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Highly repetitive and accurate fiber placement (from part to part and from layer to layer). The accuracy can be superior to that of fiber placement and automated tape-laying machines.
The capacity to use continuous fibers over the whole component area (without joints) and to orient fibers easily in the load direction. This simplifies the fabrication of structures such as aircraft fuselages and reduces numbers of joints for increased reliability and lower costs.
Elimination of the capital expense (and size restrictions) of an autoclave and the recurring expense for inert gas. Thick-walled structures can be built that are larger than any autoclave can accommodate.
Ability to manufacture a composite with high fiber volume
Mandrel costs can be lower than other tooling costs because there is usually only one tool, the male mandrel, that sets the inside diameter and the inner surface finish.
Lower cost for large numbers of components because there can be less labor than many other processes. It is possible to filament wind multiple small components, such as up to 20 golf shafts at once (Fig. 8), leading to sharply reduced costs compared to flag rolling. Costs are eliminated for bagging and disassembly of the bagging materials, as well as the recurring costs of these materials.
Costs are relatively low for material since fiber and resin can be used in their lowest cost form rather than as prepreg.
Need for mandrel, which can be complex or expensive
Necessity for a component shape that permits mandrel removal. Long, tubular mandrels generally do not have a taper. Unless nonuniform shapes are capable of mechanical disassembly, mandrels must be made from a dissolvable or frangible material. Different mandrel materials, because of differing thermal expansion and differing composite materials and laminate lay-up percentages of hoops versus helical plies, will demonstrate varying amounts of difficulty in removal of the part from the mandrel.
Difficulty in winding reverse curvature
Inability to change fiber path easily (in one lamina)
Poor external surface finish, which may hamper aerodynamics or aesthetics.
It is important to note that most of the disadvantages are application-specific and, in many cases, have been circumvented by innovative design and equipment modifications.


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Independent Release
I've been sitting on Concrete Sun's debut album for some time, and in all honesty, I wasn't all that keen to rush reviewing it. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention to it, or I just wasn't really in the mood, but either way, 'Sky Is High' simply didn't grab me in the first couple of spins after receiving it.
But despite this, I persevered, and slowly but surely, Concrete Sun started winning me over, and eventually led to where I am now – in front of my computer listening to the album while writing up a review of their debut effort.
Concrete Sun is proof that Serbia does have something to offer the music scene, even if it is something completely unexpected. And I say unexpected, because while Serbia isn't exactly the kind of place I would expect to find a southern metal based outfit, their take on the southern metal sound is quite well done.
The five piece act (Comprising of vocalist Cerovina Strahinja, guitarists Mijatović Bojan and Živković Budimir, bassist Petrović Strahinja and drummer Topić Miloš) start off the album with the mid-paced 'Just A Beginning', which immediately reveals the extent that Down have influenced the band's overall sound, with traces of Pantera and Godsmack thrown in for some good measure. Strahinja has a great voice, with just enough rasp and character in his vocals to pull off the song's southern sound convincingly (A slight early Layne Staley influence and sound can be heard from Strahinja in places), while the dual guitar work from Bojan and Budimir is solid, without going over the top.
The follow-up track 'Euphoria' shows a little more energy from the band, with the stronger groove elements (Both in terms of riffs and percussion) within the band's song writing coming to the fore, while on 'Last Man Under The Sun' adds a little more diversity amongst the early half of the album with the song evoking a heavy blues/alternative rock feel. Worthy of a mention is the great solo and choruses that are included in this track, which definitely makes the song stand out as one of the album's stand outs.
Both 'D.A.N.U.B.E.' and 'Ruff Song' are energetic hard rockers that seemed rooted more in the classic rock domain, but with a southern edge on the guitar riffs and vocals, while 'Junkyard Dog' and 'God Forsaken Prostitute' owe more to Pantera's 'Cowboys From Hell' (1990) with their stronger emphasis on metallic grooves and aggression.
Finishing up the album is the title track 'Sky Is High', which is perhaps one of the album's more generic and forgettable sounding efforts, and 'Hide Behind', which apart from the Zakk Wylde/Dimebag Darrell sounding guitar squeals, is another fairly average effort.
Concrete Sun are a solid group who know how to write a good song, and deliver southern metal that strikes the perfect balance between aggression, melody and groove. Unfortunately, inconsistencies within the song writing and an obvious sense of familiarity throughout the album do bring 'Sky Is High' down as a whole.
Concrete Sun isn't one of the southern metal's hidden talents, and 'Sky Is High' is far from a perfect release. But at the very least, the band have certainly debuted with a solid release, and proven that Serbia has more to offer than initially thought.
For more information on Concrete Sun, check out - http://www.myspace.com/concretesunns
© Justin Donnelly

subset: commoncrawl


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The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games ratifies the confidence in Tarragona 2018
The volleyball competition will be contested in the Tarraco Arena Plaça (TAP), while rhythmic gymnastics will take place in the Reus Olympic Pavilioncategory: ICMG
The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) ratifies the confidence placed in the project of Tarragona 2018 and claims that the progress made in organisation grants the success of the competition.
In the press conference for assessment the president of the ICMG, Amar Addadi, has expressed his satisfaction for the progress made in the project: "What we have seen these days guarantees the proper conditions to ensure the success of the Games".
The International Committee has also approved changes in the sports calendar that affect the initial proposal. The most important change is that the volleyball competition will finally take place in Tarraco Arena Plaça (TAP), while the venue of the rhythmic gymnastics competition will change from TAP to the Reus Olympic Pavilion.
It has also been made public that the region will host the next general meeting of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, the 12th and 13th of October.


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This little bit of meme magic was meant for a recent Castalia House article that veered off in a different direction than intended. Since it didn't match the new thrust of the article, it has languished, alone and unloved, on my drive. It's really too good not to share, though.
Now might be a good time to sign up for my newsletter. (See the top right sidebar for the link.) You get a free novella, and pretty soon I'll be sharing the artwork for the cover of my next novel pretty soon. It's a bit of a departure from my normal pulp style, but fans of E. Z. Sudden will appreciate it.


