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Washington state
Gregoire requests aid for Thurston, 10 other counties
Gov. Chris Gregoire asked President Bush on Tuesday to declare parts of Washington state a federal disaster area, r equesting that people in 11 counties become eligible for federal help following flooding earlier this month.
The request - based on a damage survey done last week - covers Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pierce, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties. Gregoire said additional counties may be added as officials continue assessing the damage.
"I'm asking the president to please act quickly upon our request and to begin the process of providing federal aid to these thousands of folks who have suffered from these floods," Gregoire said at a news conference.
She was joined by Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, head of Washington's Emergency Management Division, and Jim Mullen, state emergency director.
The White House directed inquiries on the request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A spokesman with FEMA's regional office did not immediately return a phone call late Tuesday.
104 homes destroyed
The preliminary surveys found that in those 11 counties, 104 homes were destroyed, 206 homes sustained major damage and 572 homes received minor damage.
Those homes were ones that either were uninsured, or had inadequate insurance, Lowenberg said.
The state has not yet compiled numbers on damaged homes that were insured.
Lowenberg said the uninsured and inadequately insured suffered an estimated $10.5 million in property damage and $1 million in personal property losses.
Gregoire declared a state of emergency for 24 counties earlier this month, authorizing use of National Guardsmen and allowing state emergency management officials to coordinate state assistance to counties in the flood path.
Gregoire's request on Tuesday seeks two types of disaster assistance. The Individuals and Households Program is for families and individuals to seek financial compensation, which has a cap of $28,200, Lowenberg said. It includes crisis counseling assistance and training, disaster unemployment assistance and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
"It doesn't make them whole, but it does address the immediate distress that they and their families are in," Lowenberg said.
Paying formula
The Hazard Mitigation Program uses a percentage of disaster assistance provided by the federal government to pay for projects to help prevent future disaster damage.
Public infrastructure damage surveys will begin Nov. 27, and will determine whether the state will request additional assistance in repairing damage to things like public buildings and water systems.
The state has seen a record amount of rain this month.
By Tuesday evening, the November rainfall at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had already broken the all-time wettest month record of 12.92 inches at that site, set in January 1953. By 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Sea-Tac rain gauge had recorded 12.98 inches, the National Weather Service reported.
Rain is expected to continue over the western part of the state through the holiday weekend, with showers today, and another strong system Thursday and Friday, bringing snow to the mountains.
"This is an unsettled time of year for us," D'Amico said, noting that a break in the weather could come on Saturday. "It's a stormy season. There's nothing too unusual about this."


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The new facility was constructed by Whaley Construction Co. of Troy, with architectural direction by Montgomery-based Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood and design support by venue specialists Populus, noted for its designs of such sporting venues as Yankee Stadium in New York, the main stadium for the 2012 London Olympic Games and Nanjing Sports Park in China.
The arena includes seven upper-level suites and an exclusive Stadium Club area for donors, while also adding floor seating for students. The arena is also equipped with two 767-square foot video boards.
Among the other features of the new arena are a three-tiered rotunda at the main entrance, an interior concourse with concession stands and a food court-styled dining center with specialty food items.
The new arena also is home to the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame. Digital displays of the members are located adjacent to the rotunda. The inaugural Hall of Fame induction banquet, held Aug. 10, 2012, was the first event held in the new facility.
Directions to Troy University

subset: commoncrawl


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Gameloft and NBC Universal Enter Worldwide Agreement to Bring The #1 Television Drama Series 'Heroes' to Mobile Phones
NEW YORK, March 27 --
- Leading Mobile Publisher Secures Exclusive License to Develop and
Publish 'Heroes: The Mobile Game'
Recreating the mind-bending universe of the television phenomenon of
2007, Gameloft(R), a leading developer and publisher of games for mobile
phones, today announced an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with NBC
Universal to develop and publish Heroes: The Mobile Game.
Heroes is the epic drama from NBC that chronicles the lives of ordinary
people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities - and a destiny to
save the world. The wildly popular television series was recently named the
"Favorite New Television Drama" by the People's Choice Awards.
"'Heroes' has created a large, die-hard fan culture and we are excited
to bring the action and intrigue of NBC's leading drama series to gamers
and 'Heroes' fans alike," said Gonzague de Vallois, vice-president of
Publishing, Gameloft. "With an international cast and rapidly growing
international level of success, Heroes has achieved a massive global appeal
and as such, Gameloft is the perfect publisher to deliver Heroes: The
Mobile Game worldwide."
"Gameloft's unwavering commitment to quality mobile games, their track
record with top-tier TV and film properties and their unrivaled worldwide
distribution capability make them uniquely qualified to launch Heroes: The
Mobile Game," said Jeremy Laws, senior vice president, Universal Mobile
Heroes: The Mobile Game will allow fans of the show and casual gamers
the chance to experience the thrill of the superhuman abilities of the
show's characters. The game's action will be based on the events from the
electrifying first season as well as the hotly awaited second season with
the game script being contributed to by writers of the hit television
series. Players will assume the roles of the time-travelling Hiro Nakamura;
the beautiful, but deadly Niki Sanders; telepathic cop Matt Parkman and the
enigmatic Peter Petrelli, as they enjoy game play styles based on their
unique powers.
About Heroes
From creator/writer Tim Kring (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") comes the
Golden Globe nominated "Heroes," an epic drama that chronicles the lives of
ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. As a
total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor
(Sendhil Ramamurthy, "Blind Guy Driving") in India is led by father's
disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super
powers living among us. A young dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, "Gilmore Girls")
tries to convince his politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, "Judging Amy")
that he can fly. A high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, "Ice
Princess") learns that she is totally indestructible while trying to relate
to her father (Jack Coleman, "Dynasty") who has a keen interest in people
with special abilities. A Las Vegas single mother (Ali Larter, "Final
Destination"), struggles to make ends meet to support her young son (Noah
Gray-Cabey, "My Wife & Kids") and discovers that her mirror image has a
secret. A fugitive from justice (Leonard Roberts, "Buffy the Vampire
Slayer") continues to baffle authorities who twice have been unable to
contain him. A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera, "Empire"), whose drug
addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend
(Tawny Cypress, NBC's "Third Watch"), can paint the future. A
down-on-his-luck Los Angeles beat cop (Greg Grunberg, "Alias") can hear
people's thoughts, which puts him on the trail of an elusive serial killer.
In Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, NBC's "Scrubs") develops a way to stop
time through sheer will power. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than
saving the world. Joining Kring as executive producer are Dennis Hammer
(NBC's "Crossing Jordan") and Allan Arkush (NBC's "Crossing Jordan"). The
drama is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association with
Tailwind Productions.
About Gameloft
Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video
games for mobile phones. Founded in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top
innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets
equipped with Java, Brew, or Symbian technology. The total number of mobile
handsets with this technology is expected to exceed two billion units in
Thanks to partnership agreements with leading licensors and
personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Touchstone
Television, Viacom, Sony Pictures, FifPro, Paris Hilton Ent., Lamborghini,
Derek Jeter, Reggie Bush, Vijay Singh, Andrei Schevchenko, and Djibril
Cisse, Gameloft has formed strong relationships with international brands.
In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates such brands as
Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and New York Nights.
As a result of agreements with telecom carriers, handset manufacturers,
specialized distributors and its online store, Gameloft now boasts a
distribution network covering 75 countries.
Gameloft has worldwide offices in New York, San Francisco, Montreal,
Mexico, Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Dusseldorf, Milan, Madrid, New Delhi,
Seoul, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Tokyo. Gameloft is listed on the Euronext
Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters:
GLFT.PA) For more information, visit http://www.gameloft.com.
About Universal Mobile Entertainment
Universal Mobile Entertainment (UME) generates revenues and enhances
brand awareness for NBC Universal's motion picture and television
properties through licensing agreements with top-tier publishers. UME
oversees the creation of high-quality mobile application services that
include games, ringtones, wallpapers, MMS, SMS services and audiovisual
services, and ensures ubiquitous distribution through mobile operators and
portals worldwide. With offices in Los Angeles, London and Tokyo the team
has been aggressive in the mobile content market since 2000 and currently
has hundreds of mobile products that are available to consumers in every
major territory of the world.
About NBC Universal
Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal
Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news
and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant
television production operations, a leading television stations group, and
world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric
and 20% owned by Vivendi.
SOURCE Gameloft


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THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE WISE is perhaps nowhere better illustrated than by the way the three Magi went to Herod the Great, king of the Jews, to find out the whereabouts of the holy child who had just been born king of the Jews to supplant him. It did not even strike them as suspicious when Herod asked them to be sure to let him know when they found him so he could hurry on down to pay his respects.
Luckily for the holy child, after the three Magi had followed their star to the manger and left him their presents, they were tipped off in a dream to avoid Herod like the plague on their way home.
Herod was fit to be tied when he realized he'd been had and ordered the murder of every male child two years old and under in the district. For all his enormous power, he knew there was somebody in diapers more powerful still. The wisdom of the foolish is perhaps nowhere better illustrated.
Matthew 2
-Originally published in Peculiar Treasures and later in Beyond Words


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idk why they're not known much.
that is... yet...
The lyrics I believe it's talking about a relationship which has ended.
Lyrics submitted by akissforcarolina
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
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text:
Call Capt. Bruce at 305-360-2120
or e-mail him at firstname.lastname@example.com
The Capt Easy is a 35 foot custom designed express sport fisherman. She is a fast, comfortable, clean, meticulously maintained, extremely stable sport fishing boat that was built specifically for offshore charter fishing in the Florida keys. Equipped with the finest tackle, safety, and fish finding equipment, as well as the best crew in Islamorada Florida we have everything it takes to make your fishing charter successful and fun. We are located in the Florida Keys at mile marker 85 at Smugglers Cove Marina in the heart of Islamorada. Please call Capt. Bruce Andersen today at 305-360-2120 or e-mail him at email@example.com with any questions or to book your fishing charter today.


