of these deals. Lea was a colorful character who had been a U.S. Senator and a World War I colonel who had led an unauthorized attempt to capture Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, who was in exile in The Netherlands. He was instrumental in donating the land for Percy Warner Park, which is named for his father-in-law. In the 1930s Lea and his son were both jailed for fraud in connection with the failure of Caldwell & Co. Long before the company’s collapse, there were many signs that all was not well. In 1925 the loosely managed accounting department was in trouble. Customers were complaining of not receiving bonds and payments, and a trial balance hadn’t been made in years. Timothy Donovan was hired to sort out the mess and by the time of its bankruptcy the Caldwell & Co. books were straight, but the business wasn’t. In a short article, it is impossible to describe all the interlocking directorates and movement of money that went on. Thanks to Luke Lea and the demand for bond sales, the company had excellent political connections. In fact, when the failure came, the State of Tennessee lost about 50% of the money it had deposited in various Caldwell banks. Municipalities all over the South lost deposits and individual depositors faced serious losses in those days before the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A good example of the chicanery that went on was the series of road contracts given to the Kentucky Rock Asphalt Company, known as Kyrock. Pressure was put on the state road commissioner to award the company contracts outside of the bidding process. When the commissioner refused, Lea was able to influence the governor to replace him with someone more amenable to seeing things Lea and Caldwell’s way. After that, Kyrock received many contracts for road construction without having to go through the inconvenience of bidding. After the failure, reported in two Time magazine articles in November 1930, there were many cries for the impeachment of Governor Henry Horton (which did not happen) and jail time for Lea and Caldwell. As mentioned, Luke Lea did go to jail in North Carolina, but he was fully pardoned in 1937. Caldwell had built a house called Brentwood Stables in 1928. Designed to look like The Hermitage, the building was owned by one of his companies. The State of Tennessee went to court to gain title to the house in partial payment for money Rogers Caldwell owed the state. The process took years of litigation, and it was not until 1945 that Caldwell finally relinquished his home. The State had intended to sell it, but, since the title was not clear, chose to keep it. The property is now the 207-acre Ellington Agricultural Center on Edmondson Pike. Sorting out the various body parts of Caldwell & Co. and its related company, The Bank of Tennessee, was a long process not completed for nearly 20 years. Many of the related firms were salvaged and continue to exist today, though often as subsidiaries of other corporations. Caldwell & Co. was Tennessee’s first major financial bankruptcy, but it was certainly not to be its last. Time magazine: “More Aftermath,” November 17, 1930, and “Caldwell Crash,” November 24, 1930. From www.time.com My personal recollections of conversations with John Donovan, Vice-President of First American National Bank in the 1970s. John, the son of Timothy Donovan, mentioned in the article, was also my boss at First American. Two novels also touch on the Caldwell story. These are At Heaven’s Gate by Robert Penn Warren and A Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor. I read both for background on this article. Peter Taylor’s father was Hillsman Taylor, an executive at Caldwell & Co. Related Author kblauderPosted on October 17, 2021 December 1, 2021 Tags banks and banking, fraud, lawsuits, Luke Lea, municipal bonds, Nashville baseball, Nashville newspapers, Nashville Tennessean, newspapers, Rogers Caldwell, Warner Parks	5,971
Oh, not another book on reading the Tarot, you may yawn disinterestedly. Think again! There are a lot of Tarot interpretation manuals out there and they read pretty much the same except for the author's personal interpretation of the cards. It's pretty much the same routine formula. But every now and then a book will come along to make you sit up and take notice. This is one of those rare books. Right from the start, you're the one in the driver's seat. Make that reader's seat. The author assures you that "you will enter the cards through your sacred imagination." No more trying to memorize the meanings of the cards as though this is a high school exercise you'll be tested on later. The author implicitly knows that you don't "read" the cards. You FEEL them. That's why the exact same cards and exact same spread will read differently for two different people. What does it matter what they're supposed to mean? What do they mean right now? Author Sasha Graham not only inspires you, she builds your confidence, she empowers you. She puts your mind at rest up front by assuring you that you're not a card reader (daunting to beginners), you're really just a storyteller. Therein lies the magic. Once you get comfortable with that idea you'll love this one. "Tarot is a seed waiting to sprout, a sweet tooth longing for a lollipop." And that's what will make you a good reader. You won't be someone who's trying to impress your client with how good a reader you are, but rather, someone who is confident in her abilities. Someone people can trust because you trust yourself and you won't be floundering around, trying to remember what a certain card means. The book gives you a solid foundation starting with a 5 minute exercise to expand your senses and raise your intuition. Next you explore Tarot Is followed by Magic Is and brought together in Tarot Magic. You'll read about magical readings and magical spreads. Even how to create your own. To help you further, there are the 7 cornerstones of constant tarot magic. Naturally, there is the expected listing of the card meanings, divided into major arcana, minor arcana and the court cards. Separating those out is a nice touch. Especially comparing the court cards to everyday people like mom and dad. There's even good stuff in the introduction. Don't skip it. The author almost reverses the old saying, a picture is worth 1,000 words. She paints great pictures with her words. The book is a different and unique approach to reading tarot. It's not about predicting what your future holds as it is about helping you craft the future you desire. Your attention is your magic wand. What you focus on is what you ignite with energy There are even surprising suggestions for places to take your cards to do a self-reading. In the attic for instance, to connect with higher self,. So many books make you feel like the cards hold the power. The author assures you the magic is in you. ~review by Judy Blackstone As required by the FTC, I am posting this notice: Reviews on this website were usually compensated in that the reviewer was given a copy of the item and allowed to keep said copy. Some reviews published here are from other forums and publications and Facing North makes no claim as to whether those reviews were compensated. No other compensation was offered or accepted for these reviews which are as unbiased as possible.	3,481
1. Michigan State– The Spartans squeaked out a win versus an always tough Boise State team week 1 and walloped in state foe, Central Michigan this past Saturday. With College Game Day coming to East Lansing, look for Sparty to run all over Notre Dame. AÂ tough defense and a great running game have Sparty ranked number 1 in the first Power Ranking. 2. Ohio State– The Buckeyes need another option on offense, as Braxton Miller cannot carry the ball 20+ times per game for the rest of the season. Look for the secondary to step up to the challenge that Kennan Allen and the Golden Bears bring into the â€˜Shoe this Saturday. 3. Northwestern– Coming off two solid non-conference victories, the schedule gets easier for the Wildcats as they do not face a formidable opponent until they travel to Happy Valley week 6. 4. Michigan– Although it was a joy to watch TTUN get dismantled in Jerryâ€™s World, Denard Robinson got back on track versus Air Force. Nothing to really watch for this week as they play UMASS, a team who is new to the FBS and who were also trailing Indiana 38-0 at halftime last week. 5. Nebraska– The Huskers are coming off a loss to UCLA at the Rose Bowl where their run defense failed to show up. Hopefully Nebraska does not overlook Arkansas St this weekend because they can light up the scoreboard. They put up 34 points on Oregon in week 1 (albeit in the second half) and put up 33 in a victory over Memphis last weekend. 6. Wisconsin– There is turmoil in Camp Randall right now after the team decided to part ways with their offensive line coach after squeaking by Northern Iowa then losing in Corvalis the week after. They come home this weekend to play Utah State, who can run the ball and play defense. Always a recipe for an upset. 7. Purdue– Played Notre Dame at South Bend good enough to win but could not close them out in the fourth quarter. Dark horse to represent the Leaders Division if Wisconsin completely falls off the tracks. 8. Penn St– I feel for Bill Oâ€™Brien who left a great situation in New England to join a horrible situation in Happy Valley. But on the other hand, I do not feel bad for the Nittany Lions as this season seems like a great example of Karma. They should be fine versus Navy if they can kick a Ficken field goal. 9. Iowa– You could probably flip flop spots 9-12 but Iowa always plays tough defense and always has a tough offensive line, so Iâ€™ll put them here. 10. Illinois– This was not a good week for the B1G Ten versus the Pac-12 as the Illini got mangled down in Tempe versus Arizona State. They should win the next two games though before the conference schedule begins. 11. Minnesota– Not impressed after the Gophers needed 3 OTâ€™s to defeat lowly UNLV especially after the Runninâ€™ Rebels lost to Northern Arizona the week after. I would also not count their win against FCS opponent, UNH as much either. I could see them come back down to earth after their 2-0 start. 12. Indiana– Maybe would have had them up a few spots if quarterback Tre Roberson did not break his leg last weekend in their rout of UMASS. Roberson is out for the season and the Hoosierâ€™s hope of having a successful season is also dashed. Tough week for the conference as a whole, feel free to discuss… Reddit Filed Under: College Football Comments Kade says September 12, 2012 at 8:18 am Ughâ€¦this conference is definitely downâ€¦ So far there doesn’t look like there is a single dominant team in the Big Ten, and plenty of teams are just lousy. MSU is probably the class of the conference and if they can shore up their QB situationâ€¦they will be a force to be reckoned with all season. OSU will have two weeks of solid practice to prepare for them. The rest of the teams out there have some nice parts but are severely lacking in a lot of areas. It’s a complete and utter joy to watch Penn State circle the drain in the toilet known as karma. September 12, 2012 at 8:52 pm Usually I am of the opinion of “if everyone looks bad, maybe every one is sort of just average”. Outside of a few stand-out teams (the top 5, for example), maybe this is just an average year for the Big Ten. But then I look at those performances again and I think “Nope, the Big Ten stinks this year.” Chris says September 13, 2012 at 4:33 pm It got to the point where I could have put any team anywhere after Wisconsin. Love to see Mich, Wisconsin, Penn St, Nebraska lose, but it just makes the conference as a whole look awful. September 13, 2012 at 7:57 pm September 18, 2012 at 1:52 pm […] Northwestern so they should be able to put together a decent game plan. Compare with last weekÂ http://menofthescarletandgray.com/2012/09/12/b1g-power-rankings-first-edition/ […]	4,960
An office will need to be neat, clean, tidy, and organized most importantly it should be inviting attractive. The potential customers who visit your neat and clean office get an impression of your professionalism. They leave your office with a favorable perception of the place. A clean and organized office increases the productivity of the employees and induces them to concentrate on their work. Office cleanliness is very important and inevitable for the smooth operationalization. It is very helpful for the health of employees. If you are looking for professional cleaning services for your office then you should contact the Menage Total. Not to mention, we are the best cleaning company in which provides you Commercial Office & Janitorial Cleaning Services Montreal. Commercial office cleaning services change from person to person. Therefore, we provide our customers with the best suitable services according to their requirements. We are proudly offering you the following Commercial Office & Janitorial Cleaning Services Montreal: Fixture sanitizing in your restroom Trash collecting and recycling Dusting off the fixture Walls surface cleaning Dealing with the general area Canteen cleaning Kitchen cleaning and appliances cleaning Vacuuming the carpets and rugs Spots and smudge cleaning Sweeping and mopping cleaning Mess cleaning Organizing services Floor cleaning and maintenance Cleaning of foyers and reception area Ceiling dusting and cleaning Cleaning the main entrance and all other doors Cabins and private office cleaning Elevator cleaning Dust the air vents and air duct These are the services we provide you in Commercial Office & Janitorial Cleaning Services Montreal. See also Janitorial Equipment Why you should choose Menage Total Montreal There may be many cleaners and cleaning companies operating in Montreal. Why you should choose the Menage Total. There are multiple reasons why you should choose the Menage Total for your commercial office cleaning. If you want to save your time, If you want to get professional services, Save your time, efforts, and money. If you want to experience friendly and cooperative cleaning staff. Menage Total provides you all the above-mentioned cleaning services at low prices. We are committed toward providing you high-quality services at reasonable prices. Our cleaning staff is professionally trained and experienced. They are cooperative and friendly. They perform all the cleaning works without creating any kind of uneasiness for you. Menage Total fulfills all of your requirements and works according to your cleaning schedule and plan. We follow your instructions and works as per your expectations.	2,748
Mental instabilities are sicknesses or conditions that influence how you think, feel, act, or identify with others or to your environmental elements. They are extremely normal. Many individuals have had one or know somebody who has. Mental problems are among the most well-known reasons for handicap. The subsequent sickness weight of psychological maladjustment is among the most elevated, all things considered. Psychological well-being and actual wellbeing are firmly associated. Emotional wellness assumes a significant part in individuals’ capacity to keep up with great actual wellbeing. Psychological instabilities, like melancholy and tension, influence individuals’ capacity to partake in wellbeing advancing practices. Thus, issues with actual wellbeing, like constant sicknesses, can genuinely affect psychological wellness and decline an individual’s capacity to take part in therapy and recuperation. It is typical for youngsters and youth to encounter different sorts of enthusiastic misery as they create and mature. For instance, it is normal for youngsters to encounter tension with regards to school, or youth to encounter brief times of discouragement that are transient in nature. At the point when manifestations continue, it very well might be an ideal opportunity to look for proficient help. There is no single reason for emotional well-being messes; all things being equal, they can be brought about by a combination of natural, mental and ecological elements. Individuals who have a family background of emotional wellness problems might be more inclined to creating one eventually. Changes in cerebrum science from substance misuse or changes in diet can likewise cause mental problems. Mental components and natural factors, for example, childhood and social openness can shape the establishments for hurtful idea designs related with mental issues. Signs and indications of psychological instability can fluctuate, contingent upon the issue, conditions and different components. Some common symptoms are : Social withdrawal Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping pattern Taking everything into account the central matters raised are that emotional well-being is all the more wide spread an affliction and that it is shown that it can show itself in a wide range of circumstances both mental and physical. Psychological wellness in some structure can happen to anybody both in its straightforward or its more mind boggling structure. Measurably gaining from the exploration I have acquired, psychological well-being is on the increment locally and at a disturbing rate. This is expected to some extent to the way world/way of life is advancing at an always quicker speed. With monetary foundations and environment control in the day by day news and apparently crazy it is no big surprise individuals are experiencing more psychological wellness issues than they used to do. In this mechanical very quick world that we possess people groups lives are placed in a great deal of pressure and tension accordingly prompting a condition of misery and other actual issues.	3,193
Let’s say you’re purchasing a car or trying to consolidate all of your bills into one low monthly payment. An installment loan can be an excellent way to increase your buying power and make a major purchase possible. An installment loan allows you to borrow a specified amount of money and pay it back over time. –Usually in monthly or bi-weekly payments, with interest. The term of the loan can be just a few months or up to 30 years in the case of a home mortgage. You can take out installment loans to fill almost any need, from home and car repairs to paying an overdue bill. We offer a wide variety of loan products with varying maximums depending on your monthly income, to meet your needs. Because we service all of the loans ourselves, we are proud to be pioneers in our industry. Not only do we strive to say “yes”, we may be able to approve your installment loan within minutes. In addition to fasts, accessible loans, we also offer a wide range of other services. Find a location near you to see how best we can help you in your situation. Written by Joel Manzer Once an active writer on financial issues, Joel is a blogger, social media maven and autism dad, Joel now runs autisable.com one of the largest living with autism sites in the world. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. You should consult a credit counseling professional concerning the information provided and what should work best in your financial situation. And any action on your part in response to the information provided is at your discretion. by Stan Timmons \| Feb 3, 2022 \| Uncategorized What to Do if You Can’t Afford a New Phone and Don’t Qualify to Finance a New One “Can you hear me now?” is about to become more than a half-remembered catch-phrase from the past. It’s about to become a reality for a number of Americans when their smart phones stop... by Stan Timmons \| Dec 9, 2021 \| Uncategorized The holidays are a great excuse to spend time with friends and family, give and receive gifts, and indulge in those seasonal treats and main courses you don't normally think about the rest of the year. But straight up, Christmas dinner is one of the biggest... Deals Worth Getting Crushed in the Rush For by Stan Timmons \| Nov 16, 2021 \| Uncategorized Shopping The Biggest and Best Black Friday Deals of 2021 (So Far) You've probably noticed several brick-and-mortar stores are already offering Black Friday deals early. What you may not know is why this is happening. Pandemic and Supply Chain Issues Some shelves are... Loan Products Line of Credit Delaware Line of Credit Utah Line of Credit Need a loan fast? No problem. 1 Does not apply if customer information is not accurate or if there is a bank error preventing the transfer. standard ACH fees may apply. Not all banks accept Minute Money, if your bank does not, you will receive an ACH transfer which could can fund as early as same day or the next business day. The APR shown above is an estimate/example which is based on the terms displayed and assumes adherence to scheduled payment(s). Actual APR may vary based on various factors such as state, loan term, loan product type, additional fees and/or other underwriting considerations including credit qualification on certain products. For more details please contact a location nearest you or utilize our live chat option. When we extend credit, we provide a credit agreement and related disclosures that contain important information about the cost and terms of credit. This licensee cannot use the criminal process against a consumer to collect any deferred deposit transaction. For example, our credit agreement and related disclosures will disclose when payments are due, any fees due if a payment is late or returned to us unpaid by your financial institution, and the finance charges due for the extension of credit. Loans are not renewed automatically. Whether you have the option of renewing a loan can vary based on factors such as state law, our credit policies, and the type of credit you request. The fees we may assess and other conditions that apply if you ask to renew a loan will be described in the credit agreement and related disclosures. Click here for more details about our consumer loan products and where they are available. * Certain limitations apply. All loans subject to approval pursuant to Minute Loan Center underwriting criteria. Minute Loan Center does not perform traditional credit checks as part of its credit transaction approval process, but does verify applicant information via national databases including, but not limited to, Clarity Services Inc. Due to state and verification requirements, not all applicants for on-line request may be eligible for on-line approval by Minute Loan Center. Some customers applying for Minute Loan Center loans may be required to submit additional documentation due to state law and qualification criteria. See your local store for more details and additional disclosures or visit the Products page for more details. ** Terms and conditions apply. In-store cash pickup not available in all states. Checks or alternative funding options are available and may be issued instead of cash. Loan funding requires verification of application information. Depending on ability to verify this information, loan funding may be extended up to two business days. Terms and actual APR may vary based on various factors such as state, loan term, loan product type, additional fees and/or other underwriting considerations including credit qualification on certain products. Our efforts to collect past due accounts will be conducted in a professional and fair manner that complies with applicable law. We may report information about your account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report. For customers having difficulty repaying their loan, repayment plans may be available and vary by state. For additional information, please contact your nearest store location. Personal loans should be used only for unexpected financial needs, not as a long-term financial solution. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling. Delaware Residents: Licensed by the Delaware State Bank Commissioner to engage in business in Delaware. See licenses.	6,616
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Non-necessary Non-necessary Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.	1,161
Social media star Anjali Arora is often in discussion about her trending reels. She has also been a part of Kangana Ranaut’s reality show ‘Lock Up’. Since then she has always been in limelight. In the past, she had come into controversies regarding her MMS Leak (Anjali Arora MMS Leak). Although She had called it fake, She had to face a lot of trolling on social media regarding this. Recently, the actress has expressed her pain over the trolling caused by the MMS leak. Recently, Anjali Arora talked about trolling in an interview given to ‘Telechakkar’. She said, “To be honest, I don’t pay attention to negative comments. As an audience, they have the right to speak what they feel and once you decide to enter the entertainment industry, you have to be ready for it. They have the right to like and dislike you. Negative comments just need to be strong and should not be given any attention. How does Anjali Arora feel when the media writes some bitter things about her? The social media influencer said, “It happens to everyone because they have a right to criticize you and even write nice things about you. They are just like trollers. Some people will appreciate your work, some will not, and being a public figure you have to pay this small price.” Anjali Arora and Munawwar Farooqui’s closeness in ‘Lock Up’ made a lot of headlines, but surprisingly, while both were expressing their love for each other in the show, as soon as they came out, they shared their respective partners. Everyone was shocked by revealing it. The closeness of both was said to be well planned. Well, it seems that the relationship between Munavvar and Anjali is not good since the end of the show. Some time back there were reports that both of them are being cast in a reality show, Previous article Haryana Congress: Kumari Selja wrote a letter to Sonia against Bhupinder Singh Hooda Next article Women threw from moving train for opposing molestation You May Also Like in Trending Anjali Arora’s MMS controversy with Azma Fallah in Trending in Trending Anjali Arora did bold dance on Shahrukh Khan song. in Trending Have you seen “Anjali Arora” ‘s post on Instagram in which she is looking beautiful and classy? A video from the sets of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan showing Salman Khan in a black lungi is now going viral.	2,434
Some cookies are necessary in order to make this website function correctly. These are set by default and whilst you can block or delete them by changing your browser settings, some functionality such as being able to log in to the website will not work if you do this. The necessary cookies set on this website are as follows: A 'sessionid' token is required for logging in to the website and a 'crfstoken' token is used to prevent cross site request forgery. An 'alertDismissed' token is used to prevent certain alerts from re-appearing if they have been dismissed. An 'awsUploads' object is used to facilitate file uploads. We use Matomo cookies to improve the website performance by capturing information such as browser and device types. The data from this cookie is anonymised. Cookies are used to help distinguish between humans and bots on contact forms on this website. A cookie is used to store your cookie preferences for this website. Cookies that are not necessary to make the website work, but which enable additional functionality, can also be set. By default these cookies are disabled, but you can choose to enable them below:	1,186
I am a working mother of two whose passion (besides my family) is books. I am an avid reader who enjoys all types of books, although I mainly read fiction. In addition to reading, I also love crocheting, knitting, cooking, running, and watching Penn State sports. Contact me: bookingmama@gmail.com @bookingmama (Twitter) What I'm Reading Now Monday, October 31, 2011 Summary: It’s Christmastime, and the precocious Flavia de Luce—an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving—is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. But she is soon distracted when a film crew arrives at Buckshaw, the de Luces’ decaying English estate, to shoot a movie starring the famed Phyllis Wyvern. Amid a raging blizzard, the entire village of Bishop’s Lacey gathers at Buckshaw to watch Wyvern perform, yet nobody is prepared for the evening’s shocking conclusion: a body found, past midnight, strangled to death with a length of film. But who among the assembled guests would stage such a chilling scene? As the storm worsens and the list of suspects grows, Flavia must use every ounce of sly wit at her disposal to ferret out a killer hidden in plain sight. -- Delacorte Press Yes...I know it's Halloween, but I'm reviewing a Christmas book today -- see the green Santa hat on the skeleton. I figure if the stores are already stocked with holiday items and playing Christmas music, then I can start sharing some Christmas-themed books with all of you! I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I haven't read a Flavia de Luce novel. THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bradley has been near the top of my mystery pile and I never seem to get around to reading it with all of the new releases. So it wasn't until I received a copy of the latest Flavia novel I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS as part of the Random House Early Bird Read that I finally discovered what all of the fuss was about. I can see why this series has been so popular with readers. It was positively delightful! I just adored I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS! My only regret is that I haven't yet read the first three books in the series. That's not to say that I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS doesn't work as a stand-alone novel because it most certainly does. It just means that I enjoyed the story and the characters so much that I wish I had started at the very beginning of Flavia's adventures. Needless to say, I will be picking up THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE in the very near future. I had pretty high expectations when I picked up I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS because I knew that THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE was critically acclaimed, an award winner, and a best-seller; and I have to say that I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS lived up to all of my expectations. I loved Mr. Bradley's writing style and I thought the mystery was a good one. However, what I adored most about this novel was Flavia. She is one fantastic character, and maybe even one of my favorite amateur sleuths to date! For those of you who have not yet discovered the wonder of Flavia de Luce, I'll tell you a little bit about her. She's an remarkable tween girl who's extremely intelligent and loves chemistry and poisons. On one hand, she seems like an adult with her mature insight into crimes and her resourcefulness; but on the other hand, she seems like a pretty typical pre-teen girl... especially when it comes to her antagonistic relationship with her two older sisters and her naivete about social situations. She is truly one amazing sleuth and I absolutely love her insight as well as her wit. She just cracks me up -- especially when she concocted a chemical formula to "catch" Saint Nick in a sticky situation! Another really fantastic thing about I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS was the setting. I admit that I wasn't exactly thrilled that this book took place in the 1950s on Flavia's family estate in England. (I'm not sure why but it just seemed kind of stuffy.) But I must say, that I loved Buckshaw. Buckshaw definitely can to life in this story and in some ways, it was almost a secondary character. Buckshaw is in decay because Flavia's father can no longer afford to keep up with the repairs, so he allows a filming crew to rent the house and grounds. It ends up that Buckshaw is an ideal location for a holiday gathering of the town people as well as the murder of a famous actress. I admit that I loved Flavia so much that the mystery was almost secondary to me. When I think back on this novel, though, I would say that the mystery was very intriguing. Since there were many people in the house for the filming and the charity performance of the stars, the entire population of the town and the film crew were suspects. Flavia quickly narrowed the list using her extremely insightful intuition, and she eventually solved the crime and even ensnared the suspects. The ending of the novel is action-packed and very entertaining! I really can't rave enough about Flavia and her crime-solving capabilities. Highly recommended! Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this novel. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Posted by Julie P. at 12:03 AM Labels: Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Mondays, Review 12 comments: Beth F said... I adore Flavia! I haven't gotten to this one yet, but I'm so happy that you weren't disappointed. October 31, 2011 at 7:03 AM I have read each and every Flavia de Luce book and love each one more and more...can not wait for this one. October 31, 2011 at 7:23 AM Karlie said... I haven't read any Flavia books either...sounds very entertaining. October 31, 2011 at 7:54 AM rhapsodyinbooks said... I just read the first book but I was one of the few who (even though I did like Flavia) wasn't enamored enough to keep going in the series. I'm glad you liked it though! October 31, 2011 at 7:56 AM Serena said... Looks like you now have an excuse to read the first books in the series. Happy reading. October 31, 2011 at 8:00 AM I read the first book, and fell in love with Flavia and her spunk, but haven't managed to get to anymore books in the series. Your review is fantastic! October 31, 2011 at 8:43 AM Wonderful review, Julie! Count me in as a Flavia fan. October 31, 2011 at 8:58 AM Sandy Nawrot said... Argh. I have the first one on my shelves, along with a billion other things I want to read, but haven't made the time. I particularly love the covers of these books. October 31, 2011 at 10:26 AM Anonymous said... I had no idea he was coming out with a Christmas themed Flavia mystery. How fun! October 31, 2011 at 11:25 AM Farin said... I hadn't read any of the Flavia books before I got the early bird read, and, like you, I was an immediate convert. Love Flavia, love the setting, love everything! I can't wait to read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. October 31, 2011 at 12:05 PM joanna said... I love Flavia! The actual plot of the story is always secondary to me, I just love her character, the way she looks at things in a different way. And the science - so very cool! October 31, 2011 at 5:04 PM Thanks for letting me know about I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS, I didn't know Alan Bradley had another one for us. :)	7,700
A rather large factory covered by a force-field, this factory is held up with two gigantic rockets. The force-field is filled with a translucent smog being pumped out through the factory. On top of the force-field is an exhaust pipe where most of the smog from the factory gets pumped out through directly into space. Not important / Unknown. Locations Xushueria: The capital of Uthenia, hosts the mother's home. Xushueria is also where most of the military bases reside. Xushueria's sector name is Sector-STAR, because of it being incredibly important as it hosts the mother and military. It's hard to pin-point exactly why the kloegarbs called it that. The Xushueria is composed mainly of rich kloegarb and kloeber dormitories. Clovania: Clovania is where most of the hospitals reside and where a lot of the medical professionals and klougart dormitories are, other then that, Clovania isn't really that special. Clovanias sector name is Sector-MED. Mastrela: Where most of the factory part of the planet resides, along with a ton of kloegarb dormitories. There's even a large warehouse where you can buy some of the machinery produced from the factory for some credits. Clovanias sector name is Sector-IND. None. • Their home planet being a factory is what gave the kloegarb their endurance as they adapted to the smog. • The factories highest sales have been circa 1 billion credits. • The kloegarbs don't have houses, instead they have use dormitories mainly because their planet is just one gigantic factory.	1,537
Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure your vehicle stays reliable, and lets you avoid major repairs as well as the expenses that come with them. At Fast Auto & Tire, we provide a complete preventative maintenance program, and carry all the necessary parts and expertise to take care of the little jobs that let you avoid the big ones. Choose from a comprehensive range of the fluids, oils, filters, and belts that your vehicle needs to keep running happily and healthily. Relax while your ride is inspected by our highly-trained technicians, and rest assured that it'll keep running smoothly for miles and miles. The first part of our preventative maintenance program deals with your vehicle's fluids. Your car needs these fluids to keep running smoothly and prevent overheating. Most of our fluid change services are completed quickly so you can get back on the road in Bentonville, AR. Our technicians are happy to monitor and refill your engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, power steering and wiper fluids. We also perform checks on your radiator to ensure there are no small leaks caused by stones and other road debris. The next area of our program deals with the filters in your car. Whether filtering oil, fuel, or air, your car's engine and drivetrain rely on pure ingredients free from power-robbing particles. Your vehicle's fuel system, for example, wants only the purest gasoline or diesel. When microscopic particles build up in the system over time they reduce its efficiency and cause issues like decreased gas mileage. The same goes for your engine's air filter. An engine needs a mix of fuel and air to create combustion, and that can't happen if your motor can't breathe. Regularly changing your car's filters will prevent this from occurring. Fast Auto & Tire will make sure all your car's filters are flowing smoothly and clear, as well as the often-overlooked cabin air filter which can make a huge difference in how pleasant a car is to be inside. Tire balancing is an important area of preventative maintenance where we excel. If your car's tires are out of balance, they could be putting undue strain on components in the suspension, braking, and drivetrain systems, which can cost you greatly further down the road. Ensuring a smooth ride with professionally balanced wheels and tires is a much cheaper, easier, and safer way to make sure your car stays on the road, while ensuring a long life for your tires. Your car's timing belts are extremely important to examine during the course of preventative maintenance. There are a number of events that need to take place for one full revolution of your car's engine. These belts ensure that they all line up with each other, and occur at exactly the right moment. Should the belts become damaged or break, the events can fall out of sync and happen at the wrong time, which can be seriously detrimental to the health of your engine and your car overall. Fast Auto & Tire ensures that all your car's belts are healthy, and that all of those events keep happening at exactly the right time. If you want Fast Auto & Tire to make sure that your vehicle is well-equipped to continue transporting you safely for years to come, call us at 479-254-8080, or visit us in Bentonville, AR so we can schedule a time to take a look at it! What our clients are saying about us We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs! Have always done a great job taking care of both of my Hondas ('04 Pilot, '09 Accord), and more reasonably priced than the dealership. The best! I highly recommend. Did a really good job and great customer service! 1308 SW Elm Tree Rd Call today at 479-254-8080 or come by the shop at 1308 SW Elm Tree Rd, Bentonville, AR, 72712. Ask any car or truck owner in Bentonville who they recommend. Chances are they will tell you Fast Auto & Tire.	4,066
Month: November 2019 September 2, 2020 November 27, 2019 by Haq There are so many several dating sites to choose from that it can be a little overwhelming when you are trying to pick the right international dating site. It could possibly seem like you have to know what one to choose, https://beautybride.org but there are many things that you must look for when choosing the right one. First of all that you should perform is have a look at different world-wide dating websites and compare them to the other person. You don’t have to choose the site that is certainly most expensive, or has the best features, however you do make sure that you get the type of service you will need. Many people choose sites based on what features they give, but they neglect to discover what others think about the site. You want to look for a site that offers a good service plan, but also has good review articles and customer reviews from other people. This will help one to see if you are getting the very best service and support away of your site. Also, when you are looking into a worldwide dating internet site, you should try and find out if they offer free services, as some sites is not going to. These cost-free services are usually just for the sign up method, but it could be a great way to satisfy new people. Yet , if you are looking for any more everlasting relationship, you might want to go with a more traditional website. It has the not as tricky as you may think, but you need to be careful. How to get a Beautiful Mexican Woman September 2, 2020 November 26, 2019 by Haq If you are a guy interested in looking at a beautiful Asian girl that has wonderful skin tone, an ideal place to start looking is over the Internet. You will find hundreds of sites that accommodate specifically to this kind of niche. You will probably be able to get many free sites that feature photos of numerous Latin females. These sites are generally very popular, individuals that offer excellent photos. All you have to do to find these sites is normally do a search for the purpose of “Latino dating”Latino singles. inch You will be overcome by the outcomes, so make an effort to narrow your to the types that have a very high quality photo. Beautiful Latina Woman Inventory Photos — If you want a photo that can be used with the hope of getting to start a date with this particular female, then you ought to look at her body type. One thing that you should perform is pay attention to the general body type that you discover in the photographs that you are considering. Latina women tend to have a round body, thus try to find a photo that implies that part of their particular body. There is also the possibility that over in the picture is not really the real person, so it may be necessary to provide an idea of how real Latino body would look like in order to find a picture that is flattering. If the woman inside the picture offers long hip and legs, then the person posting the style could be a knee fetishist. In the event the woman inside the picture has a large amount of cleavage, it would be possible that they are simply overweight and have absolutely a high body fat percentage. Beautiful Latin Female Stock Photographs – When you are not sure that you are actually searching for a single girl, then search for a site that caters specifically to couples trying to find Panamian women for brides occassions. With a site like this, you may not have to worry about finding someone’s sensitive information and you will be capable to browse through many photos of gorgeous Latin ladies. You can also find websites that will allow one to pay a small fee to get unlimited access to photos and information. When you know that you intend to see a particular woman, you can choose a web page that is going to provide you with both the ideal chance to meet the right female. What exactly Foreign Going out with Site and exactly how Can it Assist Find a Significant other? September 2, 2020 November 6, 2019 by Haq Foreign dating sites have grown to be more popular. A large number of people choose to spend their amount of time in the comfort of their particular country, and foreign dating sites are an suitable opportunity for individuals who want to do that. But what simply is a foreign dating internet site? This article will make an effort to give you some information about these people. Foreign dating sites have become most popular as of late. More people are discovering that they have to go a different nation in order to find the kind of love and companionship they www.beautybride.org/ want. Not everyone can travel to countries where they are simply not indigenous, and a lot of people choose to use a dating internet site. There are many benefits of using these websites to find your perfect match, nevertheless the main the initial one is the fact to get to spend more hours in a new country. Minus any thought how to approach foreign dating sites, therefore read on. As you look for a overseas dating web page, it is important that you look at the webpage carefully contracts up. Overseas dating sites are inclined to be a reduced amount of formal than other dating sites. They have an English dialect section, and that means you don’t have to speak a second terminology to start going out with. These sites in addition have a section where you could read the single profiles of the people you are interested in. You can look at what the person has discussed themselves and what their very own hobbies happen to be. Of course , this is simply not an excuse to never ask them anything about themselves. This way, you will be able to inform if they are truly the person they will claim to be or perhaps if they are just trying to que contiene you.	6,039