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The Indigenous People Trail offers a different experience away from the busier trekking tourist routes,.it is scenic trekking at relatively low elevations, below 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Bounded by mountain peaks to the north, the golden Sun Koshi River to the south, and the Tama Koshi River to the east, this is an unforgettable adventure. Witness magnificent views of the peaks of Annapurna, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Everest, Rowaling and Kanchenjunga mountain ranges and get an insight into culturally diverse groups, including Tamang, Newars, Sherpa, Thamis, and Majhis.
The trail allows you to stay overnight in private homes in traditional villages, far from the commercialized tourist trails. Rooms are simple but well renovated, and families prepare meals to high standards. You will live life as a local and be treated as part of the family in a serene atmosphere. Visitors often get involved in local activities, from cooking classes through to attending traditional weddings or learning the local dance. Unlike commercialized routes, trekkers walk through uninhabited areas and meet few fellow travelers.
Arrive in Kathmandu meet with our representative at the airport and transfers you to a hotel in the Thamel district. The area is a Wi-Fi free zone, so catch up on your emails or social networking, or enjoy the great restaurants, serving food from around the world.
Meet your trekking guide to discuss the program and co-ordinate any last-minute arrangements. You will have time to visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa, Swaymbhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. The rest of the time you can use to explore Thamel and get any shopping for last minute equipment or other necessaries.
You will travel by local bus from Kathmandu to Mudhe and then to Dhunge Village. From Dhunge, it is a short 90-minute climb to Sailung hilltop. Following the short trail down to the Sherpa village of Khola Kharka you will spend the night in the newly established Khola Kharka Community Lodge run by local Sherpa and Tamang people.
At 3,146 meters (10,322-foot), Sailung offers resplendent views of the Annapurna, Manalsu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje-Lhakpa, Rowaling, Everest and Kanchenjunga mountain ranges. The hillside village of Thulo Sailung is regarded by the Tamangs as home to their deity, Sailung Phoi Sibda Karpo, or "White Male Lord of the Earth." Get an insight into their ancient ancestry and role as former border patrollers.
Today's tour descend Sailung Forest for Surkey Village where you will be invited to receive a blessing from the Lamas at Rajveer Monastery. Along the route you will pass through a Sherpa village and a Tamang village, each with their own Buddhist Gompas.
White Male Lord of the Earth." Get an insight into their ancient ancestry and role as former border patrollers.
Prayer flags, chortens and mani stones are scattered along the route. Native trees and birds will demand your attention. The trail continues to the spectacular 40-foot Thinghare Waterfall, then on to the beautifully terraced settlement of Surke.
Experience the Thami cultural programme at Tinghare village before taking lunch at Deurali. You will trek through the Doramba Valley, where the trail traverses along forested hillsides to the terraced fields of Doramba.
It is a leisurely hike that follows the contours of the valley, leading to the bustling Doramba Bazaar, where you can purchase cold drinks, snacks and music cassettes of a local Tamang singer, Shashi Moktan.
Doramba is one of the largest Tamang settlements in Nepal and most of the Thangka painters found in Bhaktapur and Bouddha are originally from this remote village. Enjoy a superb evening of cultural performances before your overnight rest in a Tamang Homestay.
Leaving the Doramba valley, the route ascends to the sacred Hindu shrine of Agleshwari Danda, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalayas and the rolling Mahabharat hills below.
Descend through a local slate mine, past pine forests and emerge at Galpa Bazaar. This bustling center is an ideal place to break for lunch.
In the afternoon you will visit Khandadevi Temple, perched on top of a 1,985-meter (6,512-foot) peak and encircled by ancient stone walls. Dedicated to the Goddess Khada Devi, it was discovered in 1458 AD by a shepherd who saw milk oozing from a sacred stone, said to be an emanation of the Goddess
Rise before dawn to catch the sunrise as you trek towards Hiledevi. The trail navigates through thick and hilly pine forest. You will encounter birds and mammals, as well as the enormous rock that is adorned with an image of Shiva, before emerging at Dhonghme, an ancient Yolmo settlement.
In the evening, you will climb to the summit of Sunapati. Here, amongst the Buddhist Chortens, you will enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Himalayas, before returning to the monastery lodge for an evening of Yolmo culture and an overnight stay.
a Devi, it was discovered in 1458 AD by a shepherd who saw milk oozing from a sacred stone, said to be an emanation of the Goddess.
After another magnificent sunrise, descend to the village of Lubughat on the golden Koshi River. You will be walk along one of the newly renovated eco trails to reach the Sunapati hilltop.
In Lubughat you will meet the Majhi people, renowned for their fishing expertise. You will be invited to join them on a Majhi fishing adventure and barbecue, followed by a cultural demonstration
A 45-minute walk through the valley brings you to Nepalthowk where you will catch the bus for the return drive to Kathmandu.
Say farewell to your fellow trekkers and transfer to Kathmandu airport for your return flight home or onward journey.
The Cost Include(s)
- Standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast,
- Guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley by private vehicle,
- Entry fee at various sightseeing places during Kathmandu valley sightseeing,
- Standard meals. Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner during the trek,
- Home-stay/ community lodge accommodation during the trek,
- English speaking, government licensed guide throughout the trek,
- Travel insurance for our field staff.
- Permit, government taxes and other official expenses,
The Cost Exclude(s)
- All beverages, bar bill and other personal expenses,
- Travel Insurance (Essential with medical evacuation),
- Tips and gratuties.


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How To Improve Eye Sight Naturally? 5 Very Useful Tips
In this article you will find out how to improve eyesight naturally.
Keep Blinking
Frequent and gentle blinking is essential to maintaining healthy eyes and optimal vision because it allows your eyelids to keep your eyes coated with three beneficial layers of tears:
• The first layer of tears lies right up against the whites of your eyes, and provides an even coat of protein-rich moisture for the second layer to adhere to.
• The middle watery layer helps to wash away foreign debris. It also nourishes the cornea of your eyes with minerals, a variety of proteins, and moisture.
• The third outer layer of tears is somewhat oily. It serves to prevent the middle watery layer from evaporating quickly, and provides needed lubrication between your eyes and your eyelids.
If your eyes are not regularly coated with the three layers of tears described above, they will be deprived of ongoing nourishment and cleansing, and they will be unnecessarily strained.
One of the reasons why many of us don't blink as often as we should is that we don't see frequent blinking in mainstream media. Actors and anchor-people are typically trained to blink as infrequently as possible, so when we take in most forms of media, our subconscious minds learn that it isn't normal to blink frequently.
To optimally support your eyes and vision, it's best to blink softly every two to four seconds, which translates to about fifteen to thirty blinks per minute. By consciously making an effort to softly blink at this rate, over time, your body will turn your conscious efforts into a subconscious habit.
Notes On Blinking To Promote Optimal Eye Health And Vision
• Soft and natural blink should occur like the light flap of the wings of a butterfly – this is a good image to visualize as you make an effort to blink softly every two to four seconds.
• You should blink regularly during all activities, including reading, working on the computer, and viewing a TV program or film.
• Contact lenses can discourage frequent blinking because the back side of your eyelids is not designed to rub over an artificial surface. This is one of several good reasons why contact lenses should be avoided whenever possible.
• Some yoga and meditation instructors suggest doing exercises that involve fixating your vision on one object – such as the flame of a candle – and doing your best not to blink. Frequent blinking while doing this type of exercise doesn't take away from the ability to experience inner stillness.
Visual Training
The following techniques are based on these premises: First, that the art of seeing-like other fundamental skills such as talking, walking, and using one's hands-is acquired. Second, this skill is normally learned through unconscious self-instruction in childhood. Third, for many of us in today's pressure-packed world, the only way to keep perfect sight is to practice techniques of conscious eye relaxation. Finally, if the exercises are performed correctly for a sufficient length of time-in conjunction with a proper diet and a physical conditioning program-eyesight will show permanent improvement.
It's best to "palm" while sitting or lying on the floor, with your elbows propped on a cushioned surface. Close your eyes and then cover them with the palms of your hands, crossing the fingers of one hand over those of the other on your forehead.
Don't, however, apply any pressure on the lids with your palms. Ideally, you'll "see" a field of intense blackness, which indicates a state of perfect relaxation. If instead you witness illusions of light, bright color, or patches of grey, you're tense to some degree. However, don't concentrate on trying to "see" blackness, as the effort itself will produce strain. Rather, passively visualize a pleasant memory-one that helps ease your mind-while keeping your shoulders and neck relaxed. The more frequent and lengthy the periods of palming, the more likely you are to school your eyes to reduce muscle tension, with subsequent benefit to your sight.
The article continues on page 2


