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So, I miss her.
I miss her quirkiness, her creativity, our chemistry.
I miss the way I was when she was in my life, I was excited, optimistic, ready to conquer the world. She was my muse, my peace, my hope.
With every subtle reminder, every drop of alcohol that lands in the pit of my stomach, every moment alone, I want to plan my comeback. I can surprise her somehow, maybe write her something from the heart, maybe this post, I mean she used to read. If only I could remind her I used to mean as much to her as she me.
But what's the point? Maybe we can reconnect for a couple weeks, a few months, even a handful of days and while I would treasure every minute…it'd still be temporary.
We could never be happy, because she's unhappy.
I have to remind myself of that fact when the urge to try resurfaces. I could make her laugh, smile, swoon, cu…but still, I cannot make her happy. Its a recurring theme as of late, I'm falling out with people for no other reason than life sucks. All I can do is exhibit patience, continue to reassure but eventually kind words fall on deaf ears. Eventually "you don't understand" and "you're not there" and "you don't care", her distancing becomes your kryptonite. Life has become my greatest foil; looking for love in a market of debt, stress and anguish. Underemployed or unemployed, broken hearts and broken families, not that I'm remotely special, but I guess I can't let life take love. Work will always go "good", my rants seldom on repeat, I just hate feeling like a burden. Or maybe misery does need company; maybe I'm just not vulnerable enough? (Spoiler alert: that's the topic of the next post)
I can't be Superman, I'm a bandaid for a gunshot wound. Yet I'm stubborn, I try to help anyway but life continues to win. I can't undo what her ex did, I can't make those bills disappear, I can't wipe away every tear, I can't just fix her life so she can be with me. All I can do is hopefully find someone with minimal baggage or someone who likes me enough not to care. Its a sign of the times I suppose, people put off romance for life all the time, couples marry and have kids later in life if they do so at all, I know plenty of people who just swore off dating indefinitely. This just might be one of those things I'm on the outside looking in on, my life is far from what I want it to be but shit, I can multitask.


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Truckie ticketed for blocking Toowoomba Range traffic
A TRUCKIE has been fined for creating a "rolling blockade" on the Toowoomba Range after being cut off by a car.
It has been another day of delays on the range, caused both by the truck-driver's frustrated protest and several breakdowns.
Sergeant Sean Whittet was tasked with dealing with the heavy-duty obstruction after complaints from aggravated road users were received around 11am today.
"We were asked to go down there in relation to a truck possibly blockading the road," he said.
"We found one straddling both lanes and issued a ticket.
"He said that he had been cut off by a car, and for that reason decided to hold everyone up.
"It didn't make a lot of sense."
Sgt Whittet said several such offences had been committed on the range in recent weeks.
"It has occasionally happened since the road works started," he said.
"We jump on it straight away and dissuade people from doing it
"All we really need is for people to show each other courtesy - both car drivers and truck drivers."
The man received a $110 fine for obstructing the path of another vehicle.
Main Roads said work was on track for the opening of a second lane of west-bound traffic on the Toowoomba Range by the end of the week.

subset: commoncrawl


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The ISACA Journal is dedicated to the publication of managerial and technical guidance from experienced global authors to enhance the proficiency and competitive advantage of its international readership. With volume 3, 2011, the Journal focuses on the theme Data Miners, with articles on data security risks of cloud computing, automated audit testing and IFRS implementation, among others.
View the latest ISACA Journal in digital form. The digital edition is a fully interactive, exact replica of the Journal.


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Cat's Eyes Nebula
Non-local interactive telematic sculpture, part of the series "Performing Quantum Entanglement: Subtle Apparatuses for Extrasensory Affectiveness" by Clarissa Ribeiro, and the collective project "Museum of Endoluminosity" by Mick Lorusso Might quantum entanglement occur on multiple scales: a subatomic level, a personal affective level, and even an interstellar level? In this telematic artwork, individuals in two locations enact…Read more Cat's Eyes Nebula
Museum of Endoluminosity: Phase I, From Nanodiamonds to Healing
A project developed in conversation withUCLA Art|Sci Collective, Alia Ghoneum, Dr. Jim Gimzewski, Dr. Dean Ho, Clarissa Ribeiro, Dr. Benjamín Domínguez and Dr. Yolanda Olvera, friends, family, and others. Supported by the UCLA Art|Sci Center andArttextum / Promoción del Arte, Madrid Feb 19 – March 18, 2015 UCLA Art|Sci Gallery, CNSI Flickr Photos of Exhibition…Read more Museum of Endoluminosity: Phase I, From Nanodiamonds to Healing


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China heading for soft landing, says AGI's Michael Konstantinov
Michael Konstantinov, manager of the Allianz BRIC Stars fund, sees signs that China's economy will have a soft rather than a hard landing.
Michael Konstantinov, manager of the Allianz BRIC Stars fund, sees signs that China's economy will have a soft rather than a hard landing.
Although the Chinese economy has shown continued signs of deterioration, we maintain our view of a 'soft landing' scenario.
Government policy actions to support economic growth have, so far, been limited. In fact, we believe the reason why the Chinese government has not eased policy aggressively is because they do not wish to create another bubble situation, particularly relating to the burgeoning property market.
The recent extension of quantitative easing policies in the US and Japan could lead to greater flows of money into China and other emerging markets. These flows make it harder to manage the economy as it increases inflationary risks.
This, therefore, limits the government's flexibility from a monetary perspective and they are much more reluctant to support economic growth with stimulus.
However, on our current forecast, this should hopefully be necessary as we believe the economy will still grow between 7% and 7.5% this year. In India we have seen several positive developments from a policy perspective.
Recently, the government reduced subsidies on diesel and cooking gas. This has pushed up the price for Indian consumers but also relieves pressure on the growing budget deficit.
This price reduction was then followed by the government loosening the rules on foreign investment in local retail and airlines and plans to privatise several state owned companies.
This has elicited a positive response from markets with the hope that this flurry of announcements will be carried through via concrete reforms.
The Indian IT sector has seen some disappointing results of late which point to the potential slowdown of growth in the outsourcing business model particularly relating to financial services and pharmaceuticals.
A slowdown in global growth, coupled with competition and falling profits, have led many businesses to reassess their outsourcing. This leads to many questions about the growth prospects of the outsourcing industries which have been important to India's success over the past two decades.
It is vital the government implements structural reforms to ignite growth momentum in underdeveloped domestic sectors such as retail.


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For plumbing solutions, Santa Barbara County residents call Carroll Plumbing at (805) 687-2677 or click here to email us.
Thank you so much for sending out Mark and Adrian to our House and Tony in the office as well for coordinating the appointments, they were truly outstanding on their customer service.
1) they were on time 2)they were very cordial 3)they listened to my concerns 4)they started the job and were very knowledgeable 5) they finished the job and made sure that everything was to my satisfaction 6) they cleaned up the area that they worked with!!!!!!!!!!!
In short I had a pretty bad slab leak the leak detection service that was there previously had marked the floor but they were a little off Mark and Adrian figured it out without a lot of extensive repairs and took care of the problem!!!!!!!! I have been in customer service for 38 years and these three guys were outstanding
thanks again so much I will stick with Carroll Plumbing for all my needs in the future
I like Carroll Plumbing and Maintenance. Typically use them for routine rooting maintenance. Easy to schedule appointments, prompt and courteous - and they always solve the problem. Much better than any other plumbing outfit we have used. One or two times they have either tracked in some dirt or left a little muck in the bathroom. Not a big deal, but for 5 stars, I'd like things to be left pristine. Recommended.
Gosh, what a night and day experience calling these guys from the other shops. Had a challenge installing a water filtration unit. Tony answered some questions and was able to propose a solution on the spot. The other companies work with useless "dispatchers" that have no experience and cannot help with basic first step decision making. Thanks To Carrol for being awesome. (Some content omitted from original review).
Service at its best. Honest, excellent service. Every person you have cataract with can't do enough for you. Wouldn't go anywhere else.
Problem~Drain in shower clogged. Called Carroll Plumbing, guy showed up, when he said he would and called to let me know he was on his way. Unclogged drain, and then cleaned up mess and left. Problem Solved Excellent experience. Taking Care of Business in a Flash!
thank goodness I found Carroll Plumbing. They saved me about $14,000! on 2 previous bids, the plumbing companies (Mr. Rooter and Stewart's De-Rooting) misrepresented what they saw in the video of my sewer line and said I should dig up the street and go with a trenchless replacement. Carroll instead was able to clean it out. their bid to replace part of the line under the house, was not only substantially lower than the other 2 bids, but because they charge time and materials, and it took less time than they thought it would, they charged me less than the bid. Friendly, clean, courteous and trustworthy - start with them - you won't be disappointed!
Friendly, efficient, on time, and reasonably priced. We will definitely use them again!
I have used Carroll Plumbing over the past 7 years for a variety of jobs, big and small. They are an excellent resource: efficient, on time, helpful, and reasonable. They have consistently made an effort to fit in last minute requests, stay in touch, and have excellent workmen. This is a neighborhood treasure!
As I sit here and read some of these reviews I am quite shocked I have used Carroll Plumbing on Three separate occasion and they have been extremely professional and honest this last time they saved me money by not having them have to come out twice to diagnose and order the part.I would highly recommend them.