Replacing broken tooth is a common dental procedure. It is now possible to repair cracked and broken tooth using advanced dental technology. A dental professional will evaluate your situation and recommend the most effective treatment. There are several options to choose from, such as dental implants, temporary partial dentures, or composite bonding. Dental implants are a popular solution for missing tooth because of their comfort, functionality, and longevity. But they require a multistep procedure. Before getting one, it is important to talk to your dentist and learn all about the treatment. Here’s what you can expect from a dental implant. Listed below are some benefits and disadvantages of dental implants. First of all, dental implants are highly durable and lifelike. Implants are made of biocompatible titanium, which allows them to blend into your body. In addition, the success rate of dental implant placement is nearly 98 percent. And if you take care of them properly, they will last for many years. Dental implants can last as long as 30 years. However, you should follow some basic maintenance practices after receiving them. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day and using fluoride are essential. Also, you need to watch what you eat. You should avoid crunchy and hard foods, as they can damage the implants. In addition to restoring your appearance and your self-esteem, dental implants can improve your speech and nutrition. Composite bonding is a treatment that involves filling the tooth with a composite material. The dentist will prepare the tooth before applying the composite material. The composite will be color-matched to the tooth and shaped with the aid of a curing light. Once it has cured, the tooth will be polished for a natural-looking result. Composite bonding can replace broken tooth and restore bite function. This process is less invasive than other dental procedures. It is usually completed in a single visit to the dentist and does not require anesthesia. First, the dentist will remove plaque from the tooth. Next, the dentist will use an acidic gel to open up tiny pores on the tooth surface. Then, a thin layer of the composite resin will be painted on. The resin hardens under ultraviolet light. A composite bonding treatment can be applied to a tooth in a single dental appointment. It is made from a special composite resin, which mimics the look and feel of the natural tooth. The resin is color-matched to the natural shade of the tooth, so that the restoration will look natural. The procedure can be done very quickly, and can last for many years with proper care. Porcelain veneers are incredibly thin porcelain shells that are placed over the front of your tooth. They are very similar to natural tooth enamel and are very effective in hiding aesthetic imperfections. They can also fix multiple problems, including chipped or broken tooth, uneven spacing, and misalignment. This treatment is fast and easy, requiring just two dental visits. Broken tooth can cause you a lot of pain, especially when you eat hot or cold food. Sometimes, however, there is no pain. Broken tooth can be repaired using porcelain veneers, which are shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of your tooth. They are an excellent solution for restoring broken tooth and can be customized to give you the smile of your dreams. Unlike crowns, porcelain veneers can be customized to look just like natural tooth. They can be tailored to fit your smile and can correct tooth discoloration as well. Although whitening can help hide minor stains, porcelain veneers can help cover up discoloration caused by drugs or overuse of fluoride. They are also highly durable and can blend in with your natural tooth. A temporary partial denture is a temporary replacement for a single tooth. While temporary dentures may not function as well as permanent tooth replacement options, they can provide relief to your tooth and tissues. To maintain the hygiene of your partial denture, use a soft brush and denture cleaning tablets. Make sure you rinse your partial denture with clean water after each use. To avoid breakages, do not bite or chew on your partials. There are several different types of temporary dentures, including removable dentures and fixed bridges. Removable partial dentures are the least expensive. But they don’t last very long and aren’t very comfortable. Fixed partial dentures, also known as dental bridges, last for several years. They are made of ceramic, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or all-metal, and feature false tooth secured with two dental crowns on each side. Another type of temporary partial denture is a flipper denture. This type of denture is made of acrylic dental-grade resin and is cheaper than partial dentures. Flipper dentures may not be as functional as a full-coverage denture, but can be worn at social events and in public. Up Next Don't Miss You may like Click to comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Health Proper food combining along with the nutritional value can improve health and gut health helping one heal IBD naturally. Published on November 15, 2022 By The term “inflammatory bowel disease,” sometimes known as “IBD,” is used to put together a number of illnesses that affect the digestive tract and cause inflammation. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the two illnesses that make up this condition in considerable part. The consequences of ulcerative colitis typically mainly affect the colon and the inner linings of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease tends to affect more digestive system organs and produces inflammation in more layers of the organs. These diseases are chronic, and since they affect one of the body’s most vital systems, the one in charge of supplying nutrition, they frequently have a negative impact on general health and quality of life. Several diseases, including indigestion, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, blood in the stool or vomit, poor energy, nutritional deficiencies, and a negative effect on mental and physical health are among the symptoms of IBD. Although there is little knowledge about these diseases and they are frequently left out of normal health discussions, they tend to affect a considerable number of people. One million cases are recorded annually in a single country like India. Nearly 450 instances are reported for every 10,000 people worldwide. Many people suffer in silence because they are embarrassed to discuss their lack of drive for exercise and their painful yet frequent visits to the bathroom. But there are solutions to heal IBD naturally. IBD is caused by gut imbalance, just as other gastrointestinal disorders. Gut Inflammation and other IBD-related symptoms are caused by a poor lifestyle and dietary habits. These issues can be taken care of by a gut microbiome test. That can help you discover unhealthy bacterias in your microbiome that are causing inflammation. Despite the fact that the exact cause of IBD is still unknown, studies indicate that the intake of particular foods, marijuana or cigarette smoking, and a lack of exercise have all been connected to flare-ups and the development of IBD. Since IBD is caused by poor lifestyle choices, it is simple to address the issue, take precautions, or recover from IBD naturally by making the necessary modifications in one’s diet. Here are several methods for treating IBD naturally so that you won’t need to depend on prescription drugs, medical treatments, or surgery for the rest of your life: Portion Regulation Most individuals are unaware of the damage that overeating may bring to the gut health and digestive system. Overeating or stuffing oneself puts additional stress on your stomach and digestive system. A consistently overworked bowel will result in stagnant mass in the intestines, which after some time begins to disintegrate. Limiting the Amount of Cooked Food Have you ever considered how animals consume food in its natural state and thrive on uncooked food? This is due to the fact that this is how food was meant to be consumed. In contrast to this, humans now frequently cook and overcook their meals. This is damaging because it leads to processes that degrade nutrients and are in charge of the food’s thermal deterioration. Food becomes hazardous after cooking. This has an adverse effect on the body, as does our tendency to microwave meals and employ other dangerous ways that release radiation. Avoid Animal Based Products This is one of the leading causes of inflammatory bowel diseases. Animal-based products such as meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy contain saturated fat. Foods such as red meat are high in cholesterol and have several disadvantages. Animals-based food is more difficult to digest and stresses the digestive tract causing flares. These foods are also quick to spoil and, in many instances, turn rancid even after ingestion. This disrupts the natural balance of the body and has adverse effects on gut health. If you intend to heal IBD naturally, animal-based products are to be avoided at all costs. It is important to switch to a plant-based diet to avoid flares and to heal your body. Try to add uncooked food such as salads, smoothies etc in your meal to help your body health IBD naturally. Avoid animal based food such as meat, sea-food, and dairy containing saturated fat. Food like red meat is high in cholesterol and has various disadvantages. Even if you opt for a good food combination by adding fruits, proteins, plant based diet and eliminating animal based products, your bowel can take more than you think. Or even cause other issues. So, it is better to understand your gut health with a microbiome test from Bione. This can help you discover the exact cause of IBS and also this test report comes with a personalized diet plan that will certainly help you to improve your gut health. Health Do you figure you can’t stop that joint pain inflammation torment? Published on November 15, 2022 By Excellent news! You can take action right now. simple and effective Pain O Soma 500 Mg painkillers from joint inflammation subject matter experts and make your joint pain life easier right now. Safeguard your people. Try not to keep your people in the same situation for an extended period of time. Day in and day out, rate your sleep and work. Use the most knowledgeable people available at work. Extending should be an important part of a patient’s daily routine if they have joint inflammation. Great stretching prevents injury by heating the muscles and ligaments, which have many joints and are less likely to tear. Every day, spend at least 10 minutes stretching and working out each major muscle group. Allow it to cool. Put down your active work Relax in a cool location. To relieve inflammation, pain, and irritation in the joints, sprinkle a mist of cold water on them or wrap ice or a cold pack in a towel and put it on them. Go. Exercise can help reduce joint pain and stiffness while increasing adaptability and muscle strength. It can also help to weight the board, stress the executives, and make you feel a lot better. The Arthritis Foundation also provides water therapy and other classes. Knead treatment can relieve your pain, relax your muscles, and reduce irritation and aggravation. Another option is Pain O Soma. Which gives relief from muscle pain. Make sure to use oil or cream on your fingers to make them softer. If possible, work the area for five to ten minutes per day. Maintain a healthy weight. Even with some restraint, weight influences the joints and can aggravate joint pain. According to research, being overweight reduces the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Getting in shape can help to postpone the progression of joint pain. Make your decision If you experience side effects like agony, firmness, or swelling for more than a week, you should consider seeing your primary care physician and getting a diagnosis. Remember that there are over 100 different types of joint inflammation. It is very important to find out for sure what kind of joint pain you are having. Take your medication as directed Try not to stop taking your medication because you believe it is ineffective. First, consult with your primary care physician. You should be aware that the medication can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to work. Also, it is a well-known saying that any illness spreads as quickly as a pony and as quickly as lice. Take a look at the new options Other new medications for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid joint inflammation, and other joint pain have recently received FDA approval. If you believe your current Pain O Soma 500mg prescriptions aren’t working properly, speak with your doctor about any new options. Medication may occasionally stop working due to a variety of factors. Continue to educate yourself It is significant to learn something new about arthritis. Find other fantastic websites on the web and purchase their pamphlet if they have one. Join one of two web-based joint pain networks that serve as discussion or notice boards. Go ahead and consult with your primary care physician to get clarification on any pressing issues. because your health is important to you and your family members. So don’t throw it away simply because of a delay. Peripheral Sensitization/Ectopic Nerve Action This instrument is accountable for torment detected without any outside help. Unrestricted nerve movement has been observe in both the harmed nerve and the unharmed adjacent nerves. This unrestricted movement is thought to be related to an increase in voltage-gat sodium channel articulation. This expanded articulation accounts for decreased enactment edges and increased layer volatility. Changes in the expression of different channels, like K+, that don’t make sense are also possible but are less well understood. Protein regulation is also alter by nerve damage. For example, TRPV1 (transient receptor protein V1), for example, is downregulate at harm filaments but upregulated at adjacent unharmed strands when activated at poisonous boosts of around 40 degrees Celsius. This could lower the enactment temperature (for example, to 38 degrees Celsius, close to the internal heat level) and give the impression of poisonous intensity/consuming boosts near the site. Sensitization to Focus The arrival of excitatory neuropeptides and amino acids in the dorsal horn is caused by regular releases from fringe nerves. This causes the phosphorylation of NMDA and AMPA receptors as well as the activation of voltage-gated sodium channels (like ectopic nerve action). Through the activation of mechanosensitive A-beta and A-delta afferent strands interfacing with second-request nociceptive neurons, this results in neuronal hyperexcitability and can cause allodynia and hyperalgesia. Inflammatory reaction Inflammation causes the formation of microglia in both the nerve and the dorsal root ganglion. Cytokines, chemokines, substance P, TNF-alpha, and other proinflammatory factors are produce. These elements help with neuropathic pain by increasing neuron volatility. Health Published on November 15, 2022 By The hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can hasten the recovery process for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, and chronic non-healing wounds. It also involves healing the infections where oxygen-starved tissues exist. You enter a special chamber for this therapy where the air pressure is 1.5–3 times greater than usual, allowing you to breathe only pure oxygen. The goal is to get enough oxygen into the blood so that tissues can heal and the body can return to its normal state. best paying jobs in office equipment/supplies/services Two types of chambers are used in hyperbaric oxygen therapy: This compartment can fit just one person. It’s a long plastic tube with an MRI machine-like appearance. The patient slides into the chamber. It is gradually compressed with only oxygen. There can be two or more people in this chamber at once. Most of the treatment is the same. People now breathe pure oxygen through masks or hoods, which is the key. You might receive the procedure while being accompanied by a therapist in the chamber. What happens during HBOT? Only a medical professional should recommend HBOT. These chambers are available at several hospitals. In these oxygen chambers, people relax, sit or sleep comfortably, and breathe deeply. Depending on the need for the treatment, sessions may last 45 minutes or 300 minutes.As the pressure increases, as it does on a flight or in the mountains, your ears could feel plugged. The ears will “pop” back to normal after swallowing or chewing gum. The extra oxygen is carried by your blood throughout your body, supplying wounded tissues with the extra oxygen they require to begin healing. After a session, you can experience dizziness. Headaches, weariness, and claustrophobia are just a few of the minor adverse effects. Always have someone drive you home after an HBOT session. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, like the majority of medical procedures, has risks. Fire safety is a key component of our strategy due to the high volumes of oxygen involved. For a number of reasons, the risk of fire in a hyperbaric environment is concerning. Three requirements must be fulfilled for a fire to start: enough fuel, enough oxygen, and an ignition source. The hyperbaric chamber provides a high level of oxygen during treatments. Additionally, fuel is constantly available in the form of fabric, paper, etc. Therefore, throughout a treatment, there is always a chance that a fire will start. Rapid evacuation is not usually possible because of the pressurised chamber’s enclosed design, which makes it impossible to open the door swiftly. For the same reason, it is challenging to quickly ventilate smoke and toxic fumes that accompany flames. Fire safety is of the utmost importance due to these risks, and many measures have been taken to help prevent fire and immediately put it out if it does occur. The chamber is outfitted with sophisticated fire control devices in case a fire does start. An attendant can manually inoculate any flames with water from a fire hose that is located within the chamber. The chamber is fitted with a deluge system that can be started manually, automatically, or by an outside or inside attendant. This deluge system, when activated, sends out huge water jets that cover every surface in the chamber and quickly put out any flames. Prevention of fire Our guidelines lower risky amounts of fuel, ignition sources, and oxygen content to lessen the likelihood of fire. The chamber is outfitted with sophisticated fire control devices in case a fire does start. An attendant can manually inoculate any flames with water from a fire hose that is located within the chamber. The chamber is fitted with a deluge system that can be started manually, automatically, or by an outside or inside attendant. This deluge system, when activated, sends out huge water jets that cover every surface in the chamber and quickly put out any flames. Prevention of fire Our guidelines lower risky amounts of fuel, ignition sources, and oxygen content to lessen the likelihood of fire. The chamber is outfitted with sophisticated fire control devices in case a fire does start. An attendant can manually inoculate any flames with water from a fire hose that is located within the chamber. The chamber is fitted with a deluge system that can be started manually, automatically, or by an outside or inside attendant. This deluge system, when activated, sends out huge water jets that cover every surface in the chamber and quickly put out any flames. Prevention of fire Our guidelines lower risky amounts of fuel, ignition sources, and oxygen content to lessen the likelihood of fire.	20,726
Probably nothing. It happens. December 31 is one day, January 1 is the next day. There’s no significance aside from whatever we decide to give it. But…here we are. Celebrating — or at least acknowledging — it anyway. And it’s difficult to resist looking back at what the previous year has been. People say it’s better to look ahead to the next. It probably is. That doesn’t really change anything; nobody knows how things will work out. 2015, if you’d like to know, was one of the most difficult I’ve ever had. I try hard not to turn this into a personal blog, and, largely, I succeed at that. There’s no reason to keep that stuff out of here — it’s my site, after all — but I like the fact that I can turn to Noiseless Chatter as an escape. As something apart from whatever else it is I’m dealing with at the time…even if I inevitably have to go back to it. A new year is a new year. It means nothing and feels like it should mean everything. When 2015 started, I was in probably the best situation I’ve ever been in. About halfway through, that changed, and I was probably in the worst. Month to month, week to week, day to day, you never really know what to expect. A few years back I made all the wrong decisions and ended up in a very bad place. No surprise there. This year I made all the right ones…and ended up in a very bad place anyway. What’s the moral? What’s the lesson? Why bother? Isn’t it easier to be a shit? A miser? A pain in the ass? If you end up in the same place…why do it the hard way? Why put your trust in people? Why hope for anything? Why work for anything? It’s all fleeting. At best you find what you wanted and keep it until you die. More likely you don’t hold onto it that long, or don’t find it at all. In the end, does it matter? Of course it matters, and it matters because you don’t know how things will work out. I started last year high, found myself low. But you know what? I ended it in a good place again. Just as things can pivot and change for the worst tomorrow, they can pivot again the day after that. Everybody’s going to experience their ups and downs. Bad things will happen to good people and good things will happen to bad people. So why bother being good? Because when you’re good, you deserve those good things. And when you’re good and bad things happen to you, people will be there to help. That’s the difference. It’s not karma or any kind of cosmic balance that’s gone askew. It’s life. And you’re going to go through the worst things imaginable, no matter who you are. The difference is that if you’re good, people will be there to help you through those times. And if you’re good, you’ll be there to help them as well. This year won’t be any easier than the last. It might even be a little harder, for all of us. We’re all older. Our metabolism is slowing down. We’re closer to grey hair, or no hair. We’re closer to death. 2015 is over, and none of us are getting it back. If we had a shit year and want to try again, too bad. If we had a great year, too bad. It’s gone. Do something this year. I don’t care what it is. Nobody but you should care what it is. Do something. If it costs money, spend the money. If it costs time, invest the time. Because this is it. Whatever amount of time you have left on this planet, it’s decreasing. That arrow only points in one direction. Figure it out. There’s something that will make you happy. What is it? What’s stopping you from getting there? Figure it out. Now. Do it. There will never be a better time. There will be less time, but never a better time. We live in a scary world. We live in a confusing world. Above all, we live in a world that has no interest in our personal definitions of fairness. Figure out what you want to do, and do it. Do it for you. Nobody else in the world is going to do it for you, so do it for yourself. Maybe the thing you need is really getting rid of something else you don’t need. Something holding you back or breaking your spirit or slowing you down. Maybe getting rid of that thing will hurt somebody you don’t want to hurt. Maybe that’s still for the best. One day you’ll die, and that’ll be it. The things you did are the things you did, and the things you didn’t do you will never do. If you died tomorrow, would you be satisfied? Why not? What haven’t you done? Why aren’t you doing it? How can you get to the point that you’re doing it? Do it. One day you will die, and the odds are good that it won’t be on your own terms. It won’t be when you’re ready. It won’t wait for you to get around to that thing you’ve always meant to get around to. There’s something out there that you want. Go get it. If it’s not something that will impress anyone else, or is important to anyone else, good news: it’s your life. You’re doing it for you. Do it for you. It’s just another year. 2016, 2017, 2015. What’s the difference, really? Probably nothing. It happens. December 31 is one day, January 1 is the next day. There’s no significance aside from whatever we decide to give it. So give it some significance. New Year’s Day is, if nothing else, a very useful reminder of how quickly an entire year of your life slipped away. Posted on January 1, 2016 October 9, 2021 Author Philip J ReedCategories Meta, personal Adam Lore says: January 1, 2016 at 6:37 pm I love the change of the new year, I get genuinely motivated to achieve goals and make real changes. I am also glad that 2016 is an even number. Even numbered years tend to feel more comfortable to me than most odd numbered years. The extra bonus is that ’16 is not only even, but also a power of two! Now we’re talkin’!	5,706
If you are focused on doing all you can to support a healthy and long life, you are surely already exercising, eating a balanced diet, and trying to manage your stress level. But among the popular things people are doing these days to keep their bodies healthy for an extended period of time, focusing on including antioxidants may be one step that people are missing. Why? While data is mixed, some research suggests that the more antioxidants a person eats may be linked to a reduced risk of death among specific populations. One study published in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that diets with a higher antioxidant capacity were associated with a lower risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease mortality. What are antioxidants and how may they affect lifespan? So, what are antioxidants and how are they linked to longevity? To make sense of what these compounds are, we first have to understand what happens in the body that makes them so important to have in our diets. During our normal lives, our bodies produce free radicals, which over time can cause oxidative stress in our bodies. While everyone will experience some oxidative stress, this effect can be elevated due to factors like eating fried foods, experiencing high amounts of stress, and smoking cigarettes. Too much oxidative stress is linked to some negative health outcomes, including Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers. Some data even suggest that too much oxidative stress is linked to an increased risk of early death. Antioxidants can help neutralize the free radicals that cause oxidative stress, highlighting why including antioxidant-rich foods is incredibly important to a healthy diet. It is important to note, however, that while some data suggest that eating antioxidant-rich foods may help people live a longer life, antioxidant supplements don't appear to offer the same benefits. How to include more antioxidants in your diet There is no doubt that antioxidants are important to include in your diet to combat an excess amount of oxidative stress. However, since approximately 90% of Americans aren't eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, a key source of antioxidants, it is safe to assume that many of us are not including enough of this nutrient in our diet. If you are on the hunt for some delicious and antioxidant-rich options to include in your balanced and healthy diet to ensure that you are fueling yourself with these important compounds, here are six that should absolutely be on your radar. Berries While there are slight differences in the antioxidant content of different varieties of berries, people can rest assured that enjoying these fruity morsels will fuel the body with a significant amount of antioxidants. So no matter whether you are grabbing a handful of raspberries, blueberries, or otherwise, doing so will help your body have what it needs to combat some of the oxidative stress you may have in your body. Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Including this indulgent favorite in your diet can give your body a boost of antioxidants along with that classic taste that many of us know and love. Thank the natural cocoa used to make chocolate for the antioxidant addition, as this ingredient contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods. Coffee and Tea Yes, what you drink can make a difference in the antioxidant department too. Both coffee and tea contain natural antioxidants that can offer unique benefits for our overall health. Pistachios are one of the very few foods high in antioxidants that are also a complete protein—meaning they have all nine essential amino acids normally found in animal-based proteins. And a new study conducted by Cornell University and published in the journal Nutrients found that pistachios have a high antioxidant capacity. In fact, the antioxidant capacity of pistachios rivals that of popular antioxidant-containing foods, including blueberries, pomegranates, cherries, and red wine. Believe it or not, but small red beans may have more antioxidants than foods classically-known as an antioxidant source, like berries. Adding red beans to your diet can be as simple as stirring in some beans into your sauces or adding some beans to your chili recipe. Orange juice is a go-to immune-enhancing drink that many of us know and love. But this natural beverage also contains an array of potent antioxidants including flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. And since it is a drink made with only one ingredient and no added sugar (just as long as you're buying a carton that says "100% orange juice"), it is a convenient choice for sneaking in more antioxidants in your life. at November 15, 2022 Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Blog Archive December 2022 (17) November 2022 (29) October 2022 (31) August 2022 (5) July 2022 (31) June 2022 (49) May 2022 (35) April 2022 (36) March 2022 (21) February 2022 (23) January 2022 (16) December 2021 (22) November 2021 (17) October 2021 (50) September 2021 (192) August 2021 (309) July 2021 (393) June 2021 (455) May 2021 (330) April 2021 (208) March 2021 (229) February 2021 (272) January 2021 (281) December 2020 (201) November 2020 (220) October 2020 (252) September 2020 (314) August 2020 (278) July 2020 (310) June 2020 (199) May 2020 (275) April 2020 (217) March 2020 (247) February 2020 (223) January 2020 (191) December 2019 (139) November 2019 (201) October 2019 (183) September 2019 (177) August 2019 (128) July 2019 (143) June 2019 (118) May 2019 (111) April 2019 (106) March 2019 (134) February 2019 (34) January 2019 (53) December 2018 (91) November 2018 (87) October 2018 (78) September 2018 (13) August 2018 (20) July 2018 (7) June 2018 (27) May 2018 (36) April 2018 (45) March 2018 (46) February 2018 (99) January 2018 (122) December 2017 (133) November 2017 (87)	6,173
Due to health reasons I'm very fussy about the quality and ethics of the meat I buy. But grass fed, organic/free range meat is SO expensive. I also have a lot of dietary restrictions, so ready made things aren't an option for me. I've found a company that is a farm and butcher all in one. They are within 200km of home (I'm in a major city, so cattle farms aren't just up the road!) You can choose to buy large amounts of meat - up to a whole cow if you have the freezer space. I get a 1/4 cow, and spend a day portioning it out into one meal serves for my husband and I. This way we are getting the amount we need and not wasting money by eating more than we actually need. I prepare most of the mince into ready made patties with herbs and salt and pepper and this saves a lot of time on busy days. And if I run out of plain mince, I can still use these for most meals even with the flavouring in them. I cut the steaks down to weight and save all the off cuts for packages of diced meat. While I'm doing this, I throw all the fat into my slow cooker and render it down so I've got tallow as well. This gets frozen in small amounts and used instead of oil. For a day's work I usually save $400 - $500 vs buying it in smaller amounts from organic butchers and I know for certain I'm reducing food transport distance and supporting local farmers! Contributed by Sonja Smout I buy BBQ meat when on special; it makes the best goulash, stew and soup. I can buy it for $22 for 2 kilos on special at my local butcher, cheaper than chuck steak, gravy beef etc. Contributed by Di Koszek I used to buy meat at the one of big supermarkets every fortnight. I was spending $60-$80 and finding the quality poor, almost no flavour and for what I spent, I didn't seem get a lot in those little meat trays. I started to put $60 a fortnight in a pig shaped money box that I call my "meat savings" and bought nothing at the supermarket. I now go to the butcher once a month and spend $99 on a bulk pack of meat that does us for a month! With the excess "meat savings" once every 3 months I buy a side of pork or we treat ourselves and go out for tea or even sometimes go away for a weekend. My "meat savings" has caught on with the family too and now my sister-in-law does the same thing and we split the side of pork, which lets us keep more in our piggy banks! It's also handy for those occasions when you see a good meat special as you always have extra to go out and stock up the freezer! Contributed by Eimar McNeil My thoughts are, first calculate present weekly meat costs and any wastage, including sourcing the meats. Then consider how long it will take to use what you purchase. I live alone and use a freezer but supplement when I see good markdowns on meat and seafood or poultry at my regular shopping venues. There are lots of local places in Tassie that bulk sell. However I know two in the north of the state both worth considering. One is at Killafaddy. The other Coonmara Farm. The first you need to visit. The second packs as you wish, delivers to the door, can be ordered on line and is ethically farmed. Last time my sons family bought with another family from Coonmara and beef worked out at$4.50 per kg. Less than meat off cuts at their supermarket! Freezers are also great for markdowns like bread and veggies that can be frozen. A good new freezer costs little to run easily maintained. Contributed by Robyn Anderson, 29th October 2015 My parents used to lay buy half a cow with our local butcher. Mum would drop all her loose change and a little extra money coming home from work, and then when it was paid up we would get 6 months' worth of meat for a family of six delivered to us at a fraction of the normal cost. The cost would be market rates for the purchase and slaughter of the animal, then the butcher would keep half the meat as payment, and it worked well for both parties Contributed by Sonya Strachan, 29th October 2015 Vacuum Seal Meat before Freezing for Extended Storing When storing meat in the freezer for long term use it is a good idea to vacuum seal it. This extends shelf life up to 2-3 years and ensures that nothing goes to waste due to freezer burn. Vacuum sealers can be bought for less than $90 and will easily repay your investment. Contributed by Julie Ismail, 29th October 2015 Approximate $ Savings: $1000 per year Buy your meat in bulk from a super butcher. Your meat comes straight from the farmer to your butcher and is usually a better quality and mostly organic. You can buy half a cow pre cut for around $300. This should last the average family four - six months. Compared to spending $50 per week on meat you should be able to save around $1000 per year. Contributed by Alison, Hope Island, 8th January 2009 Foods high in protein are also toxic if not organic - including meat and milk. With a limited budget, the priority organics for a family's consumption are meat and milk products, then fruit and vegies, then last of all other things like tea, soap, breads etc. Contributed by Luisa Sommers, 27th April 2010 At the big chain supermarkets, items such as chicken breasts, thigh fillets and sausages are generally a few dollars cheaper per kilo in the serviced deli section compared to the identical product that is pre-packaged in the cold self-serve section. Contributed by Sara, Hobart, 19th January 2009 Instead of buying beef mince, try kangaroo mince for all beef recipes. There are many reasons why using kangaroo meat is good for you and for Australia. Try not to be squeamish, or say that we shouldn't eat our coat of arms, as both health and environment benefit. Kangaroo mince is now readily available in main supermarkets in SA and Victoria, (I used to bring it back from SA after family visits and can now get it in Victoria). One kilo costs $7! It is a very lean meat, so you are getting the health equivalent of the $15/kg heart health minced beef. You won't notice any difference in taste in bolognaise sauce etc. If you do find a taste difference, start with half beef and half kangaroo. It is MUCH better for our environment than beef and sheep, as the kangaroo does not have the same impact on the soil or on the grass or in poos and methane gas! Try kangaroo sausages too - called kanga bangas! 97% fat free, almost all MEAT not filler, gluten free available too and very tasty. Once you've tried kangaroo, you won't want to go back to expensive, fatty, environmentally friendly beef! Contributed by Vanessa, Alphington, 3rd November 2008 When you are buying meat or chicken at the supermarket, always look further than just the top tray. I was in my local supermarket and looked at some chicken breast fillets in a 'bulk' pack. They were marked at $11.99 a kilo. When I picked this up to look closer, I noticed the tray underneath was exactly the same stock with the same expiry date, only marked at $7.99 a kilo! It pays to notice the little details, as instead of paying $12 for 6 large fillets, I paid only $8, which I can stretch out to 3 meals for the family. Also, never assume that the stock with the SPECIAL sticker is actually cheaper- it pays to read the fine print. Contributed by Erin, Abernethy, 8th August 2008 If you deal direct with the farmers for all your meat products (after all the farmers do all the hard yakka) I live near Mittagong and James Brooks meats farms near Braidwood said there was no problem with delivery. The meat is export quality. I have placed my first order and I have saved heaps. Just Google "farm direct meat" to find one near you. I feel we need to support our local farmers and help the families trying to save some money .I am a senior and it will save me money. Contributed by Drina, Yerinbool, 6th June 2008 Approximate $ Savings: $5 to $10 per week If you have a meat-eating family and want to reduce your shopping bill try kangaroo fillets or kebabs. Gourmet Game brand, available in Victoria at Safeway and Coles, have marinated fillet steaks and kebabs at around $15 per kilogram. Instead of a steak dinner for two at anything from $10 to $15, we are now purchasing 2 kangaroo fillet steaks for about $5. As an extra bonus raising kangaroo for food is considered to be easier on the environment than cows and sheep. Contributed by Kelly, Mt. Waverley, 1st May 2008 I use 200gms of sliced meat for lunches. By buying it from the deli it is much cheaper per kilo and there is more variety. Roast beef, silverside and roast pork to name a few. For example silverside was on special for $10.99 a kilo ($2.00 for 200g). Well known pre packaged meat I calculated at $26.45per kilo. Less packaging when you buy from the deli as well. Contributed by Jennifer, Wattle Glen, 10th January 2008 Meat from the Wholesaler Our pay recently changed to monthly so I needed to find even cheaper more efficient ways to shop. Especially when it came to our meat. After some hunting around I found a Wholesale Butcher, they sell to retail butcher's. I found out they are open to the public 3 days a week, the only catch is you need spend a minimum of $100. Seeing I am now shopping for the month this is no longer a problem. I now spend approximately $110 a month on our meat bill. If you pay cash you also get 2kg Sausages thrown in too. They also have a VIP rewards program which was free to join, once you have spent $500 you get a $50 meat pack for free. I did a Google search and found there are heaps of Wholesaler Butchers around. Since finding this I now have a family of 4 grocery bill down to $350 per month. Contributed by Myf, Healesville, 11th September 2007 I used to buy meat where I buy everything else at the local supermarket, but then a friend recommended a local butcher "Barney Point Butchery". Went to check it out one day and discovered that I could buy 5 pork spare ribs, 300g bacon and 1kg of beef mince for about $15 a pop. I remembered back to the old days buying 500 grams of beef mince from the supermarket cold section for $9. I AM CONVERTED. I now do all of my meat grocery shopping at our local butcher! They are more friendly and helpful, the meat tastes better, its local produce and I'm supporting my local bloke and getting myself something in return! What could be better!? Contributed by Amanda, Gladstone, 16th August, 2007 If your usual supermarket stocks meat chances are they do the markdowns at the same time each week. My local Coles does it Friday at lunchtime. Visit your local a couple of times over the week to suss out when they do the mark downs. You can save up to 50% on your meat bill. Mark down products need to be frozen as soon as possible. Contributed by Elena, Cambridge Park, 12th November 2007 Reduced for Quick Sale Work out when your local supermarket usually discounts meat "for quick sale" and shop then. I save heaps of money buying meat the local supermarket has "reduced for quick sale" - I buy up big and then freeze it all for future use. Some might be a bit cautious about buying meat that is close to the use-by-date, but rest assured they wouldn't sell meat that's off and if you freeze it as soon as you get home there is absolutely no risk. And by the way, we also invested in a small upright freezer so we have enough room to freeze all the cheap meat we buy. This also allows us to buy things like mince and chicken thighs in bulk (and hence cheaper) and separate them into meal-sized portions in snap lock bags before freezing. Contributed by Leah, Port Fairy, 2nd September 2007 This is a great place to buy excellent quality meat at great prices. Narellan Country Meats phone 4647 8570 269. Camden Valley Way, Narellan, NSW. 2567. On Mondays - and most days - they have excellent specials on meat and poultry - easily the cheapest we've found with no issues Contributed by David, Rosemeadow, 1st June 2005 I have begun buying Roo Mince at Coles for aprox $6.60 instead of low fat beef mince which is approximately $11.99 at the butchers. My husband has had heart surgery so we have to have a low fat diet. I have found that this mince is extremely low in fat, and tastes exactly the same as beef mince. I have made meat pies, mince on toast, rissoles and anything else that mince is used for, with great success. I buy it in 1 kilo pre-packed trays. I then break it up into 250g lots, pack it into plastic bags, press them flat and freeze them. These flat packs de-frost quite quickly and can be used singly or together. Contributed by Barbara, Narara, 31st March 2007 To save money on meat, its advisable to visit your local supermarket like Coles or Woolworths between 4pm and 6pm. They usually discount meats or poultry that expire in the next day or so. You can save between 20 - 60% off especially when the meat expires on the day. These specials are marked usually by a discount sticker. You do need to check the amount of discount as their prices are usually inflated more than a local butcher. Once you've bought the meat, then freeze it and it can last fairly fresh for weeks on end, even months depending on how well its packed for freezing. As an example of the discount, I bought premium mincemeat at $4 a kilo. Its regular price was $8.99 kilo. Butchers have the same quality mince for between $6 and $8 a kilo. Contributed by Anthony, Menai, May 11th 2005 A new butcher Van Eyk Traditional Meats opened recently on Blunder Road at Oxley, where the Aldi supermarket is and recently I purchased on special BBQ sausages and flavoured rissoles - 5kg of each for only $15!! I have four children and a husband and this was a huge money saver for us especially as I know that everyone in my family loves both. They are not on special like this all the time but if you live locally it is well worth checking them out as they often will have various meats, deli items, chicken products etc very cheaply. Contributed by Lucinda, Inala, March 13th 2005 When shopping for meats, poultry and/or fish at the markets, go before closing time! You will be amazed how much you will save because all the produce will be heavily discounted because it needs to be sold. Contributed by Tanya, Kinglake Central, March 4th 2005 I buy all my meat, excellent quality, from Castricums in Dandenong south. I save about 30 % in total that is a huge saving seeing how expensive meat is. I come home and freeze it in meal size portions. I have been doing it for years. Also nearby is a fish wholesaler and again the savings are huge. Contributed by Gary, Croydon, March 2nd 2005 Buy Meat by the Side and Save Hundreds of Dollars Buy meat in bulk and freeze. We buy half a beast and it works out to $5 a kg for steak, mince and roasts. Ask your butcher. Contributed by Sharon, Hawker, March 14th 2005 Buying Meat Direct from Abattoir and Save $1,300 To buy a full beef may cost you $400, to cut may cost you up to $100, but based on today's prices at roughly $12 kg, an average of good and bad meat, it can cost up to $1800! A full beef lasts 2 people up to 8 months. You just need to buy a decent freezer to put it in. Well worth the cost, and you can decide how you want your meat cut. Contributed by Tamara, Minchinbury, March 10th 2005 Look for bargains in the meat section. My wife and I always walk past the meat section in the supermarket to see if there are any good discounts. Bulk packs offer the best saving - but grab some clear plastic bags so you can freeze all the meat. Contributed by Justin, Dudley, March 10th 2005 I buy my chicken fillets in bulk when on special - last time $5.99 at a major chain. Then I remove all fat and icky bits. I cut some into minute steaks (great for the BBQ) and stir fry pieces then using ziplock bags, I add marinade and put in fridge for a few hours then into the freezer - defrost in the fridge - ready marinated chicken. The small pieces I use to make chicken nuggets & "crispy strips" which I coat in a commercial batter or crumb mix and cook (oven or deep fry) then freeze - better than any commercial nugget and healthier. The crispy strip mix you can also add herbs or spices to for extra flavour and greater variety. Easy meals in the freezer. Any remaining odd pieces, which don't seem to fit any category, can be minced using a food processor or mincer. By doing it all at one time you only have to deal with cutting up raw chicken once a month or so. Contributed by Sharon, Ingleburn, January 1st, 2006 For those Melbournites dedicated to buying organic. OrganicOz in Murrumbeena delivers to Metro & suburbs for as low as $6.00 - including refrigerated goods. Organic Oz also sell organic/biodynamic meats. As we all know organic meat can put a huge strain on the budget. Do consider buying in bulk. I inquired about bulk lamb/beef. A whole spring lamb(19 kgs)works out at $9.50kg. 1/2 side of beef (50 kgs) works out at around $8.50 kg. Great value, I think! If anyone has any ideas on organic groceries, produce and meats at great value in around Melbourne Metro - I would love to hear. Contributed by Desiree, Brunswick East, 13 October, 2004 Never buy meat in bulk without trying first. Try any butcher that you think might give you good meat at a reasonable price than ask if for price of a side. This is usually quoted in $ for Kg. Cheap meat that one cannot eat is a waste of money. Most butchers will sell sides and quarters if asked. Contributed by Lesley, 2004 Try www.themeatshop.com.au excellent meat, excellent service and delivered to your door. Contributed by Anne, 2004	18,608
Italian cuisine has grown in demand over the past few years and the reasons are very much justified. From delicacies like scrumptious pizzas to wholesome portions of pasta and heavy lasagnas, this cuisine has become a go-to for both youngsters and elders alike. My last visit to Bangalore had been a short one, but long enough for me to explore some of the finest Italian joints in the city. Since Pune to Bangalore flights are always packed with passengers, getting a last minute booking is quite a problem. To avoid such hassles I booked my tickets in advance and availed of extra discounts. After reaching the city, we(I and my friend) decided to have lunch at one of the great Italian eateries in the city and that is where our exploration started. Here is the list of the places that we visited on our entire Italian food tour. Designed in the quintessentially Italian way, this bistro has several outlets all over the city. Since Chianti had always been on my bucket list, therefore, I decided to visit this joint first. What kept me fascinated right from the beginning was the subtle yet charming decor of the place. A sumptuous dinner that consisted of Funghi Al Forno and a Pesto Chicken Pizza was all I could have asked for after a tiring afternoon flight. We also ordered tiramisu for the dessert which was quite appetizing to our taste buds. Chianti makes sure that the aura and ambience are taken care of with soulful lo-fi music to compliment the background. Asking them about their origin, while my order was being prepared led me to the fact that this Italian Bistro has six outlets in the city and is currently planning to expand overseas. Alba at Marriott Alba At Marriott is an upscale and posh Italian eatery in the city. The restaurant is quite famous for its delectable specialities served for lunch and dinner. However, the brunch platter for the mornings is highly underrated and I happened to discover this by chance. Since I couldn’t make time at night, I visited to visit Alba during breakfast hours. A cup of hot and spicy Latte along with a plate of Fritatta and Risotto Pancakes served with Maple Syrup was more than enough for a wholesome Italian breakfast. Hospitality at Alba is again quite commendable for they do their work with professionalism. From systematic catering to flavourful dishes, every single thing about this restaurant is going to make you come back every time. The design and architecture are skillful decorated with Italian marble which gives the place a fine warm touch. Ottimo This is the one I could not have afforded to miss since ITC Gardenia is where I was staying. Ottimo is located within the Gardenia and is simply an elegant place to be. Serving some of the finest Italian delicacies in Bangalore, Ottimo holds up its name through its food despite the surged rates. The restaurant has a huge live kitchen featuring multiple culinary customs from different regions in Italy. Besides, it also boasts an extensive bar and a wine library that simply adds to the captivating ambience. I had ordered a bowl of Chicken Lasagna along with a Mojito on my visit. The impulsive decision to dine at the Ottimo turned out to be the finest decision that I took while my stay in the city and departed the place with a sense of satisfaction. You should try out the in-house speciality, Salmon which is served with a mouthwatering topping of rum and orange sauce. The restaurant mainly operates for dinner and has a fixed menu consisting of a wide range of delectable options. This is one of the oldest existing Italian food joints in the city. Toscano has presently opened some outlets throughout the city, but the original one is the best one. I had always wanted to visit this heritage restaurant and was keen on accomplishing one of my dinner ventures at it. This place has an exclusively curated menu, and the variations are huge. I had ordered my favourites – Ravioli Caprese, Basil Crusted Grilled Lamb Chops, and a plate of sizzling hot Brownies with Vanilla ice cream to complement the entire meal. The original outlet is located in the prime UB City of Bangalore and thus is quite easy to access this wonderful place. Toscano serves a range of delectable wines to choose from and provides the best services in town. Thus, these are some of the best places in Bangalore that serve amazing Italian delicacies throughout the year. So, without any further ado, head to any of these eateries in town and quench your craving for Italian dishes. We can assure you with the list above, you will have a great experience! Next Featured November 5, 2022 Featured August 1, 2022 Featured Know how to choose the perfect earrings that suit your face cut July 6, 2022 Featured Genf20 Plus reviews, you may learn about the best HGH pills for men’s benefits, cycle, side effects, before and after outcomes, and more	5,042