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A 34-year-old messenger still living at home, Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) dreams of becoming a stand-up comedy star. To force fate's hand, he stalks and kidnaps his idol, the TV talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis). Martin Scorsese's 1983 movie "The King of Comedy" not only told a story but identified a malaise. Call it Pupkinitis.
"The King of Comedy," released by 20th Century Fox on a welcome but murky-looking Blu-ray, is cracked in the most quotidian way — presenting a borderline psychotic whose delusions are mediated by TV and whose talent is basically an unrelenting need for recognition. Although he has never performed for an audience, Pupkin plans to start his career on a show watched by half of America each night.
This obnoxious narcissist inspires more fascination than empathy, although his ambition to rise from humble media consumer to adored media subject is hardly exotic. Mr. De Niro's Travis Bickle nurtured similarly grandiose fantasies in "Taxi Driver." The difference is that Pupkin is us; his pathology hyperbolizes the ambivalent relationship ordinary Americans have with the aristocracy of winners, who live their lives as performers in the public drama that defines our polity.
As a tale of showbiz overreaching, "The King of Comedy" has antecedents as varied as "All About Eve," "A Face in the Crowd" and "Network." More radical is the movie's sense of mass culture as an all-encompassing system — the subject of the purposefully garish proto-Pop Art comedies directed by Frank Tashlin in the 1950s, some of which, not coincidentally, starred Jerry Lewis. Pupkin, whose iridescent polyester sport coats and pencil-line mustache were inspired by a mannequin in a Times Square men's store, is a cartoon comedian. He is also one of Mr. De Niro's greatest creations.
"The King of Comedy" was very much a De Niro show. The actor brought the script, by the Newsweek film critic Paul D. Zimmerman, to Mr. Scorsese in the mid-1970s, although nothing came of it until after Mr. De Niro's heroic performance in "Raging Bull" (1980). If the actor's Pupkin is vividly flat, his foil is unexpectedly three-dimensional: The movie was not conceived for Mr. Lewis, but it is unimaginable without him.
Playing the first serious role of his career — which turns out to be his brusque and exasperated self — the star is an objet trouvé, pure essence of celebrity. The psychological underpinning of Pupkin's designs on Langford's throne is immeasurably deepened by the alarming presence of the 26-year-old Sandra Bernhard as Rupert's fellow autograph hound, Masha, a Langford fan whose sexual obsession with the star makes Rupert's seem almost rational.
Nearly every scene starts as a potential Pupkin fantasy and yet, stocked with celebrities and noncelebrities playing themselves, "The King of Comedy" comes close to documentary fiction — not least in its extended use of improvisation, particularly in the scenes where Pupkin and his date (Mr. De Niro's wife at the time, Diahnne Abbott) invade Langford's Long Island weekend house, or the one in which Ms. Bernhard's high-strung and unpredictable Masha holds Langford captive.
Mr. Lewis was genuinely angry during this sequence, and he wasn't alone. "The King of Comedy" was not a hit. It made people uncomfortable. Pauline Kael concluded a highly unfavorable review by calling the movie "a training film for pests, and worse."
As a journalist then writing a profile of Mr. Scorsese, I attended a number of early screenings, among them opening night at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival and a showing organized for the editors of The New York Times Magazine. The post-mortem that followed that particular screening was irate. The movie was irresponsible — might it not inspire some kook to kidnap Johnny Carson? (That the would-be presidential assassin John Hinckley had been obsessed with "Taxi Driver" gave the question some relevance.)
The star-struck crowd at Cannes, however, was nonplused. Expecting to see a movie in which the most stylish and violent of American filmmakers directed the funniest man in the Gallic world, they got what amounted to a critique of their fandom — a comedy predicated on pain, need and embarrassment — and one of the richest movies of its era.
'Ms .45'
There are eight million stories in the Naked City. Here's another: Raped twice in one day, a mute, mousy seamstress, suggestively named Thana, reinvents herself as a drop-dead glamorous serial killer — of men.
That the fantasy avenger of "Ms .45," Abel Ferrara's 1981 independent feature, out on Blu-ray from Drafthouse, is another Travis Bickle descendant is not surprising. When Mr. Ferrara first emerged from the same downtown milieu that incubated Jim Jarmusch, Madonna and the teenage star of "Ms .45," Zoë Tamerlis Lund, he seemed like a CBGB Scorsese.
Shot in and around the mean streets of the garment district, East Village and SoHo, "Ms .45" is drenched in local color and, released less than four years after Son of Sam terrorized the city, redolent of urban anxiety. "Ms .45" turns "Taxi Driver" on its head. As opposed to chatty Travis, crazy Thana never articulates her desire, even as she self-actualizes in a world of insufferable guys — one of the worst played by her director.
"Ms .45" is lit like a student film and, aside from its star (who is beyond good and evil), characterized by some atrocious acting. Still, as Andrew Sarris once wrote of Edgar G. Ulmer, Mr. Ferrara's "camera never falters." Although it was taken for an eccentric splatter film rather than a midnight movie, "Ms .45" is a highly self-aware mash-up of "Repulsion," "Death Wish" and "Carrie," as well as "Taxi Driver." A riff on "Manhattan" offers further evidence of the filmmaker's goonish savoir-faire.
BASTARDS Claire Denis's neo-noir draws on recent French sex scandals to evoke an atmosphere of overpowering corruption. "The evil here slips into the back seat of chauffeured cars and smiles a dazzling white smile before grasping a child's hand, patting a woman's arm or slipping in a metaphoric knife," Manohla Dargis wrote in The New York Times in October. (Sundance Selects)
HILL STREET BLUES Available in a single 34-disc DVD set: All 144 episodes of the most popular and influential cop series of the 1980s — the forerunner of the busy, layered dramatic series that are 21st-century cable standards. (Shout! Factory)
THE MISHAPS OF MUSTY SUFFER At the height of Chaplinitis, the Ziegfeld Follies star Harry Watson Jr. cast himself as a hapless tramp in a series of comic two-reelers that, in their use of stage makeup and special effects, are as close to newspaper funnies as Sennett-style slapstick. Some 30 "Musty Suffer" movies were made in 1916 and 1917; Ben Model selected and scored eight well-preserved examples for this DVD. (Undercrank Productions)
THE PAWNBROKER Sidney Lumet used montage inspired by Alain Resnais's "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" to address the subject matter of Resnais's "Night and Fog" in his 1964 adaptation of Edward Lewis Wallant's novel of a Jewish concentration camp survivor managing an East Harlem pawnshop — one of the most ambitious Hollywood movies of the early '60s, as well as one of the most New York. (Olive Films)
THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI Drawing largely on archival material, Bill Siegel emphasizes his subject's significance as culture hero and political figure. "The film falls short of explaining Mr. Ali, who, like many outspoken individuals, can stubbornly repel scrutiny, nor will it pacify the many who opposed his conscientious objections," Nicolas Rapold wrote in The Times in August. (Kino Lorber)


