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The Shift Network Blog
7 Daily Mindfulness Practices to Improve Your Health, Happiness & Productivity [+ Video Meditation]
Marjorie MacIntosh
By Marjorie MacIntosh
Shift Team
John Lennon said, “Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans….”
But what would life be like if you were to actually show up and be present in EACH moment?
How much would your life improve if you slowed down to notice the beauty surrounding you — stopping to listen to the birds sing, to smell the coffee roasting in the air, or to enjoy the laughter of a loved one fully and completely — instead of worrying, planning or racing on to your next task?
What would change if you could heighten your awareness of how you experience each moment — and possibly even discover the unconscious habits that may be negatively impacting your health, your wellbeing, and even your relationships?
As an esteemed teacher in meditation, mindfulness and stress reduction, Bob Stahl has seen the tremendous impact that mindfulness has had on so many people’s lives...
...impacts which have ranged from improving a surgeon’s performance on the operating table, to doubling the focus and productivity of one hardworking man, to helping the chronically ill, anxious and depressed to cope with their pain and suffering and increase their enthusiasm for life.
This is why I want to share with you the following 7 simple, yet powerful, mindfulness practices which he personally recommends.
(And below, you’ll also find a short video where he guides you in an exercise which can help you deepen your mindfulness practice.)
1. Stop every so often and just notice your breath.
It’s a good thing our breath runs on an autonomic nervous system because otherwise in our harried lives we might forget to breathe. The act of coming back to the breath is a core mindfulness practice and is incredibly simple. Just stop what you are doing for one moment. Pause and notice your breath. Remember that you are alive, that this is what is here in this moment. Cultivate this practice as often as you like throughout the day.
2. Accomplish at least one task each day mindfully.
Choose a task each day that you can give your complete and full attention to. It could be brushing your teeth, doing the laundry, or washing the dishes. It could be anything really. Don’t multitask or switch back and forth between tasks. Just do this one task, and put your entire attention into it until it is done.
3. While driving, become aware of your body.
Where are you holding tension? Are you feeling pain or discomfort anywhere? Are you reacting to other drivers, outside forces, or perhaps the stress in your own mind? Ask yourself “what does it feel like to relax and drive?” See if you can mindfully relax your body into this state.
4. Be mindful of what you are eating.
Focus completely on your meal when you are eating. Use all of your senses. Notice the color, shape and size of your food. How does it smell, feel and taste? Does your food have a sound? Chew, taste and swallow with awareness. You may find that eating with awareness will change the way you eat entirely.
5. Let go of worrying about the future & regretting the past.
Bob shares, “I have found that my mind operates frequently in two spheres: I am either rehearsing or rehashing. That is, I am engulfed in rehashing things which happened in the past, or I am rehearsing for things that may or may not happen the future.” If this resonates with you, you can easily see why learning to let go of worries and regrets is very important for coming back into the present and living mindfully, though it can be a real challenge. (Watch the video below on “Letting Be” to learn a great approach to all those worries and regrets.)
6. Learn to watch your mind & observe your own thinking.
Bob calls this “minding your mind.” Our thoughts and emotions are directly connected to our physiology and impact our body and ultimately our health. Spend some time noticing throughout the day what thoughts are passing through your mind. What kind of thoughts are you having often? Is your body reacting to these thoughts? Perhaps you are tightening your neck muscles or clenching your jaw in response to stressful parts of your day. Are the the thoughts you are having impacting you in unexpected ways?
7. Take a few minutes to be quiet & meditate.
Bob refers to this as a “Sabbath moment.” Taking a break during the day to be mindful is a beautiful gift that you can give to yourself that no one else can give to you. Give yourself 1-5 minute breaks regularly each day to check in and be mindful — to become a human being instead of a human doing.
And, for a brief, guided mindfulness check-in and a short teaching on how to handle thoughts and emotions which come up during meditation, I invite you to take a moment to watch Bob’s Stahl’s video on “Letting Be”:
PS - Enjoy the practices and video above? If so, you're invited to download this free, hour-long audio by author and mindfulness teacher Bob Stahl: Mindfulness for Healing: | <urn:uuid:2aeac773-237c-4124-aa75-ab86faa8124b> | https://blog.theshiftnetwork.com/blog/7-daily-mindfulness-practices-improve-your-health-happiness-productivity-video-meditation | en | 0.948753 | 0.021776 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
A Trip Down Memory Lane With Some of Music’s Rising And Biggest Stars
Everybody starts somewhere. Before your favorite recording artist was making songs you know by heart, they were children absorbing the sounds and rhythms around them. Those early exposures and experiences with music either shape the artist-to-be’s musical prowess or at the very least inform it.
I decided to report on these evocative moments in the lives of so many recording artists today so that there could be more lines interlaced inside of the entire industry. I rounded up the artists IBRA, Torres, Abhi of now-defunct Abhi//Dijon, Dijon, Wiz Khalifa and Flying Lotus for interviews where I started with the same question. What is your earliest memory of music? I hoped to gain insight into these artists’ works and better understand the choices they made along their ways to become who they are today. Below are their answers. I hope you enjoy them. Don’t forget to leave a comment!
“My earliest memories specifically would be my parents would always play like Bollywood music in the car. I would listen to electronic music like Daft Punk. I was really into Daft Punk. And then after that I moved onto rock music, like Radiohead. I was really into Radiohead. And I guess more accurately there is… Neptune type production. Anything that they do in general I really like, that really sugary pop stuff. Yeah. I think that’s it,” IBRA says from his home studio in Dallas, Texas, where he has embarked on a career in electronica and pop. With three releases under his belt, including the latest entirely strictly instrumental effort, these memories match up to the music the young artist makes today.
“That’s a good question… my mom used to play “Fur Elise” on a grand piano when I was really young. She loved playing that song on the piano. That’s probably as far back as I can remember,” Torres says. Torres is an independent American singer, songwriter, musician and artist from Macon, Georgia who later studied Songwriting and minored in English at Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee. Working in indie and alternative rock as well as folk, her memories of classical music served her well in her career as a foundation to build her music upon.
“ Mine was Bollywood showtunes for like the first five years of my life. I don’t know what else came before that. I was born in India before we moved here, so,” Abhi says, making this case study a little more interesting. Abhi primarily works in rhythm and blues, and his slow, measured music isn’t exactly a brainchild of the thumping Bollywood tablas and synths that captivated generations before him.
Abhi And Dijon In Interview
“I was a military kid and I just remember being in Germany listening to the Diddy joint where in the video he falls off the bike. I was born in Washington State before settling down in Maryland — we used to be all over the place,” Dijon says. Now this, this makes perfect sense given Dijon’s similar trajectory in navigating the music industry from the time he was in a band with Abhi. In the time spent pursuing a solo recording career, Dijon has infused folk music into rhythm and blues, something that to do well is a lot harder than it sounds. Indeed, it is this very nomadic memory of music that spells out Dijon’s musical philosophies in a plain, relatable fashion.
“[My] earliest memory of music is probably listening to Alexander O’Neal and stuff like that with my dad. Singing Chubb Rock lyrics. He used to listen to a whole lot of ’90s rap,” says Wiz Khalifa, the music industry’s most fearless cannabis connoisseur. He made a living off of talking about the drug in his music in just about every way you could imagine. This memory of music — singing Chubb Rock lyrics, with his father no less — invokes images of a young Wiz already basking in the ultimate, easy-going, road-tripping stoner-buddy persona he has claimed as his to take from him.
“I just remember listening to a lot of Stevie Wonder,” says Flying Lotus from somewhere in Los Angeles. He is an experimental multi-genre music producer, electronic musician, DJ, filmmaker, and rapper known for his otherworldly live shows and extraterrestrial soundscapes. Imaging a young Flying Lotus being exposed to long-standing, traditional genres like the ones Stevie Wonder worked in (soul, pop, R&B, funk, jazz), the ties to Flying Lotus’ daring takes on jazz make sense, but the soul and pop sensibilities that came so naturally to Stevie Wonder seem to have escaped Flying Lotus in his career.
All of these musicians were very adept at pinpointing specific names and times that mark their earliest memory of listening for pleasure. This speaks to something in the music business, and how it breeds new generations and waves of creatives seemingly everyday. Influence is always spreading, and there are always people hanging onto every note. | <urn:uuid:5d0b74ce-b752-4169-8cc0-2a99ff9a88f0> | https://medium.com/@musabubaker/a-trip-down-memory-lane-with-some-of-musics-rising-and-biggest-stars-e9c066504cbd | en | 0.97432 | 0.131563 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Movies Filmed at Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill, London NW1, UK
Nearby Locations
London Zoo from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and 8 other movies.
680 m
Globo Television Network from Spectre
958 m
The Regent's Park from The Awakening and 6 other movies.
1.0 km
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Show Map
Park [London]
Riley listens to the song on a hilltop and is visited by Nomi in episode 1x04 "What's Going On?". Riley returns to the park to think and is visited by Sun in episode 1x06 "Demons". Sun visits Riley and they reminisce about the visit from the year before and how their lives have changed (or not) in episode 2x06 "Isolated Above, Connected Below".
Bridget Jones's Diary
Terrace House
Source: IMDb | <urn:uuid:e0f18e82-9b1e-4576-9410-1bd0c28d94b4> | https://moviemaps.org/locations/47s | en | 0.924124 | 0.053981 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Signature Platters and Baskets
Signature Platters & Baskets
Small serves 8-12 guests. Large serves 16-24 guests. 48 hour notice preferred.
Wild Greens Fruit Basket
small $45, large $75
Sliced melon, pineapple, grapes, papaya, kiwi and seasonal berries; accompanied by an almond yogurt
dipping sauce.
small $50, large $80
Seasonal medley of baby zucchini, patty pan squash, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, baby radishes, broccoli
and cauliflower; accompanied by buttermilk ranch dipping sauce.
Provence Grill
small $85, large $115
Skewers of grilled shrimp and rosemary chicken with grilled zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated olives;
accompanied by herb chèvre dip and roasted pepper rouille.
Pacific Rim
small $90, large $120
Skewers of Szechuan shrimp and Thai red curried chicken; served with vegetable spring rolls, pickled ginger,
wasabi and soy scallion dipping sauce.
Mediterranean Dipping
small $85, large $115
Turkish grilled chicken skewers, house made hummus, baba ganoush, hand rolled dolmas, black olives
and crispy pita chips; accompanied by cucumber raita sauce.
Southwest Dipping
small $85, large $115
Ancho rubbed chicken skewers, coriander beef skewers, red and yellow peppers, black bean and corn salsa
and house made guacamole accompanied by corn tortilla chips.
Grilled Vegetables
small $55, large $85
Grilled seasonal vegetables to include zucchini, squash, carrots, peppers, asparagus, eggplant, fennel.
Beef Tenderloin
small $110, large $140
Grass Fed beef tenderloin, medium rare, sliced and garnished with cornichons and olives and accompanied by
Dijon & grain mustard, horseradish cream sauce and petite brioche rolls.
Glazed Pork Tenderloin
small $85, large $115
Niman ranch pork tenderloin sliced and garnished with cornichons and olives and accompanied by
cracked pepper au jus, fruit compote and petite rolls.
Smoked Salmon Platter
small $80, large $110
House-smoked salmon accompanied by sliced hard-boiled egg, sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions,
capers, lemon and lime wedges; served with toasted bagel slices and cream fraiche. | <urn:uuid:5b758038-fb1d-4672-8718-d00a70f79f5d> | https://wildgreenscatering.wordpress.com/choosing-your-menu/platters-and-baskets/ | en | 0.787533 | 0.024799 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
25 Things You Need to Know to Happily Travel the World
It's not as expensive as you think but cost is not the only challenge.
25 Things You Need to Know to Happily Travel the World
Image credit: svetikd | Getty Images
Guest Writer
Equal Rights Advocate, Promoting Amazing Companies Across the Globe
11 min read
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The idea of traveling the world doesn’t have to be some type of romantic notion just for the free-spirited. People of all ages and from all backgrounds have taken on their bucket lists with gusto and are traversing the world to get a broader perspective on life.
Travel bestows a new appreciation for cultures and humanity and lends a glimpse into the life and ways of others on this planet. As the world becomes closer than ever and many restrictions have been lifted by various countries, there is no time like the present to globe trek.
Here are 25 things to keep in mind about traveling the world that can convince you to get started and make it easier and more cost-effective:
1. Your papers, please.
It’s actually easier than you think to get or renew a passport in the U.S. in just 24 hours. When we relied on paper processes to get things done, it would be next to impossible to get a passport issued so quickly. However, the digital age has sped up most every type of transaction, including passport issuance. Online passports and eVisa services like Fastport Passport help you get on your way even when you decide at the last-minute to visit a foreign country.
2. Exchange programs.
Start with work exchange programs that cover the cost of traveling while providing you first-hand experience working on a local level. Not everyone wants to do the tourist approach to travel, so participating in a work exchange program offers a way to become part of the local color while having your travel costs covered. The other advantage is that these programs make you feel as though you are doing some good on a social level, plus you can gain valuable experience to apply toward your career back home. Start your search with organizations like HelpX or Workaway.
3. Volunteering.
If you are looking for an enriching experience, volunteer while you are on a trip. Organizations in many countries will accept short-term volunteers for various projects. You can look online in advance of your trip or contact volunteer groups when you arrive.
4. Learning abroad.
With more universities and colleges accepting international students, you can also study abroad as a way to travel to other parts of the world. It's not as expensive as you would think and is sometimes even cheaper than attending an institution of higher learning in the U.S. This makes it possible to travel the world and get your degree at the same time. Sites like Study Abroad can make this a reality.
5. No currency hassles.
You don’t need to deal with travelers’ checks or currency exchange in most countries because of a more global banking system that lets you use debit and credit cards for most transactions. With the growing global acceptance of plastic payments and the migration to EMV (chip-enabled) credit and debit cards, you’ll feel more confident with payments and not worry about having checks or cash misplaced or stolen. There are ATMs and POS systems in stores all over the world -- even in the most remote places. Smartphones and smartphone readers are changing commerce for all countries.
6. Cheap flights.
You can purchase an around-the-world ticket that is open ended and a much better value than if you buy a separate flight ticket to each location that you might visit. This provides you with more flexibility to change your itinerary and stay longer in one place or alter your future destination. There are some limitations to keep in mind, including the fact that you would have to complete your travel within one year and only travel in one direction rather than backtracking. Use this ticket for country-to-country travel, and rely on local country airlines for shorter trips.
7. Hotels are expensive and boring.
There are so many other options for accommodations besides hotels. Hostels are not just for students anymore. Plus, you can now use services like Airbnb nearly anywhere in the world to rent a room, apartment or even a house, depending on your needs, budget and length of stay. Your money will go farther, and you'll have a better travel experience.
Related: Essential Tips for Being a Successful Airbnb Host
8. Rest insured.
Travel insurance is an excellent decision for any trip because it provides a safety net for when things go wrong, especially if you have a medical emergency or your belongings are stolen.
9. Skip the tours.
You most likely will see and learn more by not doing guided tours. While some people like to go in directed group tours to see the sights, seasoned global travelers will tell you that the experience is enhanced when you self-guide your way through destinations. It’s a good idea to ask locals where they would go for a meal or a day out. Most of the travel books and websites won’t know about these hidden gems.
10. Go local.
Use local street markets and stores to eat for cheap, but be cautious of the conditions, and use your common sense in regards to what may be safe and what looks unsanitary. You can also visit local grocery stores for food rather than rely on restaurants where you will get far less for your money. Many countries have joined apps like Yelp so you can be sure to find street markets and shops that have been recommended by fellow travelers.
11. Travel light.
You don’t need to pack your closet to go on a global trip. Take very little because you can purchase local clothing to acclimate and look less like a tourist. Many accommodations also offer washers and dryers so you can regularly clean your clothes.
12. The power difference.
A voltage converter will be the smartest purchase you can make for traveling around the world. Many novice travelers don’t realize that they can’t just take their power cords and hair dryers along and plug them directly into the wall wherever they land. Various countries use different voltage as their standard versus what is used in the U.S. Amazon and other retailers sell all types of voltage converters that offer numerous conversion options and include a way to plug in multiple devices at once.
13. A world of phones.
Check whether your carrier will provide you with an international plan for the various countries you are visiting. Not every country will just let you use your smartphone on their network. You’ll need to plan ahead and determine what works in each locale. You may be able to find WiFi, rent a phone, buy a disposable phone, or rent or buy a hotspot. It may be a combination of those things, but planning ahead helps you remain accessible.
14. Most places have a deal.
Look for discount sites that offer reductions in the price of attractions and the sights. In Europe, there are apps available, similar to Groupon, that offer ways to save money. The London Pass is a prime example of a way to save significant amounts of money on some of the tourist activities you may want to do.
15. Ignorance won't be bliss.
There is still risk to traveling abroad. Local scams and cultural issues could create conflict between you and those you are visiting. Take the time to study about the places you are visiting and determine the risks. You can check U.S. government websites on travel restrictions or warnings. Also, don’t be the typical tourist lost in their map books and phones. Stay alert about your surroundings. Know where you can get assistance, including the local embassy for your country.
16. Follow your phone.
Google Maps will be another one of your best friends -- after the voltage converter. Rather than carrying those huge fold-up maps that scream tourist to everyone around you, be sure to have Google Maps downloaded on your phone to help you navigate as much as possible. Those around you will only see you looking down at your phone, so you won’t stick out.
Related: What Business Travelers Need to Know About Trump's Travel Ban
17. Backup everything important.
Backup all your data and information, including keeping digital copies of your passport, health cards, birth certificate and other vital records. Thanks to cloud storage, even if your electronic device that stores this information gets stolen, you can still get to these copies while in a foreign country to if needed during an emergency. These cloud storage solutions can be accessed from anywhere to help you out.
18. Be stoic.
Life will be different than what you are accustomed to, including having to go without some of the creature comforts you enjoy at home. Don’t complain or make a deal about this. Remember the idea here is to go experience something outside of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in another way of life. Besides, it’s just temporary and it might just help you to appreciate your life a bit more or change your perspective on what’s really important.
19. Stay loose with your schedule.
The best experiences are likely to be the ones you didn’t plan. While some people develop complex itineraries down to an hour-by-hour activity description, traveling around the world just doesn’t work that way. Transportation and people in other countries operate on a different sense of time that typically is not predictable or consistent. Step away from planning everything, and go with it. You’ll have some of the best memories from the trip this way.
20. The germs are foreign, too.
You may need more vaccinations than you would if staying at home. Many countries have other diseases that are uncommon in the U.S. That means you need further protection to avoid getting ill while traveling or upon returning home. It’s a good idea to make an appointment with your physician and discuss where you plan to travel to so they can update your vaccinations and potentially provide any medications that might help you. This saves discomfort and cost later on.
21. The embassy is your friend.
Register with your embassy before leaving the country so they can contact you via email, phone or text if there is a political situation that requires you to immediately seek safety. This can provide a way for safe passage in case anything should happen. With ongoing terror attacks, this is very important.
22. Money ups and downs.
The conversion rates in different countries fluctuate and can significantly alter the cost of anything you buy. It’s easy to look at the price of something in a foreign country and conclude it’s cheap, but you need to familiarize yourself with the exchange rate because it could be costing you twice the amount it says. You can download currency exchange apps like XE to help you know the price you will really pay in your own currency.
23. Your body is far from home.
Your body will get a workout from the time changes and the act of traveling, so be sure to treat it well. Your body clock may not be able to keep up, but try to stick to a routine as much as possible. Do things that help your body recover from the shock of time changes by getting as much sleep as possible, focusing on healthy food choices, using sunscreen, staying active and drinking a lot of water.
Related: Take a Break: How Vacations Can Save Your Business
24. Take the bus. Or train.
Public transportation is often easier, but different than you may be accustomed to. In the U.S., not every state has great transportation options, but even developing countries offer a fairly accessible system to get you from point A to point B. Make sure you consider all those options rather than just seeking out a way to rent a car. You may not want to attempt driving on the opposite side of the road than you are used to or navigating different routes and busy city roads.
25. You'll want to go again.
Once you start traveling the world, you will have the bug and won’t want to stop doing it. This type of experience will forever change how you see life and will alter your priorities. While you may not believe it, everyone who has ventured to various countries comes back with plans for their next trip. You will too!
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Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
The minister Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851) was an American pioneer of the education of the deaf.
He encountered a nine years old deaf girl named Alice Cogswell in Connecticut. He taught her some words by writing in the dirt with a stick and Alice learned the words. He talked with Alice's father, Dr. Mason Cogswell, who asked him to go to Europe to learn about teaching methods and education for the deaf.
While Gallaudet was in Great Britain, he met a few French members of the Institution Nationale des Sourds-Muets (including Laurent Clerc) who visited in England to demonstrate their teaching method in sign language. He was invited to visit their school in Paris, France. Eventually, he convinced Clerc to return to America with him. While they sailed back to America, Gallaudet taught Clerc some English and Clerc taught Gallaudet some French (sign language). They founded the first school for the deaf (now the American School for the Deaf) in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. Alice was one of the first students and Clerc was the teacher. Gallaudet was the principal of the institution for many years till he retired in 1830.
The Old French Sign Language (OFSL) that Clerc brought and shared in the U.S. were merged with the previous native sign language and some other signs (e.g. home signs). ASL has been evolved much since then. Gallaudet's son Edward Miner Gallaudet (1837-1917) founded the first college for the deaf in 1864 (which became Gallaudet University in 1986).
Suggested Readings
Neimark, A. E. A Deaf Child Listened: Thomas Gallaudet, Pioneer in American Education. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1983.
You may also be interested in Gallaudet University. | <urn:uuid:bb6532e4-28d9-43dd-aa31-358102786730> | https://www.handspeak.com/study/index.php?id=37 | en | 0.963946 | 0.068433 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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Know the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer and How to Prevent It
Humans are particularly susceptible to various disorders of dangerous diseases. The disease knows no age and gender. Not only men can be potentially exposed to the disease cancer, but women also have the chance of occurrence of cancer. One of the special types of cancer attacking women is cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the murderers of women secretly in the world especially in Indonesia. It is estimated each year there are 21 thousand cases of cancer of the cervix in Indonesia, so that puts Indonesia as the country with the number of cervical cancer sufferers in the world, and the number one killer of women in Indonesia. Cervical cancer sufferers in Indonesia each year continues to increase.
Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor and grows inside the cervix (the area in the female reproductive organs, located between the uterus and copulation). Cervical cancer is generally caused by the HPV virus or the Human Papiloma Virus.
These dangerous diseases occur due to abnormal growth and changes in the cells of the cervix/cervical. In addition, another possibility of the occurrence of cervical cancer is because often changing sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, as well as smoking.
There are several symptoms of cervical cancer should you beware of and is divided into two phases, namely the precancerous to cancer cells growing and spreading. Some of these are as follows:
Pre-cancer symptoms to post-cancer
1. Bleeding in intercourse
The first symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding occurs in intercourse, especially when outside the menstrual period. Respond to this situation with suspicion; do not underestimate the occurrence of abnormal bleeding. Although not necessarily because you have cervical cancer, it should be wary if other symptoms appear.
2. Pain or pain when performing sexual intercourse
Because the process of inflammation that occurs in the cervical area, when doing sexual activity becomes more sensitive and certainly became easy to cause pain.
2. Changes in the menstrual cycle
Symptoms of cervical cancer the next fitting you suspect is the duration of menstruation is longer. Generally the menstruation happens for 5 to 7 days, however if there are tumors occur in the cervical area, and then the possibility of a longer menstruation occurs.
3. Abnormal vaginal discharge
Usually a whitish mucus with clear color and does not contain odor and others. But, worth a suspected one of the symptoms of cervical cancer is the presence of whitish fluid yet with mucus, pus or blood dirty fluid.
4. Post-menopausal Bleeding
When women already entering menopause, should no longer experience menstrual blood. Well, if you have menopause but there is still blood, you must be aware that it is derived from cervical cancer cells.
5. Anemia
Anemia that can occur to you is caused by abnormal bleeding in the intercourse.
6. Problems in the urinary tract
Symptoms when cervical cancer cells have developed are problems urinating and urinary tract. This happens because the urethra has closed from the kidney or urethra because of the spread of the tumor.
7. Pain in the pelvic region, legs, or back
When the cancer cells had already spread not only in the neck of the uterus, but has evolved, then one of the symptoms of cervical cancer are pain in the pelvic region, legs or back.
8. Weight dropped dramatically
When you weight decreases drastically without cause, especially when followed with the above symptoms then you need to suspect because cervical cancer has been growing in the body.
Now that's some symptoms that can be felt by sufferers of cervical cancer. Indeed, not to mean if one occurs on you then positively and automatically you are exposed to the disease of cervical cancer. However, all problems occurred on the lookout for mandatory and you always suspect when there is abnormal changes in yourself.
After knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer ranging from early stage to advanced stage, you should also know how to prevent cervical cancer. With a number of symptoms of cervical cancer that you know, you can prevent the occurrence of cervical cancer, before everything was too late. Here's how to prevent cervical cancer you can do:
1. Keep your healthy living patterns
One way to prevent diseases is most important is to maintain a healthy life patterns. Do regular exercise in order to launch the metabolism of the body. Consumption of a variety of healthy foods like vegetables and fruit, as well as avoid a variety of harmful particles such as smoke and smoking vehicles.
2. Perform a pap smear
For you guys the women, this test is an important test you should do on a regular basis, at least once in a year. By conducting pap smear tests periodically then it will be seen the possibility of cervical cancer.
3. Maintain the cleanliness of the sex organs
Furthermore, it's also important to always maintain the cleanliness of the sex organs, not easy infected by viruses or bacteria. You can start it by using the panties that were not too tight, so better air circulation and infection or bacteria don't grow. In addition if you're menstruating period, replace the pads on a regular basis.
4. Avoid free sex
The easiest means of HPV could be infected is to free sex and worked at a couple. Better to avoid and prevent than cure when it has contracted the infection of sexually transmitted diseases.
5. The HPV vaccine
If you are under 26 years old or have relatives on the age range, then one way to prevent cervical cancer is to do HPV vaccination, anti vaccine cervical cancer. This vaccine is effective when you have never contracted HPV, not yet sexually active, so it would be better as early as possible start prevented.
All diseases hazards certainly would be better if we already know the symptoms and how to prevent it, so that will reduce the range of potentially harmful over time that can happen to you. Well with any of these symptoms, you now have to be more vigilant to observe changes in ourselves. Do prevention as early as possible, before cervical cancer come secretly and attacking the health of you.
Tag : Cancer
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Bake A Back-to-School School-Bus Cake
Celebrate the new school year with a dessert that's as fun to make as it is to eat.
Mimi Larkin
1. Start with a 9" X 13" sheet cake. It can be chocolate or yellow cake -- whatever your family prefers.
2. Cut a 2" x 3" rectangle from the upper left corner. (This piece will not be used, so freeze it for later or eat it quickly while no one is looking).
3. Round edges along top of the cake.
4. Mix 1 cup vanilla frosting with yellow and red food coloring to make a classic school bus color. Frost the surface and sides of the cake with the bright yellow-orange.
5. For the windows, mix 1/3 cup of vanilla frosting with blue food coloring. Create one large window (for the driver), four smaller ones (for the students), and a headlight.
6. Use 1/2 cup of chocolate icing to frost the bottom of the bus. Place the remaining frosting in a zip-top bag. Snip off a small corner piece and pipe the name of your child's school 1 inch below the windows. Save the extra frosting to outline or create any other details.
7. Stop sign: Cut a red fruit leather snack into a hexagon and place under the driver's window. Write "STOP" with frosting.
8. Tires: Divide a chocolate-covered doughnut in half horizontally and press the cut-sides down into the cake.
9. People: Draw hair and faces on candy wafers (or other round candies of your child's choice) with chocolate frosting to create students and driver. Roll out a gumdrop and cut lengthwise to create the driver's body, and add a cap made of candy or frosting.
Parents Magazine
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Food and Snacks | Life | 90s
26 Snacks From The '90s You Wish You Could Eat Right This Very Second
Whether they are one of the sad relics left in the past, or something you just haven't had in a while, all the foods from your childhood are locked away in your mind just waiting to be remembered.
There are a lot of snacks that have been tragically discontinued, as well as several that just get forgotten as you grow up, but that doesn't mean you don't miss them. Here are 26 of the foods you forgot you loved when you younger, and probably wish you could eat right now!
1. Cosmic Brownies
2. Mini M&Ms
3. Ice Cream Push Ups
4. Caprisun
5. Ice Cream Cups with Wooden Spoons
6. Candy Cigarettes
7. Lunchables Pizza
8. Gushers
9. Dunkaroos
10. Handi-Snacks
11. Surge
12. Snapple
Is your mouth watering yet? Because there are still more snacks that you'll be craving as soon as you see them.
13. 3D Doritos
14. Fruit-By-The-Foot
15. Squeezeit
16. Hubba Bubba Bubble Jug
17. Hi-C
18. Reese's Swoops
19. Pop-Tarts Crunch
20. String Thing Fruit Snacks
21. Bottle Pop
22. Fruit Roll-Ups
23. Jawbreakers
24. Push Pop
25. Bubble Tape
26. Fun Dip
Which of these were your favorite? Share in the comments!
If your favorite snack wasn't on this list, check out this one for even more options! | <urn:uuid:76a6d452-eea7-4f4c-9a01-fd56bf52bdbe> | https://www.throwbacks.com/26-snacks-from-the-90s-you-wish-you-could-eat-right-this-very-second/ | en | 0.933518 | 0.559739 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
OnePlus 6 To Support Gigabit LTE Connectivity [REPORT]
OnePlus 6 Gigabit LTE Connectivity
Image Source: (screenshot)
OnePlus 6 is only about three months away, and there has been plenty of evidence that the Chinese vendor is going to make a big splash with this year’s flagship. It will be as good as the iPhone X in most aspects while costing only about half as much. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has already confirmed that OnePlus 6 would be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset because “there’s no other choice.”
Folks at XDA Developers have learned from reliable sources that OnePlus 6 would support Cat.16 Gigabit LTE connectivity. It will make the upcoming flagship the fastest ever OnePlus smartphone in terms of data throughput. It will have Qualcomm’s X20 LTE modem that supports download speeds of up to 1.2Gbps and upload speeds of up to 150Mbps. If the report turns out to be true, it would deliver blazing fast data speeds.
The current OnePlus 5 and 5T have Cat.12 LTE connectivity with maximum downlink speeds of up to 600Mpbs. The OnePlus 3 and 3T had a maximum download speed of up to 300Mbps. The faster download speed is carrier-centric. It means you’ll be able to take advantage of the highest download and upload speeds only if your carrier offers better 4G availability and average speeds. You won’t get the Gigabit LTE speed on OnePlus 6 if you are not on a supported network.
The 5G network isn’t yet widely available, and OnePlus 6 won’t offer 5G support. OnePlus 6 will take advantage of Cat.16 Gigabit LTE, the best connectivity technology available right now that would prove useful. However, the next year’s OnePlus flagship could boast 5G speeds. The Chinese company is working with Qualcomm to add 5G support to its future phones. According to XDA Developers, Qualcomm’s next-gen Snapdragon 855 chipset and X50 LTE modem would support 5G networks.
When OnePlus released the Android 8.1 Oreo-based OxygenOS Beta 4 update for OnePlus 5T, XDA Developers dug into the software and unearthed some interesting details. Hidden within the Settings APK file was the OnePlus 6 code-name “Enchilada.” References to “Enchilada” were found alongside “cheeseburger” and “dumpling,” which where OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T, respectively. The code-name for the upcoming flagship is in line with OnePlus’s naming scheme.
XDA Developers also found in the firmware files an image showing a display notch similar to the iPhone X. The image was titled “screendecor_up_img_enchilada_1”. The image might have been used as an overlay to test apps on OnePlus 6’s notched display. Oppo recently shared the design of Oppo R15, which also sports a display notch. It’s a strong indication that OnePlus 6 would also have a notch.
OnePlus 6 Notch
Image Source: (screenshot)
Both Oppo and OnePlus brands are owned by China’s BBK Electronics. The two brands tend to borrow each other’s design language, so we wouldn’t be surprised if OnePlus 6 takes inspiration from Oppo R15. The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T’s designs were based on Oppo R11 and R11S, respectively.
Recently, ITHome posted leaked images of OnePlus 6 prototypes that lent further credibility to reports that the phone would have a display notch. Major Android vendors such as Huawei, OnePlus, LG, Asus, and even Nokia are trying desperately to copy the iPhone X’s top cutout. Google is adding native support for the cutout in its Android P, which would be available by the end of this year. It would allow third-party app developers to optimize their apps for the notch.
OnePlus 6 iPhone X Notch
Image Source: (screenshot)
The notch on OnePlus 6 prototypes is smaller than on the iPhone X. It accommodates the front camera, ear speaker, and Face Unlock sensors. Icons for battery and cellular connectivity are on the right side of the cutout while time is on the left side. The prototypes have a glass body, a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, dual-tone LED flash, and vertically-arranged dual camera setup. The Alert slider is on the right side.
OnePlus 6 is rumored to feature an advanced Face Unlock that would be more secure than the existing version. It would use 3D infrared modules to step up security. The current Face Unlock on OnePlus 5 and 5T is fast and convenient, but it isn’t secure because it relies on the software and camera rather than depth sensors. The upcoming flagship would run Android Oreo-based OxygenOS out of the box.
The OnePlus 6 was recently spotted on AnTuTu benchmark, where it scored 276,510 points, which is even higher than the iPhone X’s 226,000 and the Galaxy S9’s 265,000 points on the same test. It indicates that OnePlus 6 would be one of the most powerful smartphones when it hits the store shelves. It will be powered by Snapdragon 845 and 6GB or 8GB RAM.
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has indicated that OnePlus 6 would launch by the end of second quarter. The company traditionally refreshes its flagship line in June. | <urn:uuid:a4354443-aac9-4232-8e5a-35f46ccad6e3> | https://www.valuewalk.com/2018/03/oneplus-6-gigabit-lte-connectivity/ | en | 0.94517 | 0.018574 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Five fabulous fats for your body
Fat might be back, but some are still better than others. Nutritionist Kathleen Alleaume points out the ones to eat.
Fats to eat daily
Known as the butter fruit, just half an avocado contains 18g of body-beneficial monounsaturated fat. Researchers found that eating avocado daily significantly decreases cholesterol markers associated with heart disease risk. Even though they’re high in calories, research also shows that avocado-eaters tend to weigh less and have less belly fat. Why? Adding avocados was shown to increase feelings of fullness, helping reduce portion size.
Oily fish
Polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids are essential — your body can’t make them from scratch, and must get them from food. Oily fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are abundant in omega 3 fats, and contain heaps of other nutrients too, including vitamin D, selenium and protein. Research shows that eating oily fish two to three times a week has powerful health benefits for your body and brain, helping to reduce depression, fight Alzheimer’s disease and improve heart health.
Extra virgin olive oil
A Mediterranean-style diet filled with healthy monounsaturated fats, such as extra virgin olive oil, has been scientifically proven to be good for your heart health. No other food comes close to EVO oil for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Contrary to popular belief, EVO oil has a relatively high smoking point, and is perfectly suitable for cooking, frying and roasting.
Eating nuts daily is a must. Their unique blend of poly and monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals help to reduce heart disease and diabetes risk and lower cholesterol. Researchers recommend eating a handful (30g) every day, and it doesn’t
really matter which ones you go for.
It’s now well established that foods high in cholesterol have little impact on raising your blood-cholesterol levels. Eggs, which have been the bad guys of cholesterol levels for a while, are actually very low in saturated fat and contain at least 11 different vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality protein, omega 3 fats and antioxidants.
Fats to enjoy in moderation
Over 65% of the fat in butter is saturated, and there’s no evidence that eating saturated fat has any health benefits (and that goes for coconut oil, too). What we do know is that given the choice between butter and olive oil, you can feel confident knowing that olive oil will be far better for your health.
Processed meat
While there’s still room for the occasional slice of bacon or a few snags, the latest evidence suggests that excessive intakes of processed meat can raise your risk of cancer. Current national dietary guidelines recommend that people who eat red meat limit processed varieties and consume no more than 65-100g of lean sources of red meat three to four times a week.
Full cream dairy
Emerging research is showing that milk drinkers, including full-fat dairy drinkers, have a slightly lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and typically gain less weight, as dairy makes you feel fuller for longer. If you don’t consume a lot of milk, full-cream will be fine, but if you consume two to three glasses a day, reduced-fat or low-fat varieties will help to control your calories.
Kathleen Alleaume is a nutritionist, exercise scientist and founder of The Right Balance. Follow her @therightbalance on Instagram. | <urn:uuid:08416794-6227-4095-8a76-84c777d83e4e> | http://ffmag.com/five-fabulous-fats-for-your-body/ | en | 0.946107 | 0.094328 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
by Geoff Wilbur
For melodic hard rock fans, there has been a bit of a drought lately, broken only by the sporadic release of albums by the likes of Great White, Tyketto, or Yngwie Malmsteen. Suddenly, it isn't just raining -- it's pouring. Firehouse leads the pack with the release of "3" (Epic). It's basically the same old Firehouse, but the lyrics are a little more well-crafted and the music isn't quite so slick, though it's still crisper than 99% of the albums presently on shelves. A good mix of rockers ("Something About Your Body," "Get a Life") and ballads ("I Live My Life For You," "No One At All"), "3" is the best disc of this broadly-defined genre since Great White's "Sail Away."
Other notable releases are Slaughter's "Fear No Evil" (CMC International), Kix's "Show Business" (CMC International), and Dokken's "Dysfunktional" (Columbia). Slaughter and Kix should definitely please their old fan bases. Slaughter's guitar-driven disc is a little heavier than in the past but still utilizes the same hooky songwriting style and Mark's inimitable vocal style. Kix, meanwhile, kicks out the stereotypical Kix album... again. Sex, sex, sex. And "If You Run Around," a ballad from an angle less traveled. Kix at its best. Then there's Dokken's CD. They've regrouped, but "Dysfunktional" is best described as Stone Temple Dokken. It's an unusual blend that will appeal to some old Dokken fans and some old Dokken bashers... if they'll give it a listen.
A little rap? "Tha Butterfly (in Da Club)" is the big hit from Way 2 Real's "38th Street" (So-Lo Jam). Catchy, genre-crossing rhythms position Way 2 Real to be a real big hit.
Local rockers Powerface deliver in-your-face, thrashy, catchy, heavy alternative power on "Where From?" | <urn:uuid:28fc2d05-b620-4343-8022-bbbaac3af6db> | http://membrane.com/albumrev.html | en | 0.92754 | 0.032608 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Senses Fail is thrilled to share their brand new song and video, “Gold Jacket, Green Jacket...”. The track comes from the band’s forthcoming 7th full-length album, If There Is A Light, It Will Find You. The new 12-song album will be released on February 16th, 2018 via Pure Noise Records and can be pre-ordered now here.
On the new single, singer Buddy Nielsen shares: “This song is an attempt to give a voice to the millions of people struggling everyday to follow their dreams and passions. We as a generation have endured and sacrificed much more than our elders give us credit for. War, climate change, mass shootings, economic uncertainty and crippling debt are just some of the struggles that we have been handed by the generation before us, all while be told we aren’t doing enough to succeed. Despite all this we are strive to do whats right, follow our hearts and try to leave this world a better place.
If There Is A Light, It Will Find You was produced by Beau Burchell (Moose Blood, Saosin, Hands Like Houses) and is the first time singer Buddy Nielsen has fully written the entirety of the album alone. Nielsen experienced life-altering changes over the past two years that have contributed directly to the making of this record. The band has always been known for pushing boundaries lyrically and addressing topical issues from stage during a live show, but this time around you can feel the weight of uncontrollable stressors wearing down on Buddy as he navigates the listener through his personal life, from song to song.
Fans will notice a dramatic shift back to the band’s rock roots, honing the sound they realized on iconic records like Let It Enfold You while also embracing the future of the band and personal experiences like both the loss and birth of a child. Underneath the album’s brighter, melody-driven exterior lurks a dark fascination with the concept of mortality – creating a juxtaposition of light and shadows that directly reflects on Senses Fail’s marked history.
Senses Fail is Buddy Nielsen (Vocals), Gavin Caswell (Guitar), Greg Styliades (Bass), Steve Carey (Drums) and Jason Milbank (Guitar).
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164 vistors today, 299 pages shown
Original Message
Forum General
Topic FGM
Author Iftikhar
Date Created 12/03/2015 15:51:50
Message FGM is a revolting, barbaric practice. So is child sexual abuse. Have you bothered to ruthlessly suppress hat and prosecute sexual predators? Or do you just let them get away with it for years because of their upstanding positions in society? The issue is on a fault line between a number of sensitivities, it's going to provoke emotional reactions. FGM is sexual assault and should be treated as such. The poor children are coaxed into this barbaric procedure by the people they most trust - unaware of the long-term mental and physical consequences. There is no place for 'cultural sensitivity' when addressing this matter - anyone found guilty should be named and shamed.
Is this not child abuse by the parents? Is there not a procedure in place to deal with child abuse by parents? Sharia has nothing to do with FGM. FGM predates Islam. As it's open season on Muslims and Islam, especially open season on Muslim women in Europe, the proportion of women children at risk is equivalent to the number of Muslim girls in Europe. FGM in the UK is a classic case of a politically correct public sector bending over backwards to accommodate blatant abuses of the person in the name of cultural and religious traditions.To destroy a girl's clitoris is to ruin their sex life for ever. That is a crime and there are laws that are good enough to deal with this. What on earth are the police doing? Sitting on their ar*es no doubt.
FGM predates Islam. It was supposedly first started in Pharaoh Egypt. Perhaps earlier. Islam does NOT teach it or support it. The Prophet Muhammad had 4 daughters and 9 wives and not a single evidence or testimony suggests any of them underwent anything like FGM or that they supported it. Islam does not permit mutilation of the body for rituals or customs or traditions, like prohibiting tattoos. FGM is wrongly associated with Islam. But so are many things. Ironically, the British empire was instrumental at destroying the one institution with the moral, political, and spiritual authority to end destructive and barbaric practices like FGM.
Keith Vaz, the committee's Labour chairman, said victims had been badly let down. "FGM is an on going national scandal which is likely to have resulted in the preventable mutilation of thousands of girls to whom the state owed a duty of care," he said. "Successive governments, politicians, the police, health, education and social care sectors should all share responsibility for the failure in recent years to respond adequately to the growing prevalence of FGM in the UK."Right 'cos we couldn't possibly point the finger at the cultures that do this kind of thing and protect those who do it with a conspiracy of silence, could we? What proportion of children are at risk of FGM compared to the proportion of children at risk of abuse generally?
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Sunday, May 23, 2010
Eating Local and eating well
Well, I've been attempting to eat more locally lately and had the opportunity yesterday to go to the Farmer's Market. Having a small unheated greenhouse I really had no idea what you could actually grow here in winter/early spring if you gave it your all. These farms represented at the market must have huge heated greenhouses to grow the tomatoes, potatoes, onions, herbs and other veggies I saw there yesterday. Some of the tomato plants were HUGE and one vendor had red ripe tomatoes while we still have 40 degree temps outside some days.
I was especially enamored by the meat and cheese vendors. One stall had gigantic igloo coolers filled with various parts of pigs and cows. You could get literally every part of that animal if you wanted it. They also sold little tubs of lard, which I was tempted to buy, but didn't. The same vendor had a very large variety of cheeses he had made from milk from his cows. So yummy!