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Nation's Largest Network of Independent Realtors Selects PrintDepartment.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Press release from the issuing companyCARLSBAD, Calif.--Sept. 21, 2004-- PrintDepartment.com, a leading web-based, on demand print and mail marketing company, today announced that RELO, the nation's largest network of independent real estate firms, has expanded its exclusive contract with the company to provide its member associates with online printing and direct marketing resources. Under terms of the contract, PrintDepartment.com will offer online design, printing and direct marketing services to RELO's global network of more than 700 leading real estate firms and more than 100,000 associates. This contract expands and extends an initial contract signed two years ago. "RELO only selects 'gold standard' partners," says Tracy Berger, RELO's Vice President of Value Solutions. "And when we find a partner like PrintDepartment.com, we stick with them." Berger's job is to provide RELO member real estate firms and associates with the tools to help them succeed. "PrintDepartment.com helps our brokers efficiently coordinate their printing and marketing materials and allows RELO to ensure a consistent brand and message throughout our entire network," said Berger. "It functions seamlessly for our associates with a wrap-around feature that presents it as a RELO-branded tool. I also like the Web-accessible reports that tell me how many associates are using this resource on a real-time basis." PrintDepartment.com President Shepard Casey says, "RELO is an outstanding example of how companies can benefit from our easy-to-use technology to boost efficiencies, reduce costs and effectively target their current and prospective customers with custom-tailored messages. Our product is geared toward companies of all types and sizes, with the ultimate goal of helping them increase revenue. We are very pleased and honored that RELO has chosen to expand their exclusive relationship with us based on the success of the past two years."
Industry News
Copyright © 2019 WhatTheyThink. All Rights Reserved


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Sometimes, the Oscars can be a bit dull. That's why, if you're going to watch them, it's best to track down a few friends to watch with you. I think my friends like finding any excuse for a party.
The snack I brought with me to the Oscars party:
I *think* everyone loved them. After all, there were none left. And I only got one.
Does anyone else ever feel sorry for the men, who don't wear fancy, colorful Oscar outfits?
Oh wait, this guy certainly did!
Who do you think was the Best Dressed at the Oscars? Not including Ben Stiller… because he obviously takes that prize!
Was it: A. Cameron Diaz
(Loved her dress!!)
B. Zoe Saldana
(Not a fan)
C. Sarah Jessica Parker
(Really not a fan)
Or could it have been…
They get my vote.
Well, except for the fact that they technically didn't go to the Oscars, so I guess they don't qualify.
Too bad.
(Above showing off their winter coats)


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Luke DeCock
How Raleigh's Devonté Graham found his way to Kansas and college basketball stardom
People around him kept telling Devonté Graham how good he was, that the world of basketball was about to open up before him, with all of its bounty saved for the truly gifted and talented, and he couldn't believe it.
He wouldn't believe it. In his mind, he was still the sixth guy on a five-player AAU team in Raleigh full of college-bound stars, the skinny little kid with the big feet and big head whose body hadn't yet caught up with his jump shot, and even taking Cat Barber's lunch out from under him at a summer tournament – on Barber's home court, in the Tidewater – didn't change that.
Before his senior year at Broughton, Graham and his mother sat down with Dwayne West, who runs the Garner Road AAU program, over a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken in West's office. And as they ate, West told them of all the power programs that were calling, from the ACC and SEC and elsewhere, 13 of them with serious interest. And then Graham told him he was going to take one of his five official visits to Appalachian State, which West had not even mentioned.
West figured, fine, get a sense of things, but he was pretty sure, in his heart, Graham was probably bound for bigger things.
He could see it. Graham, at that point, could not. Not yet.
"I think there was a point in time where he kind of questioned what he was," West said. "I wouldn't say he feared it, but he at least questioned it. That was one of the primary reasons why he took the App State offer. They gave him whole deal, and he kind of just said, 'I'm going to take this.'"
So how did Graham go from signing with the first school he visited to being the senior leader of one of the truly elite programs in college basketball? When Kansas plays Clemson on Friday night, Graham will be the Jayhawks' unquestioned star, a consensus all-American point guard who has played all but 45 minutes this season -- breaking Danny Manning's single-season Kansas record -- and a media celebrity, the laughing, joking, smiling leader and centerpiece of Kansas' team.
"He's on a different level now," said Boston College star Jerome Robinson, a teammate at Broughton. "He's worldwide 'Dtaé.' "
Graham would come to regret signing with Appalachian State, and it took him two years to find a way out of that commitment. By the time he did, he was on his way to becoming the player everyone thought he could be. By then, Graham finally thought so as well.
Those around him say that while Graham's body and skills have blossomed into stardom, they still think of him as the kid who would do anything he could to help his bigger, more talented teammates win. It may have taken Graham a while to understand just how good he was, but he hasn't forgotten there was a time when he didn't.
"Devonté hasn't switched up on me or anybody," said Steven Thornhill, one of Graham's oldest friends from Raleigh. "He stays true. He stays loyal."
Long before he became the most valuable player on one of the highest-profile teams in the country, Graham was playing on a rec-league team at Garner Road, not for any of the elite age-group teams. He was just another 9-year-old kid playing basketball at the gym, until the coaches on the travel team saw him outplay their own point guard.
Over the next few years, his Garner Road age cohort would eventually include ACC-bound players like Isaiah Hicks and Tyrone Outlaw and Anton Gill, but Graham's name didn't resonate on the recruiting circuit like theirs did. They were physical freaks, teens with the bodies of grown men, leaping and jumping and dunking and dazzling. Then there was Graham, who could always shoot, but didn't look like a college player.
"I was always small," Graham said. "Height didn't matter to me, because I knew I was faster than all of them. I was just trying to outrun them."
He looked like a rec-league player, except when he had the ball in his hands. But clearly, there were stars on the team, and he wasn't one of them.
"There was a period in time where he was just happy to be around," West said. "He just kind of fit into the pecking order of things. He was still developing, still small but growing. Big feet, big head. Could still shoot the ball."
Between his junior and senior years at Broughton, that team went up to Hampton for a big May tournament, where the powerful Boo Williams squad – the hometown favorite, led by future N.C. State star Barber – was expected to win easily. Instead, with Graham scoring 26 head-to-head against Barber and without Hicks and Gill, Garner Road won the title.
Suddenly, West was hearing from bigger schools – maybe not the ACC's North Carolina powerhouses, yet, but more peripheral schools like South Carolina and Florida State. Notes had been taken, eyebrows raised. They were curious, interested, eager to see what Graham did his senior year at Broughton. At Appalachian State, Jason Capel didn't need to wait.
"His body needed to fill out but the talent was always there," Capel wrote in a text message. "He's a winner, man. He thrives on the underdog role. We sold him on being Dame Lilliard, guard from a small school that other people didn't recognize the gem he was. We knew how good he was and how much better he would become."
So before anyone really saw what Graham could do, he went up to Appalachian State for the official visit and, in September 2012, signed with the Mountaineers.
It's easy to understand Graham's willingness to leap at that first real offer, and it had to do with more than basketball insecurity. His mother, Dewanna King, was only 14 when Graham was born, and she would say, later, that the two of them grew up together. With the help of her mother Doris, she raised Graham in Raleigh, getting her high-school diploma and a degree from Shaw while she did it.
"It was after he signed with App State, knowing he would be able to go to college," Robinson said. "You could definitely see that transition. That's where it started to happen, when it was secure for him."
Whatever happened next, signing with Appalachian State served as yet another springboard into the future for Graham.
"I felt like I had to get better," Graham said. "I knew that I was going to be playing college ball. At the time I was just trying to get stronger and focus on a lot of the little things. That definitely helped me blossom."
The idea of a scholarship, close to home but not too close to home, was tantalizing. After all the years of hard work, all the years of waiting for a growth spurt, the reward was finally here. If you honestly weren't sure Florida State and South Carolina were really interested, why not take the bird in hand? And once he signed, no one could take it away from him.
Graham would quickly find out that works both ways.
Everything finally clicked for him as a senior at Broughton, and if neither college assistant coaches nor Graham himself could see the elite player inside for a long time, it didn't take a basketball savant to see it now. By the end of a dominant senior season, he decided he had outgrown Appalachian State. Capel, who had been able to spot the elite player before anyone else, refused to release Graham from his letter of intent, accusing other schools of tampering – N.C. State was identified, although then-coach Mark Gottfried denied it – with Graham.
Capel says he had and has no hard feelings toward Graham, whose game and personality he loved. But neither side would budge.
"It was kind of just like, 'Why y'all doing this? Why are you not letting this kid have his freedom?'" Thornhill said. "I know he committed, but he made a bad decision, like all kids make. He just made a fast decision. Once he realized he could go to a top program, it was kind of like, we need out of here. App State held him hostage. I wouldn't say it was a down moment in his life, but he didn't know what was going to happen."
Because of the binding letter of intent, Graham couldn't even talk to other schools, but Capel and Appalachian State were irate over what they saw as bigger schools trying to poach one of their players and stood their ground. The opposing sides became entrenched. A "Free Dtaé" campaign provoked no movement.
At the same time, Graham's growth after signing with Appalachian State wasn't a coincidence. Robinson, a sophomore at Broughton at the time, could see the changes in Graham's game, day after day after day. They had played against each other on the AAU circuit, played against grown men together at the YMCA on Hillsborough, texted back and forth about where the pick-up game was going to be that weekend. But this was a different Graham than Robinson had ever seen.
Lacking other options, and unwilling to go to Appalachian State, Graham enrolled for a post-graduate year at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, and the process that began his senior year at Broughton gained new speed there. Graham still didn't have the recruiting cachet of some of his new teammates. He would soon.
In his first few days at Brewster, Graham and Donovan Mitchell, who would eventually end up at Louisville, heard two of the returning players talking to each other about how some of the new kids weren't already committed to power programs and weren't five-star prospects like they were.
"This isn't a typical Brewster team," one said, a disparagement.
Graham took offense, and if there was a moment where things clicked for Graham, really clicked and gave him the confidence to go with his talent, that might have been it. Graham and Mitchell spent the next few weeks tearing apart the returning players, always with the trash-talking comment of "not a typical Brewster team" thrown in at the end.
"He was more than just holding his own," Brewster coach Jason Smith said. "That's when the light went on: 'I am as good as I think I am and as I want to be.' That confidence just continued to grow."
Graham continued to grow as well: He had entered Broughton all of 5-foot-3. By the time he left Brewster, he was 6-foot-2.
As well as he played at Brewster, there still wasn't much Graham could do about it from a recruiting perspective. His letter of intent with Appalachian State still barred him from talking to the schools that were suddenly interested in him, and Capel and the school weren't backing down. But in the spring of 2014, Capel was fired. His replacement, Jim Fox, released Graham from his letter of intent. And suddenly the world was open to Graham.
"We did not know of Devonté until he got with Jason at Brewster Academy," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "But we had recruited a number of players out of Brewster prior to him getting there. Obviously that's a school that we recruit, and we became very aware of him after watching Brewster play.
"But we could not engage in recruiting him because he had not been released from Appalachian State. So whenever he got his release from Appalachian State is when a scholarship became available, and fortunately for us the time was right."
Graham's choice came down to Virginia, N.C. State and Kansas. He eliminated Virginia first, then decided staying home with the Wolfpack – with all its distractions and baggage – was a bad idea as well.
"Just imagine Devonté Graham at State," Thornhill said. "I just don't see the good out of that. Of course it's his hometown, but there were too many distractions."
Graham chose Kansas. In the space of less than two years, Graham had gone from leaping at a Southern Conference offer to one of a handful of the highest-profile programs in the country.
"He made the right decision," Capel wrote in a text message. "An opportunity to play for a Hall of Fame coach, at a place like KU and the Phog is a dream for any kid. Competing for championships, that's what he's all about, what he deserves. Unbelievable kid. Been cool to watch his maturation from afar."
It took years, but Graham had become the player people like Capel and West, even his own friends, thought he could become. It was always there, inside him, even before his body finally caught up with this game.
Others could see it. Graham was the last person who came to believe it.
"He kind of figured out that he was what everyone who was in his inner circle at that time was telling him he was," West said.
At Kansas, Graham emerged as a sophomore, earning Big 12 tournament MVP honors, then exploded as a junior. He went into his senior year as the Big 12 preseason player of the year and emerged from it with those honors as well, holding off Oklahoma's Trae Young for the award while averaging 17.4 points and 7.5 assists per game.
"I think it started probably once I got to Brewster and a lot of my confidence had went up," Graham said. "And coach Self believing in me once I got here at Kansas, probably toward the end of my freshman year, when I really started to believe that I could do something special here at Kansas."
A consensus first-team all-American this season, Graham became a star at Kansas after years of constant, consistent improvement. But Graham was also still the kid who had been the backup point guard on his youth team, who hadn't forgotten what it was like not to be a star, even when he became one.
"A lot of times you'll see kids in high school with an inflated sense of themselves from being courted at such a young age," said Smith, his Brewster coach. "Devonté never had that."
Accolades come easy to Graham now as his Kansas career winds down, a Naismith Trophy finalist who has accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish in his career short of a Final Four or a national title. These few days in Omaha – in a regional otherwise populated by ACC schools, one last reminder of home – represent his last chance at both. He is coming to the end of the long and twisted path that brought him from Raleigh to Kansas, win or lose, one way or another.
Graham, more than his teammates, would know that success does not always come quickly or easily, that sometimes it takes a while to really believe, and that it's better to be the best at the end than the beginning.
Sports columnist Luke DeCock: 919-829-8947, firstname.lastname@example.com, @LukeDeCock