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Top Honours Costume
This royal blue uniform will have the seven seas firmly under your command. Fits UK sizes 8 - 12; Medium
More info
You better have the Coast Guard on speed-dial because men are going to be drowning trying to capture your attention. So hoist your sails and gather your crew, we foresee some interesting adventures on the seven seas for you!
The top honours costume comes with the Sailor dress and a doughboy hat. The dress has soft lace halterneck straps which match the lace trim on the dress and cute white bows on both sides of your hip.


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Saturday, July 30, 2011
exactly right
Monday, July 25, 2011
You and me and the devil makes three
The various blingalings pictured are antique Georgian collet necklaces (i.e. not for the likes of us plebs). Nerida Aylott over at Art For Interiors seems to be doing a roaring trade in replicas:
But there's something about the quality of the stones, the intense shine perhaps, that misses the mark a little.
I've had a little look on Etsy with some success:
But it's just not the same, really.
Edit: Here's a genuine one being sold at Lang Antiques, and let me be the first to say, Holy Fuckballs
Yes, it is $7,950.00
Thursday, July 21, 2011
fucking scary
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Project Runway Australia 3.2: Put the Needle on It
Ok, why not.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
trompe l'oeil, trompe le monde
The idea works best in the images above, with the pieces heavily layered. When styled more sparingly, however, the jewelery does not recognisably connect with the mutilation concept:
Personally I think she should have stuck with shades of dark red, as the pinks and oranges look a little fruity.
Arulpragasam is not the first designer to inject a little gore into her wares - check out Elsa Schiaparelli's 1938 Tears Dress:
The print was designed by Salvador Dali. Yum.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
through the hourglass
Friday, July 8, 2011
of nostalgia and peak
Do companies ever do reissues of specific styles? Here is Nine West's Tenant bootie:
I bought a pair of these babies about three years ago, and I've pretty much loved them to death. They're among the most comfortable and well-proportioned heels I've ever owned, and if I could go back in time I would have bought three pairs. Woe is me.
Project Runway Australia 3.1: Hue are you?
Anyway, how about dem designers?
The first challenge involved each contestant being allocated a different coloured fabric with which to work. I like the conceit but some designers lucked out so badly it seemed silly. I mean, there are at least twelve nice colours in the world, right?
It seemed for a while as if Timothy 'I haven't sewn in 25 years' Godbold was going to be the guy to beat, but his dress turned out... kinda tacky?
One particularly misguided feature of the dress really threw me off:
Why is there a bow on her butthole?
And while I can see why Johnny won with his heliotrope creation, the dress did bring to mind the deliciously awful phrase popularised by Nina Garcia (of US Project Runway), 'questionable taste levels'.
I felt that an uncharacteristically not-annoying Alex Perry was right in suggesting that Johnny hold back on the arm detail, though it seems the young designer chose to ignore this sage advice.
My favourite design came from the rather unassuming Anna.
It is very reminiscent of two dresses by Abigail Lorick (Eleanor Waldorf's ghost designer) worn in the first season of Gossip Girl:
And while the tailoring of Lorrick's creations is very appealing, I like that Anna's belt is wider and attached to the garment itself. Further, while partially-concealed belts have been doing the rounds for a while now, I don't recall having seen one placed on the back before. Very chic.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Charlotte Blau
In February of 2010 I came across this photo in the State Library of Victoria picture archives:
Little information was supplied save for the subject's name and occupation - she is Charlotte Blau, an Australian fashion designer. There was much about the image I found interesting (not least the gown Blau is shown working on) and my inability to find further information on Blau was a puzzling disappointment.
Imagine my delight then, when yesterday I received an email from Blau's grandson, who has been kind enough to share some additional information about his grandmother.
Before World War Two Blau studied architecture at the famed Bauhaus school in Germany. From the 1950s to the end of the 60s Blau created garments for her label, Charlotte Fifth Avenue Gowns. Apparently she was the first Australian designer to display in all windows at Saks in New York (neat!). Winning the Wool industry gown of the year award five times, Blau's work was photographed by Helmut Newton, Athol Smith, Bruno Bernini.
Blau's life seems so fascinating, I can't wait to learn more!
edit: It seems like some of the photos in the Powerhouse Museum collection might feature Blau's work, but I'll be darned if I can figure out their captioning system:
Friday, July 1, 2011
the blue hour
I have had no great love for the work Moss has produced during her stints as a designer, but I must admit she remains one of the most brilliantly intuitive dressers around. I'd love to know the make of the boots - the flat bow first made me think Louis Vuitton, but since having a second look at Stella McCartney's (splendid) Resort 2012, I wonder if they are her creations:
In a strong Resort season, McCartney's collection was one of the best and the squat, lucite-heeled shoes are out of this world. Let's go mid-heels, it's time for a come back.
Horrible confession: I watch Mel Gibson's Apocalypto at least twice a year . Strangest guilty pleasure ever. I know it's an abominably silly movie, but there's something about the faces that I find very appealing. The urban Mayan civilisation scenes also include some crazy good colours and costumes:


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Quest Bunbury Serviced Apartments
14 Lyons Cove, Bunbury, WA, 6230
Quest Bunbury Serviced Apartments is a two storey property offering a range of Apartments to suit your needs. Our One & Two Bedroom Apartments include a full kitchen, a separate bedroom, dining & living area and laundry facilities in the bathroom while our Studio Apartments contain a kitchenette and en-suite bathroom. Broadband internet access (cable & wireless, up to 100mb free per day), Digital TV and Foxtel and 2 free movie channels are available in all apartments.
Conveniently located 500m from the city centre alongside Leschenault Inlet and across from Koombana Bay Beach we are ideally situated for both the business and leisure traveller and have ample off-street parking.
Take the time to relax around our outdoor swimming pool and BBQ area or take a game of tennis on our full-sized tennis court with our compliments. Alternatively you may like to take the 5-10 minute walk to explore Bunbury's numerous cafes and restaurants, the rapidly expanding Waterfront area or visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
Whether youre travelling for work or a holiday, Quest Serviced Apartments offers a range of dining options to suit your needs. Cook for yourself in the comfort of your One, Two or Three Bedroom Apartment, use Quests restaurant chargeback service or purchase a Light Breakfast Option from Reception.
If you would like to dine out, Quest Bunbury offers a restaurant chargeback option at selected local restaurants. Restaurant charges will automatically be added to your Quest accommodation account and settled on check-out. Room service is also available with some of these restaurants.
Quest's pantry shopping service offers a comprehensive and convenient alternative if you would like to cook for yourself, and don't have time to do your shopping. Simply fill out your shopping list and notify us before you arrive and we have your items delivered to your apartment.
For your convenience, we offer a valet dry cleaning service Monday to Friday. Business services are available at Reception and our team can assist you with information about the local area.
Apartments are serviced daily by our Housekeeping team (except on Sundays & Public Holidays).
Room Descriptions
One Bedroom Apartment
Perfect for extra space and privacy our One Bedroom Apartments include full kitchen, living and dining area, ensuite bathroom & laundry facilities. Broadband internet access and pay per view movies available. Complimentary on-site parking.
One Bedroom Apartment Two Night Minimum stay
Stay 2 nights or more in a One Bedroom Apartment. Perfect for extra space and privacy our One Bedroom Apartments include full kitchen, living and dining area, ensuite bathroom & laundry facilities. Broadband internet access and pay per view movies available. Complimentary on-site parking.
Studio Apartment
Perfect for overnight stays. Similar to a hotel room in size with queen bed, TV, kitchenette with microwave, tea and coffee making facilities etc. Please note these apartments are not fully self-contained.
Studio Apartment Two Night Minimum Stay
Similar to a hotel room in size with queen bed, TV, kitchenette with microwave, tea and coffee making facilities etc. Please note these apartments are not fully self-contained.
Three Bedroom Apartment
Perfect for families with a fully self-contained kitchen dining & living area with a LCD television, Foxtel, 2 free movie channels and a DVD player two bathrooms, one with spa bath and laundry facilities and three bedrooms.
Two Bedroom Apartment
Featuring a fully equipped kitchen, dining & living area, ensuite bathroom and laundry facilities. Broadband internet access & pay per view movies are available. Located within walking distance of city centre. Complimentary parking.
Two Bedroom Apartment Two Night Minimum Stay
Ideal for families featuring self-contained facilities.
Business Facilities
Centrally located for the business traveller we are situated 500m from the city centre.
Each Apartment features Broadband Internet Access & Direct Dial Phone. Fax & Photocopying Services are available from Reception.
The spacious 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments provide room for guests to attend to business matters as required and conduct small meetings and interviews.
Restaurant Chargeback facilities are available from various restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner with some offering a room delivery service. Or have your groceries waiting for you on arrival with our pantry shopping service (24hrs notice required).
Check In Instructions
A $200 bond or credit card preauthorisation & current photo ID is required on check in. Reception is open 7am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm Sun & Public Holidays, please call us if you wish to check in outside these hours. Luggage storage can be arranged.
Car Parking Details
Onsite open carpark located at the front of the property complimentary for one vehicle per apartment.
Travel Directions
Quest Bunbury is conveniently located at the entrance to the city centre and across from Koombana Bay Beach. Approximately 2 hours south of Perth, travelling by car, and 1 hour north of Margaret River.
From Perth take the Kwinana Freeway (South) which becomes the Forrest Highway. Continue along the Forrest Highway until the first roundabout. Turn right (the third exit) onto Koombana Drive (city centre) and travel past the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
We are located 300m from the Dolphin Discovery Centre on your left, the corner of Koombana Drive and Lyons Cove. Turn left into Lyons Cove, we are the first driveway on the right.
Things To Do
Quest Bunbury overlooks Koombana Bay, with its fabulous beach, and the Dolphin Discovery Centre is just across the road. Take the short walk to the city centre where you can explore the numerous cafés, restaurants and entertainment complexes. Or you may like to take the short walk to view the Bottlenose Dolphins that visit each day at the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
For the Holiday Traveller Bunbury is a great place to base your family and friends whilst discovering the South West of WA. Margaret River's wine region, the infamous coastline surrounding Bunbury, Busselton and Geographe Bay are all a short drive from Bunbury. After discovering Bunbury, why not head further south and visit the Valley of the Giants and all that the South West Coast has to offer
- Air conditioning
- BBQ Facilities
- Babysitting
- Car parking (fees may apply)
- Disabled facilities
- Dry cleaning facilities
- Internet access
- Kitchen/ette
- Laundry facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Non-smoking rooms/floors
- Parking
- Photocopy services
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Satellite/Cable TV
- Tennis Court