We also visited the alpaca farm booth where the vendor had a hand crank sock loom making a very long sock from wool his wife had spun into yarn. Daughter loved this booth and wanted to feel every sample of wool they had. The man let her take a few curls of wool from one sample that looked a lot like it came from a guy named Al Paca rather than an animal (hubby's joke). I think we're going to have to visit this farm and pet an alpaca. Although from the way the man talked, if you come to pet and feed the animals they may make you shovel some manure as well...I guess I'll put the kids on that job. :)
So I walked away from the market with asparagus, early walla walla onions, honey sticks, and a strawberry rhubarb pie. I looked for more rhubarb plants, but didn't find any.
On the way home we stopped by Bill the Butcher to buy some meat. I've heard a lot about this place and wanted to see what they had. We chose local Tri Tip preseasoned with their own herb mixture, a pound of house made bacon, a couple of bratwurst and a couple of beef franks. We had the tri tip last night cooked on the grill and the bacon this morning for breakfast. I got the end piece of bacon that's about a 1/2 inch thick and tastes like a piece of heaven. Yum! We'll have the "hot dogs" tonight for dinner and hopefully the kids will like them as well as Oscar Meyer.
So last night's dinner consisted of local asparagus, local tri tip steaks, local onions and mushrooms. Can't beat that!
1. OOooo NEED to check out Bill the Butcher. Yummy bacon you say?! OOoooo!
2. bacon was very yummy, and they cut it as thick as you like it. They'll cut any meat however you prefer. It's more pricy than non-local non-grass fed, but totally worth it, I think. The prices for meat at the farmer's market were about the same as Bill. They also have a lot of different types of house made sausage you may like.
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Black Panther
Black Panther OS Vol 1 2.png
Black Panther is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby, first appearing in Fantastic Four #52 (cover-dated July 1966) in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Black Panther's real name is T'Challa, king and protector of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan rituals of drinking the heart shaped herb, T'Challa also relies on his proficiency in science, rigorous physical training, hand-to-hand combat skills, and access to wealth and advanced technology to combat his enemies. | <urn:uuid:96ea4cfa-6bbf-4a9f-80c2-6264464c4471> | https://christianpez.jimdo.com/my-collection/super-heroes-black-panther/ | en | 0.937293 | 0.021316 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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Meta links to Github often broken
(Ryan Erwin) #1
You can find a lot of references to code in github as you browse through, but many of the links no longer work…
I think one solution would be to require that a github permalink is posted (or at least warn the poster when their github link is not a permalink).
I’ve come across dozens of them today. For example, see “How Discourse Stays Online - (Message Bus, Faye, Long Polling)
You just hit y to get a Permalink on Github.
So many broken links makes meta more difficult to use. Considering these links are typically posted by the Discourse founders, all the more likely to be followed into the future…
There are probably some exceptions that you’re 99% sure will stay around, such as, but search for “” and see how many of these are no longer valid.
(Régis Hanol) #2
I don’t know when the permalink feature was added but I only knew about it with this announcement
The post you mentioned is far older than that announcement :wink:
(Matt Palmer) #3
Yes, links break over time. This is not specific to meta, or Discourse, or even Github. Does Github provide a stable means of determining whether a URL is a permalink based on its structure? If not, it’s going to be awfully tricky to implement a warning.
(Michael Howell) #4
If you have a URL with this format:
You can figure out if it’s a permalink by hitting this URL:
If the returned SHA is equal to :commit itself, then it’s a permalink. Otherwise, it’s not. Personally, I’d just rewrite non-permalinks into permalinks automatically, though.
(Maja) #7
There doesn’t seem to be a straightforward way to get a permanent link from the entered GitHub link if we wanted to rewrite links into permalink automatically. I guess checking if the link is permalink like @notriddle suggested and adding a warning would be a way to go here?
(Kane York) #8
Actually, it’s fairly easy to come up with the permanent link if you’re parsing out the URL as they suggested.
Just replace the :commit segment with the actual commit hash you get back from the API. (And re-attach the query and anchor strings.)
(Matt Palmer) #9
Can you give us a fully-worked example of how to go from a /tree/ link to a /blob/ link programmatically? I can’t figure it out from the examples provided.
(Régis Hanol) #10
This is now available in the new discourse-github plugin.
Github Permalink
Replace Github non-permalinks with permalinks.
How to use:
1. Enable github permalinks enabled in Settings -> Plugins.
(Régis Hanol) #11
This topic was automatically closed after 46 hours. New replies are no longer allowed. | <urn:uuid:e443cb20-f8ef-4e46-9a5b-8eea46aa3abe> | https://meta.discourse.org/t/meta-links-to-github-often-broken/85151 | en | 0.905948 | 0.01923 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Tuesday, July 09, 2013 ... Français/Deutsch/Español/Česky/Japanese/Related posts from blogosphere
Papers on the ER-EPR correspondence
This new, standardized, elegant enough name of the Maldacena-Susskind proposal that I used in the title already exceeds the price of this blog entry that you had to pay. ;-)
Yesterday, there was a one-page critical paper by Hrvoje Nikolić of Zagreb, Croatia, EU trying to criticize the ER-EPR correspondence. When I am looking at similar articles, I am often ashamed to be a European: Nikolić attacking MS reminds me of an angry and hungry dog attacking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven except that in those good old times, the composers were European and the dogs were American. This shame largely evaporates as soon as I see similarly dumb, low-quality articles inkspilled inside other continents.
Like a five-year-old spoiled boy, Nikolić screams that he has to be given some quantitative comparisons of ER and EPR correlators to trust such a thing. But it's simply not true that this is the only possible or allowed kind of evidence that the correspondence is valid. Moreover, it's obvious that once we allow the spaces with the ER bridges at all, the observables on the opposite sides of the throat will be entangled just like the rules of entanglement require; after all, despite the apparent huge distance through the normal space, they're close to each other due to the throat. In the absence of very high energy quanta, field operators at nearby points are almost equal to each other.
Also, none of the two sides of the ER-EPR correspondence is a particular dynamical theory – at least until we add some more data – so it's nonsensical to talk about particular correlators. The correspondence is a conceptual one. We may turn the ER side into something specific but just like in the AdS/CFT correspondence, the description based on the other side, the EPR entanglement built upon a space of ordinary topology, will be the only way to truly accurately describe the quantum physics of the ER bridges. With this definition of the quantum physics on an ER bridge, the ER-EPR correspondence is tautologically true.
Similarly, he screams that the ER bridges can't be equivalent to EPR because EPR produces all the shocking correlations that have stunned Einstein. This opinion held by Nikolić reflects the fact that he is spending his career by writing misguided papers on Bohmian mechanics. If he insists on a classical description of Nature, no wonder that all quantum phenomena have to look shocking to him forever.
However Maldacena and Susskind, like any contemporary physicist who doesn't completely suck, respect the postulates of quantum mechanics at every step so none of the generic correlations predicted by quantum mechanics are shocking for them. They're just giving a new (spacetime) geometric interpretation to some particular entangled states and/or projection operators upon them; they're linking an entangled state (a superposition of non-entangled states) to a geometric configuration that used to be associated with a linearly independent state (orthogonal to the visualizations of the non-entangled states) because of its different topology but it is actually not independent.
But even with this wormhole-like spacetime, one has to do quantum mechanics on top of it and it predicts the same entanglement-like correlations like any other example of a quantum mechanical theory! Nikolić's opposition is a great example of the wisdom that whatever (correct) progress would materialize in the foundations of quantum mechanics would make the picture of the world even more quantum, not less. That's just happening because we're abandoning some incorrect assumptions about the spacetime topology that were rooted in our experience with classical physics (namely the wrong assumption that the spacetime topology is a well-defined observable on the Hilbert space). No wonder that people like Nikolić who are obsessed with the dream to undo the quantum revolution feel threatened by another step in the opposite direction.
Mark's paper
To dramatically improve the average quality (and length) of papers that refer to the ER-EPR correspondence, Mark Van Raamsdonk – the forefather of the "entanglement as a glue" paradigm – released a new, 18-page-long note:
Evaporating Firewalls
His picture is that one can bring a black hole – in his case a large AdS black hole – to a firewall state by carefully measuring its internal microstate from the outside (one could say that one of the fuzzball basis vectors is the result of this complete measurement if fuzzballs are right). However, the evolution of the black hole, while it is entangled with an auxiliary system – in his case a second identical CFT – may restore the initial thermofield configuration.
This process therefore looks like a gradual disappearance (evaporation) of the firewall. Such a result is ironic because AMPS employed entanglement as a tool to erect the firewall and to make it impenetrable. On the contrary, Van Raamsdonk shows that the entanglement has the effect of tearing down this firewall. Mark wouldn't dare to choose this Reaganite terminology in the title of his paper because the left-wing apparatchiks filling most of the Western universities would send him to Gulag for his anti-socialist jokes.
Mark also dedicates several pages to his comments on the nice Papadodimas-Raju paper that appeared in November 2012. I think that what Mark is saying is particularly compatible with the Papadodimas-Raju paper. For example, the precise measurement of the internal microstate performed from the outside is what Papadodimas and Raju would classify as "too many measurements" and that's what terminates the validity of a local effective QFT on the opposite side (inside the black hole, in this case) in their framework.
The figures in Mark's paper (e.g. Figure 8) largely reflect a lore or an understanding of "tracing over other degrees of freedom" and "coarse/fine grained observables" that has already been adopted by several others. As the Wheeler-DeWitt equation suggests, a whole causal diamond worth of operators should be assigned to a slice and we may trace over other degrees of freedom geometrically associated with horizontally separated diamonds.
I won't offer my new results on these issues because I would be giving them away at a price that is far below the fair one and I have some very bad experience with similar (or any) violations of the rules of the free markets.
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snail feedback (22) :
reader RAF III said...
So when and where will your results go on the market?
reader Luboš Motl said...
When the market conditions are favorable which means, I am afraid, not in my lifetime.
reader Luboš Motl said...
Hi, if and when the market conditions get acceptable which will rather likely not be the case in my lifetime, given the trend in recent years. This is not just a negative statement. I just enjoy the setup of doing research for myself, for my own pleasure, ignoring the mankind and I am grateful to Nature's fate that I was kind enough that it has become possible.
reader kashyap vasavada said...
Hi Lubos:
I am a retired physics professor. I know very little
if anything about string theory. So I do not have any problem with some people thinking that ST will be the final solution to the problems of particle
physics. In any case, the opposing group does not have any alternative. I have a question if it can be answered without the need to go to original papers. I know Maldacena uses anti de Sitter space in his arguments. Can you explain what is so special about ADS? I understand only thing which is verified experimentally is that observable universe may have positive Lambda at this time. How can you trust any argument based on negative Lambda about entanglement or in other areas? Is there any reason to believe that the interior of a black hole may be ADS? I will appreciate if you or someone on this blog can answer or give reference to
some simple articles or blogs. On the whole I like your blog. This is the best blog for theoretical and mathematical physics. Thanks.
reader Luboš Motl said...
Thanks for your interest. Concerning the AdS space, I was answering the very same question 2 days ago:
reader Clayton said...
Is there any chance of these results going on the arXiv?
reader kashyap vasavada said...
Thanks. I see your point.
reader Luboš Motl said...
Dear Clayton, it doesn't contradict any conservation law or absolute laws of Nature so there's a nonzero chance. ;-) I am surely not among those who are spreading big words and promises they don't keep. When I say something, it's meant to be serious, and that's why I can't answer your question in either way. It's at the level of chances, indeed. Many of my results aren't even TeXed and I don't have the lust to expose anything now so it's very unlikely in near future.
reader Gene Day said...
Thanks for the PSE link, Lubos. This kind of explanation is very helpful to obsolete physicists like me who want to understand the significance of recent work. I really do appreciate your efforts.
reader kristan said...
hi lubos,
thanks for keeping up the summaries on this. it's an exciting time.
I of course respect your decision to not publicly share your results, but you've said enough that I'm curious about their context. are you willing to say whether you're working in Matrix theory or via holography?
reader Luboš Motl said...
BTW well, Matrix theory is sort of holographic as well.
reader kristan said...
thanks for your reply. great. I won't push further.
(and yes you're absolutely right that Matrix theory is sort of holographic, so I misspoke; the origin of this is sort of funny. it seems that young people like me are raised on thinking of "holography" as essentially "dualities like AdS/CFT", with field theory data specified on a timelike boundary. which, alas, is an overly limited perspective.)
reader Giotis said...
And we only require the space to be asymptotically AdS. This means that we don’t fix the actual background but only the boundary conditions. If we leave cosmological questions aside then it doesn’t really matter if the space is asymptotically AdS or asymptotically flat and we can use AdS/CFT to answer many important QG questions.
I think this is also implied in Lubos’s answer…
reader Michael said...
I understand and respect your decision not to publish given the circumstances. Still, it's kind of a waste. You deserve the original academic credit and other serious researchers could benefit from your work.
In my opinion, you should write a paper with Maldacena. You two would make an awesome team of non-confused quantum scientists. :-)
Perhaps such a collaboration would be rewarding enough for you that it would be reasonably close to the fair market price?
reader Dilaton said...
Yeah, and maybe a collaboration between Lumo and some serious physicists could approach the I think fair enough market value of 3 Million ... ;-)
reader RAF III said...
Lubos - I had actually taken your remarks literally and now feel a bit foolish for not realizing that you had 'gone Galt' (at least from academia). Your reply brought so much to mind that I had to take some time to compose a response - covering the decline of universities, the rise of bureaucratic administrators, credentialled cliques enforcing and rewarding the correct political sentiments, etc. - which quickly became too long to post here. Perhaps I'll include it in one of the many books I keep promising myself to write.
(I can't resist one excerpt - overheard:
Q -Why must everyone go to university these days?
A - How else will they learn to read and write?)
I am pleased that you are able to be, in a sense, your own patron. I also expect that you you are not alone in this and that many more people will do the same in the coming years.
All the best.
reader Luboš Motl said...
LOL, the joke is also supplemented by one I just read in Bob Carter's new book. What's the opposite of diversity? University. ;-)
There were many other things that sucked over there.
reader RAF III said...
Yes I have read it, but the phrase 'going Galt' is not my invention. The joke now is that it was written as a novel, not an instruction manual. I do not view it as literature, but as a relentless polemic. Nevertheless it is worth reading, if not in it's entirety then at least various passages in which her characters give speeches espousing her philosophy. Perhaps Tolik could give you the gist of the plot so that you would understand these. I would recommend one on the meaning of money along with John Galts speech, and of course there are others.
What I find extraordinary about it is that when it first appeared (1957) and when I first read it (1968) her depiction of the 'bad guys' seemed completely over the top - so much so that they seemed cartoonish - and yet now actual people in high places are acting and speaking (sometimes almost verbatim) in exactly the same way.
It's a pity that you could not have experienced the U.S. as it was before the progressive ascendency.
reader Luboš Motl said...
I of course couldn't resist to become familiar with the sketch of the plot.
Too bad to hear that her over-the-top descriptions were visionary. Even as a younger man, I do remember some things that were substantially more promising and balanced than today.
reader anna v said...
"Q -Why must everyone go to university these days?"
It is the writing on the wall for the future. Technology has made obsolete millions of jobs that could occupy the working day of a person, and the value of his/her work be enough for living and raising the next generation. Lowering the standards of universities absorbs hundreds of thousands of young people who in another case would be working in menial jobs now obsolete. Instead of being on the dole they are sent to universities. Then positions are created to absorb a number of them and mediocrity is perpetuated.
It will get worse and worse, and nobody reads the writing. Robotics advances and nanotechnology too. Unless we manage to get into a war that will send us back to the stone age and start from the beginning.
reader RAF III said...
I imagine that good manners will soon be obsolete as well, but you can rest assured that I will never appropriate someone elses' joke in order to belabor them with a plethora of misconceptions about economics.
reader Eugene S said...
Sir, you are not wrong. Here you have the cloying, sickening "talking points" that a White House press secretary must whip up on a moment's measure,.. or else it's back to the unemployment line.
Let them eat cake! | <urn:uuid:b02d1991-a936-4484-b6e2-8824d6c16c0f> | https://motls.blogspot.com/2013/07/papers-on-er-epr-correspondence.html | en | 0.957139 | 0.051994 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Johnny Stovall
The twin brother of Jimmy Stovall, Johnny represents not the “next” generation, but the “new” generation of Highwaymen.
Johnny says he quit school in the 10th grade and joined the armed forces. “During the times when I came home on leave, my brother would be painting with Alfred Hair. I liked what I saw, but I had no interest at the time.” He explained that when his brother Jimmy starting painting again (in 1999-2000) after 30 years of not painting, he saw how he picked it right up again. So he decided he would try it.
In 2001 Johnny started painting primitive, like painting by numbers. “His brother Jimmy was teaching me, then Johnny Daniels came along and joined our group. He wanted to paint around, like they did in the old days (in a group).” Johnny’s landscape scenes are typical Highwayman with palm trees, glints of sunlight on water, white egrets and without people.
Johnny says Alfred Hair held everything together and that most of the guys who painted with him were very upset when he died. “It was like losing our leader. They didn’t know what to do.”
Twin Brothers Jimmy & Johnny Stovall | <urn:uuid:30e75fcf-e1e3-451c-ae3b-2ffba7b518fc> | https://thehighwaymentrail.com/johnny-stovall/ | en | 0.986164 | 0.031646 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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Wrongful Birth
Definition - What does Wrongful Birth mean?
Wrongful birth is a type of medical malpractice claim in which the parents of a child born with a genetic condition, which they were not told about, sue the doctor(s) for not telling them.
A physician is required to tell prospective parents what their chances are of having healthy children; this is especially important when a pre-existing genetic condition is known to exist by the physician.
Justipedia explains Wrongful Birth
Parents are supposed to have the opportunity to determine what is in the best interests of their child, even before birth, and many would choose not to have a child with genetic abnormalities that would impede their ability to live normally or to reach the age of an adult. If a physician takes away that ability to decide by withholding information, or through not being diligent enough to realize that such a situation might occur, they can be held responsible for gross negligence. This would be shown with a medical malpractice suit for wrongful birth.
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Dataset Information
Identification of molecules from dying cells that act as signals to promote proliferation of surrounding cells
ABSTRACT: To elucidate the mechanisms underlying epithelial homeostasis, we explored molecules that might serve as “danger” signals in mediating epithelial regeneration with microarray. We hypothesize that soluble factors may have been released from damaged cells to stimulate the proliferation of surviving epithelial cells. In elucidating the mechanism of dying cell-to-surviving cell communication using normal rat kidney NRK-52E epithelial cells, we observed gene expression profiles in these cells after the induction of cell death using hydrogen peroxide. The results demonstrated up-regulation of Interleukin-6, Heme oxygenase-1 and Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha in dying cells. Global gene expression changes were measured after induction of cell death in NRK-52E cells after incubation with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide (0, 0.003, 0.006, 0.009% in DMEM) was teated for 1 hour. After wash with PBS, cells were incubated with non-serum DMEM for 12 hours.
ORGANISM(S): Rattus norvegicus
SUBMITTER: Shunsaku Nakagawa
PROVIDER: E-GEOD-64733 | ArrayExpress| 2015-01-09
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Hunger strikes and protests forcing medical marijuana reform in Israel
Israel Minister of Health Yael German.
Facing increasing opposition from doctors and patients who support and depend on the use of medical marijuana, Israel’s Minister of Health, Yael German, has seen her Facebook page dominated by dissent, and a full-scale hunger protest form on her front lawn.
The protests spawned from a recent increase on the regulations that govern the country’s blooming medical marijuana program, specifically on what illnesses would be eligible for treatment with some Kosher Kush.
Approved by the Knesset Health Committee in Israel’s legislative branch of government, the restrictions would still allow patients who were either in the process of chemotherapy, or less than one year removed from it, to use medical marijuana. The new procedure would also recognize Crohn’s disease, certain intestinal infections, extreme weight loss or low blood cell counts due to HIV, multiple sclerosis, and terminally ill patients with less than a half a year to live as being eligible for treatment with cannabis. Additionally, patients with neural diseases and associated pains may be eligible for medical marijuana use, but only after undergoing at least one year of more “traditional” treatment at a recognized health care clinic without signs of improvement.
The list of eligible ailments is definitely short, and neglects those suffering from illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, and psychiatric disorders. Protesters of the new law say that it severely limits the availability of medical marijuana permits, even denying access to patients who would have previously been eligible.
They argue that the list of applicable illnesses is “arbitrary and discriminatory”, and that patients should not be obliged to try powerful and addictive pharmaceutical drugs, like those containing opiates. They accuse German (who may have the most unfortunate last name in all of Israel) and the Ministry of Health of protecting the high-powered lobbies of the pharmaceutical drug companies, a charge the Israeli government denies.
The Ministry of Health pushes back against those claims with statistics showing that the number of medical marijuana permits issued rose dramatically from 1,800 in 2009, to over 11,000 this year. They also claim that cannabis use has nearly quadrupled from 100 kilos a month, to 370 kilos a month.
Adding fuel to the fiery debate, German was recently quoted saying, “Cannabis is not a medical drug. Its effectiveness has not been proven empirically, yet there’s evidence that it helps alleviate pain. It’s defined as a dangerous substance, and therefore a permit is needed to use it.”
Perhaps German didn’t get the memo.
Since instituting the nation-wide medical marijuana program in 2011, the duty of issuing the exclusive permits on a case-by-case basis fell upon the Ministry of Health, and their Medical Cannabis Unit. Soon thereafter, eight oncologists from various Israeli hospitals were approved by the government to prescribe medical marijuana to cancer patients, in an attempt to cut down on unrealistic waiting periods.
In response to the outcry and public protests over the newly revised list of applicable illnesses, German and the Knesset met again yesterday in an attempt to quell the protesters. The result of the meeting was an announcement that 11 additional doctors would be approved to prescribe medical cannabis, bringing the total number to 19, effectively doubling patients’ access to the permitting process. In addition, German has ordered the labeling committee to begin discussions regarding the possible expansion of the list of applicable ailments.
A group of more progressive Israeli politicians, led by Dov Khenin of the Hadash party, are drawing up legislation that would toss out the existing criteria altogether, and allow every licensed doctor in the country to decide whether cannabis is best for their patients.
The Ministry of Health opposes such lax regulation, warning of a Pandora’s Box effect when it comes to the prescribing of medical marijuana as some sort of “cure-all” drug. They say that over 70% of the current permit holders use cannabis to treat chronic pain, and that looser restriction would see that number skyrocket if everyone with a sore back was given a bag of weed.
Ultimately, according to German and the Health Ministry, the Israeli government just wants to ensure that those who truly need medical marijuana can get it, while minimizing illicit drug abuse at the same time. “On one hand, we will make sure the law is observed properly, and on the other, we will ensure that those who need treatment receive it,” German said in defense of the latest round of regulation.
Patients and doctors alike point to statements like those as proof that German is nothing but an out-of-touch bureaucrat. The tighter laws and pared down list of applicable illnesses, they say, will force patients who are no longer eligible for government ganja to turn to the streets for their herbal medication.
A nation all too familiar with the fog of war, Israel may soon have a new front line within its own borders as the battle over medical marijuana intensifies. | <urn:uuid:acc3567c-cfba-480f-8546-f1d2c01a3135> | https://www.tokeofthetown.com/2013/05/hunger_strikes_and_protests_forcing_medical_marijuana_reform_in_israel.php/ | en | 0.956121 | 0.025758 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Language: English (US) Version:
Begin in end in
New Living Translation
Jeremiah 5
The Sins of Judah
1 "Run up and down every street in Jerusalem," says the LORD.
"Look high and low; search throughout the city!
If you can find even one just and honest person,
I will not destroy the city.
2 But even when they are under oath,
saying, `As surely as the LORD lives,'
they are still telling lies!"
3 LORD, you are searching for honesty.
You struck your people,
but they paid no attention.
You crushed them,
but they refused to be corrected.
They are determined, with faces set like stone;
they have refused to repent.
4 Then I said, "But what can we expect from the poor?
They are ignorant.
They don't know the ways of the LORD.
They don't understand God's laws.
5 So I will go and speak to their leaders.
Surely they know the ways of the LORD
and understand God's laws."
But the leaders, too, as one man,
had thrown off God's yoke
and broken his chains.
6 So now a lion from the forest will attack them;
a wolf from the desert will pounce on them.
A leopard will lurk near their towns,
tearing apart any who dare to venture out.
For their rebellion is great,
and their sins are many.
7 "How can I pardon you?
For even your children have turned from me.
They have sworn by gods that are not gods at all!
I fed my people until they were full.
But they thanked me by committing adultery
and lining up at the brothels.
8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions,
each neighing for his neighbor's wife.
9 Should I not punish them for this?" says the LORD.
"Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?
10 "Go down the rows of the vineyards and destroy the grapevines,
leaving a scattered few alive.
Strip the branches from the vines,
for these people do not belong to the LORD.
11 The people of Israel and Judah
are full of treachery against me,"
says the LORD.
12 "They have lied about the LORD
and said, `He won't bother us!
No disasters will come upon us.
There will be no war or famine.
13 God's prophets are all windbags
who don't really speak for him.
Let their predictions of disaster fall on themselves!'"
14 Therefore, this is what the LORD God of Heaven's Armies says:
"Because the people are talking like this,
my messages will flame out of your mouth
and burn the people like kindling wood.
15 O Israel, I will bring a distant nation against you,"
says the LORD.
"It is a mighty nation,
an ancient nation,
a people whose language you do not know,
whose speech you cannot understand.
16 Their weapons are deadly;
their warriors are mighty.
17 They will devour the food of your harvest;
they will devour your sons and daughters.
They will devour your flocks and herds;
they will devour your grapes and figs.
And they will destroy your fortified towns,
which you think are so safe.
18 "Yet even in those days I will not blot you out completely," says the LORD. 19 "And when your people ask, `Why did the LORD our God do all this to us?' you must reply, `You rejected him and gave yourselves to foreign gods in your own land. Now you will serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.'
A Warning for God's People
20 "Make this announcement to Israel, [20]
and say this to Judah:
21 Listen, you foolish and senseless people,
with eyes that do not see
and ears that do not hear.
22 Have you no respect for me?
Why don't you tremble in my presence?
I, the LORD, define the ocean's sandy shoreline
as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.
The waves may toss and roar,
but they can never pass the boundaries I set.
23 But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts.
They have turned away and abandoned me.
24 They do not say from the heart,
`Let us live in awe of the LORD our God,
for he gives us rain each spring and fall,
assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.'
25 Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings.
Your sin has robbed you of all these good things.
26 "Among my people are wicked men
They continually set traps
to catch people.
27 Like a cage filled with birds,
their homes are filled with evil plots.
And now they are great and rich.
28 They are fat and sleek,
and there is no limit to their wicked deeds.
They refuse to provide justice to orphans
and deny the rights of the poor.
29 Should I not punish them for this?" says the LORD.
"Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?
30 A horrible and shocking thing
has happened in this land—
31 the prophets give false prophecies,
and the priests rule with an iron hand.
Worse yet, my people like it that way!
But what will you do when the end comes?
<< 5:20 Hebrew to the house of Jacob. The names "Jacob" and "Israel" are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.
| <urn:uuid:98ca5830-dbef-4c6d-9f79-864bcf4879dc> | http://biblestudy.cbn.com/ContentView.aspx?book=24&sc=5 | en | 0.884656 | 0.020257 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
It takes a spot of courage to stand up tall and a bit of derring-do to rise when you fall
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Kids Can Make Ya Nuts
In a million different ways they can. Here's one:
I mentioned that my two younger sons are deaf. When they take a shower, they have to take off their cochlear implant processors. Once the processors are off, they hear nothing. Nada. So, off one of them goes to the shower. Time passes. I'll be thinking to myself, "That's an awfully long shower" when suddenly I'll notice him sitting and reading a comic book or some such thing! ????? He's left the flippin' water running!! Who knows how long he's been done with his shower! Who knows how long the water's just been flowing down the drain! He couldn't hear it, forgot that the water has to actually be turned off (hel-loooo!) and so there goes our water bill. Ka-ching. Not to mention the waste.
My oldest son just takes that long of a shower. Which is another story.
Nuts, I tell ya. Nuts.
Blogger Michelle said...
My daughter takes forever in the shower. Not before doing a song and dance about why she has to have one in the first place, and how unfair it is that she will miss the Simpsons! Forget she's seen every episode 20 times! Then when she's in there, she sits on the floor and plays with her toys and the water for half an hour!
Oh to be 9 again!
3:42 AM, November 10, 2005
Blogger bryan torre said...
my son does the same, and he's 12.
can't get him in, then can't get him out.
and he sits on the floor of the tub playing with his action figures. or at least, he used to. there might be another action figure taking his attention these days...
2:14 PM, November 10, 2005
Post a Comment
<< Home | <urn:uuid:3612b4cb-af28-4462-8390-a7d64aff1e2f> | http://derringdo.blogspot.com/2005/11/kids-can-make-ya-nuts.html | en | 0.971521 | 0.228302 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Goal Setting
Do you ever feel you're adrift and floating in this big world without any control? Sometimes we work hard, but feel we don't get anywhere important. We work hard, but feel we don't receive a benefit from our efforts. As a result, we sometimes replace effort with apathy. For example, "That will never work"......"Life is not fair, so why try"........"That is stupid, and I'm not doing it"......."I don't care, because that's not my personality, so I won't try"......."I'll do all this extra stuff, but it won't help me, so I'm going to do a mediocre job." We all have moments when we think in these terms, regardless of our age or job. Heck sometimes principals, in moments of weakness, think in these terms. However, I've trained myself to realize when I'm thinking negatively, and learned to turn negative emotions into positive thoughts. Setting goals is one way I've learned to control negative thinking.
A key reason that we sometimes feel negative is that we really haven't spent enough time thinking about what we really want from life. We may have dreams, we may have a fantasy, but rarely do we have a plan to make the dream reality. A dream without a plan is just a wish. So how do you develop a plan to make your dreams come true?
Creating a Vision
• Build the fantasy! Build the dream in your mind. Visualize it, and see the picture in your mind! Develop the theory.
• Convert the fantasy/dream into a goal. Before you can do that you must first ask and answer two questions about your dream:
1. Am I able?
2. Am I willing to work for it?
Why Goals?
WHEN YOU ANSWER YES TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS YOU'VE GOT A GOAL! Goal setting helps us to think about our ideal future, and it helps us to motivate ourselves to turn our vision into reality. When we know precisely what we want to achieve, we know where we must concentrate our efforts. This process also allows us to spot distractions that can prevent us from realizing our goals. Our goals allow us to put blinders on, so when necessary we can narrow our focus to what is most important to us.
If you answered "no" to one or both of the questions there is no reason to panic or lose hope!
If you answered no to #1 you probably don't really believe you can realize the dream. Believe in yourself. Nobody else will start believing in you, until you start believing in you. We have so many opportunities available to us for success in this country! If you don't feel you are able ask yourself----What do I need to do to make myself able?
If you answered no to #2 you don't really belief in the dream. You need to start the process over, and build a different fantasy/dream that you can believe in. While contemplating this please remember that people won't give you your dream--you have to earn it. You only deserve what you earn through your effort.
Writing Goals
• Set realistic goals: Am I currently able?
• Write goals down on paper/computer: A dream without a plan is just a wish.
• Goals should be positive statements
• Goals should be precise/detailed: Dates, times, etc.
• Prioritize Goals if you have more than 1.
• Set performance goals you are in control of.
Remember that you are not a failure if you miss reaching your goal, but you are if you don't try to achieve it. Also remember that goals change. When you achieve one goal, you replace it with a new one. As you develop new dreams news goals must be developed for them.
Tim Chesnut,
Nov 19, 2015, 4:27 AM | <urn:uuid:2fc7cc23-ff4a-4ee1-8c95-abf52a190f23> | http://hsms.westmonona.org/west-monona-wrestling-1/advisor-advisee-central/goal-setting | en | 0.947274 | 0.083585 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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Let our team help.
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No personal blog crapola.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Where Have Tomorrow's Screenwriters Gone Today?
So what exactly is going on here...? (click image for larger view)
What you're looking at is a Google Trends query on the word "screenplays". And that, my friends, is one heck'uva trend. Google searches on "screenplays" down by almost two thirds in two and a half years? Wow.
My immediate, joyful conclusion was, if today there are a third as many novice screenwriters Googling for screenplays online as there were two-to-three years ago, that means my competition just dropped dramatically... right? I mean, budding screenwriters want to download and study produced scripts -- that's a given. So... less people searching for screenplays online = less screenwriters flooding the industry in the next couple of years.
Sounds good to me.
Now. Is there a negative in there somewhere? If aliens are systematically abducting novice screenwriters these past few years (OK, you explain it!), should I be worried? Does the decline -- whatever the reason behind it -- in fact reduce my chances of making a six-figure screenplay sale?
Dunno. Lets keep looking...
Here are the top search regions for the word "screenplays" for the same period:
Top regions (normalized)
1. United States
2. Ireland
3. South Africa
4. Canada
5. Australia
6. New Zealand
7. India
8. United Kingdom
9. Philippines
10. Czech Republic
What's up with Ireland? Seems the lads and lasses of the Emerald Isle are keen to get some sunny Hollyweird, Hell-A action. These figures don't give us any meaningful info about what's behind the decline. Moving on...
Let's try a related search trend for the word "screenwriting":
Allrighty. So "screenwriting" fares a lot better. Regular fluctuation up and down over the years -- sorta spiking every six months. No obvious downward trend, not like the other chart. Having said that, you can see in 2006 it dropped below the line there for the first time since Google started tracking the numbers in 2004. Perhaps there's a tiny trend creeping in, after all. Even so, too early to call, so I'll ignore it.
Where are those searches originating?
Top regions (normalized)
1. United States
2. Ireland
3. Canada
4. Australia
5. United Kingdom
6. New Zealand
7. South Africa
8. Norway
9. Philippines
10. Israel
Only thing I note here is that folks in the United Kingdom seems to prefer searching on the word "screenwriting" (pos. 5) over "screenplays" (pos. 8).
I've just had a thought.
What if the drop in people searching for screenplays online is because people are busy beavering away on their own script? Having studied a dozen professional screenplays pulled off the web, these people don't need to perform more searches. They've already absorbed the rules of structure and format, and now they are hammering out screenplays of their own.
Or... perhaps the answer is as simple as this: In the last five years, a lot of screenwriting/screenplay sites sprang up across the net, resulting in a more organised infrastructure for delivering screenplays via the web. That would result in less Google searching, wouldn't it? Novice screenwriters might be searching for a specific, well-known site (e.g. Daily Script or Drew's Scriptorama) rather than using a generic search for "screenplays".
Who knows.
Anonymous said...
I have a bunch of screenplays of recent movies if you want to do a trade one day? PDFs
Belzecue said...
I'm up to my ears in scripts, thanks, Todd. Currently reading Joe Carnahan's Smokin Aces. Joe writes vivid, but sometimes I think he writes *too* vivid. Kinda takes you out of the moment, and you sit there thinking, is this a novel or a screenplay :-)
Incidentally, last night I was thumbing through a file of old stuff, and I found an invoice from Hollywood Scripts, dated March 1992. It was for Star Wars ("Adventures of Luke Starkiller..."). Thirty bucks: $15 for the copy, $15 for postage. Being an Aussie, back in the day, we had to send away for scripts and wait months for them to arrive. None of this fancy Google-point-click-save-PDF luxury. Now I have maybe a hundred digital screenplays and nowhere enough time to read them all. Can't complain about that.
If there's anything you haven't been able to get your hands on via the web, let me know and I'll check the collection.
sunofsound said...
looking for scripts: apocalypto, 300 and sin city...little help...anyone?
Anonymous said...
All Hollywood is concerned with is sex and violence, it doesn’t matter if there is a real storyline behind the movie only the number of nude scenes, explosions and total number of people killed. If you have enough of each you’ve got a hit and everyone in the movie are stars. I am a big fan of old movies and I mean from the late 30’s and 40’s. William Powell and Myrna Loy made the Thin Man and five sequels and never took their clothes off once. Katharine Hepburn made dozens of movies and I can’t remember her being nude in any of them: the closest that I can remember was in a movie with Spencer Tracy she was wrapped in a large towel. In the theater today perhaps one movie in fifty could stand on the storyline alone. I do not agree with the header, “Fiction Sucks”, most fiction would require at least a 50% improvement just to get to suck.
sunofsound said...
Nudity? Hmm... Can't quite agree with you. What are these "hits" you're talking about that have a high count of nude scenes?
If you're talking about American theatrical releases, I'm stumped. Can't think of any recently.
Some foreign films come to mind. For instance, The Skin I'm In, or Lust Caution.
Perhaps you've been watching too much HBO, too many B horror films or internet porn.
Nudity has been in steady decline in American theatrical releases since the eighties.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
PRODUCT REVIEW: Turkey Hill Ice Cream
I've mentioned Turkey Hill in a few other reviews, but decided that it's deserving of its own, full review.
What do you want when you get ice cream? For me, ice cream is simple. It needs only three things: smooth, creamy, mouth-coating texture; strong, natural flavorings; and fillings that are larger than five molecules across. Even in ice cream that pretends to be high-quality, Edy's/Dreyer's for example, fillings are pitiful, flavor is artificial and weak, and there's so much air whipped in that the you get only marginally more calories than by simply breathing.
Turkey Hill isn't that ice cream. It gets everything right. The texture is perfect, the flavor is strong, and the fillings are large and delicious. Their cookies & cream, my favorite flavor, is the best that I have found in the grocery freezer. The peanut butter cup, which is actually sweetened peanut butter swirled into the ice cream, is beyond good. It is hands-down the best peanut butter ice cream in Turkey Hill's segment.
I used to refer to this segment as the half-gallon segment, but, compliments of increasing food costs and a marketing belief that people are stupid and won't notice smaller packages, half-gallons no longer exist.
If you want ridiculous fillings, Turkey Hill is not your brand. They produce the standard flavors with standard fillings. But in that arena, they best even many of the premium brands. And in the brands that are better flavor-to-flavor, like Ben & Jerry's, the differences are usually small. But compare Turkey Hill to other half-gallon brands, and the differences are stark. Turkey Hill is vastly superior to Blue Bunny, Hood, and Breyer's.
In the world of wacky fillings, Turkey Hill doesn't perform as well. While they produce their fair share of CRAZY ice cream, it really doesn't hold up to the premium brands. The kind to which I'm referring when I describe their excellence is their, um, standard(?) brand like the kind pictured in my image. If you stick with that, you'll never be let down.
In the world of non-premium ice cream, Turkey Hill is the bar by which others are measured. It's that good.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A New Not Food Pyramid
The USDA's redesigned food pyramid, produced in 2005, was widely panned as somehow worse than the original one, which was itself widely criticized. Don't worry, the government is on the job. These guys know how to do shit right.
And by that, they are going to release a completely new food pyramid. So new, in fact, that it won't be a pyramid at all. It's going to be some "plate" design. I'm sure it will make complete sense.
Forgive me for being skeptical, but the government spent years on the 2005 pyramid, and it was ridiculous. It made no sense, provided no help whatsoever, and managed to ignore almost all of the developments in dietary science from the previous two decades. It was an absolute clusterfuck.
I really, truly, deeply hope that they don't make the situation worse. People NEED guidance. There is so much contradictory evidence out there, and so much of it is wrapped up in ideological baggage, it eventually just drives people away. They throw their arms up, stop their inquiry, and keep doing whatever it is that they're doing. And as we've moved further away from Grandma's "everything in moderation" motto, what people are doing is getting increasingly worse.
Please, please, pleeeeaaaase, government people. Do right by the populace. Don't bend to lobbyists from whatever-the-fuck industry has its finger up your butt. Produce a simple graphic that gets it right. It can't be that hard.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Pinkberry in Rhode Island
For those in the know, they've been long able to get a froyo fix in the form of Juniper on Thayer Street (who recently launched a new website). But if you absolutely must have genuine Pinkberry, I have good news. According to the Pinkberry website, a location will be "swirling" (cute) soon in Garden City in Cranston. No information has been given on the opening date, but I'd assume that they're hoping to open for the summer season, which means soon.
For those interested, the major difference between Pinkberry and Juniper is the yogurt. Juniper tastes more like yogurt. That's not a good or a bad thing, it simply isn't as icy and tart as Pinkberry. I like them both a great deal. And after having Juniper for a couple of years, now, and having tried Pinkberry again, I actually like Juniper more. But I'm splitting hairs at that point.
UPDATE: I found the location. It's across from Anthropologie and directly next to Sunglass Hut.
View Larger Map
UPDATE 2: The opening date has been set at July 9th, so make sure to mark your calendars!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
PRODUCT REVIEW: Starbucks Three Regions Blend
Starbucks is back. Last month they released their Tribute Blend, which was a disaster. It was a blasted mess of a bean, with nearly all of the terroir charred from the bean by an aggressive roast. I was doubly disappointed because I had just had Casi Cielo for the very first time, which was a fantastic blend. Starbucks has completely made up for it, though, with Three Regions Blend.
Open the bag and you're hit with a very strong bouquet of fudge and brownies. It's funny, since very little of this initial smell gets to the palate. Also nice, Starbucks' description of the coffee is rather accurate. It's a very toasty coffee, with a lot of bread, mellow roast, and just a small amount of spice. It does better the lighter your serving. A heavy espresso double was blowing out the flavors and delivering too much roast. A light double was good, and an espresso single was very good. Moreover, this isn't a very cremariffic coffee, so there's no real reason to use a double.
I'd imagine that drip coffee will simply blast the beans, since I found that they tasted best with a cooler brew. In this quest, pour-over, or my chosen brewing method, Aeropress are ideal. My favorite method was far and away the espresso single, which drew out all of the best flavors. There was a lot more terroir than in many other Starbucks blends and beans, which was probably helped by a comparably light roast. As I always mention, Starbucks usually needs a low grind on my Rancilio Rocky, sometimes as low as 3, with most good espresso blends needing a 9 or 10.
As far as Starbucks beans go, Three Regions blend is visibly lighter. There's a smaller amount of oil on the surface, and the color has more brown to it. Casi Cielo, still Starbucks' only legitimately impressive blend, required a 9. Three Regions needs around an 8. Still, the roast is more than light enough to give the beans character.
Three Regions Blend is a definite buy. It tastes fresh, and does very well in an Aeropress and a single. Just avoid making any doubles with it.
Starbucks Three Regions Blend: RECOMMENDED
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
McDonald's Goes Upmarket. Analysts Get It Wrong.
McDonald's is at it again, with a multi-billion dollar renovation of locations, with new furniture, colors, and amenities. Analysts see this as McDonald's trying to move into Starbucks' territory, or differentiate themselves from the other fast food stand-by's. Both of these perspectives are only partly true. The underlying motivation is much grander and has been on McDonald's mind for two decades.
In my review of Five Guys Burger and Fries, I discussed something that I've been mulling for time. Namely, the stratification of dietary classes in America. As time goes on, and scale drives the price and quality of certain foods ever lower, we'll have the lower class eating total garbage that costs almost nothing, and anyone who can afford it will be eating better and better.
As with the Arch Deluxe so many years ago, this is McDonald's trying to prevent that future from becoming reality. Because in this economic mechanism, anyone who competes on price will be actively pushed downmarket, resulting in ever-thinner profits, and lower-SES customers. When fast food was simply fast food, something everyone ate now and then, this future wasn't a threat. But now, with fast food being further segmented into high and low-quality, it's a game of musical chairs to see who can get away from the low-end more quickly.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Onward: How Starbucks Didn't Change Much At All
I'm sure by now that many of you are aware that Howard (I keep wanting to call him Charles) Schultz has written a book. It's hard to miss; it's prominently displayed in every Starbucks on the planet. It's supposedly about how Starbucks realized that it had lost its way, found its "soul" once more and has since enjoyed success. Umm, ok. I'll play along.