text:
Experience Unusual on these awesome days
Escape room experiences
Are you clever and fast enough to solve all the clues and escape in time?
Trampolining experiences
Trampoline experiences are a brilliant idea for children's parties.
Dumper Truck Racing Experiences
Yes, this is not just a dumper truck driving experience, it's a dumper truck racing experience!! Alasdair's recommended Dumper Truck experience Bet you didn't know these big boys could race! Or check out the full list of dumper truck experiences below. Do I get to race a real dumper truck? Yes you do, these miniature […]
JCB Driving Experiences
You've always wanted to drive a JCB! Well now you can. Alasdair's recommended JCB Driving experience Drive a real life JCB Or check out the full list of JCB driving experiences to find your perfect one from the list below. Is there a JCB experience near me? The good news is that JCB experiences have […]
Ice Climbing Experiences and Rock Climbing Experiences
If you love climbing, then you'll love these climbing experiences. Ice, rock, indoor or outdoor, choose your perfect experience today.
Chilli experiences
An experience that chilli lovers just shouldn't miss. Alasdair's recommended Chilli experience The Cheapest Chilli Workshop. Hot enough for you? You love to eat them, right? But you've never seen them growing. This is your chance to tour a chilli grower, to sample some of the many and varied different chilli that are on offer, […]
Harley Davidson experiences
Harley Davidson – Easy Rider experience here in the UK Alasdair's recommended Harley Davidson experience The Cheapest Full Day Harley Experience. Not bad eh? You've seen them in the movies, you've seen them on TV, but a real life Harley is out of most people's reach. Well not any more. Drive it yourself, or ride […]
Bushcraft and survival experiences
Hands on bushcraft and survival experiences Alasdair's recommended Survival and Bushcraft experience Check out your Bushcraft Taster, an ideal introduction to getting to grips with Nature in the Wild! Or browse the whole market to find the one for you that's in your price range and gives you just the level of survival training you […]
Faulty Towers Dining Experience
Blimey, what a bizarre experience this is. Basically it's a wonderful three course meal, served by and interrupted by the members of 1970s sit-com Fawlty Towers. Now, it's a bit of a copyright minefield, hence the different spelling of the main characters' name, however this is as close as you're ever going to get, to […]
Swim with sharks
You can swim with sharks in the UK – just choose whether you prefer indoors at an aquarium or outdoors in the open sea. Find out more now.
James Bond experience
James Bond experience – tour the James Bond locations or see the iconic James Bond cars in real life.
Tiki lodge holiday – or try a Tiki van
If you haven't booked your Tiki lodge holiday yet, then it's not too late. Or why not try the brilliant new Tiki van? Alasdair's recommended Tiki lodge experience Note Tiki experiences are not always available. It's what everybody's doing for that short break, or the longer holiday. Have you tried Tiki yet?? Tiki […]


text:
Mumps can cause serious illness,
especially in adults. If you and your family are traveling to a country where
mumps infections are still common, it is best to check your
immunity status.
You are considered
immune if you have had the recommended doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella
(MMR) vaccine, had a past diagnosis of the mumps by a doctor, or have lab
evidence of immunity. If none of these apply, check with your doctor or local
immunization clinic to see if the MMR vaccine is recommended before you
For more information about safe travel, see the topic Travel Health.
Last Revised:
March 17, 2011
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


text:
Story behind the workbooks...
The Imagine Different Coalition, formed in May of 2014, is a group of parents, advocates, and other professionals from across the state that emerged out of a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council awarded to the PEAL Center in July 2012.
The grant called for promoting system change by providing materials, training, technical assistance, and consultation to families and stakeholders to assist children living in facilities to move to families. Three workbooks were developed to help users imagine and achieve supported family life as an alternative to congregate care.
The PEAL Center partnered with Nancy Rosenau, national expert on family-based alternatives to congregate care and Executive Director of Everychild, Inc. Texas to develop the three Imagine Different...Achieve Different Workbooks.
This workbook is an invitation to families of children with developmental disabilities who are living in congregate care facilities to imagine the possibility of family life and achieve it. It offers families a chance to look at different services and supports, or to look at services and supports differently.
Workbook for System Representatives
This workbook invites representatives of Pennsylvania's child-serving systems to imagine and achieve a system of family-based alternatives to congregate care.
the workbook for Facilitators
This workbook is an invitation to individuals who are interested in actively helping a child with a developmental disability who is living in a congregate care facility to move to a family home.


text: Our memories are among our greatest treasures. They document our life and are an eternal record of people and moments. Pinewater's activities in an extremely wide variety of fields help to turn events and dates into a stage for extraordinary experiences. And give you the opportunity for particularly remarkable experiences, encounters and – ultimately – memories.


text:
Nippon NS PRO Regio Formula MB
Nippon NS PRO Regio Formula MB
Made using both 80T & 90T high elastic sheets with a 7 Axis design as well as the implementation of T1100G a new material into it's tip section the new Formula M produces a tighter dispersion and more distance allowing for an overall softer design to be used by stronger players which create more distance. Available in 3 weights 55/65/75 gram ranges in a variety of flexes.
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PixelPure 3G - This advanced third-generation digital video processing system is capable of producing 4,096 levels of gradation for a smooth, natural looking picture without image banding.
DynaLight - DynaLight monitors the brightness level of each video frame, and automatically adjusts the backlight intensity based on the image content. Precise signal analysis affords 256 levels of backlight intensity. This creates dynamic contrast up to 5X that of the original panel contrast, resulting in a deeper black level that increases detail and depth, even in low light environments.
CineSpeed - CineSpeed LCD panels have the 8ms or faster response speed necessary for cleaner high-action home theater images. A wide 176 degree viewing angle ensures that you?ll have the best seat in the house.
Gloss Black Cabinetry - New gloss black cosmetics complement the set and incorporate the slim SoundStrip? speaker system, for rich full sound from a compact cabinet.
VideoDisplay Resolution: 720p (1366x768)PixelPure 14 bit Digital Video Processing ATSC/NTSC/QAM TunerDynaLight Dynamic Back Light ControlNative ModeTheaterWide Modes 6 (inc. Native Mode)Auto Aspect Detection Dynamic Contrast (4-Mode)Static GammaColor Temperature Control Cool, Med, WarmBlue & Green Drive Adjustment DNR for all inputs (except PC) 4:3 HD ModeAudioSoundStrip Speaker System SRS WOWDolby Digital (AC3) Dolby Digital Dynamic Range Control StableSoundTotal Wattage 20wConvenience4-Item Universal RemoteChannel Browser and Favorite BrowserGame Mode Channel Labeling Input Labeling Sleep Timer Auto No Signal Off Feature
Inputs/OutputsHDMI Inputs (1080p): x 3HDMI Lip Sync Support HDMI Input PC Support VGA/480i/480p/720p/1080i/1080pPC Input: 15 Pin D-SubColorStream HD Component Inputs: x 2Side AV Input: x 1Rear S+AV Inputs: x 1RF Inputs: x 1Fixed Audio Out: x 1Optical Audio Out: x 1Service Port (SD Card Slot-Service Only): x 1Dimensions & Weight:TV w/o Stand: 31-1/2" (W) x 21-1/2" (H) x 4-11/16" (D) / 33.30 lbs.TV w/ Stand): 31-1/2" (W) x 23-5/16" (H) x 11 1/4" (D) / 37.04 lbs.
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MEDIA ALERT April 16, 2001
FY 01 Second Quarter Results Conference Call
WHAT: Apple®, FY 01 Second Quarter Results Conference Call
WHERE: Via conference call. The dial-in number for press is: (719) 457-2634 (listen only)
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18, 2001, 2 p.m. (PDT)/5 p.m. (EDT)
REBROADCAST: The conference call will be available as a continuous rebroadcast beginning Wednesday, April 18, 5 p.m. (PDT)/8 p.m. (EDT) through Wednesday, April 25, 5 p.m. (PDT)/8 p.m. (EDT). The dial-in number for the rebroadcast is (719) 457-0820. Please enter confirmation code 588613.
WEBCAST: Apple will provide live audio streaming of its FY 01 Second Quarter Results Conference Call utilizing Apple's popular QuickTime™ 4, the industry-leading multimedia software for live and on-demand audio and video streaming. The live audio webcast will be accessible through Apple's web site at https://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq201/. Viewers simply need to download a copy of QuickTime 4 in advance from www.apple.com/quicktime to listen to the conference call.
MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Knudson, Apple, (408) 974-6843, firstname.lastname@example.com
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh and QuickTime are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.