Penile extenders are grip tools that have to be utilized for a minimum of 7 hrs a day as well as 6 months a year to get efficient, secure as well as lasting results. They not just improve the dimension, length, girth and also curvature but also improve the erection and the erectile function. Every male seeks these functions in a penis extending gadget. Here are leading 3 penis extenders in 2021 for you to boost the dimension of your penis and also boost the curvature. Study claims Quick Extender Pro can boost the length of your penis in one of the most efficient method. It not just establishes the gravity of satisfaction yet additionally aids in boosting the curvature of your penis. Because ages, penis dimension extension has experienced various methods from natural herbs to tablets and also finally in 21st century it is penis pumps, supplements and also mechanical extenders. While there are several surgeries that could achieve the outcome, who would take the risk of placing scalpel on the penis? Quick extender Pro is additionally called a wonderful tool to expand the penis. While it resembles magic the real scientific research behind this product will certainly make you ignore all the various other alternative penis size improvement program. This suitable item works like a miracle. Unlike penis augmentation pills or penis pumps, it services a different concept to adopt quicker results without any possibility of side effects. No chemicals are used as well as the ingenious style of this gadget can take care of the curvature, increase the dimension of your penis as much as 3 inches, rock difficult and quick erection and also do away with early climaxing. Who doesn’t love a great deal? This device is specifically made to boost your penis’s size by stretching it out. Although there are numerous tools similar to this yet this product has made an excellent location for being a combination of comfort as well as performance. It delivers outcomes that are obvious within couple of months of use. As well as it is convenient and comfy enough that it can be made use of daily. Some famous benefits of Phallosan strong suit are; boosted girth and also length of penis, much better erection for better sex, as well as it can be utilized for any penis dimension. This penis augmentation device is liked for its simplicity of usage. The grip gadget has 4 popular attributes; a suction round with 3-way stress valve system, the box includes various dimensions of bells to be put on easily on every size of penis and the individual can select the most proper bell dimension according to the size of glans of his penis, the sleeves of this grip tool can be used like a prophylactic, with a very little layout making it convenient to be used. Last but not the least, the protector cap as well as tension clip enables the customer to enhance the stress of the tool with a straightforward pull. The protector cap guards the glans from additional stress. Whether you intend to fix the curvature, raise the size of your penis or merely get more challenging as well as more powerful erections that can make you a suitable partner in the bed, this device can help you with every little thing to raise your member. This traction gadget is widely known for assisting hundreds of guys for years and has constantly shown the outcomes to aid males achieve gains both in girth as well as length. This penis extender has been made with MDA Innovation to let the individual put on the gadget from a conceivable angle for supreme comfort. The device is lightweight, durable, FDA approved as well as medical granted as the number 1 tool that is serving the purpose. The gadget has been made with maximum gains in mind. It is made with premier product and also has been endorsed by high rated penis augmentation doctors. The box of the tool includes a handbook that has instructions on it regarding exactly how to use the gadget. The user needs to use it for 6-12 hours daily for maximum advantages. Still, the results can be gotten with just 4-6 hrs use daily. For maximum gains the maker of this device recommends using it for 5 days a week for 6 months to see obvious penile length gains. Penis extenders are reliable, easy to use and risk-free tool that can raise your penis length and also girth and likewise enhance your sexual efficiency by improving your penis curvature as well as erectile feature within couple of weeks. Penile grip techniques are used to stretch out your penile cells and cells and also repair as well as create brand-new cells and also improve the cell development. They also play impressive duty in improving the thickness and also growing the length of your shaft. Many people choose manual stretching approaches. This is specifically real of those that enjoy exercising with weights. Hand-operated stretching is possibly the best alternative for penis enlargement, as well as you can constantly simply make use of a hand-operated stretching device if you like not to do it the hands-on way. One more prominent penis extending method is using a traction tool. Grip tools work in a very similar way as a penis workout, yet instead of simply preparing the penis for a possible stretching procedure, the grip gadget really triggers mild damage to the corpus cavernosum. This damages the cells in the corpus cavernosum, so that they can not grow back. The corpus cavernosum is the part of the penis that contains the chambers where the tendons connect. In time, the grip device causes the penis to stretch and after that ultimately damage without the cells binding. Penis weights are an effective approach of penis extending, as well as are the most generally utilized approach of accomplishing gains in length. Weight gains are normally about 15% of the length that your penis is already. These gains are progressive, however the results are well worth the delay. It takes a bit much longer for the gains to end up being recognizable. As long as you use the weights properly, you will certainly see steady gains in size in time. If you do penis stretching exercises on your own, there are several exercises that you can do. There are even many different ways that you can do them. With weights, it’s best to do the stretches while relaxing. If you make use of a maker or another individual, make sure that you are careful not to harm them. Many individuals pick to go the handbook technique when doing penis extending workouts since they are easier on the muscular tissues and also joints that can be harmed if they are done incorrectly. To begin stretching, you would certainly want to start by drawing your penis right out as well as up until you were able to feel the stress in the blood vessels. You would desire to duplicate steps one and also 2 yet pull your dick in the direction of yourself until you really felt much more tension in the blood vessels. Do this treatment a few times for every arm, and before you know it, you will have added regarding an inch to both the length and also girth of your penis. Penis extending, likewise known as jelqing, is one technique offered for males that wish to enhance the size of their penis. It has actually been declared that this exercise technique is so efficient that it can increase the penis size and girth size of males. Its non-vasive strategy makes it an attractive entry-level option. However, the most significant concern still exists: does it actually work? There are lots of means to extend a penis. A few of these involve surgical procedures. There are tools that can be worn on the body organ for numerous hrs a day or even night and enable the body to take in the additional energy in such a way that penises can raise in size by up to 3 inches. There are additionally several guys who have been utilizing grip devices to prolong the penises by a couple of inches. As well as in some instances, tools are even being made use of by guys to help them increase the total size of their penis. So exactly how do you know which penis stretching gadgets job and also which ones don’t? Well, you need to determine what results you want to see prior to selecting which method to utilize. The truth is that not all stretching devices give the very same results. You need to select those that will really raise penis size as well as not just make cases. Next post: Previous post: Among the best penis stretching workouts recognized is the Jelqing workout. This is performed in a tub. You need to submerse on your own in a warm bath to make sure that you can relax your body. After this, you need to grab your penis at the base and afterwards pull it until you accomplish a semi-erect position. Repeat this for a minimum of 20 mins every day and also you will see some impressive results in your sex life. Another penis stretching exercise is called the kegel exercise. It is likewise known as the Kegel workout. In this workout, you require to sit or rest and after that, utilizing your pelvic muscles, you will certainly have to tighten your rectum as well as develop a solid pelvic floor. With this, you can expect to accomplish a rise in the size as well as girth of your penis. As with any type of penis stretching workouts, this approach requires discipline and also emphasis in order to attain the ideal outcomes. In recent years most of us have observed the buzz about penis enhancement. Publications and also pharmaceutical market are advertising using tablets, supplements, workouts and also various other techniques to increase the girth as well as size of your penile cells. What’s the guarantee that these treatments work? Guys are anxious regarding their penis dimension. When the men believe that the size of their penis is abnormal, research studies have shown that mainly the penises of the men hold the regular dimension as well as they must not be concerned about it. Studies declare that nearly 85% of ladies love bigger penis over those who are tiny or of typical size. Larger penis brings about powerful climaxes, deeper penetration and also optimum sexual contentment. Still, up until the last couple of years, the very best means to enlarge your penis dimension was penis augmentation surgical treatment or penile traction therapy. Doctors have confirmed that penile extenders can improve the flaccid size of a penis to practically 1 inch in 6 months. 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MARTINEZ: There were cheers but also sighs of relief from Amazon's board of directors. An unexpected injury or death of a top executive like Bezos could throw a company like Amazon into turmoil. But as NPR's David Gura reports, there isn't much they can do to rein in the risk-taking. DAVID GURA, BYLINE: A few years before Mark Bertolini became the head of the health insurance company Aetna, he went skiing in Vermont. MARK BERTOLINI: I was looking over my shoulder, checking on something, and I caught an edge and hit a tree and slipped headfirst 60 feet down into a river. GURA: Bertolini was in a coma. He'd broken his spine in five places. And there's been a long, difficult recovery. But the insurance executive did not give up skiing. He's also someone who loves motorcycles. Bertolini owns three Harley Davidsons and a Ducati. BERTOLINI: When I first was named CEO and chairman and was asked to look at a contract, they had skiing and motorcycling in there as exclusions. And I told them that that wouldn't work for me. GURA: During those negotiations, Bertolini pushed back. And they relented. BERTOLINI: I said that, you know, I would continue to be careful and take the appropriate precautions, but my life was my life, and I wasn't willing to give those up. GURA: Many executives play golf and tennis, but some like to push the envelope. Going to space is something Jeff Bezos has wanted to do for years. Bloomberg TV interviewed him after the trip. BEZOS: Honestly, I'm not talented enough to describe this in words. I can't figure it out. It was much more than I expected. It's awe-inspiring. GURA: Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, has tried to circle the Earth in a hot air balloon, and about a week and a half ago, he went to space. Here's Branson on CNN. RICHARD BRANSON: It was just, like, the most incredible dream. And just we're all just so lucky, so lucky, to be able to participate in it. GURA: Company founders seem to feel especially empowered to do what they want to do. On the Fourth of July, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg posted a video. It's him riding a hydrofoil surfboard, holding an American flag. Hillary Sale is a professor of law and management at Georgetown University, and she says risk-taking can lead to tension between a board and executives. HILLARY SALE: At what point does their obligation to, in particular, a publicly traded company eclipse their sense of personal freedom? And at what point does the board need to speak to them about that? GURA: A board is supposed to put a company's best interests first, and when a CEO does something dangerous, the board knows that also puts at risk investors and employees who depend on that business for their livelihood. In 2012, the CEO of Micron Technology died piloting a plane, and although the company named a new CEO days later, the stock didn't recover for about a year. Boards can make recommendations. They can take out extra insurance and add restrictions to contracts. But enforcement is uneven. Robert Lutz was a top executive at GM, Ford and Chrysler. ROBERT LUTZ: I will tell you, I encountered these restrictions my whole career, never took them very seriously and got away with it for 47 years. GURA: He also liked skiing and motorcycles. And Lutz owned and flew two fighter planes. When GM wanted Lutz back for another big job in 2001, this came up, and Lutz remembers what he told the board. LUTZ: I'm happy to rejoin the company. I'm happy to assume the post as vice chairman. But I need absolute freedom as far as my hobbies are concerned. GURA: Lutz says he got that absolute freedom. And he flew those jets until he was 87, by the way. He had to stop two years ago when he failed an eye exam. Lutz thinks more executives should be daredevils. LUTZ: As opposed to, you know, calm, peaceful guys who never want to put themselves at risk, always drive at the speed limit, drive a minivan as their only vehicle and so forth - who the heck wants a person like that to lead a corporation or be in a leadership position at a corporation? GURA: These days, Mark Bertolini is retired from Aetna, and he's still skiing and riding motorcycles. And he also believes leaders should take more risks. But now Bertolini sits on a handful of corporate boards. He's on the other side of the table. And that has given him a better appreciation for the challenges a board would face with a risk-taking CEO. BERTOLINI: You never want to be in a place where that person is indispensable to the success of the company, nor do you want it, if it's publicly traded, to have a huge impact on market cap. GURA: That's why CEO succession planning is so important. Bertolini says when he was running Aetna, he had a conversation about it at each and every board meeting. Based in New York, David Gura is a correspondent on NPR's business desk. His stories are broadcast on NPR's newsmagazines, All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition, and he regularly guest hosts 1A, a co-production of NPR and WAMU.	5,221
The word ‘strategy’ gets banded around boardrooms all the time. If you have ‘strategist’ in your job title, you must be smart, right? Well, yes, you probably are smart, but a strategy isn’t a mystical beast that only a Strategist knows how to tame. This blog aims to demystify the strategy process by showing PROWL – Big Cat’s five steps to success. At Big Cat, we have a “heard mentality.” Making sure you feel heard every step of the way from briefing to results reporting. Through our client-centric 5-step process, we ensure your marketing goals and objectives are achieved every single time. Stage 1: Parley and partner Our first meeting is much more than a formality. It’s the start of our working partnership and the chance to establish your true goals. The brief we create together will set us up for mutual success and be a foundation for future ROI. The IPA and BetterBriefs recently created a useful guide called ‘The best way for a client to brief an agency. Download it - it’s free! Here are a few useful snippets A good brief is never easy to write. Think of it as a series of decisions that together makes a well-reasoned case for advertising. It is never a box-ticking exercise. Brands use agencies to come up with ideas they can’t think of themselves. A few tips in writing a good Client Brief: Define the need for advertising. A good brief is laser-focused on the problem or opportunity the creative work needs to solve and acts as a compass for creative thinking One brief = one strategy. Decide on whether a brief is for acquiring new customers, upselling to existing ones, or increasing frequency of purchase. They are mutually exclusive. You may need more than one brief Build the backbone. The backbone consists of the objectives, target audience and budget. Together they set the parameters of what’s possible and what’s not. They are intrinsically linked, so think about them holistically Set linked objectives. Well-defined objectives outline the desired outcomes a brand aims to achieve. They paint a clear picture of success and how it will be measured Target the right people. A well-defined target audience is a vivid picture of demographics, psychographics, and needs or wants. Marry the message with proof points. A single-minded brief contains only one key message. That message is not a tagline. It does not try to be creative. Its sole focus is pinpointing where the creative solution should be. Good single-minded messages are supported only by relevant proof points. Align on evaluation. Agreeing on how the ideas will be assessed is a crucial part of the process. Decide which brief (client or creative) should be used to evaluate the work and try to include assessment criteria in it. Stage 2: A crucial part of a primary marketing strategy is understanding not only what’s going on now, but has happened over the last 12 months. We recommend collecting as much data as possible, online and offline, to help build up a better picture of your brand and the market you operate in. With the task agreed upon, our research can begin. We’ll gather the data and perform deep dives into the four Cs of Company, Category, Consumer and Culture, to find the insight that will mark the way forward. Company Questions: What share of the market does the product have? How fast is it growing? What is the size of the category? How fast is the category growing? What are the marketing objectives for the campaign? What is it about the company that's either contributing to - or failing to solve - the business problem? How is the brand currently seen by the growth/opportunity market? What must the brand become to penetrate the growth/opportunity market? How should we reframe the brand or product to exploit the growth opportunity? What are the brand objectives for the campaign? Consumer Questions: What do the brand's current consumers look like demographically, behaviorally and/or attitudinally? What do "fans" of the brand look like demographically, behaviorally and/or attitudinally? What is the current mindset of the consumer that is holding them back from purchasing? What do consumers think of the brand, good and bad? What consumer trait or characteristic could this brand uniquely celebrate, honor or pay tribute to? What consumer problem could this brand uniquely solve? What consumer desire or aspiration could this brand uniquely satisfy? Category Questions: What are the dynamics of the category? Is it changing, growing, or shrinking? Who's the category's "Goliath" and what weakness could we exploit? Who's the category's "David" and how are they winning? What are the cliches in advertising of the category? How could we go against the creative grain of the category? How could we zag while everyone else zigs? Culture Questions: What's going on in culture that the brand could credibly challenge? What, in culture, could the brand become a credible champion of? What noble purpose could this brand uniquely and credibly pursue? Each of the 4Cs: company, consumer, category, and culture, can unveil key insights about the question you are trying to uncover. By asking questions about each C, you find answers that move you closer to a clear strategy. Staying curious and asking questions unlock key answers. Who are we targeting? Market segmentation should be carried out first to identify who’s out there. Targeting, by contrast, is the start of strategy. By looking at the market, the competitors and your own resources, a decision must be made on where you will play. If you follow the Ehrenberg-Bass model and have enough budget, you’ll go after every consumer in the category. Not every brand has the funds to do this. And even if it does, it would be wise to follow Peter Field and Les Binet’s 60/40 split of long- and short-term marketing. To help build a picture of your audience, we use qualitative research with the target to help understand their: Goals – what, specifically, are they looking to achieve? Needs – based on their current state of mind, what are their needs? Pain points – what keeps them up at night? Behaviours – how do they think and behave? Contexts – what media do they subscribe to and read? Who influences them? What networks are they part of? A problem statement is written for the target, framed from the consumer’s perspective (not the business problem). Using insight, we create well-rounded portraits of the target personas, painting a precise, detailed and holistic picture of the audiences and their journeys. Find out what their interests and priorities are Know where they’re spending their time Understand their perceptions Put yourself in their shoes A true audience insight should flip and unlock the problem, and provide a unique perspective, leading us to a solution/strategy. Having insight makes campaigns more effective because we understand why they are behaving a certain way. Stage 3: Objectives and plans Companies with successful business strategies will include a clear set of choices that define what they’re going to do and what they’re not going to do. We’ll use the insight we uncover to develop and agree on a marketing strategy designed to deliver on your objectives. It will be unique to your challenge and set out clearly how we’re going to rise to it. A good strategy will include three things: Segmentation and Targeting – who are the segments, specifically who should we target, and how many? Positioning – Once you have worked out who you are going after, you can then answer the follow-up question of what you want to stand for in the eyes of these target customers. Or how you’re positioned in the market. If targeting is who we want to go after, positioning is what we want them to think when they think of our brand. A brand needs the consumer to know that it exists and to think two or three things about it. Objectives – a strategy must outline the levers that need to be pulled to deliver success (usually more sales, growth, profit, etc.). That means articulating very clearly and very tightly a short list of objectives that direct the activities of the brand. We know who the target is and what we want to stand for. The objectives add the final piece of the puzzle: what do we want to do to that target? Start by building a customised purchase funnel. Start with the total population of the market or the target segment at the top. Then identify the 4-5 stages that take a consumer from ignorance to repeat purchase and brand advocacy. Don’t copy the generic funnel. Use qualitative research to understand the specific steps in your business and create a custom funnel. Stage 4: Ways and means Ideas don’t just fall out of the sky. Solid ideas come from a thoughtful but simple brief. Now we’ll brief our creatives to find a powerful articulation of the strategy, deploying new ways of thinking that will capture the attention of our audience. We’ll also decide on the marketing tactics that will ensure you are set up for success. Creative brief and strategy We use an evidence-based approach to strategy and creativity through what we know about behavioural science, rather than relying on gut feel and intuition. As an agency, we are constantly learning about biases and we put our findings into practice to strengthen all of the work we do, meaning this also helps form the insight within the creative brief. At the heart of compelling creative is a captivating creative brief. A brief is not just a form to be completed, it is an art. Every word counts and should aim to inspire the person who reads it. Our team is well-trained in writing and delivering great briefs because we know better work can be achieved. Focusing on the framework ‘Get, To, By’, we take the business problem and look at it from the audience’s point of view. We put ourselves in the mind of the consumer and ask the question, 'what is the consumer problem?’. Using the insights gathered in the primary and secondary research helps form the base of the creative brief. We are then able to add details about what we are trying to get them to think, feel and do. At this stage our Creative Director and Copywriter will work together to produce the branding and name, as well as the key messaging. We usually create three concepts at the initial stage and will explore the application of the concepts, which are presented back to the client with a rationale for each – for review and feedback. We have a primary research partnership with the University of Birmingham’s School of Linguistics and their internal team EMMA (Exploring Multimodal Metaphor in Advertising) which has been used many times by our clients to carry out testing to identify the effectiveness of creative concepts. If timescales and budget allow, we will mock up the preferred concepts and conduct the research with the team, sharing the findings with you. Behavioural biases to inform creative and ‘nudge’ the audience People are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of decisions they need to make each day. People don’t have time to laboriously and logically weigh up each decision. Instead, they rely on mental shortcuts to make decisions more quickly. While these shortcuts enable quicker decision-making, they are prone to biases. There’s an exciting opportunity to increase cut-through and effectiveness by harnessing the power of behavioural science. When developing a creative idea we aim to work with the grain of human instincts and behavioural biases. We use the ‘EAST’ behavioural science framework that the Government’s Behavioural Insight team uses to ‘nudge’ in their public sector communication campaigns. We add two additional pillars to EAST: Be Contextual and Be Relative. Creativity in campaigns is the second biggest multiplier of ROI and the effectiveness of marketing communications. We apply insight-led creativity to all channels in order to get the highest possible reach and conversion rate. We will do this by being: Distinctive – being outstanding at standing out and demanding attention. Goal-based – the most sophisticated level of value in the human brain, and it is the key building motivation Emotive – the most effective advertising leans into right-brain (emotional) thinking – essential for long-term growth in awareness (aka mental availability) Attributable – helping to build the salience of the brand (the extent to which the brand has built links to attributes within someone’s memory). The marketing strategy will uncover how the objectives will be achieved using the objectives with a set of tactics. We get a lot of people asking us for specific tactics such as ‘social media marketing’ which is absolutely fine as long as there’s a clear strategy in place. However, a tactical marketing plan without strategy is like throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping it sticks. We, of course, have a team of specialists in PR, Marketing, Digital Marketing and Social Media, however remember to put these down until the strategy has been agreed. Stage 5: To determine that success, we’ll set up a shared dashboard to monitor and review performance. Our partnerships with academic researchers mean we can test both strategy and creative, refining them as we go, to ensure we all stay focused on objectives until they’re reached. 1. Establish objectives and goals – as agreed in the strategy 3. Campaign phase (during) – collect offline and online data from the inputs (tactics) 4. Campaign phase (post) – start the process of data interrogation and review performance against targets and objectives Digital tracking and reporting Whilst you can track digital marketing instantly, it doesn’t mean you should. Successful campaigns combine two types of marketing: short and long-term tactics, some of which are not digital (yes, you heard it right, just because you can’t track a channel’s performance to the entire degree, doesn’t mean you should discount it!). Of course, digital marketing is often part of most campaigns. So, we create a shared reporting dashboard to monitor and review the performance of the activity. By monitoring the performance of multiple digital ad versions throughout the conversion funnels regularly we can update and roll out creative that provides the highest level conversion. Using the media budget and targeting tools on digital advertising platforms, we can forecast digital metrics such as reach, then the desired behaviours such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate (CVR) and website visits. Some benchmarks will be unknown until the campaign starts and is in the testing phase, however we will analyse your historic data to get to an as accurate forecast as possible. We will set a measurement methodology and digital scorecard and a creative test-and-learn approach to each stage of the funnel. Measuring ‘awareness’ and attitudes Awareness and attitudinal measures are normally captured pre vs post-campaign through surveys either via the telephone or online or in person. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data should be collected to get an as accurate view as possible.	15,290
Being a pop culture icon for over two decades, Pokémon has evolved through the years from the basic video game into an anime and movie franchise that has fans bedazzled. Every character of the series has made a great impact in the millennial fans, with Pikachu and Ash staying intact as the start attractions. Collectible card games were once considered a fad, which has now been proven wrong with the trend being omnipresent even today. One of the greatest appendages to this exciting series of creatures is the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Despite the launch of highly advanced digital games, the collectible card game has managed to stay relevant. Battling out with friends doesn’t get any more exciting than playing the cards; no favorite character needs to be imprinted on the cards for the game to be fun, allowing even the less enthusiastic fans to enjoy the game as much as the ardent fans do. Let us have a look into more details of the game. What is the Game About? In the Pokémon TCG, Trainer Cards and Energy Cards in the 60-card deck get the players to take up the roles of different Pokémon trainers. The maximum number of pokemons a player can battle with at a time is six, and the player evolves and switches out the Pokémon to exploit the elemental weaknesses. The three ways to win at Pokémon TCG are: Taking all the cards of the opponent The opponent running out of cards and not being able to draw any more cards The opponent having no Pokémon in play Types of Cards Used Different types of cards are used in the game, and the players will need to use them to the best effect to pass each stage with a better score. Forming a synergy is vital in the game as building up decks for the battle takes place. The Pokémon cards are the crucial ones for every player since the aforementioned power of the deck works only with these cards. These are simply providing support to the player by helping them stay in the game by proving beneficial in certain situations or harming opponents when the player needs it the most. Energy Cards The actions of a Pokémon are determined by the Energy card you place with a Pokémon card, making it one of the most critical decisions in the game. You also need to understand what all cards represent in the battle before starting to play. Playing the Battle Flipping a coin decides the first player after the deck of cards are shuffled. Each player then draws seven cards, and a Basic Pokémon card is placed face-down in the Active Pokémon zone. Extra Basic Pokémon cards (up to five cards) can be placed on the Bench. Opponents get to draw an additional card each time you ask for a reshuffle of your cards when you don’t hold any Basic cards. The game starts when all players put their Pokémon cards face-up on the field. Drawing a card from the library marks the beginning of every player’s turn. The action of the cards can be decided by the player depending on their hand. The Active Pokémon card which the player retreats during their turn can be used to attack the opponent at the end of the turn. These are the basics of the Pokémon TCG to get you through the initial stages of the game. You can always look deeper into the rules and details for an advanced game of TCG.	3,252
Stick with us here. Most people probably understand the wisdom, or can at least appreciate the purpose, of maintaining your home. Over time your home gets cluttered, things break, and some of those deep, dark corners you never visit have to be dealt with. It’s not always a fun job, but doing it can make your home a more enjoyable place to live. North Carolina’s statutes, just like a home, require ongoing maintenance. So it’s necessary, on occasion, for the Legislature to take a look at our statutes and clean up some of the confusing, unhelpful, and out-of-date provisions. That’s where the annual Farm Act comes into play. Each year since 2013 state legislators have passed a Farm Act to make necessary changes to the law to better serve North Carolina’s farmers. In the past, the Farm Act has addressed wide-ranging aspects of agriculture including transportation, legal liability, deregulation, clarifying terms and interpretation of federal laws, amongst many more. The 2018 Farm Act is sponsored by Senators Brent Jackson, Bill Cook, and Norman Sanderson. Let’s get to the bill’s highlights: Last year we wrote about a serious threat to North Carolina’s ag economy: the arrival in 2013 of a group of out-of-state lawyers who make a living suing animal ag operations for nuisance. Fast forward five years. The cases developed and the court heard the first “bellwether” trial in April of this year. Unfortunately, it resulted in a $50 million damage award against Smithfield. Of similar concern, several months before the first trial began a federal district court judge issued a ruling in the case that eviscerated North Carolina’s Right-to-Farm law, which protects every North Carolina farmer from nuisance lawsuits under certain conditions. The judge wrongly concluded that a farm isn’t protected by the law even when a plaintiff moves near the farm after it was established. In response, S. 711 strengthens the Right-to-Farm defense and attempts to discourage future copycat lawsuits before they are filed. In an effort to assist the struggling dairy industry and protect product integrity, the bill would direct the Food and Drug Protection Division of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to immediately develop an enforcement plan to enforce the United States Food and Drug Administration’s standard of identity for milk. This would prohibit the sale of plant-based products mislabeled as milk, such as soy milk and almond milk. Enforcement could include notification of the Department’s intent to embargo all mislabeled products offered for sale in the State. Farm Equipment Property Tax The bill would require counties that use the “cost approach” in appraising farm equipment to use a standard depreciation schedule published by the N.C. Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue must publish a depreciation schedule for farm equipment and make the schedule electronically available on its website. This ensures that depreciation schedules will be consistent across the state. The bill would instruct the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission to study: (i) requiring the holders of unused rights-of-way and utility easements to offer the easements to the underlying property owners for fair market value; and (ii) the exclusion of property enrolled in the present use value taxation program from rural fire protection district and county service district taxes. North Carolina has a rich agricultural tradition, and despite the growth of other industries in our state agriculture remains the state’s leading economic driver. That’s why the Farm Act is such an important piece of legislation, and one that North Carolina Farm Bureau supports wholeheartedly. Monday, April 2, 2018 A Closer Look at Taxes: 5 Questions with AFBF’s Pat Wolff By First Furrow Staff April is here, and with it comes warmer weather, spring break vacations, . . . and taxes. Yes, we hate to bring it up but Tax Day is just around the corner — April 17th to be exact — so we thought we’d look a little closer at some of the finer points of the tax reform law that Congress passed a few months ago. We’ve fired a handful of questions to Pat Wolff, Senior Director of Congressional Relations for American Farm Bureau Federation, and she’s given us the inside scoop on what’s new with taxes and what’s on the horizon. Question #1: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a comprehensive law, making changes to the nation’s tax policies that impact practically every individual and business in the US. Which provisions do you think are most important for North Carolina farmers and how does this reform package help them going forward? The cornerstone of tax reform is lower tax rates for individuals and businesses. For farmers that means being about to keep more of their money to reinvest in their operations. Farms that pass profits through to their owners for taxation (sole-proprietorships, partnerships and under Subchapter S) will be taxed from zero to 37 percent with that top rate kicking in at $600,000 of income. That’s compared to the old law where the top rate of 39 percent used to start when income exceeded $470,000. The top corporate tax rate permanently shrinks from 35 percent to 21 percent. Expanded deductions will allow farmers to write off more of their expenses immediately. This will make it easier to reduce taxable income by matching income with offsetting expenses. Section 179 small business expensing is permanently doubled to $1 million. There are no limits on bonus depreciation. And almost all farm businesses get to keep using cash accounting and deduct their interest expenses and property taxes. Question #2: The reduction in the corporate tax rate has gotten a lot of attention, but the majority of North Carolina farms are family-owned sole proprietorships and partnerships. Are there any provisions in the new tax law that will help family-owned sole proprietorships and partnerships? Tax reform provides a new business deduction that is available only to sole-proprietorships, partnerships and those that pay taxes under Subchapter S. Individuals operating pass-through businesses will be able to take a tax deduction equal to 20 percent of net farm income with limitations if taxable income exceeds $315,000 for a couple. Question #3: Considering that most farms have little liquidity and their capital is usually tied up in the land and farm equipment, why was it important that Congress expand the estate tax exemption level? Read more Wednesday, January 17, 2018 ICYMI: Trump Promotes Rural Development Initiative in Speech to Farm Bureau Members By First Furrow Staff On January 8 President Donald Trump unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen a rural economy that has lagged urban areas in recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-2008. Trump signed two executive orders that fund and streamline the expansion of rural broadband access after an address to 7,400 farmers and ranchers gathered at American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention. In addition to economic development, Trump touched on issues of particular importance to agriculturists such as regulations, labor and trade. He praised farmers for their enduring values. “We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride—and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer.” Farmers, Trump said, “embody the values of hard work, grit, self-reliance and sheer determination.” The president spent much of his address decrying the costs of excessive regulation and tallying the rules his administration has moved to eliminate. “We are also putting an end to the regulatory assault on your way of life. And it was an assault,” he said. Trump singled out the Waters of the United States rule, now being withdrawn following an executive order he signed in the first weeks of his administration. “It sounds so nice, it sounds so innocent, and it was a disaster. People came to me about it and they were crying – men who were tough and strong, women who were tough and strong – because I gave them back their property and I gave them back their farms. We ditched the rule.” Trump acknowledged controversy over the North American Free Trade Agreement and other trade agreements that account for roughly a quarter of U.S. agriculture revenues. “To level the playing field for all of our farmers and ranchers as well as our manufacturers we are reviewing all of our trade agreements,” he said. “On NAFTA I am working very hard to get a better deal for our farmers and ranchers and manufacturers.” Trump promised the farm bill would continue to lend stability to farmers who are now entering their fifth year of declining incomes. “I look forward to working with Congress to pass the farm bill on time so that it delivers for all of you, and I support a bill that includes crop insurance,” he said. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said Trump’s visit marked a watershed in D.C. politics. “Farmers and ranchers have too long faced burdensome regulations,” Duvall said. “This president understands the toll government overreach has taken on ordinary business and is moving swiftly to clear the way for prosperity. We are moving into yet another year of economic difficulty. Relief could not have come at a better time.” Wednesday, November 1, 2017 2017 Legislative Long Session Recap By First Furrow Staff The NC General Assembly adjourned (again) a couple weeks ago, and with November officially upon us it’s probably as good a time as any to put a bow on this year’s legislative session. Overall, it was a good session for North Carolina agriculture, with the General Assembly enacting several important measures to help farmers. Today, we want to give you a quick overview of a few key legislative actions. Read more Wednesday, October 25, 2017 5 Questions with Senator Brent Jackson By First Furrow Staff Brent Jackson was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2010 and is currently serving his fourth term representing Duplin, Johnston, and Sampson counties. He is the co-chairman of the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee and serves on numerous other committees as well. Jackson and his wife Debbie are first generation farmers, starting Jackson Farming Company in Sampson County in 1981. They currently grow watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydews, strawberries, pumpkins, corn, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, flue-cured tobacco, occasionally cotton, and various other crops. Question #1: There are only five North Carolina legislators (about 2% of the General Assembly) who list farming as their occupation. As a farmer, what perspective do you bring to the General Assembly? Conversely, is there anything you’ve learned as a legislator that has given you new perspective on the farm? There are a wide variety of backgrounds amongst my fellow legislators, and I believe that everyone’s individual and unique experiences are a source of value. As a farmer, I have tried to ensure that my colleagues know where their food comes from and the work that goes into putting food on the shelves. I have also made it a point to stress the goodness of American agriculture and the wonderful and exciting career opportunities that exist, especially for young people. Question #2: In your opinion, what is the most significant state-level issue facing farmers in North Carolina? And what is one issue that may not be on the front-burner for farmers that you think they need to pay more attention to? Why? I think there are several main issues that we will have to continue to work on at the state level. The first is labor, although mainly a federal issue and President Trump and Congress are working on a solution. However, it is important that from a state level, we are careful not to pass laws making it more difficult for farmers to use a legal workforce. Without a reliable and legal workforce, crops cannot be harvested. We must also make sure that our regulatory framework is set up to foster growth in the industry and recognize that one-size-fits-all regulations rarely work in farming. Water rights will continue to be an issue that we must remain vigilant on. It will be important for farmers to make their voices heard as the EPA goes about reviewing and rewriting the Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule. Farming is a way of life in rural North Carolina, and we must do a good job working with our urban citizens to ensure that rural and urban North Carolina works in harmony. Another issue that we must tackle to ensure the future of farming is the average of the farmer, which in North Carolina is in the mid-50s. Too many of our children in rural communities are moving off the farm and to the cities. It is crucial that we make sure we inspire the next generation of farmers and expose our children to the career options that the ag industry offers. We must also make sure that we help first-generation farmers overcome the barriers to entry, especially given the price of equipment and land. Question #3: Obviously, you’re very involved in agriculture policy at the legislature. What is another policy area you spend a lot of time working on? Read more Wednesday, October 4, 2017 5 Questions with Representative Jimmy Dixon By First Furrow Staff Jimmy Dixon was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2010 and is currently serving his fourth term representing Duplin and Wayne counties. He chairs the House Agriculture Committee, is Vice-Chairman of Appropriations, and serves on numerous other committees as well. A few years after graduating from Wake Forest University in 1969, working for Procter & Gamble and teaching school, Rep. Dixon returned to his roots in 1973 and started a farming career raising poultry and vegetables for forty one years until his ‘semi-retirement’ in 2014. His poultry operation grew over the years to raising about 700,000 heavy tom turkeys each year. His main crop production was string beans, cucumbers, and peppers. He and his wife, Bobby Jean, have five children and six grandchildren. Question #1: There are only five North Carolina legislators (about 2% of the General Assembly) who list farming as their occupation. As a farmer, what perspective do you bring to the General Assembly? Conversely, is there anything you’ve learned as a legislator that has given you new perspective on the farm? As a farmer in the General Assembly, I understand that there are many good reasons that we have remained a free nation for these many decades. However, all those reasons combined may not equal the fact that we have been able to feed ourselves and produce an extra amount of safe economical food and fiber to help feed a hungry world.We must never lose the ability to feed ourselves!I have learned as a legislator that the great challenges facing farmers are, in part, twofold. First, government can change the rules in the middle of the game and increase regulations that strangle efforts to be productive. Secondly, special interest groups have leveraged influence within Corporate Board Rooms across the nation that facilitate retail boycott to promote undue regulations and change practices harmful to many safe and well established farming production methods. Question #2: Has there been one agriculture-related policy provision that you have felt most passionate about, or that you feel would have the most positive impact on farmers? I think two of the most important legislative actions taken since I have been in the General Assembly are the passage of H405 Property Protection Act passed in 2015 and H467 Agriculture and Forestry Nuisance Remedies passed in 2017.I have probably been more passionate about these two bills than any other bills we have passed because of their far reaching positive effect on our ability to unshackle farmers from misguided special interest groups who rely on the sensational and abnormal portrayal of some of our farming practices. Question #3: What agriculture-related issues are you working on in preparation for the 2018 short session? Read more Thursday, July 6, 2017 Farmers Support the 2017 Farm Act By First Furrow Staff Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the 2017 Farm Act, a bill that we’ve written about before and that NC Farm Bureau strongly supports. Wednesday, April 12, 2017 No Rocket Scientists Needed By First Furrow Staff The following commentary is by North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten. Immigration reform has been discussed, debated and argued for years, but eventually concludes with the same tired result – “next year is the year!” To be blunt, fixing our worn-out immigration system does not require a rocket scientist. And this year needs to be the year. The short answer is, it’s changing. When I was still actively farming during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, most of our farm workers were American citizens. But during the 90s that began to change, and farmers had to react to the change in their labor pool. What was happening over this time is American workers were taking other types of jobs for a number of reasons, but partly because people were becoming more educated and partly because of urbanization. Still needing workers, farmers began hiring more foreign-born workers because they were willing to do the job, and do it well. Figure 1: In the 1970s, only 2.7 percent of male farmers and farm laborers and 3.8 percent of female farmers and farm laborers were born abroad. Those numbers began to grow considerably during the 1990s, and by 2012 the percentages had ballooned to 26.9 percent. Another trend farmers have been riding is mechanization. As farm workers have become more difficult to find, many farmers have looked to technology to help them get the job done. And for many farmers, technological advances have been a huge help in addressing workforce shortages. The problem is that farmers aren’t magicians – eventually they reach a breaking point. And if we aren’t there yet, we’re getting close. Read more Previous Email Address As a farmer plants a field, the first row—the first furrow—must be straight; it cannot waver or stray. This is because the first furrow is a guide for the rest of the field. When talking about agriculture policy, the first furrow has to be based on good, reliable information. Since 1936, North Carolina Farm Bureau has advocated for farm and rural communities across our state. Today, we are the largest general agriculture organization in the state, representing more than 40,000 farmers and 500,000 member families. We are the Voice of Agriculture® in North Carolina. The First Furrow will present the facts about North Carolina agriculture—our state’s number one economic driver—framing the issues fairly and promoting informed opinions. June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016	20,242