I managed to get my hands on a copy of the internal Cliff's Notes passed out to employees, which included a a synopsis of the book and some, hehe, talking points. Now, before I go any further, I want to stress that I enjoy going to Starbucks, and among fast food, the service is, without doubt, the best.
The first, third, and fourth talking points are all pretty standard fare. It's the second point that I find almost laugh-out-loud ridiculous? Not your standard business book? You don't read many business books, do you? That's, like, the formula for business books. Not only that, it's the formula for any interview on any news program of anyone who has ever been associated with business at some point in their life. Either that or it's an incredibly truncated essay on To Kill a Mockingbird.
And on that first point, I find Starbucks' rediscovering of their soul to be almost entirely semantic. All of their actions are couched in quasi-spiritual terms, but strip those away, and everything that Starbucks did is standard operating procedure for a food service company trying to reinvigorate sales. They beefed up their marketing and drastically revamped their food selection. Their "re-training" of baristi did nothing. Truly, multiple coffee comparisons came out after the training sessions declaring Starbucks to be far from #1. Moreover, I had lattes from two separate locations the day after training. One was from an anchored location inside of a supermarket, which did not receive training, and another full location that did receive training. This was as direct a comparison as could be hoped for. The post-training latte was terrible. The milk foam was coarse and overly hot and the espresso tasted burnt. I'm assuming that the machine was simply not calibrated, but you'd think they would have made a point to do this right after the much-ballyhooed event.
The ordeal seems to me like they conjured up good-sounding words to describe what they were doing, then handed the entire thing over to people who couldn't have given less of a shit about soul or mission, and simply did what they knew would work, because their "food service 101" text book from business school had an entire section on it.
Oh, and if you're thinking that My Starbucks Idea is somehow an example of Starbucks bucking standard business practices, you're quite mistaken. I submitted ideas to that website and read hundreds more. Any ideas that could have been truly revolutionary, inventive, or otherwise disruptive never made it anywhere, regardless of the number of votes that it received. It's not just me saying this, Brand Autopsy, which is run by a guy who used to work for Starbucks, analyzed the "success" early last year. It's not pretty. Starbucks didn't even offer free WiFi when that article was written, even though customers demanded it, and it had already been offered at local cafes since sometime in the High Middle Ages. Oh yeah. Really rocking the boat there, Starbucks.
Again, Starbucks should ditch its high-falutin' language, it does no one any good, and recognize what they are. They are fast food for people who don't want to be seen with a bag from McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts. That's obviously a big market. And I would know. I'm frequently seen with a Starbucks bag. | <urn:uuid:ad2f0cc9-3615-4d41-b53e-405e40facbb8> | http://thewaterygourmet.blogspot.com/2011/05/ | en | 0.977263 | 0.081257 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Why did Isaiah preach naked?
Questions? - Our Newsletter
QUESTION: Why would God ask Isaiah the prophet to preach naked for three years?
ANSWER: We can find our answer regarding the naked preaching of Isaiah in the book named after him. The Scripture you are referring to is below.
In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and he fought against Ashdod and took it; At that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and take the sackcloth off your loins, and take your shoe off your foot." And he did so, walking naked and barefoot (Isaiah 20:1 - 2, HBFV)
The nudity of Isaiah was a sign that not only would the Assyrians overcome Egypt and Ethiopia, they would make all prisoners (regardless of age) march into captivity completely naked (Isaiah 20:3 - 4)!
Are there modern day prophets?
The fascinating life of Isaiah!
Can anyone preach the gospel?
As you can see, the God of the Universe had a reason for telling Isaiah to do this. He was giving a sign and warning to the Egyptians and Ethiopians that would make them afraid to do the things they were doing. He was showing them in this prophetic action that they would become slaves of the Assyrians under Sargon's family.
Prophet Isaiah
The Prophet Isaiah
Fra Bartolomeo, c. 1516
Sargon II was an Assyrian king who began the offensive to destroy the lands of the south including the Holy Land, Egypt and Ethiopia, which was the dream of his father Tilgath-pileser. Sargon took the name which means "God has appointed the king" but he died in battle or by homicide. Sargon's son, Sennacherib, continued his father's goal of destroying Egypt by bringing the empire's borders to the Nile Delta region.
Pharaoh Psamsik of the 26th Dynasty tried to reunite his country for a time but then the Babylonians, and later the Persians, invaded Assyria and took over their empire. The land became a Persian satrapy for a time when Cambyses conquered it. This all happened in the days following the fall of Samaria and the deportation of the Israelites to the land of the Medes and Assyrians.
The Kingdom of Judah, which existed in the southern part of what we call the Holy Land, were to be the next ones to be conquered and made slaves to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. The Assyrians today are the people who inhabit eastern Europe and Austria.
The captivity and enslavement of Israelites will happen again just before the return of Jesus Christ at his second coming and this is the message Isaiah was showing those who would listen. The Bible always has a former and latter fulfillment.
Egypt was one of the greatest empires in history. At the time of Isaiah the prophet, the 18th, 19th and probably the twentieth dynasties had already been on the throne and died. The empire, however, was already beginning to weaken as Libyan or Ethiopian pharaohs were on the throne but for them to think that they could ever be enslaved was a laughable thing.
Many were led away in abject slavery and were treated poorly by the rest of the inhabitants of the known world. Arabians captured them even as late as the 18th and 19th centuries to be sold as slaves to other nations. These slave ships were the most shameful behavior in all of human history.
God had Isaiah deliver his message naked and out of control, which is considered one of the most shameful things to happen to a man, so that the peoples of Egypt and Ethiopia would know what could (and would) happen to them.
Additional Study Materials
World empires from Babylon to the Beast!
Prophecy between the Testaments!
Why did the disciples preach in pairs?
What is the table of nations?
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Sunday, November 03, 2013
You Gotta Lock That Down
So my high school 20th class reunion was great. Yada yada. There are pictures and comments all over Facebook. Really, I did have a wonderful time. It was all the usual things you hear about 20th reunions- surreal, awesome, crazy, etc.
Let's stick with the story of things I normally talk about on this blog. Like dating and men.
My reunion was quite surreal for me because of the men. I'm not used to having a lot of men hit on me. It's just not something that has ever happened before. So to have multiple men give me their cards and suggest we go out sometime was... bizarre.
The comments, compliments, and interests from men (most of whom I did not actually know in high school) was just not normal. It was incredibly flattering and ego-boosting. I'm just really not used to such behaviors.
It got me to thinking. Why has this sort of thing never, not once, happened to me with Mormon guys?
I have some theories.
Several men gave me their numbers or cards. This is not uncommon with non-Mormon guys. They give you their card, and ask for yours. The way I see it, they give you their number, rather than ask you out, or ask for your number. If you are interested, you call. If you are not, it saves them the hassle of trying to play the games of figuring out if you were hard to reach, just being polite, playing hard to get, etc. Makes perfectly good sense to me.
Mormon guys? I've never seen this technique in play. (I think they should adopt it.)
Another popular theory I hear about Mormon men, (and I absolutely agree with), particularly in singles wards, is that Mormon men don't have the pressure of wondering how/when they will ever see the woman again. A guy "in the wild" (a bar, a party, store, etc.,) never know if/when they may encounter her again. So they dive into conversations and make a move faster. But a guy in a singles ward, knows the girl will be back the next week. There will always be more places and ways to see her. The get-to-know-you stuff that would take the first 5 dates with a non-Mormon, are covered in non-committal, hallway conversation without ever having to make it clear whether or not you are interested, with someone from church.
Because Mormon guys can always rely on the expectation that they will see the girl again, they have little to no incentive to "lock that down" with the girl. When a guy meets a girl "in the wild," he is far more motivated to do what it takes to "lock that down."
1. Anonymous7:59 PM
awesome! Now you have options and can "lock that down." I'm happy to hear that the reunion was so great for you.
2. I also graduated in '93 and was the only unmarried single at my 20th reunion. Unfortunately for me I graduated from "Hicksville Southern Utah High School" so all the men who attended were already taken and no one tried to hit on me. Guess there's something to be said for the benefits of alcohol at any social event outside Utah. I still had fun, though. I'm really enjoying your writing keep posting!
Thanks for leaving a comment!
Working Girl
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The Rising Cost of Healthcare: Ethics Review Paper
Could you please help me with this paper, I have included my outline. Thank You!
Current Ethical Issue in Business Paper
Research an article on an issue that deals with business ethics:
Briefly summarize the issue in a 1050 to 1400-word paper in which you identify the ground rules manifested in the situation as well as which ethics theories apply. What seems to be the basis of the issue? What ethical change, deficiency, or conflict brought it about? How did the organizational leadership come into play? Propose a plan for revising the ethical standards and the communication of these standards in order to resolve the issue. Be sure to include the citation of the article for reference, and attach a copy of the article to your paper.
Use in-line citations when either directly quoting the article or when paraphrasing information from it.
Current Ethical Issue in Business
I. Description of Situation
A. Outline the Case
B. Discuss the Charges
C. Give opinion of situation
II. Ethical Theory
A. Ethical conflict
B. Illegal but unethical?
III. Organizational Leadership discussion
IV. Discussing this within The Organization
A. Training
B. Communicating with employees
C. Updating and signing documentation
V. Conclusion
© BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com October 25, 2018, 1:53 am ad1c9bdddf
Solution Preview
Dear Student,
As always, I am going to make a sample solution for you which follows the outline you presented. I have a concern about the article though - since this is a business ethics analysis, the ethical issue in question in the article must be one from a business/organizational viewpoint. As it stands, this article is about a social issue and while it has organizational considerations, it presented an ethnographic viewpoint that needed and industry-critique as well as a business analysis instead of just a business practice critique. The solution I made had to do that and therefore had to exceed the word count. If this were, say, an article that criticised health care provision in an organization, it would have been better for the purpose you were asked. But, no matter, the solution has made do with the demands of the essay. It's up to you to use this solution as best befitting your needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message. Good luck!
OTA 105878/Xenia Jones
Ethical Issues in Business Analysis: Rising Cost of Healthcare
The Article: Premise, Charges & Opinion
The article reviewed, 'The Quiet Crisis: The Rising Cost of HealthCare' is an ethnographic compilation of personal accounts brought together to present a messy picture that bring details of a particular social phenomenon to the readers - in this case, the state of American Healthcare System. While primarily qualitative, certain figures are presented - 47 million Americans without health insurance, results of a quantitative survey in relation to American Medical Cost. The article presents a picture of a medical care system in need of what respondents believe to be an overhaul as Healthcare is a basic right of every American as guaranteed by the Constitution. The article presents a bleak picture of the current state of healthcare in that premiums continue to rise and, even for those who are healthy, just to avoid the risk of not being medically insured, they make do with the rising costs despite having to move their budgets around to accommodate medical insurance premiums. Some due to the expense prefer to let go of certain insurance coverages to be among the millions underinsured. For the purpose of coverage a huge number get tied to certain jobs or certain lifestyles, unable to move forward in their lives for fear of losing coverage. Elder Americans dissatisfied with the system pay as much as a $1000 premium each month, seeing their savings depleted due to their health insurance cost. The article presented a rather depressing picture and timely background for the current Healthcare Debate in America in the midst of Pres. Barack Obama's Healthcare revamp bid. In the last few months, all across America from school gymnasiums, town halls to local diners - people have discussed and debated the government healthcare reform bill, with a number against and another number for the changes.
On an annual basis, the US is said to be 'wasting' about $800 billion of the $2.5 trillion spent annually. Even then, unlike European countries like the UK and Germany, the US does not have a universal coverage where public healthcare is provided to all residents and is free supported by taxation. As a point of example the UK spends 8.5% (about 110.5 billion GBP) of its GDP on public Healthcare towards the NHS or the National Health Service. British residents do not need to pay for exorbitant health care coverage as it is already covered via public welfare. The US government on the other hand provides free healthcare via Medicare for those aged 65 and above, for low-income parents, children, pregnant women and people with certain disabilities. For families who do not qualify yet still need assistance, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-Chip) can be used. Lastly, military veterans are also provided via the government healthcare scheme. Everybody else are either provided for in terms of healthcare coverage by their employees (well-off corporations and the Federal government have the best coverage possible for employees) or must secure health insurance themselves. With the rising medical costs, premiums have gone up and people struggle ...
Solution Summary
The solution is an article review. The article pertains to the ethical debate on the rising cost of healthcare in the US. The solution is a sample paper that follows the outline presented (see origina lproblem) zeroing in on the subject matter of the article with the charges laid out - what the article is about, an opinion on the narrative and an analysis of the ethical elements of the debate using the ethical theories of Contractualism, Utilitarianism and Contextualism. Legal Issues as well as Organizational elements of the Insurance and health Industry is also discussed in relation to rising costs of healthcare from a sociological perspective. The solution follows the APA-format and is alenthy but comprehensive 2,437 wordpaper. References are provided (both web and print). A word version is attached for easy printing.
See Also This Related BrainMass Solution
What should the balance be between expenditures and quality of life in the case of chronic and terminal illness?
I need help getting started.
How should scarce health resources be allocated and used? What should the balance be between expenditures and quality of life in the case of chronic and terminal illness?
1. Support your position with evidence.
2. Link medical ethics to your answer when appropriate.
3. Site the sources you used in addressing the question.
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Part I
A Definition, courtesy of Merriam-Webster...
Function: noun
Date: 1597
1a: the action or process of entrapping
1b: the condition of being entrapped
2: the action of luring an individual into committing a crime in order to prosecute the person for it
Part II
Also, a damn good movie, IMHO.
Catherine Zeta-Jones (mmm) plays an insurance agent who charms her way into doing business with Sean Connery in the role of an aging thief (eh, he's still pretty hot, though!) In preparation for a joint heist, she has to suffer through a rigorous training camp in order to gain his trust. Romance injects itself the picture, of course, complicating promises and roles and setting up a situation that is bound to nice assend up disappointing one of them.
Genre: Thriller (Has something to thrill everyone, including some great shots of CZJ's booty!)
Duration: 2 hrs. 10 min.
Rating: PG-13 (for language, sensuality, violence, drug content)
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
US Release Date: April 30, 1999
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Sean Connery
Will Patton
Maury Chaykin
Ving Rhames
Jon Amiel
Michael Hertzberg
Rhonda Tollefson
Sean Connery
Ronald Bass
William Broyles, Jr.
Michael Hertzberg
Phil Meheux
Christopher Young
Terry Rawlings
Production Designer:
Norman Garwood
Entrapment - 1999 - DVD Special Edition - Directed by Jon Amiel
Running Time: 113 minutes. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA.
Special Features:
Technical Features:
The extras on this DVD are weak. The deleted scenes (there are 2) add nothing to the DVD. One is an extension of the car chase scene, the other features Catherine Zeta-Jones walking around in her apartment and has no sound. There is director commentary for both, but it's just him explaining why these two scenes weren't in the film.
The alternate ending isn't really an alternate ending. It's the regular ending, cut a minute or two short, with the last shot freeze-framed, and then a fade out.
The featurette is just the HBO special on the making of Entrapment. Interesting, but nothing special.
Curious. This got voted down not five minutes after I posted it.
Apparently someone really likes the extras on this DVD.
Enough to waste a vote, anyway.
More DVD Reviews
entrapment is also a legal term usually used to argue that the defendent would not have committed the crime if it weren't for the pressure of undercover police (or other agents). Such activity by the police is also known as random virtue testing.
Chief Justice Lamar of the Supreme Court of Canada laid down this restriction on police activity in R. v. Barnes (1991):
"...the police may only present the opportunity to commit a particular crime to an individual who arouses a suspicion that he or she is already engaged in the particular criminal activity. An exception to this rule arises when the police undertake a bona fide investigation directed at an area where it is reasonably suspected that criminal activity is occurring. When such location is defined with sufficient precision, the police may present any person associated with the area with the opportunity to commit the particular offence."
In addition, Canadian local Judge P.C.J. Gibson in the case of R. v. Marriott (1996) that "the onus is on the prove on a balance of probabilities that entrapment occurred"
According to New York State Penal Law Section 40.05 an entrapment defense is valid if "a substantial risk that the offense would be committed by a person not otherwise disposed to commit it".
There is currently an international debate concerning the avoidance of entrapment in police efforts to catch paedophiles online.
In American criminal law, "entrapment" is usually defined as:
Government agents inducing individuals to commit crimes that they otherwise would not commit (Samaha 307).
Entrapment, like many other aspects of the American legal system, is something everyone "knows" about but that few people really know about. Most people are familiar with entrapment because they have seen the oft-repeated scenario on television in which a prostitute asks a john whether or not he is a police officer and is quick to remind him that if he does not answer honestly and the transaction proceeds, it is entrapment. (Alternately, a female officer undercover is approached by a john and the above exchange proceeds with the appropriate roles and words reversed.) I wonder how many solicitation arrests are made annually thanks to this bit of misinformation that many people seem to accept as gospel. To understand why this view is incorrect, however, a few semantic points must be addressed.
First and foremost, entrapment is what is known as an affirmative defense. An affirmative defense is one in which the burden of proof shifts from the prosecution to the defense. It's a pretty basic idea to understand: you make a claim, you support it with evidence. It's not up to the other side to disprove your claim. This is why criminal defendants are legally presumed innocent until proven is not merely enough for the prosecution to make a charge and then tell the defense "prove you didn't kill the Pope and rape 18 cows." Affirmative defenses, however, reverse the process because most of them tacitly necessitate at least a partial admission to the crime(s) at hand (in fact, defendants claiming total innocence are generally not permitted to use entrapment as a defense at trial on the state level). Aside from entrapment, other affirmative defenses include self defense, insanity, and duress (in which the principal actor is compelled to commit a crime by a third party under threat of loss of property or life). There are two tests used in the United States to determine if a defendant has sufficient legal grounding to mount an entrapment defense. The first (and more common) is what is known as the subjective test. There are two elements to the subjective test:
1. The government must create the intent;
2. The defendant must not be predisposed to criminal behavior.
The other (and far less common) test is known (predictably enough) as the objective test. There is only one element to this test:
1. Government actions compel a normally law-abiding person to engage in criminal behavior.
At first glance, the two competing measures don't really seem that different. The big difference, however, is the specific use of the word "intent" in the first element of the subjective test. Let's suppose there's a sting operation in which Officer Bill is working undercover as a crack dealer. The goal is to find someone looking for some crack, make specific arrangements for a transaction, and arrest the offender. This is a fairly common practice in law enforcement, and as such, there are certain guidelines that tell Bill what he can and cannot do during the course of this operation. If Bill's lucky, he might get a suspect to approach him and ask "man, you got any rock?" The process is fairly elementary from that point on. Bill is also allowed a certain amount of leeway to engage in encouragement; that is to say, Bill could make the first move. Encouragement is generally a poor method of going about it because the whole point of the operation is to get someone to make specific demands ("you want something, man?" "I'll give you $15 for some crack.") while the officer is suspposed to remain relatively passive or at the very least incredibly vague during the set up of the transaction. Bill could then move onto what is called active encouragement, in which he takes the initiative ("come on, man, I got crack for $15!").
Active encouragement is a very sticky situation for law enforcement, as you may very well imagine. Active encouragement is what lays the foundation for entrapment defenses. I'm sure you can see the issue here: since the government made the first move, it could be argued that they were the ones who placed the intent in the head of the defendant. The defendant just went along with the transaction for whatever reason. This is the first element of the subjective test for entrapment. Even if it is determined that the government originated the intent, there is still a way for the charge to hold: that way, of course, is the second element of the subjective test. If the defendant can be shown to be predisposed to criminal behavior (prior convictions for similar offenses, for example), then it is not much of a logical leap to assume that the defendant quite possibly could have developed the criminal intent on the basis of the fact that he or she is already a criminal. For an entrapment defense to be successful, the defense must satisfy both elements of the subjective test, which is the main reason why the familiar prostitute/cop scenario just doesn't work.
It goes without saying that a prostitute will be disinclined to solicit someone she knows to be a police officer, but that has nothing to do with intent or predisposition in the criminal sense. The police are and have always been allowed to use deception in the course of doing their job. Assuming the officer denies being a cop and the transaction were then to proceed -- as it almost certainly would -- then it is clear that the intent already existed. Why even ask if you weren't thinking of doing it anyway? An entrapment case like this is especially hard to build if the defendant was the one who initiated the contact, as is usually the case in large metropolitan areas. There is also the hurdle of the issue of criminal predisposition. To be fair, the government doesn't have carte blanche with this...receiving a citation for littering would in all probability not be considered evidence of predisposition in this specific case. However, prior convictions for similar crimes (solicitation, lewd behavior in public, etc.) would effectively demolish an entrapment defense in this instance. First offense cases would be a bit easier to handle since I can't imagine any prosecutor being allowed to retort "this wasn't her first offense, it was just the first time she got caught." Still, that takes us back to intent, which is the killer; we will see that predisposition is not always the greater test.
Up until the early part of the 20th century, entrapment was not permitted to be used as a defense for criminal actions. In People v. Mills (1904), a New York court declared:
The courts do not look to see who held out the bait, but to see who took it.
Though this had been the established norm in the United States since its legal system had even been created, it should be noted that most "entrappable" crimes are those that (generally) lack complaining victims: prostitution, most drug trafficking, some gambling, and so forth. Because of this distinct paucity of complaints (after all, who's going to call up the police station and say "officer, I just paid a woman to have sex with me, now take me away!"?), it is very difficult for law enforcement to, uh, enforce these laws. They have to catch perpetrators of these crimes in the act or else there's not going to be much point in trying to prosecute or arrest them. (To briefly digress, it is strictly speaking not against the law in this country to use illegal drugs. What is illegal (in most instances) is the possession of said drugs, which is why you'll often hear of charges such as "possession with intent to distribute" or "possession with intent to use.") But there came a tendency with the "changing times" (whatever that's supposed to mean) to frown upon this sort of encouragement in law enforcement, mainly because it began to seem as if the goal was not so much to catch regular criminals in the act as it was to create criminals out of normal citizens for the sole purpose of arresting them. It is against this backdrop that entrapment became an accepted legal defense.
To return to the issue of active encouragement, let us examine two cases. First, there's the case of Sherman v. United States. Sherman was a former heroin addict in rehab for treatment. An undercover agent in the same rehab center asked Sherman to get him some heroin. Though Sherman originally refused (he was, after all, trying to get treatment for his addiction), the agent made repeated requests over a period of several weeks and Sherman eventually agreed to do it. Predictably, he was arrested. However, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction, saying the government crossed the line from acceptable encouragement to unacceptable encouragement. The fact that he only agreed to get the heroin after weeks of begging shows he definitely lacked the intent to commit the crime. Likewise, though he was a heroin addict (which implies he had to have acquired the heroin he formerly used illegally), the special circumstance of his being in rehab shows that he lacked the necessary predisposition to commit the crime.
Next, there's the case of Jacobson v. United States, which isn't quite as clear cut since it concerns a crime most of us don't consider victimless: child pornography. In 1984, Jacobson ordered two magazines (called Bare Boys I and Bare Boys II) from a catalogue dealing with homosexual pornography. Though he had apparently expected pictures of 18-21 year old men, the magazines contained nude photographs of young boys. At that time, however, such materials were not illegal since they did not depict the children in sexual situations. A few months afterwards, it did become illegal. After attaining Jacobson's name from the bookstore from which he had received the magazines, the government began a campaign of Kafkaesque proportions lasting for more than two and a half years to see whether or not Jacobson would be inclined to break the then-new law.
First, the government sent Jacobson a letter from a fake organization called the American Hedonist Society that claimed to be dedicated to "the right to seek pleasure without restrictons being placed on us by an outdated morality." Jacobson replied to the letter and filled out a survey in which he claimed to "enjoy" the idea of "pre-teen sex" but then remarked that he did not like or engage in pedophilia. Next, the government sent him a letter from a fake company called Midlands Data Research that sought to gauge his interest in "the joys of sex and the complete awareness of those lusty and youthful lads and lasses of the neophite age." Jacobson responded by asking for "more information" and then asked that his name be kept confidential. The government then sent him a letter from the fake Heartland Institute for a New Tomorrow, which claimed to be working against "arbitrarily imposed legislative sanction(s) restricting ... sexual freedom" and sent him another survey in which he indicated he was somewhat but not highly interested in homosexual pre-teen sex. The fake HINT organization replied immediately and gave him a list of pen pals with whom he could correspond if he so chose, but Jacobson never replied. Regardless of this fact, the government sent him yet another letter, this time from someone calling himself Carl Long and purporting to be a new pen pal. The two exchanged letters and Jacobson said he was interested in "good looking young guys (late teens and early 20's) doing their thing." After two letters -- neither of which made any mention of child pornography -- , Jacobson discontinued the correspondence.
After that, the US Customs Service received Jacobson's name from the Postal Service for inclusion in their own child pornography sting known as Operation Borderline. At this point, it may be worth noting that the Postal Service had no evidence that Jacobson had received or solicited information from any non-government child pornography organization. As Operation Borderline commenced, Jacobson received a letter from yet another fake government organization, this one claiming to be a Canadian company called Produit Outaouais, in which he was given another catalogue featuring children engaging in sexual activity. He placed an order with Produit Outaouais which was never filled and the exact nature of the materials ordered are unknown. Presumably, the materials were not child pornography as the operation continued and Jacobson was never brought in for charges relating to the Produit Outaouais order. The Postal Service sent him a letter from still another bogus organization, this one being called the Far Eastern Trading Company Ltd. The gist of the letter was that it was foolish for the US government to be concerned with pornography coming onto its shores rather than the illegal drugs that were routinely flooding it. The letter also claimed that only a judge could order the opening of mail in America, so he would have nothing to worry about if he ordered from them. Eventually Jacobson ordered something called "Boys Who Love Boys" and he was arrested immediately after receiving it.
When he was arrested in 1987, the government searched his home and found no sign of any child pornography or anything that would suggest an interest in it beyond the now copious amounts of letters and correspondences from the various fake government organizations. He claimed he placed the order for the Boys Who Love Boys magazine because the description of it was vague and he was curious as to what all the "hysteria" was over. Jacobson was convicted at trial with his entrapment defense discarded and his first appeal was denied with his conviction being upheld. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction on the grounds of entrapment, stating "government agents may not originate a criminal design," as they had gone to labyrinthian efforts to do in this instance. In a dissenting opinion, Sandra Day O'Connor pointed out that Jacobson was only offered two opportunities by the government to buy such materials and he did so both times. I personally think this line of argument is true in a semantic sense, but it misses the point: would he have ordered the materials if he had not already had nearly 3 full years of repeated goading from the government? When he was arrested, the government found nothing -- aside from that which they had sent him -- that indicated he had any interest whatsoever in child pornography. However, because feelings about this issue are (rightly) very high, there is a very reactive desire to punish those who would even slightly entertain ordering such material. Still, the government's interest in testing the new law was exponentionally higher than Jacobson's somewhat passive interest in objectionable pornographic publications. Jacobson v. United States is a controversial case -- after all, the vote on the court was 5-4, with the Chief Justice counted among the dissenters -- but it is nevertheless an important one in balancing the right of the government to zealously and effectively prosecute criminals with the right of the individual to not be entrapped.
Works cited:
Samaha, Joel. Criminal Law: Sixth Edition. West/Wadsworth, 1999.
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Coleridge’s Alternative for British Capitalism
Coleridge and the end of Christian economics
by Gwydion M. Williams
Adam Smith’s Civilised Paganism
Middle-England, Muddle-England
Coleridge’s lost alternative
Adam Smith’s Civilised Paganism
In the 18th century, there was good reason to think that society was outgrowing Christianity. One person who certainly saw things that way was Adam Smith. Those who suppose that the collapse of ‘family values’ started in the 1960s or the 1920s or the 1900s, or that the rot set in with Darwinism revealing our identity as just another animal, should take a good look at what the ‘prophet of capitalism’ was saying some two hundred years ago, in an epoch that now seems to us very stable and restrictive :-
‘In pastoral countries, and in all countries where the authority of the law is not alone sufficient to give perfect security to every member of the state, all the different branches of the same family commonly chuse (sic) to live in the neighbourhood of one another. Their association is frequently necessary for their common defence. They are all, from the highest to the lowest, of more or less importance to one another… The remotest members of the same tribe claim some connection with one another; and, where all other circumstances are equal, expect to be treated with more distinguished attention than is due to those who have no such pretensions. It is not many years ago that, in the Highlands of Scotland, the Chieftain used to consider the poorest man of his clan, as his cousin and relation. The same extensive regard to kindred is said to take place among the Tartars, the Arabs, the Turkomans, and, I believe, among all other nations who are nearly in the same state of society in which the Scots Highlanders were about the beginning of the present century.
‘In commercial countries, where the authority of the law is always perfectly sufficient to protect the meanest man in the state, the descendants of the same family, having no such motive for keeping together, naturally separate and disperse, as interest or inclination may direct. They soon cease to be of importance to one another; and, in a few generations, not only lose all care about one another, but all remembrance of their common origin, and of the connection which took place among their ancestors. Regard for remote relations becomes, in every country, less and less, according as this state of civilisation has been longer and more completely established. It has been longer and more completely established in England than in Scotland; and remote relations are, accordingly, more considered in the latter country than the former, though, in this respect, the difference between the two countries is growing less and less every day.’ (The Theory of Moral Sentiments, VI.ii.1.12 to VI.ii.1.13. Pages 222 to 223 of the Glasgow edition. Emphasis added.)
Oddly enough, Smith does not ask if this process is still going on. He never raises the issue of whether the family ties of his day would one day seem as odd to future Britons as Highland clan ties seemed to him.
People in the 18th century had an understanding of ‘family’ that stretched well beyond the nuclear family that is favoured nowadays. Does this not suggest an ongoing process, a logical consequence of civilisation and commercial society? Smith noticed it in his own day, and we in ours. And the cause is exactly the same thing – a freer and more mobile society loosening bonds of kinship that were once an absolute necessity.
Smith may have taken the situation of his own day to be the ‘end of history’, at least as far as family values were concerned. Alternatively it is possibly that Smith did foresee and chose not to say. Quite what value he personally put on family ties is hard to judge. His own father died before he was born, so he was raised in a one-parent family, a set-up that seems to have done him no harm. For much of his life he lived with his mother and with a female cousin, outliving them by only a few years. He never married, even after he had a sufficiently large and secure income which would have made marriage the normal option for a man of his class and standing. He did however go through the formality of adopting one of his nephews as his heir, a procedure that few people today would bother with.
I’ve no idea whether or not Smith would have been dismayed by the vast weakening of family ties that has occurred since his time. We know much less about him than we might wish. His friends carried through a very thorough destruction of his personal papers, letters, unfinished or unpublished works etc. He had asked them in his will to do exactly that. An equally thorough destruction was carried out on the personal papers of his close friend David Hume, as requested in Hume’s his own will. Hume was always a major intellectual influence, possibly even the true inventor of the ideas that Smith developed and wrote up in The Wealth of Nations.
Precisely because we have so little of Smith or Hume beyond the published works, we can not tell very much about their private feelings. The destruction need not imply anything sinister or odd, and indeed one of Smith’s surviving letters does give a perfectly innocent and plausible explanation, a protection of the literary reputation by destroying second-rate or unfinished items. Replying to a friend who wished to publish some of Hume’s letters as part of a posthumous biography, Smith said ‘many things would be published not fit to see the light to the great mortification of all those who wish well to his memory. Nothing has contributed so much to sink the value of Swifts work as the undistinguished publication of his letters; and be assured that your publication, however select, would soon be followed by an undistinguished one.’ (Correspondence, letter 181.)
Whatever his private life or view of the family, Adam Smith was certainly no believer in Christian doctrine, except in a purely formal and nominal sense. And Hume was widely recognised as a covert underminer of conventional beliefs about God. This was true even when Smith read one of Hume’s books as a student at Oxford, long before he got to know the man himself. Hume was quintessentially a spreader of doubt to those who had previously been solid in their faith. He had actually been sent from Glasgow to Oxford with a view to a career in the Church of England. But in a fit of youthful rebellion he rejected this schema and became instead a Moral Philosopher and founder of the doctrine of Free Trade.
(If anyone doubts my word on Smith and Hume, let them check what was said about him by The Times of 24th July 1790, conveniently quoted in in C.R.Fay’s Adam Smith. ‘The Church seemed an improper profession, because he had early become a disciple of Voltaire in matters of religion.’ Voltaire had said ‘If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him’ – a shade closer to atheism than Smith’s own candid views. But The Times was clearly signalling to those ‘in the know’ what Smith had really believed.
The Times also says ‘Dr Smith’s system of Political Economy is not essentially different from that of Count Verri, Dean Tucker and Mr Hume; his illustrations are chiefly collected from the valuable collection sur les arts et metiers’. This last is better known as Diderot’s encyclopaedia, the main source of Smith’s famous example of pin manufacture. Diderot was second only to Voltaire in undermining 18th century Christianity and spreading Enlightenment values.
Middle-England, Muddle-England
People today have lost their sense of community. This was the result of greed, arrogance and folly by our former ruling class, a process that has been going on for more than two hundred years. Britain in the 18th century was under no pressure to start the Industrial Revolution. It was already the richest part of Europe – though not as rich as China, according to Adam Smith. Since no one in China cared what was happening in such a far-away place as Britain, and no part of Europe was able to compete, a more gradual and gentler industrialisation would have been a perfectly sensible option.
We ourselves may or may not be glad that there was no ‘Industrial Evolution’ that would have preserved 18th century values and used the new possibilities of production with more restraint. But it is certain that no one back then would have let the new forces develop unchecked had they fully known what it would lead to.
As it happened, a large proportion of the ruling class chose to plunge into an unknown future, to unleash the forces of trade and industry without regard for the consequences. The only possible stabilising force in 18th century Britain was Church of England Christianity. A lot of the ruling class were Deists, sceptics or lapsed Puritans who had sold out their ideals for very large amounts of cold cash. And this ruling class formed a strange alliance with various Puritan or Nonconformist sects, who also accepted no responsibility for maintaining a society that they saw as hopelessly lapsed, wicked and un-Christian. Nonconformity in religion was a logical basis for economic non-conformity, given that the attempt to remake Britain on Puritan lines had been defeated.
There were other factors. The Industrial Revolution is most commonly held to have started in the early 1760s. This matches nicely with the Seven Years War, 1756 to 1763, which included the ‘wonderful year’ of 1759, the point at which British world hegemony became definite. The whole process of war and high taxes was highly successful economically, whatever one might think of it morally. And there was a further advance of British industry during the Napoleonic Wars. Also the brief surge of economic prosperity after the Great World War, before speculation and ‘sound financial management’ pushed the world into the Great Slump. And the sustained and utterly unprecedented prosperity after World War Two and all through the Cold War, an epoch that is now ending.
Coleridge’s lost alternative
There was a time when society might have been consolidated on some other basis. Britain might have modernised and industrialised while still remaining a Christian country. There were many who wanted to keep it Christian, not in the sense of restricting or persecuting other religions, but simply by treating its own official creed with a greater degree of seriousness. As one writer put it, in the economic depression just after the end of the Napoleonic Wars :-
‘If we are a Christian nation, we must learn to act nationally, as well as individually, as Christians. We must remove half-truths, the most dangerous of errors (as those of the poor visionaries called Spenceans) by the whole truth.’
The writer was Samuel Taylor Coleridge, mostly remembered now for his poetry, which seemed very strange and irregular in his own day. For a long time, his philosophical writings counted for at least as much as the poems. But his challenge to act seriously as Christians was not taken up. Society moved in other directions, turning his philosophy into an historic curio.
The de-Christianising of Britain was not due to any lack of perception on Coleridge’s part. Writing in 1817, shortly after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, he was quite able to see the alternatives. Back then, Robert Owen was still a philanthropic mill-owner rather than a political reformer, and nothing resembling modern socialism had yet emerged. The very word was not coined until the 1830s. The Spenceans, though soon superseded by new political movements, were the nearest British equivalent to modern socialism at the time he wrote.
Nor was the Social Left alternative all he saw. In a pamphlet that he wrote with Wordsworth on the early stages of Napoleon’s war in Spain, he correctly noted that something new had begun. Previously the French army had been fighting other armies, and won easy victories. Now they were fighting a whole people, and such a war was almost impossible to win. He did not use the term guerrilla, which had its origin in that conflict. But he grasped the essential concept in a way that eluded many subsequent observers. (The Americans in Vietnam, for instance.)
On economics, Coleridge was equally perceptive. He was hopelessly disorganised in his own personal life and private finances. But, as is so often the case, he was able to understand wider issues even though detailed matters slipped out of his grasp.
‘For taxation itself is a part of commerce, and government may be fairly considered as a great manufacturing house, carrying on in different places, by means of partners and overseers, the trades of the ship-builder, the clothier, the iron-founder etc. As long as a balance is preserved between the receipts and the returns of government… so long as does the wealth and circumstantial prosperity of the nation (its wealth, I say, not its real welfare) remain unaffected, or rather they will appear to increase in consequence of the additional stimulus given to the circulation itself by the reproductive action of all large capitals, and through the check which taxation, in its own nature, gives to the indolence of the wealthy in its continual transfer of property to the industrious and enterprising.’ (Coleridge, A Lay Sermon. 1817. Included in Political tracts of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Shelley. White, R. J. (editor). Cambridge at the University Press, 1955. Page 74.)
‘It was one among the many anomalies of the late war, that it acted, after a few years, as a universal stimulant. We almost monopolised the commerce of the world. The high wages of our artisans and the high price of agricultural produce intercirculate. Leases of no unusual length not seldom enabled the provident and thrifty farmer to purchase the estate he had rented. Everywhere might be seen roads, railways, docks, canals, made, making, and projected; villages swelling into towns, while the metropolis surrounded itself, and became, as it were, set with new cities. Finally, in spite of all the waste and havoc of a twenty years’ war, the population of the empire was increased by more than two millions!’ (Ibid, p 75-76)
‘Nevertheless, it was a truth susceptible of little less than mathematical demonstration, that the more, and more suddenly, the revenue was diminished by the abandonment of war-taxes, the greater would be the disturbance of the balance: so that the agriculturist the manufacturer, or the tradesman (all in short but annuitants and fixed stipendaries) who during the war having paid as five and fifteen, would shortly have less than ten after having paid but two and a half.
‘But there is yet another circumstance which we dare not pass by unnoticed. In the best of time – or what the world calls such – the spirit of commerce will occasion great fluctuations, some falling while others rise, and therefore in all times there will be a large sum of individual distress. Trades likewise have their seasons, and at all times there is a very considerable number of artificers who are not employed on the average more than seven or eight months in the year…’ (Ibid, p 76 – 77)
‘I am not ignorant that the power and circumstantial prosperity of the nation has been increasing during the same period, with an accelerating force unprecedented in any country… By facilitating the means of enterprise, it must have called into activity a multitude of enterprising individuals and a variety of talent that would otherwise have lain dormant… We shall, perhaps, be told too that the very evils of this system, even the periodic crash itself, are to be regarded but as so much superfluous steam ejected by the escape pipes and safety valves of a self-regulating machine: and lastly, that in a free and trading country all things find their level…
‘… it would be less equivocal and far more descriptive of the fact to say that things are always finding their level: which might be taken as the paraphrase or ironical definition of a storm… But persons are not things – but man does not find his level. Neither in body nor in soul does the man find his level!’ (Ibid, p 102)
‘Am I disposing of a bale of goods? The man whom I most love and esteem must yield to the stranger who outbids him; or if it be sold on credit, the highest price, with equal security, must have preference.’ (ibid, p 111)
‘Within the last sixty years, or perhaps a somewhat larger period (for I do not pretend to any nicety of dates, and the documents are of easy access, there have occurred at intervals of about twelve or thirteen years each, certain periodic revolutions of credit. Yet revolution is not the precise word. To state the thing as it is, I ought to have said, certain gradual expansions of credit ending in sudden contractions… in mercantile language, a crash…’ (Ibid, page 101)
Sixty years from 1817 is 1757, quite close to the commonly accepted date for the start of the Industrial Revolution. The editor of the 1955 edition correctly notes that Coleridge was perceptive enough to ‘include in his survey of the contemporary discontents a vivid description of what we now call ‘the trade cycle’.’
Coleridge understood a lot of what was going on in the Britain of his day. And he asked the ruling class to act as if they were serious about their Christianity. But of course they never had been, and never were. Coleridge in his conservative phase was unwilling to face up to this. The ‘top people’ wanted a religion that would make no real demands on them, and that was unwise. If the ruling class is visibly exempt from the sanctions of religion, and if they visibly continue to prosper, why should the rest of the society go on believing?
A wiser and more far-sighted ruling class would have made a better pretence of Christian virtue. They would have been preserving their own future, and Britain as we now know it would never have come into existence. But given frequent reassurances by the free traders that all was well, why should they bother?
The attempt by the Roman Catholic Church to rally anti-capitalist forces under its own banner in the late 19th century was never very likely to succeed. Just the fact of it being under the papal banner put off a lot of people who might have rallied to some more ecumenical message. The sort of thing that Coleridge offered a basis for, but which never really got its act together.
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| <urn:uuid:53169cb2-c6e0-4ab2-ad69-d74eeba4a746> | https://joblink.delaware.gov/ada/r/jobs/476698 | en | 0.904467 | 0.037623 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Translating Appointments+ frontend
I want to translate Appointments+ frontend to Brazilian Portuguese (pt_BR).
I am familiar with .po files and PoEdit. I have found the appointments.pot file in the plugin folder, but it seems to be for the WP-Admin side.
Is there another file somewhere? Also.. is there an already translated appointments.pt_BR.po file somewhere? | <urn:uuid:fed48611-6614-4846-9e8c-9f7cdad9c2c5> | https://premium.wpmudev.org/forums/topic/translating-appointments-frontend | en | 0.93 | 0.254605 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
For Us, The Living
I recently listened to the unabridged audio of Robert Heinlein's "For Us, The Living", which I got from my public library. Some things struck me as profound, while other either through the lense of nearly another century of history, or possibly logically failings of my own, struck me as overly simplified.
Lets start with the profound. This was, at least on its face, a Sci-Fi novel. But looking at the things Heinlein assumes we will and will not be able to achieve in 150 years (from 1939) struck me as odd. Flying cars common place, but no space travel. World wide face to face comms, but no internet to speak of. This perspective is obviously informed from nigh a century of extra history, in which we've solved some of the "impossible" issues, while we're still struggling with some of the "simple" issues. I guess these disconnects do more to illustrate the thinking of the 1930's and the views of what was and was not possible than to show what we have and have not done. My explorations in Sci-Fi from the first half of the 20th century show this as a constant.