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The Lewis and Clark expedition and the journey along the Oregon Trail are often seen as key moments in Oregon's history and journey to statehood. But interwoven with these well-known stories are complicated and complex threads of racism and discrimination which sew together Oregon's past and present. Today a Portland filmmaking team aims to explore these issues in a new documentary project currently in production.
"There are a lot of things about Oregon and its history which are problematic, and I don't think most Oregonians are even aware of them," says Portland filmmaker Tracy MacDonald, co-producer and co-director, along with filmmaker and husband Matt Zodrow, of the film Whitelandia.
In their film, MacDonald and Zodrow specifically set out to examine the exclusionary laws and language that discriminated against many ethnic minorities and that has contributed to Oregon's current social and economic landscape.
According to census data, the state of Oregon is home to just under 4 million Oregonians. Of those 4 million, nearly 3.5 million (88.3 percent) are white and just under 2 percent are black. By comparison, national demographic data places the percentage of white Americans at 77.9 percent and black Americans at 13.1 percent.
Why is it that Oregon is so far above the national average when it comes to its population of white citizens? What are the factors that contribute to the state's homogeneity? MacDonald and Zodrow plan to explore possible answers to these and other questions in their film.
"Whitelandia is the story of black Americans in the state of Oregon through the lens of the state's sanctioned discrimination of the black American communities, starting with the exclusionary language in the 1857 constitution," explains Zodrow.
The duo has chosen to explore discrimination against African-Americans in particular because they feel that their presence in Portland has been more directly affected by the laws.
"It's easier to see the impact that comes from a specific set of policies and actions," says Zodrow.
MacDonald and Zodrow, who are both white, have been Oregonians since the early 80s. They have teamed on the production of several award-winning television and feature documentaries through their company, Uncola Films.
"We live in Northeast Portland. We see what is happening to the [African-American] community," explains MacDonald, referring to a section of Portland which is rapidly losing its black population to gentrification.
The two filmmakers say they are fully prepared to ask difficult questions, even if it means implicating themselves and their actions.
"We've witnessed firsthand the continued disenfranchisement of black Americans in this city. And we're sort of, unwittingly, a part of that gentrification process," says MacDonald. "There's that piece of it for us in terms of personal history as filmmakers. That's why it speaks to me."
MacDonald has also been inspired by Intisar Abioto, a local photographer who chronicles the existence of African-Americans in Portland on her Black Portlanders blog.
"Her work really spoke to me and called attention to the resilience of the black community," says MacDonald.
The two filmmakers are working with artists like Abioto to help shape the narrative and construction of the film, and have also reached out to the African-American community to ensure that the film accurately represents the facts and feelings of the story.
"We also have an advisory board for the film, comprised of community members and community residents, who are playing a crucial role in this process. We can't do this alone," Zodrow says.
Zodrow and MacDonald also see the importance of including the voices of white Oregonians in the film, saying that they are a part of the story that includes the state's history of white supremacy.
Zodrow explains that "there will be a variety of white voices in the film. Obviously. From ex-governors to average citizens. We'll be talking to ex-skinheads and people within the white power movement that is now re-emerging,"
Zodrow says that the white-supremacist ideology ran so deeply in the state's population, that ideas and perspectives are likely to linger just below the surface of today's Oregon.
"One thing that was pointed out to us as we've been doing research is that, if you say you are from Oregon — that your family is from Oregon, and say there was a very strong chance that your family was affiliated in some way with the Ku Klux Klan."
Zodrow went on to explain that at its height, Klan membership among Oregonians reached 25 percent.
"It's a statement that needs to be explored and presents questions that need to be answered."
MacDonald and Zodrow recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of Whitelandia. The film is slated for release in 2015.


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Best of the Year
How many products did PC Magazine review in the past year? As of press time, the number was over 1,300 and growing. Our team of editors, writers, and PC Magazine Labs staff ran the rule over everything from PCs, PDAs, and printers to office software, 3D games, and MP3 players.
Choosing which of those products earned a coveted place in this story was quite an undertaking. After sifting through our list of Editors' Choice recipients and the hundreds of other products that grabbed our attention this year, we humbly submit our picks for the best of the year. Every product in this story received a rating of at least 3.5 out of 5, with many of them garnering a top rating of 5 and an Editors' Choice.
In choosing this year's best, we also had a chance to look back at our picks from last year and reflect upon the rapid growth and change in the technology landscape. Mobile devices, home networking products, and digital cameras are just a few areas that have taken developmental leaps as user adoption increases exponentially. And people are using their PCs to do more, thus driving demand for high-tech peripherals such as all-in-one printers, flatbed scanners, and cool gaming gear.
With so much technology improving worldwide, it's become increasingly difficult to narrow down the list of exceptional products. After weeks of debate among our editors, Labs staff, and reviewers, we whittled down the list to 93 products that represent the cream of the year's tech crop.Continue reading...


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In Need Of A Pick-Me-Up? These Kids Will Get You Laughing In No Time!
Kids can be pretty funny, and pretty darn cute! This compilation of videos will demonstrate a child's knack for getting a laugh — whether it's something they say, something they do, or just their own way of laughing! Laughs are contagious, you know.
Check out the videos, and let us know what made you giggle the most. (Personally, my favorite is the Laughing Babies compilation!)
First Responders At Ohio Fire Department Now Offer Sensory Bags To Patients With Autism: Click "Next" below!
The Autism Site is a place where people can come together to support people who are affected by autism spectrum disorder. In addition to sharing inspiring stories, shopping for the cause, and signing petitions, visitors can take just a moment each day to click on the red button to provide therapy for children and families living with autism spectrum disorders. Visit The Autism Site and click today - it's free!


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City of Warsaw
City of Lincoln
City of Cole Camp
Truman Lake Info
Local Weather
Warsaw Schools
Lincoln Schools
Cole Camp Schools
Benton County GIS (Aerial Maps)
Lake of the Ozarks Waterfront & Resort and Truman Lake Area Real Estate
Residential Real Estate Farms & Vacant Land
Commercial Real Estate
℠ GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)
℠ 2004 President - Sedalia/Warsaw Board of Realtors
To help you find your piece of paradise with an unmatched level of personalized assistance of real estate services. To use my experience and knowledge of the area to give you an advantage in acquisition or sale of real estate ..I attribute my success to my ability to LISTEN! I am also happy enjoy success for my clients, myself and my family from what I do and how I do it.
I am a full-time Realtor since January of 1999, so I come with many years experience in real estate sales and marketing. I have provided valued services for hundreds of individuals and families. My success is accredited to an easy going style, an uncompromised honesty. "I like to treat others in the same manner I would like to be treated"
I am consistently recognized as a top agent in the local market place. My previous affiliation with the RE/MAX franchise brought me awards that include, President's Club, Executive Club, 100% Club and other top producer awards. I have consistently received our Missouri Association of Realtors Pinnacle Level.
I am an active member of the West Central Association of Realtors, previously as an officer for 2 years, then served as 2004 President and most recently 2005 President Ex-Officio. I served as the Chairman of the MLS (Multiple Listing Committee) for a number of years. I currently am the Chairman of the Lock Box Committee. I also have served on various other committees to help achieve Realtor goals to improve the general sales capability and integrity of Realtors board wide.
I live in Warsaw with my husband, and two children. My husband and I enjoy a lot of Golf as well as billiards an car shows. We have a 2012 Roush Mustang we absolutely Love and have a great time with! We are very proud of our Son who graduated from Columbia College in Columbia, MO with a finance degree and is presently now a Financial planner with Edward Jones and has his office just up the road a piece in Sedalia, MO. Lastly, our daughter is a graduate of Hannibal LaGrange University and is currently seeking employment right for her Biology degree as well as seeking her masters in Chemistry. We are very lucky parents, that's for sure!
I provide real estate services in the following areas: All of Benton County, eastern Henry County, Pettis County, western Camden County, NE St. Clair County and Hickory County near Pomme de Terre. As you can see, I am willing to go just about anywhere within a 50 mile radius from Warsaw to serve my clients and customers.
Here you will find a wide variety of useful information and resources designed to help you buy or sell a home more effectively in the Warsaw areas. From information on the local community, to advice about finding a mortgage or preparing your home to sell, it's all available here on my web site.
You can also search for your ideal home by viewing current listings with detailed descriptions and photos. Or you can get help determining the value of your home by requesting a report that includes the prices of similar homes that recently sold or are currently for sale in the Warsaw areas.
So whether you're buying or selling, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you with all your real estate needs. I look forward to meeting you!
GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute)