George H. "Mike" Allison, M.D., a Seattle psychiatrist who specialized in psychoanalysis, was a member of the original Northwest Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology with Douglass Orr, M.D. (1905-1990), Edith Buxbaum (1902-1980), and Edward Heodemaker (1904-1969). Later he helped found the Blakeley Psychiatric Group in northeast Seattle. He was one of the first doctors to work at the Pinel Foundation Psychiatric Hospital (1948-1958), and one of a half-dozen psychoanalytic pioneers who helped build the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, which in 1964 became a member of the American Psychoanalytic Association. He was a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, the American Board of Medical Specialties, and the Washington Association of Mental Health, among other medical associations. He served as president of the Seattle Psychoanalytic group in the mid-1970s while also participating in the activities of the American Psychoanalytic Association. He served as association president from 1990 to 1992 and helped break down the barriers that denied gays and non-medical analysts full access to membership. All the while he helped keep the Seattle psychoanalytic community together as it weathered the storms of two bankruptcies resulting from lawsuits by a psychotherapy student. George Howard Allison was born on May 24, 1921, to Robert (1883-1957) and Evelyn Offerman Allison (1888-?) of Yonkers, New York. He had four older siblings, Dorothy P. (1911-?), Robert C. (1912-?), Evelyn V. (1914-?) and Jean Marion (1918-?). Allison graduated from the University of Rochester in 1942 and from Yale Medical School in 1945. A year earlier, he had married Nancy Hart. George Allison and Nancy Hart Allison had four children together. Son Thomas (1946-2012) was born at Camp Shoemaker Naval Hospital, California, on April 7, 1946; daughter Janet, son Anthony P. Allison (Tony), and Nick followed. The couple divorced in 1964. Three years later, in 1967, Allison married Joan Benefiel, a Seattle lawyer and family court judge. They had a son, Michael, born in 1968. Allison was also stepfather to Joan’s daughters. The couple was married for 48 years, until Allison’s death. After Medical School By the time Allison had completed medical school and his military duty, he had decided to specialize in psychoanalysis, a field of study that was increasingly -- since World War I -- used by the military to study psychiatric conditions of service personnel. He had served at California's Camp Shoemaker Naval Hospital, and had treated returning World War II veterans. This "stimulated his interest in problems of emotional trauma ..." (The Seattle Times, Obituary). In 1946, Allison was one of 225 psychiatrists who worked with the National Research Council’s Committee on Veterans Medical Problems to study the relationship of military service to "mental breakdowns." During this period he read Freud's writings and was convinced that psychoanalysis held the key to unlocking conflicts within the psyche. Allison re-entered the navy during the Korean War and served as a psychiatrist at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital in Oceanside, California. The Menninger Clinic of Topeka, Kansas, offered Allison a fellowship in psychiatry. This was a plum position, since the Menninger Clinic was famous for infusing psychoanalytic theory into its psychiatric practice and vision. Here Allison worked with psychiatrists who would eventually settle in Seattle, including Douglass Orr, M.D., the father of Seattle psychoanalysis. Orr, like Allison, focused a good part of his medical practice on the study of war neuroses. Speaking to the 2009 Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute graduating class about his love for psychoanalysis, Allison told the audience: "Nothing could match the excitement of Topeka with the colorful, prominent leaders there -- such as Karl Menninger, David Rappaport, Robert Knight, Merton Gill, and others .... The overwhelming excitement of the large residency (100), all of whom were enthused and dedicated to the new field, spurred me on. The downside was that studying psychoanalysis created a strong need to be analyzed and there were a limited number of openings with the graduate analysts in Topeka. This led, in my case, to accepting the offer by the Northwest Clinic (newly formed then) to work for the attractive salary (at that time) of $500 per month -- plus a chance to begin analytic training and start analysis" ("SPSI Graduation Talk"). Moving to Seattle In 1948, after completing his residency, Allison and his young family -- Nancy and the children -- moved from Kansas to Seattle. Allison joined Douglass Orr and Edith Buxbaum in their group practice at the Northwest Clinic. One of his first assignments was to assist staff and manage patients at the newly formed Pinel Foundation Psychiatric Hospital, which operated from 1948 to 1958 at 2318 Ballinger Way in Lake Forest Park, located at the north end of Lake Washington. Meanwhile his own psychoanalytic education continued. This included a personal and training analysis, at least one of which was necessary for acceptance into the American Psychoanalytic Association. From approximately 1949 to 1951, Allison entered into an analysis with his mentor and colleague, Douglass Orr. Less than a decade later he would take a second analysis with Edith Buxbaum, also a mentor and colleague. In some ways, Allison explained to this writer in a 1994 interview, the analysis with Orr represented a paternal transference while the analysis with Buxbaum represented a maternal transference. (Transference is the redirection of emotions, usually felt in childhood, toward a substitute, such as the analyst.) This was a difficult situation for all involved, since classical analysts hold that the best analysis is one in which analyst and analysand have little or no outside contact with each other. Everything that occurs between them must take place within the context of the 50-minute hour and in the setting of the therapeutic environment -- the therapy room. What happens outside that environment could conceivably impact what goes on between the two parties -- analyst and analysand -- in the next hour of treatment, or in following sessions. Analysands must feel free to discuss intense feelings that may concern people within their families, work places, educational, or entertainment environments. Analyst and analysand must inhabit a "clean" environment without the eyes of others impinging on the creative process that takes place within the context of the 50-minute hour. This, of course, is in theory. In reality, it is difficult to adhere to such strict rules. Especially in early psychoanalytic Seattle, where colleagues were each other's students, analysands, and analysts. In Seattle this ideal was not possible since there were only two training analysts available, Orr and Buxbaum. But the close-knit situation did give rise to greater self-understanding, Allison said. He had worshipped his father and transferred those feelings onto Orr. When the elder Allison died in 1957, the son would enter into an analysis with Edith Buxbaum and could "use" her as a mother figure; as such, Allison said that he learned more about his relationship to his mother in her widowhood. In 1959, Allison became a member of the American Psychoanalytic Association and was intimately involved with that organization for the rest of his life, bringing a Northwest presence to the national psychoanalytic scene. He served on, or chaired, numerous committees including History and Archives, Psychoanalytic Education (two four-year terms), Psychoanalytic Research, and the Committee on Psychoanalytic Ethics. In addition, in the early 1980s, the association's Executive Council sought him out to be a member of its Exploratory Nominating Committee, as well as the Special Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Professional Standards. From 1990 to 1992, he served as its president. He loved the work, and also, as he said in 1994, working for the American gave him an excuse to return to Yonkers, his hometown, where some of his friends and relatives still lived. Allison enjoyed sports and travel; and he had a friendly and far-reaching personality. From his obituary: "Mike's sporting pursuits included skiing, sailing, basketball, and squash. Well into his 80s he was bicycling to work and competing with -- and often beating -- family members on the tennis court. He also loved to travel with Jo and other family members; Mike had memorable journeys around the US and to Europe, Russia, the Middle East, South America, and Japan, with overseas trips often built around meetings of the International Psychoanalytic Association" ("George H. 'Mike' Allison MD," [obituary]). From the time Allison moved to Seattle, he was involved politically, professionally, and socially in a variety of civic organizations and causes. His speaking engagements included the University Grandmothers' Club and topics ranged from weight control to various aspects of mental health. He was a trustee of the Psychiatric Clinic at 411 Fairview Avenue N. He voted for public school levies, was a patron of the Seattle Symphony, and served on a committee to find a new stadium site. He was a member of the Reginald Parson’s Guild, along with Douglass Orr, Edward Hoedemaker, Robert Worthington (1907-1990), and other psychiatrists in town. (Reginal Parsons was a founder of Pinel Foundation Hospital). For the 1964 presidential election, Allison helped organize the Washington State Scientists, Engineers and Physicians for the Lyndon Johnson/Hubert Humphrey ticket. In 2008, along with thousands of doctors throughout the country, Allison affiliated with Doctors for Obama ’08 by supporting the Obama Health Care Plan. In Defense of Freud Since the beginning of psychoanalysis in the late nineteenth century, professionals and non-professionals alike have been throwing darts at Freud; no doubt the Freud Wars will continue. Nonetheless, Allison was a staunch believer in Freud. In 1993, having just completed his role as president of the American Psychoanalytic Association, he told a reporter for Time: "... Freud's influence in mental health as well as the humanities is much greater than it was 40 years ago. I hear much more being written and said about Freud .... There are now more than 200 talking cures competing in the U.S. mental health marketplace, and 10 to 15 million Americans doing some kind of talking ... they really are based on Freudian principals, even though a lot of people who head these movements are anti-Freudian officially. But they are standing on the shoulders of a genius" ("The Assault on Freud"). Allison’s continued enthusiasm for psychoanalysis was underscored in his 2009 talk to the graduates of Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. He was 88 years old and had been a practicing psychiatrist all of his adult life and most of it as an analyst. Here he speaks of his psychoanalytic identity: "I cherish mine, and encourage you to cherish yours. Wear it proudly, and enjoy the advantages we have as psychoanalysts. We are privileged to be analysts and to be able to engage in this wonderful work. It is unlike any other, with the intense intimacy we experience with our patients and with ourselves -- analyzing them and ourselves over our professional lifetimes. We are truly blessed, I believe. In closing, I want to again mention the American Psychoanalytic Association as well as other organizations which offer fertile ground for post graduate development and growth. I urge you to dedicate yourself to seek such further growth and development -- and thereby feed your own excitement and enthusiasm. Your intense involvement as a psychoanalyst with similar dedicated enthusiasm, will surely be rewarded, as mine has been" ("SPSI Graduation Talk," June 12, 2009). Allison practiced psychoanalysis in Seattle until he was 91 years old. He retired reluctantly. But by this time, the traditional practice of psychoanalysis -- 50 minute sessions on the couch four or five days a week -- had changed from its nineteenth-century beginnings in Vienna and Berlin, and even from its twentieth-century beginnings in the United States, where it spread from New York to Seattle to what some would call a "watered-down" therapeutic process. For Allison and other devotees of a "pure" analysis -- one that is undertaken four or five days a week, where the analysand/client/patient lies on a couch for sometimes three, four, five or more years attempting to get to the heart of his or her life-long conflicts -- theoretical explanations often ignore the cost factor. Not that the cost factor is beside the point: Analysts are aware that insurance companies do not pay for long-term therapies and only those clients of robust financial means can afford to lie on a couch and talk away their problems. Alternative-to-psychoanalytic therapeutic methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (focus on thought patterns and behavior) or relational therapy (focus on relationships with others) are often more attractive to the client because they are less expensive than psychoanalysis and are often paid for, at least in part, by insurance companies. Even though psychoanalytic institutes often establish low-income programs for a limited number of patients, it is difficult to get accepted into such programs; moreover, senior-level analysts are preferred to cover this end of the psychoanalytic business and are not always available. Allison refers to alternative therapies as "homogenized psychoanalysis." Dictionaries define homogenized as "blending unlike elements." For Allison, unlike elements may refer to various modes of therapeutic interpretation. In a 1994 essay for instance, he explains that the psychoanalytic process "typically requires thorough immersion through frequent sessions which permits greater resolution of the transference or transference neurosis." He suggests that frequency of visits allows for "insight and greater opportunity for the achievement of autonomy." He concedes that "Other modes of therapeutic action also play into the process as in psychotherapy, but the interpretive mode with progressive insight distinguishes psychoanalysis proper" ("On the Homogenization of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy") In other words, interpretations regarding emotional health depend upon resolution of the transference neurosis, that is, differentiating one's mother, father, sister, brother, even a cousin, from the likes of the therapist. In a later paper, "The Shortage of Psychoanalytic Patients: An Inquiry into Its Causes and Consequences," Allison worries that the shortage of psychoanalytic patients will effect just how psychoanalysis will be taught within psychoanalytic training programs. What will the curriculum look like? How will institutional policies be developed? He worries that the variety of theoretical interpretations comes at a time when psychoanalysis proper is losing patients and that different types of therapies will conflate upon each other so that psychoanalysis will no longer be recognized in its pure form. He does not mention in this essay that not everyone who reaches out to a therapist is interested in resolving the so-called transference neurosis or even believes it exists! Allison admits that "mainstream medical psychoanalysis, which dominated the field in the United States well into the post–World War II era, is often seen to have maintained a rigid dogmatic theoretical orthodoxy in its training institutes, as well as a stultifying exclusionary elitist stance toward the rest of the scientific world. Many see this as having been self-defeating,” he writes. But "[s]ome have argued that psychoanalysis is now experiencing something of a renaissance in contemporary culture because of the proliferation of new perspectives ... that many suggest may more inclusively address the complexities of social and psychological life" ("The Shortage of Psychoanalytic Patients..."). No doubt the homogenization of psychoanalysis and various types of psychotherapies will allow for more inclusivity than conventional psychoanalytic institutes ever dreamed possible. Dr. Allison would be proud of this newness. He was aware of the elitism inherent in psychoanalysis, all the while he loved the process. The societal ramifications for change in the field of psychoanalysis are far-reaching: Psychoanalysis has always comprised a predominately white group of healers, whether in Europe; Topeka, Kansas; Chicago; or Seattle. Little has changed in this regard in terms of clients or practitioners during its hundred-plus years of development. But in today’s twenty-first century that demographic is already changing; and people of color, especially those coming through the fields of social work and psychology, will push the barriers, just as lay analysts did (and won) a few decades ago. And just as gay doctors pushed through. People of color will push through those barriers too -- in Seattle and beyond. And this writer believes that George "Mike" Allison will be smiling. George Allison died from heart disease on March 19, 2016. On Saturday, May 21, 2016, at 11 a.m., a memorial service was held for him at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood, adjacent to the University of Washington, where Allison had been a clinical professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department. This essay made possible by: George H. "Mike" Allison (1921-2016), in United States Navy, 1940s "George H. "Mike" Allison MD," (obituary) The Seattle Times, March 27, 2016 (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=179415412); Esther Altshul Helfgott interview with George H. Allison, M.D., August 22, 1994 and August 29, 1994, Seattle, audio tapes in possession of Esther Helfgott; George H. Allison, M.D., "SPSI Graduation Talk," June 12, 2009, International Psychoanalysis website accessed January 14, 2012 (http://internationalpsychoanalysis.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/AllisonSPSI-Graduation-Talk-June-12-2009.pdf); Allison, "In Memoriam, Douglass Orr, M.D. (1905-1990)," Seattle Institute for Psychoanalysis Newsletter, 1991; Allison, "The Shortage of Psychoanalytic Patients: An Inquiry into Its Causes and Consequences," Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Mental Health Professionals, Vol. 20, No. 4 (2000), pp. 527-540; Allison, "Reviews of In Defense of Schreber: Soul Murder and Psychiatry," Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, Vol. 43 (1995), pp. 573-576; Allison, "On the Homogenization of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy," Journal of the American Psychanalytic Association, Vol. 42, No. 2 (1994), pp. 341-362; American Psychoanalytic Association Collection folder list, Record group 10: "Board on professional standards (bops)," Series 2: "officers," sub-series 2: "office of the secretary," box title: "bops, office of the secretary, 1951-1987," folder list available online at (http://www.cornellpsychiatry.org/history/pdf/Final%20-%20APsaA%20Folder%20List%204-1-08.pdf); Norman Quintus Brill, M.D. and Gilbert Wheeler Beebe, Ph.D. "A Follow-up Study of War Neuroses,” VA Medical Monograph Vol. 39, January 22, 1955; Bulletin Psychoanalytic Association of Seattle, Vol. 11, No. 1 (October 1981); The Freud Encyclopedia: Theory, Therapy, and Culture ed. by Edward Erwin (London: Routledge, 2002); Paul Gray, "The Assault on Freud," Time, November 29, 1993; HistoryLink.org Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History, "Buxbaum, Edith (1902-1982), Psychoanalyst" (by Esther Altshul Helfgott) and "Orr, Douglass Winnett, M.D. (1905-1990), Father of Seattle Psychoanalysis" (by Esther Altshul Helfgott) and "Parsons, Reginald (1873-1955), Seattle Financier and Philanthropist" (by Bill Alley) http://www.historylink.org/ (accessed October and November, 2016); "News and Notes," Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, Vol. 114, No. 3 (September 1951), p. 277; Eric J. Neutzel, "From the BOPS Chair: Farewell," The American Psychoanalyst, Vol. 41, No. 2 (Spring/Summer 2007), p. 5; Douglass W. Orr, "Group Psychiatric and Psychoanalytic Practice," unpublished paper, n.d., in possession of Esther Altshul Helfgott, Seattle, courtesy Nancy Orr Adams; "We Urge a Decisive Victory for Johnson & Humphrey," Advertisement, Washington State Scientists, Engineers and Physicians for Johnson-Humphrey, October 9, 1964, The Seattle Times, p. 8; "Robert Allison searched on FamilyTreeNow.com on October 28, 2016 (http://www.familytreenow.com/records/census/allison/robert/kuyddcjmokev5v-djehaga); "Doctors and Medical Students who support the Obama Health Plan" Doctors for Obama '08 website accessed September 28, 2016 (http://www.milandevries.org/dfo/signatories/); Maggie Magee, Diana C. Miller, Lesbian Lives: Psychoanalytic Narratives Old and New (Hillsdale, New Jersey: Analytic Press, 1997); "Nancy Fisher Is Bride Of Anthony P. Allison" The New York Times, July 7, 1986 (http://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/07/style/nancy-fisher-is-bride-of-anthony-p-allison.html); "Rochester Alumni President to be Honor Guest," The Seattle Times, March 8, 1964, p. 148; "Family Society to Meet," Ibid., November 15, 1959, p. 65; "Role of Family, Counselor Will Be Discussed," Ibid., May 7, 1962, p. 38; "Committee Named to Aid Candidate," Ibid., January 1, 1963, p. 18; "Factual Drama Will Be Shown," Ibid., May 6, 1962, p. 130; "Psychiatric-Clinic Officers Elected," Ibid., January 22, 1959; "Forum on Mental Health Set Tuesday," Ibid., May 3, 1964, p. 137; "Role of Family Counselor Will Be Discussed," Ibid., May 7, 1962, p. 38; "Thomas G. Allison," (obituary), Ibid., May 27, 2016 (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=157865235); "Random Acts of Professionalism Program" Washington State Bar Association website accessed October 8, 2016 (http://www.wsba.org/Legal-Community/Committees-Boards-and-Other-Groups/Professionalism-Committee/Random-Acts-of-Professionalism-Program); Robert S. Wallerstein, Lay Analysis: Life Inside the Controversy (New York: The Analytic Press, 1998); Veronica D. Abney, "Introduction," to "African-American Psychoanalysts in the United States: Their Stories and Presence in the Field" (Ph.D. diss., Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles, 2006). Related Topics < Previous Feature Next Feature > Licensing: This essay is licensed under a Creative Commons license that encourages reproduction with attribution. Credit should be given to both HistoryLink.org and to the author, and sources must be included with any reproduction. Click the icon for more info. Please note that this Creative Commons license applies to text only, and not to images. For more information regarding individual photos or images, please contact the source noted in the image credit.	23,652
FILE – A cow crosses the Jordan River near Kibbutz Karkom in northern Israel on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Israel and Jordan have signed a declaration of intent,… FILE – A cow crosses the Jordan River near Kibbutz Karkom in northern Israel on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Israel and Jordan have signed a declaration of intent, Thursday, Nov. 17 at the U.N. climate conference to conserve and protect their shared Jordan River — a sacred waterway nearly running dry because of climate change, pollution and other threats. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File) Israel and Jordan agree to team up to save Jordan River by: ISABEL DEBRE, Associated Press Posted: Nov 17, 2022 / 06:11 AM CST Updated: Nov 17, 2022 / 07:54 AM CST FILE – A cow crosses the Jordan River near Kibbutz Karkom in northern Israel on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Israel and Jordan have signed a declaration of intent,… FILE – A cow crosses the Jordan River near Kibbutz Karkom in northern Israel on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Israel and Jordan have signed a declaration of intent, Thursday, Nov. 17 at the U.N. climate conference to conserve and protect their shared Jordan River — a sacred waterway nearly running dry because of climate change, pollution and other threats. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File) by: ISABEL DEBRE, Associated Press Posted: Nov 17, 2022 / 06:11 AM CST Updated: Nov 17, 2022 / 07:54 AM CST JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Jordan signed a declaration of intent on Thursday at the U.N. climate conference to conserve and protect their shared Jordan River — a sacred waterway nearly running dry because of climate change, pollution and other threats. The agreement, struck at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where world leaders are discussing how to mitigate the escalating impact from a changing climate, marks an important, albeit initial, step in cooperation. Water cooperation was a key element of the 1994 peace treaty between the two countries but chilly relations over the past decades have complicated efforts to increase water supply to the Jordan River. The plan announced Thursday is short on specifics. It says Israel and Jordan have promised to try to reduce river pollution by building up wastewater treatment facilities and upgrading sewer systems to prevent riverside cities from dumping raw sewage into the waters, according to a statement from the Israeli government. The two countries also aim to promote sustainable agriculture, controlling runoff from farm fields and reducing the use of pesticides, it added, without elaborating on how. “Cleaning up the pollutants and hazards, restoring water flow and strengthening the natural ecosystems will help us prepare and adapt to the climate crisis,” said Minister of Environmental Protection Tamar Zandberg. Jordan’s state-run Petra news agency said the plan will hopefully increase water supplies and create job opportunities “for those living on both sides of the Jordan River, including Palestinians.” EcoPeace Middle East, a cross-border environmental group that has promoted Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian cooperation on water issues, said the agreement to rehabilitate the Jordan River was “a critical climate adaptation measure that can help bring back 50% of the biodiversity lost because of decades of pollution and freshwater diversion.” The waterway also separates Jordan to the east from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and sought by the Palestinians for their future independent state. The river is also home to traditional sites where Jesus is believed to have been baptized, which draw tourism revenue for both countries. In recent years the once-rushing waters of the Jordan River have been reduced to a trickle as population growth and climate change take their toll. Jordan reported on Thursday that the river’s runoff has plummeted to a mere 7% of what it once was. Because its waters feed into the Dead Sea, the saltwater lake is now disappearing — its levels dropping by three feet per year. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.	4,175
After Philadelphia Union ended their 2018 season Wednesday night against NYCFC in the first match of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Union head coach Jim Curtin put it succinctly and appropriately in his postgame press conference. “Full credit to New York City,” he said. “They deserved to win tonight.” Curtin tried to switch things up before the match by starting Alejandro Bedoya on the right wing and playing Warren Creavalle at the number six position, but the coach’s statement still rang true in the end. NYC deserved to win. In fact, it’s difficult to examine the Union’s tactics in this match, as NYCFC dictated play for the majority of the match, even when they didn’t control the ball. By packing the Union’s right side NYC were able to snuff out the Union’s primary means of build up. Then on the counter, they relied on their speed and intelligent runs, coupled with some defensive inefficiencies from the Union, to secure the lead. Let’s take a look at what the Union tried, and why it didn’t work. Philadelphia like to maintain possession, settling the ball when transition to offense and then building from the back. Typically, that entails a combination of connecting through the middle and up the right wing. Usually, with Bedoya at a defensive midfield position, this entails right back Keegan Rosenberry, Bedoya, Dockal, and whoever is at right wing passing the ball in triangles up the right side, with Haris Medunjanin stepping in for safety. Clearly, the Union approached Wednesday’s match with much the same strategy, despite swapping C.J. Sapong for Bedoya on the wing and having the less attack-minded Creavalle in the middle. Unfortunately for the Union, it was unsuccessful. Part of that is due to Creavalle not having the passing chops that Medunjanin normally has in that position to bail the Union’s attack out of tight situations. Primarily, it’s because NYCFC packed the right side, often putting two defenders in front of the man with the ball to block passing lanes as well as additional defenders marking the men behind them – a kind of defensive insurance. This does a few things. First, if the Union manage to get the ball up the right wing successfully, this stretches the defense, which is forced to come out to account for the multiple creative threats on the outside. NYC would much prefer that the Union switch the field and use Fafa Picault, who largely takes men on one-on-one. Second, if the Union don’t switch the field but rather continue to try to work the ball through a crowded right flank, they risk turnovers and dangerous counterattacks. This is exactly what happened. Take a look at NYC’s interceptions below. Keep in mind, their left side is the Union’s right. That cluster at the top left is exactly what we’re talking about here. By packing the Union’s right side, NYC were able to force turnovers and start counter attacks already close to goal. That’s what happened on the first two goals. Philadelphia Union need Haris Medunjanin to play his best game. He’s arguably their best player, and the way he plays often dictates the match. Haris Medunjanin did not play his best game Wednesday night. Defensively, Medunjanin had a hand in the first two goals. On the first, after the Union turned the ball over on that right side mentioned above, Medunjanin was slow to transition defensively against a side that’s primary strength is its quick offensive transition. He jogged to Yangel Herrera from behind and failed to get into a good position in front of Maxi Moralez, showing Moralez the middle of the field, where his pass led to Ismael Tajouri-Shradi’s goal. Medunjanin’s mistake on the second goal was positional. It was also more important because it was a problem throughout the match. NYC like to get one man on the wing with the ball, keep their opposite flank relatively wide, and hang their defense back. This creates space in the middle for Villa or Moralez – two of the best movers in the league – to find a good run. The way to prevent this is to get your defensive midfielders into that space, relieving a little pressure on the Union’s young center backs. Often, however, neither Creavalle nor Medunjanin occupied that vacancy. Offensively, Medunjanin was unable to assist the team with his usual passing wonder. This was primarily circumstantial. NYC’s small pitch condenses the field far too much for Medunjanin’s game, and having to move over to occupy Bedoya’s spot and role through off his normally left-oriented game. Notice how much to the right the left-footed Medunjanin had to play. A high line against quick feet Finally, NYC were just able to transition to offense more quickly than Philadelphia were able to transition to defense. The repercussions of this fact were exacerbated by NYC’s small pitch. Philadelphia like to keep their line high to help with their attack and to condense space when the opposing side gets the ball in their own half. This latter benefit, however, hardly makes a difference on the small pitch, where any player is capable of sending the ball to the other side’s penalty box from any point. Couple this with the speed of Maximilliano Moralez and David Villa, and you get, well, NYC’s third goal of the match. Auston Trusty wasn’t necessarily marking Moralez poorly. Moralez is just too fast to be playing that high up the pitch. It was a tough loss for a side that had played well tactically all year. Between Yankee Stadium’s awkward pitch and NYC’s smart game planning, the Union just couldn’t play the game they wanted to play. Reddit Author: Ryan Rose Ryan Rose is a freelance filmmaker and writer in the Greater Philadelphia Area and one of the daily editors for PSP. A graduate of Hofstra University, Ryan returned home to Philly in 2014 - mainly for the sports if he's being honest with himself. This is Phil says: November 2, 2018 at 12:31 pm tough loss, but NYCFC is a better team when they are healthy… and how the heck can play well on the fooseball table they call a pitch other than them? This team did a lot to win me back this season, mainly because I felt the youth they gave a chance to didn’t disappoint,(well, maybe wish Jones showed stronger to push out Creavalle), Dockal proved a worthy investment and Picault really rose above and beyond expectation–hopefully both will stick around. Hopefully we’ll see some more MF prospects come up from the Steel and perhaps a big money signing for another MLS proven striker. If a healthy Accam bounces back, Picualt stays consistent, and Bedoya stays healthy, even with an aging Medunjanin, there a lot to build on. November 3, 2018 at 9:36 am Medunjanin is absolute trash and needs to go ….the problem with this team is Curtin.. he does not allow the union to build any type of chemistry and has no idea where to place his players. You do not form a formation then place your players in that formation. You form a formation around your players talents and what the opposing team presents on game day. Secondly realize the talent you have. Creavalle is quicker more defensive and can recover much better than medunjanin, who is slow on the ball and creates more turnovers than creative passes. The fact that you think medunjanin is the most talented player in this team amazes me and helps me realize i think union fans go home and turn on college football after these matches. Whole fan base that knows nothing about the game. Fixes: run two up top and grab a solid striker to partner up with Burke Trusty needs to be replaced by Elliot who is a more sound center back to run along side Mackenzie who shows promise Creavalle’s pace, touch on the ball, and ability to anticipate and cut down angles for opposing teams puts him in position to replace medunjanin in the middle. ilsinho needs to be an earlier second half sub when even or playing from behind And lastly curtin, have a damn first team that can build and play with eachother each week. Build chemistry and do not make changes when the team is hot. If you can’t figure that out you need to leave this town. bbaltrus says: November 2, 2018 at 2:28 pm Finally, an real analysis of the effects of the small pitch on our defensive tactics. That is why we lost Sunday and Wednesday. You can’t keep a high line on a field where the goalie can pass to the forward for very little difficulty. Why our manager didn’t realize that after 20 minutes on Sunday??? Tim Jones says: November 2, 2018 at 5:23 pm Is not the root cause of the Union’s right-handedness the difference between RaymGaddis on offense and Keegan Rosenberry? Ray has improved quite a bit from when he first arrived. But he and Picault do not create the same effects on the left that Rosenberry and “winger-of-the-week” on the right. Gaddis makes the safe dish to someone else. Rosenberry creates attack himself. It will be interesting to see if they think Matt Real is ready. Or whether he needs more seasoning in USL Scottymac says: November 2, 2018 at 9:41 pm Who is arguing Haris is their best player? Best at yelling at refs? Not running? Shouting at teammates and pointing? What metric are we using? Making this about the field is tantamount for absolution for a coach bereft of any tactical nous (I got you el P) and frankly just lazy. 5 teams went in and got result there this year, the U got pumped in back to back outings and looked defeated before the half in both. Stop making excuses for a coach who can’t win important games. November 2, 2018 at 11:11 pm Agree and agree. – On point A, Haris has been a major liability all season with his “finger defense”. When he’s on his game, his ball-shuttling and deep-lying distribution make up for it. But too often this season that has not been the case. Personally I am frustrated that they chose to pick up the option on his contract, as he is one player whom I think the team most definitely needs to move on from. – As for the pitch, it is very difficult to play on, and NYC was the best home team in the league for a reason. But we didn’t just lose twice; we gave up early goals twice and got basically humiliated twice. And it’s not like the size of the pitch is some kind of surprise that you can’t anticipate. I think Peter Andrews nailed it in his piece from earlier this week: when the coach is absolutely tactically inflexible, it makes it nearly impossible to change tactics when you truly need to do so. joe b says: November 3, 2018 at 4:42 am NYC only lost 1 home game all season. They were also missing key players that game. The team was built to win on that field. smaller quick players with very good touch and the ability to make short accurate passes. It does not hurt to have Daved Villa and Mini Morales I mean Maxi Morales either. Philly had zero chance to win there when they faced a healthy NYC. The only Union team who could have any chance on that field against that team would be if you could clone 2 Doakals, 2 Ilsiniios (when he was 25) 2 Barnettas, 2 Vincent Nogueras and 2 Justin Mapps as field players then replace the CBs with Valdez and Califf in their prime. Rosenberry on the right and god knows who on the left.(we never had had a decent left back. NYC is basically an indoor soccer arena without side walls. The MLS should step in and force them to make it more of a standard size field. Elvado says: November 3, 2018 at 9:54 pm And yet, on that postage stamp field, our two “homegrown stars” at CB were beaten repeatedly with long balls. That is inconceivable.	11,665
The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, “should you?”Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up to age 70), the larger each monthly check will be. The sooner you start receiving benefits, the smaller the check. From the Social Security Administration’s point of view, it’s simple: If a person lives to the average life expectancy, the person will eventually receive roughly the same amount in lifetime benefits no matter when he or she chooses to start receiving them. In actual practice, it’s not quite that straightforward, but the principle holds. The key phrase is “if the person lives to average life expectancy.” If a person exceeds the average life expectancy, and has opted to wait to receive benefits, he or she will start to accumulate more from Social Security. The chart shows how Social Security benefits accumulate for individuals who started to receive at ages 64, 67, and 70. The person who started to receive benefits at age 64 would accumulate $536,996 by the age 85. Conversely, the person who started to receive benefits at age 70 would accumulate $646,550 by the age of 85. Assumes the maximum retirement benefit of $2,533 at age 67. Does not assume COLA. Source: Social Security Administration, 2014. There is no single “right” answer to the question of when to start benefits. Many base their decision on family considerations, economic circumstances, and personal preferences. If you have a spouse, the decision about when to start benefits gets more complicated—particularly if one person’s earnings were considerably higher than the other’s. The timing of spousal benefits should be factored into a decision. When considering at what age to start Social Security benefits, it may be a good idea to review all the assets you have gathered for retirement. Some may want the money sooner based on how assets are positioned, while others may benefit by waiting. So as you near a decision point, it may be best to consider all your options before moving forward. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Some of this material was developed and produced by FMG, LLC, to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm.The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2014 Faulkner Media Group. This article was written for information purposes only and its content should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as rebel Financial’s solicitation to affect, or attempt to affect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation. No client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from rebel Financial, or from any other investment professional. See our disclosures page for more information. PrevPreviousHealthcare Costs in Retirement Phil Ratcliff, President of rebel Financial, is a senior financial advisor that holds an AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, and CLU® certifications. He started his career at American Express Financial Advisors in 2003, then moved to AXA Advisors for 7 years before founding rebel Financial LLC in 2013. Comments are closed. rebel Financial is a Registered Investment Advisor that provides retirement planning, estate planning, financial planning, and investment management services to individual and institutional clients. To get a more detailed description of the company, its management, and practices, view our (form ADV, Part2A) and Disclosures.	4,258
With demand for coaches spiralling, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been a better time to get into the business of helping companies grow Fit for the future Although an uncertain economic climate is making it difficult for companies to plan for the future, business-growth coaches are helping firms become healthier than ever before We live in uncertain times. Despite having officially started in June, Brexit negotiations barely seem to have made any progress. Meanwhile the Tory party’s spectacular implosion during the recent general election has left a major question mark over the life expectancy of our current government. And rising inflation and low consumer spending saw the UK economy drop to the bottom of the EU growth league in the first quarter of this year, falling behind even Greece in terms of GDP growth. In light of this, it’s hardly surprising that business leaders sometimes feel they need a guiding hand on the tiller to help them navigate the choppy seas ahead. The inherent unpredictability of the UK’s current political and economic climate has clearly been a blow to small businesses’ confidence. According to the FSB Voice of Small Business Index, 52% of small businesses feel the country’s current economic slowdown is a barrier to growth. Perhaps even more troubling, according to the most recent SME Confidence Tracker from Bibby Financial Services, it seems many SMEs are holding back on investing in their businesses: more than a quarter cited market uncertainties as the reason they were holding onto the purse strings, while a fifth directly pointed the finger at Brexit. Evidently businesses are under no illusions about the current commercial climate. But being aware of a problem isn’t the same as knowing how to solve it. Faced with a volatile and complex market, many business leaders are being forced into a reactive state and are having to expend energy fighting fires and shoring up their bottom lines. As a result, it can be tricky for entrepreneurs and business owners to focus on longer term priorities and really invest energy in the health of their companies. But this means there is a huge opportunity available for aspiring coaches who have enjoyed success in their career or sport, get a buzz from helping others succeed and love learning and development to help companies get fit for the future. And with the franchising sector allowing people to buy into a tried and tested model, it’s now easier than ever to get involved in business growth without needing to start from scratch. So whether your passion lays in helping businesses build up their growth muscles, enhance employee engagement or put in place effective planning for their futures, franchising can provide the perfect opportunity to help companies achieve success. Building business-growth muscles With the market for business-growth coaching booming, there’s never been a better time to launch a coaching company ith the World Para Athletics Championships and the World Championships in Athletics still fresh in mind, many people are aware of how important coaching is for keeping athletes healthy and at the top of their game. But while first-rate coaching has been key in ensuring Britain’s athletes are raking in the medals, coaching is also vital in making sure the country’s businesses are operating at their peak and bringing home the gold. Demand for business coaching has reached fever pitch. According to the 2016 Global Coaching Study commissioned by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and carried out by PwC, the estimated total revenue generated by professional coaching in Western Europe was $898m in 2015 – an 8.5% increase on 2011. More than ever before, there is a massive demand for business coaches to help budding companies secure meaningful growth and achieve their goals. And it isn’t hard to see why. Some of the most effective business people in recent history have used coaching to reach the top of their game. As former Google CEO Eric Schmidt once remarked during an interview with Fortune: “Every famous athlete, every famous performer has somebody who is a coach, somebody who can watch what they’re doing, somebody who can [...] give them perspective.” Whether it was Mark Zuckerberg being guided to his full potential by the late Steve Jobs or former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer benefitting from the tutelage of Schmidt and current Alphabet CEO Larry Page, coaching has enabled some of the world’s brightest business leaders make the most of their growth. As Stephen Ward, co-owner and cofounder of Clerksroom, explains, part of the reason ActionCOACH business coaching is so invaluable is it provides an objective perspective on growth opportunities that will allow companies to significantly up their game. “When you have a good business you don’t necessarily want to get involved in challenges because you are doing ok,” he says. “Many business owners understand the technical aspect of their company – an artist may be great at painting but won’t make money without a good agent, in fact, they may not even see why they need an agent at all. But a great business coach take good businesses to great.” However, given the ICF survey revealed that 45% of business leaders view the presence of untrained individuals acting as coaches to be the biggest obstacle facing the industry, clearly it’s important for anyone who wants to roll up their sleeves and help businesses prosper to join an effective coaching system. Finding an established brand with a tried-and-tested methodology, a comprehensive training and support package and a network of engaged business-growth coaches can ensure that you’ve found a model that can go the distance. And once you’ve found the right system for you, you will soon feel the pride that comes with helping your clients get the gold time and time again. 3 Help is at hand ActionCOACH can provide you with the tools and systems to save ailing companies and take businesses from good to great ere’s a hypothetical for you. Imagine Pam’s hairdressing salon. Now Pam’s terrific at her job but the business is underachieving. That’s understandable, you think. Just because someone’s a dab hand at cutting hair, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they know everything there is to know about managing people, finances and marketing. What Pam needs is guidance: an outsider looking in, armed with strategies to improve her bottom line. With a business coach, she could introduce relatively modest improvements that, taken together, would be transformative. Fortunately, ActionCOACH has more than 3,500 of these strategies and tactics to draw on. The company, which estimates that at least a million British businesses like Pam’s could benefit from its services, has 170 UK-based franchise partners, ranging from teachers What made you decide the time was right to start your own business? Having spent quite some time at home with my young family after leaving a telecommunication business I had loved building and being a part of for over 19 years, I realised I needed to rekindle my interest in business. Mainly for the sake of my wife’s sanity: while she’d enjoyed having me to military officers. With an eye on the potential market, ActionCOACH feels it could easily accommodate many more. For an entry-level investment of £25,000, the business-growth franchise is capable of generating a six-figure income. And in what you might call the premier league, some coaches have reached monthly turnovers of £70,000 and a net operating profit of 70%. ActionCOACH prides itself on being the numberone business coaching team in the world – it’s been going strong since 1993, after all – so its entry criteria are strict. It may not demand formal coaching experience but it does ask that candidates possess team spirit, a strong appetite for learning and growth, a desire to help others and evidence of career or business success. The entry-level ActionPRIMARY, takes five days online and another five in a classroom and explains, among other things, how to help a business generate and convert leads more effectively, make repeat sales more likely, raise the average value of a sale and boost margins. With the products, services, learning materials provided, invaluable advice is never far away. ActionPREMIUM offers a variety of additional rewards and incentives, and the ability to hire two additional fee-earners. And this isn’t the only help the brand provides: given just five customers can make a coaching venture profitable, ActionCOACH’s exclusive Lead & Client Generation Centre and initial threemonth marketing subsidy are designed to help you around I think she was eager to get me out of the house again! What helped you decide that ActionCOACH was the right opportunity for you? After meeting their UK representative responsible for bringing on board new franchisees, I was convinced there was something unique about ActionCOACH but I couldn’t quite pin down what. So I started calling current franchisees, trying to catch them out: I wanted them to tell me there was something wrong with ActionCOACH but they never did. After hearing roughly the same positive story over and over again – “it’s a great team”, “there’s endless support”, “we’re helping people realise their life’s ambitions” or “it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done” – I said to my wife: “we’re either joining the best team in the world or you can divorce me for making the worst decision I’ve ever made!” What do you think sets the ActionCOACH programme apart from other programmes? ActionCOACH was founded by an out and out entrepreneur, Brad Sugars, so its foundation is rock solid. What’s happened since Brad began to franchise ActionCOACH is that all these amazing people have joined him and continued to build and improve its resources. There’s now a beautifully logical system that can be applied to literally any business. Firstly, you use it to build your own coaching business. Secondly, the find those customers. But while the ActionCOACH support team plays a huge role in supporting it’s franchise partners, the real string to the businessgrowth franchise’s bow is the togetherness of its network: its franchise partners, who are all at different levels of growth and success, provide a ready-made support network, giving a balanced view of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Unsurprisingly, this approach to training has made ActionCOACH a hit with its franchise partners. Smith & Henderson, an independent research firm, surveys thousands of franchisees every year. In the period from 2013 to 2016, ActionCOACH achieved its 5-Star Franchisee Satisfaction status every year, making it one of only five franchises to do so on four occasions. And that’s not all: at last year’s RBS Best Franchise Awards, ActionCOACH walked home with the prize for the UK’s Best Mid-Priced Franchise Between £25k – £99k Investment – the third time in a row the company had won the award. Financial considerations aside, ActionCOACH’s coaches play a valuable, fulfilling role, bringing jobs and prosperity to their communities. Bearing in mind the upsides, it’s no surprise that coaching is one of the UK’s fastest-growing professions. So, if you’re pondering a career change, it’s time to be honest with yourself: can you afford to miss out? An ActionCOACH Business Growth Specialist working with a client during a GrowthCLUB workshop If you are interested in hearing more about the opportunities ActionCOACH presents, visit actioncoach.co.uk moment you take on your first client, you begin to coach them to apply it to their business. Once mastered, this system is extremely powerful. How has ActionCOACH helped you make a meaningful difference in business owners’ lives? It’s extremely difficult to put into words what it’s like when you see someone achieve something they thought was, frankly, impossible. When someone takes their first holiday for ten years, buys their dream home, gives their team a significant pay rise or pays themselves what they deserve, just because you got them to think about what mattered to them, write it down and then commit to working weekly towards making it happen – backed up by the world’s number one business coaching team and business growth system of course! You honestly can’t buy the sort of thanks you get when their dreams turn in to their very own reality. Franchise partner, Lucas Vigilante, helping his team mates for free Getting engaged Whether or not employees feel engaged by their work can make the difference between a business failing or succeeding. And that offers a valuable opportunity for those interested in helping businesses grow hen thinking about the long-term strategy of a company, entrepreneurs and business leaders can’t solely focus on business plans and targets. Making sure that staff are engaged with and excited about the mission ahead is just as important. As serial entrepreneur Richard Branson once remarked: “While many people talk about profits and productivity as the necessary ingredients, I believe that a business’s long-term success is built on staff who love working there.” Despite this, however, it seems many employers are falling short when it comes to engaging their staff: according to the State of the Global Workplace 2013 report released by Gallup, the management consultancy, just 17% of UK employees are engaged, while 57% are not engaged and 26% are actively disengaged. And this is why in the eyes of Karrie-Ann Fox, Engage & Grow facilitator, no business can afford to overlook the subject of engagement. “Engaged Joanna Martorana with Engage & Grow facilitators graduating from training employees are more productive, they take less sick days and they have better relationships with each other and their customers,” she says. “As a result, businesses with engaged employees make more profit, make fewer mistakes and have lower staff turnover than businesses with disengaged employees. This means owners of businesses with engaged leaders grow their businesses faster, get better returns for shareholders and have more time to work on their business or to follow other pursuits.” All told, employee engagement is essential for business growth. Certainly businesses that take engaging their staff seriously can expect it to have a transformative effect. According to a meta-analysis Gallup conducted of 1,882,131 employees around the world, companies that come in the top quartile for staff engagement enjoy increases of 20% in sales productivity and 21% in profitability over those in the lowest quartile. And better staff engagement doesn’t only motivate those within the business: reenergising employees and turning staff into brand advocates also saw businesses receive a 10% boost in customer loyalty. And much of the responsibility for driving this comes from the top: according to a survey commissioned by Dale Carnegie Training and conducted by MSW ARS Research, 60% of employees that have confidence in their leaders are fully engaged and 84% of how employees feel about the organisation they work in is driven by their immediate manager. In light of this, it’s no surprise that business leaders are increasingly looking for someone to give them a helping hand in ensuring they can boost employee engagement. And with more business growth solutions arising that cater to the space, there are plenty of options for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to help more businesses engage and excite their employees. The results speak for themselves. In one testimonial after another, participants talk about how the programme brought the team closer, made people more confident, boosted their self-motivation and, in some cases, hoisted them out of their comfort zones. Over the course of a typical programme, Engage & Grow boosts employee engagement by an average of 257% for SMEs and 361% for corporates and government bodies. The signature Red Belt programme improves productivity from top to bottom, unearths more leaders from all levels of the organisation and, thanks to the growing dedication of staff, boosts profits. Not bad for 12 weeks’ activity. Of course, none of this would be possible without the coaches: there are more than 50 Engage & Grow facilitators throughout the UK. Their task is to not only help staff members love what they do but to turn actively disengaged employees into fully engaged leaders. Other responsibilities, such