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Date - 08/02/2017
Is it possible to provide us with an estimate of costs so far to The Pensions Regulator (TPR) arising from the Silentnight case? I see this case has been long and involved lawyers.
I would like to know what the costs have been since to TPR associated with this case, from beginning to present day.
I am aware that the scheme went into pre-pack administration in 2011.
I can confirm that we hold the information you have requested. However, we are unable to supply some of the information requested for the reason set out below.
Information we are able to supply
I can confirm that the external costs incurred on the Silentnight anti-avoidance case up to the 19 January 2017 are as follows:
- total external expenditure £1,405,485 (including VAT)
With regard to the internal costs associated to the Silentnight case, when proceeding with an investigation and any subsequent regulatory action we rely heavily on our internal resources. We do not at this time break down the cost of our internal resources at the level of individual cases. Our case management process allocates internal resources flexibly on a basis of need, as each case moves forward, to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the experts we have in-house, who may be attached to a number of cases.
Information we are not able to supply
We also hold costs information relating to the judicial review challenge of the Silentnight case, that was recently reported on in the media and via a press release we issued. However, this information is exempt from disclosure under section 31(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) as it is not yet complete and it is likely to be the subject of future costs recovery negotiations and / or proceedings. We consider that disclosure of the incomplete costs information we hold in relation to the judicial review proceedings might prejudice TPR's ability to recover all relevant amounts from the claimants in those proceedings.
Public interest test
The exemption at section 31(1)(c) of the FoIA is a qualified exemption which requires a public interest test be carried out. The 'public interest' means the 'public good' and not just what is of interest to the public or the private interests of particular requesters.
As a public body there is very strong interest in the work we do and how we use the funds available to us, but also there is a strong public interest in our ability to recover costs back into the public purse through the appropriate legal process. Any disclosure that would hinder or prejudice the ability to do so would not be in the public interest which places importance in the overall cost efficiency of public bodies. It would not be in the public interest for TPR to have to defend any discrepancy between the amount of costs disclosed into the public domain via this request and any costs amount that TPR might legitimately seek to recover from the claimants in due course. We have applied the exemption to withhold costs information in order to enable us to undertake the appropriate legal process without the prejudice that we consider would be likely to occur from this disclosure.
Therefore, whilst there is interest at the current time in the level of external expenditure in this case the overriding public interest lies in maintaining the exemption under section 31(1)(c) and withholding this part of the information you have requested.
We are therefore unable to supply this information on this occasion.


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Growing a rainbow
Ever thought about growing your own rainbow? Here's how….Read More
The adventures of a London allottmenteer growing and eating seasonally
Ever thought about growing your own rainbow? Here's how….Read More
Earlier this year I decided that this was going to be The year I became an accomplished carrot grower! Sounds funny I know, and its not exactly in my top three life goals, but I've never quite mastered growing a good carrot which bothered me! After a slow start and a few failed attempts the […]Read More
No matter what kind of tomato you like to grow…big, small, red, yellow, striped or black, the choice is yours and it's endless. Whether you grow them indoors or outdoors, you can almost hear a unanimous cry from every grow your own devote on the planet that tomatoes are 'THE' thing that you just cannot […]Read More


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Faith + Support = Fight + Strength.
1a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty lost faith in the company's presidentb (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions acted in good faith
2a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religionb (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof clinging to the faith that her missing son would one day return (2) : complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs the Protestant faith
: the quality or state of being strong : capacity for exertion or endurance: power to resist force : solidity, toughness: power of resisting attack : impregnability
I have just shown you the dictionary meaning of Faith and Strength. I've attempted to use an algebra variant in the title of this blog. F + S = FS and that's what the title to this particular blog is tellling us. It is algebra. I hated algebra in school. Why? It had zero context for me, on it's own merits. I needed a 'real world' adoption for these fearful letters to make sense to me.Those 'find x' questions still haunt me to this day. Oh how, way back then, I would grab my HB pencil and cheekily scribble 'found it' and wrap a circle around it. Of course, during my helicopter flight training and whilst studying the theory of flight for same, I had to revisit this merky world of algebra and to be fair to myself, I duly did. At the end of the day, my newly found interest in finding X stopped me running out of helicopter fuel and also helped explain the hover properties of rotary flight in one of my written theory (flight) exams. In essence, my mind needed and indeed required a strong correlation for my algebra to work and indeed make sense to me.
And that's my point here, I need all this to link or the Murf Mathematical Fuse would simply go pop again.
This is now my 14th consecutive day in hospital, all of course under the watchful eye of a very caring and expert oncology team here in the Bon Secours, Dublin. Between me and you, and the comfort and privacy of my own hospital room here as I type this, I should be going stir crazy. That's me saying this, not you. What, with lots of time on my hands, my mind should be regularly chasing and racing, totally. But it is not.
It's back to that correlation thing. I need a reference point and I have it... Faith.
It's OK, I'm not going to force some mystical notion upon us all here. You see, your reason for WHY your mind ticks the way it does, is just as important and valid as mine. As I have mentioned here in this forum before, I will hold my hand up and profess not to be part of a regular mass goer contingent, but don't take that the wrong way. On the flip side, I can equally hold my other hand up and profess to have, what I would consider to have a meaningful faith. St Pio as you are probably aware, is never far from my mind and to be fair, this has been the case with me over the past number of years. It's not just one of those situations 'In Emergency Break Class'. I don't do knee jerk philosophy and never did and I've no intention in starting now.
Watchful Eye:
For my past 14 hospital bound night's, I do find a lot of solace in having St. Pio and of course my dear late Mam (Ann Murphy) in the very front of my mind. All I ask of my spiritual mentors is that I be 'kept an eye on' as I sleep (as I do peacefully) and give me and my intoxicated body the headspace (faith) and strength that I need in dealing with all that is going on. So what happens then?
Cognisant of this, I get to close my eyes, relax and enjoy a beautiful sleep. Can the demons come? Of course they can (and do) and they do of course very sneakily, carry their own access key to my inner sanctum. The trick here for me, is to mindfully try and remain one step ahead of this perceived darkness. Yes, it is perceived. At times like this, I do pull on my faith and of course it's a massive help. Last night, as I sank into my night sleep, I murmured the following words over and over and over again: "St. Pio, Mum, please mind me and watch over me tonight, St. Pio, Mum, please mind me and watch over me tonight, St. Pio, Mum, please mind me and watch over me tonight.." and with that, I nod off very peacefully into the still of the night, still repeating those words, as my mouth and mind interlock seamlesssy in gaining and of course giving me peace and a much wanted allowable rest.
But guess what ? Although I consider Faith to be a pivotal point with my current battle, it's vital for me to turn and salute it's sister word 'Support'. The unwavering strength of given support etched into the hearts and eyes of my family, namely my dear wife Alison, daughter Aoife (my 9yr old little legend) and my amazing inlaws. Support 'beacon' like properties can also be seen in the eyes of my closest friends and trusted lieutenants. I have an amazing tight network of geniune and unrelenting friends. A lot of what these amazing, extremely generous and geniune friends have done for me and indeed are very busy currently doing is happening strictly behind the scenes for my small family and will never be made public. This is not public news and that is correct. It is private and has to be respectfully respected if that indeed makes sense. In the name of Fantastic Friends !!
The balance (if I may call it that) is what rests on my own personal shoulders. Yes, it is indeed a weight for me, but I see it as a weight of a ring of steel. All all encompassing silent hand that is waiting in the wings with a wanting pride to lead me in the right direction. This strength (if I may call it that), I find it so right, so perfect and indeed so reliant. This strength is surely grown from my faith and of course the mammoth support I just spoke about.
If I were ever asked for an epitaph, it would have to be simply:
"I am grateful"
...because I am.(Click email address to say hello, securely).