The other thing I fond both worth writing about was the approach to social and economics issues that Heinlein proposes. My first reaction to is that it seems to be some strange, and yet functional form of Libertarian Socialism. The blending of the two ideas seems inherently impossible, and yet this society he creates appears to work, and well. I think even my categorization of it is unfair to most involved. I think that most Libertarians would object to being associated with this, because of the ongoing reliance on handouts from the government, and the rather high taxes. I think most Socialists would object because of the ongoing existence of private property and the seeking of individual wealth. But I those are likely folks attached only to an ideal, not the objective behind it. Would not the Libertarian be happy with how restrained the government is in how it regulates individual freedoms? The only crimes being direct harm to another. Wouldn't the Socialist be happy with the standard of living created for all? Healthcare, food, education, all provided to anyone. But this is also where I start to get fuzzy. I follow the logic that any currency not backed by something (gold, diamonds, turkeys, whatever) in inherently fiat. I also follow that it makes more sense to let an actual government do the printing of money than to let the banks do it. Maybe if someone had read this novel 25 years ago, the current state of the US could have been avoided. But I doubt it. The thing I have a hard time swallowing, outside the confines of the story, is that a government could be intelligent enough, and benevolent enough to actually pull of the controlled infusion of currency he describes. But it makes a good story. [Update 1]
Over all, I liked this book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys socio-political fiction, and classic Sci-Fi
Update 1
I've had more time to stew on this, and the other thing that continues to stick out to me is how overly simplified the economic models he uses as examples are. Especially how he assumes that business owners will only make a "reasonable profit". This assumes that business owners are aware of, and care about, the impact they're having on the overall economy (outside their customer base). This seems unlikely. Most business appear to operate in a mental bubble. Only first order inputs and outputs considered. It seems as if Heinlein assumes that the only "optimal" human beings will exist in his future. I guess that isn't all that different from any other Sci-Fi, where the creator assumes that humanity will evolve socially. We're closer to 2086 than we are to 1939, but I've yet to see any evidence of a mass move towards this enlightened state. | <urn:uuid:ce8d82a1-c1c9-49c3-b980-045a5de7fbdb> | https://reflections.x1101.net/posts/for-us-the-living/ | en | 0.972215 | 0.063834 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Autism and the Five Senses
Sharing an article on autism that I came across on Cynthia Ringoen’s website.
Autism is one of the most complicated and confusing labels that a child can be given. The reason it is so confusing is that it is a symptomatic label. This means there is no disease, as such, of autism, there are just unexplained symptoms manifested, and if a child displays enough of them they will receive the label.
There is also an entire continuum of labels related to autism such as: hyperlexic, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay), ASD (autism spectrum disorder), High Functioning Autism, Aspergers. What children with any of these labels usually have in common is sensory dysfunction. One or more of their senses are not functioning normally. It does no good to treat the symptoms when the underlying causes creating the symptoms are ignored. It is my belief that there are as many different reasons and combinations of reasons for the symptoms as their are children labeled. This is why I do no believe there will ever be a magic “cure,” many circumstances and combinations are the reason for autistic symptoms. In this article we will look at some of the more common ones.
Many children with these labels function with hypersensitive hearing. They are actually able to hear more than the average person. Some of them can hear sounds at such a high level it is actually painful, and can result in covering their ears, withdrawing from the situation or responding with very negative behavior. Even when the hearing isn’t overtly painful, it is often confusing. In a room full of people and activity not being able to filter out the important sounds from the background noises becomes extremely confusing. In order to learn to process auditory input you must first have access to consistent good quality auditory input. For these children they have never even had the opportunity to have good auditory input, and for many auditory input is a negative experience, therefore they learn to turn it off even more.
Symptoms of low auditory processing ability can include lack of speech, lack of communication, lack of intonation in the voice, inability to follow directions, difficulty conversing and understanding conversation. Behavior problems will be prevalent if the child is still experiencing pain with auditory pain and also if they are unable to sequential process according to their age level. For example, if you have an eight year old child with the processing ability of a two year old, you will experience the behavior problems you would expect to see with a two year old.
Addressing the underlying causes of problems in the auditory system are the avenue to pursue to eliminate the strange symptoms displayed. This may include taking care of any ear fluid or infections that could be contributing to the hearing ability. Doing daily activities that will improve the sequential processing ability and seek out methods of normalizing the hypersensitive hearing.
Some children with this label tend to do strange things with their vision. Many engage is something called sensory play. This can include spinning, twirling, or rocking things while watching. Shaking their head, tilting their heads, sitting too close to the t.v. screen, flipping book pages, and many other types of repetitive activities. They seem to never look right at you, but right through you instead. This is often a symptom of overdeveloped peripheral vision and underdeveloped detail vision. Peripheral vision is the vision we use to see out to the sides. When most people look at a picture you will notice in detail the picture, but a person with overdeveloped peripheral vision can appear to be looking at the picture, but they are actually seeing all the surrounding area and the picture itself is the background. So when a child with this problem looks at you, they are only seeing you when they are not looking right at you.
Detail or central vision is the vision we need to use to learn almost everything. When this is not developed properly a child cannot attend or process important information, but instead are focusing on the irrelevant.
Peripheral vision tunes in to edges and movement. This is why the above activities are so ‘fun’ for the child. They are playing with their vision—the vision channel that is working. But this is also detrimental. The more they enhance the peripheral vision or broken sensory channel, the more the central vision will suffer.
It is necessary to eliminate all visual sensory play and work to improve the ability to use the central/detail vision. As this improves you will notice better eye contact and then better tuning in visually to the environment around the child.
Often the children I see with these labels come with hypersensitive or hyposensitive touch sensations.
Generally, they tend to be hypersensitive to soft touch and this can manifest itself in tactile defensiveness. They might not like to be hugged or to be in close physical contact with others. This is not a rejection of the people, it is a physically uncomfortable feeling on their body from the contact. They may also be overly or underly sensitive to hot or cold. Some will not like the feel of water etc. On the other hand, many are not able to feel deep pressure. If you get past the rejection of the surface touch and get deeper they may not be able to hardly feel at all. This is why some children are so frustrating when you barely touch them they may cry, but when they take a fall and get badly hurt they don’t respond.
Again, it is necessary to address the underlying causes of these problems and help to normalize the brain’s ability to interpret touch sensations in an appropriate way. Inputting information is the key to improving all of the above functions. When the brain has received enough information through the senses, it can then organize it into meaningful information. When it begins to correctly interpret sensory information, the outward symptoms of “autism” begin to disappear.
Taste and Smell:
These can interfere with eating as well as general discomfort. Again, many children do not have a taste sensation-therefore they tend to eat anything such as rocks, dirt, etc. On the other hand, some receptors may be hypersensitive, therefore they will reject certain tastes and textures of food, and end up restricting their diets. Hypersensitive smell can also cause eating problems, as well as behavior problems in public if the smells are overwhelming or make the child feel ill.
For each function that is hyper or hypo sensitive it is necessary to identify it and make a specific plan to change it. As it changes, the symptoms begin to go away.
Almost all of the children I see with these labels are very intelligent, they just do not have access to their intelligence because of the severity of their sensory distortions.
Metabolic Problems:
The current research in Autism is finding more and more metabolic problems in connection with these kids. I am thoroughly convinced that almost 100% of children with this label have some type of problem with nutritional and/or physiological deficits. The problem for parents has been that there is constantly news of the new magic cure, the new magic pill to cure autism. As parents try one thing and another they become frustrated as it doesn’t work like magic for their child. I am positive that the reason this is happening is because there are as many different physiological problems as there are children, so if you happen to get the right magic pill it works, but for most it doesn’t.
So what is a parent to do. It is extremely important to address the metabolic problems, but how can you possibly figure it all out? …
The Path to Normalcy (whatever that is)
Children with this label are highly complicated. There are no easy, quick fixes. But there is hope and there is way to bring them as close to reaching their full potential as possible. It requires much dedication, consistency and hard work from the parents, but the rewards are immeasurable. Most programs available focus on one area of symptomology, i.e. sensory integration, or behavioral modification etc. But the reality is for the child to improve overall, every area must be assessed and addressed with an integrated type of program. All we know for sure is that if we do little, little will be accomplished. If we do much, more will be accomplished, the rest is up to God and his great wisdom.
by Cyndi Ringoen, BA, BS
copyright, 1999
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Eating algae, Stevia 2.0 and other nutrition trends for 2018
Special to The Washington Post
Last year was all about plant protein, sprouted foods and healthy fats. My prediction is that 2018 will be focused on eating to prevent and manage health conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and boosting digestive health.
This year's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo was held in Chicago and brought more than 13,000 nutrition professionals together to learn about food and nutrition research and innovation.
Here are the top food and nutrition trends you'll see in the year ahead.
Why it's a trend: Healthy fats are in, and in 2018 we'll home in on omega-9s (also known as monounsaturated fats) for their potential to regulate blood sugar levels and promote a healthy weight.
Where you'll see it: Algae has been touted as a superfood in its own right, but the newest use for algae is in the production of omega-9 cooking oil. The process doesn't use genetically modified organisms or chemical extraction, further broadening its appeal. Thrive algae oil is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. It has a high smoke point of 485 degrees, which means you can use it in baking, roasting and sauteing.
So what does algae oil taste like? It's completely neutral and odorless, so you can use it in any recipes where you want healthy fat without changing the flavor of the food.
Plant-based probiotics
Why it's a trend: Probiotics have been a hot topic in the nutrition world for several years. They're bacteria that provide health benefits such as better digestion and a stronger immune system. With plant-based eating becoming increasingly popular, people are looking for probiotic sources beyond yogurt and kefir.
Where you'll see it: GoodBelly dairy-free probiotics come in tasty shots, juice, infused drinks and bars so you can get your daily dose of good bacteria any way you like. All GoodBelly offerings feature bacteria strain Lp299v, which has been scientifically proved to survive stomach acid and arrive safely in the intestines, where it can colonize in the gut. In other words, these probiotics go beyond "live and active cultures" - they survive and thrive to give you health benefits.
Chicory root fiber
Why it's a trend: It's fantastic to introduce healthy bacteria into your digestive tract, but you also need to provide the right fuel to help those good bacteria thrive. That's where prebiotics come in.
Chicory root fibers (inulin and oligofructose) are the only scientifically proven plant-based prebiotics with proven health benefits such as weight management, improved calcium absorption and digestive health.
Where you'll see it: Expect to find chicory root fiber in a variety of foods, including nutrition bars (ThinkThin), yogurt (Oikos Triple Zero), smoothies and oatmeal. You can also find it as a powder (Prebiotin) that can be added to your food and beverages.
Eating for 'Type 3' diabetes
Why it's a trend: Alzheimer's disease is now being referred to as "Type 3 diabetes" and "brain diabetes," as both conditions involve insulin resistance and deficiency. In 2018, we'll be focusing more on the importance of eating for brain health.
Where you'll see it: A randomized control trial of the MIND (Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay) diet is looking into the benefits of a nutrient-rich diet emphasizing foods such as green leafy vegetables, nuts and berries in preventing Alzheimer's disease. Frozen blueberries are being given to participants because they are rich in antioxidants that may be beneficial for the brain, particularly when it comes to memory loss in aging.
Recent research published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that daily consumption of the equivalent of one cup of fresh blueberries, given as 24 grams of freeze-dried blueberry powder, showed positive changes in cognitive function in older adults over a placebo.
Expect to see blueberry powder as a supplement and blueberries being used to create condiments and sauces in savory as well as sweet dishes.
Pseudograins made convenient
Why it's a trend: Getting healthy whole grains on the table has always been a challenge because of longer cooking times. That's why food companies are coming up with ways to bring us whole grains and pseudograins (seeds that are served as grains) much more quickly.
Where you'll see it: Fast and portable amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa in single portions such as Ellyndale Q Cups in low-sodium flavors like Savory Garlic & Mushroom. They're ready in five minutes; just add boiling water and steep and you're ready to eat.
Stevia 2.0
Why it's a trend: Stevia continues to rule as the sweetener of choice for people wanting to cut down on sugar or calories. As the demand for stevia grows, so do the product offerings.
Where you'll see it: Look for stevia as an ingredient in more beverages, baking mixes and condiments as consumers look for calorie- and sugar-reduced versions of their favorites.
Stevia will be mixed with brown sugar, cane sugar and honey by companies such as Truvia to make lower-sugar and lower-calorie options. Because these stevia products are naturally sweeter than sugar, you need to use only half the amount.
Cottage cheese, the new Greek yogurt
Why it's a trend: Cottage cheese used to be only for dieters because it was seen as plain and, let's face it, lumpy. Now it's becoming more popular because we're all obsessed with finding more ways to pack protein into our meals and snacks. This cousin to Greek yogurt is slightly higher in protein and is mostly casein, a protein that can help you feel full longer.
Where you'll see it: Brands such as Muuna make cottage cheese with a texture that melts in your mouth and is sweetened with real fruit and no artificial flavors. Plus it's low in sugar, with only four grams in the plain version.
Brissette is a dietitian, foodie and president of Follow her on Twitter @80twentyrule.
Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune | <urn:uuid:2586b3be-2e64-4728-a5d6-186fe1493d09> | https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-nutrition-trends-2018-20171220-story.html | en | 0.955065 | 0.808684 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
#597e5a Color Information
In a RGB color space, hex #597e5a is composed of 34.9% red, 49.4% green and 35.3% blue. Whereas in a CMYK color space, it is composed of 29.4% cyan, 0% magenta, 28.6% yellow and 50.6% black. It has a hue angle of 121.6 degrees, a saturation of 17.2% and a lightness of 42.2%. #597e5a color hex could be obtained by blending #b2fcb4 with #000000. Closest websafe color is: #666666.
• R 35
• G 49
• B 35
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• C 29
• M 0
• Y 29
• K 51
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#597e5a color description : Mostly desaturated dark lime green.
#597e5a Color Conversion
The hexadecimal color #597e5a has RGB values of R:89, G:126, B:90 and CMYK values of C:0.29, M:0, Y:0.29, K:0.51. Its decimal value is 5865050.
Hex triplet 597e5a #597e5a
RGB Decimal 89, 126, 90 rgb(89,126,90)
RGB Percent 34.9, 49.4, 35.3 rgb(34.9%,49.4%,35.3%)
CMYK 29, 0, 29, 51
HSL 121.6°, 17.2, 42.2 hsl(121.6,17.2%,42.2%)
HSV (or HSB) 121.6°, 29.4, 49.4
Web Safe 666666 #666666
CIE-LAB 49.232, -20.777, 15.533
XYZ 13.426, 17.783, 12.397
xyY 0.308, 0.408, 17.783
CIE-LCH 49.232, 25.941, 143.218
CIE-LUV 49.232, -18.322, 23.02
Hunter-Lab 42.17, -16.97, 12.089
Binary 01011001, 01111110, 01011010
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Below, you can see how #597e5a is perceived by people affected by a color vision deficiency. This can be useful if you need to ensure your color combinations are accessible to color-blind users.
• #6f6f6f Achromatopsia 0.005% of the population
• #6b726b Atypical Achromatopsia 0.001% of the population
• #847c5e Protanopia 1% of men
• #8f7766 Deuteranopia 1% of men
• #697f88 Tritanopia 0.001% of the population
• #747c5d Protanomaly 1% of men, 0.01% of women
• #7b7962 Deuteranomaly 6% of men, 0.4% of women
• #637f77 Tritanomaly 0.01% of the population | <urn:uuid:5727d03d-94ed-493a-bcf9-962f02a04bd3> | https://www.colorhexa.com/597e5a | en | 0.683465 | 0.018966 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
The Minimalistic Approach: How technology can facilitate discussion and teamwork
The Minimalistic Approach: How technology can facilitate discussion and teamwork
We often say that less is more when it comes to event technology and this is a perfect example of that.
A large international airline was looking to run a conference for their leadership team to discuss challenges they faced across the company and possible solutions to these. They knew that the people attending were the best placed to not only identify the issues but to solve them as well, they just had to get them talking.
They approached Group Dynamics to help them come up with a solution that would encourage discussions between people who would not normally come into contact with one another.
The 244 delegates were divided across 28 tables with the people in each group being a mix of departments and locations.
Instead of all of the attendees being provided with a tablet each, it was decided that technology access would be restricted. This resulted in one tablet being available per table to encourage people to talk to one another and work as a group.
The features available on the tablets enabled attendees to access the agenda and meeting documents, as well as being able to ask questions, provide comments and submit feedback. Across the day there were a range of different group activities and discussions with each group utilising the tablet on their table to respond.
The outcome of this event was astounding with one of the organisers commenting that some of the ideas generated that day were going to save the company tens of thousands of pounds.
The feedback from delegates was also positive: “Working as a team, absolutely brilliant. Really worthwhile and fun. Thanks.”
This event and its outcome reaffirmed what we talk about a lot in our articles, blog posts and in conversations with event organisers – it is key that you know who your audience is and what your objectives are to determine the best technology solution for your event.
Are you looking for a technology solution that will encourage group discussions and teamwork? If so, contact us for a chat. | <urn:uuid:fbf48649-1a69-4773-92a6-8407272a0e46> | https://www.groupdynamics.co.uk/success-stories/the-minimalistic-approach/ | en | 0.97987 | 0.040305 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Lionel Messi's brilliance speaks for itself. Five Ballon d'Or crowns, four Champions League trophies, eight La Liga titles and a stupid amount of goals.
But once upon a time the future world's best player was a timid 12-year-old on the books of Argentine outfit Newell's Old Boys.
Former Barcelona scout Carles Rexach, who was in Argentina at the time, was tasked with going to watch the youngster play in South America, but it was decided that Messi would be flown out to Spain instead and put to the test at Barcelona's legendary La Masia academy.
Unsurprisingly the Barcelona coaching staff weren't overly optimistic when the tiny youngster, recently turned 13, walked through the door.
Carles Rexach saw something special in a young Lionel Messi
Messi, aged eight, was rather small for his age
Not only did Messi require expensive growth hormone treatment but he was a non-European teenager, meaning he could only be fielded in youth friendlies and Catalan league games.
But Rexach saw something special in the young Messi and pleaded with the club's directors, who were hesitant at the time, to snap him up.
Meanwhile Messi's father Jorge had started to grow impatient with Barcelona's failure to make a decision on whether they were going to sign his son.
The young Messi pictured with his sister Maria Sol
Messi holding the first of many trophies won playing football
Rexach agreed to meet with Jorge for lunch, where he threatened to leave Spain and return home to Argentina with Messi.
Recalling the meeting in an interview with The Sun, and revealing the bizarre turn of events that followed, Rexach said: "I gave him my word that we were going to sign his boy and as proof I would sign a piece of paper.
"So I asked the waiter and he brought me ... a napkin! So I wrote that, as the technical director of the Football Club Barcelona, I was committed to signing Leo Messi and I signed the napkin."
The Argentine has won the ballon d'Or five times
Messi lifts the La Liga trophy with team-mate Andres Iniesta
Messi would go on to progress through the ranks at Barcelona, after initially suffering from home sickness and having to endure painful hormone treatment.
He would become in many people's eyes the best player in the sport's history, but his humble beginnings - and the basic way in which his first contract was signed - is more evidence that his story is the ultimate rags to riches football tale.
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Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Want to fly in a balloon that will fly twice as high as Concorde - almost space? [Video]
ëblooní can reach an altitude of 36 kilometres and fly for around two hours at a height that is twice that of Concorde's cruising altitude
Concord was an amazing piece of aviation history that was scrapped after the tragic accident few years back. It took its passengers from Paris to Rome flying much higher than the normal planes.
But wait - there is something more unique and innovating that can take you twice as high as Concorde from Paris to Rome.
Scroll down for video
A Spanish company has come up with this unique and innovative approach using a balloon, called ëblooní, to travelling almost close to the space using specially designed balloons - in two years time - just enough time to start saving for the £95,000 ticket for four.
An artist's impression of passengers inside a pod on their journey to near-space
The specially designed pod for four 'rich' people will take its passengers to a height where they can experience weightlessness and even eat dinner. And what is more thrilling and adventurous is that 'Passengers will be able to see the sun and the stars at the same time, while looking down on the curvature of the earth.'
The ëblooní is the brainchild of Spanish entrepreneur Jose Mariano Lopez-Urdiales, boss of Barcelona-based Zero2Infinity. Space tourists will journey to earth's outer limits in a capsule that can hold six people - four passenger and two pilots.
For journey back to earth, the pod separates from the balloon, attached to a para-foil, which allows the passengers to experience zero gravity for around two minutes - Guided descent to a landing area takes around 40 minute
View demo video below:
Read more about it at: Mail Online
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Felix Lee said...
Is this for real. This is really amazing.
Sinelogix said...
Wow really great information
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Entering the Well… Duh Zone: Refrigerator Magnet(ism)
My vehicle originally relied solely on odometry for dead reckoning, with rather poor precision for turns, which quickly leads to large errors. So I added an electronic compass for determining the heading. This didn’t improve things as much as I thought, with the vehicle often heading off in what was clearly the wrong direction. I determined that at least once source of the problem was sensor lag. When the vehicle pivoted in place to turn to it’s next heading, it turns fairly quickly, and the compass lags a fair bit. So the vehicle would overshoot the desired heading without realizing it. The technical term for this lag is rate dependent hysteresis.
To address this problem, I added a rough check on the heading, and if in the right ballpark, the vehicle stops, waits a bit for the compass to settle, then redetermines it’s heading. If not pointed in the right direction, it slowly turns by small increments, with pauses in between, until it is on the correct heading. This isn’t fast, but it seemed to work fine in preliminary tests in in my finished basement, which is carpeted. However the tracks didn’t get great traction when moving, while at the same time, had a lot of friction during turns. So, set the waypoints further apart and move to a wood laminate floor in the kitchen where the robot runs great. The result: worse then when using just odometry! The vehicle kept thinking it was veering well off course when it was traveling almost in a straight line, and the bearings were way off reality.
As you might guess from the title of this post, the problem is obvious in retrospect: lots of large metal objects in the kitchen, including the fridge about 18″ from where I was starting the vehicle. This threw the compass off by a fair bit. Once I realized this and retested outside, all worked fine.
Now that the compass is finally working, here are my plans:
1. 1) Add PID control as the vehicle travels. Right now, it determines a heading, and drives off with equal power to both motors. It just runs open loop until either reaching the waypoint, traveling the calculated distance to the waypoint, or traveling a preset max. distance. At that point it checks its own location versus the waypoint and re-orients. This isn’t bad if running on an even surface, although it still tends to turn a bit. But if one tread slides or has different traction, it heads off in the wrong direction for some time. I want to close the loop with PID control.
2. 2) Once that works, switch over or add a GPS for heading as an option, just to checkout the GPS unit and programming to interface to it. The main use of the GPS will be for a faster, outdoor autonomous vehicle to be developed after this.
Measurement Precision versus Control Precision
Spent some time today chasing down a problem that’s probably obvious to experienced developers, but it wasn’t to me, and I’ll guess to other newcomers. There’s obviously a limit to both the position and heading precision that can be obtained purely through odometry based on wheel encoders. For distance traveled in a short delta of time, the precision is a function of the smallest fraction of wheel rotation you can measure and the wheel diameter. For heading, it’s also a function of the wheelbase (the distance between the wheels on each side). The heading precision tends to be much poorer than the distance. For example, if I can measure 1/8th of a revolution of a 1″ diameter wheel, I can measure increments of 1/8 x pi x 1 = 0.39 inches. If the wheelbase is 4 inches, and I’m using tank style steering, then the smallest heading increment I can measure is pi * ( 1/8 * 1) / 4 = 0.098 radians or about 5.6 degrees. That lack of precision is one factor in the errors that can build up very quickly when making a number of turns. (Slippage can also be a major contributor to the error). [The Using Dead Reckoning section in Enabling Your Robot to Keep Track of It’s Position from Ridgesoft has a good explanation of this]
When trying to use dead reckoning to turn, you typically can’t get the measured heading to exactly match the desired heading due to these precision limits, so you have to set a window defining “close enough.” So far, so good. In my case, I’m using interrupts to count clicks on each of two wheel encoders, so I could be sure not to miss a unit. All was working well. In tests, I’d see 0 or 1 click of the encoder on each wheel each time my Arduino code executed the main loop and updated the position and heading. I set my “close enough” threshold accordingly. Then I added doubled the resolution on the encoders and added a lot of serial.print() commands when in debugging mode. Suddenly my formally working robot, which now had more precise navigation, would go haywire. It would often work fine, but at other times it would spin around in multiple circles when turning to the next waypoint or avoiding an obstacle.
It took a lot of debugging to figure out the problem. With interrupts now occurring with twice the frequency, and the execution loop slowing down due to numerous serial print statements, there were often 3-4 encoder clicks per update. This meant that the robot was sometimes turning 4x more than the maximum precision of my measurements between execution of the appropriate code in the main loop. Therefore it would sometimes, by luck, hit within the good enough window when turning, but other times it would be below the window on one pass and above it the next, and therefore keep turning and turning until by luck it hit within the window. My control precision was only 1/4 of my measurement precision.
I’ve done three things to adjust:
1. Ensure that don’t have the debugging serial.print() statements in except when doing a “bench test.” (see the use of the #if preprocessor directive if you’re new to C or Arduino programming). That speeds up loop execution.
2. Slow down the turning speed of the robot. By turning slower I can get the control precision to more closely match the measurement precision.
3. Relax the window slightly, making control a bit sloppier, but ensuring I don’t miss the window if adjustments 1 and 2 weren’t sufficient.
Wheel Encoders
In order to estimate position and orientation using dead reckoning, you have to measure the rotation of your wheels (or the motor shaft or gear driving the wheels). This means using some sort of shaft or wheel encoder. The RP5 has a gear that rotates 4x for every wheel rotation, and a hole in it which they indicate can be used to count gear rotations using some sort of optical (infrared) encoder.
One can get much more precision by using more holes/slots or more markings, as discussed in this thread on homemade encoders. Also, having two offset sets of marks allows one to do quadrature encoding and determine the direction of travel as well. For my first robot, I’m just using a rough encoder, with 4 counts per wheel revolution.
In looking in the chassis, there’s not a lot of room. As a result, I decided I’d use a small transmissive sensor, rather than a reflective sensor. Both have an IR emitter and an IR photo detector. For reflective units, they both face the same direction, and the detector measure IR reflected back to the sensor. For a transmissive or interrupt sensor, the two units are separated by a gap, and the detector picks up IR passing through the gap. So far, so good.
I ended up using Vishay transmissive optical sensors (model TCST1202) I purchased from DigiKey. I found a ciruch and wiring them up based on the circuit posted by Aniss1001 in the “Homemade wheel encoder” thread on the Arduino forum.
encoder circuit diagram
Encoder circuit diagram - for a different encoder, but it worked fine
I built the circuit on a prototyping breadboard for testing and got a surprise. The circuit worked fine, but the gear is transparent to IR! It turns out that nylon and most plastics used for inexpensive gears are pretty transparent to IR. I first tried creating an opaque section with a black marker, but while that worked on paper, it didn’t adhere well enough to the gear. I ended up using a piece of black tape. Once that worked, I cut some small circuit boards down to size and built the encoders, practicing my soldering skills.
I just used hot glue to mount the encoders. The encoder boards stick up above the chassis base, so I’m using standoffs to raise the plastic plate with the Romeo controller and other devices. Here’s a picture of one of the encoders before mounting,, and then mounted on the chassis:
Homemade wheel encoder
Homemade wheel encoder
Mounted encoder
UPDATE: If you don’t want to build your own, I just discovered these pre-built transmissive encoder boards. | <urn:uuid:80e72f52-6944-4783-ab8d-844f78a1ab90> | https://www.mcgurrin.info/robots/tag/dead-reckoning/ | en | 0.9211 | 0.060323 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Norway Helps FARC Militants to Become Forest Guardians in Colombia
A Colombian government soldier looks over the rain forest in Caqueta. Before the threat of the FARC guerrilla attacked, they now lay down the weapons and guard the forest instead. Photo: Snorre Tønset, Ministry of Climate and Environment
Norway, Colombia and the leadership of the FARC Guerrilla launched this week a whole new program to help former guerrilla soldiers return to society.
A main task for them will be to take care of Colombia’s huge rainforest. Norwegian Climate and Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen met Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos in Bogota and praised the Peace Prize winner for his vision of combining peace work with environmental work.
-This program is a unique collaboration between Colombian authorities and FARC. It is at a critical point in the peace process. And it comes at a time when Colombian forests are under more pressure than long, “said Helgesen after meeting with the president.
In a heavily armed military helicopter Helgesen and two Colombian ministers flew into the rainforest of Caqueta province, a couple of hours flight from the capital Bogota. There prominent FARC leaders and hundreds of ex-soldiers are gathered to lay down their weapons after more than 50 years of bloody civil war. Around 500 representatives from local communities and former FARC soldiers are expected to join what is characterized as one of the first reintegration programs after the parties signed the peace agreement last year.
Challenges for Forest after FARC
Caqueta is one of Colombia’s richest forests, with over 65,000 square kilometers of rainforest – an area larger than Hedmark and Oppland counties combined. The county has several national parks and has a huge rich diversity of plants, animals and insects. But the forest is exposed to severe pressure. A pressure that has increased after the peace agreement was signed in October. Criminal groups, land speculators and various actors try to exploit the power vacuum FARC has left behind after they lay down the weapons.
Minister of helicopter
Heavily armed military helicopter would transport Colombian post-conflict minister Pardo and Vidar Helgesen into the rainforest to meet demobilized FARC soldiers. But the helicopter was forced to make a return due to heavy rain. Photo: Snorre Tønset, Ministry of Climate and Environment
Delayed disarmament of FARC
These days, the FARC guerrillas are about to lay down the weapons, and thousands of ex-military soldiers are trying to switch to civilian life and will need a new livelihood. But the disarmament has been severely delayed, partly because many of the former guerrilla soldiers have nothing else to do. Therefore, the Norwegian-supported reintegration program is very important.
-If they are not given hope of a better future, there is an imminent danger that demobilized soldiers return to illegal activities or lose confidence in the peace process,” says Vidar Helgesen.
Crucial to the climate
Worldwide it is estimated that reduced deforestation and restoration of forests can contribute up to one third of the climate solution the world needs to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The rainforest in Caqueta covers an area similar to Oppland and Hedmark in total. Keeping the most of it is very important to avoid climate change. Photo: Snorre Tønset, Ministry of Climate and Environment
Colombia is one of Norway’s main co-operative countries for rain forest conservation. Norway has committed itself to paying up to 1.8 billion dollars over the next few years to Colombia if the country is able to reduce deforestation. | <urn:uuid:ff2d4dda-cc46-4419-8432-7f81ebc1ba54> | https://www.tnp.no/norway/global/norway-helps-farc-militants-become-forest-guardians-colombia | en | 0.94423 | 0.023924 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Online Service Provides Quick, Easy Car Refinance Loans
Although refinancing a home mortgage is common, in the past, fewer people applied for a car refinance loan. However, this is changing because interest rates have recently tumbled. The amount of money you can save depends on the balance left on your loan, and the new interest rate compared to the old.
Investigating the possibility of refinancing your car by visiting is quick and easy. You will receive up to four loan offers. If you decide to refinance, your old loan will be paid off and your new lender will acquire title on your car until the terms of your loan are satisfied and you become the owner.
Refinancing is done to acquire a lower interest rate, to lower monthly payments, or both. If your intention is to decrease the total interest you end up paying, it is unlikely you will achieve this goal if you negotiate a lower monthly payment. If you want to make smaller monthly payments, there is a chance that the amount of interest you pay by the time you have paid off the loan will be greater than your old loan.
Check with your existing lender to make sure there are no early buy out penalty fees. If there are penalty fees, be sure to include them when making a refinancing decision. Penalty fees may be substantial or non-existent depending on your contract. Lien holder and registration fees are different in each state. Although the fees are minimal, they also need to be considered.
Because your credit rating will affect the interest rate lenders offer, you will want to obtain a credit report before refinancing your car loan. offers a TransUnion free credit report on its website. If you find errors, you will want to correct those errors before applying for a loan.
Perhaps your credit score is high, but you discover there are several obsolete accounts on record. You should cancel these accounts before proceeding to refinance your car because a potential lender may look at the number of credit accounts and place your application in a higher risk category and offer a higher interest rate than he or she would have otherwise offered. Assuming your previous car loan payments were always paid on time, the fact that you have had a car loan already unquestionably improves your chances of receiving offers with excellent interest rates.
There is a lot to be said about refinancing online. It takes between three to five minutes to complete a loan application form. Security is guaranteed with DigiCertSSL encryption. Frequently, within seconds you will receive up to four loan offers, and you can choose from among them.
With a proven track record, has been in business for seven years and has serviced the needs of 1.5 million customers, you can be sure to receive competitive, legitimate offers. Since 2004, has been annually awarded the Better Business Bureau A+ rating. A car refinance loan could save you money, or it could decrease monthly payments. Filling out an online application is free and there is no obligation. | <urn:uuid:7ed550ed-cd81-4e0f-86ef-f6c3a745cc18> | http://blog.myautoloan.com/online-service-provides-quick-easy-car-refinance-loans/ | en | 0.969482 | 0.022789 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Fed up With the Fed
Published: 01st July 2007
Views: N/A
Public opinion of the Fed is that of being a vigilant watchdog of inflation. Always seen as watching economic indicators and ready to adjust the interest rates in order to "fight" inflation. This is of great irony, because it is the very same Fed that is increasing the money supply thereby causing a reduction in value and subsequent higher prices of goods and services.
The confusion stems from the definition of the word inflation. Properly defined, inflation relates to an increase in the money supply in the same way as a balloon is inflated with a volume of air. This has the effect of causing a rise in the prices of goods and services because the value of the unit of money has fallen.
The inflation of a money supply does not have a direct 1:1 effect on pricing of goods and services. For instance, a 10% increase in the money supply does not mean that prices across the board will uniformly increase by 10%. It has a much different effect.
To use an example, let us assume that the U.S. government decides to spend money on a new computer system for jets. Let us also assume that this money is newly created money - it wasn't collected through taxation or the issuing of government bonds (i.e. debt). This newly created money first goes to the people involved with the company that designs and manufactures these said computer systems. Accordingly, these people become wealthier and have more to spend. Let us assume that they buy cars and wine. Now the new money has gone to those people involved with the making of cars and wine. They in turn buy books and shoes. Now those people become wealthier. And so on...
Now what about the average person who doesn't work in these industries. All he sees is an increase in cars, wine, books and shoes. He now has less to spend on beer and pretzels. So now the beer and pretzel industry experiences a downturn. New entrepreneurs, seek business opportunities within the car, wine, book and shoe industries and avoid the making of beer and pretzels.
So what we have is an unequal increase in the pricing of certain goods and services. Some go up, while others actually go down. We also experience a transfer of capital investment from some industries to others.
Additionally, the Fed distorts the market through the manipulation of interest rates. Left to it own devices, the market would determine its own rate of interest based upon a consensus of the market participants. If economic conditions were seen as favourable, than new businesses would stand a good chance of succeeding and money lenders would compete with one another to lend out their capital to entrepreneurs. Conversely, if economic conditions were seen as unfavourable, money lenders would charge a higher rate of interest as they would see it as a greater risk to lend out capital. This theoretical, as it currently exists, interest rate is the market rate of interest.
Under the governance of the Fed, the interest rates are dictated by a council of twelve men in expensive suits. The rate of interest is determined and set in accordance with their decision. As it is in the interests of the government to have a boisterous economy, this set rate of interest is often set at a rate below the natural market rate of interest. As such, the entrepreneurs may see profitable ventures where in fact there are none.
For instance, let us assume that the market rate of interest is 10%. The Fed sets the rate so that banks will lend money to entrepreneurs at only 5%. An entrepreneur will conduct his calculations for the construction of a cheese factory. He needs to borrow one million dollars and forecasts a profit before interest payments on debt of $80,000 per year. Under a natural rate of interest, that being 10%, he would not go ahead with the business model, as it would be losing $20k per year. However, with the seemingly generous 5% rate of interests, his business model will provide a profit after paying the interest payments of $30k per year. As such, he decides to go ahead with the business.
At first blush this seems like a great idea since the cheese factory will produce a profit and provide employment. However, what is lost here is that given the current state of affairs within the marketplace there is insufficient demand for his product as revealed by the 10% market rate of interest that would reveal the business as unprofitable and thus it should never exist.
Things will seem to go along well enough as long as the Fed keeps the interest rate low. A multitude of business models such as this cheese factory comprise what is commonly known as a boom.
However, as history shows, the Fed cannot do this indefinitely, because inflation (in the sense of rising prices for goods and services) will erode the consumer base. The Fed responds by raising interest rates. Seemingly overnight, the cheese factory and all other businesses that really shouldn't exist become unprofitable and a bust occurs. Companies lay off employees (think Nortel, GM), there are an increased number of bankruptcies (think 360Networks, Worldcom) and corporate scandals are exposed (think Enron).
Austrian economists refer to these processes as malinvestment. This is the description of capital moving towards unprofitable businesses as a direct result of manipulation of the money supply and interest rates. Economists and pundits refer to it as "overinvestment" or "the economy is overheating".
Published on www.DollarDaze.org - May 19, 2006.
Video Source: Youtube
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You Got to Stop and Watch the Roses Along the Way
Besides my odd pronunciation of “wh-” words, one of my other oddities is that I have no sense of smell. Although some people lose their sense of smell, usually temporarily, I don’t ever remember having smelled anything. I am, and always have been, 100% anosmic.
The causes could be many. It can be caused by head injuries and I took a trip down the stairs and smacked my head pretty hard when I was only two years old or so. Also, I was allergic to pretty much every animal and every form of pollen that flies in the air and sinus inflammation can effect the sense of smell.
The funny part is I didn’t realize this until I was almost in my teens. I used to play along. When people said things like “smell that baking bread” I inhaled and said “Yeah, smell’s great” partly because I didn’t know any better. I did the same when there was a skunk near our house. That, however, was the first time I remember my reaction being significantly less dramatic than everyone else’s and that got me thinking.
Finally, I went to a Boy Scout camp and part of the fun was a game called “What Miserable Disgusting Stink is This You Fools?” (something like that). The object of the game was to identify, by smell alone, the contents of several paper bags. I tried them all and couldn’t detect any scent from any of them. They all smelled the same as the gym we were sleeping in. After a while, and it wasn’t easy, I convinced my mother that I couldn’t smell
Part of the problem is that people who can smell believe you lose your sense of taste when you can’t smell. Because I could taste food, my mother was convinced I had to be able to smell. In fact, from what I’ve read, much of what people consider taste is in fact sense of smell confusing taste. People who could smell who suddenly become anosmic perceive a loss in the sense of taste. For me, perhaps because it’s been so long, no matter how stuffed up I get, food always has flavor. I do not know if it tastes different to me than others, but it always has flavor, and I’ve been told I’m a pretty good cook (By people who can smell, for the record.)
On the other hand, my reaction to entering a restaurant is the same that someone watching a restaurant on TV has. it’s all visual.
There are advantages and disadvantages to having no sense of smell. I’ve never smelled body odor, which makes me great on long trips. My travel mates hand me a shirt and say “do you think I can still wear this? ” I inhale and say “smells great to me.” I have not problem using public toilets or cleaning up after infants. In church I never had to smell a TURPF (Toxic Unattributed Reverberating Pew Fart) although it is, ahem, entirely possible that I delivered a couple, which was, of course, not a nice thing to do but the consequences were not my problem.
It’s not necessary to gussy yourself up with cologne or perfume to impress me. Hell, with me you don’t even need deodorant or a shower.
On the other hand, I’m always worried about the olfactory signals I’m sending out. I’m always overstocked with deodorant–especially in Japan where deodorant is of questionable quality. I also don’t wear cologne and try to get scentless shampoo, conditioner and soap.
I’m not able to smell gas leaks until the gas makes me dizzy and about to pass out so I’m very diligent about making sure the gas is off and the gas lines well maintained. I make sure our gas leak sensor is working. I also can’t smell smoke, although that messes with my eyes and nose, so I keep the batteries in our smoke detectors fresh. I have to be careful about food, especially milk, for which I use a visual check and the TV detective pinky drug taste test.
The worse part is, I can’t stop and smell the roses. I can only watch them. The world around me is basically a movie because a field of roses in front of me and a field of roses on a movie screen smell exactly the same to me. I’ve never smelled baking bread or the air after a rain storm. I don’t know what my own wife and children smell like.
I once tried getting treatment, but nothing took and for various reasons I wasn’t able to continue with a second or third round. Someday, if I can get enough set aside, I’d like to go back in for treatment. Oddly, I can probably earn the money for that by selling myself as a guinea pig to psychologists who study the influence of scent on communications.
Until then, let me just say, you smell marvelous. Then again, so does spoiled milk.
(On a side note: This New York Times video gives you sense of what anosmia is like. My experience is more like the guy who can’t smell popcorn. Unlike what one man says, I CAN distinguish ice cream flavors.) | <urn:uuid:207d517e-f800-4df4-8f69-9842fe90c7d1> | http://dwaynelively.com/?p=113 | en | 0.969822 | 0.031145 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
The IKEAhusbil uses as a basis, the form of the typically American cab-over camper. This structure exemplifies the uniquely American mythos rooted in our identification with the pioneering spirit and independence, coupled with Utopian/Dystopian duality of the of freedom, exploration, and self-sufficiency. The American democracy has however, lead to global roguishness, cowboy politics, a lack of effective public policy such as universal healthcare. The camper is clad in cardboard, a recyclable and sustainable material. The humble packaging references the common building material of shelters erected by the homeless, a possible end result of social isolation in a failed system.
Finally, the camper is branded with the IKEA logo. IKEA is the most recognized symbol of Sweden. But more than a global corporation offering “well designed, functional home furnishing products” at affordable prices, IKEA operates under a particular ideology of politics and practice, while exporting and having products produced in the global marketplace. The IKEAhusbil was inspired after a visit to Stockholm in 2009 and exposure to a Social Democracy firsthand. Known as the Nordic Model, a mixed market economy welfare state focused on ensuring basic human rights and individual autonomy.
The Nordic Model has three major elements, providing social security, universal health care, and free education. Education encouraging social mobility, while social security and health care promotes a high minimum standard of living for all its citizens. As with all systems there are problems with a Social Democracy, the basic tenets seem to treat its citizens with respect and basic human dignity, improving the overall quality of life for all. All boats rise with tide. While not a perfect stand-in for a Social Democracy, IKEA tries to follow many of the same ideologies in its business practices. The IKEAhusbil meets at the intersection of better living through design and social/individual responsibility in the global arena.
In general, contemporary social democrats support:
* A mixed economy consisting of both private enterprise and publicly owned or subsidized programs of education, universal health care, child care and related social services for all citizens.
* An extensive system of social security (although usually not to the extent advocated by socialists), with the stated goal of counteracting the effects of poverty and insuring the citizens against loss of income following illness, unemployment or retirement.
* Government bodies that regulate private enterprise in the interests of workers and consumers by ensuring labor rights (i.e. supporting worker access to trade unions), consumer protections, and fair market competition.
* Environmentalism and environmental protection laws; for example, funding for alternative energy resources and laws designed to combat global warming.
* A value-added/progressive taxation system to fund government expenditures.
* A secular and a socially progressive policy.
* Immigration and multiculturalism.
* Youth rights and lowring the voting age.
* Fair trade over free trade
* A foreign policy supporting the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and where possible, effective multilateralism.
* Advocacy of social justice, human rights, social rights, civil rights and civil liberties.
(courtesy of wikipedia) | <urn:uuid:65d075c1-e8ca-44f5-a5db-5f410d2a3ff0> | http://johnosoriobuck.com/IKEAcamper.htm | en | 0.916461 | 0.04891 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
How to Squeeze Revenue from Confirmation Emails
Email is one of the best ways to communicate with your customers.
Sending confirmation emails can help establish a stronger relationship with your current clientele.
It keeps them in the loop.
They won’t have to second-guess whether their order went through or whether an action they completed was successful.
That’s why all companies need to utilize confirmation emails.
For starters, if you’re not sending confirmation messages, you need to start ASAP.
But for those of you who already use this communication strategy, here is the question: what does the content of your message say?
If the email is just a simple receipt, you’re not using this marketing tactic to its full potential.
Receipts aren’t enough and won’t squeeze any additional dollars out of the customer.
Think about your current email marketing campaigns.
For your marketing to be successful, your subscribers need to open the message and click on something in it.
What are your current open rates and CTRs?
Those numbers drastically improve for confirmation emails compared to bulk marketing campaigns.