as getting the most out of millennials and creating a high-energy work environment, help to ensure the role is never dull. Engage & Grow recruiters are looking for professionals who feel frustrated with the current approach to boosting engagement in the workplace. As well as being able to add a time-efficient programme to their professional portfolio, licence owners will get to join a growing support network for coaches, a clear progression structure leading up to mentor coach – which s professional mantras go, “another day, another dollar” has to be one of the worst. Clearly, switched-off staff cause all manner of problems for the companies they work for. But if you can flick that switch and make them content, eager and absorbed every day of their working lives, the resulting transformation will lift profits as well as spirits. And despite the fact that just last year Deloitte reported traditional training techniques were too old and slow for modern business, there’s a successful, tried-and-tested alternative: Engage & Grow. Designed to put a spring in the step of any workforce, this 12week, programme is based on the latest ‘engagement keys’ and can be the catalyst to make the daily grind an outmoded concept. Scientifically and neurologically designed over nine years, the objective of Engage & Grow’s programme is to captivate and entertain while at the same time developing new habits and behaviours. Since actions speak louder than words, the weekly group sessions – customised for individuals and organisations alike – encourage genuine, positive changes through an all-action programme that develops leaders across every level of the business. In essence, it’s a practical, rewarding and long-lasting form of self-improvement, run in-house – or even via video link – and performed with each and every colleague. As Engage & Grow promises there is An Engage & Grow facilitator delivering a Red Belt programme “nowhere to hide”. What made you decide the time was right to start your own business? comes with enhanced recognition and rewards – and opportunities to increase their income with both new and existing clients. Becoming an Engage & Grow facilitator requires an investment of £7,800 to cover training and support – and once coaches are trained, the revenue is split 75:25 in your favour. The role can be as part-time and as flexible as you wish and one client can more than pay back your initial outlay. And, in terms of personal satisfaction, engagement coaches have a chance to make a real difference to people’s lives, as Jake Cooper, head of creative services at Oakman Inns and Restaurants explains. “Our employee engagement specialist was inspiring and effective to our company and has had a resounding impact on both the marketing department and customer engagement team at Oakman Inns & Restaurants,” he says. “Productivity, job satisfaction and inter-team relationships have all improved as a direct result of our time with our coach. Highly recommended!” So, assuming all goes well, with Engage & Grow you can wave goodbye to the Monday morning blues. Forget “another day, another dollar”. Play your cards right and your motto will be “glad to be of service” – or, better still, “I love what I do”. If you are interested in hearing more about the opportunities Engage & Grow presents, contact Kerry-Ann at uk@engageandgrowglobal.com 8 At the peak of my banking career in the City I earned a six-figure salary. But I missed having a true sense of purpose and reward other than money. When I saw Brad Sugars, the founder of ActionCOACH, on the stage for the first time I was blown away and immediately the penny dropped – I’d found my calling. I realised for the first time that coaching is what I had been doing in my banking career through building teams and ultimately coaching people to achieve results. I haven’t looked back since. What helped you decide that Engage & Grow was the right business growth system to add to your business? Whilst I was loving delivering traditional business growth coaching, all my clients kept telling me they wanted more help with their teams and that they bought into me because of who I am as a people person. I then did my Wealth Dynamics, which confirmed what was blindingly obvious: that my natural talent is in leadership and transformational coaching. As soon as I discovered who I really was as a coach, I re-engaged with Richard Maloney, the founder and CEO of Engage & Grow, because I knew this was what I had to do. I had found my niche and it gave me the time and income to be a great mum. What do you think sets the Engage & Grow programme apart from other business growth programmes? This programme focuses on activating peoples’ minds in a group environment for team success. We are transforming people’s lives and businesses – our clients and facilitator coaches have not experienced anything quite like it before now. My personal growth as a coach has been fast-tracked and it’s changed even my behaviours and habits, as well as the culture and behaviours of my clients and their teams. How has Engage & Grow helped you make a meaningful difference in business owners’ lives? These programmes have made many differences for my clients including: business growth and ROI through increased revenues and profits in only 12 weeks; increased employee engagement scores; a notable transformation in peoples’ behaviours and the culture of the businesses; more accountability and initiative taken from employees and – more importantly – happier, healthier minds that have in turn created re-invigorated workforces. My clients and their teams are now loving what they do and looking forward to going to work so together they can take the company forward and create business success. Building a business blueprint It can be hard to scale a company when the road ahead is unclear. Fortunately business-growth coaches are perfectly placed to help business owners to plan for any eventuality T hink of one of the world’s truly great buildings. Whether your mind first settles on The Shard, the Petronas Towers, the One World Trade Center or the Burj Khalifa, you can guarantee it has one thing in common with all its contemporaries: its architect drew up a detailed plan long before even a teaspoon of soil was moved. The same is true of the world’s most influential businesses: from Apple and Microsoft to Facebook and Twitter, every successful company has relied upon a detailed business plan to transform it from a dream to reality. Without a doubt being able to plan for the future is important for any business. According to an article by Andrew Burke, Stuart Fraser and Francis J. Greene in the Journal of Management Studies, companies that plan ahead are able to grow 30% faster. Meanwhile, a study conducted by the University of Oregon found businesses with a plan were far “If you don’t have a business plan, be prepared for surprises and unnecessary challenges” more likely to secure funding than those without. As a business scales, meticulously planning the journey ahead can help it avoid any missteps and be better prepared for challenges as they arise. And with Brexit looming large, the government’s shaky position spooking the markets and big businesses threatening to up sticks and move to the continent, it’s more important than ever for businesses to have in place a plan that can deal with whatever lies ahead, as Paul Greenwood, one of ActionCOACH’s 170+ UK-based franchise partners explains. “The key to success of any business, no matter its age or size, is the extent of planning undertaken. A formal business plan is an essential tool for starting, managing and growing a business and provides a framework for decision-making to take place. Every single thing you do in your business should be guided by your business plan. So if you don’t have a business plan, be prepared for surprises and unnecessary challenges.” Despite this, however, according to research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, more than a quarter of small businesses don’t have any plan in place. And one obstacle that can often deter business leaders from attempting to formulate their business plan is it can often be very time consuming and costly to produce. This is why a huge demand has emerged for businessgrowth specialists who can help companies save time and money when putting together their business plans. So if you’re skilled at leading a team of people and have a passion for helping companies achieve real growth, there is a huge opportunity to become the architect of many companies’ future success. 9 Looking to the future When it comes to helping business owners plan for the long-term, ProfitPlus presents the perfect opportunity arge companies have been creating annual 3-5 year business plans since time immemorial. However for smaller companies, most start out with a business plan and then the business’s demands on their time, get in the way of repeating the exercise. For others the cost of the exercise with accountancy practices often charging north of £5,000 is prohibitive. The saying ‘fail to plan and plan to fail’ is a cliche for a reason: 9 out of 10 UK-based companies fail inside 10 years of starting up. Thankfully, ProfitPlus offers answers. It provides clients with essential business planning, business valuation, cashflow analysis, profitability analysis and financial monitoring services. In return for an investment of between £2,000 and £3,000 per business, clients attend a split two-day planning workshop. With the help of a ProfitPlus Facilitator and using a unique system and software developed by ProfitPlus over the past decade, business leaders can develop their own five-year plan. The software can also convert the plan into a ‘live document’ featuring what-if scenarios, variance analysis and a dashboard of key financial ratios. A ProfitPlus facilitator helping a business owner to plan for the future Armed with this critical information, the client can take the next steps to keep their venture on the fastest growth path possible in the 12 months that follow. In fact, a variety of ProfitPlus services and products exist. Specific aims include gauging the health of the business – with tailored strategies for generating more leads, repeat sales, competitiveness, profitability and productivity – giving a helping hand to firms that are developing their concept, in startup mode or are experiencing stagnation; putting together a business plan for the purpose of gaining funding; and financial analysis for clients that don’t have the in-house financial analysts or controllers. Launched in June, already 30 ProfitPlus territories have been reserved, providing a licence to exclusive direct marketing territory, covering 10,000 employing businesses. There’s an upfront investment in a licence for an exclusive ProfitPlus territory and a royalty per plan of £300. Natwest is already so supportive of the business opportunity, they are offering up to 75% funding which means you can get ON THE PLUS SIDE What made you decide the time was right to start your own business? I’d got involved as captain and fundraiser in my local cricket club. I’d set out extremely ambitious goals for where we should be as a club and the amount of funds we should raise in a five-year plan. We achieved everything in three years, started for a personal contribution of as little as £17k. In return for your investment, the support given to licence owners is thorough. It starts with a four-day training programme devoted to business ownership, generating leads, and clients and delivering the programmes. And the learning and development continues from there with regular training sessions to share best practice and a supportive network of licence holders and support team members. If you’re considering the ProfitPlus licence you will be someone who: enjoys presenting, hosting workshops, working with and guiding teams of people, has a genuine interest in the business of business and a passion for helping people succeed. If you are interested in hearing more about the opportunities ProfitPlus presents, contact Vic at vic@profitplusaccounts.com which gave me the confidence to believe I could make running my own business a success. How did you come across ActionCOACH? My wife sent me an email suggesting I’d be a good business coach. I googled business coaching and came across ActionCOACH so gave them a call: 30 minutes later I was smitten with the idea and decided to give it a go in my existing business. My experiences running my own small business convinced me that it is essential that we get out there and provide access to services like ours. What helped you decide that ProfitPlus was the right business growth system to add to your business? I was coaching clients with a lot of success but was getting frustrated that it was extremely challenging getting business owners to examine what they really wanted for their future. Plans were set on shortterm timelines and based on whichever need was most pressing at the time. I wanted to transform my clients’ lives and deliver their dream lifestyle. To do that I needed to help them through that thinking process, open their minds to what was achievable and translate that into the specific numbers to deliver that lifestyle. What do you think sets the ProfitPlus programme apart from other business growth programmes? The ProfitPlus framework enables me to clearly and quickly help a business owner map out a clear path to their dream life. By building their plan, business owners can see the possibilities, what they’d need to do to make it happen and, by seeing it and laying out the steps, it becomes real. This completely changes their perspective on their business. It gives them clear vision, focus and strong motivation and as a result the results I’m getting with my clients are outstanding. How has ProfitPlus helped you make a meaningful difference in business owners lives? There’s no other way to describe it than completely transforming people’s lives. They fall in love with their business again, it boosts passion and drive and gives meaning to the journey they’re on as a business owner. PROFITPLUS A guaranteed income of £8,333 per month by month 7; ask us about the Ts & Cs. Award winning franchise support, ActionCOACH is 1 of only 5 franchise networks to rate their franchise 5-Star for four years. The full support of your franchise network with a shared value of teamwork. Exclusive marketing territory. Massive market - 10,000 active companies that all need a great business plan every year. Zero fixed ongoing fees. People focused - Sophisticated software does the financial analysis and business planning for you so you can focus on your clients. Only £7.8K investment including training & support. 75:25 revenue split in your favour. You are able to work as part-time and as flexible as you wish. Fulfilling, you get to make a real difference. One client can more than pay back your investment.	32,373
It’s that time of year again, the time of year when pharmacies are promoting “Get the flu shot” with signs everywhere. I remember when I was a kid I never saw any signs for flu shots, now they are plastered everywhere. It’s pushed and pushed. Side Note: If you’d like to skip the reading and watch the video instead, scroll to the bottom of this article and play the video. Ask yourself, why is this “flu season”? well, as winter time rolls around people are outside less and they receive less vitamin d from the sunshine which is one of the best immune boosting vitamins your for your body. Less vitamin d means lowered immune function meaning you’re more susceptible to the flu or anything that the immune system would normally stop. You have to really do your research and find the truth about flu shots, vaccines and anything else injected directly into your body as these can be extremely dangerous. You may not know that during the 2012-2013 flu season, the flu vaccine’s was just 56 percent effective across all age groups tested by the CDC. It’s a 50/50 shot that it will help you. Interestingly enough though in seniors that were 65 and over, the flu vaccines were only effective at a 9% rate. So it may help you 50/50 when you’re younger but as you age it only becomes less effective. Why? well, what is actually contained in a flu shot? You should know that flu vaccines are not only quite ineffective but also questionable on multiple levels for humans and animals alike. After much reading much on CDC.gov on flu vaccines I found some very interesting facts. First, did you know that there are three types of flu vaccines. Two are made from egg’s, one is made from insect cells. So, flu shot’s? not vegan at all. They take proteins that cause an immune response. Oddly enough beyond saying on the website that it is made from proteins from eggs and insects it really doesn’t fully share the contents OF the flu vaccine. This poses a problem. What they did share though were the potential side effects of a flu shot. Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given Fever (low grade) The nasal spray: The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. In children, side effects from the nasal spray may include: Wheezing Fever In adults, side effects from the nasal spray vaccine may include: Cough I think i’d just rather have the flu and get over it than spend time and money going to get a flu shot, what about you? Now, use your brain for a minute. Have you ever eaten healthy, taken herbs, drank tea, gotten a good nights rest or done any natural or plant based remedies that gave you any of the side effects above to remove the flu? I never have, and have never even talked to anyone who has had side effects for boosting and strengthening immunity. Detoxifying? that’s a different story. I’ve read and heard multiple personal stories of people who have taken the flu shot and then gotten sick immediately after the flu shot! oddly enough the CDC say’s that this will NOT happen. On their website it say’s “Can the flu shot give me the flu?” the answer they give is: “No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine). The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened), and therefore cannot cause flu illness.” To me, this is laughable at best. Ask around and see if any of your friends have gotten the flu shot and ask if they still got the flu or got the flu right after. Thankfully you can boost immunity in many side-effect free natural ways that not only help to prevent the flu and strengthen immunity but give you more energy, vitality and health in general. Here are a few ideas: Camu camu is a berry native to South America that grows in the amazon flood plains. It is currently (as far as humanity and our research can tell) the most potent source of vitamin c on the planet. Just a small amount of camu camu gives you a better boost of vitamin c than any other food on the planet. Not only that, but it helps boost serotonin (for seasonal sadness when there’s less sunshine) as well as contains other helpful amino acids for the brain and body. You can get a camu camu supplement called camu gold from OrganicRainforstHerbs.com for 20 bucks and it will last you the full flu season. Una de gato another plant native to South America found in the amazon rainforest. It is one of the strongest and most effective adaptogenic immune boosting herbs found on earth. It also helps with heart and cardiovascular health, blood flow as well as normalizing immune system functions. Una de gato helps both white and red blood cells stay healthy which is crucial for immune and cardiovascular health. This is great to take if you feel a flu and a cough or chest congestion as it will help target blood flow in that area as well OrganicRainforestHerbs.com also carries an una de gato supplement. Sunshine is the cheapest and most effective vitamin D source on the planet. Vitamin d is crucial to boost immune function. If you cannot get vitamin D from the sun then do your best to get vitamin d through your diet through mushrooms and other sources. There are many essential oils that are powerful anti-biotics and that boost immunity. Oregano is one of the most effective, Eucalyptus is great also. Lemon is great for the liver and immunity also. You can apply these topically and add them to a warm bath for your body to soak them up. You can also diffuse them in your home with an aromatherpy diffuser to purify the air in your home and to breathe in the immune boosting plant compounds. Raw (unpasteurized) honey is an incredible immune boosting remedy. When mixed with apple cider vinegar it is even more potent and when raw honey, apple cider vinegar and una de gato are taken together it’s a trio of immune boosting benefits. It may be one of the best immune boosting remedies to prevent (or get rid of) the flu on the planet. Eat plenty of vegetables! Eat green, orange, purple, red and blue vegetables and fruits. Eat soups and raw food such as salads and get probiotics (good healthy bacteria) in your diet from foods like saurkraut and kimchi. Lastly, get plenty of sleep and eat healthy. Our bodies have the ability to rejuvenate and regenerate themselves but if you continuously eat junk food and sugar (probably the strongest immune suppressant) then it will be harder to recover. Cut sugar out, try a few (or all) of the recommendations above and the flu won’t bother you! I haven’t gotten the flu in years and I have all of the things above listed on hand and use them all on and off throughout the entire year for immunity.	7,274
I am excited to introduce the School Counselor Survival Kit ! These items will help you start your career as a school counselor, whether you are a school counseling intern and have to schlep your stuff around a school or a new school counselor trying to fill an office. The School Counselor Survival Kit will get you started on your journey. Cart on Wheels - a cart on wheels such as the Rubbermaid Collapsible Cargo Crate can make getting from place to place a breeze. I highly recommend this, especially for internships! I still use mine all the time to lug my stuff in and out of school. I wrote a previous post about the collapsible cargo cart. Art supplies - You don't need to have a ton of art supplies, but I do recommend you have the basics, including crayons , colored pencils , markers , paper ( lined , unlined , and construction paper ). I recommend Crayola brand , especially the twistable crayons and colored pencils . You don't need a sharpener, you just tw Read more More posts Powered by Blogger Posts Posts December 20221 November 20222 July 20221 June 20221 April 20222 March 20225 February 20222 January 20223 December 20212 November 20211 October 20212 September 20213 August 20211 July 20212 June 20214 May 202113 April 20216 March 20214 February 20215 January 20217 December 20203 February 20202 October 20192 September 20193 November 20181 December 20171 September 20171 August 20171 December 20161 June 20155 April 20153 March 20153 February 20154 January 20152 December 20144 November 20144 October 20143 September 20146 August 20144 June 20145 May 20142 April 20142 March 20142 February 20143 January 20148 December 20137 November 20133 October 20134 September 20137 August 201312 July 201316 June 201313 May 20139 April 20135 March 20138 February 201313 January 201312 December 201211 November 20129 October 201211 September 201210 August 201212 July 201211 June 20128 May 201211 April 20126 March 20129 February 20127 January 20128 December 20118 November 201111 October 201119 September 201126 August 20118 July 20118 June 20116 May 20114 April 20114 March 20114 February 20114 January 20117 December 20105 November 20107 October 20108 September 20106 August 20107 July 20103 June 20106 May 201012 April 20106 March 20106 February 20109 January 20103 December 20097 November 20095 October 20096 September 20093 July 20091 June 20091 May 20093 April 20093 March 20094 February 20093 January 20091 Show more Show less Popular posts from this blog July 16, 2010 This week's Fabulous Find is a Pool Noodle or Funnoodle®. For this week's Fabulous Find, I created a video of how to Create a Stress Reliever Using a Pool Noodle or Funnoodle® . Students will love these fun stress relievers and they are super cheap to make! I was able to make 58 - 1 inch stress relievers using the Funnoodle® for $2. Pool Noodles and Funnoodles® also come in different shapes too, such as flowers. Watch the my video and create your own stress relievers today ! Do you have a Fabulous Find that you Fancy? If you have a suggestion for a Fabulous Find, comment below or email me and I will try it out! Your Fabulous Find may be Featured on a Future Friday, Friends! ;) Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at School Counselor Blog , a place where school counselors share innovative ideas, creative lesson plans, and quality resources. Contact Danielle via email , follow her on twitter , and become Read more Start With Hello Week Themes and Planning #StartwithHello September 21, 2019 Start with Hello Week is September 23rd through September 27th. We are planning a variety of events at our school including a Mix it Up Day Start with Hello Week is a way to promote community and inclusiveness at your school. If you are not familiar with Start with Hello Week is run through the Sandy Hook Promise , a national non-profit organization founded and lead by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Visit the Start with Hello Week page to sign up for free resources including a planning guide. Below are the events and activities we are planning for Start with Hello Week next week. Start with Hello Week Daily Theme Days and Activities Monday (9/23): Promise 2 Start with Hello School Spirit Day - Wear school colors! Student Council Service Committee will be writing chalk messages on the sidewalks in front of the building and by the bus entrance. Mix it Up @ Lunch - Building New Relationship Read more January 21, 2021 Last year, I saw a lot of "Take What You Need, Give What You Can" Bulletin Boards popping up everywhere. I decided to fuel my new found love of printing on sticky notes and make a sticky note version. The idea behind the "Take What You Need, Give What You Can" board is that you take a positive message that you "need" to hear or "give" (write) a positive or uplifting message for someone else to take. I displayed the "Take What You Need, Give What You Can" sticky note board on a window near the school counseling office. A traditional bulletin board could also be used to display this sticky note board. I created 18 different positve messages to print on sticky notes for the "Take What You Need" side of the board. To make this "Take What You Need, Give What You Can" sticky note board, you will need the following items: A printer Printer paper to print the sticky	5,667
Public Health Center Week Activities to Support Raising Awareness - Health Gap : Great articles on health and nutrition Wed. Nov 30th, 2022 Health Supplement Health Public Health Center Week Activities to Support Raising Awareness Oct 8, 2021 Health, National More with regards to Community-based Health Centers We as a whole realize a country’s abundance is controlled by the wellbeing and prosperity of its residents. Local area wellbeing focuses the nation over give unique consideration to everybody independent of their capacity to pay. Their primary point is to give proceeded, superior grade and reasonable medical services to individuals particularly those with less assets. As a matter of fact, one in each fifteen individuals living in the United States depends on their administrations. Despite the fact that these associations face enormous strain, they actually rank among the greatest wellbeing suppliers in the country taking into account their fundamentally significant job. The Importance of National Health Center Week There are individuals out there who either have no protection or live in regions with no admittance to medical care suppliers or even essential wellbeing administrations. Public Health Center Week is noticed every year in the second seven day stretch of August predominantly to bring issues to light and perceive wellbeing focuses and their hard work and commitments to the local area. Why August? Since it is the ideal opportunity to contact families with convincing summer wellbeing occasions and school year kickoff vaccinations for their children. This year, National Health Center Week happens August 13-19 and the topic is “Observing America’s Health Centers: The Key to Healthier Communities”. The time has come to see the value in the extraordinary work of these individuals for giving better medical care to the medicinally powerless. Backing Activities to Raise Awareness Local area wellbeing associations the country over will post their occasions under state postings on the National Association of Community Health Centers Week Events Map and going to any of these occasions allows you the opportunity to be important for something extraordinary. Spread the word about their job, revealing more insight into the wellbeing needs of your local area. You can turn into a wellbeing community advocate. Hand out flyers and pamphlets in ranchers and general stores to advance smart dieting propensities and ordinary actual exercise. Set up data tables and disperse flyers with replies to much of the time posed inquiries about the entire mission. Sort out a school wellbeing reasonable, including instructive materials for guardians. Also, recollect: wellbeing related rivalries for understudies with alluring prizes are consistently a smart thought. Contact nearby open authorities, wellbeing specialists, local gatherings, and wellbeing association delegates who might want to be engaged with a public exchange about medical problems looked by your local area, and carry them to the consideration of neighborhood wellbeing experts for an answer. You can be one of those astounding individuals who volunteer and help by offering free wellbeing screenings on wellness tests, vaccinations, circulatory strain and that’s just the beginning. Take a stab at settling on open spots like diversion communities, shopping centers, and houses of worship. To show your esteem for these individuals, you can post with regards to their commitment via online media. Backing the reason and sort out a talk on local area wellbeing and the administrations given by transient, public lodging, destitute and traveler focuses. Contact strict foundations to examine and specify different National Health Center Week exercises in their announcements so more individuals come to think about it. Plan and host a neighborhood mindfulness occasion to assist individuals with diving deeper into the different projects and administrations of your nearby understanding coordinated wellbeing supplier. Welcome nearby games players, writers and obviously – individuals working in such focuses. This would be the best chance to show the amount you like their responsibility. Guarantee your occasion has as large of an effect as could really be expected and appropriate well known and significant giveaways to the participants. Assuming you need to keep away from the most well-known giveaway bungles, go through the wide choice of tweaked silicone wristbands accessible on the World Wide Web. Be imaginative – they can be customized in a wide range of ways. Plan an extraordinary wristband on the web and add your nearby wellbeing community contact data. Take your pick from the most extravagant assortments of fun tones or shading mixes, like whirl, fragmented, neon, gleam in obscurity, or sparkle to draw in significantly more allies!	4,955
Hello MPL fans! Have you enjoyed our interviews with Ashi (Todak) and 2EZ4JEPV (Geek Fam) so far? This week we’ve got another interview for you. It’s from .MR VI, the former Bigetron SG (Season 1 champions, now disbanded) captain who’s now a player in Resurgence. Let’s hear what he has to say about the season so far! What’s up bro? How’s the Regular Season been for you guys? You and .SANA switched teams to Resurgence this season, right? How are you guys coping over there? (.SANA is on the far right, .MR VI’s second from left) In my opinion, I think we’re definitely getting along well with the rest of RSG, and our teamwork is improving too. I don’t really have any problems working with these guys. I mean, despite us being on rival teams all along, we’ve still been friends since Season 1. So especially for me, I don’t foresee any issues. We’re all buddies! And what about the other half of Bigetron SG? What do you think of Ly4ly4ly4’s new team, Louvre Esports? You wanna know how it feels to go up against them? I’ll be honest, fighting them isn’t easy. We were a team for so long, so we all know each other’s strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. I mean, yeah, we still won in the end, but Ly4’s a good leader, he’s been a strong presence that guides his team well, so I’ll commend him for that. They’re still not doing well, though. Why do you think that’s the case? Like you said, it’s true that they have veterans from BTR in their team, alongside some newbies. But, I think they keep readjusting their team lineup too much (for example, between AY and JasonKoh) which is why they don’t have a solid footing. They need to have a strong foundation first instead of trying too hard to be flexible. Apart from those guys, any teams or players on your radar as threats? Well, the other Singaporean teams, of course (EVOS Esports SG and Notorious Villains). Those guys are dangerous. On the Malaysian side, it’s definitely Todak, since they’re rising stars, and Axis Esports, Season 2’s champions who are still powerful. I guess they’re all really strong, huh? Speaking as a veteran player, the teams this season all seem to be pretty strong. We’ve been having lots of fair fights, and lots of matches have ended 2-1 instead of being clean sweeps. True, some teams have had clean sweeps, but I don’t think that’s going to last for the remaining weeks. Everyone’s really putting in loads of effort and doing well. Except maybe STOP and Bosskurr. Eh, I wouldn’t underestimate STOP even if they seem weak. It’s true that they’re inexperienced and need to eat more salt (A Chinese metaphor, ‘eat more salt than you’ve eaten rice’, meaning someone is very experienced), but remember what happened with Saiyan Reborn back in S2? Everyone thought they would drop out during Regular Season or at the start of Playoffs, but during the Playoffs, BOOM. They went wild and won. And STOP has made comebacks in quite a few games too, we can’t let our guard down around them. I’d say this season is definitely really exciting and unpredictable. As for Bosskurr…well, they still have a lot of fans even without Fredo around, so I guess they have loads of loyal supporters, which is good. So, what strategies have you guys prepared to deal with those strong teams? I can’t reveal anything, but I’d say we’re mainly just pushing ourselves hard and working on our gameplay, as well as training together more. Those are basic things, but very important. True. What’s your goal for this season, apart from winning the championship? Does getting to hold the trophy twice count? I guess that’s still winning the championship. I just want to be proud of myself and make others proud of me too, really. I would say winning the World Cup, but that would also require me to win this tournament. Oh, but apart from that? Well, I’m probably aiming to get the MVP in our Allstar (SG vs MY) match. By the way, I was wondering, how long more do you intend to play in the pro scene? Back in S2 you mentioned wanting to retire… 2EZ4JEPV also mentioned retiring in his interview right? I might try and follow the same path as him, win this tournament, get our team to the MLBB World Cup, hopefully win that as well, then quit as a player, maybe become a coach or something.	4,314
This webinar reviews what the world’s most secure industrial sites do differently – they ask different questions, they get different answers, and they apply those answers to produce very different security program designs. Given the steadily worsening threat environment, it seems clear that we all need to start exploring and deploying at least some of the cybersecurity approaches and designs that are commonplace at thoroughly-secured operations. Who's it for? Anyone who designs, or approves spending for, OT / industrial control system security programs, such as those for power plants, refineries, railways, airports, water utilities, large buildings and campuses and many others. In this webinar you will learn: What questions thoroughly-secured OT/ICS sites ask? What solutions they prefer? What tools and technologies these sites deploy routinely? And how much these designs actually improve cybersecurity over classic cyber-hygiene approaches? Andrew Ginter is the VP Industrial Security at Waterfall Security Solutions and works with many of the most secure industrial sites on the planet. He is the co-chair of ISA’s SP-99 Working Group 1, a co-author of the Industrial Internet Consortium Security Framework and the author of two books on industrial security: SCADA Security – What’s broken and how to fix it and Secure Operations Technology. Andrew spent 20 years developing SCADA system and IT/OT middleware products and another 20 designing control system security products. He holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and an MS in Computer Science, both from the University of Calgary. Most ICS security programs seek to “protect the information.” Secure OT/industrial sites do not do this. Instead, they protect industrial operations from information, more specifically from cyber attacks that may be embedded in information. This webinar introduces Secure Operations Technology (SEC-OT) as a perspective, a methodology, and a set of best practices used by the world’s most secure industrial sites. These sites deploy comprehensive software-based security programs, but do not stop there. Secure sites also deploy Physical protection from cyber attacks that may be embedded in offline and online information flows entering control-critical networks. Cyber attacks on industrial sites continue to become more sophisticated, with more serious physical consequences. Most industrial sites are therefore increasing the strength of their defensive postures in response to this steadily worsening threat environment. The techniques used today by the world’s most secure sites are techniques that we must all consider for tomorrow.	2,663
times when they thought the case indeed required dissimulation, if then they used it, it came to pass that the former opinion spread abroad of their good faith and clearness of dealing made them almost invisible. There be three degrees of this hiding and veiling of a man's self. The first, closeness, reservation, and secrecy; when a man leaveth himself without observation, or without hold to be taken, what he is. The second, dissimulation, in the negative; when a man lets fall signs and arguments, that he is not that he is. And the third, simulation, in the affirmative; when a man industriously and expressly feigns and pretends to be that he is not. For the first of these, secrecy; it is indeed the virtue of a confessor. And assuredly the secret man heareth many confessions. For who will open himself to a blab or a babbler? But if a man be thought secret, it inviteth discovery; as the more close air sucketh in 4 the more open; and as in confession the revealing is not for worldly use, but for the ease of a man's heart, so secret men come to the knowledge of many things in that kind; while men rather discharge their minds than impart their minds. In few words, mysteries are due to secrecy. Besides (to say truth) nakedness is uncomely, as well in mind as body; and it addeth no small reverence to men's manners and actions, if they be not altogether open. As for talkers and futile persons, they are commonly vain and credulous withal. For he that talketh what he knoweth, will also talk what he knoweth not. Therefore set it down, that an habit of secrecy is both politic and moral. And in this part it is good that a man's face give his tongue leave to speak. For the discovery of a man's self 5 by the tracts of his countenance is a great weakness and be traying; by how much it is many times more marked and believed than a man's words. For the second, which is dissimulation; it followeth many times upon secrecy by a necessity; so that he that will be secret must be a dissembler in some degree. For men are too cunning to suffer a man to keep an indifferent carriage between both, and to be secret, without swaying the balance on either side. They will so beset a man with questions, and draw him on, and pick it out of him, that, without an absurd silence, he must show an inclination one way; or if he do not, they will gather as much by his silence as by his speech. As for equivocations, or oraculous speeches, they cannot hold out long. So that no man can be secret," except he give himself a little scope of dissimulation; which is, as it were, but the skirts or train of secrecy. But for the third degree, which is simulation and false profession; that I hold more culpable, and less politic; except it be in great and rare matters. And therefore a general custom of simulation (which is this last degree) is a vice, rising either of a natural falseness or fearfulness, or of a mind that hath some main faults, which because a man must needs disguise, it maketh him practise simulation in other things, lest his hand should be out of ure.' 7 The great advantages of simulation and dissimulation are three. First, to lay asleep opposition, and to surprise. For where a man's intentions are published, it is an alarum to call up all that are against them. The second is, to reserve to a man's self a fair retreat. For if a man engage himself by a manifest declaration, he must go through or take a fall. The third is, the better to discover the mind of another. For to him that opens himself men will hardly show themselves adverse; but will (fair) let him go on, and turn their freedom of speech to freedom of thought. And therefore it is a good shrewd proverb of the Spaniard, Tell a lie and find a troth. As if there were no way of discovery but by simulation. There be also three disadvantages, to set it even. The first, that simulation and dissimulation commonly carry with them a show of fearfulness, which in any business doth spoil the feathers of round flying up to the mark. The second, that it puzzleth and perplexeth the conceits of many, that perhaps would otherwise co-operate with him; and makes a man walk almost alone to his own ends. The third and greatest is, that it depriveth a man of one of the most principal instruments for action; which is trust and belief. The best composition and temperature is to have openness in fame and opinion; secrecy in habit; dissimulation in seasonable use; and a power to feign, if there be no remedy. THE joys of parents are secret; and so are their griefs and fears. They cannot utter the one; nor they will not utter the other. Children sweeten labors; but they make misfortunes more bitter. They increase the cares of life; but they mitigate the remembrance of death. The perpetuity by generation is common to beasts; but memory, merit, and noble works are proper to men. And surely1 a man shall see the noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men; which have sought to express the images of their minds, where those of their bodies have failed. So the care of posterity is most in them that have no posterity. They that are the first raisers of their houses are most indulgent towards their children; beholding them as the continuance not only of their kind but of their work; and so both children and creatures. The difference in affection 2 of parents towards their several children is many times unequal; and sometimes unworthy; especially in the mother; as Solomon saith,3 A wise son rejoiceth the father, but an ungracious son shames the mother. A man shall see, where there is a house full of children, one or two of the eldest respected, and the youngest made wantons; but in the midst some that are as it were forgotten, who many times nevertheless prove the best. The illiberality of parents in allowance towards their children is an harmful error; makes them base; acquaints them with shifts; makes them sort with mean company; and makes them surfeit more when they come to plenty. And therefore the proof is best, when men keep their authority towards their children, but not their purse. Men have a foolish manner (both parents and schoolmasters and servants) in creating and breeding an emulation between brothers during childhood, which many times sorteth to discord when they are men, and disturbeth families. The Italians make little difference between children and nephews or near kinsfolks; but so they be of the lump, they care not though they pass not through their own body. And, to say truth, in nature it is much a like matter; insomuch that we see a nephew sometimes resembleth an uncle or a kinsman more than his own parent; as the blood happens. Let parents choose betimes the vocations and courses they mean their children should take; for then they are most flexible; and let them not too much apply themselves to the disposition of their children, as thinking they will take best to that which they have most mind to. It is true, that if the affection or aptness of the children be extraordinary, then it is good not to cross it; but generally the precept is good, optimum elige, suave et facile illud faciet consuetudo [choose the best - custom will make it pleasant and easy]. Younger brothers are commonly fortunate, but seldom or never where the elder are disinherited. HE that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief. Certainly the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men; which both in affection and means have married and endowed the public. Yet it were great reason that those that have children should have greatest care of future times; unto which they know they must transmit their dearest pledges. Some there are, who though they lead a single life, yet their thoughts do end with themselves, and account future times impertinences. Nay, there are some other that account wife and children but as bills of charges. Nay more, there are some foolish rich covetous men, that take a pride in having no children, because they may be thought so much the richer. For perhaps they have heard some talk, Such an one is a great rich man, and another except to it, Yea, but he hath a great charge of children; as if it were an abatement to his riches. But the most ordinary cause of a single life is liberty, especially in certain self-pleasing and humorous minds,3 which are so	8,540
While food intolerances are mainly seen as a digestive issue, skin conditions such as acne are a common symptom of food intolerance. I have an intolerance to hemp seed can i still take CBD oil used for anxiety by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 CBD Oil is made from the leaves, flower and stalks of the hemp plant, unlike hemp oil which is made from the seed. As such, an intolerance to hempseed does not indicate an intolerance to CBD oil. I have an intolerance to flaxseed and Lentils these are a big part of my diet what can I substitute these for. by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 Chia seed are a good substitute for flax seeds, these have many properties in common with flax seed and are also high in soluble fibre. For lentils Beans are a good nutritional substitute they are high in protein, dietary fibre, iron folate and antioxidants What is ascorbic acid? by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 Ascorbic acid is best described as the driving force of Vitamin C. It is also used as a preservative in foods. However, please note, if you have shown an intolerance to ascorbic acid, this is to the preservative only and not to Vitamin C. I have an intolerance to spelt. Is this all wheat? by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 A spelt intolerance will not refer to all wheat, but rather this specific wheat variant. Why do you only show 85% on results? by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 We only take a very small sample of your hair, and this is all we need to give us the tools we need to test your sensitivities. The test results are then revealed and sent to you in an easy to understand form which is split into the different categories of food,... What is aspergillus niger? by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 This is a common fungus and is responsible for black mold. I’m a male customer has female hormones on test report. by Michael Wood \| Aug 3, 2021 Men also produce oestradiol; however, the amounts produced are much lower than in women. Within the testes, some testosterone is changed into oestradiol and this oestradiol is essential for the production of sperm. Source:...	2,057