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Construction Mortgage
This mortgage is for you if:
- you want to have a home designed and built to suit your style
- you'll need funds advanced during the construction period
- you have your eye on a building lot or already own one
- you're prepared to work with a designer and builder
For members who are looking to build their own home or to engage in large-scale home renovations or expansions, we offer flexible mortgage financing through our progressive draw construction mortgages.
Building a home can be a complicated venture but financing it doesn't have to be.
How It Works
Get advances to pay for building costs. Funds are distributed typically in 3-6 stages (known as draws) throughout the construction period. While construction lasts, you are responsible for interest-only payments. The typical stages are:
- Purchase of land
- Foundation: site set-up, excavation, drainage and piping, and slab construction
- Framing: wall frames, roof trusses, roughing in, plumbing water, plumbing gas, electrical and wrap
- Lock-up: windows, doors, roofing, drywall, insulation, wiring and plumbing
- Completion: exterior and interior finishing
After the home is built and ready to occupy, the construction mortgage is converted to a conventional mortgage. That's how we're keeping it simple.
Key Features
- Available for owner-occupied or rental/investment properties
- Maximum lending is 80% of appraised value (based on land value and approved plans)
- Maximum amortization is 25 years
- Maximum construction term is 12 months
Protection Options
Types of Protection
- Mortgage life insurance: helps your family retain your home if you (or your co-borrower) die before the mortgage is paid off.
- Disability coverage: ensures that your mortgage payment will be made in the event you are ill, or injured, or unable to perform your usual job.
- Loss of employment: ensures that your mortgage payments will be made should you become involuntarily unemployed.
- Critical illness: pays off your mortgage balance in full if you are diagnosed with life-threatening cancer or suffer a heart attack or stroke.
What You'll Need
What You'll need
If you decide to build your own dream home, we are happy to help! Applying for a construction mortgage is simple, but you'll need to be at least 19 years of age in order to sign all the legal stuff.
Here is the information we'll need to get started:
- Income Verification
- Proof of down payment
- Building plans
- Detailed cost estimate/budget of the project
Additional documents required prior to approval:
- Copy of building permits
- Statement showing available equity to start construction
- All other necessary project permits (septic, water, etc.)
- Members building their own homes will require course of construction insurance
- Full appraisal of plans and specifications
- Contractor's HPO accreditation (HPO builder registry)
- HPO owner builder authorization
- Title Insurance
- New Home Warranty insurance
- Copy of all project contracts
This list of documents is a basic starting point and may not include everything needed to determine the mortgage requirements of your unique situation. Our mortgage advisors will inform you if any other document is necessary to proceed with your application.
Ready to apply? Applying for a mortgage with us is easy!
Applying for a mortgage online just takes a few minutes and just four easy steps!
In Person
If you're more comfortable coming in to see us, we'd be happy to open a new account for you or make changes to your existing account with us.
By Phone
If you'd like to call us, here is a complete list of our branch and insurance office numbers.