That’s why this is such a great opportunity from a marketing perspective.
Now is the perfect chance for you to send a promotional email in addition to a confirmation email.
I’ve had lots of success using this strategy, and I’ve helped other companies increase their revenues through confirmation emails as well.
I’ll show you how to accomplish this too.
Always send welcome messages to new subscribers
Let’s start at the very beginning.
Don’t wait for your next newsletter or promotional message to contact a new subscriber.
If you do that, it could be over a week or two before this person hears from you.
Send them a welcome message as soon as they sign up.
Since they just provided you with their email address, your brand is fresh in their minds.
This early confirmation is a great chance to encourage a sale or some other action like a download.
Welcome messages are also necessary if you have a double opt-in strategy in place.
I like using double opt-in landings because it helps eliminate fake email addresses from your subscriber list.
This ultimately leads to higher engagement from the recipients and makes your marketing analytics much more accurate.
Just look at how a double opt-in welcome message affects your open rates:
Now that you’ve got the new subscriber to open your message, it’s your chance to make some money.
• Promote your newest product or service.
• Explain how your brand can add value to the customer.
• Give them other incentives like free shipping or an easy return process.
• Offer a discount. They work well too. Everyone loves to get a deal.
Let’s say you have an ecommerce store.
If someone signs up for your email subscription list, it’s safe to say they have some genuine interest in buying something.
Well, a welcome email confirmation offering a discount could just be the determining factor that turns a subscriber into a customer.
Here’s a great example of this strategy from GAP:
Notice that the offer is valid only for 30 days.
Making your promotional offer time sensitive is also a good way to encourage a sale.
Get your subscribers used to confirmation emails by sending them one right off the bat with a welcome message.
Remind shoppers about their abandoned shopping carts
It happens to everyone with an ecommerce site.
Customers browse for items online, add products to their carts, but never complete the checkout process.
This is disheartening.
Oftentimes, the shopper was only a click or two away from making a purchase.
Just because the cart was abandoned doesn’t mean you need to give up on that sale.
If a customer was browsing on their unique customer profile from your website, you’ll have their email address on file.
Otherwise, they may have provided you with their email address as one of the earlier steps in the checkout process before they abandoned the cart.
Some of the top reasons for cart abandonment include:
• unexpected costs (like taxes, shipping, or other fees)
• overall price is too high
• shopper was just browsing
• problems with the website
• they found a better price somewhere else
• process is too complicated
• security concerns
If it appears the price was the reason why this individual didn’t complete the ordering process, send them an email with a discount or another promotion.
Look at how Kate Spade New York accomplishes this with their cart abandonment messages:
Now the customer has an added incentive to buy.
They were already interested in those products in the first place, so the discount can really be the determining factor that finalizes the sale.
After they finish checking out their online cart, they’ll continue to get more confirmation emails from you, which I’ll discuss shortly.
Consider this statistic: 69.23% of online shopping carts get abandoned.
If your abandonment rate is high, you can still squeeze money out of those carts through confirmation messages.
Keep the customer updated once they place an order
As I just mentioned, the confirmation emails don’t stop when a customer places their order.
You need to keep them updated throughout the entire process.
Each step is an excuse for you to send another message.
The customer will like these messages as well since they are receiving valuable information about their purchase.
Every time something gets bought online, you have an excuse to send four confirmation emails to the customer, in this order:
1. Order confirmed
2. Package shipped
3. Items delivered
4. Follow up
The order confirmation message is simple. This will be their receipt. You can include the order number, items, and pricing breakdown.
But it can be more than just a receipt. You can also promote other products as Target does with this confirmation:
When the package gets picked up from your warehouse and the shipping process starts, send them another email with the shipping carrier and tracking information.
Send another message once the package gets delivered.
People aren’t always home all day. So this email will be exciting.
They know there’s something waiting for them when they get home from work.
Or they can make arrangements for a friend or family member to grab the package if they aren’t going to be home for a while.
Finally, a week or so after the order gets delivered, you can send them a follow-up message.
Include a survey, and ask for their feedback.
You want to find out if they were happy with the ordering process and ultimately if they are satisfied with your product.
This final message in the drip sequence accomplishes a few things. It:
• lets the customer know you care about their opinion
• provides them with information about your product and process
• increases engagement
• serves as an excuse to send another confirmation email
Here’s the catch, however.
All four of the messages you just sent to the customer after they placed an order need to be more than just their obvious value.
Include promotional content as well, just like Target did in the above example.
Offer a discount.
Tiny Prints does this with their confirmation emails:
Additional discounts give the customer a reason to become a repeat customer.
It helps you squeeze more dollars out of one person.
Upsell and cross-sell
As you can see from some of the examples we’ve already looked at, upselling and cross-selling methods can be incorporated into these confirmation emails as well.
Upselling encourages the customer to buy something similar to the product they have but at a higher price point.
Cross-selling promotes other products related to the item the customer just purchased.
For example, let’s say a customer bought a pair of headphones or some other electronic device, like a tablet or computer, from your ecommerce store.
When you’re sending the drip campaign of emails to keep them updated about their order, one of those messages can contain a cross-selling strategy.
Offer them a protective case or travel bag to keep their new product safe.
Any accessory compatible with what they just bought is worth including in these confirmation emails.
It’s a great way to increase profits, especially because you’re marketing to an existing customer.
It’s easier to sell to repeat customers:
Furthermore, loyal customers spend three to five times more money each purchase.
So you’re definitely pitching to the right crowd here if you’re offering an upsell or cross-sell promotion.
Encourage social sharing to gain referrals
The person receiving your confirmation emails shouldn’t be the only person you’re trying to squeeze more money out of.
These people have friends and family members who could potentially be valuable sources of revenue as well.
You just need to make them aware of your brand.
That’s why you need to encourage your subscribers to share your content.
If you’re sending a discount in your confirmation message, include a share link for social media websites like Facebook or Twitter.
You can also have the recipient forward the message directly to their friends.
But not everyone will do this out of the kindness of their hearts.
Even if they really love your brand, they may not go out of their way to potentially spam their friends.
You need to give them something in return.
Check out this order confirmation email from Grubhub:
If they refer a friend to Grubhub, they’ll get $7.
It’s simple and effective.
Now you’re getting extra revenue from more than just one person.
The customer who made the referral is very likely to buy from you again since they’ll want to cash in their discount or reward.
Plus, you’re acquiring new customers and adding more subscribers to your list from the people they are referring.
And guess what?
As we discussed, new subscribers will also get a welcome message from you to confirm their subscription.
It’s a cycle that works.
Every email that gets sent out to customers needs to be strategic.
While you may want to send your customers a promotional message every day to encourage sales, subscribers don’t want that.
In fact, getting too many emails is the number one reason why consumers unsubscribe from email lists.
You need to make the most out of every message you’re able to send.
Confirmation emails are the perfect way to disguise promotional offers.
The data we looked at earlier told us that confirmation messages have higher open rates and click-through rates than other types of emails.
You should always send a welcome message to new subscribers to confirm they’ve been added to your email list.
If you have an ecommerce store and customers are abandoning their shopping carts, it doesn’t mean that sale is lost.
Send a cart abandonment reminder email with a discount as an incentive for the customer to complete the checkout process.
After customers buy something, keep them up to date with confirmation messages about the status of their orders.
Let them know when the orders ship and when they get delivered.
All of these confirmation messages are a great opportunity to upsell and cross-sell.
You can also encourage your subscribers to share these promotions with friends and family as a way to acquire more customers and make more money.
What types of promotions do you offer in your confirmation emails to encourage customers to spend more money on their next purchases?
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| <urn:uuid:09fe5ea8-01c4-4401-b793-f2c191488af5> | http://learn-digital-marketing.com/how-to-squeeze-revenue-from-confirmation-emails/ | en | 0.935705 | 0.020478 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Tough Love (1x1 Closed)
/ By ellocalypse [+Watch]
Replies: 28 / 6 years 276 days 8 hours 35 minutes 3 seconds
Harel is the top playboy at Haven University. He knows all the tricks into getting any girl he wants along with getting into their pants. Living in the dorms is the best opportunity to get to know your neighbors and most of all, have any girl you want. Since each floor has mixed genders and mixed roommates, the only thing separating Harel from the girls was a cemented wall.
Harel was known to sweep the girls off of their feet and take what he wanted. Even though they knew he was such a player and manwhore, they still couldnt resist his charm and smooth moves. They were above any other male on campus.
What happens when a new girl becomes his roommate? Will his moves work on her? Will he be able to just take her in like all the rest?
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It was a very tough decision for Harel, but there were many reasons why he couldnt just let her go right now. She was chosen to be his roommate and that meant that there was a reason why she was living with him. If he said no, then he'd probably never see her again and he didnt want that. His need to be with every girl in school was so strong and the fact that Anna was new, sexy, attractive, and had the personality he loved, he couldnt stay away. Even if she did technically cheat on him just a few minutes ago with Andrew, something about cheating made him really want her even more. Maybe it was the fact that no one's ever cheated on him before and yet she did. She was really different than the other girls he's been with and he saw it as a challenge to win her over, so he wasnt going to let go of that chance.
He felt her arms wrap around him and into his back pockets, it made a smile plant onto his face. She really wasnt the slow type was she? He kept his arm around her shoulders and held her close to him like they were already a couple. It seemed like they've been together for months already when they've just started dating. The girls in the dorms were clearly watching the two, keeping their eyes on Harel and the glares on Anna. He knew they were jealous, but he wanted Anna more than he wanted them at the moment, and now that he has a chance to be her boyfriend, he felt motivated to work harder.
"Oh please, you've ordered me around a ton of times just in the past week. Honestly you've been telling me what to do everytime you open your mouth" he played the part smoothly a curved smile on his lips as he looked down at her. Leading her down the street, they made it downtown as he walked her alongside the street. They passed by a few restaurants and then when she mentioned the cafe, he decided to agree and let the lady choose since he's had enough of them fighting all the time today. He was still upset with the fact that she kissed someone else right in front of him and didnt do anything about it, but he decided to push that away for now as he led her inside.
When the waitress seated them a small booth for two, she handed them menus as Harel took his. He looked through to see what he wanted, deciding on an iced coffee and a chocolate muffin. "Well we can always talk here or we can take a nice walk after this later? I would love to get to know you better Anna. Why you're always so distant, mysterious, and yet you're one tough girl. I really like that. Ill even tell you some of my past if you really want" he lifted a smiled and then he ordered his drink from the waitress.
"So where do you want to start? Im actually wanting to hear all of this if you're willing to tell me"
Harel / ellocalypse / 4y 333d 14h 52m 28s
As Anna was standing there, she felt her heart beat racing. Was she really about to do this? Could she really let something like this change her? She bit her lip lightly, and when she felt his arms around her waist, a feeling of butterflies rushed around her stomach. She nodded a little, and at the mention of food her stomach growled. "lead the way, you know this place better than I do" she said. As she felt his arms drop from around her waist, her heart sank a little. She knew she was walking on broken glass now, and she had to watch where she stepped.
She felt his hand in her's, and she shook her head lightly, as she slid her hand out, and wrapped it around his waist, her fingers finding the back pocket of his pants, and she drew his arm around her shoulders again. This time, she laced her fingers with his as they walked out. She let her mind ponder on what he wanted to know. Should she just down right tell him everything? Or have him ask questions. This was going to be a hard choice on her part. She didn't like people prying in her life.
She took a slow deep breath, "well I don't know where to start, I've never been bossy I take after my mom" she stated. She hated it when people said she was being too bossy. She jutted her lower lip out, as her hip brushed against his. She could feel eyes on the two, and apart of her enjoyed it. It was like, she was flaunting the fact, that she could tame the one person who the girls all loved to bed. A small smile crossed over her lips, as some of the girls walked out. Their eyes boring holes into her.
They had the nerve to threaten her? She narrowed her eyes, and was about to say something, when they left. She shook her head lightly, as she stopped and looked up at him, "lets go to the cafe, I'm not in the mood for a nice dinner. Please?" she asked, as she looked up at him slightly. She dropped her hands and slid them into her own back pocket. They could easily get something to eat, and then leave and find a quiet place to talk. She felt like she had to tell him everything, so she might as well.
"That way, we can either go back to the room, or somewhere quiet and I'll tell you what you want to know, without other's over hearing.." she said softly. She was all of a sudden putting herself at a distance. She didn't know why she was doing it, but she was. It wasn't like her at all. She hated being distant, and here she was standing close enough to someone, she could reach out and hold onto, yet she felt like she was miles away from him as well. That was something she had done over the years.
She stood there, shifted her weight slightly, as she waited to see what he would say. She thought it was a good idea. She wanted him to know and she wanted only him to know about her past. Her mother didn't even know anything that had happened to her. She was a little bit surprised with herself that she was going to even tell him. She bit her lip lightly, as she shifted her weight again, as she looked up at him locking her eyes on his. She stood there shifting, waiting to see what he would say, or if he would just give up.
-Anna / -Bliss / 4y 334d 12h 39m 7s
This feeling inside was a terrible feeling and he honestly didnt know what it was. It was the first time he's felt this way and he didnt want to feel like this ever again. Just when he thought that Anna was finally going to give him a chance, she just ripped it away from him. Was she planning on doing that? Did she want to make him upset because of what he did the first day? He wasnt sure but that was one hell of a show she put on for him and he didnt want to be there to see her go off with Andrew.
Harel couldnt believe thats she was the first girl to pick some other guy over him. He thought he had it all. So as he shoved his hands into his pockets, he made his way as far away from Anna as possible. WHy bother when she clearly didnt want anything to do with him? He walked down the hallways, his eyes on the ground for a bit, trying to think of doing something so that he could get his mind off of Anna. His eyes looked towards the exit and he was just about to head out when he heard Anna's voice.
When he looked down at her, he still was angry with what happened. He didnt think that now was the time to talk, but she already was coming up with excuses. "You didnt plan for him to show up, but you still kissed him. That means you like him. You probably like him more than you like me Anna. You didnt pull away or tell him to stop...." he didnt know what else to say. She was probably only sorry that she was caught. How was he supposed to know if she ever did that to him again, behind his back? It sounded like something he'd do, so he was just furious that someone was doing it to him.
Harel was thinking about what he wanted to do with this. If he said no she'd be gone, but he was still upset. What to do? He didnt want her to walk away, she was still the hottest girl here and he wanted her, even after what she did. But then he felt her lips and then he was engulfed in a warm, heated kiss. His eyes closed and he decided to kiss her back gently as she pulled away. She was definitely making this such a hard decision. His eyes looked her over and then noticed the girls around him. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he nodded his head "Okay okay. It's fine. Ill take my chances as long as I still get a chance with you" he sighed and then reached down to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her into a hug.
He didnt know if he made the right decision, but he wanted to be with Anna and try it out. Sure he wouldnt know if she ever cheated unless he caught her again, but he was glad she wouldnt leave his room. "I dont want you leave. I like having you as a roommate. At least I think I do now that we're together" he spoke softly, but loud enough for the girls to hear. They narrowed their eyes at the two and then they just crossed their arms over their chest, irritated that Harel actually considered going out with her when they were here to freely give him whatever he wanted
"If you hurt him, we'll be here to easily push you out of your place. We'll take care of you Harel" one of the girls spoke before they left the scene to do what they needed to do. They never thought they'd see the day when Harel was taken. Usually he had time for anyone.
Harel slowly pulled away from Anna and reached down to hold her hand in his. "Now that everything is settled, make sure that the guys know you're taken too. Especially that Andrew guy" he shook his head in disgust at the thought. He didnt want to see her kissing someone else when they were together.
He walked with her, leading her out the door. "Okay, now are we ready to have some lunch? There's a chain of restaurants down the street and I just want to get to know you already. Besides the fact that you're bossy and independent. I already know that" he smirked.
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 27d 15h 18m 12s
Anna just stood there in shocked silence. She shook her head a little, it wasn't like she had planned for him to show up. She sighed, as she watched Harel walk away. She leaned back against the wall, and she covered her face with her hands, and let out a small sigh. She heard some voices, and she removed her hands, and saw a couple of the girls from her floor, "you don't deserve him, ya know. If you are just going to treat him like shit, don't lead him on" said one of the women who were standing there, with their arms crossed.
Anna just shook her head. What was she supposed to do? She didn't like this at all. She looked towards the door, and saw that the two women were about to go after him. If she wanted this whole thing to clear up, she had to make it work. She brushed past the women, and she narrowed her eyes slightly, "either of you go near him, and I will rip your eyes out. He's off the market" she said, as she ran through the door. She didn't know what the women were thinking, but she knew she had to explain herself.
She stopped and looked around for the male. When she finally spotted him, she broke out into a run. "Harel! Stop!" she cried, as she ran up to him. She stopped, and grabbed his arm. She moved in front of him, and she tilted her head back, to look up at him, she bit her lip lightly, "listen I'm sorry okay? It wasn't like I had planned for Andrew to show up" she said. She could feel her heart breaking right now, and she didn't like this, not at all. She bit down on her lip lightly.
She looked down, what else was she supposed to do? She felt like she was letting something good slip away. Maybe he could settle down, maybe he could stop being the player he was. She was starting to like him, and that was scaring her. She wrapped her arms around herself, and took a step back, "if you decide to walk away now, I'll be out of the room by tonight" she said, as she looked up at him slightly. Her words rang true too. She wasn't about to make his life hell anymore.
She wanted to make this work, and she wanted it to work, more than anything. She sighed lightly, as she felt people watching them. She saw some of the women, watching, with their arms crossed. It was like they were all waiting for a chance, to just get at him right then and there. She chewed on her lip lightly. 'Fuck it' she thought, as she stepped closer to him, and she wrapped her hands around his neck, lacing her fingers together. She slowly drew his head down, and pressed her lips against his, and kissed him lightly, and gently.
When she pulled back, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slightly heavy, "I'm sorry..." she breathed. She removed her hands from around his neck, and she opened her eyes, and she felt people glaring at her. She looked down at her feet, as she didn't know what to do, or say. She felt like she had done the right thing, but the ball was in Harel's court now. If he walked away, she would go back to the room, and pack up her things, and go home. This whole thing was to prove to her parents, and she couldn't even do that.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 27d 23h 3m 49s
Harel wouldnt let it get to his head. He saw this chance as a huge opening, an opening she made for him to get in and become her man. Who knew it was going to be so quick like this, when just yesterday she didnt even want to look at him. Maybe he would thank those two jerks for giving him this opportunity, after all if it werent for them she'd probably still see him as some perverted manwhore. Maybe she still thought of him that way, but Harel would take his chances now that she had to be his girlfriend.
As he was about to lead her out, he felt her hands on his chest and then he backed up against the wall and then his eyes focused on hers as he listened to her request. That's what it meant to be in a stable relationship? No wonder why he was always just pulling one night stands. There were no commitments. But this time, he really liked Anna. If he had to sacrifice those things just to get what he wanted, then so be it. For now he'd listen and be that good boyfriend she was expecting. Her threats made him smile and he simply nodded his head "Okay okay. You always have so many demands. As long as you do the same for me, then we're all good" he watched her leave the room and he decided to grab his things.
For some reason he couldnt find his wallet, so as he searched through his jeans in his closet, he could hear Anna talking to someone. THeir bedroom door wasnt shut completely and Harel decided to take a peek. He found his walled in old pants that was in the hamper and he shoved it down his back pocket. Making his way towards the door, he leaned in, his eye focusing on the small gap as he watched her and soon Andrew approached. He saw the rose and then the kiss, that was it. Harel could take the kiss on the forehead, but she was his girlfriend now and the only one that was allowed to kiss her was him.
It pissed him off to see that after she threatened him with sleeping with other girls, here she was kissing someone else. Harel wasnt used to having a relationship at all, let alone being cheated on. Usually he was the one cheating, so it was a first to see someone he liked doing it to him. It wasnt a good feeling at all. He wasnt just going to stay there and let it happen, he wanted that male to know she was his.
Harel stepped out of the bedroom and then moved in to see the two kissing. He pulled Andrew back by the shoulder and stretched his right arm back, right hooking him across the face. "What the fuck are you doing? She's my girlfriend" he narrowed his eyes at the male now a few feet from him with a bleeding lip. His eyes looked to Anna in disappointment, feeling so pissed "You know just a few minutes ago you were telling me that I had to let every other girl know that Im taken. That I had to show you I care. What the fuck is this? You're clearly not telling this piece of shit you're taken and you kissed him" he saw the whole thing and Anna clearly kissed him back willingly without so much as a single shove. She enjoyed it.
He felt really stupid at that point because now he knew how it felt to be the one being cheated on and he barely started his relationship with Anna. WHy did he care so much? He didnt know, but he was really angry seeing another male kissing her "You know I was really happy you gave me a chance. I was actually going to take this seriously. If you wanted to get on my nerves or just piss me off, then you did a great job" he ran his fingers through his hair and ignored Andrew as he began walking off without her. He decided to just get lunch by himself today since it didnt seem like she wanted to spend time with him at all.
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 29d 9h 47m 3s
Anna watched as the males left, and she looked towards Harel, and she rolled her eyes, "don't let it go to your head, I said the first thing, that popped into my head" she said. She walked out of the room, and slid her hands into her pockets. She was silently kicking herself for what she had said. She really didn't like how she had said it either. Did she really think of him that way? She shook her head a little, as she looked over her shoulder towards the male. She stopped, turned around, and moved back towards him.
She put her hands on his chest, and pushed him back into the room. "you have one chance, and one chance only Harel. You want to show me you care, then do it. No sleeping behind my back, because I do have my ways of knowing, which also means, you have to let every single girl know, you are now off the market" she said. She really wanted to kick herself, but she kind of liked the sound of 'Girlfriend' rolling off of his tongue. It made her heart flutter like crazy, and she didn't know why.
She dropped her hands to her side, and she took a step back, "lead the way" she said. She bit down on her lip lightly. She honestly wanted to know what he was going to do, and she did want to see if it was really worth it right now Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. She really didn't know. She sighed softly, as she opened the door once more. She stepped out into the hall, and leaned her back against the wall, and closed her eyes. She really couldn't believe this was happening. If only her parents could see her now.
Then Andrew popped around the corner, and she smiled lightly, when he walked over. He handed her a single red rose, "how are you beautiful?" he asked as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Anna took the rose, and she shook her head lightly, "I'm doing alright, heading out with Harel" she said, as she saw the surprise on his face. "just yesterday, and then earlier today you were saying how much of a player he is" he said, as his eyes moved towards the dorm room. He didn't like that idea, at all.
Anna shrugged a little, as she looked down at the rose, "I decided I might as well give him a chance, I can't really keep avoiding him the whole year" she said, as she kept her eyes on the flower. Andrew, leaned against the wall, and he titled her head back, and locked his eyes on her. "if he doesn't treat you right Anna, you can stay with me" he said, as he leaned down and pressed his lips lightly, against her own. Anna found herself kissing him back gently. When the two pulled apart, she nodded lightly, as she had to catch her breath.
"I'll keep that mind Andrew, thank you" She said softly. Andrew nodded, and kissed her forehead, "I'll see you around" he said, as he shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked off down the hall. Anna reached up and touched her lower lip lightly, and sighed. She was throwing something good away, for someone who might not even be good for her. She really was being stupid. She sighed, as she looked down at the rose, and a small smile crossed her face. He had guessed her favorite flower, and that made it even more amazing.
She looked down the hall, watching him walk away. She shook her head, as she looked towards the dorm, wondering how much Harel, had heard. She leaned her head back against the wall, knowing she had made yet another mistake, but what she had said was true. She was giving him a shot, and if things didn't work out, she would have a place to stay for a while, and that's all she needed. "Are you coming?" she called, as she stayed where she was, her eyes on the door, waiting.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 29d 22h 10m 35s
He didnt expect to see her home, so it was a surprise, but at the same time, he was also happy that she was willing to go and have lunch with him today, especially after what happened yesterday and last night. It had been a horrible two days and Harel has never been treated like that before. IT was a first and he honestly didnt like it. WHy couldnt she just be submissive like the rest and give into his looks or his charm? Isnt that what the girls fell for? They would take a good look at his face and if that wasnt enough, they would look at his body, and if all else failed to impress, his charm won them over. At least that's all he ever thought until Anna showed up.
Harel did notice her trembling a little and it made him wonder what happened? Was she afraid of him? Maybe just a bit chilly? But that thought flew out the window the minute she undressed in front of him. He turned away at first, not wanting to upset her more than he did, but that didnt last long. His eyes drifted back to see her bare skin and he instantly had a smile on his lips. Anna's body was amazing, her flawless curves, her smooth skin, and her personality attracted him so much. She was a bad girl in disguise and he was going to expose that side of her soon enough.
He was about to leave, but as the boys entered the room, Harel had seen them on their floor. He wasnt really friends with a lot of the males at the school because most of them envied him. THey wanted what he wanted and the only way he could be their friend was if they were either on the swim team or in a relationship. These two goons werent and the smell they brought with them reeked of marijuana and alcohol. The look on Anna's face said it all, something must have happened with the three of them. BUt he got defensive when he saw the male touching Anna like that.
His hand reached out and pulled him back, his grip on his collar managed to get him off of her. His eyes then looked to Anna, hearing the words that came out of her mouth. Perfect. She was playing the 'im your girlfriend' trick to get out of this one. He had a smirk on his face and decided to play along. Maybe she'd really give into him if he did her this favor. "Ya she's my girlfriend. So get the fuck away from her, and if I see you two touching her one more time, you'll face the swim team" he narrowed his eyes at the two, seeing them trying to stand and get their act together. Harel was taller than them and they knew that he wasnt just a ladies man. He had connections through those girls. Before they could say another word, he lifted each of them up by their shirts and then shoved them back out of their bedroom door.
Slamming it shut, he faced Anna and crossed his arms as if he's finally seen an opening in their dilemma. "So you're my girlfriend now? Well that was quick. But Ill definitely give you a chance, after all, those guys are going to spread the word that you my dear are taken" he lifted a smile of satisfaction and then he opened the door once more to find the two goons gone.
"After you darling" he would play along with her game, but now that she made that mistake, Harel was going to make sure that she became his. "You should let me take care of you. Cant have my girlfriend feeling scared. Come on, lunch is on me" he offered her, walking beside her as he led her down the steps out of the dorms.
WHen they walked along the streets, he hoped that she wasnt too upset by what he said. Technically what he said was true, but would she even go along with him being her boyfriend?
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 32d 9h 10m 18s
Anna looked up at the male, and she shrugged lightly as she eyed him, "yeah I did, but I had to clear my head so I didn't go today" she said, as she ran her hand through her hair. She looked down at the notebook she had open, and she shut it, and slid it under all of her other books, "let me change, and we can go" she said as she pushed herself up. She was still slightly shaken up, with what the two men had done in the bathroom, and she was trying not to let it show. She knew her body was shaking a little as well.
She bit down on her lip, as she pulled out her jeans, and a white t-shirt. She slipped out of her clothes, and slid into the jeans, and pulled the t-shirt down over her back. She found her shoes, and slid her feet into them. She grabbed her phone, and the room key, and slid both into her pockets. She felt like she was missing something, but knew she had everything. Sooner or later, she would figure it out. She turned around, and looked towards the male, and smiled lightly, "okay I'm ready" she said.
There was a knock on the door, and her heart dropped. What if it was the two boys? She had a really bad feeling it was, and she didn't really want to open the door. She really didn't have much of a choice anyway. She moved towards the door, and opened it. Before she could keep it where it was, the two men shoved their way into the room, and she could tell they were drunk. They had been back in the bathroom too, but you could tell they were now. She took a few steps back, before the men stopped.
She looked between the three people inside of the room, and she stood her ground, trying to keep her voice from shaking, "what do you want?" she asked, as she eyed the two drunk men. Then both smirked lightly, "we want what, we couldn't have a while ago. I see Harel's back" he slurred. Anna shook her head a little, "please just leave" she said, as she tried to make the men leave. When the one who had been talking grabbed her, and pulled her against him, she could feel that he had a little problem.
"You have a body to die for, and I want you to fix, what you caused" he said, as he pressed his lips to her neck. Anna slipped out of the male's grasp and shook her head. "I don't think you want Harel, to get involved, since he does get protective over his girlfriend" she said. She didn't realize what she said, till it was out. She bit down on her lip, knowing she had made the wrong move. The male looked at her, and towards Harel, "Is this true?" he asked.
Anna just stood there, she didn't know what to do, or what to say. This time she was at a loss for words. She looked towards Harel, with a pleading look in her eyes. This couldn't be happening, she had just made an even worse mess of everything. She looked down, and nodded a little, "yes, as of five minutes ago" she said. She looked up slowly, wondering what was going through Harel's mind at the moment. She just hoped, he wouldn't blow the cover she was trying to make, she really didn't want to deal with two horny men at the moment.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 32d 10h 53m 18s
As Harel made slowly made his way back to the dorms, he had his hands in his pockets and then he kept his eyes lowered on the ground. He was tired after all this thinking and he never thought this hard about anything. Anna was just really different from any girl he's met before and he's had a lot of women. Usually they would give it to him straight, either they wanted him, or they would put up some resistance until he could persuade them that he was the man of their dreams. Of course that was until he got what he wanted from them, if they were worth it, the most time he'd be with them was a month. That was his longest relationship.
He walked past the dining area when a few of the girls in their building passed by. He heard he sound of soft giggles, but then when he felt arms wrapped around each of his, his attention went back to the two girls beside him. Another skinny blonde on his right side, a ginger on his left. THey were in dire need of some company today and if Harel wasnt busy, he would join them.
His arms immediately wrapped around their waists, a smile on his lips as he looked up at the building where he lived. "Awe, Im sorry ladies but Harel is kind of busy today. How about we reschedule? You two can be more anxious for me tomorrow and then we'll have so much more fun when I get to see your dying faces" he released his grip on the two girls and then waved, seeing them heading into the dining area with frowns on their faces. He hated seeing those faces because he knew he could easily make them smile with his body, but his mind was already jumbled and he needed Anna to clear up a few things so he could go back to being the male the girls needed whenever they were feeling lonely.
Standing before the building, he took in a deep breath and then opened up the double glass doors, making his way towards the elevator when two more of his one night stands greeted him. They made their way beside him in the elevator, deciding to see how the new girl was according to his opinion. "Well hello girls. How are you?" he asked, keeping his hands in his pockets. "Hi Harel. You're looking as good as always. I sure do miss having you on our floor. Why did you have to move anyway?" she pouted and then one of them leaned into his side. "Im sorry, I just couldnt stand my old roommate. She was disgusting. She was at least one hundred and forty pounds and she kept getting on my nerves about studying and working together. Not my style. I had to leave. Plus I think Im happy with my current roommate so far" he thought about it, still unsure.
"Oh ya I heard. She's some girl if she was sleeping in the living room last night. Obviously she doesnt appreciate how amazing you are" the other girl said and Harel just smirked. "She doesnt that's what I hate. But she'll see soon enough" he stepped off of the elevator at his floor and then waved goodbye to the girls.
Once he arrived at his door, he opened it up and then ended up facing Anna. She looked like she just showered, but hadnt done anything more than that. "Um, hi? Ya well....Im sorry about last night. I wasnt sure exactly what you wanted from me. It wont happen again I guess. You can just tell me the truth how I make you feel you know" he wanted her to know that he was confused, but at the same time he also wanted to fix whatever problem they had because they were going to be together all year whether they liked it or not.
"Since you treated me to some dinner last night, if you're free maybe you can go along with that plan of me showing you around town? I know where the good restaurants are down on mainstreet" he told her, wondering if she'd blow him off again. "By the way....dont you have classes?" he was sure that she was supposed to be somewhere, unless last night prevented from sleeping.
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 36d 9h 53m 33s
Anna had heard the alarm going off, and she pulled the pillow over her head. She sighed, when the room was quiet once more. She let herself relax, as she rolled onto her side, and looked towards the door. She would go to classes tomorrow. She would get everything then. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy the quiet, now that Harel was gone. She slipped out of the bed, and she grabbed her shower things, and headed towards the bathroom. She stopped when she realized it was a unisex one. She sighed as she walked into the room, and looked around.
It was slightly empty, which was a good thing. She found a stall, and she set her things down beside it, and she slipped out of her pajamas, and stepped into the shower, pulling the curtain closed behind her. She turned on the water, and waited for it to heat up. She stood under the spray, and closed her eyes as she let her mind wander. She was confusing herself, with the whole Harel thing. She didn't know what was going on with her. One moment she wanted nothing to do with him, and now she went around doing things lightly that.
She sighed, as she ran her hands over her wet hair. She hurried and showered, and then shut the water off. She grabbed her towel, and wrapped it around her body. She would change in the room, and she grabbed her things, and stepped out. When she did, she froze as she saw some men in the bathroom, their mouths hanging open. "what? It's not like you've all seen a woman half way naked" She said. The men smirked, as they moved in closer to her, "We heard you are rooming with Harel" said one of the men.
Anna only nodded as she stood her ground, "what's it to you?" she asked, as she squared her shoulders back, and glared at them. "well he's a player, how is he in bed?" asked the same person, as he wound a strand of hair around his finger. Anna slapped his hand away, "I wouldn't know, I've been avoiding him" she snapped. "now if you'll excuse me, I need to get dressed" she said, as she tired to slip past him. The male put his hands up on either side of her, and pressed up against her.
"I don't think so darlin, since you haven't slept with Harel yet, maybe I could talk you into sleeping with me" he said as he leaned down and kissed her neck. Anna lifted her leg hard enough, to get a knee to his crotch and the male let out a hiss of pain, "You bitch, no wonder Harel's having a hard time with him" he breathed out. Anna only shook her head as she was holding back tears. She didn't dare say anything, as she bolted out of the bathroom, and went straight to her room.
She closed the door behind her, and she leaned against it, her heart racing. She pushed herself away from the door, and she hurried and got dressed. When she was dressed, she sat down at her desk, and she drew her note book towards her. She picked up her pen, and started writing a letter to her parents. She was getting so tired of the men here, thinking they could bed her. She wasn't a piece of fucking meat! She shook her head, and blinked away the tears. She read the letter, and ripped the paper out and threw it away.
As she sat there thinking of what to do, she heard the door open, and she looked up and saw Harel, "welcome back" she said as she looked back down at the page. It was still blank. She took a look at the clock, and realized she hadn't eaten anything. Her stomach growled, and she looked towards Harel, "are you hungry?" she asked, as she looked up at him a little sheepishly. She might as well try to work something out, right? Maybe if she gave him a chance, she might like this guy, and maybe they could some how become friends at least.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 36d 11h 4s
What could Harel have expected after she undressed before his own eyes and even pulled him into a kiss? He only expected one thing and every guy knew that if a girl did that to you, she probably has an interest in you. He was only going off of intuition, and that was definitely an obvious thing for her to do. With a male like Harel, who was used to getting the attention of the girls, Anna's moves proved to him that she liked him and he only wanted to get beside her in bed and continue from there. That was his way of thinking. He didnt think that she was testing him at all so he was going to jump on the chance of having her.
Holding her in his arms felt warm. Her back pressed up to his chest, her own scent and the feel of her skin surrounded him and he was slowly getting used to it. He didnt expect her to take action and say no like she did. So when he felt her push him back, he was surprised. At first he thought she was just playing around, he was smiling, pulling himself back closer to her, only to see her step over him and then their room door slamming shut. Well that was definitely a shock to Harel and not only did it make him feel like a complete idiot, but he was angry that she did that to him. Why would she undress before him, pull him into a kiss, and buy him food if she only wanted to stay away from him and not even acknowledge his presence? It was confusing.
But instead of thinking so much this late at night, he pushed himself up onto his feet, getting off of her bed before climbing back into his. If she didnt like him at all why go through all of this trouble. Women were hard, which is why he tended to go for the pretty and easy.
After laying back in his bed, he managed to ditch the thought of Anna and focus on something else until he slept.
In the morning, Harel had slammed his fist on his alarm that began buzzing at 8am. He had class at nine, so he had to get ready or else he'd be late. He wasnt particularly bright, but the government paid for everything he needed, so if he didnt pass his classes, he would just be kicked out. It was an easy rule to follow. So as he slipped out of bed, he grabbed his towel and headed to the community bathroom, taking a quick shower and then dressing into the school uniform. Matching navy blue pants and tie, a clean white polo with the school's logo on the right chest pocket. Shined black shoes and white socks. He looked like a typical preppy nerd, that was until he spiked his hair back and loosened up his tie to leave it hanging.
When he was ready, he headed back to their room, seeing that Anna was still asleep. He was still upset for her tricking him, so he just grabbed his backpack and then headed to his first period class, taking a seat and kicking up his feet for the day.
After the first half os his classes were done, he headed back towards his dorms, thinking if he should ask Anna what was her problem last night? He wanted things to be clear for him to see, so didnt have to beat around the bush.
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 37d 9h 35m 58s
Anna jumped slightly when she felt the male slide into the bed beside her. She pulled her head phones out, and looked over her shoulder, "get out of my bed, now" she said, as she untangled his arms from around her, she shifted so she could roll onto her side. When she was facing him, her eyes were narrowed, and she put her hands on his chest, and pushed at him slightly. She wasn't as strong, when she was laying down, so she let out a huff of breath, and climbed over the top of him, and she jumped down onto the floor.
She grabbed her pillow, and her blanket, and she stormed out of the room, and straight to the main room. Thank god it was empty. She moved towards the couch, and she threw her pillow down, and then she lowered herself down. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to crawl into her bed, and wrap his arms around her like that. She was pissed, and she had wanted to deck him. She sighed out into the darkness, as she rolled onto her side, so she was facing the back of the couch. Just because she had made a bold move, didn't mean anything.
She sighed once more, as she pulled the blanket over her head, and closed her eyes. She let herself relax, and before she knew it she was out. What seemed like only a few minutes, she heard voices, and she opened her eyes, and looked towards some of the women, who were awake, and she groaned. She hadn't been asleep long, and now she was being woken up. She let out a low string of cuss words, as she stood, and grabbed her things for the second time that night, and went back to her room.
She was half tempted to just get her car keys, and go out the her car and sleep there. She shook her head lightly, as she opened the door. When she saw that Harel was back in his own bed, she let out a soft breath. She slipped into the room, and shut the door, bathing herself in darkness. As she turned around, she hadn't realized how close to his desk she was, and she stubbed her toe. She let out a gasp of pain, as she hobbled her way to her bed, and sat down.
She pulled her feet up under her, and rocked back and forth slightly, as she tried to hold back the painful noises. When the throbbing had eased, she finally laid back, and curled up into her blanket, which she pulled over her head, and she closed her eyes. Tomorrow she would skip her classes, and catch up on her sleep, or figure out ways to avoid her roommate. She let herself relax against the bed, and she finally fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 37d 15h 20m 32s
The glimpses of her amazing body only reinforced the fact that he wanted her in his mind. Her face was very attractive on it's own and being able to see the rest of her curves without having to do anything only made him feel like he was a lucky guy to be her roommate. His imagination began thinking up ideas, hoping that she would change like that every night because he really enjoyed the view. Harel didnt know her reasons for just undressing before him, maybe she had a motive, maybe she just wanted to tick him off? Or maybe she really did want him. Those questions filled his mind and he wanted to find out the answer as soon as possible, but how?
Although Harel wasnt the type to be over analyzing anything,so he just shrugged all of the questions away for now and focused on that beautiful doll beside him. He honestly didnt care about that Andrew guy because he didnt want to be like him at all. That man could jump off a bridge for all he cared, when you take someone like Anna away, he wasnt going to care about the male at all. "You felt guilty? Awe, how sweet of you. I was looking forward to our dinner date and when you blew me off I did feel bad. Dont worry though, I only sleep with attractive girls. Not just anyone. ANd you fit my standards Anna" he chuckled, seeing how hard headed she was being. He would get into her bed someday and that was a fact.
What he didnt expect was the kiss on his lips. His eyes widened so suddenly, but felt that warmth and gentleness of her lips as he kissed her back before she pulled away. He tried to lean in more to take another kiss, but only found himself looking dumbfounded and confused. She was so bipolar with her attitude, one minute she's flipping him off, the next she kisses him? Why couldnt she make up her mind? He hated being teased.
His eyes looked over to see her in bed and then he just didnt know what to do. He wanted more. He wanted to be beside her, hold her and kiss her with a more heated passion. Nothing was stopping him.
So Harel quickly sat up, turning off the lights before walking towards her bed instead. If she was messing around with him, he wouldnt hold back. Harel climbed into her bed beside her, his arms soon wrapping around her sides and then pulling her back to his chest. He was practically spooning her and he wondered what she'd do next. Leaning into the back of her neck, his warm breath touched her skin as he whispered "YOu dont expect me to just sit still after seeing your amazing body and tasting your warm lips do you? Because you are wrong if you think that"
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 38d 8h 50m 31s
Anna looked towards the male, and she shrugged a little, "think whatever you want, I was just changing" she said. She looked down, hiding a knowing smile. Yes it had been, to see what he would do. His complements were throwing her off guard. She lifted her head, and looked towards him, a 'brow raised. She didn't understand him at all. He was different, and she didn't know if that was a good thing, or if she would have to keep on testing him. She shrugged as she took another bite, so it gave her a chance to think of an answer about Andrew.
She swallowed the bite that was in her mouth, and she cocked her head, "I guess you could say, I felt a little guilty. And he's not a suck up, he knows how to treat someone with some respect, and he has it for himself as well. He's not the one bedding every woman he sees" She said. She took another bite, and watched him. She wasn't gonna lie, being in such small quarters with this male, was kind of driving her insane. One moment she wanted to kill him, the next, she wanted to feel his skin on hers.
She shrugged a little, and rolled her eyes, "keep dreaming Harel, there is no way in hell, you will get into my bed" She said, as she locked her eyes on his. When she did, she felt her heart pound against her chest. She finished off her dinner, and she wiped her hands on a tissue. She stood, and moved towards him slowly. She was testing him once more. She had pushed his comments, about her having a beautiful body aside. She was caught off guard with that one, and didn't even know, if she should thank him or what.
She leaned down, and ran a finger lightly over his lower lip. This was all a test, she wasn't about to get her hopes up, and she wasn't going to let him take advantage of her either. She cupped his chin in her hand, and tilted his head back slightly. She leaned down, and pressed her lips softly against his. She deepened the kiss a little bit, and bit down on his lower lip, and gently tugged ever so slightly. When she pulled back, her lower lip was between her teeth.
She dropped her hand away, and she moved back over to her bed. "good night Harel, or and mind getting the light?" she asked, as she slid into the bed, and draw the blankets around her body. She had her back towards him, and when she did, she reached up to her lips, and touched her lower lip. She could still taste him on her lips. Which wasn't a good sign. She sighed a little, as she pulled out her own headphones, and put them into her ears. She wasn't about to test either of them again. She pressed play, and closed her eyes, letting herself get lost within the music.
.|Anna / -Shyone / 5y 38d 15h 48m 35s
Of course Harel was feeling down when she flipped him off and went with Andrew. He knew that male was just a suck up to women. All he did was pretend to be a gentleman and take any girl he wanted, at least Harel was up front and honest about himself. Still it upset him to see her choose a guy like him over himself, let alone flip him off as if he was some asshole. What did he ever do to her to make her hate him so much was a mystery to Harel. Sure he almost slept with a girl in their room, but she seemed pissed off at him even before that.
So he decided instead of dealing with his fallen pride, it was better to feel good with a girl willing to give him what he wanted. Why waste his friday night with Anna when she clearly showed no interest in him and thought of him as an asshole? He ended up spending the time with Danelle who gladly wanted to be with him. Sure it may have been for just his body, but the two of them were the same. THey were both looking for someone to spend time with so that they could forget about their lives for that one moment.