text:
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Write a million words. Your first million is practice.
Hugh Howey's response:
This is so difficult to appreciate and even harder to do. Writing a novel is such a brutal undertaking, something we dream about but put off for years and years, that when we finally succeed, to say that this was nothing more than "practice" is heart-rending.
After three years and four drafts, I have now written 986,000 words in these two novels. Ah, and I see that I've got a file called unused_chapters.txt with another 43,901 words. Throw in one or two short stories, and I'm just past the 1.1 x 106 mark.
Now I'm ready to write for real.
(and now, an image of a man standing next to one million pennies.)


text:
A patch of fine weather this morning enabled me to get outside and clean the remainder of the tar from the exterior of the stove flue. The inside of the flue has a very thin layer of hard baked tar type substance. I can't fit my hand down the flue and a brush probably wont remove it. I'll have to do some research in an effort to identify a suitable chemical that will either remove or loosen it.
Meanwhile Jan was inside on her knees cleaning the carpet with a hearth brush. Initially I thought she was worshipping (me?) but quickly realised that was a ludicrous thought!
Am I on my own or has anyone else noticed the TV coverage of the current crisis with NHS A&E departments always shows the staff either filling out paperwork or sitting at a computer work station. Either they are unable to film anything else, or the NHS has an administrative monster with an insatiable appetite. If it's the latter then surely the entire process needs to be reviewed with the objective of improving productivity and eliminating inefficiency and duplication.


text:
ROCKVILLE, Md.—Choice Hotels International opened 478 domestic and international properties in 2014. Choice's outlook for future growth is also robust, based on the 566 new domestic franchise agreements signed by the company last year. Of those signed contracts, 159 were for new construction hotels, a more than 70-percent increase over the same period in 2013.
"It has been a landmark year on the development front for Choice Hotels, most notably with new construction agreements and the expansion of our development clientele as driving forces," said David Pepper, senior vice president of global development for Choice Hotels International. "Developers recognize the smart growth and brand strategies we have in place, plus they know that now is an excellent time to invest and expand with us. We look forward to maintaining this strong growth trajectory through 2015."
Among the most notable gains in 2014 were 10 new construction development agreements signed with Love's Hospitality, the hotel development and management division of travel center conglomerate Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. These multiple agreements include projects with the Comfort brand, Sleep Inn, and Choice's MainStay Suites & Sleep Inn dual-brand concept.
Upscale business traveler brand Cambria Hotels & Suites continues to surge, opening five new hotels with developers in key corporate travel destinations such as Washington, D.C.; White Plains, N.Y.; and Plano, Texas. These hotels have been developed and are being operated by hospitality partners Meyer Jabara Hotels, Concord Hospitality, and O'Reilly Hospitality Management, respectively. This year, two more Cambria properties are scheduled to open in Manhattan in addition to the brand's flagship property in Rockville, Md., across from Choice Hotels International headquarters. On the development front, Choice executed several new Cambria franchise agreements, including four with institutional capital advisory firm, Fillmore Capital. Notable 2014 deal signings include leading travel destinations such as Miami, New Orleans, Nashville, and Houston.
Heightened developer interest in the refreshed Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites brands is evident in the brands' new construction activity. In 2014, Choice Hotels signed 70 new construction franchise agreements for the Comfort family of brands across all market types including major U.S. cities such as New York City, Austin, Philadelphia, Denver, Houston, and Pittsburgh. Choice Hotels and existing Comfort franchisees have already invested more than one-quarter billion dollars in the system-wide revitalization, including the company's $40 million property improvement incentive. Hotels that participated in the incentive program have now completed renovations.
The Sleep Inn brand's Designed to Dream next generation look and feel continues to attract interest from developers. The company successfully executed 38 new agreements for the new construction brand in 2014, up more than 50-percent from the year prior. The Designed to Dream new construction prototype and mandatory system-wide redesign program is fueling the brand's double digit RevPAR growth, which is outpacing the midscale segment.
The upscale Ascend Hotel Collection continues to expand. In 2014, Choice Hotels Global Development executed 11 new construction agreements for the Ascend Hotel Collection, most of which are located in New York City, as well as continuing to expand the system in major markets which include Los Angeles, Dallas, and Minneapolis.


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STATUS: In stock
Available colors
Sleek and stylish, PANDORA-s modern bangle is nothing less than a contemporary classic. Updated in 14K gold, it has a luxurious expression which can be enhanced with your favorite charms.
New products, coupons, and exclusive sales available when you sign up for our email newsletter.


text:
Written on:
27 November, 2018
What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
What Causes a Missed Abortion?
The term "missed abortion" refers to an inevitable miscarriage in a woman who has not yet experienced any vaginal bleeding or uterine cramping. In a missed abortion, the pregnancy will not progress because, although the woman retains embryonic and/or placental tissue in her uterus, the embryo either never formed or died of natural causes. Rather than waiting for a miscarriage, the doctor can recommend medication or surgery to remove the tissue from the uterus.
Medically, "abortion" means loss of the products of conception from any cause, natural or induced, before 20 weeks of pregnancy. In this light, the term "missed abortion" makes more sense. The woman's body will eventually expel the contents of her uterus, but for now, the body has missed the signs that the embryo died or never existed and hangs on to the products of conception. The Mayo Clinic uses the slightly less confusing term "missed miscarriage" instead.
Most cases of missed abortion result from severe genetic abnormalities that prevent the formation of the embryo or stop its development early in pregnancy. In most cases, says the Mayo Clinic, the genetic abnormality arises in the first few cell divisions and often the exact cause is never identified. There is nothing a woman can do to prevent a missed abortion.
Blighted Ovum
When a fertilized egg develops a placenta and membranes with no embryo inside it, doctors call it a "blighted ovum." Although there is no embryo, the woman has symptoms of pregnancy because the placenta produces the pregnancy hormone hCG. Blighted ovum usually results from a genetic abnormality and causes about half of all miscarriages in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause a spontaneous miscarriage or a missed abortion.
Molar Pregnancy
Molar pregnancies rarely occur; the Mayo Clinic cites a frequency of one in 1,000 pregnancies. In a molar pregnancy, or gestational trophoblastic disease, the placental cells grow out of control to form a cystic mass. An embryo, if present, will not survive. Like a blighted ovum, a molar pregnancy can cause a spontaneous miscarriage or a missed abortion.
In cases of missed abortion, allowing the tissue to remain in the uterus until is it naturally expelled can take three or four weeks after diagnosis, risking heavy bleeding or infection. Instead, a doctor might prescribe medications to bring on a miscarriage at home, or if bleeding is a concern, the doctor might recommend dilation and curettage (D&C) to remove the placental tissue in a more controlled way. In this minor surgery, the doctor dilates the opening of the uterus and suctions or gently scrapes out the tissue.
The routine use of ultrasound has increased the diagnosis of missed abortion, allowing women to protect their future fertility with medical treatment, rather than suffering more dangerous late miscarriages. Because most genetic abnormalities that cause missed abortion develop in the fetus rather than being inherited from the parents, most women can go on to have successful pregnancies after a missed abortion.
- female symbol image by Soja Andrzej from Fotolia.com