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|For Immediate Release
February 13, 2015
Amarjeet Sohi Nominated as Liberal Candidate in Edmonton Mill Woods
|"We are pleased to have Councillor Sohi as our candidate," said Sital Nanuan, the President of the Liberal Party of Canada in Edmonton Mill Woods. "It is always exciting when you have someone with an extensive track record of community service seeking to represent our riding in Ottawa."Amarjeet Sohi has served on Edmonton City Council since 2007, currently representing Ward 12. His current initiatives include Public Transit, where he is Edmonton's representative on the Canadian Urban Transit Association, as well as Seniors, Poverty Elimination, Multiculturalism, and Racism Free Edmonton.Amarjeet previously served as a member of the Edmonton Police Commission, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association as VP and Director for cities with populations over 500,000.
|Welcoming his nomination, Amarjeet stated, "I am thrilled to represent the Liberal Party of Canada in Edmonton Mill Woods. I look forward to continuing to be a strong advocate for Southeast Edmonton, and to working with Edmontonians to ensure we have a strong voice for our community in Ottawa."
|Michel Breau
Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta)


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Creamy dreamy frosting plus crunchy, spicy crust plus F-I-V-E layers of goodness equals TRIPLE THREAT for your taste buds. These amazing bars have all the flavors you crave in a carrot cake but in a healthier bar version of this classic dessert. The crispy crust packed with spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, then topped with a rich carrot cake, and finished with toasty nuts and a creamy frosting.
Carrot Cake Paleo Magic Cookie Bars [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
For the Bars:
- 2/3 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 13.5-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 1/3 cup agave
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 2/3 cup carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple
For the Crust:
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, at room temperature (should be the consistency of softened butter)
- 3 tablespoon agave
- 3/4 cup coconut flour, sifted
- 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of sea salt
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons agave
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a little to use as a handle one the bars are baked.
- Place the pecans on a small baking sheet, and the coconut flakes on a separate baking sheet.
- Place them into the oven and bake them until they're golden brown and toasted, about 10-12 minutes for the pecans and 2-4 minutes for the coconut.
- In a large pot whisk together the coconut milk, agave, and pineapple juice and bring them to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, boil them for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the mixture, stirring it frequently until the sauce reduces to a total of 1 cup, about 18-20 minutes. It's important to reduce the liquid to 1 cup.
- While the sauce reduces, in a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the coconut oil with the 3 tablespoons of agave until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pinch of salt until a wet dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. This will be a little bit tough, just be patient with it.
- Do not bake the crust until the sauce finishes reducing, as this allows the sauce the thicken and cool while the crust bakes.
- While you wait for the sauce to finish reducing, chop the toasted pecans and set aside.
- Additionally, place the grated carrots and the crushed pineapple into separate kitchen towels and ring out the excess moisture.
- Once the sauce has reduced to one cup, set it aside to cool while you bake the crust.
- Place the ready-to-go crust into the oven and cook it for 8 minutes.
- When the crust comes out of the oven, it may have risen in some spots. Take a small spoon and gently press it back down, being sure not to leave cracks in the crust.
- Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top, and lightly press them into the crust. Then, sprinkle on the coconut flakes, followed by the grated carrots and then finally the pineapple. Be sure to spread everything out evenly.
- Finally, pour the coconut milk sauce evenly over top of everything, making sure you get it down the sides of the bars.
- Use a knife to swirl around the layers in a few spots where the sauce pools, to make sure it seeps down into all the layers. Then, gently shake around the pan to ensure the sauce really sinks in everywhere.
- Place the dish into the oven and cook it until your bars are golden brown and bubbly. This should take about 28-30 minutes. Let them cool on the counter to room temperature. While the bars cook, drain the cashews and place them into a small food processor.
- Add in the milk, agave, vanilla, and salt and blend the mixture until creamy. This could take a good 3-4 minutes. With the food processor running, stream in the coconut oil until well combined. Transfer the frosting to a bowl and place in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Once the bars are at room temperature, spread the frosting over top. Cover and chill the bars overnight to let everything set. The next day, lift the bars out of the pan, and slice.
- Carrot
- Cinnamon
- Coconut
- Coconut Flour
- Pineapple


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- Description
Razor Rating Worksheet included!
This double edge razor blade sampler includes some of the most popular double edge razor brands. The goal of the sampler is not just to offer as many brands as possible, but to offer brands that are highly rated, readily available and competitively priced so that a purchasing decision can be made after using the samples. Each double edge blade is slightly different with different qualities.
Six Different Brands Included for a total of 35 blades!
- 5 Astra Platinum - Made in Russia - 4.4 stars - Great, consistent blade, smooth and long lasting razor blade.
- 5 Derby Extra Super Stainless - Made in Turkey - 4.3 stars - Very functional blade that is priced well.
- 10 Treet Platinum- Made in Pakistan. - 4.7 stars - Quality, sharp, smooth and one of the highest rated razor razor blades.
- 5 Shark Super Stainless - Made in Egypt- 4.4 stars - Sharp and dependable razor handles rough hairs.
- 5 Lord Platinum - Made in Egypt- 4.4 stars - Sharp, comfortable, smooth shaving blade.
- 5 Astra Superior Stainless - Made in Russia - 4.3 stars - Lacks platinum coating but some say smoother than Platinum Astra.
Total = 35 double edge razor blades
A razor rating worksheet is included which will allow ratings and comments to be written for each razor blade after using. Each blade brand comes in an easy to dispense plastic holder box or paper box.


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"Your full name is Karolis Gintaras Žukauskas?" the man asked. "If I were you, I'd change my name. This is America. It's too hard to spell. I wouldn't want to spell that name all the time. And all the forms we have to fill out these days. It probably takes you so long to fill out those forms. I wouldn't want to do that."
"What's your name?" I asked.
"That's easy." I waited. "What about your surname?"
"Lane Stevenson?"
"That's right. That's my name. I'm Lane Stevenson."
"So…when you have kids, are you going to name them something like Shoulder Stevenson? Or Median Stevenson? It'll be cool if your daughter, Median, marries some guy named Bo Dan Ryan. Then she could be Median Stevenson-Dan Ryan. Or if her husband's Joe Edens, and she turns out to be old school, she'll be Median Edens."
"You're an asshole."
"Yes. But my name is 1000 years old, and it doesn't mean 'Strip of Asphalt Between County Line Road and Lake Shore Drive.'"
For those of you who don't get this joke (or those of you who just think it's bad), here's a picture of beautiful women chewing on a rubber chicken:
Photo by Twisted Oak.


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Recently I went on a trip to The Cross Roads Event and found a wonderful set of earrings by .Shi. and Messiah that was artistically done. The top and netted stockings are from OOPS at The Darkness Chamber Event. There are appliers and tops for many mesh bodies. I paired it off with a black skirt from Candy and a cute pair of thigh high boots from Reign that are texture changeable. My hair is from Letituier at The Cosmopolitan.
{Letituier} Amy Hair – Dark Red @ Cosmopolitan
Glam Affair ( Lelutka Heads ) Alyx Applier [ Artic ]
Eyes and Head
CATWA Mesh Eyes Pack
.LeLutka.Head.Simone 2.0
Tattoo and Makeup
[White~Widow] Tesis
Zibska ~ Janni
Zibska ~ Janni
Piercings, Jewelry and Accessories
**RE** Dark Queen Septum Ring P1
**RE** Zaria Bracelet
**RE** Dark Queen Septum Ring P1
**RE** Zaria Bracelet
PUNCH / Monroe / Diamond
.Shi. x Messiah : Saber Earring / Unisex @ The Cross Roads Event
[FORMANAILS] BALLERINA NAILS FOR Maitreya
::OOPS:: Sheyla Top – (MAITREYA) @ The Darkness Chamber Fair
::OOPS:: Sheyla Top – (MAITREYA) @ The Darkness Chamber Fair
_CandyDoll_Miko Collection Skirt Maitreya Black
REIGN.- ANAIYA BOOTS (Maitreya-Mid) – 3rd Anniversary Gift
Photo Props
EP – Here I Come #3
EP – Here I Come #3
LumiPro on marketplace – 2017 version


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Brand, web, and user interface design.
Selected clients
Tesco, Febreeze, BBC, DS Smith, Welsh Water, UK Greetings.
Dove Dental Tote Bag
Kurt Kinetic Website
What my clients are saying
Luke was a godsend. He's friendly, super helpful and extremely knowledgable.
Karen Whittleworth — Director at Worth Consulting Ltd
I couldn't be happier with Luke's work. Our new website is much improved and looks wonderful.
Michael Shea — Writer and editor at michaelrshea.com


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Casey Cox's DNA is all over the crime scene. There's no use talking to police; they've failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she's arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn't matter anymore.
But what is the truth? That's the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren't adding up.
Casey Cox doesn't fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan's skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn't guilty, why did she run?
Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan's damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.
My Comments: This was a great, very engaging read! Ms. Blackstock does an excellent job of adding suspense and mystery without any language or violence. I couldn't figure anything out for a while, although the guilt or innocence of Casey, the main character was pretty evident. The book goes back and forth between Casey and Dylan. Dylan is the PI engaged to find Casey, and Casey is the one suspected of murder. I like the way we get into both of their heads without giving away too much until the end. The Christian message is hinted at, not didactically given – maybe just enough to whet a person's appetite. Thank you Terri Blackstock for writing such engaging, clean mysteries with suspense added! I highly recommend this and any of her books! This book will be out on February 16 to purchase. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.
This post was written bySally and is filed under Christian Fiction, Suspense. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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When there's something wrong with your transmission, it is easy to panic. But the term "transmission repair" can mean many different things, some of them much less costly than others. That's why Performance Auto is here to clear up any misconceptions you might have about transmission repair.
Types of Transmission Repair
- Rebuilt transmission: This means that the transmission has been taken apart and the damaged parts replaced. Then the transmission repair shop puts the transmission back together. The transmission rebuild is performed to factory specifications.
- Remanufactured transmission: This is like a transmission rebuild, but it is done in a factory, not in a repair shop.
- Used transmission: This means that only the faulty transmission component will be replaced with a new part. This is generally a more affordable transmission repair choice, but drivers can expect to enjoy lesser warranty coverage when they go with this option.
Get the Transmission Repair You Need Now
Whatever transmission repair you need, our customer-service driven team is on hand to help you identify your transmission problem and choose the repair option that best meets your needs. We never just recommend the most expensive option at Performance Auto. We always recommend the choice that will be best for our customers.
Transmission Service in Montgomery
Do you think that you're in need of transmission service? We can help. Our team has years of experience with many different types of transmission issues, meaning we can provide the repair you need. The team at Performance Auto can provide the transmission repair you need to keep your vehicle running right for years to come.
Are you ready to learn about how we can help you get the auto repair you need? Call us today at (334) 245-6600 for more information! Or learn more about our money-saving specials here!
Proudly serving Montgomery, AL and its surrounding areas.