Legendary Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr., known simply as "Big John" throughout college basketball, has died at age 78. Published: 3:15 PM CDT August 31, 2020 Updated: 3:15 PM CDT August 31, 2020 WASHINGTON — John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78. His death was announced in a family statement released by Georgetown on Monday. No details were disclosed. “Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on but, most importantly, off the basketball court. He is revered as a historic shepherd of the sport, dedicated to the welfare of his community above all else,” the statement said. “However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. More than a coach, he was our foundation. More than a legend, he was the voice in our ear everyday.” One of the most celebrated and polarizing figures in his sport, Thompson took over a moribund Georgetown program in the 1970s and molded it in his unique style into a perennial contender, culminating with a national championship team anchored by center Patrick Ewing in 1984. Georgetown reached two other title games with Thompson in charge and Ewing patrolling the paint, losing to Michael Jordan’s North Carolina team in 1982 and to Villanova in 1985. At 6-foot-10, with an ever-present white towel slung over his shoulder, Thompson literally and figuratively towered over the Hoyas for decades, becoming a patriarch of sorts after he quit coaching in 1999. One of his sons, John Thompson III, was hired as Georgetown’s coach in 2004. When the son was fired in 2017, the elder Thompson -- known affectionately as “Big John” or “Pops” to many -- was at the news conference announcing Ewing as the successor. Along the way, Thompson said what he thought, shielded his players from the media and took positions that weren’t always popular. He never shied away from sensitive topics -- particularly the role of race in both sports and society -- and he once famously walked off the court before a game to protest an NCAA rule because he felt it hurt minority athletes. “I’ll probably be remembered for all the things that kept me out of the Hall of Fame, ironically, more than for the things that got me into it,” Thompson said on the day he was elected to the Hall in 1999. 8 Jan 1999: John Thompson during the press conference speaks about his resignation from coaching the Georgetown Hoyas in Washington, D.C. A few NBA players sit behind him in support of his decision. Thompson became coach of the Hoyas in 1972 and began remaking a team that was 3-23 the previous season. Over the next 27 years, he led Georgetown to 14 straight NCAA tournaments (1979-92), 24 consecutive postseason appearances (20 NCAA, 4 NIT), three Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985) and won six Big East tournament championships. “He was one of a kind,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, a fierce rival for many years in the Big East Conference, said Monday. “There aren’t that many. He brought a presence to the game that nobody does, has. He was a great coach, but he was also a role model for a lot of coaches-- white coaches and Black coaches.” — Georgetown Hoops (@GeorgetownHoops) August 31, 2020 Employing a physical, defense-focused approach that frequently relied on a dominant center -- Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo were among his other pupils -- Thompson compiled a 596-239 record (.715 winning percentage). He had 26 players drafted by the NBA. One of his honors -- his selection as coach of the U.S. team for the 1988 Olympics -- had a sour ending when the Americans had to settle for the bronze medal. It was a result so disappointing that Thompson put himself on a sort of self-imposed leave at Georgetown for a while, coaching practices and games but leaving many other duties to his assistants. Off the court, Thompson was both a role model and a lightning rod. A stickler for academics, he kept a deflated basketball on his desk, a reminder to his players that a degree was a necessity because a career in basketball relied on a tenuous “nine pounds of air.” The school boasted that 76 of 78 players who played four seasons under Thompson received their degrees. He was a Black coach who recruited mostly Black players to a predominantly white Jesuit university in Washington, and Thompson never hesitated to speak out on behalf of his players. One of the most dramatic moments in Georgetown history came on Jan. 14, 1989, when he walked off the court to a standing ovation before the tipoff of a home game against Boston College, demonstrating in a most public way his displeasure against NCAA Proposition 42. The rule denied athletic scholarships to freshmen who didn’t meet certain requirements, and Thompson said it was biased against underprivileged students. Opposition from Thompson, and others, led the NCAA to modify the rule. Thompson’s most daring move came that same year, when he summoned notorious drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III for a meeting in the coach’s office. Thompson warned Edmond to stop associating with Hoyas players and to leave them alone, using his respect in the Black community to become one of the few people to stare down Edmond and not face a reprisal. Though aware of his influence, Thompson did not take pride in becoming the first Black coach to take a team to the Final Four, and he let a room full of reporters know it when asked his feelings on the subject at a news conference in 1982. “I resent the hell out of that question if it implies I am the first Black coach competent enough to take a team to the Final Four,” Thompson said. “Other Blacks have been denied the right in this country; coaches who have the ability. I don’t take any pride in being the first Black coach in the Final Four. I find the question extremely offensive.” Born Sept. 2, 1941, John R. Thompson Jr. grew up in Washington, D.C. His father was always working - on a farm in Maryland and later as a laborer in the city - and could neither read nor write. “I never in my life saw my father’s hands clean,” Thompson told The Associated Press in 2007. “Never. He’d come home and scrub his hands with this ugly brown soap that looked like tar. I thought that was the color of his hands. When I was still coaching, kids would show up late for practice and I’d (say) ... ‘My father got up every morning of his life at 5 a.m. to go to work. Without an alarm.‘” Thompson’s parents emphasized education, but he struggled in part of because of poor eyesight and labored in Catholic grammar school. He was moved to a segregated public school, had a growth spurt and became good enough at basketball to get into John Carroll, a Catholic high school, where he led the team to 55 consecutive victories and two city titles. He went to Providence College as one of the most touted basketball prospects in the country and led the Friars to the first NCAA bid in school history. He graduated in 1964 and played two seasons with Red Auerbach’s Boston Celtics, earning a pair of championship rings as a sparingly used backup to Bill Russell. Thompson returned to Washington, got his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of the District of Columbia and went 122-28 over six seasons at St. Anthony’s before accepting the job at Georgetown, an elite school that had relatively few Black students. Faculty and students rallied around him after a bedsheet with racist words was hung inside the school’s gym before a game during the 1974-75 season. Thompson sheltered his players with closed practices, tightly controlled media access and a prohibition on interviews with freshmen in their first semester -- a restriction that still stands for Georgetown’s basketball team. Combined with Thompson’s flashes of emotion and his players’ rough-and-tumble style of play, it wasn’t long before the words “Hoya Paranoia” came to epitomize the new era of basketball on the Hilltop campus. Georgetown lost the 1982 NCAA championship game when Fred Brown mistakenly passed the ball to North Carolina’s James Worthy in the game’s final seconds. Two years later, Ewing led an 84-75 win over Houston in the title game. The Hoyas were on the verge of a repeat the following year when they were stunned in the championship game by coach Rollie Massimino’s Villanova team in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. Success allowed Thompson to rake in money through endorsements, but he ran afoul of his Georgetown bosses when he applied for a gambling license for a business venture in Nevada in 1995. Thompson, who liked playing the slot machines in Las Vegas, reluctantly dropped the application after the university president objected. Centers Ewing, Mourning and Mutombo turned Georgetown into “Big Man U” under Thompson, although his last superstar was guard Allen Iverson, who in 1996 also became the first player under Thompson to leave school early for the NBA draft. ....May you always Rest in Paradise, where there is no pain or suffering. I will always see your face in my mind, hoping that I made you proud. “Your Prodigal Son”. #Hoya4Life pic.twitter.com/PberF54UqN “Thanks for Saving My Life Coach,” Iverson wrote at the start of an Instagram post Monday with photos of the pair. The Hoyas teams in the 1990s never came close to matching the achievements of the 1980s, and Thompson’s era came to a surprising and sudden end when he resigned in the middle of the 1998-99 season, citing distractions from a pending divorce. Thompson didn’t fade from the limelight. He became a sports radio talk show host and a TV and radio game analyst, joining the very profession he had frustrated so often as a coach. He loosened up, allowing the public to see his lighter side, but he remained pointed and combative when a topic mattered to him. A torch was passed in 2004, when John Thompson III became Georgetown’s coach. The younger Thompson, with “Pops” often watching from the stands or sitting in the back of the room for news conferences, returned the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007. Another son, Ronny Thompson, was head coach for one season at Ball State and is now a TV analyst. Tennessee State hires Ty Evans as Women's Head Basketball Coach Next up in 5 In Other News Terms of Service © 2022 WATN-TV. All Rights Reserved. WATN would like to send you push notifications about the latest news and weather. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. For full feature support, please upgrade to a modern browser such as Microsoft Edge.	11,491
Survey Uncovers Status of Workplace Safety and Preparedness in The Healthcare Industry - Healthcare Industry News Healthcare IT Survey Uncovers Status of Workplace Safety and Preparedness in The Healthcare Industry by Healthcare Industry News \| May 13, 2020 Rave Mobile Safety had published the results of its yearly survey of workplace safety and preparedness performed early this 2020. The report looks at the emergency preparedness levels in medical care and other industries all across the United States. It must be factored in that the survey was performed before the announcement of the COVID-19 public health crisis, which most likely caused a switch in priorities in numerous companies. Workplace Security in 2020 The coronavirus pandemic set off the necessity of effective communication at the time of emergencies, nonetheless, the survey shows other vital reasons for bettering security and communication in the work environment. The last time the study was performed in 2019, 26 participants reported cases of violence in the work environment. This year, the employees who came across violence in their workplace has increased two times. The survey unveiled that workers are now more mindful of safety. 58% of survey respondents stated they would file a safety problem report on the job regardless of whether it may be accomplished anonymously or not; however, 41% of Gen Z and millennials will only report safety problems if it is completed anonymously. This implies that 18-29-year olds are scared that voicing safety problems will have adverse consequences. Though most employers have created emergency options, most aren’t doing drills. For example, 76% of firms have emergency programs for extreme weather occurrences, however, only 40% carried out drills to rehearse their reaction in case there is an event, though 48% of survey participants said they had an extreme weather situation last year. Many organizations have designed emergency blueprints for cyberattacks, yet 51% of survey participants mentioned drills were not done to check those options. About 30% of employees were not sure or uninformed regarding their employer’s emergency programs. The least aware were the 18-29-year old employees. Emergency Communications The selection of methods utilized to converse with employees in emergency events has gone up in 2020. Email is still the most often used way of communication and 63% of companies utilize it to communicate critical advice, yet communication options like mass texting have increased in popularity. Mass SMS is nowadays utilized by 42% of businesses represented in the annual survey, though many continue to count on obsolete communication techniques including in-person press releases, which don’t include remote employees. The survey revealed that employers typically adhere to dated communication procedures, even if employees would opt to get notifications concerning safety and security utilizing a faster and quickly accessible system, for instance mass texting. Emergency Communication in the Medical Industry The survey showed a considerable proportion of healthcare employees were uninformed of emergency programs for cases including system breakdowns (22%) and active shooters (16%). The moment there are emergency events, email was the most prevalent means of correspondence, utilized by 65% of healthcare companies. Intercom systems were likewise often used (50%) coupled with in-person press releases (44%). Even though these might be valuable onsite, they’re not efficient for conversing with remote employees, who would choose to accept notifications by means of text message, however, just 41% of healthcare providers are utilizing mass text notifications in crisis events. The survey likewise showed breaks in security practices, with 80% of healthcare staff not expected to carry out a security check-in when doing work off-site. The complete findings of the Annual Workplace Safety and Preparedness Study can be viewed on this page. ← Previous News Item Next News Item → Our HIPAA compliance checklist will outline everything your organization needs to become fully HIPAA compliant. Fill in the form below to download it now.	4,369
I had planned to talk about the to-be-read and to-be-cooked lists I’ve been compiling for the new year, along with a few stabs I’ve made at de-cluttering and the other ways in which I was planning to entertain myself while we wait out the pandemic. (In the county were I live the Health Department describes the risk of infection as “substantial.” I don’t know what that means but it doesn’t sound good, does it? Then, on last Wednesday afternoon while I was on a Zoom call, my husband passed me a note that read, “The protesters have breached the capitol, and Congress is under lockdown.” When my call was over and I joined my husband in front iof the television, we both watched, jaws dropping, at the sight of protesters over-running the Capitol Police inside that space. What a stunning violation in the seat of our democracy! My husband and I have personal connections to the Capitol. Steve grew up in suburban Washington D.C. and spent a fair amount of time working summers on The Hill. I spent a semester off-campus in Washington, where my roommate and I had little blue passes that got us into the House and Senate visitors galleries whenever we wanted. As political junkies we spent a lot of time there. Obviously security has necessarily grown tighter since then, but Steve and I have visited with our son and daughter more than once. On our last visit, my daughter actually led the tour as a summer Senate intern. I can’t explain the sinking, sick feeling I had when sign-carrying protesters, some of them wrapped in flags, wandered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, sat in the Speakers’ chair, and pushed and shouted their way thru Statuary Hall. I can count a number of friends from both political parties who I’m sure had the same gut reaction. It was so out of time and place. But that was just the beginning. Sadly, as the news continues to unfold, the dark, dangerous intent behind this protest becomes darker and clearer. And that raises even more questions. It’s heartbreaking, infuriating, ugly and frightening. This blog is intended to weigh in on life’s lighter side — on looks, cooks, books, and occasional travels — and I’ll certainly get back to that soon. But January 6, 2021, is a seminal moment in American history, as stunning as 9/11. This time the enemy came from within. That it was endorsed by a sitting president makes it unspeakable. I realize we all have a lot to unpack and sort out here. I just had to pause. Published by ivyandironstone View all posts by ivyandironstone Published January 13, 2021 Next Post In my January Kitchen 6 thoughts on “January landed with a thud” January 13, 2021 at 4:49 pm I know how you feel, I worked in Washington and spent a lot of time on the Hill and the Mall. The capitol is an amazing and powerful place with a sense of history that deserves reverence for all that it stands for! It is hard not to shed a few tears for what has happened to this country and then shed a few more because the healing does not look as if it it will be coming any time soon. ivyandironstone says: January 15, 2021 at 2:08 am Yes, this is not going to pass quickly. January 13, 2021 at 7:37 pm I totally agree with you! It will take a long time to untangle the mess that is America right now sadly. One of the 1st days I was ever not proud of my country. I just don’t understand people anymore & it saddens me greatly. Look forward to future postings from you for sure ivyandironstone says: January 15, 2021 at 2:11 am HNi Julie — it is disheartening, but I rally think we are smart enough to work this out — eventually. Julie @ Creating This Life says: January 13, 2021 at 9:42 pm I feel the same. Fellow political junkie here and DC is one of my favorite places to visits. It’s inconceivable to me that our Capitol was breached like that. ivyandironstone says: January 15, 2021 at 2:15 am This is tough for us “junkies” since there’s always a newsfeed to to tune in to. My “reading habit” is a good antidote to that!	4,249
We offer our guests a comfortable and home-like atmosphere that caters to all their needs. With our friendly hosts and staff, we make sure that we're there to make your stay the most comfortable. Nature is a part of us with our smoke free environment to protect your well-being. Our breakfast bar provides a variety of delightful foods and treats while our living area allows you to meet and visit with other guests, browse the web or even relax while watching T.V. We welcome you to experience comfort like you've never left home in the first place. We're able to assist with direction to some of these amazing wildlife, historic monuments and adrenaline pumping activities, Belize caters to every kind of guest.	746
Students experience unusual summers during coronavirus pandemic Summer travel was different for everyone, especially for people going on longer trips, who had to adhered to many rules and regulations. During flights, many rows of seats on the plane were empty and everyone had to wear a mask. During the pandemic, students’ summers were abnormal due to laws put into place to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. The rules fluctuated throughout the summer and all students and their families handled it differently. “At the start of the summer, I couldn’t go to anyone’s house and no one could go to my house,” sophomore Charlie Johnson said. “As the summer went on, the rules started to loosen up but I still had to be careful and wear a mask and use hand sanitizer.” Travel plans changed while some weren’t able to happen at all because of restrictions. Many families adapted and chose some safer options that allowed for fun but also stayed within the guidelines of COVID-19 safety. “This summer I was supposed to fly and see my cousins in Seattle but we were unable to because of COVID-19,” senior Becca Lieb said. “My family changed up our plans and drove to the Outer Banks in North Carolina along with family friends and stayed there for a week.” Students who did travel found that the places they visited had different guidelines and regulations than Massachusetts. The laws around COVID-19 varied on the number of cases. “My family and I go to Greece each year to visit our family,” junior Chris Nunn said. “We weren’t as worried about [the coronavirus] over there. There were masks worn at restaurants and stuff like that, but it was pretty relaxed there. But we still had to be careful because we stayed with our grandparents and we didn’t want them to get sick.” Traveling over the summer was also different than usual because of efforts to keep areas clean and safe. Students had to be careful while they faced these strange circumstances. “The [Greece] trip was really up in the air at first,” Nunn said. “We had our flights canceled twice and had to reschedule because America’s guidelines were all over the place. That was a really big obstacle, but once we were there, I think it really helped us appreciate it more. Normally we just go every year and have fun, but this year we took it in more because it’s different.” As the school year approached, athletes began to prepare despite their seasons being up in the air. Although the soccer season is happening this year, pre-season events are uncertain. “When [the Maine soccer tournament] was canceled, I was upset because our team looks like it’s going to be very good this year,” Johnson said. In Wayland, sports practices were able to happen but with a few changes, like wearing a mask and rules for the sport changing. “I had practice over the summer for crew and it was different than usual because we had to use single-person boats instead of our regular season larger boats,” Lieb says. Students’ summers were unlike no other, but throughout all of the uncertainty and constant change, kids made the best of it and enjoyed their break. “I appreciated this summer more because I was lucky to be able to go away,” Nunn said. “I was able to appreciate seeing my family and friends in Greece more. When I got back, I started focusing on the upcoming soccer season, which is thankfully going ahead.”	3,552
In my last post, I argued that the process for appointing Supreme Court judges announced by the federal government last week is not a positive development. It will neither increase the transparency of the appointments nor de-politicize them, while creating an illusion of having done so. In this post post, I turn to the separate question of whether this process is constitutional. Two issues are relevant here. One is the government’s insistence that all future judges be bilingual. The other is the possibility that it will disregard the convention of regional representation on the Supreme Court, which requires the next appointment to come from Atlantic Canada. I have argued here that in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion in l’Affaire Nadon, Reference re Supreme Court Act, ss. 5 and 6, 2014 SCC 21, [2014] 1 S.C.R. 433 legislation requiring judges to be bilingual would be unconstitutional. Kate Glover has reached the same conclusion, albeit on the basis of a rather different reasoning, in a guest-post here. (I should note however that others, notably Sébastien Grammond, disagree with this view.) At the same time, it is quite clear that the government is entitled to make a policy choice to privilege certain criteria for appointing judges. After all, even a stated commitment to only appoint meritorious or excellent judges is an addition to the bare-bones constitutional requirements that l’Affaire Nadon froze in place. It would be well within the Prime Minister’s discretion to only appoint bilingual judges, and even to say that he would only appoint bilingual judges. (It would, I have argued, be an unwise thing to do, but that’s another question.) The constitutional issue, then, is whether the government’s announcements amount to an attempt to modify the law governing the appointment of Supreme Court judges, which in my view would be unconstitutional, or are merely a policy statement, which would not be. I am inclined to think that so long as the bilingualism criterion remains essentially a policy directive, found in nothing more law-like than press releases and mandate letters, it does not stray into unconstitutionality, despite the contrary suggestions of some others, such as Matthew Hennigar and Dennis Baker in a very informative roundtable discussion published by Maclean’s. The difference between their conclusion that the Prime Minister is (in prof. Hennigar’s words) “courting a constitutional challenge” and mine may be due to the fact that they approach the issue by asking whether the bilingualism requirement is formal (and therefore constitutionally questionable) or informal (and therefore permissible). In my view, it is better to think in terms of the legal or extra-legal nature of the requirement, rather than in terms of its formality, because the underlying concern is with the integrity of constitutional rules, not their expression. Still, my views on this are tentative, and I am open to being shown that they are in error. The matter of the regional representation convention is more clear-cut. The government’s initial statements simply ignored the convention altogether. Then, the Prime Minister’s mandate letter to the Chairperson of the Advisory Board that will supply him with a shortlist of potential appointees asked her to “consider the custom of regional representation on the Court as being one of the factors to be taken into consideration.” But a constitutional convention is not a mere custom. It is a mandatory rule of the constitution, not just a factor to be taken into consideration among others. Violating it means acting unconstitutionally. This point needs to be emphasized, because more than a few commentators seem to believe that an appointment in violation of the convention of regional representation would not be unconstitutional, because it would not be illegal or attract a judicial sanction. (Paul Daly’s dismissal of the convention as “fluid,” and a rule that can be tinkered with at will because it is not legal is sadly representative of this attitude.) I will return to the question of judicial sanction in a moment. But first, it is sadly necessary to remind those who think that ignoring conventions is a relatively trivial matter, that this has never been the position even those jurists who, following A.V. Dicey, insisted that courts could not enforce conventions. In the Patriation Reference, Re: Resolution to amend the Constitution, [1981] 1 S.C.R. 753, the Supreme Court explained that important parts of the constitution of Canada … are nowhere to be found in the law of the constitution. For instance it is a fundamental requirement of the constitution that if the opposition obtains the majority at the polls, the government must tender its resignation forthwith. But fundamental as it is, this requirement of the constitution does not form part of the law of the constitution. (877-78; emphasis mine) These important, even fundamental, constitutional requirements, or ― as the Court also described them ― “essential rules of the constitution” (878) are conventions. The Diceyan view, which was also that of the Supreme Court in the Patriation Reference, is that constitutional conventions and constitutional law together make up the constitution. In the Patriation Reference, the Court observed that in some cases, a breach of convention “could be regarded as tantamount to a coup d’état.” (882) Of course, the breach of the convention of regional representation would not rise to that level of unconstitutionality, but it would still amount to unconstitutional action by the government, much like Pierre Trudeau’s attempt at unilateral patriation of the constitution would have been unconstitutional, although not illegal. At Emmett Macfarlane’s urging, I will grant that the Advisory Board might take the convention more seriously than the government seems to want it to, or that the Prime Minister might yet see the folly of breaking it. The intervention of the CBA president Janet Fuhrer, who is “urg[ing]” the Prime Minister “to amend the mandate of the Advisory Board … to ensure that the Atlantic Canada vacancy is filled by a meritorious candidate from that region” is encouraging in this regard, although it is disappointing to see Ms. Fuhrer hedging her language and referring to “the longstanding custom or constitutional convention of regional representation.” The re-classification of convention into custom denigrates it and suggests that it is not binding on the Prime Minister. For the purpose of passing a political judgment on his actions, it really does not matter whether the constitutional rules he is prepared to breach are classified as being convention or law. Now, this classification does matter for a court passing a legal judgment on the constitutionality of the government’s actions ― or at least it does so on the Diceyan view. I have argued in the past, and still believe, that this view is mistaken as a matter of legal philosophy. That is, of course, irrelevant. But there is now reason to question whether the Diceyan view is still valid in Canada as a matter of positive law. For one thing, as we know from the Patriation Reference itself, Canadian courts consider themselves free to express their views on conventions in the context of reference proceedings. It would be enough for a provincial government to refer the issue to its court of appeal for the convention of regional representation to be fair judicial game. Moreover, lower courts have already pronounced on constitutional conventions in the context of ordinary litigation (notably in Conacher v. Canada (Prime Minister), 2009 FC 920, [2010] 3 FCR 411, aff’d in Conacher v. Canada (Prime Minister), 2010 FCA 131, [2011] 4 FCR 22) though the Supreme Court has not yet had an opportunity to do so. Then, there’s the possibility that that the Supreme Court has transformed at least some constitutional conventions into legal rules when it invoked the notion of a “constitutional architecture” in Reference re Senate Reform, 2014 SCC 32, [2014] 1 SCR 704. My view, at least, is that that’s exactly what the Court did, but this is a controversial claim, and I have no room to develop, much less to defend, it here. (I will try to do that in a paper I am due to write in the coming months, and I will try to blog about it as I do so.) Even if I am right, however, there remains the further question of which conventions are part of the constitutional architecture, and in particular whether that of regional representation is. In a very interesting post at the CBA National Magazine’s blog, Jennifer Taylor has argued that it is. She may well be right, but I need to think a bit more about this before I am sure. Important though it is, the legal issue should not distract us from the constitutional one. Constitutionally (and legally), the Prime Minister is in my tentative view free to adopt a (misguided) policy of only appointing bilingual judges to the Supreme Court, and to ask his advisers to counsel him accordingly. But, constitutionally (whether or not legally) the Prime Minister is not free to deprive Atlantic Canada (or any other region) of its representation on the Supreme Court. The appointment of a judge from outside Atlantic Canada would be unconstitutional, regardless of whether it would be illegal (though it might be), and of whether or not courts could say so (though they could). That the Prime Minister should be open to engaging in such behaviour makes it clear that ― rather like his predecessor ― he does not consider himself bound by the constitution, or at least those parts of the constitution that he thinks he might get away with ignoring. For this reason, I find the many expressions of support for the Prime Minister’s plan quite dispiriting. They give the impression that the scrutiny which the legal community rightly applied to the previous government’s cavalier approach to the constitution was as much the result of opposition to that particular administration as of a sincere belief in constitutionalism. And it would be very sad indeed if that impression were justified. Related Law nerd. I teach public law at the University of Reading, in the United Kingdom. I studied law at McGill, clerked at the Federal Court of Canada, and did graduate work at the NYU School of Law. I then taught in New Zealand before taking up my current position at Reading. View all posts by Leonid Sirota Author Leonid SirotaPosted on August 15, 2016 September 7, 2016 Categories Constitutional law, The Justice SystemTags bilingualism, Canada, constitutional conventions, judicial appointments, regional representation, Supreme Court of Canada One thought on “Unconstitutional” Allen says: August 16, 2016 at 7:04 AM Thank you thank you, thank you. I was beginning to think I am off since everyone else is so happy about this announcement. Just last night I had a discussion with some friends of mine who could not understand why I said this was just not right. Why is the PM so bent on shoving so many personalities long publicly rejected by the people back in our faces? I have to say the PM is certainly surrounding himself with too many intellectual lightweights and that cannot be a good thing	11,320
By accessing “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums” (hereinafter “we”, “us”, “our”, “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums”, “https://www.stephenkingcollector.com/forums”), you agree to be legally bound by the following terms. If you do not agree to be legally bound by all of the following terms then please do not access and/or use “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums”. We may change these at any time and we’ll do our utmost in informing you, though it would be prudent to review this regularly yourself as your continued usage of “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums” after changes mean you agree to be legally bound by these terms as they are updated and/or amended. Our forums are powered by phpBB (hereinafter “they”, “them”, “their”, “phpBB software”, “www.phpbb.com”, “phpBB Limited”, “phpBB Teams”) which is a bulletin board solution released under the “GNU General Public License v2” (hereinafter “GPL”) and can be downloaded from www.phpbb.com. The phpBB software only facilitates internet based discussions; phpBB Limited is not responsible for what we allow and/or disallow as permissible content and/or conduct. For further information about phpBB, please see: https://www.phpbb.com/. You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-orientated or any other material that may violate any laws be it of your country, the country where “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums” is hosted or International Law. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned, with notification of your Internet Service Provider if deemed required by us. The IP address of all posts are recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. You agree that “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums” have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should we see fit. As a user you agree to any information you have entered to being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent, neither “Stephenkingcollector.com Forums” nor phpBB shall be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised. Delete cookies Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited Optimized by: phpBB SEO Home \| About Us \| Identify US 1st Editions \| Identify UK 1st Editions \| Remarques \| Forums \| Email \| Links \| FAQ	2,370
by Marc Masurovsky When a claim is filed for the return of an object that was allegedly misappropriated during the Nazi/Fascist era and especially as a […] February 12, 2016 November 6, 2016 November 6, 2016 Stories of objects by Marc Masurovsky Artists produce their works in whatever media they select as their mode of expression-paper, panel, stone, metal, silk, canvas, cardboard, synthetic materials, reused […] November 6, 2016 The Holocaust Art Restitution Project, founded in 1997 with operations in Washington D.C., Oklahoma, and Europe, is a registered 501(c)3 tax exempt organization that is focused on research and advocacy in art restitution. We exist to document cultural property losses suffered by Jewish individuals, families, and institutions between 1933 and 1945 at the hands of the National Socialists and their Fascist allies across continental Europe; to conduct historical research into the wartime and postwar fate of stolen, confiscated, misappropriated cultural property, and to advocate for restitution of such property. If you’d like to speak with us or follow our work and activity, please contact us at the e-mail, and follow us on the various platforms below! We rely on donations from individuals just like you, please consider donating to continue our important work and furthering the cause of justice!	1,413
Today, a modern man or woman wants to return home to an elegant home in which beauty and functionality are combined as a whole, a modern look with minimalist inclinations, perhaps an open space that draws attention to the living space and assimilate an individual who speaks so much. About the resident Nowhere is this more than in a modern kitchen, an area that was once traditionally the home of the hostess of the house, but these days it is just as likely that she is occupied by a modern man who likes to cut and give Form dishes to impress. An elegant and modern kitchen needs today’s favorite item: an under mount sink: Modernist and built-in As an element of modernism, the hidden installation of under mount sink, in contrast to the traditional pool, which rests on the surface, provides a complete and final finish to the desired all-in-one effect. It hides, so to speak, the joints that were obvious to everyone with a traditional sink, and adds sophistication to the look and functionality of the work space. In addition to the functional and beautiful appeal of under mount sink, a wide variety of styles and materials, shapes and sizes are available that are available. Such a versatile item lends itself to diversity, and not only can you buy undermount sinks atlanta in all forms and styles in which a traditional sink is available, but also in many others. Stainless steel is a popular choice because today it fits well with the modern and biased design of shared kitchens in homes, and you don’t need to look for more stainless steel for the masculine look preferred by many men for their kitchens. The usual rectangular option is one of the most desirable, but there are also square, oval, round and elongated options designed to add a small shape to the overall plan of the kitchen. A wide range of prices and accessories With such an assortment and assortment, it is not surprising that prices also cover a wide range. Those with a limited budget can get low sinks for a person for whom money is no problem, and remember that accessories are important for the look, like the sink itself. Consider protruding taps, the mixer option, or the cooling and heating function separately, and also consider the type of plug you want to place in the sink; The choice of water drainage methods today is amazing. January 27, 2020by Jeffrey Hall Health How to speed up tanning? Acceleration of tanning for people with a dark and light complexion For people who struggle with fair complexion on a daily basis, beta-carotene, which protects the skin from the harmful effects of sunlight, and also stimulates melanin production, is a very good solution. A properly selected dose of beta-carotene reduces sensitivity to the sun and the risk of possible sunburn, and additionally effectively supports the tanning process, giving the skin a nice, melanotan 2 injection bright, and radiant color. We should remember, however, that beta-carotene (e.g., tablet treatment) is best to start talking about 14 days before the planned trip so that it brings the expected results. People with a dark complexion, wanting to tan quickly, can take advantage of the tanning accelerator, which also stimulates the manufacture of melanin in the skin, and following an hour after applying, it produces a golden-peach tan. However, it is definitely not a product for people with light and sensitive skin (phototype I), because it can cause a burning problem. We should also not use it with planned long-term solar exposure – the skin, which will not be protected throughout the day with appropriate UV filters, is completely defenseless against the harmful effects of the sun. Sunbathing in pregnancy – can you sunbathe in pregnancy? Sunbathing is a topic that raises a lot of controversies. Many future mothers planning melanotan 2 injections their holidays are wondering if you can sunbathe during pregnancy and whether sunbathing in the first trimester of pregnancy can somehow harm your baby. Hours and intensive sunbathing without proper precautions is a thing that should be avoided not only by pregnant women but all vacationers. Tanning during pregnancy should, however, be under special supervision, because unreasonable use of the sun can be very harmful to the health of the child and mother. What, then, can threaten a pregnant woman while sunbathing ?! For this reason, pregnant women should not only avoid sunbathing but also bathing in hot water. It is worth noting that overheating of the body is possible not only during a stay on the beach but also when shopping or walking during a hot day. This does not mean, however, that pregnant women should completely limit contact with the sun – but they must ensure that they spend most of their time in the shade and cold, protect their body with the right cosmetics and drink large amounts of water to protect themselves, among others before the stroke. Sunbathing during pregnancy can affect not only our health, but also our appearance. At this time, we are extremely vulnerable not only to cramps, overheating, burns and stroke, but also faster wrinkle formation and unsightly skin discoloration, which later getting rid of requires a lot of work and patience January 20, 2020by Jeffrey Hall How to buy a good a software for your company? In an increasingly connected, more global, more immediate and more social world, companies – large and small – recognize the need for an integrated operation, visibility of their internal processes and a clearer and closer relationship with their customers. Employees and managers understand that the difference between seeing the results of the past month or being able to be “online” and in “real time” can become strategic advantages to grow in sales and customer satisfaction while controlling and decreasing their operating costs. Sometimes achieving its effectiveness when buying software. Click here for additive manufacturing software singapore. Be clear about how much Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Do not be satisfiedby the value of the licenses (and the “fabulous” exceptional discount they are offering). Understand the value of recurring amounts, such as support and maintenance, which you will have to pay in the following years, the hardware and connectivity requirements required for the software you are evaluating to work, the cost of training for your employees to use and make the most of the solutions, the value of the consultancy required for the implementation and its associated costs (tickets, accommodation, food) etc. Visit this site for additive manufacturing software singapore. Do not get carried away by the name and fame Remember that we are in the second decade of the 21st century and that the digital revolution has allowed the proliferation of high value-added solutions at much cheaper prices than those of large manufacturers. If we are not talking about basic technology infrastructure software Make sure that the project is not a “systems project” and that the functional, financial and technological heads of the organization understand and actively participate in the process. January 5, 2020by Jeffrey Hall How to choose speakers? What’s the best? Recommended models The range of speakers is extremely wide, as it contains devices of many types. Which one should you choose? When deciding to buy good quality speakers, we must first consider how they will be used. It has a decisive impact when analyzing individual parameters sound system rental singapore on the basis of which the selection of specific devices is made. What type of speakers should you choose? Bearing in mind the issues raised above, we must answer two questions – where will the speakers be used and to which devices will they be connected. Depending on the purpose of the speakers, sound system rental singapore there are three main types. Currently, people looking for audio equipment have a large selection – from ready-made, cheap sets to more sophisticated proposals that meet the needs of audiophiles. When assembling your own set, you should consider not only the size and power of the speakers but also the parameters of the receiver (devices that include the amplifier and the radio tuner, sometimes also a DVD player). For more information on buying speakers, see the guide: How to buy a home theater. Which speakers should you choose? What to look for We have already learned all the types of devices that are in the store’s offer. Regardless of which one we want to decide on, we should also analyze them in terms of the most important technical parameters. This is the frequency range generated by the set or a single speaker. The upper limit is responsible for high tones, the lower limit for low. Although the frequency response plays an important role, it does not in itself determine the sound quality. It plays a particularly small role in the case of budget equipment. The standard frequency range is from 20 Hz for the lower limit to 20 kHz for the upper limit.	9,077
Because this is a carrier-mediated transporter, there are a finite number of binding sites for glucose. Once these binding sites are fully occupied, saturation of transport occurs (transport maximum). What does it mean when a carrier is saturated? What is carrier mediated? What happens to facilitated diffusion when protein carriers become saturated? Why Does facilitated diffusion become saturated? What happens during carrier mediated transport? What is carrier-mediated transport? Does facilitated diffusion become saturated? What process undergoes saturation? When all carriers are saturated the transport of? Why do solutions become saturated? What happens when solution becomes saturated? What is the saturation of a membrane carrier? What is the difference between carrier mediated and facilitated diffusion? Can carrier-mediated transport be saturated? Carrier-mediated transport exhibits the properties of specificity, competition, and saturation. B. The transport rate of molecules such as glucose reaches a maximum when the carriers are saturated. This maximum rate is called the transport maximum, or Tm. What does it mean when a carrier is saturated? A carrier protein is saturated when all its binding sites are occupied. Consequently, the transport rate will be maximal. Referred to as Vmax, the transport rate delineates a property of the specific carrier that reflects the rate at which it can change between its two conformational states. What happens to facilitated diffusion when the protein carriers become saturated? What happens to facilitated diffusion when the protein carriers become saturated? The maximum rate of transport will occur. The protein carriers fall apart. What is carrier mediated? Carrier-mediated transport is an energy-dependent pathway generally used by small hydrophilic molecules. There are specific receptors on the membrane of carriers that recognize the target molecules and transport them across the cell. Saturation effect does not occur in passive transport (Diffusion) because it does not involve any transport protein. What happens to facilitated diffusion when protein carriers become saturated? Does facilitated diffusion have saturation? One important characteristic that is associated with facilitated diffusion is saturation. This process is saturable, which means, as the concentration gradient of the substance increases, it will go on increasing until it reaches a point where all the carrier molecules are occupied. Why Does facilitated diffusion become saturated? Facilitated diffusion and active transport both shows transport saturation. Facilitated diffusion and active transport both shows transport saturation. What happens during carrier mediated transport? What is carrier mediated diffusion? Carrier mediated diffusion involves the movement of polar molecules such as simple sugars or simple carbohydrates and amino acids across the membrane. This is accomplished by a carrier protein, which actually changes shape in the process. What is carrier-mediated transport? Why is facilitated diffusion saturated? Does facilitated diffusion become saturated? At low solute concentration, facilitated diffusion typically proceeds faster than simple diffusion (i.e., is facilitated) because of the function of the carrier. However, at higher concentrations, the carriers will become saturated and facilitated diffusion will level off. Can facilitated diffusion by carrier proteins be saturated? Carrier proteins increase the rate of diffusion by allowing more solute to enter the cell. Facilitated diffusion, however, approaches a maximum rate as the carrier proteins become saturated with solute. What process undergoes saturation? Facilitated diffusion and active transport both shows transport saturation. What happens during mediated transport? 2 Theory. Facilitated or carrier mediated transport is a transport process that combines a chemical reaction with a diffusion process. The solute has first to react with the carrier to form a solute-carrier complex, which then diffuses through the membrane to finally release the solute at the permeate side. When all carriers are saturated the transport of? When the carrier is saturated (that is, when all solute-binding sites are occupied), the rate of transport is maximal. This rate, referred to as Vmax, is characteristic of the specific carrier and reflects the rate with which the carrier can flip between its two conformational states. What causes saturation? Complications of Low Oxygen Saturation Hypoxia is often caused by hypoxemia, but may also occur when: There are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Possible causes include severe bleeding due to trauma or sickle cell anemia. Why do solutions become saturated? (a) When a solid is added to a solvent in which it is soluble, solute particles leave the surface of the solid and become solvated by the solvent, initially forming an unsaturated solution. (b) When the maximum possible amount of solute has dissolved, the solution becomes saturated. What is carrier mediated transport process? Facilitated or carrier mediated transport is a transport process that combines a chemical reaction with a diffusion process. The solute has first to react with the carrier to form a solute-carrier complex, which then diffuses through the membrane to finally release the solute at the permeate side. What happens when solution becomes saturated? At some point the solution becomes saturated. This means that if you add more of the compound, it will not dissolve anymore and will remain solid instead. This amount is dependent on molecular interactions between the solute and the solvent. What is meant by carrier mediated transport? – channel mediated – simple diffusion – facilitated diffusion definition of carrier mediated transport – solute binds to a specific binding site on a carrier protein (an integral membrane protein), and then is transported to the other side of the membrane when the carrier’s binding site is exposed to the opposite side of the membrane What is the saturation of a membrane carrier? The carriers are saturated—no more are available to handle the increased demand, and transport levels off at a rate called the transport maximum (Tm) (fig. 3.17). As we’ll see later Figure 3.17 Saturation of a Membrane Carrier. Up to a point, increasing the solute concentration increases the rate of transport through a membrane. What is the rate of transport of a saturated carrier? When the carrier is saturated(that is, when all solute-binding sites are occupied), the rate of transport is maximal. This rate, referred to as Vmax, is characteristic of the specific carrier and reflects the rate with which the carrier can flip between its two conformational states. What is the difference between carrier mediated and facilitated diffusion? Carrier Mediated Transport. Carrier-mediated transport in which the net movement is down a concentration gradient, and which is therefore passive, is called facilitated diffusion. Carrier-mediated transport that occurs against a concentration gradient, and which therefore requires metabolic energy, is called active transport. PREVIOUS Previous post: What happens in chapter 3 of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley? NEXT Next post: What is the use of plugin-cfg xml? Related Post When was the movie millions made?When was the movie millions made? When was the movie millions made? April 8, 2005 (USA)Millions / Release date What is the point of the movie millions? ‘Millions’ is a thought-provoking film about how many young How much is omada worth?How much is omada worth? How much is omada worth? Omada Health, a digital health firm that helps with chronic conditions, has reached a valuation of more than $1 billion after a funding round led What is the perfect protein diet?What is the perfect protein diet? What is the perfect protein diet? High-protein diets typically include large quantities of protein and only a small amount of carbohydrate. Most people can follow a high-protein diet by eating	8,241