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"I started Bringing Aubrey to Dr. Marie when she was one month old. She was having a lot of issues with constipation. We saw results almost immediately! Her pediatrician told us to use prune juice. I didn't feel comfortable with that though. It only temporarily worked and seemed to make her more uncomfortable. At our consultation appointment, Dr. Marie examined her and explained what was going on. Being treated by a chiropractor myself, I have learned why adjustments help so much. She is so patient with Aubrey. Babies don't get adjusted like adults do. She uses gentle pressure with her fingers. That's all! Aubrey is such a happy baby now, which wasn't the case before we started bringing her. She even developed reflux at 3 months and Dr. Marie has gotten that under control as well! It's amazing and I recommend this to all new moms that are dealing with a fussy baby. We are so thankful to have found Dr. Marie!"
Stacy V. - 03/30/2019
"I started care with Dr. Marie because of muscle pain in the mid and lower back; neck pain and difficulty rotating my head from side to side; numbness in all fingers. Since being under care with Dr. Marie I am experiencing significantly less pain in all areas; more mobility and flexibility and to my surprise the neuropathy in my feet appears to be improving. It has pleased me to receive detailed information that is real and not false expectations. Dr. Marie and Annette are always pleasant and willing to help. The expectation has been above good and the treatment is improving my quality of like."
Gordon B. - 01/08/2018
"Through the years with my jobs I've been banged up some. Most recently was a 15' fall from grain tank. Nothing was broken, just dislocated rib and a lot of tenderness. After one month of adjustments [from Dr. Marie] I'm feeling great. Almost pain free in one month! I feel I can do things I didn't want to do before because of the discomfort. For whatever reason the adjustments [from Dr. Marie] seem to stay in place longer, giving longer relief than with previous chiropractor.
I already have recommended Dr. Marie's care and will continue to."
Mark T. - 11/07/17
"Before coming to Dr. Marie I had been experiencing migraines for as long as I could remember. Just recently, the frequency and duration of headaches began to increase. Due to my pain and discomfort, something had to be done!
Prior to receiving treatment at Hobart Family Chiropractic, I had been to medical doctors, received an MRI, tried many over-the-counter and prescription medications, and visited an eye doctor to verify my headaches weren't from vision issues.
My condition improved almost immediately under the care of Dr. Marie! I felt relief and less tension in my lower head, neck and shoulders after my first adjustment. I no longer have to fear missing out of activities because of my chronic headaches and migraines! I am extremely pleased by how early in my treatment that I was able to feel relief.
I was very hesitant to receive chiropractic services as the sound of bones cracking and popping makes my palms sweat. Dr. Marie is so sincere and personable. She makes me feel very comfortable when I am there. I even look forward to my adjustments now!
I would highly recommend family and friends to Dr. Marie! She is very knowledgeable and makes me feel welcome and comfortable each time I am there."
Brooke S. - 07/22/2017
"Before coming to Dr. Marie, my daughter (14yo) has suffered from constipation since she was small and it became progressively worse, along with developing into acid reflux, gas/bloating, and back pain. She would go days without a bower movement. We were to medical doctor after medical doctor, to specialists, and were given the same treatment: laxatives or Miralax to relieve symptoms, and diet.
After one month of Dr. Marie's treatments, my daughter is now having daily bowel movements, little to non at times gas and bloating, and no acid reflux. If it weren't for Dr Marie, my daughter would have been subjected to invasive medical procedures (which were the next course of actions suggested by the medical doctor, i.e. colonoscopy and endoscopy). I love the natural approach to curing and caring for a patient and not just prescribing meds to mask the problem or for a quick fix to relieve symptoms. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Marie, and I already have!"
Darlene M. - 04/25/2016
"I came to Dr. Marie when I was 20 weeks pregnant. I heard that chiropractic care was a safe way to deal with all the pains pregnancy comes with. I had hip pain, pelvis pain, upper back pain, and even neck pain. I had tried ice packs and heating pads on the places that were sore, with no luck. Dr. Marie has made all that pain disappear. I no longer have hip pain even into my last trimester. I had talked to Dr. Marie about a pinching in my upper back with pain going into my jaw. With one adjustment the pains was gone.
What has pleased me most is that Dr. Marie was very helpful and informative of what she will be doing to help with my pains. What sets her apart is that she offers the Webster technique for pregnant women. I would definitely recommend Dr. Marie to family and Friends. She has helped me all through my pregnancy and I plan to bring my son to her once he is born. This has been the best decision to come to Dr. Marie in my pregnancy."
Brittany B. - 04/20/2016
"I started Experiencing Lower back pain early in my pregnancy, causing me to wake up several times per night. After just a couple of weeks of treatments, the pain started going away. After only a month, I was pain free again, allowing me to rest better. Dr. Marie's care made me so much more comfortable! I am so Thankful I found Dr. Marie. She knows how to work with pregnant patients in a way that is safe, gentle, and effective!"
Broke D. - 04/08/2016
"The reason for my visit at Hobart Family Chiropractic was because my 2 months old daughter would not have a bowel movement on her own. She wouldn't let me put her on her stomach or back, she would always need to be held, be extremely fussy and hard to calm down, and wouldn't sleep. At first we tried corn syrup in water, which is what her pediatrician told me to do. When that didn't work, we went to the GI where he told us to try prune juice in the morning and at night. Since that didn't work, I tried changing my diet and had to go to out last resort: Pedialax.
Since I have been bringing Addisyn to Dr. Marie, She has been a complete different baby. She has been a lot happier, sleeps longer at night, keeps herself occupied, and finally has bowel movements on her own. I was pleased about everything!
Dr. Marie examines her patients to make sure that chiropractic could be beneficial and help with what is wrong. What sets her apart from others is that she shows her patients how much she cares. I would definitely recommend Hobart Family Chiropractic to family and friends. I would tell them I am happy (extremely happy) with the results and I wish I would have done it sooner!"
Stacee J. - 12/03/2015
"I seek chiropractic care at Hobart Family Chiropractic for my 2 months old daughter because she was inconsolable for 3-5 hours every night since she was born. We tried gas drops, Zantacs and regular baby soothing techniques before trying chiropractic. Since being under care with Dr. Marie, Mylo is now a calmer, relaxed baby. She no longer screams for hours at a time. Dr. Marie gave us results! She is also very patient and I feel comfortable with her because she is certified for pediatric care. Dr. Marie is wonderful and because of her Mylo seems much happier."
Katie M. - 11/14/2015
"I had a lot of lower and upper back pain. I also had sciatic pain, knee pain and neck pain. I thought I was going to have to leave my job. I was on pain pills for over 3 years. I was in so much pain every day, I just wanted to give up. I had been to several doctors who put me on pain pills. I had been under the care of another chiropractor for 2 years.
After only a few months [of treatment], I now have a life! I have more good days then bad days. I have taken only 2 pain pills in the past month instead of everyday. I can do dishes and clean again. I can enjoy my pets and my kids again. I can finally enjoy life again.
[Dr. Marie] listens to me and respects what I have to say about how I feel. I have recommended friends. I told them after 2 long years with no hope; I now have light at the end of the tunnel with almost no pills."
Colleen S. - 12/08/2014
"Dr. Marie is great! Since I have been seeing Dr. Marie, She has completely taken away the severe arthritis pain I have suffered for more than 20 years due to a car accident. I have tried many things over the years but nothing seemed to work. I am truly amazed at how I am now pain free due to chiropractic treatment. It has been a blessing, thanks so much to Dr. Marie."
Sonya S. - 01/08/14
"My initial visit was directed toward my lower back. I've had issues for years with my lower back and more recently in the last couple years, problems down my sciatic nerve and achy legs, and extremely severe pain in my lower back. I've had many doctor visits, ER visits, and physical therapy and have never been able to quite understand what was wrong with me. Seeing and meeting Dr.Marie has widely improved my understanding of a lot of issues that I've been experiencing. She takes the time to explain everything and has lifted my spirits and given me hope. I feel Dr. Marie could play a big part in my recovery and improvement in my everyday life. She opened my eyes and I feel she helped me more than any doctor I've seen in the past. I would encourage anyone with any type of health issues to come see her, she may surprise you!"
Crystal C. - 01/02/14
"When I was pregnant with my son at 26 weeks, baby was breeched. I was worried he would stay breeched. At my 30th appointment he was still in the same position. I mentioned it to Dr. Marie. By two chiropractic sessions he happily flipped. Yayy!!! Ultrasound at 36 weeks confirmed he stayed head down. I then went to deliver vaginally. I can only thank chiropractic and Dr. Marie.
My first born son (age 51/2) has 4 sets of tubes plus a surgery because of ear infections. I started taking him with me. He has now not had an ear infection for 5+ months, longest period without an ear infection since the age of 7 months old.
Thank you Dr. Marie for changing our lives!"
Jennifer Retel - 12/20/13
"I've been an avid middle distance runner for years, so I've dealt with my share of aches and pains. But last year I experienced lower back and hip pain that really slowed me down. I figure it was just muscular strain and age catching up to me, but the pain did not subside after taking some time off from running. Examination and x-rays showed that I had some severe spinal and hip alignment issues. So I went through several months of treatment with Dr. Marie and I am still amazed at the results! She cured my back and hip pain, and she even relieved the shoulder and neck stiffness that had become "normal" to me. This past summer I set a new personal record in the Bellin 10K fun, and I also placed first for my age class in several other races. I was so impressed with my treatment results that I took my 15 years old daughter to see Dr. Marie also.Dr. Marie has helped relieve her back and neck pains.
Dr. Marie is a very knowledgeable chiropractor and she is a very kind and caring person. If you are experiencing any type of body aches, pain or stiffness, I highly recommend you see Dr. Marie and try her chiropractic care."
Scott K. - 12/20/13
"Dr. Marie is very knowledgeable about chiropractic care. I've been to other chiropractors and she is by far the most attentive to my concerns and willing to explore many options for returning me to a healthy level of functioning.
I also appreciate her gentle approach which allows me to relax more fully, making adjustments much easier.
I used to be "on guard" with rougher chiropractors, which made adjusting me far more stressful and difficult. Dr. Marie's firm, but gentle adjustments have worked wonders for me."
Bonnie N. - 12/6/13
"For many months I had severe lower back pain. Probably a lingering result from a major stairway fall approximately 18 months prior. Pain was so acute I could not carry my 12 month-old grandson. Going up and down stairs was extremely difficult. Back pain even interrupted my sleep. I medicated only with acetaminophen (Tylenol)…no relief. Based on prior positive results on other 'structural' issues, I decided to try chiropractic again. Dr. Marie examined my back, took an X-ray and provided an initial treatment on the first visit. Following her treatment plan, my pain quickly subsided and was completely gone in 6 weeks. I can now carry my grandson up and down stairs. And, that's a great feeling. Thanks, Dr. Marie."
Dean R. - 9/10/2013
"Having suffered with shoulder pain, loss of strength and mobility in my right arm I was ready to agree to try surgery to relieve he pressure of the nerve in the shoulder. Unexpectedly meeting Healthy Living at a public event, I was given the opportunity to try chiropractic care for a reasonable fee. After seeing X-rays of my neck and back, I could see what poor shape I was in. After only two treatments, the pain was gone. After two months re X-rays showed how much my neck alignment had improved. At 55, I was ready to give up hope, that I would be able to do the things I wanted to because of the pain. Healthy Living has changed that for me."
Mark K. - 8/15/201