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The Lexus LFA has been seen as a one-off demonstration of Toyota's ability to build with the best of them, rather than the first in a new line of L-badged supercars.
So far, Lexus has confirmed plans for only 500 cars, including 50 track-prepped Special Edition variants.
Despite being less than two years old however, the LFA is quickly becoming yesterday's news. That's how it is in the car industry. Now, reports out of Japan suggest Toyota is planning something more.
Details are thin on the ground, but according to Japanese magazine Best Car, the carmaker is working on a so-called 'LFA II'.
Whether the secret car is an update of the existing LFA or an all-new successor is unclear. We would think it unlikely that a brand-new model would be on the drawing-board soon after the LFA's debut.
With no sources quoted, the report may simply be a fiction of the rumour mill. But now that it has begun, Toyota may find it hard to resist the call of battle.
After all, there are ever-newer Lamborghinis, Ferraris and McLarens out there, waiting to be challenged.
- Interested in buying LEXUS LFA? Visit our LEXUS LFA showroom for more information.


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Rho interviews Evlyxx, host of the priest-focused Evangelysm podcast for World of Warcraft. Overwatch hype included. Batteries not included.
Podcast News: 30 Minute Cooldown, Stormcast, Eye on the Storm, Dirty Casual(NEW), State of the Craft, Behind the Avatar, Westmarch Workshop, Group Quest, Stopcast, The Angry Chicken, Overwatchers, The Overview(NEW), Value Town, Your WoW Money, Tauren Think Tank.
Are you part of a WoW or other Blizzard franchise podcast and want your news mentioned here? Email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Realm Maintenance is here to promote your show news and special events as a service to the podcast community.
You can support the show by contributing at patreon.com/RealmPodcast
Follow Rho on Twitter @RhoWoW, and follow the show @RealmPodcast
Leave a voicemail for the show by clicking on the "Send Voicemail" box located on the right side of realm-maintenance.com!
You can also find Rho as a co-host of Extended Maintenance which you can find at extendedcast.net
Questions, comments or submissions can be sent to email@example.com. All submissions received by Sunday at noon Eastern will be read and considered for the next podcast.
Listen to the show on iTunes or Stitcher Radio!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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Printer Driver For Epson TM-U950 Download – As in other articles, we give you access to the download link on the link below for special printer Epson TM-U950.
Operating System(s) support: Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
- Epson TM-U950 Windows Download 32-bit
- Epson TM-U950 Link Download for 64-bit Windows
Operating System(s) support: Macintosh (MAC) OS X
- Mac User : Download Macintosh here
Operating System(s) support: Linux Ubuntu, Linux Debian and others
- Epson TM-U950 for Linux Download free
Printer Driver For Epson TM-U950 Download
The Printer Driver For Epson TM-U950 Download printer is suitable for print Receipt because this printer can only print monochrome, to download the driver you can click on the link above. It turns out the printer can print up to A4 size, big enough for a receipt printer and you certainly can download the driver free.
Developed to deal with invoice, journal as well as slip printing this 2.5 terminal printer integrates easy to use attributes with the comfort of a twin kick money cabinet. This extremely dependable printer offers 88 columns slide or recognition printing at broadband printer driver.
The Printer Driver For Epson TM-U950 Download is a 2.5 terminal printer very appropriate for POS applications with its 40 columns of receipt/journal printing each terminal and also 86 columns of slip. This printer's easy to use functions and also small layout contribute to its adaptability. Including optional check printing and also recommendation capacities, the TM-U950 prints one initial as well as 4 duplicates for included ease.
See also : Driver For Epson Stylus SX125
Epson TM-U950 Driver Download Compatibility
- Windows 10 32-bit
- Windows 10 64-bit
- Windows Xp 32-bit
- Windows Vista 32-bit
- Windows 7 32-bit
- Windows 8 32-bit
- Windows 8.1 32-bit
- Windows Xp 64-bit
- Windows Vista 46-bit
- Windows 7 64-bit
- indows 8 64-bit
- Windows 8.1 64-bit
- Macintosh OS
- Linux
How to install Epson TM-U950 Driver to your Computer
Follow these steps to set up the downloaded software application and driver.
- Click on the link download that we provide above in this article
- When the driver Epson TM-U950 download is full and you prepare to set up the files, click "Open Folder" or "Open File", and after that click the downloaded file. The file name ends in.exe.
- You can accept the default area to conserve the files. Click Next, then wait while the installer removes the files to get ready for setup.
- KEEP IN MIND: If you closed the Download Complete screen, search to the folder where you conserved the.exe file, then click it.
- When the Install Wizard begins, follow the on-screen directions to set up the software application.
How to Remove Epson TM-U950 Driver from your Computer
- Open Control Panel to uninstall your Epson TM-U950 driver then click Unistall a Program.
- Doubleclick on the printer you wish to unistall, then click yes
- When the uninstall wizard end, click surface
Search printer driver below:
- driver epson tmu950 xp
Tags: #Driver Epson Tm-U950 Full Cut #Epson Tm U950 Win7 Driver #Epson Tm-U950 Driver Download #Epson Tm-U950 Printer Drivers Windows 7 And Xp #Epson Tm-U950 Receipt Driver #Free Download Driver Epson Tm-U950


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One thing I love about Advent are Advent candles- the ones that have the days marked on the front which, if you light every day, gradually burn all the way down to the 24th- Christmas eve! I bought two from our church today as I have been meaning to for the last couple of years, but never actually have!
The rich red is a charming nod to the traditional colours of Christmas festivities and is certainly very eye-catching. Noah keeps spotting these and wanting to pretend they are drumsticks...mmm, not ideal!
Love Bunty


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|Druhá tráva
|[-] Transpozícia [+] Tlač textu
Come Back
Druhá tráva
Emi D Ami1. In the shifting sands of your eternal name C G Dmaybe a million things disappeared C G C G Dwhich I gave to you alone lost and lamed Emi D C Emiin the shifting sands of your eternal name. D C GR: Come back I am drunk and alone D AmiI'm at the last ash from a cigarette D C GI can't explain or confess till comes down D C Emiplease come back back back. 2. I'd blind my own horse betray anything if only you'd nod when you pass on the stairs so look at me rider taking spring I'd blind my own horse betray anything. R: Emi D Ami*: Believe me I'd blind my horse betray anything ...


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Little Things 15 – Attend a Conference/
Welcome to this week's edition of "Little Things", a weekly blog series covering the small changes that you can make to improve marketing performance.
Last week's topic was start a blog.
This week's tip:
Attend a Marketing Conference
Marketing conferences are easy to find. They come in sizes big and small. They come in a variety of marketing niches and in more general form. And they can be a great place for people who are new to the marketing world to learn a lot.
Like this blog, marketing conferences offer a chance to learn best practices in the field and new trends you may want to pay attention to. You can meet with industry experts, get advanced technology news and opinions, and often find great deals or trial offers on new products and services that could improve your business.
Here's what I suggest:
- Search online for marketing conferences in your area
- Purchase a floor pass, usually the cheapest ticket (sometimes free)
- Wander the floor for a day, talking to as many people as possible
- If offered, attend one or more of the presentations that interest you
- Follow up with those people you think will benefit your business
- Repeat as often as you can