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Shawna - posted on 06/03/2009 ( 20 moms have responded )
Is it wrong to have a shower for baby #2? I really don't "need" much. A duo stroller & new swing but I have everything else. Should I allow family/friends to throw a little party?
Shawna - posted on 06/03/2009 ( 20 moms have responded )
Is it wrong to have a shower for baby #2? I really don't "need" much. A duo stroller & new swing but I have everything else. Should I allow family/friends to throw a little party?
User - posted on 06/04/2009
Hi, Oh yes! I had showers with both my kids and i hope to have one with this pregnancy. I dont know of any "rules" of not having a shower for the rest of your pregnancies. I may be wrong though, but they really helped me. After each of my kids i gave all the stuff away so i had to start new each time. So it does help! enjoy the party and getting spoiled! You're allowed to when you're pregnant. :-)
Amber - posted on 09/29/2009
my mom had showers with all 5 babies! a shower isnt like a housewarming party...its to welcome each baby into the family and show support to the mom. women need to be supported through the other pregnancies just as much as the first! you dont stop having birthday parties after the first one right?
Leslie - posted on 03/13/2012
If you don't need much Ive heard of having a diaper party where guests bring you diapers or a book party for children's books. It still allows for a get together and you get useful gifts.
Barb - posted on 02/22/2012
I was just told family would help out in anyway they could and gifts when they saw the baby. Wish I could have another especically if this baby is a boy. Can you just send out inviations and have yourself or should be done by someone else. I don't know anyone personally who had to? How does it work? Or how has it worked for you? I willl need so much if this baby isn't a girl it would be nice! Lucky take adventage of it! Thinking about having a get together in second trimester not asking for anything if anyone wants to get something for baby they can. I feel bad having a baby shower when my daughter is 2 and I am 3 months pregnant.
Darlene - posted on 02/20/2012
Just my opinion, but showers are really ok for just the first pregnancy. After that, it's like you are expecting gifts. If someone wants to give you a gift they will. Come on people...stop the nonsence. I've had five children and only one shower as etiquette dictates. Where have people's manner gone?
And, I always give a gift to all of my friends no matter what number baby it is. But because I want to, not because I was invited to a shower. It's more meaningful that way too.
Nikki - posted on 10/28/2009
having a shower for you and the baby helps you celebrate whether you need a lot or nothing. have a party and get spoiled its a day for you to enjoy and put your feet up with kind words and special gifts.
enjoy it every baby not just the first
Melissa - posted on 10/24/2009
YES! You'll feel super guilty if you don't have a babyshower for your second baby anyway. Let your family and friends have their fun if they want to. I never had a shower for my second daughter because the two girls were so close together. Now ... I feel guilty and resent my family for refusing to throw a shower.
Tasheka - posted on 10/24/2009
i don't see why you shouldn't have another baby shower......my family was like so against me having a baby shower for my 2nd (a girl 1st was a boy) they didn't even buy anything....so yea it was a huge dissappointment i went home a cried afterwards....just make sure that when you do it that you don't get your hopes that far up to where you get crushed if someone refuses to come..... i'm now pregnant with my 3rd (liveborn 4th pregnancy) and like my neighbor wants to throw a shower but idk i might just go with the meet and greet after the baby is done.... goodluck though i hope you enjoy your shower !! they are always sooo much fun !!!!
Shameron - posted on 10/21/2009
We have decided to have a baby party instead of a baby shower. My fiance and all of our friends male and female are going to be there. We are going to celebrate the upcoming birth of our boy, however we have told everyone in advance that we would just like them there. Gifts are not needed, however if they do want to get us something diapars are always appreciated.
Amy - posted on 10/20/2009
Absolutely!!! We as Moms don't get to be spoiled very often, so let it happen. Showers for subsequent kiddos are called sprinklings instead of showers, because just like you said that you don't need a ton, your family and friends can just sprinkle you with gifts. Congrats on your newest one coming soon!
Dominique - posted on 10/05/2009
thanks for the question, was worried about the same thing, preg with nuber 3 (first being twins now 3) but i think now after reading these why on earth not..lol. Good luck with your new arrival
Kris - posted on 10/03/2009
A lot of my friends who aren't mothers said I am wrong, but I don't see the problem. I gave away my daughter's stuff and need things for the new one. I say go ahead!!!!
Ashley - posted on 09/28/2009
i think those are OLD rules. i say its fine to have a 2nd shower. we are not living back in the day so unless u invite all old people im sure that people will come and have a good time.
Annette - posted on 09/14/2009
My 2nd will be just 18 months yonger then my first, so I questioned the same thing, and really didn't need much either. My family and close friends decided to throw me a "Diaper and Wipes" shower- which was a huge blessing! I received diapers for the new little one, plus ones for my son now, plus some people still got clothing and other gifts.
Robyn - posted on 09/13/2009
Yes!! i have a 6 year old and now havin a new baby let them throw u a party, get some extra gifts let them spoil you
Robin - posted on 08/18/2009
I just had my son 8 mo ago and now preggo again, I was talking to my hubby and told him that I dont want to be greedy so why dont we have like a meet and greet after the baby is born and provide some desert, I think its not the babys fault that its number 2 and deserves just as much celebration, the other thing I am going to say is that hand me downs are welcome but not gifts its just a celebration.
That is just what we are doing
Cathi - posted on 07/17/2009
Yes!! Four things about being preggo (and probably a few more) that's awesome is the 2nd trimester, pampering, the baby shower and your bundle of joy.
Don't feel guilty for not having a shower just because you don't need much. The fellowship with your friends and family is something a woman NEEDS and not to mention the attention and excitement to encourage you for the days you don't feel well. Besides, your shower host can even have a theme that asks guests to bring gift cards as shower gifts so you can purchase things you will want/need later on, or can bring money to begin a savings or investment for your child's future. Definatly cannot go wrong there :) :)
Best wishes to you.
Seairra - posted on 06/11/2009
I'm having a shower, but my son is 5 so I don't Have ANY baby things at all. So I am definatly having a second shower.
Libby - posted on 06/05/2009
I'm on baby #4 (#3 living child) and I have had a baby shower for #1, a small party of a few friends and family for #2, and my mom plans on giving me a 30th birthday party/baby shower for this next baby because we are having a girl and only have boy stuff. For me I have a few different friends than I had 5 & 7 years ago when I had my boys, so I think those friends, plus a few close friends and family members will be the ones we invite to this last shower (we are done having children).
Sarah - posted on 06/05/2009
I agree with Sharon... I had one with both of my other children and hope to get another one this time. My kids are spaced out pretty well, oldest is 7 and youngest is 4, so we also gave away most of the essentials including crib, car seat, strollers, high chair... pretty much everything with the exception of a few clothes. Even if you dont need that much, its still an excuse to have a party and have fun with family and friends!! This baby will never be "born" again, so have fun!!! I dont think its against any kind of etiquette, and even if it is, there are so many other moms doing it that it may be outdated.
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My Husband is Incarcerated – Living as a Prison Wife (2-7)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS
Judee Reeves wrote in 1994, "Families of inmates have been called the "hidden victims of crime" (Carlson & Cervera, 1992, p.5). When a crime is committed, there are victims other than the primary victim(s). These secondary victims include the families of the primary victim and another often overlooked group of victims — family members of the person who has committed the crime. The families of inmates are often overlooked in research and in designing social programs, yet many suffer devastating consequences as a result of a loved one's incarceration."
Host, Matt Duhamel speaks with Heather who's husband James is incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit. She lives as a 'prison wife' everyday but explains that she is blessed and happy to be married to such a loving man. Join us for this two-part podcast series about spouses behind bars.
Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March
InterNational Prisoner's Family Conference
Hope For James – Raising Attorney Fees


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Regulators are monitoring an illegal practice called front-running
Trust is the main thrust behind nearly everything in life.
Even the simplest of transactions has an element of trust in it; for example, anyone buying fresh milk expects a certain amount of freshness or quality in the product. Trust then becomes a capital cost if it is broken or misused. In the financial markets, trust capital is very significant and is the core to many deals. However, trust is often misplaced or misused.
Zooming into a particular area of misused trust, regulators are scrutinising the illegal practice of profiting from advance information from a client or clients. A specific area which is being focused on is known in the financial industry as 'front-running', which is akin to insider trading.
A stockbroker or analyst is said to be front-running if he takes advantage of his prior knowledge of pending orders from his clients for a stock, and then places orders on that stock for his own account first. What the front-running stockbroker or analyst does is either to buy the stock for his own account before filling customer "buy" orders that would drive up the stock's price, or sells for his own account before filling customer "sell" orders that drive down its price.
In either case, acting on such prior knowledge of customers' orders clearly gives the stockbroker or analyst in question the upper hand, since he can expect to close its position at a profit at the expense of his clients.
Capitalising on information to which one has been entrusted in the course of one's duties is not only illegal, but unethical and bad for business.
In the United States, brokers who indulge in such an errant practice have been convicted for violating the country's securities trading laws. In 1985, for example, a writer for the Wall Street Journal tipped off US stockbrokers about what he was going to write in his column 'Heard On The Street'. The brokers traded upon the information he had provided. The author of the article and these stockbrokers were eventually prosecuted by none other than federal lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, who went on to become the mayor of New York City. Giuliani succeeded, and their convictions were later upheld by the US Supreme Court.
In our region, there was a recent case of front-running; two analysts working in two different firms were writing recommendations on the same stock. Both of them put a "buy" note on that stock, recommended that their respective clients buy that stock, and once they got the orders from their clients, they themselves quickly purchased the stocks in their personal accounts before the clients.
These analysts knew for sure that the stock was going to move up due to the size of the buy orders they received from their clients.
The plot thickens. The analysts in the competing firms are actually husband and wife.
As the couple released their recommendations to their international clients and once the broking houses received the buy orders, the wife started to buy up the stocks concerned.
The husband then promoted the same stock to his clients, and his wife would profit unfairly by selling her positions to the unknowing clients. May I remind you that these analysts and stockbrokers are employed by reputable institutions, and this is the only reason that they are receiving trade orders.
There have been numerous landmark cases on front-running in Asia. Another glaring example also happened in South-East Asia.
In 2011, two trader analysts, again who were husband and wife, were caught front-running. The wife had tipped her husband off about certain deals, but was caught in the act of doing so. That was the first time that anyone in that country had been arrested for such front-running. The Attorney-General's Chambers wanted to set a precedent with this case, and so appealed to the Court of Appeal for a stiffer sentence, including a jail term, for the couple. But in the end, the court upheld the lower court's decision to slap a fine on the couple.
Of course, it is usually difficult to prove conclusively that someone is front-running.
It can happen anytime, across the board and under many varying circumstances. Also, it is very hard for regulators to keep track of individual transactions, given how swift trading is and the huge amount of money involved in the market day after day.
However, with a whistle-blowing policy in place, many firms are now encouraging staff to report front-running behaviour. For example, in the case of the husband and wife analysts, the staff overheard the wife speaking to her husband about all the front-running orders that she had placed ahead of the clients.
The staff then reported this information to the authorities, which resulted in the couple being blacklisted.
For the astute investor, one possible way to detect front-running – look at the price of a stock when your order is placed, volume transacted at each price, and how much of that stock is being moved in the market since the time of your order. Such tracking will give you an idea of how volatile the stock price is.
Broadly speaking, sharp spikes in the stock price could indicate that something might be amiss.
For all the challenges that regulators face in keeping an eye on stocks in fast-moving markets, they are beefing up their surveillance to discourage such manipulations and front-running. Indeed, it won't be long before the Attorney-General's Chambers achieve their preferred and much needed stiffer precedent.