After it was as if nothing happened between them, other than using each other for the night. Harel made it back home and relaxed in bed, listening to some techno and blasting it through his headphones. When he heard the door, his eyes glanced over to Anna, managing to barely catch the hot dog before taking off his headphones. His eyes stared at the food and then he lifted a smile that turned into a smirk. "Thanks. BUt what happened to Andrew? Werent you going to hang out with the suck up?" he wondered, taking a bite out of the hotdog. He realized that he was hungry after the sex earlier and completely forgot to grab dinner. At least Anna was being nice for once and cared enough to buy him one.
As she began stripping, Harel's eyes widened in surprise. He didnt expect her to be like this, so he kept his eyes on her, seeing that round ass of hers in her lingerie. And if that wasnt good enough, she took off her bra in front of him too. Of course he couldnt get a glimpse of anything, but seeing her in her tank without a bra was definitely a turn on. He didnt know what to say, he was speechless.
"Wooow. Look at you and your sexy body. Was that all for me just now? Were you trying to hint at something?" he smiled and then took another bite of his hot dog, licking his lips in the process. Seeing that definitely got his imagination going and caused some excitement in his pants. "Someone has a beautiful body" he smiled, meaning to both compliment and tell her how he thought of her. "You know if you ever need someone warm to keep you company beside you, Im just right here. Ill take care of you the right way Anna" he winked and then stretched his arms back, reaching to finish off his hotdog.
Harel / ellocalypse / 5y 38d 17h 37m 53s
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our | <urn:uuid:2a908043-267a-4499-a4b1-55865893588b> | http://rp.eliteskills.com/r.php?r=75526 | en | 0.99676 | 0.113982 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Distinguish, differentiate, compare and explain what is the main difference between Xylem and Phloem. Comparison and Differences.
Difference between Xylem and Phloem
1. Xylem is made of dead cells. Phloem is made of living cells.
2. In xylem, cell wall are thick. In phloem, cell wall are thin.
3. Lignin is used as a cell wall material in Xylem. Cellulose are used as a cell wall material in Phloem.
4. Xylem is impermeable whereas phloem is permeable.
5. Xylem don’t have cytoplasm whereas phloem has cytoplasm lining.
6. Xylem transports water and minerals. Phloem transports food.
7. Xylem is carried to leaves. Phloem is carried to growing parts and storage organs.
8. In xylem, direction of flow is upward whereas in phloem direction is up and down.
9. In xylem, tissue also has fibers. Tissue also has companion cells.
About Author: Jeniffer Fleming | <urn:uuid:6df80172-3a42-45fc-91bf-316d6a10dfc0> | http://steadyrun.com/differences-and-comparison/difference-xylem-phloem/ | en | 0.95183 | 0.961135 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
In theory, this practice can be combined with another tradition — whose origins are either "forgotten" or "my head" — which is replacing any two-syllable proper name with "Hitler." At heart, the replacement lacks the gleeful idiocy of the butt-love switcheroo, but this shortcoming is more than made up for by the fact that it nicely highlights the general vacancy of proper names in songs. For the most part, they're added because "girl" is one syllable too short, "woman" sounds like a blues song or outright misogyny, picking a name sets you up for some easy rhymes of your choice, and/or because a short-lined chorus needs to be filled out. It doesn't really work for songs based on real people or, like "Martha," animals, mainly because you can actually picture McCartney singing to his sheepdog. But a song like "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number," while still utterly vacuous, sounds a lot more interesting when it's about der Führer.*
* — This is a false distinction because Wikipedia says that "Rikki, Don't Lose That Number" was inspired by American postmodernist, writer, poet and artist Rikki Ducornet. However, while it seems like almost everyone has heard the sheepdog story about "Martha," the Ducornet connection seems especially obscure, making the Rikki in question some unimaginable vague cipher whose identity could be replaced by almost anything. Rickey Henderson. Nikki Six. Vickie Lawrence. Adolf Hitler. Seriously, who cares? The song, like virtually all Steely Dan songs, still fucking sucks.
The drawbacks to this practice are identical to the butt-replacement game, only with more potential for social mortification. Giggling about butts or accidentally singing about butts just makes you seem like a juvenile twit, but some people might become angry if you're cheerily singing about how "Hitler's mom has got it goin' on."
One such group of people who might get upset is the Jews, whose name my former roommate Danny liked to substitute for the word "you" in pop songs. This is by far the most socially risky of the substitution games, with the least reward. Generally speaking, the plural ending often doesn't fit in songs, often doesn't make sense and usually isn't all that funny. While it does point up singers' lazy pronunciation and the empty non-specificity of "you" in many songs, most people aren't going to see the humor in it and will probably find it disturbing. It often is. U2's "With or Without Jews" sounds like an ambivalent narrator questioning whether extermination is a valid option, and indeed it might well be a summary of 1,500 years of the history of European commerce, investment, debt and racist expulsions to relieve debtor rulers and nations from the latter. Meanwhile, "Can't Take My Eyes off of Jews" sounds like a propaganda slogan.
Of course, all of these problems could be easily avoided if people merely stopped singing in public. And frankly, most of them should. | <urn:uuid:84a63a30-0331-4fef-b9b5-540bff67f283> | http://www.mrdestructo.com/2008/08/butt-hitler.html | en | 0.95879 | 0.392758 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
GDW Twilight: 2000 - Last Battle: A Review
Chicks, Cars, and the Third World War - Twilight: 2000
First off, I need to explain a bit about my own background in relation to GDW as a teenage roleplayer in 1989 who was obsessed with one GDW roleplaying game in particular - Twilight: 2000. In the late 1980s, I was in my mid-teens and my friends and I were firmly a part of the much admired and extremely popular group of high school kids that spent their Friday or Saturday nights playing roleplaying games. After the first adventure, we were hooked - Twilight: 2000 quickly became our "go to" game and we played the hell out of it for years.
To provide some background for the uninitiated, Twilight: 2000 was a roleplaying game about World War III and it was released by GDW in 1984 at the height of the late Cold War, right in the middle of Reagan and just before the arrival of Gorbachev when things were tense and it wasn't at all odd to wake up wondering if today was THE DAY when either side would push the button and the human race would finally have the distinct pleasure of kissing its collective ass goodbye. So this game was really a product of its time and it shows through its basic premise.
In Twilight: 2000, Chadwick drew up a historical timeline that set the stage for a Sino-Soviet conflict in the mid-90s that, through a series of complex but somewhat believable events, sparked a sudden German reunification that quickly spiraled into World War III between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in Central Europe. As both sides wore each other down in a conventional conflict that went nowhere, the urge to use nukes became irresistible but instead of having an all-out strategic conflagration, they inched towards armageddon with a series of limited nuclear exchanges.
By July of 2000, much of the world is devastated through conflict, radioactive fallout, disease, and famine but the war drags on and the US is about to launch one last major push into Poland to end the war and bring its troops back home to rebuild. The Warsaw Pact catches the US forces with a well-timed counterattack, however, and pushes them back all the way into Germany.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Twilight: 2000 and Design
The players take on the role of US soldiers who are part of this last failed NATO offensive and the game starts with the group of player characters caught behind enemy lines in Poland (around Kalisz) and they must break their way out of their predicament in order to...well, do whatever the hell they want. Some groups of players tried to get back home while others conducted guerrilla warfare or turned to looting the countryside while others simply tried to survive. The characters are given access to modern weapons, vehicles, and other assorted toys and let loose in a post-apocalyptic warzone to create their own destinies. It was this freedom in particular that appealed to many players and the rules were broad enough to support the players in trying to create their own life paths through the rubble of World War III.
The game tried so hard to be realistic that I think of it as the antithesis of games like Dungeons & Dragons. There were no spells or wizards or dragons to be found within a thousand miles of a Twilight: 2000 rulebook. The contents of the player's guide also made it fairly clear that players would be spending most of their time trying to just survive in a harsh post-nuclear environment with danger around every corner. You had to keep faithful track of ammunition and fuel expenditure, vehicle maintenance and upkeep, food consumption, and healing time for any wounds. So much for setting out to save the fair maiden from the old castle near Helm's Deep. This was "reality" roleplaying at its finest.
The combat rules were complex but not overly so - Chadwick Marc Miller was a Vietnam veteran and it's clear that he tried his best to model combat in a detailed and realistic manner but not so much that it bogged down the system. Things like artillery, anti-tank missiles, armored combat, small arms, and heavy weapons are all handled well by the system and provide for a good play experience. With the Twilight: 2000 roleplaying rulebook in hand, you were basically all set for a fun evening provided that your players didn't get into a huge battle. The system was just wieldy enough to handle combat between small-ish forces (less than 10 guys per each side). When you wanted to run bigger battles, however - and it happened quite a bit in the published adventures - the system would bog down under the strain of it all and the game quickly became unplayable.
I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - The Arrival of "Last Battle"
To resolve this problem, GDW released a Twilight: 2000 supplement called "Last Battle", which provided roleplayers with a way to resolve larger-scale combat between two forces. GDW released this as part of the "First Battle" series and I suspect that they were hoping that the wargame-y mechanics of "Last Battle" would appeal to the grognards as well as those who had never heard of Twilight: 2000 and would otherwise want nothing to do with a roleplaying game. At the same time, I'm sure GDW was hoping that "Last Battle" would make enough of an impact on roleplayers that it would serve as a gateway game to introduce Twilight: 2000 players to GDW's wargame products line. This notion is certainly supported by the blurb on the back of the box, which claims that "Last Battle" is both a roleplaying supplement and a standalone boardgame.
I'm not sure the gamble paid off. I can remember dismissing "Last Battle" as too much of a wargame (something I was not interested at all in at the time) and I'm sure there were more than a few wargamers who dismissed the product as simply a roleplaying supplement and not a "real wargame". Were people just confused by this product? I always got the impression, perhaps wrongly, that "Last Battle" was an effort by GDW to fuse together their roleplaying and wargaming lines. Although I'm not real clear on the history here, the fact that GDW didn't really attempt anything similar to this afterwards shows that it probably didn't work. I think it says a lot that the game is largely ignored on boardgamegeek and not even listed on rpggeek. Most people today would look at "Last Battle" and think, "What the hell is this thing?" and that's basically what people thought 25 years ago too.
Anyway, you open up "Last Battle" and you get about 15 pages of rules along with a scenario book that has about 10 scenarios in it featuring forces of various size. The scenarios are all based on battles from various Twilight: 2000 published adventures, from classics like "Armies of the Night" and "The Ruins of Warsaw". I couldn't help think about how all of these various scenarios with different forces would probably never make sense to someone with no background knowledge of Twilight: 2000 ("Why are the French fighting the Americans?" Why is a street gang in New York fighting the US Army?") but would be instantly recognizable to anyone who loved the roleplaying game.
The counters aren't anything special but they contain all the essential information and they're easy to read. I greatly appreciated the fact that the counters were numbered according to their colors, which made it easier to distinguish between counters on opposing sides (I'm colorblind and telling brown from green is very tough for me).
There are 6 paper maps included with the game and although they aren't terribly exciting in terms of color or appearance, they work well in terms of providing enough playing space for all your counters in their individual hexes, especially handy since there are no stacking limits for soldiers.
When Doves Cry - My First Impressions of "Last Battle" as a Wargame
Playing through my first game of "Last Battle", the U.S. Army faced off against the Los Diablos gang in New York City. The Diablos had an advantage in numbers but the Army had veteran troops and better weapons so the New York street gang managed to take out one or two soldiers before getting completely wiped out. So far, so good - but it was nothing too exciting.
The second scenario I played through was based around a particular scene in the excellent adventure module, "Going Home". In the adventure module, the players are trying to make their way through war-torn Germany to get back to a ship that will take them back to the States. Unfortunately, the Americans need to get through the French "neutral zone", which has been declared off-limits to all combatants. So in this scenario, the US soldiers fight against the French. This scenario had vehicles in it, an M2 Bradley and 2 Fast Attack Vehicles. The French had some support weapons as well as a tankbreaker anti-tank missile launcher. This is where things got pretty ridiculous.
American M2 Bradley advances on the enemy position after getting hit twice by anti-tank missiles.
The M2 Bradley made it to the top of a hill and the French fired their tankbreaker and hit the vehicle. I rolled on the damage table and got...a "radio damaged" result. Wait a second. An anti-tank missile managed a direct hit on the M2 Bradley (on the top of the IFV) and the radio got broken? The French fired again in a subsequent turn and this time, the turret was completely destroyed but the vehicle was still able to drive around no problem with all crew members alive and inside. Something was wrong here.
Another problem soon hit me too. Since your troops have different levels of experience, they all get different modifiers to their "to hit" and save rolls. Keeping track of which of your guys had what experience on a crowded map became an exercise in frustration, especially when their were no counters to show experience and guys kept moving around, getting killed, replaced with other counters, etc. So I really started to dislike this game...and then something wonderful happened.
Don't Worry Be Happy - "Last Battle" as a Roleplaying Supplement
I had a couple of beers.
I came back to the gaming table, a bit reluctantly, and threw caution to the wind. I guessed at experience levels, I guessed at damage tables, I even guessed whose turn it was. And I had fun! Lots of it. I could suddenly sense that this game, played around a crowded table by a group of teenagers in 1989 with pretzels and bad music in the background and the occasional conversational diversion about how much the latest Miami Vice episode sucked, might work alright provided no one worried too much about following the rules to a tee or fretted over achieving realistic outcomes. After I stopped approaching "Last Battle" as a serious wargame and looked at it as a roleplaying supplement or a beer and pretzels kind of game, it actually became somewhat enjoyable.
As part of the "First Battle" series, "Last Battle" doesn't measure up to the other products in the lineup. As a way of resolving large battles in a roleplaying universe using some quick and easy rules, however, it's a pretty decent effort. As a Twilight: 2000 fan, GDW deserves some praise for offering a product that solved a problem in the game but it's easy to see why it probably didn't get much love from wargamers despite trying to cast itself as such. I don't know how often I'll be putting this game on the table, but I suspect that when I start to get nostalgic for that time and place, "Last Battle" might scratch the itch for a fun evening of mindless gaming - beer in hand, of course.
(Update: In the original post, I incorrectly stated that Frank Chadwick was a Vietnam veteran. In fact, it was Marc Miller who served in Vietnam. My sincere apologies to both men.)
1. Groovy. My role playing days were filled with D&D, and this James Bond thing set in space or something. Then we got girlfriends and it all died. Never saw nor heard anything about this. Great write up.
1. Thanks Kev! Twilight: 2000 is great and James Bond set in space sounds pretty awesome. Girlfriends sound better though. Funny how I had to get married to come back full circle to the old gaming hobby!
2. Good ole D & D was my gateway to wargames. Those were some great times.
1. It's kind of great how many people say that D&D got them into wargaming. Maybe it's the dice appeal? I'm not sure. I think Gary Gygax started off with wargaming before he created D&D. Here's a link to his rules for a wargame of his called "Fantasy Battles" in 1972. You can definitely get a sense of what's coming down the road just from reading it:
3. Oops, also the irony about making a wargame to assist with RPG combat resolution. Since RPGs started as miniatures games (EGG/Arneson Chainmail into D&D) or wargames (GDW's Imperium to Traveller), the way that they got so complex they needed to loop back to their origins to re-simplify them for pure combat is poetic or something. We also later used miniatures rules to address the issue as boardgames were so expensive to produce and something of an odd, niche-y market.
1. Thanks David! Yeah, I think another extreme example of this was the Leading Edge RPG combat system, Phoenix Command. The ballistics were based on computer modelling and calculating the flight path and damage inflicted by each bullet meant spending hours upon hours working out a single combat on pen and paper. At some point, the push to be "realistic and gritty" went too far and got bogged down in laborious tedium. I actually recently got my hands on a copy of Phoenix Command and I intend to do a write-up some day to talk about this issue. I think sanity prevailed at some point and many recent RPGs are more "play-friendly" while still managing to keep things a bit realistic.
4. Brad--
It looks like my original comment (before "Oops" above) got lost. It said something like this:
You are correct, "Last Battle" was an RPG adjunct for T2K, one of a more-or-less permanent effort to address "mass combat" resolution for RPGs, whether T2K, Traveller, 2300, etc. All of that stuff sat uncomfortably between the RPG and wargame. I agree with you that the "scenarios" were particularly odd, that's just an expression of the wargame DNA in it. I thought that was probably not time well spent, more practical to say, "You're the Ref buying this, you know what you want to use it for."
One correction, Frank Chadwick was not a Vietnam vet, that was Marc Miller.
Dave Nilsen
1. Hi Dave,
Sorry your original comment got lost and thanks for resubmitting. Also a big thanks for the correction about Frank and Marc. I'll put an edit in the article right away to reflect that. I have to say that despite the cheeky review I wrote above, I really was sincere in that I think LB would have been a huge hit in my gaming group at the time. It made bigger battles much more playable and that really opened up the possibilities for the T2K GM in terms of what kinds of settings and scenarios could be played out. Looking back, I wish I had bought it back when it came out. And I would agree about the scenarios. Most people I knew who ran T2K games wrote their own stuff or heavily modified existing adventure modules. I don't know what it was about T2K but people got really attached to their characters (moreso than most other games) and developed them carefully over the course of play so it just begged the GM to tailor specific adventures or scenarios to the PCs rather than play out an existing module without heavily modifying it. Anyway, thank you again!
5. Brad--
Happy to help reminisce. I know what you mean about it feeling weird. For some reason there were lots of LB parts and Twilight Encounters parts lying around the office and I'd always look at them and think, "what the hell is this from? Oh, right." There was something about them that had to be vague and generic enough to serve the RPG, but was presented like a wargame component and didn't want to fall into a category in my mind. TE also suffered from the confusion that it fell into the grey area between T2K first and second editions. Brilliant Lances, the starship resolution adjunct for TNE, fell into a similar trap. It only existed to be a fully realized resolution for the RPG, as the range-band system in the basic rulebook was inadequate. But somewhere along the line when you put parts into a box the price point gets so high that some logic gets imposed on you that you must make it look like a stand-alone game, which it was never intended to be, so it accretes misperceptions. A miniatures framework seemed to work better, maybe because minis is where it all began, back with Chainmail.
1. Your server is in China, Russian Far East, Mongolia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Australia. UTC +8.
2. Thanks for your insightful comments, David. That certainly sheds light on how Last Battle came to be and why it was presented as it was. I can understand now the tension that must have existed between the intent and the final product. It also explains the release of the Twilight: 2000 miniatures line (oh how I wanted those). The system just begged for it. I admire how much GDW tried to support T2K and expand the options for people who played it. It was a great company and it took risks to meet its vision. I miss it.
As for the server, you're correct! I live and work in Japan. Wargaming and blogging is a nice way to escape the occasional sense of disconnect that comes from being in such a different culture.
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Coffee naked in the MilkyWay
Respite from the heat.
Coffee, with milk.
No sugar.
Life is sweet.
Naked, sitting in the MilkyWay.
Does Sirius care, or Castor wonder or Betelgeuse blush?
It must be an accepted fact then.
Coffee, naked, in the MilkyWay.
I realise I am not round.
I am odd.
All the big things are round.
I am small.
I do think. I think so. Do they?
Are big thoughts round?
Going round and round.
Dogs bark at night.
They know the MilkyWay.
There must be other dogs up there.
Why else would they bark?
Even on cloudy nights they bark.
Prove me wrong.
Ask your dog.
Three times I saw the wand of light.
Meteors that burnt bright.
I soaked my rusk.
I bent my head.
I bent my fingers.
I caught it just before it fell apart.
I have to bend.
My thoughts bend too.
Where does bending go?
It comes back to you.
Between one star and another
there is lots of space to cover.
Even to Jupiter and Mars.
The grass is wet.
I am entranced by all the stars.
Am I just a visitor from somewhere far?
Naked on a chair in the MilkyWay.
Drinking coffee at midnight.
Magic, I say.
The whole sky had moved.
It was the deep of the night.
The chair was now empty.
The stars were still bright.
I went searching for you.
Sometime after coffee at midnight.
Naked, in the MilkyWay.
2 thoughts on “Coffee naked in the MilkyWay
1. Idoni says:
Oh how beautiful! I felt I was there. Thanks again for a great and thoughtful post.
Beat the drum :-)
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Patti Kim
Patti Kim was born in Pusan, Korea, in 1970 and immigrated to the United States in 1974. She was the Diane Cleaver Fellow at Ledwig House, the New York writers' colony. "A Cab Called Reliable "is her first novel. It won the 1997 Towson University Prize for Literature and was a nominee for the Book-of-the-Month Club's Stephen Crane Award for First Fiction. She lives in Potomac, Maryland. | <urn:uuid:d5f469e7-e137-4d92-95f9-79ef6b9451c9> | https://www.alibris.com/search/books/author/Patti-Kim | en | 0.974571 | 0.17961 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
This pamphlet is intended as a basic primer on the Connolly Youth Movement for new members and those with an interest in our activities and views. It exists to provide an overview of our core beliefs, as well as a breakdown of our everyday practice and brief look at our background. We hope that newcomers will find this to be a helpful aid in figuring out whether the CYM is the right group for them. Young people are largely discouraged from taking a critical interest in politics, and reading political analysis is the first step to engaging with and improving our society.
What is the CYM?
The Connolly Youth Movement was founded by young political activists in 1970, many of whom were involved in the Trade Union movement and the Civil Rights movement in the Six Counties. The organisation played a role in and left a lasting impact in the North by providing non-sectarian pressure to provide social rights for all individuals. It is named after James Connolly, a martyr of the 1916 Rising and a devoted socialist who blazed a path for those who struggled after him with the first Workers’ army in Europe – the Irish Citizens’ Army.
In more recent times, the Connolly Youth Movement has been involved in a number of campaigns including Work Must Pay and Right2Water, Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Justice for the Craigavon Two Campaign, Home Sweet Home and is firmly behind the Repeal the Eight campaign.
Who is the CYM for and how is it run?
The Connolly Youth Movement is open to all individuals between the ages of 14 and 30. It is a democratic activist-based organisation divided into several regional branches. It is active mainly among young workers and students. We think capitalism isolates and disempowers young people, and our intent is to provide them with a place to discuss inequality in their communities and plan strategies to oppose it and defeat it through collective action.
Branches are active on a local level and every member has an equal say in the actions of the branch. A congress convenes once yearly where a National Executive Committee is elected and plans and focus on a national level is discussed and decided upon.
What are our political views?
We believe that our society has basic flaws that cause poverty, unemployment, homelessness. We see these problems as occurring as a result of one main feature – the profit motive.We can trace the eviction of vulnerable people to the desire of landlords for profit. We see unemployment as a natural outcome of businesses existing solely for profit.
We believe concrete solutions to these problems can be reached by people working together, but that we cannot access these solutions because of the inbuilt need for activity to create profit. The state in many ways exists to facilitate and ensure profit is returned, as can be seen in the bail-out of private companies with public funds. This system wasn’t designed by one man or any group, but was something we were all born into. We were raised to believe it was the natural order.
Our society suffers from corruption and nepotism, as the long chain of brown envelopes left behind in the wake of the boom can confirm. In effect, the absurd principle of our society is that the most selfish of men, for the most selfish reasons, will act in the best interest of everyone. The clear result of this bias towards profit over need is emigration, dead-end jobs and hopelessness for the many. Capitalism has failed most of our people, and that is why we favour socialism.
What is Socialism?
The average Irish person will work from the age of 18 until they are 65, with occasional unemployment. Most people will spend almost half of their waking life in the workplace or doing jobs for their employers. Even though most Western countries pride themselves on being democratic, people have practically no say where they work, how they work or what their work is used for – they need to sell their time to survive, without any share in the profits. The only people with a say in how industries should exist are the profiteers – the shareholders – and even if there isn’t a need for their product, they can create that need using advertising.
Socialists see this as a fundamentally undemocratic situation, and the relationship between workers and their employers as being rooted in inequality. The vast majority of big business owners and profiteers also inherit their wealth from their parents, so their beneficial position is no reflection of personal skill or hard work (If you work at a large company like EMC or Abtran, when was the last time you saw the CEO come in and join you for a shift?).
Socialists see the CEO and the shareholder as unnecessary – we believe the people together can decide how the economy is run through mass participation and elected representation in the state and trade unions, and participate in work that improves our situation and that of the whole community instead of enriching private investors and banking firms. We think democracy and freedom shouldn’t end at the gates to the workplace and that replacing profit with need can create systems that work for people rather than against them.
Socialism, to give a wordy definition, is when the workers own the “means of production” and control the power of the state. The means of production are the things we use to produce items and services and distribute them to those who need them, like factories and shopping centers. Socialism is a system where the employees, through electing their foremen and managers, decide their conditions and have a say in what their work is used for. Government planners survey the economy and create new workplaces where there is a demand – this eliminates ‘false demand’ where capitalists make people feel insecure about their lives through advertising, and then sell them the remedy to these artificial needs. Housing and employment will be guaranteed. In Capitalism, each new technological improvement replaces workers with machine to create unemployment. While the remaining workers continue their shifts on the same miserable wages. profits increase. With the elimination of profit, every new technological innovation will lower each worker’s hours, giving them time to spend with their family and friends while still contributing to society. In ancient slave society, a master had to feed and house his slave to ensure their reusability. Now everyone is replaceable in an hour. Now with precarious, no-contract work, once the job is finished and paid for, every person is left to fend for themselves, reduced to an unstable livelihood with disastrous consequences on mental health, which is proven to be linked to one’s environment. We want an economy where modern technology enriches, rather than impoverishes.
What is Marxism?
Socialism, to analyse society in order to accomplish this goal, utilizes Marxism. Marxism is an outlook, or way of looking at the world, based on the writings of German philosopher Karl Marx. Marx thought all political life grew out of economic life – that is to say, that politics changed itself to fit around how goods were made, rather than goods being made according to a political system. With this in mind, Marx thought that bad government and hardship was the result of in-built laws of the current type of economy, not just evil men. Marx saw the world being divided not into separate nations, cultures or powers, but between two antagonistic groups that exist in every country – the owners and the propertyless. Socialism is the resolution of the contradiction between those two groups, to deliver power and true democracy to the people.
What is the role of the Connolly Youth Movement in building Socialism?
On and off campus, we are gripped in a battles of ideas against the huge youth wings of the establishment parties. We want to be able to instill class consciousness in the up and coming generation of students and young workers so that when the issues with housing, work, homelessness do occur, they can understand them not as stand alone issues but as symptoms of the systemic crisis in how we organize society. We look at the long term picture and see ourselves as looking to win over the youth to Marxism.
What does being a member of the Connolly Youth Movement mean?
Our political aspirations and objectives have to reflect our resources and ability to fulfill them.
First and foremost being a member of the CYM means accepting that our actions will usually be short, strategic interventions, rather than long and drawn out campaigns. Realism is at the root of our policy, work and consideration. We need to be able to know our limitations in order to act on our abilities. There is really no point in having huge goals aspirational objectives which we know we cannot achieve and only serves to demoralize our own membership and our supporters.
Secondly, being a member of the Connolly Youth Movement means being able to engage in discourse and having your views challenged. We do not hold uniform opinions on the matters of the world, we do not all read the same books. But we are obligated to come to conclusions on certain political issues and we do, but only through endless scrutiny, criticism and analysis.
Thirdly, it is important to have a series of concrete ideas that we can refer back to. But those ideas are completely meaningless if we cannot act on them and they will forever stay inside the rooms we meet in and the forums we communicate on. We need to be able to translate those ideas into clear concepts for other people, but most importantly help those ideas materialize into direct action against capital and the ruling class.
This all sounds very vague when put like that, but let’s give it a more defining feature. Participating in local community groups that organize against certain policies (housing, bin charges, water meters) is a method of not only actually meeting new people, but also in projecting a Marxist analysis into these campaigns and helping instill a sense of class consciousness with others. Our ultimate goal and objective is not to take over, or run these groups but to win the battle of ideas among them. That our struggle and any struggle must be in the form of a broader one against capitalism.
Another more specific example is something such as marching/partaking with Palestinian Solidarity activists. We must stand in opposition to imperialism and neo-colonialism because there are issues that we need to talk about here, at home. Ireland is in the unique position of facing multidimensional imperialism from a different series of forces.
1. British Occupation of 6 counties of Ireland.
2. The European Union’s micromanagement of Irish Foreign, Defence and Economic affairs.
3. Multinational corporations in Ireland exert influence on the State, largely by threatening to leave if their demands are not met. As a result, they pay little to no tax and continue to artificially increase the price of living by paying slightly above average wages.
What kind of campaigns is the CYM involved in?
The Connolly Youth Movement has been instrumental also in highlighting the rolling out of the labour activation schemes through a broad based campaign called ‘Work Must Pay’. We went outside businesses that advertised this scheme and organized demonstrations, calling on all passer byers to boycott the business until it took down it’s advertisement of JobsBridge. This tactic was highly successful in almost all situations, it also helped to bring us in direct contact with concerned citizens and other people who’ve had the unfortunate experience of being placed on one of these schemes!
In 2018, after the end of the Jobsbridge campaign with the scheme being replaced, the Connolly Youth Movement launched its next major campaign – Scabtran. This is an effort by existing and former employees of the company Abtran, which hires over 2500 workers, including ones on government contracts, in the equivalent of a modern day workhouse with appalling conditions. The process is ongoing, but unionisation and improvement of conditions is the goal, and results in publicity have been achieved already.
As well as this, the Connolly Youth Movement has occupied and renovated derelict houses to turn them into homes and centres of political activity for young people. This has set an example for a new form of activism not practiced by others parties in Ireland – confronting capitalism neither legislatively as the reformists do, vocally as the ultra-leftists do, but physically, hitting the capitalists where it hurts by turning their profit-making facilities over for use by the people.
In short, there’s no point in us promising we can change the world when we do not have the political power, unity or consciousness to do so, but there is a point in creating a path as to how we can go about getting to a point where we the balance of power is in favour of the working class.
In 2018, Connolly Youth Movement activists are involved across varying platforms and groups, depending on the city that they live in but we all understand that our work must be two pronged and guided by a basic understanding of the issue. Action for the sake of action is meaningless, not only to us, but also to the people who we try to communicate the issues and solutions to. | <urn:uuid:f375abac-4293-4814-a118-24d7cc8798cd> | https://www.cym.ie/about/ | en | 0.9672 | 0.040024 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Q&A: Paul Sika, Cote d’Ivoire
Fashion and advertising photographer, artist and creative director Paul Sika was featured in the 2007 summer edition of Olympus User Magazine UK. For this vibrant series, Sika created the environments using actors and carefully staged sets to convey a powerful social narrative.
What was the creative rationale behind the use of such overwhelmingly saturated colors in your African series?
‘The colors are not specific to the African series. I happened to be in Cote d’Ivoire, where I’m based at the moment, after my stay in London for my studies in software engineering, and the colors and the way I use them allow the doors of imagination to be opened.
‘I don’t like art that can only be understood by “experts”. I don’t find that type of art interesting enough. My vision is that art should be for everyone who can perceive it, giving them the opportunity to enjoy it. A kid can enjoy my art, and those that are more advanced can derive a deeper meaning out of it. All that is based on the state of mind of the observer’.
How far do you go in planning shoots beforehand and what is left to chance?
‘Usually, I let the idea form in my mind as an embryo. In my mind, over a varying period of time, it will develop until it is ready to be delivered onto paper. Deliver it too quickly — when it is not mature enough — and you blow up the idea. I first jot it down as a script, through a mix of words, drawings and symbols that everybody can understand after deciphering my bad handwriting.
There is no chance. There is just how much you understand and how well you interact with your Creative Force’.
Can you tell us about how you chose the subjects for the series and how easy or difficult the shooting process was?
‘Some of series’ were commissions, and others were personal. For the commissions, I am generally asked to go from a brief. For the personal projects, I have more freedom. Whenever I am awake, ideas just start to pop up and I observe them until one of them makes my heart tick. That is the stamp of approval. I add other ideas onto this idea, making the original concept richer. When it reaches maturity, I carry it out’.
Can you talk about some of the commissions you have received due to this work? Is it mainly advertising or do you get a lot of fashion and editorial work as well?
‘It used to be mainly advertising, but I am starting to get more fashion than I used to. The fashion designers who are aware of my work are willing to try the exuberant style I produce. Several brands are now showing interest in my work, including Jamhuri Wear, Elway and Kohra’.
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Master’s in Neurosurgery
Master’s in Neurosurgery
The master’s level of education is designed to be taken after earning an undergraduate degree. The field of neurosurgery is one of the most advanced and prestigious career paths available. Consider the possibility of enrolling in one of the top master degree programs in neurosurgery to continue your education. To get started, research all your options to find a program that meets your needs. This short guide will help explain what you should be looking for.
What Is a Master’s in Neurosurgery?
In actuality, it is very rare for a master’s degree to be offered in neurosurgery. As the name of the field implies, the most common career path is that of a neurosurgeon. In order to become a neurosurgeon, however, you must attend medical school, which can be entered after earning a bachelor’s degree. It is not required or recommended to earn a master’s degree before enrolling in medical school. Some students, however, may choose to enter a master’s program in neurosurgery after medical school to compliment the training they receive as a resident in a hospital.
As a Master’s of Science, the Master’s in Neurosurgery is heavily focused on independent study, rather than lecture-based learning. However, there will likely be a combination of both kinds of courses in the program. There is also likely a required final thesis project before graduation. The program also includes:
• Core courses dealing directly with neuroscience.
• Secondary general science and medicine courses.
• Several related electives.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Master’s in Neurosurgery?
Because a Master’s in Neurosurgery is not a requirement to enter the medical field, the primary benefit is different for each student. Most of the time, students will enroll in this kind of program strictly because they want to learn everything they can on the subject, rather than to take advantage of the career boosting benefits. The master’s degree program should be able to provide you with the most advanced education available on the theoretical side of neurosurgery. Alternatively, if you are only interested in the theory behind neurosurgery, earning a master’s degree could potentially help you enter a career as a researcher, although other master’s programs will likely offer a broader application. Additionally, earning a master’s degree will likely increase the salary that you could potentially earn.
What Kind of Career Can You Expect with a Master’s in Neurosurgery?
While it is possible to become a neurosurgeon or a neurosurgery assistant with a master’s degree in neurosurgery, you will need to complete other educational programs in order to reach this level. You will need to complete medical school, and then hold a residency for at least four years, although eight years is more commonly required. It may also be possible to work as a researcher or scientist focusing on the techniques and knowledge we have on neurosurgery. While there are limited other careers that require a Master’s in Neurosurgery, holding this kind of advanced degree will likely make candidates far more appealing for several other careers in the scientific field.
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All adults are really children at heart, and this slip 'n slide would bring out the child in all of us. The slide itself is really long, and there's a ramp at the end that launches you really high and really far.
This would be really, really awesome, unless you belly or back-flopped, which would be incredibly painful.
This slip 'n slide is in France and would be a huge tourist attraction if they keep it where it is. Keep it open in warm weather and charge people to use it. Brilliant business idea. A better idea would be some smart person in America building something awesome like this so we don't have to travel so far. | <urn:uuid:faaaa29a-411c-44fc-883e-d5e11afe5268> | http://95rockfm.com/this-massive-slip-n-slide-looks-insanely-fun-video/ | en | 0.977123 | 0.256299 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Jordan Strauss who is a guitar teacher in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, taught his bride, Andrea Strauss how to play so the two could make music together on their big day.
The wedding took place in May with both the bride and the groom playing electric guitars as she is walking down the aisle. | <urn:uuid:c05b7bf3-e707-4ff1-b946-c4b129bbb3cc> | http://hot1047.com/bride-and-groom-guitar-wedding/ | en | 0.987196 | 0.087147 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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Duran Duran Femme Fatale video
Duranalysis: Duran Duran’s Femme Fatale
The video opens with the Durans—it’s 1993, so the lineup is Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and Warren Cuccurullo—driving around New York in a town car, with John behind the wheel. They’re cruising slowly through dark and nearly deserted streets, searching for action. I can relate; I used to do this with my friends most Friday nights while I was in high school, because… well, what else was there to do on a Friday night in Spokane in the eighties? We’d drive around aimlessly for hours before ending up at McDonald’s or Denny’s.
Duran Duran Femme Fatale John Taylor driving
This is Duran Duran, though, so—spoiler alert—they do not end up at Denny’s.
They’re all dressed to kill. Simon, newly shorn and peroxided and in touch with his inner sexy android, is obviously en route to a Roy Batty lookalike competition.
Simon Le Bon looks like Roy Batty from Blade Runner
Meanwhile, a pixie-cropped Nick wraps himself in frilly scarves and slouches glamorously into a corner of the backseat while testing out his finest Greta Garbo impression.
Nick Rhodes looks like Greta Garbo
They spot a beautiful young woman, played by model Nina Brosh, who glides across their path. She’s dressed in a long ball gown, her tangled blonde hair piled high on her head, looking like an eighteenth-century courtesan.
Nina Brosh in the Femme Fatale video
Discuss: Who looks better in eighteenth-century courtesan drag: Nina in this video, or Nick in the “Out of My Mind” video?:
Nina Brosh Femme Fatale
Nick Rhodes in Out of My Mind
Nina’s gorgeous, but for sheer head-to-toe fabulousness, I have to give the nod to Nick.
Still in the car, the Durans slowly trail Nina as she wanders through dark streets and alleyways. They’re aggressively stalking her, which would be troubling and a little terrifying if they weren’t, y’know, Duran Duran. She leads them through the Meatpacking District and disappears, whereupon they hit the pavement to look for her. While searching for Nina, Nick encounters a statuesque and lovely trans woman, who towers above him.
Nick Rhodes meets a trans woman in Femme Fatale
I’m only speculating that they’re in the Meatpacking District, actually. New York circa 1993 looks very different from New York circa 2018, and just going by all the abandoned buildings and shadowy warehouses the Durans cruise past, I’d originally figured they were in one of the dustier corners of Brooklyn. However, Nina passes beneath a sign for Rio Mar, a then-trendy Spanish restaurant on West 12th, which provides some valuable location clues. From a 1990 New York Magazine review of Rio Mar: Inside, old locals at the bar are likely to be singing along to salsa music from the jukebox (don’t worry, club kids, there’s a healthy smattering of Madonna, too). Okay, good to know!
The Durans follow Nina into a building, whereupon they find themselves at a club filled with partygoers in sequined masks, feather boas, and satin top hats. Mostly what I gleaned from this video is that Manhattan club kids in the early nineties had all watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show a few too many times.
Club kids in the Femme Fatale video
Also, everyone in this club is super high.
Super high club kids in the Femme Fatale video
A woman does this with her tongue as soon as the Durans walk in. While lacking a certain subtlety, this is a fairly natural and relatable response to the sight of a Duran in the flesh.
Woman makes weird tongue gesture at Duran Duran
Once inside, the Durans divide and conquer. Simon dances with an attractive woman, Warren mingles with the crowd, and a pair of slinky ladies who were canoodling together on a sofa suddenly stop macking on each other and make a beeline for John.
John Taylor and a pair of stylish lesbians
As the women paw at him, John’s expression of baffled alarm and weary resignation—something along the lines of “Why is this happening to me again?”—is unbearably poignant.
Stylish lesbians nuzzle John Taylor
This video improves if you assume the Durans have wandered into a den of undead hipster vampires with an insatiable thirst for sweet, sweet Duran blood.
John Taylor mauled by amorous ladies
A slithery woman in a wee little beribboned tophat starts gnawing on Warren’s neck. Warren digs it.
Warren Cuccurullo gets his neck gnawed on
I mean, it’s not like my “this party is actually a seething hotbed of horny vampires” theory is that far out of the realm of possibility.
Nobody seems interested in gnawing on Nick, the fools, so he sits down at a piano and starts to play. He’s interrupted by a feather boa-draped woman, who decides to dance on the keys. Nick seems to take this with gentle good humor, but he’d be well within his rights to be monstrously irritated by this kind of behavior. In many ways, this is a terribly obnoxious party. Might’ve had a better time at Denny’s, lads.
Nick Rhodes at the piano
After abandoning the piano, Nick spends the rest of the party draping himself across furniture, patiently waiting for someone to bite his neck.
Nick Rhodes drapes himself over furniture
“Excuse me, ladies, would one or both of you have any interest in turning me into a vampire? …No? Okay, thank you anyway.”
Nick Rhodes and stylish women
Nobody bites Simon, either. He lurks around the party, still doing his Sexy Killer Android thing while occasionally flashing Nina sultry glances from across the room.
Simon Le Bon at the club
The lady with the feather boa, who is now lying on top of the piano, brandishes her tush at Simon as he passes. The mating rituals in this video are not especially understated.
Simon Le Bon ogles a woman
Eventually, Simon makes a meaningful connection with Nina. She rubs a rose in some loose powder—fairy dust or sugar or cocaine or whatever—and blows it in his face.
Nina Brosh and roses
She then twirls around in a circle and flings rose petals everywhere, which flutter down over the Durans as they lie on the floor, which is probably all sticky from various bodily fluids and spilled chocolate cherry martinis, because it’s that kind of club. I can only hope the Durans will rise up from the floor the following night, having turned into wraithlike and glamorous undead creatures of the night.
Duran Duran showered by rose petals
We’ve never had a Duran Duran vampire video, have we? We had the Great Duran Duran Zombie Massacre in “Night Boat,” of course, but no vampires. This seems like a grievous oversight; I’d love to see the Durans slithering around in red velvet robes, hissing at sunlight and menacing virgins and sipping blood out of cut-crystal champagne flutes. Alas, this is not that video. As with Duran Duran’s other videos from tracks off of the Wedding Album—”Come Undone” and “Ordinary World”—there’s not much to “Femme Fatale,” apart from a lot of well-shot footage of the Durans looking impossibly beautiful and stylish. We’ll have to settle for that.
| <urn:uuid:6fe81f60-1c06-4289-9926-4b5a40a7c56d> | http://morganrichter.net/blog/duranalysis-duran-duran-femme-fatale/ | en | 0.93629 | 0.02603 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Monday, July 25, 2011
Coffee in Atlanta
[A report, after four days of intensive investigation, punctuated here and there by "apartment-hunting."]
1. You can buy Blue Bottle beans at Star Provisions on Howell Mill Road. When I saw the Bella Donovan I nearly wept with relief.
2. Steady Hand on North Decatur (right by the Fox Center!) brews Intelligentia, which is respectable. I don't know what their funky apparatus is, but it produces a clean brew that does a good job of revealing the character of the bean.
3. Octane on Marietta brews Counter Culture, and I was favorably impressed; it is, like the coffee from Steady Hand, nuanced third-wave stuff. But they brew it in a French press, apparently with a finer grind than is really appropriate for a press, and the result is a rather muddy brew even after you've let it settle. Good coffee, but advantage goes to Steady Hand for texture.
4. I want to like the local roaster, Batdorf and Bronson, and they seem, you know, perfectly fine. But so far I'm not thrilled by it or ready to adopt it as my new local coffee. Aurora and the Bakeshop brew it and dispense it in an air pot—which is to say, it's morally okay to put this coffee in an air pot. This is, I would say, perfectly acceptable coffee, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
5. Urban Grind's coffee, I am sorry to say, is a disappointment.
Julia Bloch said...
Wait: I thought you were a committed tea drinker?
Natalia said...
I am committed to drinking as much coffee and tea as possible.
Anonymous said...
You should try Condesa coffee in OFW (Boulevard and Freedom Parkway). They use Counter Culture and Intelligentsia, very good baristas, and pastries/lunch menu by Sugarcoated Radical.
Natalia said...