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Alumni Info
UCA Alumni, Family & Friends,
If you attended Upper Columbia Academy for at least a semester you are considered a full-fledged UCA Alumnus. Even if you graduated from another school, while you were here you made friends and memories and that makes you part of our family.
Under the Alumni tab of the UCA website you may:
- Update your contact information
- Check on plans for the upcoming Alumni Weekend
- Upcoming Area Chapter Meetings: Walla Walla — Loma Linda — Portland/Vancouver (below)
- Tell us if you'd prefer to get your Alumni Echoes newsletter by mail or by email (email@example.com)
- Research giving opportunities and donate online as part of UCA's vital support team
- Look up old yearbooks that have been digitized
- Ask for help in finding an old roommate or friend OR for a class list if YOU are helping to organize your honor class reunion
- Watch last year's Alumni weekend video
- Read the latest Alumni Echoes Newsletter
For more information concerning UCA alumni, contact Shelley Bacon, Alumni Director, at (509) 675-5003 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Villa Patrignone - a large 7 bedroom Tuscany Villa with pool to rent
|min stay
|Villa Patrignone
|8 to 14
4 min - 7 max
(5 doubles, 2 twins/doubles)
|7 en-suite
|5 nights
- 7 large double bedrooms, each with a private bathroom
- you can rent the villa exclusively even if you only need 4 bedrooms
- can sleep between 7 and 14 people
- huge well-equipped kitchen-dining rooms with seating for 14, large open fireplace
- lovely sitting room with library
- central heating and wood-burning stove for Spring & Autumn
- Use of pool
See some pictures of our Tuscan Villa to rent
If you are planning a holiday and looking for a Tuscany villa with pool, Villa Patrignone will comfortably sleep 14 in 7 double suites (2 of the suites can have 2 single beds or 1 double bed). It has a huge fully-equipped kitchen, complete with a large fridge-freezer and dishwasher, dining room with a large dining table that seats 14, and a large living room and library. It is filled with beautiful vintage furniture, large comfortable beds, and the old terracotta tiles and chestnut beams are in evidence everywhere.
Each room has a very individual and unique character, from the EM Forster Suite to the Oriental Room, the Charleston Suite and the Travellers' Room. Two of the rooms have beautiful little 'Juliet' balconies looking west towards the valley below and the sunset beyond, but all the rooms have lovely views, some overlooking the Jasmine Courtyard and our southerly olive groves, some east towards the sunrise and our easterly olives, and some north towards the Capanna and the ancient hand-paved courtyard.
You can find descriptions of all the rooms in our villa rental in Tuscany below, so have a look and choose your favourite room before the others do!
There is plenty of outdoor space on the Terracotta Terrace or for occasional al-fresco dining with views across the hills of Tuscany, or you can have evening drinks, meals and chats under the Olive Gazebo right outside your front door. Or ask for some wood and build a campfire in the woods surrounded by fire-flies and barking deer!
If you'd like to know what we have available, please try your dates in our cool interactive calendar thing.
Stay 6 nights, and the 7th night is FREE*
We've adjusted our Villa prices this year to make it simpler to book Villa Patrignone with only the rooms you need. So the base price is for 4 bedrooms, and you can add bedrooms as you need them. And bedrooms you don't need will, of course, remain totally empty. You are renting Villa Patrignone for your private, exclusive use.
Prices start for just 4 bedrooms...
We've adjusted our Villa prices this year to make it simpler to book Villa Patrignone with only the rooms you need. So the base price is for 4 bedrooms, and you can add bedrooms as you need them. And bedrooms you don't need will, of course, remain empty. You are renting Villa Patrignone for your private, exclusive use. And you can add additional bedrooms whenever you like, right up until the last minute.
If you'd like to know what we have available, please try our availability calendar.
Planning a wedding in Tuscany or a family reunion?
You can also rent additional apartments if you are planning a larger gathering or a wedding. Drop us a line and we'll let you know what we have available, but please try to start your planning well in advance.
The rooms...which will be your favourite?
The Blue Room - beautifully furnished with a lovely enamel bath and views of the glorious sunset every evening. It is the only room in the Villa with a bath (plus a shower hose for those that prefer to save water), and it has amazing sunset views over the Terracotta Terrace and the valley beyond.
The EM Forster – perfect for all writers as it is furnished with a large oak writing desk. However don't expect to do much writing as the room has two beautiful windows looking out over the olive groves and forests. Very inspirational!
The Black & White Room – another oft-seen Tuscan colour scheme, so if you get sick of all that Siena brown, terracotta red and cypress green, this tastefully styled room should clear your visual palate ready for another day. It also has a lovely but tiny 'Juliet' balcony with amazing views over towards San Gimignano. It is a twin room but can be made up as a double.
The Charleston – one of our favourites. An old radiogram, plenty of Bakelite (Tuscan variety, of course) and other early 20th Century decorations give this lovely room a warm pre-war feel.
The Green Room – this beautiful room has a wrought-iron bed and looks out over the ivy-coloured enclosed courtyard and over to our southerly olive groves.
The Oriental Room – this is the largest bedroom in the Villa and houses some of Carla's collection of decorations and from the Far East. Not truly Tuscan perhaps, but beautiful none the less. Can me made up as a double or with 2 single beds.
The Travellers' Room – this beautiful room is on the second floor in the eaves of the Villa. The bathroom is 'compact' but cute, smaller than the others for sure as it is under the eaves, but this is more than compensated for with the best views ever. A small 'Juliet' balcony gives you 180 degree views for miles and miles, with amazing sunset over the distant (and often snow-capped) Apennines
Have a problem with steps?
Note that there are 14 steps leading up to the Villa front door and a few steps between rooms and levels within the Villa. So it's not ideal for those who find steps difficult. However, you should look at the other apartments if you have mobility issues, especially Le Stalle, as many of them are on the ground floor.
* The online rate calculator sometimes gives slightly different prices for 6 nights and for 7, but that's just because we're rounded some of our prices down to make them look prettier. We're happy to let whichever of the two is lower.


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Stylish window box/trough planter display
Prendick Window Box display (painted) with Buxus Balls and Geraniums in a choice of size. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
They are good for outdoors and are available to deliver 7-10 working Days from order (whilst in stock). All the boxes are available in different finishes and if you do not like the combination we have put in the box we will be happy to give you a price on your chosen finish for both the trough and the planting. Also we are happy to advise if you see plants from out outdoor range that you would like to put into the troughs.
Stylish window box/trough planter display
76cm Long x 24cm Wide x 22cm High, 91cm Long x 24cm Wide x 22cm High, 122cm Long x 24cm Wide x 22cm High
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In 2013, The University of Michigan will travel east to face the UConn Huskies in football. The only question -- at least in Michigan's mind -- is where. Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said Wednesday that the school's proposal to move the game to MetLife Stadium (home of the Giants and Jets) was declined by UConn, according to the Detroit Free-Press.
Which means that the Wolverines, who regularly play in front of 100,000 people, will get to enjoy the cozy confines of the 40,000-seat Rentschler Field.
"We've made specific proposals that I would consider more than compelling financial incentives to move the game, but life is politics," Brandon said Wednesday.
"My understanding is the state of Connecticut, when the state appropriated dollars for that stadium -- because it's not a university stadium, it's a stadium state-supported, and I think the university pays rent to use it -- when they appropriated a significant amount of capital, they put in the legislation that UConn could not move a game away from that stadium."
As SNY.tv's John Silver points out, while the Huskies would make more money playing in MetLife Stadium, the decision is also a political one. "The issue, mainly, (is that) the state spent $90 million to build a stadium so UConn could play," Silver wrote Thursday.
And for now that appears like what will happen. And Brandon shouldn't undersell the Rent. Yes, there's more money to be made at a larger venue but the Huskies' home stadium can be a great place to play. Former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was drafted second overall by the Redskins in the NFL Draft, had this to say about Rentschler when Baylor faced UConn his freshman season.
"The thing that people think is when you go to these big stadiums and they have 80,000 people or 100,000 people, that these are the toughest stadiums to play at, but really, those aren't," Griffin said. "When you have that many people, most of the time, the fans are pretty far away from the field. The toughest places to play are the ones that are jam-packed, are really tight to the field and sit about 45,000 people. …
"When we played at UConn my freshman year, that was the loudest place I've ever been as a football player," Griffin continued. "The stands are right next to the field, it was packed, and everyone was yelling. That was probably the coolest place for me to play at aside from Texas, Texas A&M and Nebraska."
So, no, bigger isn't always better.


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Chris Newcomb, M.Div.
Heroin used to be a drug that was associated with dark places in the bad parts of town. It was never something that was considered a real possibility to use by 'respectable' people wanting to have a little fun. In fact, growing up in the late '70's and 80's, it was understood that heroin was a line you just didn't cross. It was anathema. It was the enemy. Poison. Lethal. Not anymore.
Viewpoints have shifted towards heroin because of it's lower street cost and perceived 'chic' party drug status. Due to the growing cost of prescription pills on the street, people feel like they would do better financially if they use heroin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Heroin kills people dead. Believe it. It's a fact.
Please take a moment to educate yourself about this growing epidemic that crosses all boundaries regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, educational level, or economic station in life. Pass it on to anyone you think would benefit from it. You can read more here!


text: Come celebrate the holiday season with Noccalula Falls and the City of Gadsden at Christmas at the Falls. Enjoy millions of lights throughout the park with spectacular views from the paved walking trails or from the vantage of a ride on the park's train. During your visit to see the light displays, including several new features, you can stop for activities like cookie decorating, visit the petting zoo, and sip on some hot chocolate. While at Christmas at the Falls don't miss a visit with Santa Claus, take a picture, and even drop a letter to the North Pole in Santa's special mailbox at the Old Post Office in the Pioneer Village. Christmas at the Falls runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and kicks off on Thanksgiving evening at 5 p.m. and runs through December 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at the Noccalula Falls Entry Pavilion each day starting at 4 p.m. Tickets for ages 4 and older are $6, 3 and younger are free. Weather conditions can cause the closure of Christmas at the Falls as the train cannot run in inclement weather. Weather closures will be posted on social media channels and can be confirmed by phone at 256-549- 4663. A variety of special events will happen throughout the run of Christmas at the Falls adding further excitement and treats for visitors. We hope you'll come join us in celebrating the holiday season and spend an evening at Christmas at the Falls. With more light features, updated displays, a packed calendar and overflowing holiday cheer, we know that you'll enjoy your visit to Noccalula Falls for "Christmas at the Falls."


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This award is exclusively for bloggers who have under 1000 followers and is a great way of making new connections.
The rules are:
Write 11 random facts about yourself
Answer 11 questions submitted by the blogger who nominated you
Choose 11 bloggers for the award
Write 11 new questions for them to answer
Let the nominees know you have been nominated
11 Facts about me...
- My favourite subject at school is drama
- One day i inspire to become a zookeeper
- I love fanta (the drink)
- I play guitar and like to sing
- I'am currently listening to Busted whilst writing this
- I'am a Girlguide and have been for over 5 years
- Iam currently sitting my GCSE's
- My favourite season is spring
- I was born on the 28th of September
- I love Harry Potter
- I love going to concerts and have been to see people such as Katy Perry, Mcfly, The Script and many more!
My 11 questions from Ultra...
- What is your favourite colour? Green and purple (Okay so maybe that's 2, i couldn't choose ;) )
- Have you ever stolen anything? Nope, never. I wouldn't be able to deal with the guilt!
- Favourite band? Mcfly! :D
- Has a book ever made you cry? If so which? I cried when rue died in hunger games...
- Favourite flower? A red rose, pretty obvious why... :3
- How did you get the name for your blog? All the good names were gone
- Favourite food? Jelly and Icecream! i could eat it all day and everyday i swear!
- What colour is your hair? At the moment, Brown and Green
- Favourite film? Harry potter and Tangled
- If you had to meet one actor/actress who would it be? This is really hard! Probably Jennifer Lawrence :)
- Favourite song at the moment? ''You said no'' by Busted
My chosen 11 bloggers for the award
- What country are you from?
- What was the first concert you went to?
- What was the first album you bought?
- Favourite book?
- Ideal date? where, what ect
- Prefer to stay in or go out on a Saturday night?
- Favourite animal?
- Eye colour?
- If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
- If you could be anyone for one day who would you be?
- Favourite season?