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We all remember the very famous "Janta maaf nahi Karegi" advts. by #BJP which were made to show us how 'We', the 'Janta' won't forgive those who did not give us a good governance.
Being super emotional public, we all actually did not forgive the Congress government and voted happily and heavily for #BJP. But with this great quality of being emotional, we Indians are also good at one more thing and that is 'getting fooled'.
Yes we understood from the advt that we should not vote for the one who did not work for us. But we were fooled by just ignoring the fact that how the ones who will be elected will help us to come out of these problems.
It's time we should rewind and remember why we did not forgive the last government. It's time we should make our PM Narendra Modi remind of the fake promises he did during the election campaigns!
Dear Mr. Narendra Modi,
Modiji, we followed you blindly when you said, 'Ab ki baar Modi Sarkar' and trust me we will follow you blindly again this time when you are saying 'Ab ki baar Bedi Sarkaar'. But! before that can you answer these questions that we have for you?
Modiji Do you remember this 'Mother', who was worried about her daughter? Do you remember that you asked her to say it on camera that she will not forgive the people who did not give safety to her daughter? If you do, then you might also remember how you promised her that her daughter will be taken care of only if she votes for you. And she did! But do you know whose mother is she? She is the mother of the 27 year old lady who got raped in a cab on 5th December 2014 in Delhi, the same place where you operate from. She is the mother of all those girls who were raped, thrown acids on or murdered for dowry in your country after you were elected as a PM by her.
Do you have an answer for her now?
No…I am sure you don't have an answer for this mother but if she asks you the question again and again, you will rather divert her attention to your 'Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan'. You might even end up taking a selfie along with her while cleaning a road in Delhi. We agree, we need a clean country and we all support you for this noble cause but before getting clean roads can we get clean minds? Before showing respect to our lifeless monuments by not peeing or spitting on them can we show some respect to the living girls of our country by not raping and teasing them?
Now here's one more face for you to recollect and remember Modi ji! This was your advt. run in Maharashtra. Do you remember him? Please!! Come on! at least try to remember him! I know how hard it might be for you to remember him after meeting so many people in so many countries in just a few months.
Let me remind you Modi ji! He is the torch bearer of your 'Make in India' campaign! Ohh! you don't believe me because your 'Make in India' campaign has some well-known faces like 'Ambani' and 'Adani' and not a poor farmer?
You are trying hard to convince the NRIs to invest in India. And for that you are even bribing them by giving goodies like 'Visa on arrival'. But can you please have a look at the people who are already investing their hard earned money in India. These people are the poor farmers who grow food for you and for all of us to live but unfortunately they have to die by committing suicide as you remember them only on elections.
There are many more questions Modi ji! The questions, which were raised by you but were never answered. The questions that you asked the Congress government but act deaf when asked to the BJP government. The questions which are buried under the 'Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan' and 'Make in India' project.
Its high time that you start delivering Mr. Prime Minister or else "Janta Maaf nahi Karegi".


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Ideal places for watching lotus flowers in Hanoi
In late May, early June, most of lotus ponds in Hanoi start to bloom. If you want to watch or take amazing photos with lotus flowers, here are the best places for you.
Top 9 the most beautiful parks in Hanoi
There are about 70 parks and flower gardens in Hanoi, of which Hoa Binh Park, Thong Nhat, Thu Le, Yen So, Nghia Do Park,… are listed in the top 9 most beautiful parks in the capital city.
Top 7 must-visit destinations for travelers to enjoy Hanoi nightlife (Editor's...
Although Hanoi nightlife is not active as Ho Chi Minh City, discovering nightlife is also an exciting experience you should not miss in the capital city. For visitors who want to enjoy Hanoi nightlife, these destinations are the best suggestions.
Top 5 destinations for kids in Hanoi
If you are planning to travel Hanoi with kids, it is essential to look for some destinations where both you and your children can enjoy. Here are some places you can go:
Top attractions to go in Hanoi suburban
If you want to escape from the noise, hustle and bustle in the inner city, traveling to some destinations in the city's suburban is a great suggestion for you. With convenient transportation system, you can easily visit the Hanoi's suburban attractions without wasting too much time and money.
Tips for first-time visitors in Hanoi
Hanoi is not only famous for beautiful landscapes, delicious foods but also for hospitable people and unique cultural features. That's why there are more and more foreigners traveling Hanoi every year. If you are planning to visit Hanoi in the near future, these are some useful tips for you.
10 reasons why tourists "head over heels in love" with Hanoi...
Hanoi walking street is becoming ideal place for tourists and Hanoians in the weekend with a lot of exciting activities, traditional games and arts. Here are 10 reasons why travelers especially foreign tourists "head over heels in love" with Hanoi walking streets.
Ideal Places To Enjoy Autumn Near Hanoi
When temperature becomes less blistering, autumnal breeze begins to blow and leaves turns yellow, autumn has come to Hanoi. Autumn is considered as the most beautiful and romantic season of Hanoi. West lake, Hoan Kiem lake, Hoang Hoa Tham street or some Hanoi ancient villages all are the ideal places to enjoy autumn in the inner city of Hanoi. For those who want escape from the noise and bustle of the city, these destinations will be great suggestion for you.
Ancient villages you should visit in Hanoi
The quite, peaceful and ancient scenery maybe is the first impression of tourists when arriving Hanoi's ancient villages.
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is one of the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting attractions in Hanoi and Vietnam.


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Utah Permanent Makeup Eyeliner Before And After
Various Benefits Of Permanent Cosmetics Permanent make-up refers to a form of tattooing in which colored pigments are inserted into the upper layer of the skin. A variety of tattooing methods are used for this form of tattooing. It is also known by the name of cosmetic tattooing or micro-pigmentation. There are a number of … Continue reading Utah Permanent Makeup Eyeliner Before And After
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Berit Tops
Small Business Owner and Consultant in Karlslunde Strand, Danmark
It is all about BALANCE! Balance is well-being. In your life and at work.
I help people find that balance. And I help companies develop a strategic and holistic approach to sustainable people- and process management.
I am passionate about leveraging resources through Balanced Leadership thereby creating a sustainable approach to PEOPLE and Process Management. I work with a real-life approach using + 20 years PHARMA business experience.