I am very familiar with Condesa! A good place. The new Octane in Grant Park is also great. | <urn:uuid:ffab2e25-5a31-468c-89fa-900ecf5678f1> | http://nataliacecire.blogspot.com/2011/07/coffee-in-atlanta.html | en | 0.964114 | 0.046294 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Kelly Williams
Q & A with Kelly Williams and Gallery Director Laura Moriarty
LM:Please tell us about your background and how you came to art?
KW: I grew up in complicated, crazy and precarious circumstances, yet I was fiercely determined to survive and build something different for myself. I did not want to be defined by my history. In a landscape of dysfunction, at certain critical times there were adults who stood up for me, who saw me and heard me, and encouraged me to move beyond the chaos. These people acted as tethers, keeping me directed towards a belief that I might have a chance to survive in this world, and to live a better life than what I had experienced.
They promoted education as my best chance to escape my circumstances and give me choices beyond the ones laid out for me in my childhood. With this direction I was able to put myself through college. Afterward, I found myself working with traumatized children who had been removed from abusive homes as a consultant with Oregon’s Children’s Service Division (CSD). I had come full circle and was doing powerfully difficult work that made me realize I had my own healing to do.
It was at this point that someone put a paintbrush in my hand and told me to paint ‘IT’. Although formal art training was out my reach at this stage of my life, my persistence and hunger for knowledge pushed me to learn as much as I could about whatever art form was available to me. Over time, my art refined itself into painting with mediums that felt symbolically connected to my intentions and message. I continued to learn and create with the same intensity that I used to survive, because for me it was life or death. I had found my voice, so I painted…and painted...and painted…and healed.
Now, an important part of my art practice is to develop and implement programs to help unseen/unheard people bring vision/voice to their own story through art making and writing.
LM: So painting is a cathartic process for you?
Before I discovered painting, I spent many years as an adult trying to understand the complexities of my past. I felt a deep need to understand, acknowledge and digest my history so I could start creating a new personal narrative. Words often failed me, so instead I created a personal visual language to explore and articulate my experiences. The use of color, texture, line and shape allowed me to paradoxically capture and release the complicated themes and emotional subtleties I was compelled to express. Encaustic painting specifically added a deeper level of meaning by using the physicality of the medium: layering, embedding, gouging and burning. This building up and then obliterating through flame and tool, the chaos and delicacy of marks echoing from previous layers, add to the intricacy and complexity of the final piece. These are all the paradoxes with which I grapple.
LM: Can you describe the Crossroads project?
KW: Crossroads is a project aimed at giving homeless and transitional youth a safe and supportive environment to share their personal stories through art workshops that combine encaustic painting with written narratives. Encaustic is an ideal medium for this project because the process allows for exploration and expression of a personal journey. This method of applying layers of wax which are fused with a propane torch onto the layers below provides a physical metaphor to expand on the personal narrative that will be embedded within the bottom layers of the painting. The project will take place and first be exhibited at p:ear, an organization engaging homeless and transitional youth in Portland. The impact of the project will expand into the public sphere through multiple community art shows creating a platform for an honest dialogue about the realities of homelessness.
Painting has been the most powerful transformational tool in my personal journey. My own story has developed out of tragic circumstances and art has given me the voice and opportunity to both personally heal and help others on their journey to wholeness. Now I want to help these kids grow to be whole and self-directed members of society and begin to break the chains of abuse and homelessness.
There is great power in knowing that someone has gone before you in difficult circumstances and has emerged transformed at the other end. Mentoring is about relationship and communication, a willingness to hold space for another exactly where they are and with deep respect, stand with them until they can stand on their own. This is what I do.
LM: What about your own studio work?
KW:This last year for me has involved profound personal change and loss, including the death of my father. These life events have led me into a body of work around the concept of the Unspeakable. So often we refrain from saying what we see and know, think or feel in order to stay safe or keep others safe. What would happen if I ‘spoke’ these things within my art, even if they were only visible for a short time? Would I feel empowered by their acknowledgement, freed from the fear, clearer in my thought?
Part of my fascination with what isn’t said is to say it anyway. I boldly write the words in the deepest layers, the place where the words and thoughts originate but no one has access to. Sometimes it is in the process of doing this that I discover my own words and thoughts that had eluded me prior. Then I go through the process of burying the words underneath layers of images and symbols, often boxes, cages, barriers, bars, containers of all kinds. This obliterates the ability to see much of the content below. It becomes a dialogue of words reflecting images back and forth until they all merge and only remnants remain of what is below the finished layer that is visible to all.
I am excited that these pieces will be featured at my solo show this December at White Space Gallery here in Portland.
Artist Statement
My work is a symbolic narrative process. It is a progression of disentanglement, a developing of a story, layer by layer. It is only upon coming closer and becoming intimate does one experience the intricate textures, subtle imagery, hidden text and imperfections that make up the whole. Secrets are hidden within the layers, embedded truths expressed and hidden again for a visceral journey through the soul. The written word is often used as a form of layered texture to engage my deeper self and invite the viewer to do the same.
The use of encaustic painting allows for the metaphorical layering, burning, burying and exposing that are all relevant to the deeper meaning of my work. This ancient medium being used in contemporary visual expression further supports the timeless messages and questions I am driven to explore. | <urn:uuid:03dac954-0545-42b1-aa8b-0f5940bec0a9> | http://rfpaints.com/exhibitions/featured-artist/445-kelly-williams | en | 0.964664 | 0.037569 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Inspired by the
Nature of Sensory Experience
Grounded In The Visual Arts
Why acquire a profound awareness of your oneness with all life and environment only to deny yourself meaningful contact?
Verdant builds quality interpretations of classic gardens and makes daring new leaps into the uncharted territories of art & design.
Verdant’s mission: "To develop novel design re-combinations that engage people in the riches of horticulture, technology and the visual arts" is founded on inquiry-based learning, and is curiously focused on the interstitial.
Over the years we've transformed into an incubator of talented artisans who gracefully oscillate between the domains of architecture, horticulture, and the visual arts.
Flowerbox, located in the East Village, exemplifies our commitment to our philosophy; to skillfully merging the contextual, experiential, functional, structural and vegetal; to achieving the aesthetic, economic and social goals of a project.
Through an inquiry/prototype-based design process, Verdant has evolved into a dynamic team of Makers comprised of builders, designers, and horticulturalists.
We're inspired to reveal the beauty and simplicity of everyday life, to create artifacts that enable one to be in the present, to emphasize the temporal through contact with natural elements.
Our studio culture is shaped by Inquiry-based learning. As we expand our reach, we're developing opportunities to explore avant-garde ideas through both conceptual and installation-scale works.
While there is a rich history of (re)arranging plants for the purpose of producing desirable environments (e.g. garden, zoo, quad) there is little evidence of this art-form evolving at the speed at which technology is advancing and at the rate at which entire generations and societies are being displaced from wilderness, and the wild experiences that make us human.
As we move forward in space, on trajectories which hinge upon collective action, there is an urgency to redefine the agency of design. In a period marked by homogenization of culture and a devastation of wilderness, we see what we do as being much more than creating a sense of satisfaction that comes with bringing nature into the home–it’s an opportunity to challenge assumptions regarding the long-term environmental and social effects of our everyday sensory experiences.
Ours is a culture based on excess, on overproduction; the result is a steady loss of sharpness in our sensory experience. All the conditions of modern life its material plenitude, its sheer crowdedness – conjoin to dull our sensory faculties.
– Susan Sontag
98 4th Street, Ste.217
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Call us
Tel: (347) 529-5459
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ASTRO switch producers but continue to grow on playful & charismatic “Baby”
After completing their four seasons album release concept, boy group Astro are back with new producers, a (slightly) new sound and the next evolution of their boy-next-door pop takeover. As someone who was a massive fan of their work with the Iggy/Seo Youngbae producer team, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad that they’ve changed direction so soon, but “Baby” retains much of the energy and melodic focus that made Astro my top rookie of 2016.
Borrowing from the tropical pop craze (when will it end?!), “Baby” sees the group smooth out the more rambunctious pop leanings of their past work. The song’s synth-sprinkled bop feels like the boy group version of WJSN’s I Wish. The two tracks share a few of the same composers, so this makes sense. Though the verses of “Baby” are ultimately less memorable than a song like Hide & Seek or Confession, they retain the anything-goes mix of playful melody and charismatic idol hip-hop that made those singles such a treat. Astro have been an extremely energetic group since their debut, and excel at taking a straightforward pop track and bettering it through the addition of their freewheeling, fun-loving vibe.
The first time through “Baby”, I felt that the chorus was too predictable. It doesn’t soar like I wish it would, too indebted to that tropical synth beat to paint outside the lines. But the track improves as it goes on, culminating in a final chorus that injects a bit of electric guitar to invigorating effect. In this way, “Baby” sneaks up on you. I anticipate that it will have strong staying power throughout the summer as it provides a solid stepping stone for Astro’s continued maturation as a group.
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
This movie review for "Arbitrage" was written by guest blogger Liz Parker...
The word on Arbitrage before the screening was that Richard Gere gives an Oscar-worthy performance in it, and that much was true. While the beginning and middle portions of the movie were a little slow, the story soon picks up and draws you in, regardless of its slow start.
Robert Miller (Gere) has it all: a loving wife, children and grandchildren, a huge mansion in Manhattan. What we don't know at first, however, is that he is trying to sell his company because the company is deeply in debt. He's fudged the papers so that this is covered up, but his daughter (Brit Marling) eventually finds out. He's having an affair with a French artist, Julie (Laetitia Casta) even though his wife (Susan Sarandon) still loves him, and he pays for Julie's apartment, which is connected to her gallery. One night after he is very tired, he gets into a car accident, and this sets off a chain of events that will shape the rest of the movie.
Gere is indeed fantastic in this role, and I could see him getting an Oscar nomination for it. He's part of the 1%, and he plays his character with poise and cunning; he knows what he's doing is wrong, but he argues that he's doing it for the greater good. He's never had to be accountable for anything in his life before, and he doesn't intend to start repenting now. Sarandon has an interesting role as his wife in the film, though unfortunately she's only sprinkled throughout the movie; Brit Marling, as his daughter, gets more screen time than she does. Nate Parker (Red Tails) also stars as Jimmy, a Harlem kid who Gere's character relies on heavily and then feels indebted to, rightly so.
Yes, see this film. I would have given it 3 out of 5 stars, but Gere's performance bumps it up another half-star for me. According to Wikipedia, the word "arbitrage" means "the practice of taking advantage of a price difference between two or more markets: striking a combination of matching deals that capitalize upon the imbalance." The imbalance here is that because Gere's character is so rich - or at least thought of as rich - he can get himself out of any situation, and the movie shows exactly how far his wealthiness and reputation will take him. There was some humor woven in between the serious scenes as well; in one scene, Jimmy tells Gere that he and his girlfriend bought an Applebee's in Virginia, and Gere blithely asks: "What's an Applebee's?" Arbitrage will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good story, and it has a few twists and turns along the way as well.
Arbitrage is in theaters now and is rated R with a runtime of 100 minutes. 3.5 stars out of 5.
Click here if Arbitrage Movie Trailer is not shown
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Feedback and Learning Solutions
Making Smart People, People Smart
I to I Selling
I to I Selling is a phenomenal two day program that will teach you how to identify ways behavioral differences are currently helping or hindering your sales performance and the benefits that can occur from managing your relationships more appropriately. It uses the Communication Style Model™ to provide you with detailed feedback and valuable insight on how to build upon your interpersonal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for growth with the ultimate goal of increasing your effectiveness when working with others.
The program provides a complete understanding and appreciation of the value of the diverse behavioral styles that are needed daily. Because each interaction has the potential of working for or against you in producing desired results, the learning provides specific strategies that will allow anyone to “adapt” their behavior to gain greater endorsement from others.
The program combines video, experiential exercises, group discussion, and measurement based feedback into a powerful learning experience for individuals at all levels of an organization, largely because the tools used are easy to understand and utilize. As a result, increased productivity and results may be achieved in the areas of:
Participant Outcomes
By attending I to I Selling, participants will be able to:
• Learn how current behavior is helping, or hindering, performance when engaged in the sales process.
• Identify key strengths and weaknesses of each Communication Style and how you can leverage your style to be more influential.
• Clear strategies for identifying the different Communication Styles of customers/associates.
• Develop action plans to maximize current accounts and generate new sales.
• Identify strategies for “breaking” down communication barriers that impact sales effectiveness.
201 Potomac Drive
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: (703) 517-4121
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quantum computing : Java Glossary
quantum computing
There are now computers that take advantage of some of the weirdness of quantum mechanics. They use Q-bits whose values are quantum-indeterminate. They are not general purpose computers, but special purpose hardware designed to solve one class of problem, e.g. weather prediction or password cracking. They work on try-all-possibilities problems by being able to compute all possibilities simultaneously with quantum effects.
This page is posted
on the web at:
Optional Replicator mirror
of mindprod.com
on local hard disk J:
Canadian Mind Products
Your face IP:[]
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Polyethylene Glycols (PEG)
Reagents for Pegylation
PEGs possess a variety of properties pertinent to biomedical and biotechnical applications.
A summary of some properties of interest is given here:
1. Soluble in water, toluene, methylene chloride, many organic solvents.
2. Insoluble in ethyl ether, hexane, ethylene glycol.
3. Insoluble in water at elevated temperature.
4. Solubility and partitioning controlled by making derivatives.
5. Forms complexes with metal cations.
6. Highly mobile; large exclusion volume in water.
7. Can be used to precipitate proteins and nucleic acids.
8. Forms two-phase systems with aqueous solutions of other polymers.
9. Nontoxic; FDA approved for internal consumption.
10. Hospitable to biological materials.
11. Causes cell fusion (in high concentration).
12. Weakly immunogenic.
Covalently linked PEG will:
1. Solubilize other molecules.
2. Render proteins non immunogenic and toleragenic
3. Reduce rate of clearance through kidney.
4. Render surfaces protein-rejecting
5. Alter electro osmotic flow.
6. Move molecules across cell membranes.
7. Alter pharmacokinetics.
L 49, L 19
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Employee resource group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Employee resource groups)
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Employee resource groups (also known as ERGs, affinity groups, or business network groups) are groups of employees who join together in their workplace based on shared characteristics or life experiences.[1] ERGs are generally based on providing support, enhancing career development, and contributing to personal development in the work environment. In the past, ERGs have traditionally been focused on personality traits or characteristics for underrepresented groups, for example women, sexual orientation, gender, etc. With the resurgence of ERGs in the workplace, ERGs are expanding to "interest-based" groups gathered around particular activities. Some of these include job responsibility, environmental advocacy, community service and volunteerism, and workplace wellness. Further, as an emerging facet of human resources and employee engagement in the business world, the existence of ERGs is important for reference and understanding in the world of business. Exploring the topic of employee resource groups can provide insightful information for business employees and young professionals seeking to understand a new business.
For the past 30 years, ERGs have helped a diverse range of groups obtain a voice within large corporations.[2] They began as race-based employee forums that were created in response to racial tension in the 1960s. ERGs got their start when Joseph Wilson, the CEO of the Xerox Corporation took action after the violent race riots in Rochester, New York in 1964. He and his black employees formed the first caucus group in order to address the issue of discrimination and to help create a fair corporate environment. Xerox launched the National Black Employees Caucus in 1970 and a decade later followed with the formation of the Black Women's Leadership Caucus (BWLC).[3] Early in their history, these affinity groups were a risky and political tactic of advocating for equal pay and equal opportunity. It was common for early members to feel nervous about speaking up to management about their minority status for fear of seeming like a troublemaker or having an individualistic mind-set. While original ERGs were often seen as threatening by managers, today these groups are often initiated by administrators and are a common tool for managing diversity.[4] As of 2007 ninety percent of Fortune 500 companies have ERGs.[5]
There are numerous types of ERGs existing at different companies. Here are some of the most popular:[6]
Common practices[edit]
Goal-oriented events[edit]
Successful ERGs will combine business and employee goals to provide maximum benefit. Some general common practices of these include: providing cultural support and diversity insight in company products, missions, or methods; developing products and branding for diverse target markets; and building company reputation through active community involvement. In addition, ERGs often provide resources for professional development, fostering a learning environment for better company contributions. Further, many ERGs are active in employee recruitment and engagement, attracting employees who identify with the company from the very start. Talent acquisition, communication with executives, culture awareness and change, and development are at the core of ERG functioning.[2]
Events hosted by ERGs range from in-person networking days to shared spaces for information sharing on company networks. ERG members may personally benefit from leadership and diversity training, mentoring, professional development, and skills workshops uniquely tailored to group goals. On the company scale, ERG members may provide diverse perspectives on marketing techniques, participate in product development evaluations, and communicate with executives through advisory panels. Outside the company, many ERG members advocate for larger cultural and social goals, whether for LGBT community support, multicultural rights, workplace equality, or political activism. In addition, community service has been noted as a significant part of ERG activity; this enhances company reputation while fulfilling personal goals of the employees.[7] Though there aren't prescribed actions for ERGs to take, most ERGs are responsible for their own goals, leadership structure, and functioning. The actions are driven by the interests and characteristics of the group members, and are most successful when they are supported by executives in the company.
Role of technology[edit]
With the surge of computer mediated communication, ERGs have embraced social media and online communication to connect previously disconnected members. Of most popular use are internal social networks, external social networking like Facebook or Twitter, blogs, internal collaboration and blogging sites, webinars, podcasts, and wikis. These tools facilitate planning events and engaging in constant communication with group members. With lack of physical presence, collaboration is still possible. The most successful ERGs utilize multiple forms of social media to address the needs of all group members and ensure awareness of group events.[2]
Structure and alignment[edit]
Though ERGs may be operated in different ways, groups usually align with some aspect of the business. Frequent alignment occurs with diversity or business and talent initiatives, where ERGs are utilized to further business objectives and maximize employee engagement and contribution. While some ERGs may have a larger percentage of the employee population involved, the average rate of membership is 7.9% of employees.[2] Participation is usually driven by interest in sub-groups, the mission of the ERG, or the rewards and incentives for participation.
ERG councils are one form of leadership within companies to collaborate among groups; this is growing in large businesses globally. Additionally, company leaders and senior executives play a role in supporting ERG functioning, and offer recognition and acknowledgement of ERG leaders as an incentive for participation. When ERG participation is rewarded in some way, whether through intrinsically motivated accountability standards or external benefits, engagement grows. In terms of accountability, peer or leadership review, business sponsorship, and elected membership serve as motivating factors. Traditional rewards for participation include personal development or advancement opportunity, cash bonus, or non-financial rewards. Not all ERGs give tangible rewards, as participation and engagement are desirable from the start.[2]
Companies with ERGs[edit]
Almost 90% of Fortune 500 companies report having ERGs in 2011.[5] Because of this rising popularity, many companies have adopted practices and have begun financially supporting resource groups. See the list below for a small sample of some of the companies with ERGs that have been analyzed in the relevant ERG research.
Benefits to members[edit]
Some of the major benefits that ERGs bring to their members are an opportunity to more casually work with (and network with) others outside of one's current department or workgroups, a sense of belonging (besides to the company and one's department) and support. ERGs establish a support group of people who share a common stories or experiences.[4] These groups also provide fellowship and friendship for its members.[3] Further, ERGs can have direct effects on the corporate culture by allowing the members of the ERGs and other employees to feel comfortable with differences within their organization.[11]
Another benefit of ERGs is the professional development that they foster. This professional development often comes in the form of skill-building (and resume building) not available in one's current role, mentoring and workshops.[4] ERGs also provide an effective way for employees to network with other employees who share the same experiences, and through some of their company wide events, members can have the opportunity to meet other employees or management who are not in the ERG but are supportive of the cause .[3] Belonging to an ERG also provides ERG group members access to the ERG's executive sponsor(s) and other company leaders not otherwise available to that employee otherwise.
Further, ERGs have the potential to create more equality for their members. ERGs promote diversity by ensuring that all members of an organization or business have the same opportunities in having a voice in the company, access to the same information that can help their employment success, helpful networks with other employees, the opportunity to contribute ideas, and the opportunity to advance within the company.[3] Further, in the spirit of equality, one of the goals of ERGs is to raise awareness for these different groups of people. This awareness benefits the members of the ERGs and other employees within the company to promote a productive and inclusive work environment.[3]
Benefits to the organization[edit]
Many of the advantages of ERGs to the organization or company are tied to the aforementioned personal benefits because when the members of ERGs are benefiting, it will lead to employee satisfaction, which is productive for the company.[12] Further, ERGs are often founded on the premise of contributing to the success of the company. Since ERGs typically have to be approved by the organization itself, the ERGs will claim to support some of the same goals as the company, which can include promoting diversity and employee satisfaction.[12] ERGs can foster employee satisfaction because employees feel better about going to work when they know that their company has a legitimate interest in issues that are meaningful to their personal life.[3] It is because of this increased employee satisfaction that companies with affinity groups are often rated some of the best places to work.[3]
Bringing about broad change[edit]
Employee resource groups have the potential to bring about broad change. They serve as an organized and established platform that employees can utilize to promote change.[12] These changes occur in the form of policy changes, cultural changes, and improved relationships between the employees and employers.[13] ERGs can have effects beyond those for the employer and employee, however, and instead they can promote employee activism outside of the workplace and they focus on causes of a larger societal scope.[13] For instance, many ERGs provided aid Hurricane Katrina victims, which leads to the argument that ERGs are expanding to also affect the world community.[3]
To employees[edit]
There are multiple disadvantages to employees in ERGs. Sometimes other employees resist the changing culture of the American workforce and the diversity that ERGs promote. People with these views are often opposed to change and the uncertainty that follows.[11] This discrepancy between the ideals of the ERG and the ideals of other employees has the potential to cause rifts. Additionally, our society is currently emphasizing that an employer should meet all of an employee's needs, and ERGs are said to further this notion. Some believe that this thinking is dangerous if taken too far because it could make an employee too dependent on their employer.[13] If ERGs are leading activists to make their lives revolve even more around work, such negative implications could arise.
Some also believe that it is dangerous for an ERG member to be strongly invested in the possibility of change provided by their ERG. By becoming so invested in an ERG, there is a greater probability that that member may lose sight of the larger change that they want to see in society by instead focusing too much on the prospect of change in their specific company.[13] Along the same lines, others believe that radical members of ERGs have to find a careful balance between supporting their cause and supporting their workplace. Since radical advocates for a cause tend to feel deeply about the issues, they can feel pressure from their advocacy groups to yield more influence in their ERG, while their ERG needs them to adopt a more conservative approach in order to contribute to and deal with the business.[12]
To the organization[edit]
ERGs have the potential to create strained relationships between members of the ERG and upper management. Because of the fact that these management personnel have the ability to affect promised jobs and bonuses, there are situations that have the potential to arise in which ERG participation leads to discrimination.[4] To combat this potential disadvantage to ERGs, some believe it is necessary for them to focus on gaining trust, joint learning with management, and forming alliances in order to promote change.[4]
Competition among ERGs[edit]
Within many organizations the various ERGs compete for funds and impact on the company, and this competition can lead to various negative effects of ERGs. It is found that ERGs would be more influential if they supported one another in the promotion of diversity within the workplace, but this empathy often does not happen because of the inherent difficulties that it poses.[4]
There are numerous reasons for these disparities. One reason is that ERGs come with historical social tensions that widen the gap between groups. For instance, African American groups can fear that white women groups will take the company's concentration off of diversity and instead turn it to work/life balance.[4] Members often want their ERG to seem unique to capture the attention of leaders in the organization, which makes supporting other ERGs more difficult.[4] It is apparent that companies are less likely to make too many changes, so the more ERGs, the less true impact that each can have.
If ERGs cooperated with one another, they would exemplify an ideal that they promote, which is to effectively and respectfully work in a diverse workplace.[4] Their cooperation would be an excellent example of this principle, even though it would take effort to promote. Currently, Human Resource departments at some companies are focusing on bringing these ERGs together through diversity councils.[4]
1. ^ Sample, George. "Inclusion Change Management Conference". Retrieved 4 October 2012.
2. ^ a b c d e "Employee Affinity Groups See Resurgence in Popularity, New Mercer Study Finds". Retrieved 4 October 2012.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Douglas, Priscilla H. (24 January 2008). "Affinity groups: Catalyst for inclusive organizations". Employment Relations Today. 34 (4): 11–18. doi:10.1002/ert.20171. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Scully, Maureen A. (19 January 2009). "A Rainbow Coalition or Separate Wavelengths? Negotiations Among Employee Network Groups". Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 2 (1): 74–91. doi:10.1111/j.1750-4716.2008.00029.x. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
5. ^ a b "Know the Risks Before Developing an Affinity for Affinity Groups". Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
6. ^ "Top Five Employee Resource Groups for U.S. Workers". Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
7. ^ "Affinity and Networking Groups". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
8. ^ http://www.t-mobile.com/Company/CompanyInfo.aspx?tp=Abt_Tab_Diversity
9. ^ http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140114006127/en/Unilever-Recognized-Place-Work-Human-Rights-Campaign
10. ^ http://up.jobs/culture.html/
11. ^ a b Llopis, Glenn. "7 Ways to Enable Your Employee Resource Groups into a Powerful Advancement Platform". Forbes. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
12. ^ a b c d Githens, R. P.; Aragon, S. R. (5 January 2009). "LGBT Employee Groups: Goals and Organizational Structures". Advances in Developing Human Resources. 11 (1): 121–135. doi:10.1177/1523422308329200. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
13. ^ a b c d Githens, Rod P. (Summer 2009). "Capitalism, Identity Politics, and Queerness Converge: LGBT Employee Resource Groups" (PDF). New Horizons in Adult Education & Human Resource Development. 3. 23: 18–31. Retrieved 3 October 2012. | <urn:uuid:0ccd0288-2f2f-4d34-ab86-6909494e053f> | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_resource_groups | en | 0.953625 | 0.033339 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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3 Ways To Prevent And Treat Bunions Without Surgery
Do you have a bunion and don't know what to do? Do you think only a surgery can be the option to reduce the size of the bunion? People are unaware of having this problem because it is unnoticeable and you will only notice it if this hurts.
What is bunion?
It is a painful enlargement at the side of the foot in your toe, you know you have when you look down on you foot and your feet starts to hurt for no reasons, it's generally your bunion. Its a problem when it starts your bone sticking out.
A bunion will not be noticeable unless it hurts, so the women will having a hard time to fit her toe in her shoes. Women who starts to have a bunion should seek advice from the surgeon if they're really experiencing a severe pain because only surgery can reduce the size of the bunions or they can use something that can ease the pain to prevent it so that it will not become severe.
What causes bunion?
A bunion can cause severe deformity of your feet if you will not prevent it. It can be from the wrong shoes, or an inherited problem but the bones starts to rub against the shoe and the area gets inflamed. You can only seek surgical attention if the bunion hurts. It is common with females who has a bunion because of shoes and women wear shoes that looks like bunion. If the shoes is pointed, it will forcing the a foot to form like a bunion position because of wearing high heels, poorly fitting shoes and wearing tight shoes. The big toe joint will be forced out because of wearing that uncomfortable shoes that causes bunions.
Bunion run in families, it your mother or father has a bunion, then probably you can also have a bunion.
We will share a few tips on how to prevent bunions without surgery because undergoing in a surgery takes months of recovery required to heal
1. Watch Your Shoes
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Change your lifestyle, change your shoes and make sure your shoes are fit. Do not wear tight and too pointed shoes, if you really need to wear pointed or high heeled shoes, make sure you have a protector that can help you to prevent bunions. Invest in your shoes, do not buy cheap shoes that will not be fit and comfortable for you.
Your must learn the three factor of the good shoes: the heal counter should be firm, shoe should not twist, firm sole.
2. Do A Few Exercises
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Exercise 1 ( Heel Raises)
This exercise will strengthen the medial arch musculature that will improve your foot posture. Do this 10 times per day to ease the pain.
Exercise 2 Muscle Tightness And Bio Mechanics
This exercise cure Heel Pain, strengthens the muscles of bunions that will allow the joints to straight, hold it for 3 seconds and do it 10 times once a day while cleaning your teeth or doing something while your standing.
Watch the video here to see the demonstrations
3. Watch Your Diet To Cure Bunion.
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Eat bromelain to cure bunion, eat red pepper to cure bunion.
4. Use natural home remedies
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Get a warm water and small bowl, then soak your feet in a warm water with aspirin or epsom salt to cure bunion.
5. Use Toe Separator
toe sep
The side of the bunion can rub against your shoe until it becomes raw and tender. The improper alignment of your toes can lead to cramps, stiffness and aching feet. Plus, your big toe can rub against your middle toe, giving you blisters, corns and calluses to contend with.
You can have surgery to correct a bunion, but the procedure poses a high risk for complications and can leave you off your feet for weeks. Fortunately, there is a much simpler, noninvasive way to get real bunion relief--the NatuerLabs Bunion Relief Toe Spacers Set is the answer.
This Toe Separators Set gives you 2 different forms of bunion relief in 1 package. You'll get:
- 2 bunion corrector pads that serve as a shield or protective covering for bunions to prevent rubbing while straightening the toe to ease pressure
- 2 toe separators that keep the big and second toes apart to prevent rubbing
All four of the pieces in the set are made from a high quality, medical grade silicone. While durable enough to be reused again and again, this material gives the bunion corrector pads and toe separators enough flexibility to allow them to mold to your feet and compress to fit inside of your shoes. As a result, the bunion toe spacers feel amazing whether you're wearing footwear or in shoes. You can even sleep with them on at night!
This Bunion Relief Toe Separators Set was engineered to give you relief from all types of bunion pain.
Say goodbye to the aches, pains, tenderness and irritation that bunions can cause. Get real bunion relief the simple, yet effective way with the best set of big toe separators and bunion corrector pads on Amazon. Order today! It's even backed by a 30-day money back guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. | <urn:uuid:462b02c9-f851-420f-be15-f4d22b4e17ac> | https://origini.biz/blogs/news/114501318-3-ways-to-prevent-and-treat-bunions-without-surgery | en | 0.924473 | 0.033509 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
What is XMO?
How to get XMO on MinerGate?
How to mine XMO on MinerGate?
If you use MinerGate's miners, download the recent miner version and select XMO (after After April 6th). If you don't upgrade your software, after April 6, 2018 you'll be mining XMR but the rewards will be in XMO.
What if I want to mine XMR?
The final address should be: stratum+tcp://
What happens to the unconfirmed balance?
After the fork, both your XMR confirmed and unconfirmed balances will remain the same, while you receive the amount of XMO equal to your confirmed XMR balance. As you have never mined XMO before, your unconfirmed XMO balance will be empty.
What if I have a relatively old hardware?
What if I want to continue merge mining?
After the fork XMR will be using a slightly different mining algorithm which will make it unavailable for merged mining with CryptoNight-based coins. However, you can merged mine XMO with the same coins you merged mine before with XMR.
How does XMR fork affect Cloud Mining?
Download app and start mining | <urn:uuid:a5b2ac6a-204c-4649-b2e9-a268b2d82fd2> | https://rs.minergate.com/mining-xmo | en | 0.931056 | 0.095247 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Contributor(s): Katherine Martin
IAM helps keep track of two-factor authentication information and authorizations. For example, a business owner can create “users” for as many employees as she has that need to use a password or two-factor authentication. These passwords determine the permission for each user once they gain access to a system. AWS IAM controls which users are allowed in a system and what they can do when they get in.
Amazon IAM is intended for anyone with route access to an account who is responsible for managing a group or delegating privileges to manipulate a service, like a system administrator.
System administrators can use the AWS Management Console to set up and shut down instances, create account password policies (length, expiration, etc.) and permissions limiting user access to specific AWS resources and which operations a user can perform. They can also create groups, users and roles and assign privileges to each. Different groups can be assigned different privileges. For example, Group A can edit X, Y and Z without the ability to delete, while Group B can edit and delete all.
This process is more than just adding users. Administrators must routinely monitor the state of their IAM system to ensure that the correct people have the appropriate access and privileges. It’s imperative to think about long-term management. System administrators should know how to remove a user from the system once they leave the company and ensure policies are put in place to automatically back up buckets and removes access from these users to guarantee totally security.
AWS IAM is available as part of your AWS account at no extra cost.
This was last updated in August 2014
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Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy.
How do I take care of a baby bird?
If it appears that the baby bird fell out of a nest, then simply locate the nest nearby and carefully place the bird back in the nest. Despite persistent fallacies, the parents cannot smell your odor on the baby bird, and will usually accept the young back into the nest. Young birds often fall from nests after wind storms, when the nesting sites are disturbed by construction, predators, or children, or when an older sibling kicks them out of the nest. If you cannot locate a nest, keep the bird in a suitable warm container, and contact your local SPCA or a certified wildlife care facility, such as the ones below, immediately:
Wildcare (San Rafael)
Peninsula Humane Society (San Mateo)
Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory
I would like to visit the Ornithology & Mammalogy Collections. Who should I contact?
Our collections manager Maureen "Moe" Flannery would be the one to talk to and can be reached directly at (415) 379-5371 or by email at
How do you know if an animal is endangered?
In the United States, the Endangered Species Act seeks to keep plant and animal species from extinction and creates endangered species lists based on five factors, including the quantity of its habitat that has been degraded and its degree of disease or predation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature also produces a Red List of Threatened Species based on peer-reviewed scientific research, categorizing animals' conservation status on a detailed spectrum from "least concern" to "extinct."
I found a dead sea lion and called The Marine Mammal Center, but they said to call you. How do I report it?
If it is dead, call us at (415) 379-5381, and we’ll try to salvage it for research. If it is still alive, please call the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-SEAL (415-289-7325)—they will retrieve it and take care of it. We’ll need to know where and when you found the sea lion or any other stranded marine mammal. The Marine Mammal Stranding Network also has more information about stranded marine mammals.
I searched your database but didn't find the specimen I was looking for. Can you suggest another database to search?
How do I remove a nuisance animal from my yard?
In urban and suburban areas, some animals have become habituated to humans because we provide food and housing for them. If these animals become a nuisance, there are several steps you can take to make them feel unwelcome, and lessen the likelihood they’ll stick around:
• Feed all pets indoors. These animals often raid your pet’s food bowls at night and learn that your home is an easy meal for them.
• Keep all trash cans upright and with tight-fitting (or locking) lids. These are crafty animals that have learned to associate trash cans with food, and frequently raid your trash area for food. Keeping your trash cans critter-proof will keep your place tidy and keep unwanted animals away.
• Cover all basements, decks, and crawl spaces. Use of plywood, bricks, or wire mesh should be used to block any entries into basements, attics, crawl spaces, or under foundations where these animals may set up home and raise a family.
If skunks, opossums, or raccoons become a persistent problem, call your local Animal Control.
I found an injured bird. What should I do?
If a bird hit a window and appears stunned but otherwise uninjured, it is important to place the bird into a warm, darkened box or similar container, and release the bird when it comes back to its senses. Leaving a bird in such a condition outside makes it easy prey for cats, dogs, or other predators. If the animal appears to have an injury, or it you find an animal injured in any other way, contact your local SPCA or a certified wildlife care facility such as the ones below, immediately:
Wildcare (San Rafael)
Peninsula Humane Society (San Mateo)
Wildlife Rehabilitation Information Directory
Why do birds sing?
Someone called the Academy one day to say, “Those damned birds keep singing, and it’s driving me nuts!” Some birds, like the Northern Mockingbird, may sing night and day during the breeding season, and other birds, like crows and jays, may raise a ruckus from time to time. However, all native birds are protected by law, and there’s little any individual or private or government agency can do about it. Birdsong can be a joyous reminder of the diversity of nature in their community.
Can I collect specimens?
Most of California's native birds and mammals are protected by state, federal, or international laws even when dead. In fact, it's illegal for private citizens to own most native birds or mammals in whole or in part (that includes skulls, bones, antlers, and even feathers) except with special permits or hunting licenses. Depending on the severity of the infraction, fines and penalties can be thousands of dollars and/or jail time. The California Department of Fish & Game does issue permits to educational institutions for use of bird or mammal material as teaching tools.
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Property, Real Estate Development & Investments
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Blogging Secrets – A Beginner’s Guide
There were a lot of things I didn’t know when I first started blogging. After two previous blogging endeavors that were minorly successful for the time and energy I put into them, I was under the impression that blogging was fairly simple.
The process, in my mind, went something like this: Write, proofread, publish, and then wait for people to find your work.
Little did I know how much effort it actually takes to get in front of the correct audience and develop growth over time. Thankfully I’ve had a lot of mentors this time around who have taught me skills like self-promotion, marketing, and how to use social media to benefit your blog. Here are some of the insider blogging secrets I didn’t know as a newbie!
#1 Self-Promotion
Yes, it seems like a dirty word, because some people who self-promote have ZERO CHILL. If you’ve ever had a friend who has gotten wrapped up in a pyramid scheme business or is a brand new, overly excited blogger, you probably know what I’m talking about here.
Repeat after me: Self-promotion is not bad.
Self-promotion is merely an item in a blogger’s tool belt. You can use it with tact and tastefully share your work when it is appropriate and acceptable, or you can be that person that floods everyone’s Facebook feed during every hour of every day for a week with the same blog post. Don’t be that person, please.
It is vital to growing your audience and finding the people who connect with your writing for you to learn how to self-promote. Contrary to what I thought going into things, the people that are highly successful bloggers don’t just write well, post it, and twiddle their thumbs as they wait on fame and fortune. They self-promote so that their writing doesn’t just get seen by four people on WordPress.
#2 Social Media
This brings us to the topic of where you can self-promote.
There are social media platforms that I didn’t even know existed until I started blogging. I’ve joined Twitter, StumbleUpon, Yummly, Google Plus, Instagram, Snapchat (Hey, Gary Vaynerchuk uses it for his business…) and many other social media sites that were recommended to me by seasoned bloggers. Not all of them have been successful for me, but a few have increased my traffic significantly, so I spend my energy promoting there.
What platform you find the most success on is highly dependent on what kind of content you are creating. For example, if you are a food blogger, you will likely do well on Yummly and Pinterest. Find what works best for you and then spend the majority of your promotion time there so you don’t spread yourself too thin.
#3 Facebook Groups
Do you ever wonder how one of your favorite bloggers got so many likes on a Facebook or Instagram post? The answer might surprise you.
Facebook groups are a common tool used by bloggers to help with various things on social media, usually by boosting a post’s reach via participation threads. The threads are all different, but most groups have repin/like Pinterest threads, blog comment threads, like/comment Facebook threads, Twitter retweet threads and StumbleUpon threads.
There are also follow-for- follow threads in which bloggers follow each other to bump their numbers on social media. Unfortunately for many bloggers, not everyone plays fair, and someone people will unfollow everyone they followed to lower the amount of people they follow and make themselves look better. If you do choose to participate in threads like these, there are apps like Crowdfire (though they are sometimes controversial) that will track new follows and unfollows for you.
Participating in some of the threads in Facebook groups can be controversial, and some threads go against the terms of service of different social media sites like StumbleUpon. You need to be careful and research what you can and can’t do and what the consequences are for each of the threads before you decide to participate in them.
If you do decide to participate in a thread, I would choose a voluntary one where you can throw your content or profile in and people can follow you if they genuinely like your content or message. This way, you end up with honest growth and engagement, even if it is slower than a follow all or like all thread.
#4 Paid Everything
This is potentially the most controversial secret of bloggers that I didn’t know before I started.
Some bloggers buy their success. This is the internet, where you can buy a celebrity’s used kleenex on eBay, so it should come as no surprise that you can buy followers by the thousands, likes, and engagement on nearly every social media platform available. While many have argued that the idea behind this is to get more genuine followers by inflating your engagement and follower numbers, there are a lot of different things that could go wrong. Buying likes and followers is viewed as dishonest by many and, just like participating in certain threads, usually goes against the terms and services of any given social media platform. The latest scandal I heard about was buying likes on Instagram to get your post prioritized so it will be shown to more people.
I once knew a blogger who started out and immediately bought 10.000 likes on her Facebook page. Everyone questioned how it grew overnight, but many of us saw right through her excuse of “people just like my content”. Unless you have a viral post, growth like that happening literally overnight is unachievable, especially in your first month or two.
Every social media I am on offers the option to boost a post or create an ad campaign, so if you want to throw money into marketing, I would suggest working with the social media directly, rather than risk a bunch of likes on a post or page from people who don’t even speak the same language as you. It looks suspicious and dilutes your page reach to your actual followers.
What blogging secrets were you surprised to find out?
Rebecca Lemke
Owner, Writer, and Editor at Rebecca Lemke
7 thoughts on “Blogging Secrets – A Beginner’s Guide
1. I’m happy to add a few new followers a week, from zero in April 16 to around 150 now. Hardly crowds, but I think at least 50% do actually read what I’ve written, so I’m pleased with it as long as the number keeps going in that direction! The lesson I’ve learned is to post only once a week but make it thoughtful, good quality and original, with several images to break up the text. As an author I resisted blogging for a long time as I wanted to prioritise the next novel, but in fact I’ve discovered I really enjoy it: it makes me write to a deadline and think about an audience and it’s much more proactive than just responding to other people all the time to keep my name out there.
1. Slow and steady is still growth! 🙂 I no longer stick to a schedule on my blog because I find that, just like you, posting less frequently results in my content being better when I do write something. I wish you well in all of your endeavors!
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Mexico - Chihuahua - Juárez
Information and facts about the municipality of Juárez
Location of Juárez
The municipality of Juárez is located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua México
Population of Juárez
The overall population of the municipality named Juárez is 1313338 citizens, 658346 males and 654992 females.
Age distribution
The population of Juárez is divided into 552769 minors and 760569 adults, with 72670 of them older than 60 years.
Indigenous population of Juárez
14605 people in Juárez live in indigenous households. An indigenous language is spoken by 7530 people who are older than 5 years. The number of people who only speak an indigenous language is 29 and 7197 speak both an indigenous language and Spanish.
Social Structure
A legal claim on health care and social insurance benefits have 815888 citizens of Juárez.
Economic situation
In Juárez about 320585 households are registered.
339019 of these households are common houses or apartments, 7376 are without floor and about 21337 consist of one room only.
307925 of the normal households have sanitary installations, 306809 are connected to the public water supply, 311952 have access to electricity.
The economic situation allows 73533 households to own a computer, 258571 own a washing machine and 309802 households are equipped with one ore more televisions.
School and education in Juárez
Besides the 19609 analphabets aged 15 or older, about 10035 minors between 6 and 14 are not visiting a school.
24886 inhabitants of the population of 15 years and older did not visit a school and 339473 persons did not finish the school. 192784 visited only the 6 years lasting primary school, 256291 visited and finished the college or similar scholar institutions.
A total of 82006 aged 15 to 24 years visited a school, the medium time school is visited through the whole population is 9 years.
Add a reference to Juárez
<a href="">Juárez</a>
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CEO Tewari Sees 3-5X Revenue Growth For InMobi Mobile Ad Network In The Next Year
InMobiNaveen Tewari is CEO and Founder of InMobi, a mobile advertising network. InMobi purchased Sprout last year of course. How important is rich media to successful mobile campaigns today? Can an advertiser have a successful mobile campaign without rich media?
NT: The importance of rich media is mostly determined by the objectives of the campaign. Obviously for bigger brands with multimedia advertising strategies, the role of mobile is defined by the new dimension of interaction it brings. To fully capitalize on mobile for these types of brands, rich media is a must have for at least part of the media plan.
This realization led to our purchase of Sprout. That said - performance banners will always be critical for reach and frequency impact and will always be important to pure performance advertisers such as developers.
What is your thinking around brand "awareness" dollars and mobile? Is there such a thing or is it all about direct response for the forseeable future?