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There's some info here about a nice viral idea for Tron2…Tron goes viral?.
The interesting thing about it is I think is each person only received a small piece of the overall viral, and it relied on bloggers to post about it and create what is basically an ad-hoc social network to solve the puzzle. Nice way to get people working and talking together and build a bit of a buzz!


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Logo & Brand Guidelines
Using the SOSCuisine Brand
This guide will help you use our brand and assets, including our logo without having to worry about using them incorrectly and making Foxy sad 😉
If you are ever in doubt, just refer back to these guidelines or send an email to email@example.com for guidance. It's pretty flexible, so be creative while loving and respecting our brand.
Please always spell SOSCuisine as SOSCuisine, SOS Cuisine or SOSCuisine.com.
Not: SOScuisine, soscuisine, etc.
SOSCuisine™ is a registered trademark of Sukha Technologies, Inc.
Do's and Don'ts
Allow correct clear space around the logo
Use light coloured backgrounds
Minimum logo size is 120 pixels wide
Don't use the logo on dark backgrounds
Don't alter logo in any way
Don't change the tomato
Try SOS Cuisine!
Sing up now – It's fast and easy
Contacts for Media and Events
Media Contact - Americas
Pierre B. Lamontagne, Vice-president R&D and Business Development
Media List
To be added to our media release list, please email us.
Speaking Engagements
To request support for speaking engagements, please email us.
Try SOSCuisine!
Sign up now - it's quick and easy.


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Skywatchers, a program of ABD Productions, brings together a richly diverse community in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood to collaboratively create celebratory site-specific performance. This community performance ensemble is rooted in the lives, talents, and stories of Tenderloin residents, who are performers and co-creators of the work. Together we celebrate the voices, the collective brilliance and power of Tenderloin residents, rising up, resisting, and daring to live as we imagine.
On May 27, audience members will witness these stories, join our joyous procession from the Tenderloin Museum (just before sundown) through the neighborhood to the Tenderloin National Forest, led by the inimitable vocalist and choral director, Melanie DeMore, and enjoy the music, dance, song, and visual art that makes Skywatchers not only an aesthetic experience, but also the community celebration and life affirming event that it is.
Featuring residents of the Senator, Iroquois, Cambridge, Dalt, and Hamlin Hotels. Also featuring participants of Larkin Street Youth. With guest artists Melanie DeMore, NAKA Dance Theater, and the ABD Ensemble.
Skywatchers is produced in partnership with Luggage Store Gallery, Community Housing Partnership, Larkin Street Youth Services, and the Center for Art and Social Justice.
Tenderloin Museum
398 Eddy Street (@ Leavenworth)
Friday May 27th


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MYSTERY WRITERS UNITE is EXCITED to be supporting the work of Jane Isaac author of the newly released AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER (see below).
Jane Isaac lives in rural Northamptonshire, UK with her husband, daughter and dog, Bollo.
Jane studied creative writing, and later specialist fiction with the London School of journalism. Her non-fiction articles have appeared in magazines, newspapers and online. An Unfamiliar Murder is her first novel.
--- Interview
MWU: Let me start by saying thank you for agreeing to let MYSTERY WRITERS UNITE interview you, it really is a pleasure to support all the hard work that authors do! Now for the fun stuff!! If one of your children was approached and asked what your biggest writing quirk is, what would they say?
Jane Isaac: I love to listen to music when I write. My tastes vary according to my mood and what I'm working on at any particular time, ranging from a blast of Muse, Guns n Roses or the Chilli Peppers, to the gentler Snow Patrol or Keane (at present).
The problem is I have a tendency to sing a tune I've listened to for the rest of the day, and it usually collapses into a hum of a favorite couple of lines, repeated incessantly. Sounds great in my head, but drives my ten year old mad!
MWU: Aside from the main character in AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER, who is your favorite character and why?
Jane Isaac: An Unfamiliar Murder is essentially the tale of two women. Anna is fighting to prove her innocence, whilst Helen is trying to prove herself in the senior echelons of the police force, whilst juggling the demands of parenting teenage sons. I have a very strong connection with both these women.
Aside from these, it would have to be Anna's boyfriend, Ross. Ross teaches at the same school as Anna, but has aspirations of being the next Sir Ranulph Fiennes. He's sporty, fun loving, caring and undemanding – perfect boyfriend material. I fell in love with him more and more as his character developed and he still holds a special place in my heart.
MWU: What is one of your favorite chapters or scenes in AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER and why is it your favorite?
Jane Isaac: Oooh, good question. It would have to be the scene that features on the cover. It's difficult to elaborate without giving too much away, but Anna is called to meet a very undesirable character.
It took quite a while, and a lot of research into serial killers and psychopathic behavior, to construct. Even then, I re-worked it several times to achieve the right level of suspense without the use of graphic violence. Goose bumps still spiral into my back when I read it back.
MWU: Now that you've completed this book, is there a character in it that you may want to go back to at another time and write about them again?
Jane Isaac: Yes and yes. In DCI Helen Lavery, I sought to avoid the divorced, alcohol obsessed detective, instead creating a career woman who juggles a lifestyle balance of a demanding job and single parenting two teenage sons. I wanted a character that readers could relate to, so that we feel her journey.
Less than a quarter of the way through the novel I realized that her character could develop in so many ways, beyond the boundaries of this story.
I'm currently working on a sequel in which she faces new challenges, and thoroughly enjoying stretching her character further.
MWU: Another question I ask every author I interview. Do you ever experience writer's block? If so, how do you cope with it?
Jane Isaac: Absolutely! Music helps a great deal and, if I'm really struggling, I quit and read someone else's work which usually ends up inspiring me. Otherwise, I work on a new blog post. Apart from my personal blog 'Caffeine's Not a Crime', I also write 'Diary of a Newbie Novelist' at www.newbiewriters.com and general posts for The Pajama Club.
MWU: What did you learn from writing AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER?
Jane Isaac: The benefit of a good editor! It's tempting to wrap your arms around your favourite lines, but if they don't drive the story forward let them go. A good editor improves your work and makes it better.
Also, actually writing the book is only one facet of the journey. If you want to get your work out there, you need to be prepared to invest your time in marketing and promoting.
MWU: If you had less than a minute to tell a perspective reader what they could expect from AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER (you are at a trade show and someone has stopped by your booth) what would you tell them? Go….
Jane Isaac: A dead body in your flat and a night in a cell. A police enquiry that uncovers secrets that link you to the victim and turn your life upside down. A killer lurking in the background.
Who are you and who is coming to get you?
Grip hold of your seats, you're in for a rollercoaster ride.
Every family has secrets…
MWU: What can your readers expect next and when can they expect it?
Jane Isaac: I am currently working on the sequel to An Unfamiliar Murder entitled Murderous Consequences, which I hope to have finished by the summer.
MWU: Is there anything you would like to say to new writers, new readers or current fans of your work?
Jane Isaac: Writers: read as much as you can in your preferred genre. Write everyday – even if you're just jotting down notes - and write something you would like to read yourself. I'm a sucker for a good page turner, so I sought to write a novel that I couldn't put down.
New readers: If you like psychological crime thrillers, with strong female characters, that will worm their way under your skin until the very end – then this is the book for you.
Fans: I have two short stories entitled 'Duplicity' and 'Perilous Truths' out this summer in crime anthologies. Check out my website at www.janeisaac.co.uk for more information.
The synopsis for AN UNFAMILIAR MURDER:
What lurks beneath a normal, healthy skin?
Arriving home from a routine day at work, Anna Cottrell has no idea that her life is about to change forever. But discovering the stabbed body of a stranger in her flat, then becoming prime suspect in a murder enquiry is only the beginning. Her persistent claims of innocence start to crumble when new evidence links her irrevocably with the victim...
Leading her first murder enquiry, DCI Helen Lavery unravels a trail of deception, family secrets and betrayal. When people close to the Cottrell family start to disappear, Lavery is forced into a race against time. Can she catch the killer before he executes his ultimate victim?