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Students enrolled in horseback riding lessons at Rocking T Ranch's riding school learn all phases of horsemanship: horse health, anatomy, grooming, various riding techniques, body positioning and proper riding attire, using trained safe school horses. Qualified and experienced instructors stress safety at all levels.
Private and Semi-private horseback riding lessons at Rocking T Ranch are offered in both Western and English disciplines: Western pleasure riding, learning how to ride out on the trail, Dressage, Western Dressage and Cowboy Dressage. Rocking T Ranch has easy ample parking for riders wishing to bring their own horses for instruction.
Other than a private half-hour riding lesson for 3-7 year olds, all lessons are an hour long, which will include phases of groundwork.
Please contact CAROL TICE at 714-514-5606 for more information.
Rocking T Ranch accepts select horses into their training program. Basic dressage principles are used to school both the English and Western horses involved in the Rocking T Ranch training programs, which are customized for each rider and horse to accomplish desired goals.
Rocking T Ranch is able to prepare riders for participation in select horse shows using their horses or specific Ranch riding school horses.
For more information regarding these services, please contact Carol at 714-514-5606


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Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart
RaeleighReads rating: 5 out of 5 coffee cups
""There's no such thing as free will…Never. We have no choice in the roads we take. We like to think we're in control, but we are following a prescribed path, an ancient way. Every misstep, every triumph, every success, every failure — they are all part of the plan, landmarks on the journey."
"You are getting a little into the deep end for me.""
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hart certainly wades into the deep end with Becoming Moon. Sometimes timidly, sometimes boldly, always honestly, he wades into the deep end of life, the nature of creating, the nature of being. Reading Becoming Moon is almost a surreal experience, but one rooted in stark reality. It is certainly a book that can be read again and again, each time looking for new meaning.
I happen to admire people who have a point of view, perhaps especially when that view deviates from the status quo, and who are not afraid to share that view with the world. This book is honest, insightful, brave, and sometimes uncomfortable. It is also very well written. At one point in the novel, Hart mentions modern classics. I don't know if it was his intention to create a modern classic with this book, but I'm going to go ahead and say it. For me, this is a modern classic. It will always have a place on my bookshelf.
What is a modern classic? To me, a modern classic is a piece of literature, written recently, that addresses major societal issues without bluntly mentioning the issues the book confronts. These works are subtle, masterfully crafted, with a unique perspective or unique construction. And all of that takes place underneath a story line that is simple and attention-grabbing so that any reader could enjoy the book merely for the story. But for those few who would perhaps like to look a little deeper, well, there would be plenty of material to keep those people questioning and arguing for years to come.
This review is quickly becoming an exposition on literature, and for that, I apologize. But isn't that what great literature does? It makes us think, makes us question, makes us wonder. Becoming Moon accomplishes that for me.
It addresses several hot button topics and is arranged in five non-linear parts. Following the story of an author, it begins almost at the end and then jumps backward in time to acquaint you with the author's past. His story is one that many will find familiar, and the choices he makes lead him down an inevitably difficult road. Those easily offended should read warily.
I'm recommending this to anyone who enjoys really great literature. I think those who enjoy an intellectual read will like this, and I think those looking for something interesting and different to add to their summer reading lists (or any reading lists for that matter), should give this a try.
"Life is ugly…That's why it's so beautiful. And take this with you: if we have no choice, then we are all doing our best. And how much easier is it to practice kindness on ourselves and others if we know we are all doing our best?"
Another opinion you may be interested in:
"The writing is beautiful, sincere and full of hidden philosophies and nuggets of wisdom…The main character is a complex person with a haunting past, and I loved the non-linear fashion in which the story revealed who he was."– Tanya Aranguren on Amazon


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20 responses
Leslie Hunziker gave props (12 Nov 2009):
very cool!
je suis moi gave props (15 Nov 2009):
" Who are you? " To cute. :-)
Sophia Germer (Deleted) gave props (3 Dec 2009):
i am pleased to find another frog in the background who is in the same position as the closest one! Great selective focus! Great capture of a frog!
Sara Carroll gave props (5 Dec 2009):
i love it
Angelina gave props (7 Dec 2009):
Very great capture! :D Amazing focus too!
peggy gardner gave props (8 Dec 2009):
"you don't get warts by kissing a frog"
Nelson Campbell (Deleted) gave props (8 Dec 2009):
Is there anybody out there?? Great shot -
Anaelle Trojak (Deleted) gave props (11 Dec 2009):
Aurora Bubbaloo said (11 Dec 2009):
Thanks everyone!
Karen Menyhart gave props (12 Dec 2009):
great shot!
m fontaine said (15 Dec 2009):
Great Shot ! Looks like he's waiting in line for his kiss. Maybe one is a prince !!
Colleen Ward gave props (28 Dec 2009):
Great Job!
Anne Worner (Deleted) gave props (28 Dec 2009):
Fun shot - also love the dof! "I'm the Prince!"
Elyseo said (28 Dec 2009):
very beautiful!!!
Autumn Letters (Deleted) gave props (28 Dec 2009):
Very cool shot!
Elizabeth Saporito gave props (29 Dec 2009):
This is a great photo...
Karmakar Akash said (29 Dec 2009):
great perspective!
linda woods gave props (13 Jan 2010):
"Um...has anybody seen Kermie?"
Aurora Bubbaloo said (14 Jan 2010):
I like that title Linda! ;)
linda woods gave props (24 Dec 2011):
Fun image, truly cool.
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Not an ideal season but a lot was learned
The Padres are currently in Pittsburgh playing the first of four games there before coming home for their last two series at Petco Park, against the Dodgers and Diamondbacks. Then they wind up the season in San Francisco for three with the Giants, and while the 162-game season was not ideal, a lot was learned about some of the personnel and possibly the direction of the club going into next year.
I was asked before the beginning of the season what I thought a realistic finish for the Padres would be. At the time I said the Padres should be disappointed (because any club that doesn't make the playoffs should be disappointed), but encouraged to finish the 2013 season with 81 wins and 81 losses.
The Padres are currently 12 games below .500 with 14 games left. Finishing at a fifty-fifty split doesn't look good, to say the least. My hope for an even season rested on the fact that the Padres had added nothing really notable after 2012, other than to mostly resign existing talent where they could only reach 76-86 on the year, and that perhaps some of the young pitching talent would improve the club.
And some did. Andrew Cashner is going to be a number two starter at least, judging by this season. The acquisition of Tyson Ross turned out be better than most expected, and he looks solid for the rotation in 2014. Others that came onto the scene late include Robbie Erlin and while Burch Smith looked a little lost when called up early on, his last start appeared as though he's close.
Ian Kennedy is a veteran who has looked much better with the Padres after being acquired by trade from Arizona this season. There are at least three starting pitchers who one can expect to be in the mix in the starting rotation in 2014, with some others waiting in the wing.
With pitching, the Padres hopes went down somewhat early, mostly to injury. While Edinson Volquez failed to find his location so bad that the Padres released him last month, a bigger issue was early Tommy John surgery for three promising arms.
Cory Luebke was the most promising, but even Joe Wieland – while statistically not so attractive – showed the ability to command his pitches and had a mature presence on the mound. Casey Kelly was entirely promising before he got hurt. If these guys heal up, even by a third of the way into next season, the Padres could find themselves with one of the top-ten rotations in baseball.
Offensively, one plus is Will Venable, who has had a break-out year now that he gets to face left-handers and play every day. Will has hit 22 home runs to go along with 20 stolen bases, and was very deserving of the 2-year contract that will keep him with the Friars through 2015.
Another plus is Jedd Gyorko, a rookie, who converted from third to second base and has performed magnificently defensively. And the bat? He can hit at the big league level. Perhaps the batting average could come up, but it's difficult to argue with the 18 home runs and 47 runs batted in his first season.
Offense seemed to be the biggest disappointment, combining both injury and suspension. Yasmani Grandal sat out his first fifty games due to testing positive, and while Everth Cabrera didn't test out negatively, he did admit to taking performance enhancing drugs after the Biogenesis scandal and is missing the last 50 games.
Carlos Quentin barely played more than half of a season due to injury and Chase Headley broke his thumb and never seemed to recover. Yonder Alonso suffered two injuries and is out, while Kyle Blanks only recently recovered.
Center fielder Cameron Maybin barely played all year. And when Grandal came back, he had a season-ending injury that might take until halfway into next season to get better.
This is a lot to overcome. Both on offense and defense, between injuries and suspensions, the Padres had more than enough excuses to be even worse than their record indicates.
That's not an excuse for the poor record. It's just a reason that the Padres haven't come close to breaking even. Too many breaks, none of which seemed to go their way.
As I finish this piece, the Padres have beaten the Pirates, 2-0, and Cashner pitched a complete game, one-hit shutout, facing the minimum 27 batters from the opposition. More on that later. What I would appreciate is anyone who told me that after the Padres acquired Cashner that he should be a reliever instead of the starter I thought he should be telling me how right I was. I know it won't happen, but I can dream.
Tommy Medica, a minor league first baseman, came up about a week ago, and although his defense isn't what Alonso's is, the guy can hit. Although he went 0-5 tonight, he's already hit two homers. No idea what the Padres have in mind for him, but if they don't keep him up next season, he would make great trade bait. By the way, Medica can play a little bit in left field as well. Played some catcher in the minors as well
Mark Kotsay announced his retirement the other day, after a nice career that saw him two different times in his career in a Padres uniform. I've put off writing about it until the Padres come back to town and I can hopefully talk with him about it. I see a managerial career at some point in his future, although Mark claims he isn't thinking about that right now. He should. He would make a good one.