It's both for sure and it all depends on the objectives of the advertiser. Coke will want engaging rich media experiences and will pay CPM. The next Angry Birds will want performance advertising and pay CPC. Clearly, InMobi built itself as a performance network between 2008 and 2010. While performance advertising continues to grow and will always be 70% to 80% of the impression volume on any network, 2011 has seen a rapid transformation from performance to "brand engagement" advertising. Just to give you a sense of the pace of that shift, by the end of 2010, InMobi had about 50 Fortune 1000 advertisers running in the first 3 years of its existence. In just a few months in 2011, we have seen that number increase 5x to 250 and we are not even into Q4 yet.
A final point on this question. I don't think "awareness" defines mobile brand advertising well. With the interactive and social nature of smart devices and the amazing creative Sprout can produce, Mobile is best described as "Brand Engagement" advertising. Consumers will still often interact, but brands will still see value in pure branding for those consumers who do not engage with the ads.
Thinking back to your early days at InMobi, did you ever imagine raising a round of $200 million for your ad network InMobi as you did with Softbank? And, when did you realize it was feasible and the right, next move?
I will answer this question on behalf of myself my co-founders Amit Gupta and Abhay Singhal who co-founded InMobi with me.
One imagines, or dreams, of many things as an entrepreneur. You have a vision always and no one, no matter what people say, gets "lucky" in the purest sense of the word. A great quote I heard once and always remember is "Luck is that place where preparation meets opportunity". Not even sure who said it, but that concept defines the InMobi journey.
What is so amazing about our ride here at InMobi is how quickly it is all happening. Not so long ago - only 4 years - we had little money, a powerpoint pitch, and a meeting with Ram Shiaram of Sherpalo Partners. At that point in 2007 my dream was to get the $500K to keep our vision alive. Then, as we saw signs of early success, to get $8 Mn from KPCB to grow our vision. It keep moving forward with new people joining, amazing leadership in the US and beyond who shared the vision, and more investment as needed. When did I realize it was feasible and necessary to raise $200 Mn? I realized it once I knew that what once felt like "mine" had fully transitioned to "ours" with 350 A+ people in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Essentially I realized we had the global footprint, the talent, and the shared vision to compete globally with Apple and Google as a Tier 1 player.
Over the next year, what are some of the milestones you'd like to achieve with the Softbank investment?
We want 3x to 5x revenue growth in the next 12 to 15 months. We will achieve that in a few ways. First and foremost by expanding our role in the mobile ecosystem from "ad network" to an integral part of the mobile ecosystem globally. This includes successful deployment of Sprout's HMTL5 Rich Media technology making mobile ad creation easy and accessible to all. We also want our in-app mobile payments platform SmartPay to define InMobi as a "one-stop" shop for developers. We need to triple our staffing with top talent in all functions to go much deeper in key markets - especially the US and Europe. We need to successfully penetrate new markets such as Korea and China. Finally we need to find key technologies that are complimentary to our existing product, buy them, integrate them successfully, and scale them like we are doing with Sprout and SmartPay.
Of the $200 million, how much will be used to buy stock from existing investors and insiders?
I cannot provide much detail, but I can tell you the money is 100% committed to growing the business. Also this is guaranteed investment with $100 Mn now and $100 Mn in April 2012.
InMobi appears well-positioned in many countries outside the U.S. But, what are your plans for addressing the U.S. market in particular? Is it a priority?
The US market is our #1 priority - make no mistake about it. We are looking to hire at least 100 to 150 people in the US alone in the next 3 to 6 months mostly in sales and business development, but also in product and engineering. Also you should know that although we entered the US marker late relative to competition, this was a strategic decision based on the level of competition relative to the pace of market growth and spending among advertisers. We believe this strategy has worked amazingly well. We now have a global footprint and revenue base that allowed us to raise $200 Mn and invest, at the right time, in the US market. Our competitors, who lack the same scale and revenue base, will have a difficult time keeping pace.
It's worth noting that in just a year after launching in the US, we have gone from 300 Mn Impressions monthly to 6.5 Bn Impressions reaching 83 Mn consumers. Even more to the point - the US is our single biggest market globally already. We are a serious player in the US and will be a Tier 1 along with Google and Apple in this space.
Where are we with mobile audience buying today? Obviously there are restrictions around cookies and device IDs. Does InMobi have any plans here? A mobile DSP?
We are working to solve the two greatest issues plaguing the industry currently. This includes a) anonymous tracking capability across all devices and b) the associated analytics and reporting needed to help agencies and brands shift spend into mobile. I cannot share more at this time, but look forward to following up with AdExchanger in a month or two with more specific details. We know you and your audience are the right place to share this development.
Can you quantify the company a bit - revenues, profit, employees?
I can share a few stats. Some numbers for you:
• Revenue: Revenue increased 5x in the past 12 months
• Employees: 350 People
• Offices: San Francisco, New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangalore, Nairobi, Sydney
Looking at the competitive set, who worries you the most and why? Google, Apple.. another?
NAVEEN: Honestly we don't focus on the competition so much of the
market itself and what customers need. This is by no means a "winner take
all" market. The reality is that the market is growing fast, but we are
growing much faster as now have the financial means to firmly establish
ourselves as a Tier 1 player globally. As for Apple and Google, they are as
much partners as they are competitors. We play a critical role in
monetizing the iOS and Android ecosystem and already work with both
companies. We expect this working relationship to expand and hope it does.
It's in the industries best interest.
Are acquisitions possible by InMobi? If so, what might interest InMobi - talent, analytics, more networks?
Acquisitions will happen. While we will be opportunistic in this area, our focus is mainly technology - like Sprout or SmartPay - that can bolt onto our scaled global platform and contribute to a better customer experience quickly in all regions.
Follow Naveen Tewari (@NaveenTewari), InMobi (@inmobi) and (@adexchanger) on Twitter.
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| <urn:uuid:acbed30c-bfda-488f-9ead-e6caa93c6d61> | https://adexchanger.com/ad-networks/inmobi/ | en | 0.950232 | 0.026393 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
3 religious artworks that caused a scandal
Religion has always been a central theme in the history of art. However, when contemporary artists tackle the subject, they always know how to add a touch of provocation to spark controversy. Yet very often, the issue lies in the context. Let’s have a look at three religious works that caused a scandal!
« Piss Christ » by ANDRES SERRANO
Artiste contemporain
The photograph “Piss Christ” (1987) by Andres Serrano is one of the biggest scandals in contemporary art. The American artist placed a crucifix with a figurine of Jesus in a jar of urine (his own) and blood. According to him, the crucifix is an object that has been trivialised in the United States; it can be found at any market, and yet it is first and foremost an object intended for torture. The photograph is Serrano’s way of condemning those who abuse the teachings of Christ and use them for their own purposes. The artist wanted to pay tribute to Jesus Christ and remind everyone of the suffering he endured for humanity. However, Serrano’s work was not perceived in the way he had hoped. The creation process and the title outraged a number of Catholic communities; in fact, the photograph was vandalised on several occasions. Nevertheless, Andres Serrano stands by his beliefs. He very often works with bodily fluids (milk, blood, urine), which he considers to be the raw materials of life.
Artistes contemporains
“The Ninth Hour” (“La nona ora”) is a sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan from 1999. It depicts Pope John Paul II struck down by a meteor and is meant to represent the Pope bearing all the world’s sins. Although its realism and absurdity are surprising, it was mainly the work’s context that caused sensation. At the time, the Pope was still alive and was very beloved. Moreover, the work was exhibited in Poland, John Paul II’s home country. Nevertheless, it was bought for 3 million dollars by François Pinault.
Artistes contemporains
Strikingly realistic, the sculpture “Pieta” by Paul Fryer (1983) presents an unusual scene. It depicts a dead Christ sat on an electric chair. Why were some people shocked by this rather unconventional representation? There are so many images and paintings of the Crucifixion that they no longer surprise us… Could it be that this work highlights our indifference towards the crucifix, which after all just as barbaric as the electric chair? | <urn:uuid:d0397ff5-40b7-4360-bded-02af3520ef61> | https://blog.artsper.com/en/a-closer-look/3-religious-artworks-caused-scandal/ | en | 0.967769 | 0.027506 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
What Is A Fatal Dose Of Four Loko?
“How many Four Lokos would it take to kill you?” wondered Esquire. So they turned to a report in Forensic Science International that says the rare fatal caffeine overdose usually requires consuming over 5 grams. To reach that level it would take…
Twenty-four Four Lokos. Most people would probably pass out before reaching that level. Either that, or temporarily disable themselves by doing something stupid while hopped up on the crazy swill. Not to mention your BAC is going to be a bit more of a problem than your BCC (blood caffeine content) at that point.
Everything in moderation folks. You can also die from drinking too much water.
How Many Four Lokos Would It Take to Kill You? [Esquire]
Fatal caffeine overdose: Two case reports [Forensic Science International]
| <urn:uuid:cb6d8c17-86d5-4cb2-9b8a-1aabd7d14f87> | https://consumerist.com/2010/12/02/it-might-take-24-four-lokos-to-kill-you/ | en | 0.917694 | 0.190501 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
About Us
Hero Searches is a brand-new, state-of-the-art public records search service that provides background checks on individuals in the US for regular, everyday people like you and me.
It’s that simple!
Hero Searches can help you look up information on friends, family, neighbors and any of the people you meet. It can let you make sure that the people around your children are good, law-abiding citizens—not convicted murders, robbers, rapists and pedophiles. Some people use it to check up on blind dates and social media hook-ups. Others use it for online buyers or sellers in order to see whom they are entrusting with their credit card information or goods. Parents use it to get some insight into the past of their kids’ babysitters, coaches, teachers, and friends’ parents.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Hero Searches’ mission is to help people find, understand, and implement public data into their everyday world. Public records used to be only something big companies had access to, but with Hero Searches, anyone can do a public background search.
Our Values
Hero Searches offers a quick and pain-free way to access public records. It provides comprehensive reports and data that have been consolidated from numerous sources to make it easier for you to understand. Simple, reliable and very affordable, Hero Searches will come to your rescue when you need help learning the truth about the people around you.
Our Team
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In the old days, doing a background check on someone was a difficult thing for the average Joe. It cost a lot of money, took a lot of know-how, and was incredibly time-consuming. Hero Searches changes all that. We provide a user-friendly, one-stop destination for anyone who needs to look into the background of a potential office employee, nanny, coach, teacher, neighbor, etc. | <urn:uuid:9e63a72e-290a-45cd-858c-ff59af0e6bad> | https://herosearches.com/about | en | 0.951356 | 0.099718 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
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1-570-301-7456 and Censorship Research Papers
One of the most interesting research paper topics Paper Masters has come across is the topic of censorship and If you are assigned a research paper on Amazon and censorship, we recommend you focus your project on the topics you see below. You can also have Paper Masters custom write you a research paper on censorship and is best known for its vast selection of literary works and affordable clothing and household items. What very few individuals realize is the large amount of censorship that occurs within the organization when selecting which products and literary works are made available to the public. insists that the main purpose of its censorship is to protect the best interests of its organization and its customers.
There are two acts of censorship that participates in:
1. Amazon engages in censorship through refusal to sell an item.
2. Amazon censors its website by what is known as delisting.
Refusal to Sell and Censorship
Refusal to sell simply means that refuses to sell the literary work on its network of global websites. Literary works that commonly experience this action are terrorist related materials and hate documents. Books such as Mein Kampf and the magazine Radikal fall into this category.
Delisting is the second act of censorship that participates in. In this situation, the organization allows the sale of certain literary works but delists them from their recommended, most popular, and best seller lists to detour the sale and readership of these materials (Kurisato, 2009). Adult content works, gay and lesbian works, and explicit romance novels are often delisted by . Some argue that there is a glitch or internal bias in this censorship practice of This is because the delisting process does not pertain to all adult content works and explicit romance novels. It is not uncommon to find publications like Playboy and Bertrice Smal's Skye o'Malley excluded from the delisting process.
Related Research Paper Topics and Profitability research papers examine the profitability of the e- commerce site and the possibility of mergers or acquisitions. Strategic Analysis research papers analyzes the strategic direction and changes that have recently taken or are currently taking place. | <urn:uuid:acd3c75b-7edb-4d49-a894-7a74a2ea9c6a> | https://papermasters.com/amazon-censorship.html | en | 0.950828 | 0.074887 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
The Hormone Connection: The Dangerous Effects of Parabens
What is the big deal about parabens? Recently, I’m hearing more and more about the parabens, phthalates, and other nasty ingredients commonly found in shampoos, lotions, and other personal care products. I often used products that contained parabens, such as body wash. After all, it smells so great, how could it negatively affect your health? Unfortunately, my dismissal of the toxic properties of parabens has proven sophomoric behavior, as I research and personally have suffered the effects of these compounds. Every time I use body wash for an extended period of time, I feel MUCH more unbalanced, and I even have hormonal spotting.
The Breast Cancer Fund’s website gives us a good look at the definition of a parabens and why parabens negatively affect health. For starters, parabens are used as preservatives since they help to prevent ingredients from mold and other spoilage. Parabens are labeled an “endocrine disruptor” since they act as an estrogen. The site continues to report that these toxins were discovered in samples from breast tumor biopsies, and that more parabens were found in women’s urine samples than men’s. Wonder if that has anything to do with the many paraben-containing beauty products in a woman’s routine?
Well, what if you decide to make the choice to “clean house” and avoid parabens from here on out? There is a fantastic product that I use called “Shea Moisture–Avocado and Green Tea Body Wash and Bubble Bath.” Yes, my friends, and I use it for EVERYTHING. It detoxes the body with the green tea polyphenols, and you can use it as a shampoo, body wash, AND bubble bath. I get mine from Walgreens. It costs around $10, but it lasts forever.
If you prefer soap, check out a nifty little thing called African Black Soap. It cleans and detoxifies the skin, smells great, and is also manufactured by “Shea Moisture.” So, there you have it–two ways to avoid parabens in your daily routine.
I’m learning more and more about paraben-free makeups and will produce a list of products as I discover them. Until then, stay happy and healthy!
–Katie Mayo | <urn:uuid:67eb0582-720a-4c59-96c0-75a8e1517957> | https://pocketfulofdimes.wordpress.com/2013/08/ | en | 0.949285 | 0.047088 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Look Up Another Term
Redirected from: 15-pin D-sub
Definition: D-sub connectors
(D-SUBminiature connectors) A family of plugs and sockets widely used in communications and on earlier PCs. For example, the analog VGA monitor interface uses a D-sub 15-pin plug and socket. Also called "DB connectors" and "D-subs," they come in 9, 15, 25, 37 and 50 pin varieties. The D-sub designation defines the physical structure of the connector, not the purpose of each line.
Technically Not Always DB
In the international DIN 41625 standard, the letters A through E define the number of pins and follow the D. Although called "DB connectors," the only true DB is the DB-25, because B means 25 pins (see illustration below).
The female DB-25 was widely used in the past for the printer port on a PC (see printer cable). The male DB-25 was also the second serial port (COM2) on the PC when serial ports were popular. It is still widely used for RS-232 communications devices.
DB-9 (DE-9)
The male DB-9 connector (officially DE-9) was typically used for the first serial port on earlier PCs (COM1) as well as other communications devices. See serial port.
DB-15 (DA-15 and DE-15)
Two DB-15 connectors are widely used. The larger, two-row female DA-15 is the game port on a PC, and the smaller, three-row, female high-density DE-15 is the VGA port. See VGA and plugs and sockets. | <urn:uuid:8a368a0a-a2d7-46bd-a8ae-2485d0d33d7c> | https://www.computerlanguage.com/results.php?definition=15-pin+D-sub | en | 0.939789 | 0.033072 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Cinema Vehicle Services
Vacuum Forming In Louisiana Is Part Of The Fabrication Process
Vacuum forming in Louisiana is a process which involves heating plastic sheets to a temperature where it can be stretched over a mold, and then applying vacuum between the mold and plastic sheet. Vacuum forming is used to make most product packaging, and is a sealant used for many products including car dashboards. | <urn:uuid:3c467748-18dd-424c-a042-cbc9f86fc00d> | https://www.creativehandbook.com/us/vacuum-forming/louisiana | en | 0.946408 | 0.241454 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
South Africa: the limits of dissent
The past week's violence in southern Africa is only the latest symptom of the sharpening polarization here between black nationalism and the white South African government.
With most black political activity carefully controlled or stifled, a growing number of blacks in South Africa are beginning to see violence as perhaps the only way to achieve their nationalist aspirations.
Strongest evidence of this is the ascendant support in this country among blacks for the banned African National Congress (ANC) - the group that took responsibility for the car bomb that exploded in Pretoria last week, killing 18 people and wounding about 200 others.
Some avenues of black dissent remain open in the trade unions, churches, press, community organizations, and homeland structures. And the government has also permitted a number of black political groups to operate that align themselves with the tradition of the ANC, if not the organization itself.
But most of these avenues are strictly limited. Many blacks feel politically impotent. And political analysts here believe this explains the deepening support for the ANC. The government's military rather than political response to the Pretoria bombing - an air attack on alleged ANC bases in the suburbs of Mozambique's capital, Maputo - does not encourage such analysts.
Another factor is the apparent lack of success of black ''moderates'' - or those still willing to work above ground - in gaining significant concessions from the government. Zulu homeland leader Gatsha Buthelezi's Inkatha movement, for instance, is criticized by some other blacks for getting nothing but the back hand of the government, even though it boasts a membership of over 750,000.
The South African government's main task in its own words is ''the synchronization of black and white aspirations within the country.'' But the credibility of the ANC among many blacks suggests the government's efforts to encourage blacks to work ''within the system'' are failing.
There remains a glimmer of hope, often expressed most passionately by blacks who continue to eschew violence. One such person is Bishop Desmond Tutu of the South African Council of Churches.
''Many now think the only language the government understands is force. But if there were a genuine inclination of wanting change by the government there would be a willingness of blacks to participate,'' he says.
The root of the problem, suggests Tom Lodge, a political scientist whose speciality is black politics, may be that ''the government basically sees all black groups as subversive.'' This leads to excessive hostility and repression, he adds.
''The government has cleared the middle ground'' in South African politics, perhaps unwittingly encouraging the polarization that seems to have made violence the only answer for a growing number of blacks, says Lodge.
Can the growing black nationalist challenge to white rule be channeled, nonetheless, into dissent that would be ''legal'' and nonviolent - and yet, from the black point of view, effective?
Or is the line of dissent drawn so rigidly by Pretoria that black grievances can only find expression through bombs?
Much of South African society today seems to accept that the rising tide of violence has reached the point of no return. The government says it will meet force with force. South Africans were told this week by the government-controlled television service that ''Northern Ireland has come to South Africa.'' The message: Hunker down and get ready for the onslaught.
The nub of the problem and one reason the conflict has spread beyond the bounds of conventional political dissent appears to be the diametrically opposed starting points of those involved. Black activists seek enfranchisement in a unitary South Africa, which implies majority rule. The white Afrikaner government rules that out as ''non-negotiable.''
Still, history shows that the spirit of the black nationalism in South Africa is sensitive to the policies of the government. In the view of some analysts, that spirit has hardened over the years with what blacks see as continuing efforts to exclude them from any meaningful political role.
The founding of the Union of South Africa in 1910 did not include enfranchising blacks nationally. Two years later the ANC was founded. In the 1950s, after the National Party came to power and introduced a number of apartheid laws, civil disobedience campaigns were started by blacks.
South Africa became a republic in 1961, but its new Constitution continued the exclusion of blacks. Shortly thereafter the ANC, banned a little earlier, explicitly embraced violence as a tactic. (The ANC maintained that it had promoted peaceful change since its founding, but that approach had not worked and therefore it decided violence was its only option.)
South Africa is again on the verge of adopting a constitution that would continue to exclude blacks, even though it gives a new political role to Indians and Coloreds (people of mixed race). Some analysts feel the dramatic new turn in violence may be in part a response to the new constitution.
The limits of dissent in South Africa fluctuate, depending on circumstances. Advocating violence or supporting it, and promoting communism are outlawed.
But beyond that, the government is inconsistent in what it tolerates as legitimate criticism and pressure for change.
In general, it appears the government is less hostile to black political dissent that comes from individuals or organizations operating within its apartheid framework. Homeland leader Buthelezi is a prime example (even though he has rejected the ''homeland'' structure).
''At times Buthelezi's rhetoric is indistinguishable from the ANC, but he has a freedom of speech not accorded to blacks without his (homeland) base,'' says one informed political observer.
Also, it appears that while the laws used by the government to control dissent apply to everyone, they are most vigorously enforced against the black community. In the view of many analysts, this is because the main standard of whether dissent is tolerated or not is its effectiveness, and white dissent always has a fairly limited audience.
Says Bishop Tutu: ''The government will allow any opposition they know is going to be ineffective. It is when you have a lever that will change rhetoric into action that they step in.''
One of the first things visitors to South Africa notice is the often sharp criticism of the government in the English-language press. South Africa has a freer press than one finds in much of Africa.
Prof. John Dugard, a legal expert at the University of the Witwatersrand, says criticism in the white press is acceptable because it is not seen as threatening. However, ''any black paper operates in a very delicate situation.'' Since 1977, security laws have led to the closing of two black newspapers.
Black political organizations per se are not outlawed. But they are virtually nonexistant on a national, broadly based, nonethnic scale, due in part to many government-imposed restrictions.
Structurally, there is no place for such a party in the legal framework of South Africa. Blacks have no representation in Parliament. And the government has done everything in its power to foster the segmentation of blacks into ethnic groupings.
Multiracial political parties are outlawed in South Africa, meaning blacks cannot look to some white political group for expression of grievances in Parliament.
Absent any normal political vehicle for expressing their views, blacks in the 1950s launched a passive resistance campaign. But in 1953 the government passed a law providing for stiff penalties for those who break even minor laws as part of a campaign of protest, or who incite others to participate. Passive resistance has since disappeared as a protest vehicle.
Other inhibitions against black political activity are contained in security laws that give the government wide latitude in shutting off dissent. South Africa's newly consolidated internal security act permits prosecution for acts ''calculated to endanger the security of the state.''
Beginning in the 1960s, the government responded to more overt black resistance with tougher restrictions on individual freedoms. Persons can be detained indefinitely beyond the reach of the courts. They can be banned - meaning they cannot meet people except one at a time and cannot be quoted in the press - for reasons never explained by the government.
A prohibition on all outdoor meetings imposed in 1976 hits blacks particularly hard since they have less access to indoor facilities.
The mounting restrictions on dissent over the years is explained by the government as being provoked by the subversive activities of the Communist Party. Communism was outlawed in 1950. But some adherents later infiltrated the ANC, formed the Pan Africanist Congress, and instigated riots leading to the banning of both groups in 1960, according to the government.
In the political vacuum left, the ''black consciousness movement'' took root in the late 1960s. Its leaders and main organizations were banned in 1977. (Principal black consciousness leader Steve Biko died in police custody.) The government says its action was provoked by the violence the movement triggered in 1976.
The two most significant political developments for blacks in recent years have been attempts in black townships to organize community-based groups, concerned primarily with local issues, and the gathering strength of black trade unions.
Developments in the trade-union field are considered progressive, even by government critics. Tom Lodge says black unions have been discouraged by the government from any political affiliation. Still, he says the government's allowing blacks to form unions ''does involve a significant concession of power.''
While black unions are gaining in strength, the better organized ones seem eager to avoid overt activity in politics and to focus more on traditional labor issues.
Churches also have been given some latitude to sharply disagree with the government. A number of churches have declined to obey the government law prohibiting multiracial marriages. The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has declared apartheid heresy. Government tolerance of dissent within the churches could be affected by the present investigations of the so-called Eloff Commission into the SACC.
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Mendieta y Montefur, Carlos
Mendieta y Montefur, Carlos kär´lōs māndyā´tä ē mōntāfo͞or´ [key], 1873–1960, Cuban political leader. He was one of the chief opponents of Gerardo Machado . Mendieta, installed as provisional president (1934) by a coup led by Fulgencio Batista, was unable to establish political stability and therefore resigned (1935).
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Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are well known for their above-average dividend yields, but they aren't always safe. Healthcare REIT HCP (NYSE:HCP) currently pays a 5% dividend yield, but it slashed its payout last year after spinning off its skilled nursing properties into QCP (NYSE:QCP).
Now that the spinoff has been complete for nearly a year and HCP's other ambitious plans have started to play out, let's revisit the question that is probably on the minds of many of the company's investors: "Is HCP's dividend safe now?"
A nurse takes the blood pressure of a senior patent sitting on the edge of a bed.
Image source: Getty Images.
The current state of HCP
As of September 2017, HCP has 799 properties, most of which are senior housing, life science, or medical office properties. With an enterprise value of $23 billion, it is the third largest healthcare REIT behind Welltower and Ventas.
In addition to spinning off QCP, the company has taken several other steps to improve asset quality and reduce risk. The company has sold some of its Brookdale Senior Living properties to reduce its exposure to its largest tenant and has reduced the leveraged debt investments in its portfolio. After $3.7 billion in debt repayment, HCP has no significant debt maturities until 2019, and less leverage on its balance sheet.
As a result, HCP's top three tenants make up 38% of the portfolio, down from 54% before the spinoff, and 95% of HCP's tenant revenue sources are private-pay, one of the best ratios in the industry. HCP's credit spreads have improved, meaning the company's cost of capital has fallen.
Now that the company has pared down its portfolio to its three core property types and improved its balance sheet, HCP has begun to pursue growth opportunities. The company currently has a development and redevelopment pipeline of approximately $1 billion and has significant opportunity for further development, with about 1.8 million square feet of land entitlements.
HCP's 2016 dividend cut
After the spinoff of QCP was completed in October 2016, HCP reduced the amount of its quarterly dividend by 36%, from $0.575 to $0.37. This was the company's first dividend reduction in more than 25 years.
Now, this dividend cut did not come about because HCP was struggling, or anything of the sort. Rather, since it spun off a large portion of its properties, there were simply fewer income-generating assets left from which a dividend could be generated.
However, for HCP's shareholders, this certainly turned into an effective dividend cut. Nearly one year after the spinoff, QCP has yet to pay a single dividend, nor has the company given much clarity on its future dividend policy -- or on many other aspects of its operations.
This isn't too surprising, since QCP represents the riskiest, most distressed assets that HCP formerly held. In fact, QCP is in the process of suing its primary tenant, HCR ManorCare, to gain control of the properties because of unpaid rent. So it's understandable that there may not be a ton of money to be paid out. Even so, the overall dividend reduction has certainly been a disappointment for shareholders who had been relying on their HCP shares to generate a steady income stream.
Is the current dividend safe?
One of the best ways to determine the safety of a REIT's dividend is to look at its FFO payout ratio. Since the traditional method of calculating "earnings" isn't too effective when it comes to REITs, we look at the dividend as a percentage of funds from operations, or FFO, which takes into account real estate-specific issues such as depreciation.
A FFO payout ratio of less than 100% shows that the company is generating enough income to cover its dividend, and ideally, there will be a significant amount of cushion. I like to see REIT payout ratios in the 70%-80% range, as this generally provides a nice amount of income, while also not exhausting all of the REITs distributable income.
HCP's dividend is currently $0.37 per quarter, or $1.48 per year. During the second quarter of 2017, HCP generated adjusted FFO of $0.48, which translates to a 77% payout ratio.
In addition, the company expects adjusted FFO for the full year in the range of $1.89 to $1.95. Based on the midpoint of this range and HCP's current dividend, this means the company plans to pay out 77% of its distributable cash to shareholders. In other words, HCP could generate 23% less cash than it expects and still have enough to maintain its dividend.
What the future holds
To sum it up, the reasonable payout ratio, combined with HCP's improved asset quality and balance sheet, gives investors no reason to believe that the company's dividend is unsafe. For most of its 32-year history, HCP has made dividend increases for its shareholders a priority, and I'd be surprised if the company didn't restart its streak of dividend increases in the near future.
Matthew Frankel owns shares of HCP and Quality Care Properties, Inc. The Motley Fool recommends Welltower. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | <urn:uuid:42ce304f-5334-4762-8e69-fe3b2e2a946a> | https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/09/20/how-safe-is-hcp-and-its-dividend.aspx | en | 0.970357 | 0.111489 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Those clueless tech conferences
Published: Feb 24, 1999 9:40 p.m. ET
At that point, money managers and journalists were seeing each other more than their own family members. And investors weren't getting many new clues about what to do with their money from companies.
Tech overkill
Technology Overkill February begs the question: How much can really change for companies in one week? Answer: Not a whole heck of a lot.
By the time the Robbie Stephens event rolled around, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) AMD, -0.93% still wasn't throwing its executives to the money-management wolves. (The chip maker pulled out of all three conferences and warned of a possible loss in its first quarter.)
Most companies that did present still saw the same "significant" growth rates or felt "comfortable" with their businesses -- just as they had in the previous two weeks.
BancBoston Robertson Stephens Vice President Camille Lepre said the banks don't exactly coordinate when they're holding conferences -- they are, after all, competitors. February is often a good time because companies are entering their fiscal years and they're coming out of quiet periods, she said.
Not much to say
But many companies, like Dell Computer (DELL) dell at Goldman Sachs, were in their quiet periods during their presentations. And others just didn't have too much to say.
"Every conference is what you make of it," said James Renck of Renck Capital Management, who's been following technology companies for 20 years. "You find [the news] in the hallway, not in the general presentations."
But if investors were hearing news in the hallways, it probably wasn't originating from the tech bellwethers. Many of the big boys pulled the clueless move of sending to investment conferences random executives who knew everything about tech but not a whole lot about money.
Cisco Systems (CSCO) CSCO, -1.27% sent the vice president of its enterprise line to Montgomery; IBM (IBM) IBM, +0.12% shipped the senior vice president of its data technology group to Goldman Sachs; the vice president and director of platform launch operations was sent by Intel (INTC) INTC, -0.63% to BancBoston Robertson Stephens.
Kudos, on the other hand, to companies like Micron Technology (MU) MU, -3.11% and Excite (XCIT) xcit , whose chief executives decided it was worth their while to talk to investors.
Cisco Systems didn't return a call explaining its decision, though Micron spokeswoman Julie Nash was more than happy to tell why it sent Chairman and Chief Executive Steven Appleton: "Mr. Appleton likes to keep in touch with the analyst community," she said.
It would be nice if more companies' top-tier executives felt the same way. And it would be great if, on top of that, they could review their businesses once every month or two, rather than every week.
Those two efforts would help give shareholders more insight into their investments -- and would make banks and companies look much less clueless.
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MarketWatch Partner Center | <urn:uuid:37797297-1b03-408a-a461-eb69600e1899> | https://www.marketwatch.com/story/those-clueless-tech-conferences | en | 0.971711 | 0.018438 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Daily news
23 June 2009
‘Lightbulb’ molecule has a bright future
Conventional LEDs like these are set to be displaced by versions based on organic films
A single molecule that reliably emits white light could speed the development of low-energy LEDs for the next generation of light sources and displays, say chemists.
Energy-efficient LEDs are widely tipped to become the predominant lighting source of the next decade and beyond, replacing the fast-disappearing incandescent bulb, as well as the compact fluorescent lights that are replacing them.
Likely to become the standard in this area are organic LEDs – thin films made from organic polymers that can be coated onto large areas at low cost. But generating white light from OLEDs is difficult as organic compounds within the films generate light only at very specific colours. Making white involves mixing two or more compounds to create a white light balance, and that drives up the price.
Jekyll and Hyde
Soo-Young Park at Seoul National University, South Korea, and colleagues at the University of Valencia in Spain, have created a molecule able to behave like two separate light-producing molecules. When stimulated with a voltage it produces orange and blue light that mix to create white.
Previous attempts using the same basic concept involved linking together two separate molecules into one. But, because energy is able to flow between the two molecular sub-units, one unit typically emits more light than the other, resulting in an unwanted tint.
The new molecule does not suffer that problem, and only contains one light-emitting chemical group. When connected to a voltage, this group switches to a high-energy form that emits blue light as it reverts to its original state.
Roughly half the time, though, the high-energy form picks up extra oxygen and hydrogen atoms, becoming a short-lived form that produces orange light before reverting to the original state.
A large population of the molecules reliably produces equal quantities of orange and blue light that mix to produce an even white.
Efficiency boost
“This allows us to create white emission in much the same way as creating white light from independent [lights],” says Park, potentially saving money and increasing efficiency.
“The science is excellent and very impressive,” says Colin Humphreys who works on LEDs at the University of Cambridge in the UK. But, he adds, it needs an efficiency boost before it can be used in commercial lighting and displays.
Currently, the molecule converts electrons into photons at least 30 times less efficiently than commercial LEDs. Park responds that the study was more about proof of principle and that the efficiency figures will rise as the method is optimised.
Journal reference: Journal of the American Chemical Society (DOI: 10.1021/ja902533f | <urn:uuid:b7297ad3-4a9e-4a59-9371-055d1a738476> | https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17355-lightbulb-molecule-has-a-bright-future/ | en | 0.934331 | 0.066348 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Parkinson's Disease Medications
Although there's no cure for Parkinson's disease, there are a number of medications available to help control the symptoms of this progressive illness.
Used alone or (more likely) in combination, these drugs allow your body to function better, which in turn helps you do the things you want or need to do.
People who have Parkinson's can help themselves by learning about how these medications work, what potential benefits they may provide, and what side effects they may cause. Then, when your doctor suggests a change or an addition to the drugs you're taking, you can make an informed decision on your treatment.
Dopamine Replacement Therapy
Woman speaking with pharmacist
Tetra Images/Getty Images
Levodopa, or L-dopa as it's commonly known, is considered the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease and is the most commonly used medication for the condition.
The drug is converted into the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, which replenishes dopamine supplies that have been lost as the disease progresses. By doing so, L-dopa improves the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
L-dopa is quite effective but can cause some significant side effects, including involuntary movements (known as dyskinesias). It's usually prescribed in combination with another drug called carbidopa that reduces those side effects.
Dopamine Agonists
The second most widely-used medications for Parkinson's disease are drugs called dopamine agonists. Instead of replacing dopamine in your brain, these drugs trick your brain into thinking it has enough dopamine. The drugs do this by binding to receptors meant for dopamine in the brain.
Dopamine agonists also help to alleviate the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. They can be used alone or in combination with L-dopa.
Common side effects of dopamine agonists include nausea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure. Some people may develop compulsive, risk-taking behaviors while taking these drugs, which can limit their use.
MAO-B Inhibitors
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors — known as MAO-B inhibitors — first were used as treatments for depression, but also are useful in treating Parkinson's disease. The drugs block your body's breakdown of the neurotransmitter dopamine in your brain, which helps to keep the dopamine supply higher and to reduce your symptoms of Parkinson's.
The MAO-B inhibitors used most often in Parkinson's include Eldepryl and Zelapar (selegiline) and Azilect (rasagiline). They can be prescribed alone or with other Parkinson's drugs, and side effects can include nausea, headaches, dry mouth, dizziness, insomnia and loss of appetite.
Researchers have looked at whether MAO-B inhibitors actually can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease (rather than just improving symptoms), but have concluded there's no evidence of that. Nonetheless, the drugs do help to treat Parkinson's symptoms.
Other Medications
There are a number of other medications that are used in the quest to find that perfect balance of medication effectiveness with minimal side effects.
A group of medications called COMT inhibitors, for example, can help more L-dopa reach the brain by preventing the body from breaking it down. Comtan (entacapone) and Tasmar (tolcapone) are two examples of COMT inhibitors.
Symmetrel (amantadine) works by increasing the amount of dopamine made by your body and preventing your body from breaking down existing dopamine. It's used in early Parkinson's to treat symptoms, and also can help with involuntary movements from L-dopa.
Anticholinergics such as Cogentin (benztropine) aren't commonly used but can help some younger Parkinson's patients control tremors. They target another neurotransmitter in the brain — acetylcholine.
Finally, Exelon (rivastigmine), a drug belonging to the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors, is approved for the treatment of dementia in Parkinson's. It may help improve your memory and your daily functioning.
Make Informed Decisions
There are many medications available that can help control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Understanding what the various drugs do, and what you can do to get the most out of your medications, really can help you manage your condition.
Was this page helpful? | <urn:uuid:db294d78-342a-421d-9911-5d0db228901c> | https://www.verywellhealth.com/guide-to-parkinsons-medications-2612253 | en | 0.936182 | 0.123873 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Tracking Interview Schedules and Events
Zoho Recruit - Applicant Tracking System with Zoho Calendar and Google Calendar Integration makes your personal and organization scheduling a lot more easier. You can easily access and manage your personal and organization calendar from within Zoho Recruit.
The Events feature in Zoho Recruit allows you to create and schedule multiple events like Interview, Call, Meeting and so on - for you, your client contacts, organization members, etc. This helps you to plan and manage your events in an excellent way. Once an event is scheduled, it is automatically plotted on your Zoho Calendar and Google Calendar, so keeping track of your commitments with Candidates and Client Contacts is no more a difficult task. You can also set a reminder to avoid missing any event. | <urn:uuid:5ca3bdb1-908b-4e76-9729-d3cb3c62e0eb> | https://www.zoho.com/recruit/track-interviews-events.html | en | 0.904259 | 0.242719 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Katherine’s Cheese
Her goats were producing so much milk that Katherine started making cheese, and then she had so much cheese that she started calling friends to come get it. This is the slippery slope of farming. Fleming told a similar tale back when I apprenticed at Celebrity Dairy. That was 1993. 25 years since I landed in Chatham. 25 years of friendship and community and Farmschool programs. Katherine and I go back farther, to Chapel Hill in the late 80s, and she goes way back, because she’s from here.
How is it that I get a friend who gives away chevre? That’s like having a money tree. And a soul tree. I guess that’s what it means to take root in a place. Katherine has roots, deep ones. Though mine are more shallow, they still hold me hard to the bedrock of home. I can’t seem to leave, now. I think about it, dream of blue ridge rocking chair views, fold upon fold of mothering bosoms fading into the mist, but the inexorable draw of community and culture will likely see me scratching at white clay, watching pink and baby blue sunsets at Screech Owl.
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| <urn:uuid:6e7e47b8-ab7f-4bb4-a838-102462ccb305> | http://farmschool.com/2018/01/15/katherines-cheese/ | en | 0.939369 | 0.034163 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Speedometer Gear Calculator
Enter your tire size
Tire diameter may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
If in doubt use manufactures posted diameter.
Metric Width: Profile (Aspect Ratio): Wheel Diameter:
Calculated tire diameter is: Change this to force a specific tire diameter.
Effective loaded tire diameter is:
Choose your rear axle gear ratio:
Speedometer Gear Selection
Select your transmission drive gear tooth count:
Calculated speedometer driven gear tooth count is: teeth.
Here is a list of common transmissions with their drive and driven gear teeth numbers
Transmission Drive Gear Driven Gear
200-4R 10-13 26-31
TH350 7-10 17-25
TH400 15-21 32-45
700-R4 15-20 32-45
4L80E 15-18 34-45
Muncie 6-9 17-25
T-10 6 and 8 17-25
T-5 , T56 and Tremec 7-9 17-22 | <urn:uuid:21d560f8-15ad-4128-a265-6141b17d74ca> | http://www.5speeds.com/calculators/SpeedoCalc.html | en | 0.706559 | 0.749422 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
The Cowboys – The Most Valuable Of All Football Teams
Football is the most popular sports in the United States. Every year it gathers thousands of people on stadiums as well as millions in front of the TV. From college football championships to the Supper Bowl, all levels of football are beloved by Americans across the country. People put a lot of hearts into supporting their favorite teams. Therefore it makes sense that football is also one of the most profitable sports in the world. Not only do fans spend money to go see their favourite teams play, but also invest huge amounts in buying official clothing and memorabilia. Some bid on rare items, while others just buy NFL jerseys from sites like NFL Store UK, even when football is not played in their country. American football has definitely crossed borders. Furthermore the amount of money made by a team is not always proportional to its victories. Most of the times revenues are generated by a team’s popularity. Today we are going to discuss about one of the most valuable football teams in the world, the famous Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys are by far the most profitable team in the U.S. With an estimated value of $2.1 billion, they have a $465 advantage in front of the second most valuable team. The team was purchased by Jerry Jones in 1989. The Cowboys generate over $200 million only through premium seating and stadium sportsmanship. Having won 5 championships, it is the second best of team when it comes to the number of Super Bowl victories. However the latest years have not been so kind to the team as the Cowboys have not been present in a Super Bowl in almost 16 years. However this hasn’t stopped the money flow as in 2011 the team generated $500 million in total revenue which is a new record for an National Football League team. This is but another proof of the profitability of football teams.
The popularity of this team is also supported by their famous Cowboys stadium. This is the third largest stadium in the NFL and the largest dome structure in the world. The stadium is so amazing that people actually take visiting tours of it. During a tour one can admire the various works of art displayed through the stadium or even throw a ball in the court. Although playing on such a legendary stadium can be a great experience on a tour, nothing compares to the thrills felt by the players when they are performing in front of thousands of people. The stadium has a capacity of 85.000 seats but it can accommodate as much as 105 000 people. Furthermore it is also equipped with the fourth largest high definition screen. Given this facts it is quite normal that the team has a $53 revenue per fan. This is but a small contribution for supporting one of the most beloved football teams in the world. | <urn:uuid:d5743859-1216-4229-b30c-376f52591feb> | http://www.blogrollcenter.com/news/the-cowboys-the-most-valuable-of-all-football-teams/ | en | 0.977379 | 0.14702 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Completely different Means Of Travel!
Folks everywhere in the world like to travel. Another unique place to visit is the Katmandu the place you’re going to get to know extra about its culture and other people by strolling in the Katmandu Durbar Sq.. To get away from the stress and stress of their work, they normally take just a few days off to go to vacationer locations with their families to see locations and luxuriate in a incredible vacation.
Tourism brings in some huge cash and increases employment opportunities within the country the tourism ministry in every nation seeks methods to develop and promote tourism of their respective countries. In a short, beaches, wine, superb meals and accommodations waiting for you to have a lovely encounter with the fun and entertainment provided by the nation.
There may be room for all expressions of tourist on this planet of travel however what causes ‘dangerous holidays’ normally results from one not understanding what sort of traveler they’re. In case you are coming to India the primary time, it is suggested that you simply learn in regards to the various locations you might be planning to visit and make full arrangements for accommodations.
Travel businesses and tour operators spend loads of time in assessing all the points of a package tour to ship high normal companies to its prospects. In modern buses, you should have an air conditioner, toilet, the bus-hostess will give you drinks and snacks to make your trip extra enjoyable, and there are also at least two TELEVISION sets in new travel buses.
There are individuals who travel within their country, and there are folks traveling to different nations relying on their price range. This is the primary cause why if you get on a bus you will notice primarily students and previous folks. Hotels and car rental firms offer reductions to travel industry personnel. | <urn:uuid:5b337b72-6ca3-4e4f-8278-589b4f32dc5c> | http://www.eastexasarboretum.org/completely-different-means-of-travel.html | en | 0.948739 | 0.036887 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |
Knot Chair
The Knot chair project goes through the stability study, from algorithms to identify and optimize the partition of the mould in order to facilitate the piece’s extraction.
The chair is realized in one-piece shell of high performance rigid polyurethane developped by ILPO. The seat’s performances are in close connection to this choice for the optimal distribution of forces.
The backrest rotation point placed under the seat improve the posture. The one-piece shell dissipates the forces and spread on the body a di use pressure. The steel structure contributes to improve ergonomics. | <urn:uuid:3dc3e98f-153d-4528-b727-41b51f84009b> | http://www.guriolidesign.com/knot-chair-2/ | en | 0.846567 | 0.178795 | mlfoundations/dclm-baseline-1.0-parquet |