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Jonathan naturally had some difficulty believing that his father was truly as evil as he was. In this passage, he is convinced. Jonathan is such a godly example for believers today. We pray this lesson is greatly helpful to you.


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Misunderstanding the Prophet's Sunnah on Polygamy (18 January 2002)
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Misunderstanding the Prophet's Sunnah on Polygamy
Not surprisingly, in the recent debate on the suggestion to re-legalize polygamy for non-Muslims, most women's groups and progressive minded men have reacted with outrage and condemned the proposal.
It is acknowledged that polygamy was legal for non-Muslim men in Malaysia until the enforcement of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce Act 1976 in 1982. Prior to its enforcement, unlimited and unconditional polygamy was recognized under the men's respective customary laws. The Law Reform Act was the outcome of the struggle of various women's groups in this country to put an end to the oppression and injustice suffered by women under unfair and outdated customary practices. Women's groups comprising of women from different races and religions, including some Muslim women, joined in the struggle against the abuse of polygamy and the discrimination against women.
The pressure from the various women's groups led to the abolition of polygamy for non-Muslims, and certain attempts (not very effective) intended to control it among the Muslims. However, any effective measures against the abuse of polygamy among the Muslims were unfortunately condemned as "un-Islamic" due to a general mistaken notion that polygamy was a sacred male right guaranteed by Islam.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) wish to point out that Islam neither invented nor encouraged polygamy. Unlimited polygamy was a pre-existing practice prior to the revelations of the Qur'an. The Qur'anic revelations relating to polygamy are clearly restrictive rather than permissive. Since the nineteenth century, several leading Islamic scholars including Sheikh Muhammad Abduh, the Grand Mufti of Egypt until his death in 1905, have pointed out that polygamy was reluctantly tolerated by Islam due to the pre-existing conditions at the time of revelation.
Similarly, slavery was also reluctantly tolerated by Islam, with the guiding principles towards its eventual abolition by enjoining the kind treatment of slaves as well as making the freeing of slaves a cardinal virtue. The guiding principles in the Qur'an against polygamy can be demonstrated by firstly, limiting the maximum number of wives to four, then by enjoining on the fair and just treatment of multiple wives, and finally by declaring that fair and just treatment is impossible.
An argument that is being put forward in support of the suggestion for the re-legalization of polygamy for non-Muslims is that it would help to reduce social ills such as illicit affairs, prostitution and the birth of illegitimate children. However, the legality of polygamy has not put an end to these social ills among the Malay community. In some cases, it might even have contributed to the problem of social ills among young people who have been brought up in unhappy and neglected polygamous households.
Therefore, the question that should be addressed in our society today is not on whether polygamy should be re-legalized under the civil law for the non-Muslims, but whether it should still be continued under the Islamic family law for the Muslims, bearing in mind the true purpose of the Qur'anic injunctions on polygamy: "if you fear you cannot deal justly (with your wives), marry only one (wife)". The Qur'an is also the only holy scripture that contains the phrase "marry only one". The Muslims should have led the other communities in the struggle against polygamy and its abuses.
Sisters in Islam
18 January 2002
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U.S. general in charge of Afghan training gives upbeat update
WASHINGTON — The commander of the NATO training mission in Afghanistan painted an optimistic picture Tuesday of the progress in training Afghan security forces, a crucial pillar of President Barack Obama's plans to begin withdrawing American forces from that country in July.
But with U.S. taxpayers funding the training and the Afghan government and economy still relatively weak, concerns remain as to whether the Afghan forces will be sustainable and less corrupt in the long run.
Compared with the under-resourced training mission in past years, Afghan forces are "in a far better position" now and are "better trained, equipped and led than any of the forces we had trained in the past," U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William Caldwell said.
Amid mounting U.S. fiscal woes, however, Caldwell acknowledged to an audience at the Council on Foreign Relations, a research center in Washington, that he continues to assess whether the cash-strapped Afghan government will be able to afford the force they're building when the American cash spigot no longer runs at full speed. The U.S. funds 92 percent of the training mission, which runs to $11 billion this year.
Afghanistan will need to pay the bills and salaries of its own security forces eventually, and NATO doesn't want to create a military that's too expensive and extravagant when coalition troops eventually withdraw.
Afghan forces are still plagued by problems of desertion, illiteracy and an imbalance in the ethnic composition of those in leadership positions, as minorities such as ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks take many of these jobs while the dominant Pashtuns often are shut out.
Under Caldwell's helm over the last 20 months, NATO has put 100,000 Afghan recruits through training and the force now stands at more than 290,000 troops. Caldwell and his NATO team oversee the training of the Afghan military and the police force, and they effectively run the Afghan Interior and Defense departments.
But numbers matter little unless the troops are competent and can prove to be an effective independent fighting force, many experts agree. Currently, Afghan military forces can't operate independently, a major impediment to the planned reduction of U.S. forces that increasing numbers of American lawmakers are pushing for.
Stephen Biddle, a military expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that Afghan corruption remained a persistent problem, starting with chiefs of police, who often have to pay off provincial officials to get their jobs.
"In order to repay the payment you had to make to get the job, you then have to collect graft and corruption from people who work for you," Biddle said. "And that ripples down the system to police shaking down citizens at checkpoints."
Afghan forces still depend on NATO for crucial support — such as logistics, transportation and airlifts — and some experts question whether they'll be able to take over these functions after the country assumes responsibility for its own security in 2014.
To reduce corruption and desertion, NATO has increased the meager salaries of Afghan police officers and soldiers. Caldwell said it also had tightened standards for a cadre of recruits who could barely read or count, noting that when he took over in November 2009 many newly minted soldiers couldn't count how many bullets to insert into their weapons. Now such basic skills are a mandatory part of their training.
Literacy is the "essential enabler for everything we're doing," he said. "We call it a matter of life and death."
Pushed by voters, senators to debate U.S. role in Libya
Egyptian celebrities who backed Mubarak become pariahs
Mexican drug gangs building own tanks as war intensifies
For more international news visit McClatchy's World page.


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Okay, so have you made any? ...You know, New Year's resolutions, or set new goals (however you wanna label it), did you?
Did they include anything to deepen your walk with the Lord? Maybe even more importantly, did they consist of anything that may help in deepening your family's walk with the Lord?
We have implemented a few new things this year as we kicked off 2016 that I hope will strengthen our family's prayer life. The Lord put prayer on my heart for 2016 as a focus. I have small children and though they may not fully comprehend every component, the point is to make it a part of their daily life, a fabric of their being, from the early days so it will be second nature as they grow. (But if your children are already grown or you don't have any, don't be deterred, start now!) I would love to share what we are starting up in our household this new year, but first, let me tell you why. You can check back HERE to see what what's in store for my family in 2016.
As a Christian, we have been given the Great Commission. "Go therefore and make disciples...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20) This here is our job in a nutshell as a child of God, tasked to us by Jesus himself. It's quite simple really; learn about what God's word says and asks of you, do it, and then go tell other people about him and His goodness and love for them. Yeah, easy peasy, but super hard all at the same time!! But guess what, as a parent you get the amazing opportunity to disciple someone for 18 years potentially! That's your calling but also your privilege both as a Christian and a parent. And we can't take this lightly, nor can we procrastinate.
Psalm 78:4 says "We will not hide them [the teachings of the Lord] from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might and the wonders that he has done."
We must be diligent at this task. Will it be easy? NO! But is anything that's of great value really that easy? Nope. But God is telling us, do not hide this stuff from the children. Do not count other things more important. Do not allow your time with your children to pass you by, tell them about ME!
Recently my husband and I were blessed by seeing some of the fruit come from what we had sown in the last year. Each night as part of our bedtime routine, we read a bible story from a children's Rhyme Bible and another book that gives a verse to memorize for the week and another bible story with specific Q & A. We read the same stories and same verse nightly for one week. Our oldest daughter (age 4.5) memorizes the verse by the end of the week. On top of what we do, she also learns a verse at church and a verse at school so she kind of has a lot going on. Sometimes we don't really know what will fully stick, but as we do know, God is faithful.
So my husband was going to share the "verse of the day" from his Bible app one morning and he said "it's Genesis 1:1. Does anyone know that verse?" And without hesitation, our daughter recited the verse exactly. The amazing thing was that we hadn't gone over that verse in months!! We were so blessed to see God's word written on her little heart and the fruits of our nightly labors had taken root and flourished. This blessing was very encouraging to us because keeping the attention span of a 4yr old, 3yr old, and 1.5yr old on a nightly basis can be a bit tricky and a little crazy at times (okay, maybe a lot crazy at times). But the blessings far outweigh the labors put forth.
As parents, we get to help channel the interests of our children. When they have fun experiences with things, they develop a love for it. We see one child loving dance and we allow them to dabble and try it out or swim or soccer or art, whatever. We encourage them and position them to develop and learn and grow in a talent or passion. Likewise, this is how we can develop in our children a love for the Lord. We provide them with different experiences that are fun and enjoyable, allowing us ways we can encourage them and see where they may be strong or passionate and help them determine their giftings. No matter what we allow our children to be involved in, it will take time. I can't think of anything more worth yours or their time, than learning about the Lord.
Will you take the opportunity that the beginning of a new year brings, to start something new, different, or simply refocus your family's priorities? I hope you will. Don't miss this blessing for you and your family in 2016. Happy New Year!
Click here to see what we will be starting in 2016 to encourage prayer as a family.