Investigating and tracking what is actually working to grow business all on your own is not what you signed up for. But here you are, because: To reach your goals, you keep adding more and more onto your plate. Your business has become this insatiable beast that constantly whispers in your ear: “Create more, publish more, post more, launch more, advertise more, hire more…” But you know this isn’t sustainable. You are guessing at what will propel your business growth to the next level. Will it be Facebook Ads, a conversion copywriter, YouTube videos, a podcast? You don’t have any way to know, and you’re sick of worrying whether your gamble is going to pay off next week, next month—or ever—and want to stop wasting money on things that don’t actually work. Your information lives in an ever-increasing jumble of disconnected spreadsheets, systems, databases and applications. Even if you wanted to get a 30.000-foot view of what’s working and what’s not, you wouldn’t know where to start. Every month, you spend thousands of dollars on your team, your Facebook ads agency, your conversion copywriter, your video marketing, and everything else. Are your expectations too high? Should you spend even more? Or maybe pull the plug completely? You’re ready to turn your marketing into a precision machine that drives a steady stream of customers to your brand. But to do that, you need to know how your marketing is actually performing. Your numbers should tell you everything you need to know, shouldn’t they? We can turn your numbers soup into a crystal ball, so you know exactly what to do next Nothing thrills me more than helping a business owner turn an idea for a sought-after product into a flourishing machine that seamlessly drives customers to their brand. I am a huge believer in growing a business with an intention for it to become a value generator, rather than a source of worry and uncertainty. Unfortunately, worry and uncertainty is the reality of many business owners who don’t have any hard, factual information on what works and what doesn’t work in their business.They lack visibility into how their marketing performs. Oh, they’ve got numbers. They’ve got numbers pouring out of every platform, app, and campaign. But what do all those numbers add up to? They try to pull meaning out of a soup of numbers and metrics that seem like they should mean something, and that leads to guesswork and wasted time, effort, and money. I’m a Metrics Whisperer—my clients call me their secret weapon because I help them collect key metrics into an easy-to-read Marketing Control Panel that reveals the meaning behind all those numbers. As a result, my clients are able to make decisions based on specific, personal trends and patterns we detect in their customers’ and prospects’ activities, instead of relying on guesses and hunches. Growing a business is very much a numbers game, but it doesn’t have to feel like playing blackjack, nor that there’s no option but to do more to gain more. Quite the contrary. The key is knowing your numbers, making a well-reasoned hypothesis based on what the numbers tell you and, once you’ve taken focused action, comparing your projections to the results so that you can optimize your machine even further. As a Metrics Whisperer, I get your numbers to tell a story of how your business currently performs and spell out what you should do next to reach your 7 or 8 figure goals. We stack the odds in your favor by having your numbers tell us exactly what to expect. And that is very much like knowing the cards that you’ll be dealt next. The level of masterful insight provided by a personalized Marketing Control Panel allows you to grow your business in an intentional, predictable way. You can enjoy certainty in what tomorrow holds as opposed to trying to sleep at night worrying if your gamble is going to pay off next week, next month, next year, or at all. Let’s figure out: How you could drive a steady stream of customers simply by adjusting the dials. How to be intentional instead of reactive with your marketing budget. How to turn your numbers soup into crystal ball so you know exactly what actions to take to bring in more sales.	4,383
A racist board member. Over-reliance on special events. Hiring an Executive Director for the first time. These are the topics in this month’s edition of “Dear Joan”. Each month, Joan responds to readers who send emails asking for nonprofit advice, practical solutions, or just general therapy (Joan tries not to make direct comments on a reader’s psychological state — that’s called practicing without a license.) You can send your questions to Joan by clicking here. This month, Joan tackles questions from a board member with a racist vice chair, an ED who wants to know how to diversify revenue streams, and another board member who wonders if it’s time to hire a full-time Executive Director. My board secretary is very strong. She volunteers more than most, is a strong advocate for our mission, and is seen as a leader in her community. Unfortunately, I’ve recently discovered that she also is very vocal about her dislike for African Americans. I was horrified to come across several posts on her Facebook and Twitter accounts that were very ugly and defamatory. To compound the problem, the community we live in (and work in) has a sizable African American community. No one has complained to me but I just can’t let it go. I know I can’t simply ask a board member to step down because we have different views (even though her views upset me a great deal). That said, I fear a larger impact on the reputation of my organization. Then there is one other thing. She is one of my highest performing board members. I know it’s selfish but I really need her. And no we do not have a social media policy. Is this a board chair issue? Will a social media policy do the trick? Do we have to ask her to step down? – Board Member and Her Not So Private Opinions My first reaction to this question is simply “Ugh.” I do not envy you in the slightest. But there are tough decisions to make here. It doesn’t matter whether this board member is the highest performer or the lowest. IMHO your board members are ambassadors for your organization in all public settings. And this includes social media (which is public indeed). As for a social media policy, I would suggest that you incorporate this into a code of conduct form each board member signs, indicating that a board member must exhibit the core values of the organization in all public forums, including social media. In the meantime, bring the concern ASAP to your board chair along with any evidence you have of the challenging posts or tweets. The board chair should meet with the board member in question and make it clear that her problematic public statements must cease. It would be great if a draft of a code of conduct form could be presented for her review at that time so that the conversation can be framed in a larger context. If the board member is unwilling, she must be asked to step down. She may be a high performer but if not held accountable, the board member you described may be a high performer in the short term but a racist board member will certainly become a liability to the organization in the long term. OK, so I have read your post about organizations being too reliant on special event revenue. I get it. But my board doesn’t. On top of that, I just don’t know how to make the shift. I understand that diversification of revenue is important but how to I get from here to there? Great question. It’s actually easier than you might think. Start small. Think about it in terms of a pyramid. Focus on building a big base of smaller supporters, volunteers, etc. Use your board and your website to bring people in at low levels. Engage them, communicate with them, and maybe even give them something to do. Your goal is to move them up the ladder over time. My friend Sylvia started her nonprofit “tour of duty” at her beloved organization as a volunteer. The organization was smart enough to cultivate and steward her. She did not have huge financial capacity but developed a development strategy that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. She also had a very successful run as board chair. Another strategy is to see these galas and fundraisers as ‘bait.’ Who is in the room? Never leave a gala without permission from a number of attendees to have a coffee or lunch. Could be an individual, a corporate sponsor or just someone who knows absolutely everyone. I’ve been a member of a non-profit board for almost 20 years, serving in various capacities, including President. We are a not-for-profit arts organization with almost 900 members statewide. We currently pay a bookkeeper and newsletter designer. All other positions are volunteer. I’m wondering if we are at a point where we need to hire an ED. How does an organization move to this point? I was simply going to say “you’ll know” because it will all just get to be too much for everyone. But when passion and mission are at play, people will go above and beyond anyway. So you may not figure it out until key players have burned out. You need to be proactive. Based on the limited information you have provided, I think you are probably close. It also depends on the services you are able to provide your members given your current resources as well as the resources you would like to provide your members. It has to be a strategic decision. Consider a ½ day offsite to discuss this issue in particular. Where do you want to go in a year or two? What will you need to get there? Is there enough excitement and momentum about the vision to raise some seed money to hire someone to actually run the organization? The decision to hire a full time ED comes from strategy and organizational aspirations. Now it’s your turn. What are you struggling with? Please let me know (just click the link above.) Perhaps I can help you. I promise you will remain anonymous. And if you have further advice for any of this week’s “Dear Joans” please share in the comments below. Related posts How to Get Your Board to Approve a Give and Get Policy 5 Reasons Your Board Would Benefit from a Give and Get Policy Should Board Members Be Required to Donate? Joan Garry is an internationally recognized champion for the nonprofit sector and a highly sought after executive coach for CEOs of some of the nation’s largest orgs. She is called upon by large organizations to tackle substantial change management / crisis management / leadership transitions requiring a compassionate truth-teller, a hands-on strategy advisor, a communications expert, and a focus on strong internal and external messaging. She is also the founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab.	6,923
Social Health Services It is an established fact that almost two-thirds of all people afflicted with some kind of mental dysfunction do not seek treatment. CBD Dentist Hair Loss March 29, 2022 April 5, 2022 TheYellowSnowman It seems that female hair loss will be manifesting more around young women today than ever. Female hair loss is needless to say a very individual method, depending upon several personal factors. More often than not hair thinning generally begins on thinning somewhere around age 50 and even afterwards for some individuals, with additional of a thinning on the hair at the the queen’s and may not be any pattern that is familiar as male style hair loss or peladera. When a woman acknowledges hair loss, she may well not know whether the hairloss is permanent. There are numerous reasons for a womans hair loss, such as the usage of birth control pills, health issues and even pregnancy while they all have the possibility for contributing to sudden thinning hair, however , it is possible that there are only temporary hair loss and a re-growth connected with hair, once a treatment has been discontinued or maybe changed. If you are focused on the thinning of your respective hair, it is inside your best interest to consult with women hair loss doctor, the one that specializes in hair loss solutions for woman to have an expert opinion for the problem as well as finding cure that is just right to suit your needs and your thinning situation. Since so many natural hair regrowth have been created with guys in mind, women have got fewer options as compared to men in finding aid for particular hair loss problems. Women demand a different type of balding remedy since males and females develop differently. One of the reasons for this for this is that the kind of a woman reacts significantly differently to condition, stress and the remedying of hair loss than the kind of a man. For instance, you ought to check your medication to learn that it does not include virtually any progesterone drugs, when they function like androgen. These types of drugs can raise the testosterone ranges, which in turn causes DHT to build up while adding to the cause of female structure baldness. Always inquire your physician if all of your prescriptions include any sort of progesterone drugs. One more natural factor that contributes to the hair damage in a female will be the changing of the kind of a woman while experiencing menopause as it generates imbalance of human hormones, which can contribute to feminine pattern hair loss. 1 . There is an total thinning of the frizzy hair, although it is much more recognizable at the back of the head just where growth seems to be without fullness or the location where the hair is growing last miniature strands with fineness. 2 . It comes with an overall neutral hair loss of the hair in the scalp, however it is somewhat more noticeable at the front with the head, although it would not affect the natural hairline of a woman. a few. There is an overall getting thinner of the hair to the scalp; however , it truly is more noticeable at the front end of the head although affecting the frente hairline of a female. Female Hair Loss remedies along with treatments Female hair loss cures normally follow the very same approach in remedy as the solutions pertaining to male hair loss. Rogaine and Propecia will probably generally be the 1st types of medical treatments just for female hair loss. Rogaine definitely seems to be the most effective hair loss option of these two natural hair regrowth. Although there is another medicine available for women, who may have not reached age menopause, Allocation since this is used regularly meant for younger women. For top results when managing female hair loss after peri menopause is to combine de las hormonas replacement medication together with Allocation. Revivogen in addition to Advecia are both obtainable and offer great results since natural female hair loss solutions. These supplements both contain herbs, vitamins and minerals with regard to hair growth without departing the user with undesired side effect while healing female hair loss. Rogaine is probably the most popular of the women’s hair loss treatments as well as the FDA approves that. Minoxidil is the main element in Rogaine, because it has the ability to aid in preventing the build up for DHT, which is a reason behind female hair loss. However , should you be searching for an answer to hair loss for women, you may want to consider normal and ethic locks salons, rather than medications or surgery to meet your needs. If you find that your hair growth is in the intermediate period, you may have the option of making use of hair braiding as well as weaving in order to generate more volume to your hair as well as providing you a more natural physical appearance. Hair loss in women is quite frequent, as there are many different factors that can contribute to the loss of hair in females. It truly is in your best interest to talk to your physician, and remember might, as many questions since you can think of that will aid an individual in preventing baldness. Doing so will help you within educating yourself inside the causes for your hair thinning, while helping you to know very well what choices are a good choice for the best female hair loss treatment methods.	5,681
The work done by DFW Roofing Pro is simply amazing. I would sincerely want to thank them for their patience, help, compassion and cooperation. They also provide free estimate and at the same time I am impressed with the pricing that they charge for their services. Besides this, they resolved all my queries that I was having. Blake was super helpful. I called a number of contractors before calling Blake, all of them told me they wouldn’t get my roof reshingled for at least 5 weeks. I called Blake in the evening, he showed up at my home in the morning and had the work completed the following day. This is my first experience dealing with a contractor, I am glad I chose Blake. Courteous, punctual, and on time. Blake and his crew were professional and completed our roof, fence and gutter job in a timely manner. Blake went above and beyond any other contractor, we’ve had. I’d recommend him to any of my friends. I’m very happy with the work done by the DFW Roofing Pro team. We used them to replace our roof and fencing, and they made the process very easy and understandable. They worked very closely with insurance, kept us informed every step of the way, and delivered with excellent work. Blake is a reliable project manager who cares for client satisfaction. I had to complete roofing and fencing within a limited budget. For that reason, I requested quotes from many contractors and selected DFW Pro based on positive reviews and reasonable pricing. He proved that his company is capable of handling both roof and fencing. He delivered what he promised and took care of a minor issue that I found after the project ended. The entire experience, from the initial inspection, to the final clean up were handled professionally and expeditiously. The crews were courteous and did excellent work! Blake took care of all the window repairs, fence repairs, I didn’t have to do a thing. I would definitely recommend DFW Roofing Pro to everyone in need of roof repairs. The folks at DFW are terrific. They took care of my roof as well as my fence and interior damage. Throughout the process they were professional, well-informed and very responsive to my needs. I will continue to work with them and highly recommend DFW Roofing Pro for any home improvement projects you might have. Jermey did an excellent job on my house and his helper Giovanni was also outstanding they were respectful, always on time and did more than most companies have done for me in the past! I highly recommend DFW Roofing for those reasons! Fantastic service at a great price! They were able to get an estimator in my house within a few hours even in the rain. Trevor was a great sport given the weather and found/addressed the problem quickly and professionally. Cannot say enough great things about this company. We’ve replaced a number of roofs over the last 2 decades in North Texas and these guys are the best! In 5 days, they had the hob totally done–including the punch list! Amazing. Their Opns Mgr (Joel) was over here last night (day before the holiday) and stayed after 9pm to make sure it got all wrapped up. What contractor does that?! Keep up the nice work Joel, Marcus & the whole team. You got our business for a VERY long time. Wow! I have to say, that in this day and age, great customer service is a lost art. NOT AT DFW ROOFING PRO!!! I had a plumber out who discovered an issue with the roof. I called DFW Roofing and Trevor was at my home not long after the call. He was courteous, professional, knowledgable, and helpful. I can now say that we have found a roofing company that will be our go-to from here on out. If your looking for an honest and trustworthy company that won’t rip you off and will get the job done right, look no further! Brandon is great. He patched my roof before the rains came, AND before coming to agreement to do my roof. The care of helping out in a ‘pinch’ is the mark of a great company DFW Concrete Pro is an experienced concrete company based out of McKinney, Texas and has been providing top concrete services for over 10 years.	4,289
I almost always cry when I finish a really good book. When I finished Teacher Man by Frank McCourt on a plane, I closed the book with a quiet sob (and no, it was not a sad ending). I looked up to find the passenger beside me staring in alarm. I just shrugged, smiled reassuringly, and explained that there was nothing to worry about; I cry at the end of a good book. I shared this experience with my students and naturally they wanted to see it happen. “Oh…” I explained, “I don’t think I would cry with you. It’s too complicated… I have to stay in charge and I couldn’t lose myself in a book like that with you all right here.” And then someone said it: “Science experiment.” Well, for science… that’s different. We agreed that the next time I got to the end of a book I was loving, I wouldn’t read the end at home. I would wait for our silent reading time in Room 204 to finish it. We knew I would cry at the end of a good book on a plane, but would I cry at school? All good science experiments begin with a question. They hypothesized that I would cry. I wasn’t sure. I had twenty pages left of The Song Catcher by Sharyn McCrumb, I settled myself in a beanbag, and we all slipped into the companionable silence of reading. I finished the book dry-eyed. I concluded I would not cry at the end of a book in my classroom with students. “It might not have been the right book,” someone said. They were isolating the variable. “You need to try it again,” said someone else. They were thinking in terms of repeated trials. “Okay,” I said. “After the holiday break.” When we came back from break, I was engrossed in the The Help by Kathryn Stockett. By the end of silent reading on Thursday I was close to the end. The afternoon announcements came on and the principal said they were calling for snow and to be sure to listen to the radio for school closings in the morning. “If it snows, all bets are off, “ I said. “I am not going to wait for Monday to finish this book.” It didn’t snow. My book was compelling and I could hardly wait to finish it… I was invested in the three protagonists. I had to know how it turned out and hoped hope would not be betrayed. It was finally time for silent reading on Friday. Twenty pages to go. We decided that I would read on the rug alone. Less distraction. They read at their desks and I read in a blue beanbag on the green rug. Every now and then I was aware of someone looking at me, and whenever I looked up a different third grader was keeping watch. Observation is part of the scientific process. I went deeper into the book. The first whisper. “She’s crying.” I heard it but I kept going. One more page… I closed the book. The children were silently creeping towards me. They surrounded me on the floor. “Do you need a hug, Mrs. Campbell?” “What was the book about?” I knew that question was coming. And I knew it would be hard to answer. “This book took place in Mississippi in the time that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was beginning his important work. It was a time when many white people were unfair to African Americans and black and white people did not trust each other.” Hands reached out to help me up. “But we trust each other, Mrs. Campbell.” It was Duron. It was his ninth birthday. I wiped the tears from my face and smiled. “Yes, we do trust each other.” Every good science experiment involves discovery. And now I know why I cry at the end of a good book… it is the thrill of resolution, a promise delivered, the surprisingly clear and sparkling waters at the confluence of hope and trust. Those are the books I choose. Those are the books I love to read. Those are the books that make me cry. Related Annie Campbell is a National Board Certified teacher and loves her work. After a forty year career in the classroom, she continues to support teachers. Annie enjoys cooking for family and friends; she likes to lose herself in a good book; she loves discovering new ideas, restaurants, perfect picnic places, and movies with her husband, Ben. View all posts by Annie Campbell → This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. By Invitation Only. → Tyson says: January 10, 2010 at 8:03 pm kids are so neat January 10, 2010 at 10:01 pm “We trust each other Mrs. Campbell.” I will now keep tissues close by when I read this blog. June says: January 10, 2010 at 10:27 pm Annia, I finished The Help while on the cruise with your mother. I guess I’m too much of a tough old bird to cry, but the most remarkable thing for me was that I COULD HAVE WRITTEN THAT BOOK. However, one thing that has blighted my life was that I didn’t choose my silver pattern. My mother gave me two place settings of King Richard when I graduated from college. That’s probably why I didn’t write the book. Love to you and Ben. June January 10, 2010 at 10:28 pm GREAT story! Love that boy. Abeer Hijaz says: January 11, 2010 at 8:13 pm I look forward to reading your stories and each time… you are just more and more amazing.. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to “student teach”under your suppervision.. You are one of a kind… Sara says: January 11, 2010 at 9:55 pm Ditto on the tissues. LOVE your scientific process and how it, and art, is part of life with your students. Such lucky, lucky us. January 13, 2010 at 12:47 am You never know when the emotions will well up with a book. I know lots of teachers who can’t get through Where the Red Fern Grows, with out a kleenex. My tears surprised my students when I read Faithful Elephants for the first time. I had just gotten the book from the book order and did not have time to preread. The plight of the animals in the zoo grabbed my heart and tears leaked from my eyes. It was startling to me too. Now, I always read the book ahead. January 13, 2010 at 7:27 pm What a wonderful way to model the power of reading! Your students won’t forget your moments a sharing emotional passion Mrs. V says: January 14, 2010 at 2:46 am I loved reading this Slice of Life. I had to chuckle about you telling your students that all bets were off if they called a snow day. I bet it was hard enough waiting until the next day instead of finishing it as soon as you got home! Stacey says: January 14, 2010 at 3:27 am I love how you were offered a hug… and the reminder of how your students trust one another despite their differences. You’re doing amazing things in that classroom Annie! VCU Professor Beth Belcher says: January 28, 2010 at 4:35 am Have you read Still Alice yet? That was my next book pick after finishing The Help. Two dynamic books in a row really left me in a puddle of tears. I know just what you mean about the power of good writing. Better than a great meal!	6,979
Are you looking for an apartment or house for rent in Union Furnace, Ohio? Are you getting tired of other renters keeping you up at night, waking your children late at night, or domestic disputes that somehow put you in the middle of an argument about problems that don’t concern you? These are only a few of the problems that people who rent their homes have to deal with regularly. The good news is that there’s a better way! Rent-to-Own homes in Union Furnace OH are harder to find, but worth it for those who don’t want other people living above or below them. Besides the additional space both indoors and outdoors, the real benefit of a rent to own home comes in the peace and tranquility of being able to unplug and just listen to the sound of silence. To be able to discuss private matters in your life and actually have them remain private. My Lady Bug Rent-to-Own Homes works with real estate agents all over the United States to bring you homes that the owners would possibly be willing to consider selling on land contract or some other rent-to-own terms used in Ohio real estate contracts. Ohio state law will dictate the verbiage for rent to own home sales in Union Furnace, and in Hocking county. What is a Rent-to-Own Land Contract Home Sale? In most states the legal meaning of a land contract sale is that a portion of the rent you pay every month goes toward the down-payment required by the bank to buy the home. This part is unique for every rent-to-own home and seller because of the value of the home, and the length of time the seller is willing to wait for their money. For example, say your house rent in Union Furnace is $800.00 and the seller agrees to put $300.00 of that in escrow for 5 years (this can change from contract to contract). At the end of that time, you will have $18,000.00 in escrow towards your down payment for the house! That’s a lot of money, but there’s a catch as you might have guessed. If you’re late on any payments, the seller reserves the right to void the land contract and keep the money you have in escrow. This is to add incentive for making your payments on-time as agreed, and to ensure you aren’t wasting the generous seller’s time. Remember, he made all his payments on time, and that’s how he became the owner. He will expect the same of you in return. Nobody like to waste their money, right? Every month you spend your rent money with a landlord, you’re helping him to build equity in a home you will never own. This is just one way you can voluntarily give away your wealth to someone else without realizing you have other options. If you are patient and persevere in shopping for your new home to rent, the right rent-to-own home will probably find you. Just add up the number of months you have been paying rent for an apartment, and multiply that number by the amount you pay in rent. I doesn’t take long and the numbers become huge! However, most renters think they have no other option. They don’t even try to find homes for rent, with an option to buy after a set time period. Is it worth some extra time and effort to land a home you own instead of another rental unit? It’s not a problem that you don’t have $10,000.00 to put down on a loan for your next house. There are many homes for sale on land contract in Ohio, and there’s no doubt a few in Union Furnace, but you need to start looking for them and not just apartments and condos. If you don’t ask the right questions, you’ll always get the wrong answers. As long as you aren’t shopping for a new house to rent because you got evicted from your last apartment or rental unit, you have an excellent chance of making rent-to-own home ownership a reality. Stop throwing away the cash for your biggest expense every month, and start shopping for a rent-to-own home in Union Furnace with My Lady Bug Homes! Previous Next December 2022 S M T W T S « May We work with local real estate agents to bring you homes that can be rented-to-own. Every month a portion of your rent is put towards the down payment!	4,260
Early this year, I read a post on Captain Awkward[1], and one of the things she mentioned–cited from the Blogess, actually–was the idea of 2013 as a library. A safe quiet space where you can get ready for something. Maybe you spend the year recuperating from last year. Maybe you burn the Thanksgiving turkey and forget an important birthday. It’s okay. It happened in The Library. It was just practice for next year. Maybe it’s insanity, or maybe it’s just me, but somehow I think we all need a year in The Library. A year where it’s safe to make mistakes. Probably the biggest thing for me was trying to actually commit to writing[2]. (Cat Rambo gives excellent classes, by the way, and I am not sure she self-promotes quite enough, and there’s a deal on her classes if you sign up before 2014. Just saying. I like the six-week course best.) I’ve gotten seven rejections so far and I think they’re getting easier to take, which is nice? Other things this year: I tried to do Mary Robinette Kowal’s Month of Letters challenge, but that got interrupted by a pet health emergency. (Pet in question is fine, but leave us just say February got itself repurposed very hard.) What else? Started staggering along to Zombies Run again after I’d stopped for longer than I’m happy with. Started reconnecting with someone I’d kind of lost touch with. Went to Farthing Party and CanCon (for the record, doing two cons in two weekends is not a great idea; that said, so glad I managed to get to a Farthing Party). The house was cleared of about ten feet of bookshelf space and perhaps twenty-five bags-and-boxes of things that weren’t being used, or wouldn’t be used, or would be better used elsewhere, or just really needed to go. And I finished installing a cabinet. Admittedly in the bathroom we use least, but still, it’s installed. I knit 0.76 of a mile of yarn into a sweater for my mother, and it worked. I mean, it fit and she liked it. I was terrified that I’d need to reknit half of it and the yarn store would be out of the dye lot, and… Anyway, it worked. And I cut my hair. Myself. (I haven’t dyed it again yet, but… maybe next year. The light of my life dug up an old picture, and I miss the purple.) What did you do this year? What’ll you do the next? — [1] Lovely lady, very thoughtful, excellent advice, minimal Evil Bees. [2] I had to work through a brief bout of “omigod I am admitting in public that I want to write things and care about whether I’m good at it!” to even type that. Oy, my issues. Author Frances K RPosted on December 31, 2013 Categories My WritingTags cats, clutterbucket, convention, face to face, mens sana in corpore sano, time managementLeave a comment on The word for year is library. Driveby cute, and reasons. This is a hat that I knit partly to stashbust, partly to try out a pattern from Doomsday Knits, and partly because a friend of mine collects hats for the kids at the school where she works. So. The project is called “Rewoven Threads” because Threads is really a pretty classic post-apocalyptic movie (and an incredibly bleak one, I will add), because knitting a hat to give away to someone who needs it seems specifically to address some small reweaving of the broken threads of the aforementioned movie, and because I needed to weave in fourteen ends. The cat is in the picture because I apparently have no sense of self-preservation. (He is plotting my demise. Oh yes. Do not be fooled by the sad kitty-eyes.) Author Frances K RPosted on December 24, 2013 Categories Day by DayTags cats, knitting, no-one is an island3 Comments on Driveby cute, and reasons. Tidying up. Still over a week to go before 2014, but I have decided that now is a good time to formally note down a handful of things I have found online that I really like. (This will also enable me to close a few tabs in my browser. I am trying to get better about doing this. I have had tabs open for over a year.) First, the artlog tag on EliseM’s LJ is often filled with lovely things. (I mention it first because the 3 Woman Sale is over tonight. January is looking to be chill and grey and unpleasant, and I am thinking something from that showing up in the mail is not the worst thing that could happen. I am waffling particularly over a couple of the earrings.) Second, Captain Awkward is an advice blog that is shockingly sensible, and very good on reminding people that you actually get to have boundaries, and that you can’t actually make other people feel things. Written Kitten‘s cache is pretty amazing, since I have stuff still saved in there from… er… four months ago? I should copy that to a file and back it up properly. Also, you know, kittens. TV Tropes is dangerously likely to be a timesink, but I think it’s nice to have tropes–these and others–layed out so explicitly and discussed. I felt kind of the same way about The Tough Guide To Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones. Knitty.com‘s– oh, dammit, a new issue is up. Okay, not closing that tab. Anyway. Yes. Knitty’s an online ‘zine for knitters; free patterns, articles, how-tos, assorted usefulness, lovely pictures. The latest issue seems to have a lot of cables. I love cables. Hmh. Remaining tabs (all, er, hundred-plus of them) appear to be falling into broad categories. May sort them out and come back later – for the moment, I think it’s time to go light a fire. Author Frances K RPosted on December 22, 2013 Categories Day by DayTags baubles and paint, knitting, no-one is an island, online, story tropesLeave a comment on Tidying up. Adjustment period. The cats went to the vet recently. They’re fine, but one of them especially has started gaining too much weight (a pound a year is fine for an adult human. For an adult cat, it’s something you want to nip in the bud), so there’s no more leaving food out for them to graze. They each get a measured amount. In practical terms, this means that they don’t eat together anymore, and that the food dish for one is taken away and the food dish for the other is brought out. In other words, there is food right there and yet one or the other of the poor poor things is not allowed to eat. Is restrained from eating. Is, as it were, brutally starved by a cold and unfeeling human who has clearly put food out for the express purpose of torturing them. It is amazing how piteously hungry a thirteen-pound cat can sound as he looks soulfully up at you and quavers out a question mew. (His sister is more practical, and has taken the “If the humans wake up, I am fed. If I push things off the dresser, the humans wake up. Ergo…” approach. At two in the morning. Darling little fluffbucket.) On a lighter note, I feel I have survived the worst of the holiday crunch, so there’s that. Now if I can just get a few more hours sleep… Author Frances K RPosted on December 21, 2013 Categories Day by DayTags catsLeave a comment on Adjustment period. Just one of those things. This is not a happy post. I was spending a little time on the fire-hydrant stream of Twitter, as one does, some days. And someone shared a link to a five-minute game, and the post-mortem of same. The game is called The Day The Laughter Stopped. It is not a happy game. It is not an unrealistic game. In the more detailed discussion from the game creator, they also link to an article by someone I wasn’t familiar with, who writes as Film Crit Hulk. (There are many Hulks online! They often talk in ALLCAPS and refer to themselves in the third person. E.g.: “HULK’S SAYS IT ALL THE TIME, BUT THE PROBLEM WITH PLAYING DEVIL’S ADVOCATE IS THAT YOU’RE ACTUALLY ADVOCATING THE DEVIL.” (The post-mortem also contains a link to http://convertcase.net/, where you can copy and paste the article in question and then change it out of ALLCAPS, if you are annoyed by the prospect of someone internet-shouting at you for the entire length of an article.) Seriously. The holiday season is upon us. There is stress and hope for kindness and many things to get done and many people being rushed. It is okay to not read the rest of this. Trigger warning ahoy. Author Frances K RPosted on December 18, 2013 Categories Unexpected and UneasyTags gender, political Okay, does anyone actually have anything (either good or bad) to say about WP’s repeated suggestion that you/we/I enable two-step authentication? The backup code thing seems neat but fussy. Closing in on Christmas, which is never a relaxing proposition. (I will grant exciting in a good way, on good years, but not relaxing.) Gift flail, card flail, and trying to figure out how many days between now and mid-January I can reasonably block off and declare to be mine and mine alone, for my peace of mind. It’s been a very busy week. The guy who’s coming to install our new sink did call this morning to say he’d be late, but we haven’t heard from him since. I am hoping he either calls or shows up in the next ten minutes, but I’ve been hoping he’ll call in the next ten minutes for nearly an hour now, and it’s getting increasingly distracting. Lots of “but if I start X won’t I just get interrupted? Surely I will get interrupted soon, right?” Sure it will get sorted out. Meantime… well, onwards. (I have a holiday goal–possibly not specifically a Christmas goal, but definitely a “within the next three weeks” goal. It involves nice movies, possibly candy/popcorn, a fireplace, and the humans in the house not outnumbering the pets. I will keep this in mind as something to work towards, slowly and with grace.) Author Frances K RPosted on December 16, 2013 Categories Day by DayTags time managementLeave a comment on Security nagging. When I was younger than I am. Because I’ve been discussing female characters with people recently: The first character I ever remember wanting to be was Sarah Connor. Continue reading “When I was younger than I am.” Author Frances K RPosted on December 12, 2013 Categories Stories, Packaged and SoldTags gender, moviesLeave a comment on When I was younger than I am. Time is slipping away. Wow. Sixteen days with no posts. (Coincidentally, eleven days with no writing and, barring yesterday morning, twenty-one days with no running. Correlation is not causation, but I do suspect that I am looking at some correlation, rather than pure coincidence. Will need to keep an eye on that.) Right. Words. …I have just, for the record, spent a good three minutes staring blankly at this screen. Today was pretty draining; I spent eleven hours and twenty minutes of it either in transit or doing work that’s definitely useful but was (today at least) kind of repetitive and exhausting. Lunch consisted of catching up with a lot of online things, which was slightly less than relaxing, if informative. When I finally got home, the light of my life and I split dinner-arranging duties, and by the time that was done I had enough energy to go out to knit night. I’m actually really glad I did; everyone was swapping “how did you start coming to knit night?” stories, and it was good to catch at least the tail end of that. I’m actually thinking of cutting back on my knitting a fair bit – so many of the ways I spend time (writing, knitting, puzzles, talking to people except face-to-face, gaming, reading unless it’s on an e-reader) require a pair of hands free, and I might need to start prioritizing. (I understand this is part of being an adult, or something. When I was young, I thought adults got to stay up, like, forever, and had all the time in the world. I feel that a terrible misrepresentation is being perpetuated.) Author Frances K RPosted on December 5, 2013 Categories Day by DayTags face to face, knitting, time management, workLeave a comment on Time is slipping away. → Submissions: 9 Withdrawals: 0 Currently Out: 3 Numbers in parentheses are for submissions which were made in 2021 or earlier; those aren’t counted as part of the total. December 2013 M T W T S S « Nov Jan » The centiBrad (whose origin is discussed here) is a metric to track rejections. Five rejections earn you a centiBrad! This means very little in practical terms, but rejection hurts, and the idea of a shiny little achievement for going through it sometimes helps. There's also a centiBrad tag to track its mentions here.	12,387
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In the particular condition of Baccarat, an individual must become absolute to review your loan document thoroughly, as this can easily lead to be able to an enormous loss. This is usually crucial to do not forget that the house border isn’t that fantastic once you play Baccarat on the Internet. The edge of the house could catch way up with you. This is why a person shouldn’t place lots of bets in Baccarat on typically the World wide web. It will be important to make an effort to achieve success and also get a new little. A person should period winnings in addition to cash them out there after the initial several games in the event that an individual win. Understand what believe you’ll be ready to keep playing, and then you can easily carry an escape in addition to go for some sort of meal with the close by restaurant for lunch. Create a budget. It is very important to find out your current price range. It can help you decide which edition of the video game is typically the ideal choice regarding you. Additionally it is essential to determine the total amount you can manage to invest. If if you’re not able in order to spend much, it is possible in order to play for free of charge until you’ve fatigued your current money and they are all set to move on the next stage. In the event that if you’re fresh to Baccarat on the web, take lessons by the pros and then produce your choice in accordance with their particular strategies.	5,362
Once the domain is ready for purchase and transfer you will receive an email containing further instructions. We will set up a "Buy Now" page on the domain and you will be able to purchase it by visiting the domain name itself. We use third party processors for handling payments, in other words we never receive your sensitive credit card information. Please note that we also don't take any payments over the phone. What methods of payment do you accept? We use PayPal, DAN and Escrow.com. The minimum transaction amount at DAN is $100 USD (it's the limit imposed by them). We are also willing to set up Escrow.com transactions only for domains that cost more than $195 USD and pay half the fee for their services as a sign of good will. How will my domain name be delivered to me? As soon as you make the payment, our system will send you the domain's Transfer Instructions to your PayPal account email address, asking you to open an account with the domain's own registrar (in 99% of the cases it's NameBright.com) so we could "push" the domain to you Bear in mind that for some domains the transfer is not possible in the first 60 days of the purchase period. This rule is not our policy (i.e. something we made up when we had nothing better to do), it's an ICANN regulation, and you can read all about it here: In any case, the domain will be under your full control, you will be able to set the nameservers, edit DNS records, and it will have your WHOIS info, in other words, it will be 100% yours, you just won't be able to transfer it to your registrar during that initial 60-days-lock period. You will still be able to use your current hosting company, set its DNS servers, or do with the domain whatever you want, you just won't be able to transfer it out during that period. I don't have access to my PayPal account email address (i.e. it was just some temporary email I've opened) What should I do? If you can't access your PayPal email address inbox, please contact us at sales@domainlilies.com and after we confirm it's really you (don't worry we don't ask for your grandma's dental records or blood samples like many of the companies do ) we will resend you your Transfer Instructions to the proper email. We are a small company with 15 employees only, and we generally already had some communication with our new clients before they purchased the domain, so don't worry, you won't lose your domain just because a support agent of ours behaved like a bot . Do you handle payments yourself? We use PayPal, DAN.com or Escrow.com for all of our payment processing. We never get to see your credit card or any other sensitive info, nor is it stored on our servers. Is this a one time payment and are there any additional fees? This is a one time payment and we will never bill you again for the same domain. Please note that we also give you one year of registration included ( unless stated otherwise in our emails) alongside with the domain. However, we do need to inform you that you will have to renew your domain after one year of registration expires, which usually costs around $9 per year, depending from the registrar (for example, NameBright charges ~ $8.50 USD for .com yearly renewal)	3,277
My daughter has gone to meet a friend for coffee. They don’t get to see each other very often, because the friend moved, but she sent a text as soon as she hit town. I encouraged her to go and enjoy their time. Gave her a hug and said, “Go get filled up.” That’s what friends do. About a week ago, I received a text from my friend that I meet for coffee at least once a month. If we can manage, we meet twice a month. Once we set the day and time, I don’t let anything stand in the way of meeting her. We meet at the same coffee bar every time and it’s our spot. About a week ago, she sent me this picture. I recognized the drink, the table and even the reflection of light on the table before reading the text. We’ve had many a conversation there and I always feel refreshed and renewed when it’s time to go our separate ways. Not to mention highly caffeinated. I wonder if it felt strange that day for my friend to sit at the table by herself. She told me that drink was her reward for driving through Austin traffic. You need a medal for that, but I was happy she thought of that drink as a reward. It’s a rewarding moment every time we meet and we need those in our life. We need friends who fill us back up and we do the same for them. I encourage you to put that mask on that has become second nature and go sit with a friend. My friend sat at our table by herself that day, but she wasn’t alone. We both know that table is a table for two. Sharing is caring: Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to print (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Related October 18, 2020 October 18, 2020 · Posted in Quality of life · Tagged #greatreward, #moments, Austin Texas, coffee bar, encouragement, fill your cup, Friendships, Good for me, Letitgocoach, Pause and Breathe, quality time together, second half of life, table for two ·	2,233