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otoMan friends this time we will discuss a bit about the duplicate
who is not familiar with the Yamaha YZF-125,, Japanese-made motor sport that has been marketed throughout the world. recently a producer from china at proclaim the motor has been plagiarized.
Make a motorcycle manufacturer from China, seems to patents, copyrights and trademarks not have significant power.
The result, many copies of the various motor manufacturers in the world to emulate by the manufacturer of the bamboo curtain.
As performed Genata Vehicle Holdings Limited, through its new model, Genata RC125. Need not be surprised if the shape is very similar to the Yamaha YZF-R125.
Almost all the details together. Starting from the fairing, tail and seat design with staircase to the exact same shape peleknya.
A slightly different only in the design of headlights that are not as sharp Yamaha YZF-R125 and shape swing arm.
An interesting dimension is also exactly the same mesinya Yamaha YZF-R125. Specification of the length, width and height of twins, 2015 x 660 x 970 mm. Wheelbase was equally 1355 mm.
Besides design, the engine combustion chamber is also carrying the exact same capacity. Are both 125 cc 4 stroke. they target the entry-level consumers in Europe.
But Genata RC125 machines using 5-speed transmission, while the Yamaha YZF-R125 adopting the 6-speed.
Differences can also be seen from both the speedometer panel. Speedometer Genata RC125 has a neutral indicator light, turn signal and high beam on the right side while the Yamaha YZF-R125 is fused to the panel kilometers.
Although identical twins, these manufacturers remain confident to introduce its products to several countries in Europe. One of them in Germany.
so first otoMan friends, the discussion this time, hopefully can be useful information, (otoMan)


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Preventing Gum Disease When You're at Risk for Heart Disease
Gum Disease and Heart Disease
If you are at risk for heart disease or have it already, good oral hygiene is very important. It might seem strange, but gum disease seems to be linked with cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks and strokes.
How can you keep your gums healthy — and maybe your heart? Get the facts here.
Four out of 5 people in the U.S. have gum disease, or periodontal disease. It's caused by the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Gingivitis is a mild form. Periodontitis is more severe; it can damage the bone and cause tooth loss.
Does gum disease cause heart disease? Studies show that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease. Of course, these studies do not prove that periodontal disease is a direct cause of heart disease. It may be that people who don't take good care of their teeth have poor lifestyle habits in general, which leads to an increased risk of heart disease.
But some experts believe that bacteria from the mouth could get into the blood and contribute to blocked arteries. These bacteria might also trigger inflammation throughout the body. When the arteries swell, they become narrower and prone to clogging.
If you're at risk for heart disease, it's wise to play it safe. Here's how:
Recognize the signs of gum problems
What should you watch for?
- Swollen, red, painful, or bleeding gums
- Receding gums — which will make your teeth look longer than they used to
- Sensitive or loose teeth
- Painful chewing
- Chronic bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with a dentist or periodontist to get them checked out.
Source: http://www.webmd.com
To read the full article, clic here


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Sam Cheever
To varying degrees, big and small publishing houses are worried about the Indie Publishing trend. I say to varying degrees because some of the larger or more arrogant ones think they can ignore or bully their way past the threat of losing more and more talented, ambitious authors to the siren song of Indie Publishing. As Indie grows, submissions to small press/traditional publishers have slowed. The submissions pubs receive are more and more weighted toward brand new authors, which means they bring more risk and less in the way of an established readership to fill the publisher's coffers. In addition, more and more established authors are asking for their rights back on older books so they can republish the books themselves.
It's definitely a brave new world.
I'm not going to pretend this is a simple issue. It's not. There are many factors in the swing away from traditional publishing, but there are things publishers can do to soften that swing...if they'll do them.
What are the largest complaints authors have against their publishing houses? Lack of communication? Absence of payment? Lack of control? Slow response times and even ignoring authors' concerns entirely? Yes, yes, and yes. These are all problems. I don't know too many authors who decide to publish their own work because of the money. Of course we're all working for money...we need to buy food, gas, and electricity right? But money isn't the biggest concern in this decision.
It's control.
Publishers who refuse to respond to emails sent by their authors (and then deny it!) will continue to lose talented authors to Indie. Publishers who have the "my way or the highway" attitude will continue to lose talented authors to Indie. Also part of the control issue are things like inflexible and/or overreaching contracts, long delays in adding books to third party sites, prohibitive pricing, and extended time-frames getting books to market once they've been submitted. These are all my reasons for opting, more and more, to Indie publish rather than follow a more traditional publishing route.
Control is the key. An author who publishes independently can decide the time-frame for writing/publishing the book. She can select her own cover artist and an editor who fits her style. She can set the price, control the market her book is part of and create her own marketing plan. And she can make adjustments as the book moves through its shelf life to ensure ongoing success. The only way a publisher can compete with this is to work more closely with the author as a partner, being flexible and open to doing things a different way. Easier said than done, I know. When a publisher is working with hundreds of authors, trying to meet the needs of every author can be very difficult. But that's the only way today's publisher can compete in a marketplace where organizations like Amazon make it so easy for an author to gain control over her precious products.
Indie publishing certainly isn't for everyone. If you don't have name recognition, you might want to stay with a traditional publisher until you've created a large enough platform that you can sell books on the strength of your name. If you're afraid to delve into new things, or you're technically challenged, you might want to hold off on going it alone until you have a better comfort level with the tasks involved. And if you'd rather spend all your time writing and let someone else do the back office work, you're probably better off going a more traditional route. But if you're an entrepreneurial spirit with a dedicated reader base, you go girl(boy)! Indie publishing is a bowl of sweet, juicy cherries. If you're like me, you're never happier than when your mouth is full!
Happy publishing everybody!
These Honeybuns are sugar free, but hot enough to burn!
Surprised into hiding in a men's room stall at work, Angie Peterson, owner of the Dunk and Run Coffee Shoppe, overhears two men talking about killing someone named Alastair Honeybun. Picturing a frail, helpless old Englishman, Angie rushes to warn him. There's only one, small problem, Alastair Honeybun is six foot two inches of yummy man, who's perfectly capable of taking care of himself. But when the thugs show up while Angie's still there, they soon figure out they'll need to take care of each other.
Buy in paperback: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1493641891
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EZRUSOW
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-honeybun-and-coffee-sam-cheever/1029841397?ean=2940045250016
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-ahoneybunandcoffee-1278310-153.html
Apple iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1047599058
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sam_Cheever_A_Honeybun_and_Coffee?id=761zBgAAQBAJ
USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.
If you haven't already connected, Sam would love it if you Liked/Followed her wherever you enjoy hanging out online. Here are her online haunts:
Newsletter: http://www.samcheever.com/newsletter.html Subscribe to my newsletter and win a free copy of the fun and sexy Honeybun Fever Box Set
New Release Notifications: http://books2read.com/author/sam-cheever/subscribe/1/23540/
Website: www.SamCheever.com
Blog: http://samcheever.com/blog/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/samcheever
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamCheeverAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samcheever
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/samcheever1/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/samcheever/
New Release Notifications: http://books2read.com/author/sam-cheever/subscribe/1/23540/
Website: www.SamCheever.com
Blog: http://samcheever.com/blog/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/samcheever
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamCheeverAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samcheever
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/samcheever1/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/samcheever/


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If you are going through the L line subway station at 14th street & 8th Avenue, plan on a bit of extra time to play hide and seek with funny cartoon-like metal sculptures!
The permanent public artwork Life Underground, by Tom Otterness alludes to money, sex, class and race and often convey a political message. The artist, whose studio is located in Brooklyn, became so enthusiastic about this series that he produced far more than needed, more than 100 individual pieces.
The small sculptures are hidden on beams, along staircase ramps, on the floor… Will you be able to find them?
If Tom Otterness' work decorates squares, parks, museums and libraries in New York City mostly, another major project called Fairytales at Sea can be seen in Scheveningen, The Hague in the Netherlands.
Claire & Marcella
Travel tips:
- Refer to our interactive map for specific details to plan your trip!


text: At The Reflective Horse, we offer an experience beyond the cognitive, providing an opportunity for self-reflection through the clear, un-biased, non-judgmental eyes of a horse. Horses serve as a spiritual coach or Master, to teach us how to focus our intention, and show us how to live in the present, attaining Zen-like tranquility. They mirror how we see ourselves, not just with heightened objectivity but also with greater forgiveness.


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A couple of years ago, the American Camp Association conducted research on the potential benefits kids gain from attending summer camp. After surveying more than 5000 families, the research found camps providing significant personal resources for children and teens as they grappled with what it means to "grow up." Some of these include growth in:
- Self-esteem
- Independence
- Leadership
- Friendship Skills
- Environmental awareness
- Social Comfort
It's important to remember that while camp is designed to be great fun and to be exciting, it's also a place where girls are nurtured and encouraged to grow. After years of seeing girls attend Rockbrook, return each summer, and for some, return as a counselor, there are so many examples of camp being formative in this way. It's amazing.
To read more about the ACA research, visit their site.


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About the Program
Join us for our Annual Awards Luncheon, which has become a tradition in the Washington DC area. IT Service and Support Managers bring their teams to celebrate their hard work and success throughout the year. You supply your team and we will supply an inspirational speaker, great atmosphere and a three-course meal. There will be time to network with area professionals and meet our Help Desk Analyst and Desktop Support of the Year nominees.
Our keynote speaker is Kaplan Mobray, who is an award-winning author and speaker. We will recognize our HDI Analyst of the Year and Desktop Support Technician Nominees and announce the winner of the Capital Area Analyst and Desktop Support Technician award. The winners will go on to the regional competition, with the Regional Winner being sponsored by Robert Half Technology to attend the HDI Annual conference in Orlando.
Registration Cost
Seating is limited, so be sure to register EARLY to reserve your seats! Registration is only $49.00 per person (over a $60.00 value) and includes a three course meal, coffee, hot tea, iced tea and soda. Registration closes Tuesday, December 4th at 3:00 PM.
Team Discounts
Register 5 team members and receive the 6th registration free by entering the promo code: sixthfree
About the Keynote
Join us this year for an energetic, inspirational, and motivational presentation from one of the nation's top business speakers, Kaplan Mobray. You do not want to miss this one!
Enjoy a sneak-peek of Kaplan in action discussing "The 10Ks of Personal Branding".
About the Speaker
Recognized by Meetings and Conventions Magazine as one of the nation's top business speakers, Kaplan Mobray is one of the world's most dynamic and inspirational business speakers and award-winning author of "The 10Ks of Personal Branding".
Wharton-educated, Kaplan draws from his over 15 years of corporate experience as a successful business executive where he led corporate marketing, advertising, brand development, and workforce diversity initiatives for Fortune 500 companies.
Kaplan has received worldwide acclaim and numerous awards for his leadership and branding insights.
He has been featured on CNN, FOX, Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, Ad Age and shares his message to NFL players and fans annually at the Super Bowl. Prior to his speaking career Kaplan served as U.S. Diversity Programs Leader at Deloitte. Kaplan also serves on the corporate advisory board of ALPFA, the nation's largest Latino professional association.
Through his latest venture, Kaplan is revolutionizing high performance online learning with his virtual interactive Kaplan Mobray Leadership Institute. He continues to serve as a consultant to fortune 500 companies and a brand coach to professional athletes.
All of his innovative presentations have been described as life changing events.
In his personal pursuits, Kaplan is a professional saxophone player. Kaplan resides in West Nyack, NY and is active in civic and charitable organizations.
10:30 am to 11:00 am: Registration, Networking, Hors d'Oeuvres11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Welcome, Lunch Served12:00 pm to 12:45 pm: Candidate Introductions12:45 pm pm to 1:00 pm: Break1:00 pm to 2:00 pm: Keynote - Kaplan Mobray2:00 pm to 2:15 pm: Break, Dessert and Coffee served2:15 pm to 3:00 pm: Candidate Introductions3:00 pm to 3:15 pm: Analyst & Desktop Technician of the Year Winners Announced3:15 pm to 3:30 pm: Closing Remarks and Prize Drawing **MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN**
About the Location
Martin's Crosswinds7400 Greenway Center DriveGreenbelt, MD 20770-3053phone: (301) 474-8500
Click here for driving directions
Parking: There is free parking at the Martin's Crosswinds
Metro and Public Transportation
Click here to access WMATA Trip Planner
Register today for this great event!


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A friend asked me if it would be possible to convert a BBC Master Compact computer into a USB keyboard for use with emulators. I decided to take the project on. As well as making the keyboard work on a PC I installed a Retro Adapter and made the built-in speaker carry PC sound.
The BBC Master Compact is a strange computer. While the motherboard is inside the keyboard, similar to an Amiga 500 or Atari ST, it also connects to a full size desktop case which houses floppy drives and other peripherals.
Spec-wise the Master is a step up from the BBC Micro Model B, with more RAM and an improved CPU. The motherboard is a two sided PCB and all components are through-hole.
The keyboard module is bolted to the top part of the case but is easy to remove. It uses a conventional PCB rather than a membrane like modern ones. That made discovering the pin-out of the connector and the layout of the key matrix a lot easier and I completed it with just a multimeter and notepad. I had looked for information online as 8 bit computers from the early 80s often came with complete schematics and detailed service manuals were usually available. Unfortunately I could not find one until after I had mapped everything out, but when I did it confirmed by work.
The USB controller board has an ATmega162 running at 15MHz. This AVR has plenty of I/O lines. Beyond the USB interface (which uses V-USB and the reference Zener diode implementation) and some power supply capacitors no extra circuitry is required. The keyboard matrix connects directly to the AVR pins through the original ribbon cable.
The keyboard also has a built-in Retro Adapter.
The firmware is based on V-USB. I started with the code from my Quick Launch Keys which was in turn based on the reference HIDKeys. I also looked at the code for the C64 Keyboard by Mikkel Holm Olsen and the RUMP Model M controller for inspiration.
The keyboard scanning code works as similarly as possible to the BBC ROM code. Not having a working BBC to compare with this took a little bit of experimenting to get right, but with help from some BBC owners and by doing a partial dissasembly of the actual ROM it is now pretty accurate.
Because emulators use the standard OS keyboard reading functions it is important to mirrow the way the real machine works. In particular key ghosting (where multiple key presses result in an extra key being mistakenly detected due to the way the keyboard matrix works) has to be right for games which use the keyboard for input to work. Programmers chose sets of keys that were immune to ghosting so that they player can press several keys at once.
Since the keys on the Beeb keyboard do not match standard PC keyboards some keys had to be re-mapped.
|Arrow Keys
|Arrow Keys
|Minus (-)
|Minus (-)
|Caret (^)
|Backtick (`)
|Backslash (\)
|Backslash (\)
|Hash (#)
|Square Brackets ([])
|Square Brackets ([])
|Underscore (_)
|Equals (=)
|Caps Lock
|Ctrl (Left)
|Colon (:)
|Apostrophe (')
|Num Lock
|SHIFT (Left)
|Shift (Left)
|SHIFT (Right)
|Shift (Right)
|Comma (,)
|Comma (,)
|Full Stop (.)
|Full Stop (.)
|Forward Slash (/)
|Forward Slash (/)
|Alt (Left)
|Space Bar
|Number Pad +
|Number Pad +
|Number Pad -
|Number Pad -
|Number Pad /
|Number Pad /
|Number Pad *
|Number Pad *
|Number Pad 0..9
|Number Pad 0..9
|Number Pad Hash (#)
|Hash (#)
|Number Pad DELETE
|Number Pad ,
|Print Screen
|Number Pad .
|Number Pad Decimal (.)
|Number Pad RETURN
|Number Pad Enter
Highlighted keys have been re-mapped.
The Beeb keyboard has 3 LEDs: POWER ON, CAPS LOCK and SHIFT LOCK. CAPS LOCK naturally is the normal Caps Lock LED. SHIFT LOCK is the inverse of the Num Lock LED (so when Num Lock is on the LED is off and vice-versa) and POWER ON is the inverse of the Scroll Lock LED.
|PC Keyboard LED
|BBC Keyboard LED
|Caps Lock
|Num Lock
|SHIFT LOCK (inverted)
|Scroll Lock
|POWER ON (inverted)
In order to fit everything in to the Master Compact case some parts of the motherboard had to be removed. The board itself had to stay as some of the rear connectors and PCB traces were needed.
I removed all socketed ICs and a few of the soldered ones. I was planning to use the motherboard's audio amplifier to drive the speaker but proved to be impossible without some major re-working of the circuit. As time was a factor I decided to simply use an off-the-shelf amplifier module. The speaker was simply wired directly to the video port for connection of an RCA audio lead from the amp.
Since I was also fitting a Retro Adapter I decided to install a USB hub. I bought one for £1 and took it apart, but the PCB was so cheaply made it failed while I was soldering wires to it. I bought another one and simply added USB-A plugs to the keyboard controller and Retro Adapter.
|USB hub and Retro Adapter
|Keyboard controller
|Looks like a normal Beeb!
Connections for the keyboard controller are documented in the source files, as is the keyboard matrix.


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Gwen & Jess discuss sex, relationships, sexual health and fetishism mixed with a healthy dose of wit and sarcasm.
Special Halloween Episode: Gwen and Jess are joined by special guest Amy Krinner… and Amy is WITCH!!!! Aaaaaaaahhhh!!! (just kidding) but seriously, Amy is indeed a witch. She is President and founding Minister of The Silver Broom Ministries in Sayville, Long Island (http://www.thesilverbroomministries.org/) and is Reverend for Drawing the Circle Productions (http://drawingthecircle.com).
The girls discuss all things withcraft with Amy, and have a brief detour into SCARY SEXUAL PHOBIAS!!!! OoooOOOoooOOOOh!