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a Virginia state law that bans state employees from using state-owned computers to access pornographic materials on the Internet. Six professors from publicly-funded colleges had challenged the law, charging that it violated their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Judges rejected their claims, arguing that the professors were wrong to access the material without consent from supervisors and that their First Amendment rights apply to their roles as citizens speaking about a “matter of public concern” and not to their work as state employees. Judge William Wilkins wrote in the judges’ opinion, “The Commonwealth [of Virginia] must retain its ability to control the manner in which its employees discharge their duties.” ACLU attorney Ann Beeson served as counsel for the professors. Beeson criticized the decision as “totally outrageous” and said “It should go without saying that what our professors say is a matter of public concern.” Virginia Attorney General Mark L. Earley disagreed, saying, “Taxpayers in Virginia should not be forced to pay for state employees to use state computers on state time to download pornography.” Regarding a professor’s right to free speech, Early commented, “All the professor would have to do is get permission to download the materials, so it’s not going to be a problem.” Beeson said that the professors are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. 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Imagine you’re going on a cruise which starts in Quebec Canada. You live in Utah, so you must travel from point A to point B which involves getting on an airplane. Flying is not my favorite activity. It makes me nervous, but I’m fine as long as I don’t think about the fact that I’m hurtling through the air in a metal tube 30,000 feet above the ground. So the last thing I want to see is this. Yes, this was my tray table on our flight from Atlanta to Toronto. Now I understand that that things break and cannot always be fixed immediately, but this caution tape was a bit much. What you can’t tell from this picture, is the tape was wrinkled, torn and stretched and had clearly been there a long time. Seeing things like his causes one to wonder about the maintenance of the plane in general. Was there a weathered piece of tape holding the engine together? I sent this picture to the airline since they were apparently unaware of the problem. Our next stop was the Toronto airport. We knew we had a tight connection, further complicated by the fact that we were crossing the border into Canada. As we got off the plane we had to go through security again. Unfortunately, there were only two lines open for the masses of people who were anxiously assembling. When it was finally our turn my husband’s bag inexplicably set off an alarm. We couldn’t figure out what was wrong and they ultimately let us go, but by now we were getting nervous and began to speed walk. As we turned a corner we ran into a room full of automated PASSPORT CHECK KIOSKS! These machines are notoriously finicky and complicated, but somehow we pushed all the right buttons, got our pictures taken, laughed uproariously at my husband’s which looked like a drunken mug shot, then began to run. It wasn’t long before we noticed several other panicked people running alongside us. Apparently, we were all going to the same place to catch the flight which was scheduled to leave in 10 minutes. This was the longest concourse ever. We raced through a maze of twists and turns, upstairs and down until we finally arrived at the correct terminal. Phew, we’d made it! Those who hadn’t collapsed along the way somewhere slumped against walls and sank into chairs, trying to catch their breath. An hour later we finally began boarding the plane. How annoying. On the bright side, it turned out that most of these people would be cruising with us so it was fun to get to know each other beforehand. As we filed onto the plane I noticed a man trying to stuff his bag into the overhead compartment. It was clearly not going to fit. Silly man I thought smugly, his bag is either too big, or he’s crammed way too much stuff in it. Feeling very superior, I reached to place my appropriately sized bag into the compartment. Uh Oh – it wouldn’t fit. These were the smallest overhead compartments in the history of aviation – possibly a holdover from the days when everyone checked their luggage? Anyway, after unpacking and rearranging our bags we managed to fit them into their tiny receptacles. At last, the plane began to taxi down the runway. We taxied and taxied and taxied until people began cracking jokes about whether we were just going to drive to Quebec. After a half an hour – I timed it – we took off. Everything was fine from there and we arrived at our destination without further incident. End of story? Well not really. 10 days later, we were flying home from Orlando Florida. It was a late flight and we were scheduled to arrive home at midnight. All was well until we got about an hour and a half into the trip. At this point, the intercom crackled into life and the pilot announced there was something wrong with the fuel line. We would have to return to Florida. Sigh. We backtracked, landed, got off the plane, waited around while they rounded up another plane, and another flight crew (the current crew would have been in the air too long by the time we reached our destination). Re-situated at last, we started over and arrived in Salt Lake at 4:00 AM. God Bless the Uber driver who showed up in the wee hours, driving a vehicle with no caution tape or broken fuel lines. Needless to say, we were immensely happy to arrive home, and vowed never to travel again . . . NOT! My husband and I love to travel and it would take a lot more than this to make us stop. But in closing, I’d just like to say, whoever coined the phrase “Getting there is half the fun,” has clearly never traveled with me. What about you – any airport adventures? I’d love to hear about them! Related This entry was posted in Destinations and tagged airport stories, airports, Travel, travel delays, travel problems by Librarylady. Bookmark the permalink. 33 thoughts on “Getting There is Half the Fun (?)” Forestwood on February 21, 2020 at 4:23 pm said: My goodness- what a trial. I think this happens more and more as airlines reduce staff levels and cut overheads. I am always a little worried about tight connections and dislike automated kiosks carhicks on February 15, 2020 at 11:15 am said: Well, at least you enjoyed your cruise and can look back at all the bumps and smile. Did I tell you about the time I left my passport in the seat pocket on the plane from Dublin to Glasgow? Now that was an adventure. Librarylady on February 18, 2020 at 7:28 pm said: I’d say! What happened? Did they get it back to you? carhicks on February 19, 2020 at 5:46 am said: I had to fly back to Dublin (which was so much fun trying to fly to another country without a passport) and meet security at the airport. I was escorted to the airline office by immigration where I retrieved it. Then flew back to Scotland. It was a waste of a day on my vacation, but my daughter had a good time without me. If it hadn’t been for her and her smart ideas, I probably wouldn’t have gotten it back. Lisa Bradshaw on January 4, 2020 at 12:06 am said: Travel can only be fun with you.. Librarylady on January 4, 2020 at 8:33 am said: Thanks Lisa, our travel motto is have fun no matter what. Sometimes it’s easier than others. calmkate on December 27, 2019 at 6:40 pm said: ouch you really struck a chord with many on this one! Great story well told. I have no fear of flight, we will all die someday just don’t know where when or how. I always figured falling out of the sky would be fairly quick = less pain. Not that I’m suggesting airlines should try that. But if you and hubby enjoy travel it might be worth relocating closer to a port to avoid more air travel. Give me a ticket and I will travel. I can tell you about bus and train trips that would curl your hair and your toes but air travel has been fine and I’ve done plenty of it Librarylady on December 28, 2019 at 8:40 pm said: Thanks. Kate, I’ve actually got a bus tour story too. I’ll roll it out someday when the time is right. Thanks for reading! LikeLiked by 1 person calmkate on December 28, 2019 at 10:58 pm said: my pleasure, you tell a good story! Suzanne on December 17, 2019 at 8:32 pm said: This is a great story. I enjoyed reading it. I love travelling but I don’t know if I’ll ever fly again. My last flight was a little hop from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia after a long haul flight from the UK. It takes a little more than an hour to get from Sydney to Melbourne. The plane basically goes up then comes down again. On the descent my right ear drum felt like they would burst. The flight attendant told me to swallow but it did no good. I was back on terra firma for hours before the effect wore off. Someone said later it was the particular low budget airline that I flew with. They have had the same problem on that flight with that airline. With the bigger airline it doesn’t happen. Maybe the bigger airline flies higher or lower – no idea really but the whole experience made me really worried about flying again. Librarylady on December 20, 2019 at 10:11 am said: Way back when I used to scuba dive. They teach you to clear your ears as you dive to relieve the pressure. Hold your nose and blow. It always works on a plane too. Don’t stop travelling! LikeLiked by 1 person Suzanne on December 20, 2019 at 6:08 pm said: I’ll remember that if I ever get on a plane again. Right now I’m happy to be on the ground. I will still travel though. tierneycreates on December 16, 2019 at 4:51 pm said: Loved your travel story and brings back memories of crazy dashes from off one flight and on to the next. One time I thought my lungs would burst from running as fast as I could with my suitcase (which was heavy of course). LikeLiked by 1 person Librarylady on December 16, 2019 at 6:53 pm said: Hi Tierney, I’m forever grateful to the person who invented rolley travel bags. Lugging a suitcase would really put a crimp in my style. good to hear from you! bestadmanspeaks on December 16, 2019 at 11:57 am said: One time I was flying from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles when just after takeoff you could tell something was wrong. Sure enough, the pilot turned the plane directly around and we made a quick landing.(They must have cleared a runway with some kind of emergency procedure.) As we got up to exit the plane, the woman who had been sitting across from me announced that she was done. She had flown from back east on her way to Hawaii and this was the second time on the trip that had plane had turned around with problems. She said it was a sign and she didn’t want to risk flying over the Pacific. Over the years I have had several strange things happen, but never on an overseas trip. Has anyone ever had a over water problem they can talk about? Librarylady on December 16, 2019 at 3:10 pm said: Oh my. Basically the only way to endure flying is to pretend that you’re not risking your life. That’s hard to do when you’re being reminded by things going wrong right in front of your eyes. Honestly, I’ve flown a lot and had mostly positive experiences. I choose to dwell on those and get my anxieties out by writing the occasional whiney blog post. The Snow Melts Somewhere on December 16, 2019 at 11:55 am said: I’m finding your writing so enjoyable Boarding was always my least favorite part of the flight back when I worked on airplanes. Watching people stuff their oversized bags in the wrong places gave me anxiety! 🤣 Librarylady on December 16, 2019 at 3:13 pm said: Thanks for your comments. I really like this idea and may try to do something similar one day. I bet you airline attendants see a lot. I admire you all. Thanks. LikeLiked by 1 person Forestwood on December 15, 2019 at 5:38 pm said: Gosh. What a trial. Was this a budget airline? They seem to have more of these sorts of problems, however the larger airlines are not immune either!! I hope your next flight is straightforward! Librarylady on December 15, 2019 at 7:47 pm said: Nope, this was a major airline. I’m not mentioning names because they were really nice when they saw the picture of the tray. I’m assuming it was fixed pretty quick. Thanks for the follow! Forestwood on December 15, 2019 at 8:11 pm said: The Sassy Library Fox on December 15, 2019 at 1:00 am said: Okay that caution tape on your tray table would have unnerved me too. lol And I couldn’t help but wonder where you placed your food and drinks? XD When we flew to the Frankfurt Book Fair our airplane landed and all of a sudden the alarm went off saying: “Emergency, please stay seated and use the oxygen mask above your head.” The weird thing was that none of the oxygen masks even fell down and that the alarm went for solid ten minutes before someone turned it off. There was no apology from the crew and no comment about it. Makes you wonder what would have happened if we would have been up in the air and if it would have been an actual emergency. No oxygen masks would have been deadly then… LikeLiked by 1 person Librarylady on December 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm said: Seriously, I can’t believe no one said anything! That must have been really upsetting. As for the tray table, I was sitting next to my husband so we shared. If I had been traveling alone, I probably would have more of a fuss. As it was, I chose to laugh rather than turning into a giant stress bomb. Thanks for sharing. LikeLiked by 3 people Dan Antion on December 14, 2019 at 1:24 pm said: I have made the mad dash through Toronto where not one single person on the staff/security side seems to care. Fortunately, I was on my way home Librarylady on December 14, 2019 at 3:10 pm said: Good to here from you Dan. As far as grumpy airport employees, I think JFK wins the award. We were actually yelled at once by an employee who was trying to direct a crowd of people into a line. LikeLiked by 1 person Dan Antion on December 14, 2019 at 3:34 pm said: Oh, that’s horrible. I haven’t flown out of JFK since the late 70s. Your travel sounds much more complicated than anything I’ve ever tried. Librarylady on December 14, 2019 at 3:41 pm said: Hmm, maybe we should just stick to road trips – . unfortunately the grass always seems greener on the other side of the world. LikeLiked by 1 person Dan Antion on December 15, 2019 at 7:22 am said: I do prefer road trips, but you have a good point. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com on December 14, 2019 at 11:07 am said: Ah, the joys of travel! There is always something that tests our patience. I’ve always said that the most important thing to pack is a positive attitude. LikeLiked by 2 people Librarylady on December 14, 2019 at 12:29 pm said: Excellent comment. I’ll remember that one. Thanks for your input. LikeLiked by 1 person Amielle on December 14, 2019 at 8:24 am said: Mine would be when I missed my flight because my companion was a little slow. Cons of travelling in a group! LikeLiked by 1 person Librarylady on December 14, 2019 at 8:35 am said: Yes, my husband and I were a little slow getting to a flight one time. We knew we were cutting it close when we started hearing P.A. announcements asking for us. Our friends were panicking.	14,540
A journey of self-discovery is bittersweet—first, you see the person you are and then, you see the person God wants you to become. Who am I? What kind of person is looking back at me when I look in the mirror each day? That question has been on my mind lately. My husband and I recently read the book, Deadly Emotions by Dr. Don Colbert. We read a section every night after our Bible reading time before we prayed together. This book was extremely intense—but in a good way. We’ve learned how negative emotions are really toxic for your physical body and that there is a connection between your mind/soul, body, and spirit. I inherently knew that, but this book has driven that point home to me. In this life each person carries baggage. It is part of life’s cycle. We’re born, we live, and we die. The important question is what are you doing with your time while you’re here? Are you living and preparing for eternity? Do you even care what’s going to happen when you die? Do you think how you live your life even matters? I think the how and the why matters more than we think they do. As a Christian, I am saved by grace and know where I’m going when I die, but I still believe that “faith without works is dead.” God has called us to be good stewards of our lives—time, talents, wealth, the whole package. Are we living with an attitude of gratitude or only looking at things with the glass is half-empty perspective? Are we living with the good of others in mind or only for our own gain? This book has gotten me thinking about life. I’m trying to live my life being good to my body. I work out each day and I try to eat healthy foods, but have I really been good to my soul? Yes, I’ve been feeding my spirit by reading God’s Word and praying, but I’ve been neglecting my mind/soul. Every time I allow anger, depression, tension or any other negative emotion to rule in my life, it is not only harming my mind/soul, but also is negatively affecting my physical body. My Pastor once said if you get two out of three in line, the other one will fall into place as well. He was speaking about feeding the spirit with God’s Word and taking care of your soul and emotions so that your flesh would stay in line. So, that’s where I’m at right now—really learning how to take my time on this journey of self-discovery and find out how to become the woman of faith God really wants me to be. His grace is definitely sufficient for ALL things! About the Author Joanne Troppello is a published author of 3 inspirational fiction novels and the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Pandora's Box Gazette. She has experience as a freelance writer in topics such as marketing, retail marketing, health and wellness, internet and media, travel and lifestyle, website content, app recommendations, and content for blogs. Visit her Amazon Author Page for more information regarding her books. Connect with Joanne on Twitter and on the PBG Patreon Page. 0 comments Post not marked as liked © J.M. Troppello and Mustard Seed Sentinel, 2022. Unauthorized usage or duplication of any content published on this website without specific written permission from the site owner is strictly prohibited. With appropriate and specific guidance, excerpts and links may be used provided full definitive credit is given to J.M. Troppello, the contributor, and Mustard Seed Sentinel. Publication start date March 2016. MSS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. DISCLAIMER: MSS reserves the right to remove comments on articles and in the forum that are not in line with our family-friendly brand and faith-based Christian magazine theme. Please make every effort to comment on articles and participate in the chat rooms in a friendly way that is devoid of profanity and hateful speech. 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The budget is based on three pillars: (i) investing in people by increasing the housing supply and establishing affordable child care, (ii) facilitating a transition to a green economy to fight climate change, and (iii) incentivizing and supporting Canadian production and innovation. The budget signals the end of COVID-19 subsidies and credits, and adopts a measure of fiscal restraint. From a tax perspective, the only tax rate increases are on banks and life insurers. However, there is a clear focus on strengthening anti-avoidance rules and eliminating other tax deferrals and benefits that could affect many middle market businesses. In this respect, Budget 2022 continues one of the themes from Budget 2021, which introduced the Luxury Tax, the Digital Services Tax, mandatory disclosure rules and enhanced collection measures to combat tax avoidance. This tax alert summarizes the business and personal income and indirect tax measures in Budget 2022 relevant to the middle market. Audit and enforcement Budget 2022 reiterates the government’s intention to correct perceived inequalities in the tax system by bolstering anti-avoidance rules and enhancing audit and enforcement measures. Expanding the application of the general anti-avoidance rule The general anti-avoidance rule—or GAAR—is an anti-avoidance measure that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) uses to combat abusive tax avoidance strategies that are not subject to specific anti-avoidance rules in the Income Tax Act (ITA). In recent years, the courts have held that the GAAR does not apply to an increase to a tax attribute that has not yet been utilized to reduce taxes. The government sees this line of decisions as running counter to the policy underlying the GAAR. As a result, Budget 2022 proposes to amend the GAAR so that it will apply to transactions that increase or preserve tax attributes even when the tax attributes have not yet become relevant to the computation of tax. This measure would apply to notices of determination (regarding the tax attribute) on or after April 7, 2022. This change, once legislated, will significantly expand the scope of the GAAR. Previously announced measures Budget 2022 confirms the government’s intention to proceed with previously announced enhancements to audit powers, anti-avoidance rules and collection measures, including the following: Enhanced reporting requirements for certain trusts Mandatory disclosure rules Bolstering collection measures to prevent tax avoidance Requiring oral interviews and other reasonable cooperation practices during audits Business tax Aside from two new taxes on banks and life insurers, the budget proposes no changes to the federal corporate income tax rates or the $500,000 small business limit. However, the government proposes to expand eligibility for the small business deduction, allowing more midsize businesses to benefit from the lower rate. Small business deduction The small business deduction (SBD) provides eligible Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) with a reduced corporate income tax of 9%. Currently, the limit is reduced on a straight-line basis when: The combined taxable capital employed in Canada of the CCPC and its associated corporations is between $10 million and $15 million; or The combined adjusted aggregate investment income of the CCPC and its associated corporations is between $50,000 and $150,000 Budget 2022 proposes to extend the range over which the business limit is reduced based on the combined taxable capital employed in Canada of the CCPC and its associated corporations: the taxable capital range is between $10 million and $50 million. Applying to taxation years that begin on or after April 7, 2022, this proposed change will allow more medium-sized CCPCs to benefit from the SBD. Additional taxes on banks and life insurers First, Budget 2022 proposes the Canada Recovery Dividend (CRD), which is a one-time 15% tax on banks and life insurers (as determined under Part VI of the ITA). The 15% tax would apply on an entity’s taxable income over $1 billion as determined for taxation years ending in 2021. The CRD liability would be imposed for the 2022 taxation year and is payable in equal amounts over a five-year period. Second, the budget proposes a permanent increase to corporate tax rates for banks and life insurers (as determined in the same manner as the CRD) by introducing an additional tax of 1.5% on taxable income above $100 million. The proposed additional tax applies to taxation years that end after April 7, 2022. Introduction of substantive CCPCs to counter deferral of tax Some taxpayers interpose foreign entities into their corporate structure to avoid being designated as a CCPC. Although CCPCs enjoy beneficial tax treatment in some instances, they are subject to a temporary tax on investment income that, in effect, is double the tax rate that a non-CCPC pays on its investment income. Loss of CCPC status in many instances results in the elimination of an additional layer of refundable taxes that would otherwise apply on investment income. Notwithstanding that such taxes would eventually be payable upon a distribution of the investment income to individual shareholders, the elimination of CCPC status would provide for a deferral advantage until such time. To curb such tax planning, the budget introduces the concept of “substantive CCPCs” to capture corporations that would otherwise not be CCPCs and subject them to CCPC taxation on investment income. However, the substantive CCPCs would continue to be treated as non-CCPCs for all other purposes of the ITA. The budget defines substantive CCPCs as private corporations resident in Canada (other than CCPCs) that are ultimately controlled (in law or fact) by Canadian-resident individuals. Similar to the CCPC criteria, the test would contain an extended definition of control that would aggregate the shares owned, directly or indirectly, by Canadian resident individuals, and would therefore deem a corporation to be controlled by a Canadian resident individual where Canadian individuals own, in aggregate, sufficient shares to control the corporation. The budget aligns the taxation rules of investment income earned and distributed by substantive CCPCs with the rules that apply to CCPCs. However, the budget provides an exception to genuine commercial transactions entered into before April 7, 2022, where the share sale occurs before the end of 2022. The budget aims to ensure that the investment income earned and distributed by substantive CCPCs is taxed in the same manner as CCPCs. These rules are intended to ensure that private corporations cannot effectively avoid CCPC status and applicable anti-deferral rules. They also capture arm’s-length transactions where a non-resident buyer has a right to acquire shares of a CCPC. Elimination of the flow-through share regime for oil, gas and coal activities To phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, the government proposes to eliminate the flow-through share regime for fossil fuel sector activities. In general, flow-through shares provide certain companies with greater access to financing by forgoing the tax benefit of Canadian exploration expenses and Canadian development expenses to investors. The investors who hold the flow-through shares are permitted to deduct the expenses that the corporation has renounced to them in calculating their taxable income. Budget 2022 proposes to eliminate the flow-through share regime for oil, gas and coal activities by no longer allowing oil, gas and coal exploration or development expenditures to be renounced to a flow-through share investor. This measure will apply to flow-through share agreements entered into after March 31 2023. Critical mineral exploration tax credit Although the budget proposes to phase out flow-through shares for inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, it introduces a 30% tax credit for individuals who invest in specified minerals that are used in the production of zero-emission vehicles and other clean technologies. Expansion of clean energy tax benefits Building on previous measures introduced for investments in clean energy, Budget 2022 proposes to expand these benefits to include air-source heat pumps. Immediate expensing Under the CCA regime, Classes 43.1 and 43.2 provide accelerated CCA rates (30% and 50%, respectively) for investments in specified clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment. On Nov. 21, 2018, the government introduced immediate expensing for Class 43.1 and 43.2 assets. Budget 2022 proposes to expand the list for eligible property to include air-source heat pumps primarily used for space or water heating. Corporate tax rate reduction for zero-emission technology manufacturers In Budget 2021, the government reduced the corporate income tax rate on eligible zero-emission technology manufacturing and processing income as follows: From 15% to 7.5%, where the income is subject to the general corporate tax rate; and From 9% to 4.5%, where the income is subject to the small business tax rate. Budget 2022 proposes to include the manufacturing of air-source heat pumps as an eligible activity for purposes of the temporary corporate tax rate reduction for qualifying zero-emission technology manufacturers. International tax Amendments to foreign accrual passive income rules for CCPCs and substantive CCPCs Budget 2022 proposes targeted amendments to the foreign accrual passive income, or FAPI, rules to prevent taxpayers from gaining a tax deferral advantage by earning certain types of income (including investment income) through controlled foreign affiliates (CFAs) that are held by CCPCs and substantive CCPCs (as introduced in the budget and described above). Unlike the domestic anti-deferral rules that tax investment income at a higher rate for CCPCs than for non-CCPCs to achieve tax neutrality, the FAPI rules tax all Canadian corporations at the same rate (whether CCPC or non-CCPC). This creates a deferral advantage for CCPCs and their individual shareholders. The budget proposes to eliminate the tax deferral advantage to CCPCs (including substantive CCPCs) and their individual shareholders by adjusting the FAPI computation for CCPC for these types of entities. In tandem, the budget also proposes amendments so that integration (tax neutrality) will be achieved by adding amounts to the capital dividend account that can be distributed to a Canadian individual tax-free. These measures would apply to taxation years that begin on or after April 7, 2022. CCPCs and substantive CCPCs that earn FAPI (including investment income) through CFAs should revisit their international corporate structures as the proposed rules will eliminate the tax deferral previously available. The budget proposes to apply the withholding tax rules on interest paid under an interest coupon stripping arrangement as though interest had been paid to the non-resident non-arm’s length lender. Interest coupon stripping arrangements involve a non-resident lender selling its right to receive future interest payments (interest coupons) from a non-arm’s length Canadian-resident borrower to a party that is not subject to withholding tax (e.g., a person resident in Canada) or a person resident of a country with a lower treaty reduced withholding tax rate. This measure is expected to apply on interest paid or payable by a Canadian-resident borrower to the interest coupon holder to the extent that such interest accrued on or after April 7, 2022, subject to certain exceptions for debt obligations entered into before April 7, 2022. Consistent with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s rules for reporting by digital platform operators with respect to platform sellers, the budget has proposed to implement similar rules in Canada to ensure that revenue earned by taxpayers through those platforms can be properly taxed. The proposed measure would require platform operators who provide support to reportable sellers for relevant activities (e.g., rental of immovable property or means of transportation or personal services) to complete due diligence procedures to identify reportable sellers and their jurisdiction of residence. The proposed measures apply to a platform operator that is (i) resident in Canada or (ii) not resident in Canada but facilitates relevant activities of sellers resident in Canada, or with respect to rental of immovable property located in Canada. Certain platform operators would be excluded. The CRA would automatically exchange information received from Canadian platform operators with partner jurisdictions under the exchange of information provision in tax treaties and similar international instruments. This measure will allow Canadian tax authorities to access information on platform sellers earning income in Canada which may result in additional tax obligations and compliance in Canada. This measure would apply to calendar years beginning after 2023. Transfer pricing Budget 2022 focuses on the Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, and largely reaffirms Canada’s positions. The government also commits to continue efforts around the transfer pricing consultation announced in Budget 2021. Pillar One (reallocation of taxing rights) Pillar One seeks to introduce profit allocation and update existing nexus rules for certain multinational enterprises. It is expected to initially target companies with revenues greater than 20 billion euros and profitability above 10%. The government has affirmed it is working with international partners to further develop the Pillar One framework and bring the rules into effect. If Pillar One is not implemented in a timely fashion, the government will continue to advance the Digital Services Tax. Pillar Two seeks to introduce a minimum effective tax rate of 15% for large multinational enterprises (expected to be entities with revenue greater than 750 million euros). Budget 2022 proposes to implement Pillar Two effective 2023, with public consultation being launched as part of Budget 2022. Credits and incentives The budget renews funding for many well-used credit and incentive programs for Canadian businesses. Specifically, existing programs designed to spur innovation investment and tourism, and to increase agricultural production output, have been bolstered in the budget. Many incentives have a clean technology component to help companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing their operations. Targeted agricultural grants will be dispersed through the country, to be administered by the provinces. These grants are designed to address regional issues and foster growth in the different agricultural subsectors across the country. Agricultural producers and processors will enjoy a range of grants for sustainable agriculture, potentially enhancing operational efficiency while reducing their farming/production emissions. Innovation funding Innovation funding targets programs that partner with organizations on large projects for industries ranging from manufacturing to life sciences. A particular area of focus is increasing the strength of specific innovative sectors such as carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) and the semiconductor industry. The new CCUS refundable tax credit is between 37.5% and 60% of the costs associated with eligible projects and equipment. The government has announced significant investment to generate visits from foreign nationals to various destinations in Canada. These investments exceed $1 billion, plus additional funding to support the Indigenous tourism industry. Scientific research and experimental development No changes are proposed to the well-used scientific research and experimental development—SR&ED—program. Canadian businesses can continue to take advantage of these tax credits to help with costs incurred when undertaking advanced research and development. Personal tax With a focus on economic growth, inclusivity, and making life more affordable for Canadians, Budget 2022 includes several key measures targeted toward individuals. Notably, there are no changes to personal tax rates. Genuine intergenerational share transfers Having received royal assent on June 29, 2021, Bill C-208 was intended to provide an exception to surplus stripping rules in order to facilitate genuine intergenerational business transfers. However, the government soon realized that the bill may have unintentionally permitted surplus stripping without requiring that a genuine transfer take place. As a result, the government previously indicated its intention to revise the legislation to limit its scope. Budget 2022 announces a consultation process among stakeholders and key affected sectors such as the agriculture industry. This will allow Canadians to share their views as to how the existing rules could be modified. The Department of Finance has asked that all comments be submitted by June 17, 2022. Taxpayers contemplating succession of business ownership to family members will need to carefully navigate the proposed rules and any required documentation to avoid any unexpected tax consequences. Taxpayers may benefit from expediting such transactions before additional measures come into effect. As part of the government’s effort to make housing more affordable, Budget 2022 proposes a new rule that would deem proceeds earned on the sale of a residential property owned for less than 12 months to be business income. This proposed measure targets individuals who purchase real estate with the intention of flipping the property within a short period of time. The deeming rule will not apply if the disposition of property is in relation to one of several life events, such as the death of a taxpayer, change in work location or the breakdown of a marriage. The new deeming rule would apply to any residential properties sold on or after Jan. 1, 2023. An individual who is considering selling a house should ensure that the house is owned for more than one year. Enhanced support for taxpayers looking to buy first homes The budget includes several measures to assist first-time home buyers. First, the budget proposes to create a Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA), a new registered account to assist individuals in saving for their first home. To qualify, individuals must be (i) resident in Canada, (ii) at least 18 years of age, and (iii) not have lived in a home they owned at any time in the year the account is opened or in the four preceding calendar years. Contributions to the FHSA are tax deductible but are not taxable when withdrawn for an eligible home purchase. The FHSA has an annual contribution limit of $8,000 and a lifetime limit of $40,000. Funds can be transferred from an existing registered retirement savings plan to an FHSA, subject to the annual and lifetime limits. Budget 2022 proposes that the FHSA will be introduced in 2023. Second, the government will double the First-Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit (HBTC) from $750 to $1,500. This measure will apply to acquisitions of a qualifying home made on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Enhanced support for homeowners The new Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit is a refundable credit for eligible expenses incurred for a qualifying renovation, which is one that creates a secondary dwelling unit permitting an eligible person (including a senior or person with a disability) to live with a qualifying relation. The credit can be claimed by an individual who ordinarily resides in the eligible dwelling in the amount of 15% of the lesser of eligible expenses and $50,000 within 12 months after the end of the renovation period. This measure will apply for the 2023 and subsequent taxation years, in respect of work performed and paid for and/or goods acquired on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) is a non-refundable tax credit for eligible home renovation or alteration expenses in respect of an eligible dwelling of a qualifying individual. Budget 2022 proposes to increase the annual expense limit of the HATC from 15% of $10,000 to 15% of $20,000. This will provide additional tax support for more significant renovations undertaken to improve accessibility. This measure will apply to expenses incurred in the 2022 and subsequent taxation years. Indirect tax measures Assignment sales With a view to curbing speculative trading in the Canadian housing market, Budget 2022 proposes to make all assignment sales of newly constructed or substantially renovated residential housing taxable for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) purposes, effective May 7, 2022. An assignment sale is a transaction in which a purchaser of a new home from a builder sells the purchase rights and obligations under the agreement with the builder to another person. The proposal may affect the amount of a GST new housing rebate or of a new housing rebate in respect of the provincial component of the HST, as the rebates are based on the total consideration payable for a taxable supply of a home, including the consideration for a taxable assignment sale. Expanded hospital rebate Budget 2022 proposes to amend the GST/HST eligibility rules for the expanded hospital rebate that covers charities and nonprofit organizations that provide health care services similar to those traditionally performed in hospitals. Under the current GST/HST rules, hospitals can claim an 83% rebate and charities and non-profit organizations can claim a 50% rebate of the GST and the federal component of the HST. Currently, one of the conditions to be eligible for the expanded hospital rebate is that a charity or non-profit organization must deliver the health care service in a geographically remote community. Budget 2022 proposes to extend the GST/HST rebate to health care services provided by charities or non-profit organizations irrespective of geographical location. This measure will generally apply to rebate claim periods ending after April 7, 2022, in respect of tax paid or payable after that date. This measure will allow all charities and nonprofits that provide health care services to reduce their operating costs. Excise Act 2001 measures Taxation of vaping products Following consultation, the government is proposing various changes to the rules originally proposed in Budget 2021. The new tax will apply to vaping products that include either liquid or solid vaping substances with an equivalency of 1 millilitre of liquid to 1 gram of solids. It will not apply to those vaping products subject to cannabis excise duties or those produced by individuals for personal consumption. Additionally, the government is prepared to collect provincial duties for coordinating provinces or territories. There will be a travel exemption for vaping products that are imported for personal use by travellers. The government is proposing to streamline, strengthen and adapt the cannabis taxation framework. Quarterly remittances will be allowed for producers that were required to remit less than $1 million in excise duties during the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the quarter ending April 1, 2022. Transfers of packaged and unstamped products will be allowed in certain contract-for-service situations upon royal assent. The penalty for lost stamps will be adjusted so that the penalty will be higher if the stamp is for a coordinating province or territory. This reflects the fact that the stamp for a coordinating jurisdiction has a higher value since it represents both the federal and coordinating province tax. The requirement to hold a cannabis excise licence will be removed for entities that hold a Health Canada-issued research licence or cannabis drug licence. The budget proposes to match the cancellation conditions for an excise licence with the conditions required to suspend a licence. Applicants for a tobacco, spirits, wine and/or cannabis excise licence will now be required to comply with all federal and provincial legislation and regulations respecting the taxation and control of cannabis in addition to those respecting tobacco, spirts and wine. Acceptable security will no longer include cash and transferrable bonds from the government of Canada, but will now include bank drafts and Canada Post money orders. The CRA will now be able to carry out virtual audits and reviews where the agency deems it appropriate, even after the end of the pandemic. Canadian wine Canadian wine is currently exempt from excise duties if it is produced in Canada and is wholly composed of agricultural or plant products grown in Canada. However, this exemption will be repealed on June 20, 2022, in response to a settlement agreement to a World Trade Organization challenge. Beer taxation under the Excise Act The Excise Act will be amended to reduce the existing tax on beer having no more than 0.5% of alcohol by volume (ABV). This will bring this product in line with the existing exemption for wines and spirits containing no more than 0.5% ABV. The measures are intended to ensure equity among products and to simplify administration. RSM Contibutors Peter Ahn, Sr. Director Dan Beauchamp, Sr. Director Chetna Thapar, Sr. Associate Questions? Contact your trusted Stark & Marsh Advisor or an office close to you. This article was written by RSM CANADA and originally appeared on 2022-04-08 RSM Canada, and is available online at https://rsmcanada.com/insights/budget-commentary/2022-canada-federal-budget-detailed-commentary.html. The information contained herein is general in nature and based on authorities that are subject to change. RSM Canada guarantees neither the accuracy nor completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for results obtained by others as a result of reliance upon such information. RSM Canada assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect information contained herein. This publication does not, and is not intended to, provide legal, tax or accounting advice, and readers should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of tax laws to their particular situations. This analysis is not tax advice and is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer. RSM Canada Alliance provides its members with access to resources of RSM Canada Operations ULC, RSM Canada LLP and certain of their affiliates (“RSM Canada”). RSM Canada Alliance member firms are separate and independent businesses and legal entities that are responsible for their own acts and omissions, and each are separate and independent from RSM Canada. RSM Canada LLP is the Canadian member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms. Members of RSM Canada Alliance have access to RSM International resources through RSM Canada but are not member firms of RSM International. Visit rsmcanada.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM Canada and RSM International. The RSM trademark is used under license by RSM Canada. RSM Canada Alliance products and services are proprietary to RSM Canada. Stark & Marsh CPA LLP is a proud member of RSM Canada Alliance, a premier affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms across North America. RSM Canada Alliance provides our firm with access to resources of RSM, the leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market. RSM Canada LLP is a licensed CPA firm and the Canadian member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 43,000 people in over 120 countries. Our membership in RSM Canada Alliance has elevated our capabilities in the marketplace, helping to differentiate our firm from the competition while allowing us to maintain our independence and entrepreneurial culture. We have access to a valuable peer network of like-sized firms as well as a broad range of tools, expertise, and technical resources. ← Stark & Marsh is an RSM Canada Alliance Member Agriculture Transition Planning Presentation → Copyright © 2022 STARK & MARSH CPA LLP \| All Rights Reserved \| Designed by Homefield \| Privacy Policy	29,256
Floodwaters in many Puerto Rico neighborhoods, like Toaville, are still around two days after Hurricane Fiona crawled across the island. TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico — In this area just west of San Juan, the cleanup from Hurricane Fiona is well underway. Five years, ago this part of town flooded badly when Hurricane Maria hit and it got swamped again by Fiona. The floodwaters have receded in most neighborhoods. People were dragging water-logged sofas, mattresses and other goods out to the street. City workers were using heavy equipment and dump trucks to collect the sloppy mess. Yesenio Nazario was part of a crew going house-to-house, assessing the damage. The social worker was also handing out water and offering other services. In this area she says, the first floor of every house was flooded. She points down the street. "The La Plata river is right behind the Catholic Church. As soon as the river rises, it always floods here." Not far away, Christy Torres Melendez and some friends were sweeping the mud out of her nutrition shop. "After Hurricane Maria, no one really wanted this building, "she says. "It was absolutely destroyed. I got it and I was still fixing it up when Hurricane Fiona arrived. But you see what happened." In a nearby neighborhood, Toaville, several inches of floodwater were still in the streets two days after Fiona passed through. Electricity and running water are still out here and some residents are discouraged. Gilbert Hernandez is a Navy veteran who says he fought for months with his insurance company to recover money to fix up his house after Hurricane Maria. He doesn't want to go through that again. He's planning to move and let the mortgage company take his home. "I have to. Who wants to live here now?" And he says many of his neighbors are thinking about leaving as well. The interior of Gilbert Hernandez's house in Toaville is filled with water. After fighting with his insurance company to fix the damage after Hurricane Maria five years ago, he's not willing to do that again. As NPR's Miami correspondent, Greg Allen reports on the diverse issues and developments tied to the Southeast. He covers everything from breaking news to economic and political stories to arts and environmental stories. He moved into this role in 2006, after four years as NPR's Midwest correspondent.	2,472
Time flies, huh? Can you believe it’s December already and there goes 2017! Feels like it all happened just in a blink of an eye!!! My first born is in high school and my baby boy turned 7 years old this year. I remember when I held them in my arms, changing diapers and now, they just wave me goodbye “Bye, Ibu… Have a good they at work” as I dropped them in school and most of the times I have to pleaded them for that little kisses I have missed before they got off the car. As I arrived in the office, I would say Hi to my trusted kimosabe Ms. Guteri Ganggus and of course my all time go to my colleague Mr. Mansuetus Muta….. the two very person that I can always rely on in any conditions. Settling down, make myself a cup of coffee and we would go through matters of the day. After that I would be selecting my playlist. I have arranged them in accordance to my mood or different activities of my days. There would days when I need a boost from Ray Charles or The Doors’ Light My Fire… especially on Logistic Day…. Hahahahahaa. The perks of having boat embarking from remote area such as Saumlaki. For you that haven’t even heard of Saumlaki, it’s located just below Ambon and on top of Darwin. From Denpasar, you have to catch a flight through Makassar, then Ambon, then Saumlaki. There are only 2 (two) Indonesian Airlines flying there, Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia. As you may have already known, our cruise takes about 12-15 days. Apart from the diving, of course, our priority would be ensuring that you have enough to eat for the energy you will need with the freshest and best quality ingredients. Here is the part where I would let The Doors to take over my day. Sourcing the ingredients from different suppliers, inspect the quality, make sure they have the right specification requested by our Chef on board, ensure packing process is done correctly, dealing with quarantine process as fresh ingredients flying here and there would need the right supporting documents in all airports and ports they go through and….. last but not least… make sure those boxes get on the plane to reach the destination on time. Now you would understand why I need Jim Morrison to stand by my side, holding my hands through all those adrenaline pumping process, right? Once all that done, there will be monitoring the flights and contacting the crew whether the goods have arrived safely and they have everything they need for the trip. The most beautiful and soothing sound would be the Captain confirming everything is fine and they’re set to go. By this time, I would say Hi to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. Then I would go back to my laptop, go through and answering all of your emails make sure all enquiries are attended to and all papers are signed, ensure the world goes around as it supposed to, at least on our part of the world. I hope you have had a blast of 2017 just like I did and enjoying your trip with us. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the office and we look forward to welcoming you in our cruise. Recent Posts The Best Place in the World to Snorkel October 24, 2022 Sumbawa to Komodo Cruise July 17, 2022 The Story About Snappers January 14, 2022 Seven Seas has received official CHSE certification January 8, 2022 Reef Conservation Agreements – Serua December 21, 2021 Reef Conservation Agreements – Dawera December 14, 2021	3,623
X Company (season 1, 2, 3, 4) series for downloading in 480p 720p 1080p HD for mobile and PC, full episodes. X Company season 3 X Company season 2 X Company season 1 Full episodes of TV show X Company (season 1, 2, 3, 4) in mp4 avi and mkv download free. All seasons in one place. No torrents and 100% SAFE Downloads. Laptop, PC, mobile and Mac Support! Android and Iphone. Quality formats – 480p, 720p, 1080p, Full HD. Formats: mp4, mkv, avi. Get all episodes in single click. Based on real events is the series “X Company” from a camp on Lake Ontario, were prepared in the selected young people during the Second World War to use as spies against Nazi Germany. Not only the proper skills needed to be communicated to them, but also the coolness of being able to put away the horrors of war in use. At the center of suffering from a neurological disorder Alfred Graves, but also by an almost perfect memory is – in the time before USB flash drives, wireless networks and mobile phone cameras an incredible advantage in espionage work. X Company season 3 download In the center of X Company is a group of young people who are trained as secret agents. One of them is Alfred Graves (Jack Laskey), who suffers from … [Direct Download Links] X Company season 2 download Season 2 starts with the group on the ground in German-occupied France, 2 males down, essentially removed from all interactions with CampX As well as Krystina, battling to manage … [Direct Download Links] X Company season 1 download The story tells about five young people who are representatives of different countries – America, great Britain, Canada. Each of them is smart, energetic and smart – it is …	1,682
She succeeds Mrs. Mercy Hazel-Ashia, who has been in office since August 1, 2013, and had her tenure expire on July 31, 2021. She becomes the ninth Registrar of the University and the second woman to rise to the office. The ceremony that saw Mrs. Agyei-Mensah begin her new role in the University was held virtually on Sunday, August 1, 2021, in view of COVID-19 restrictions. As part of her duties as Registrar, she is to serve as the Secretary to the Chancellor, Secretary to the University Council, and to the Academic Board of the University. She is also the Chief Operating Officer of the University and is expected to keep a close eye on the operations of the institution. Speaking at the ceremony, the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, expressed confidence in the appointment of the former College Secretary at the University’s College of Education. She pledged her support to ensure that Mrs. Agyei-Mensah and the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo succeed in their respective roles. “I am confident that with her experience in the University system, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah will quickly take charge of her duties. I also look forward to a fruitful working relationship with her…there are many thorny issues that the incoming Registrar will be confronted with. As Chancellor, I am always avaialable to lend advice to the management. I trust the incoming Registrar and Acting Vice-Chancellor to take advantage of my personal vast knowledge in administration and consult me if ever there is the need to do that.” she said. Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, after being sworn into office, pledged “to work towards the promotion of innovation and technology in all spheres of the University” She promised to “embrace and adopt best practices and provide effective leadership to ensure the delivery of quality services to students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders of the University.” “I pledge to give off the best and strategize with the relevant group and offices on how best to lead my teams towards the needed change,” she added. The ceremony saw Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, make her first public address since her appointment as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University. The family of the new Registrar was at Sunday’s ceremony. – Previous articleUTAG begins national strike today over conditions of service Next articleCouncil meeting was held over recent senior management level appointments; Chancellor confirms	2,536

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