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Since that time, it has been decided to switch counts from the 2020 high as being a Minute wave [iv] of Minor 1 peak instead of Minor 2 price peak. That may or may not be the case depending on what the market continues to do and any potential further degree of selling pressure.
The only requirement is that the indices make lower lows under the 24 August lows. That has already happened on the GDOW for instance. The Wilshire 5000 is close also. The SP 500 is close.
So far the subwaves since the 2020 rebound peak do not yet count as 5 waves down.


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I'm very grateful that it's taken until late November this year to see ice on the ground, but the time is here. As a result, I'm obviously in a constant state of Los Angeles-based daydream. As the KCRW Art Talk email came in today, I saw a short review of a great looking gallery show. So, preempting the eating festivities, here are a few shows in LA I wish I could see.
1. Kristen Everberg at 1301PE, a gallery I've had my eye on for a bit. It was great to get a reminder, especially from the venerable Edward Goldman. The artist was inspired by the house of Ingmar Bergman, and the paintings certainly have that ephemeral, slightly eerie quality I enjoyed in his 1966 film, Persona.
2. Njideka Akunyili Crosby at the Hammer Museum at UCLA, one of the few free museums in LA. Their programming is widespread and impressive, and this is a giant collage show examining African and American culture by an African ex-pat. I would love to see it...
3. OUTSIDE/IN by LeBasse Projects at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. When I lived in LA, LeBasse had a gallery space, but has moved on to do collaborative alternative art projects around the world. It's definitely worth keeping tabs on the projects, but they still have a big presence in LA, and this survey of Street Art in Pasadena is HUGE.
4. I'll finish up with a traditional: New Objectivity: Modern German Art in the Weimar Republic, 1919–1933 at LACMA. I've recently been drawn to Max Beckmann, especially around the 20's, and this show includes a lot of lesser-known artists around the same time, which is a fascinating era of history no matter who is making art about it. Also, revisiting pre-WWII cultural perspectives might be particularly relevant, given the world's current political situation.
Trying to keep it light so I'll lay off, but stay safe and loving this season, and if you must go out on Friday, stay local and don't trample anyone.


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This inspiring workshop will help you to unlock the secrets of capturing great landscape photos and provide you with skills necessary to develop you interest in this are further. The workshops are conducted onsite at various locations giving you a chance to learn in real life situations, locations are chosen to ensure that you will have the opportunity to capture something special whilst maintaining a chance to learn.
During the workshop we will develop your skills in a number of areas critical to successful Landscape Photography:
- Composition - learning what to include or exclude from your images
- Seeing the light by learning to see and predict what impact the light is going to have on a landscape.
- Setting up your camera with the best settings and modes to use for landscape photography
- Setting up and using tripods
- Tips and tricks for planning landscape photography outings
Landscape photography can be a very fulfilling experience, especially when you are able to capture that quintessential photo that portrays the moment and environment as you experienced it. Come along to this workshop bringing your desire to learn and a sense of adventure, your landscape skills will develop quickly in our fun and relaxed atmosphere.


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Course description
This is an anytime, anywhere online video training. As soon as you enroll, you will have instant access to the recorded training and can watch over any Internet connection, on your own schedule, as often as you like.
Making Friends with Funders:
What Grantmakers Want Every Grantseeker to Know ... Before Submitting a Proposal!
Make no mistake about it: Grantseeking is a people-driven process. And key to your success is the grantmakers themselves - the people who make the decisions about awards from corporate, foundation, and government sources.
But who are these people? How do we connect with them? And what do they want from us, anyway?
Being a grantmaker isn't as easy as you might think. In this lively session, I'll pull from my own grantmaking experience (and that of dozens of other private and public program officers, reviewers and decision-makers) to give you a realistic, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create funder relationships that are authentic, high-integrity . . . and that work for you. We'll pull back the curtain on the realities of life as a grantmaker – and what your proposal is really up against "on the other side." You'll learn what grantmakers love, what makes them grumpy—and how you can be sure you're delivering what they really, really want, every time!
Your takeaways:
- Know what grantmakers really want most of all in the whole wide world – as organizations and as individuals ...
- Know what it means to "think through the grantmaker's eyes"
- Understand the reality of challenges that program officers and review teams face in their decision-making
- Know the "Four Keys to Persuasive Proposals" – and how each connects with the reader's own personal sense of purpose
- Through a role-play exercise, learn by first-hand experience how a proposal makes a good or bad first impression in just a few seconds – and why
- Learn about the three Powerhouse Proposal Sections that must pull their own weight - and then some! - for your proposal to work
- Understand the principle of limited mental energy and how it applies to the choices we make in crafting our proposals
- Along the way we'll bust a myth or two ... you'll meet my friend Grumpy Grantmaker ... you'll learn about the 12-12-Scenario ... you'll be introduced to The Systematic Proposal Buzz-Phrase Synthesizer ... and much, much more. Come prepared for surprises and "aha!s" - and a whole lot of powerful takeaways you can put to work in your own grantseeking ... right away.
Contents of Video 1 (Run-Time: 24:08)
- The Power of 3-D Thinking: A Warm-Up Exercise
- The Grantsmanship Game: Playing to Win
- Who Do We Mean by "Grantmakers," Anyway? (It's Not as Obvious As You Might Think)
- The Grantmaker's Mission: "Make No Mistake ..."
Contents of Video 2 (Run-Time: 29:54)
- "Thinking" Through the Grantmaker's Eyes
- What Are We Up Against?
- The 12-12-12 Scenario
- What Grantmakers Really, Really Want Most of All in the Whole Wide World
- Let's Talk About Relationships
- Four Keys to "Persuasive" Proposals
- Bonus Key: The "E" Factor
Contents of Video 3 (Run-Time: 31:08)
- You Be the Grantmaker: A Role-Playing Exercise
- The 30-Second Rule in Two Parts
- Three Tools for Rock-Solid Project and Proposal Planning: The One-Page Grant Proposal Worksheet; The Crack-the-Code Proposal Cheat Sheet; and The Bottom-Up Logic Model
- Proposal Powerhouses: The Summary; the Issue Statement; and the Outcomes Statement
Contents of Video 4 (Run-Time: 22:05)
- ... But What About the Writing? - The Golden Rule
- Ten Keys to Effective Writing
- Just for Fun: The Systematic Proposal Buzz Phrase Synthesizer
- "Eight Qualities of Exemplary Proposals"
- "The Inner Secrets of Successful Proposals"
- Putting It Into Action
Five-star reviews for "Making Friends with Funders"!
Reviews (14)
Helped me understand the grant maker, and my role as well
Loaded with Helpful Tips
Making Friends with Funders
Making Friends with Funders
Making friends with Funders
I'm bristling with excitement over this course!
Incredibly useful information!
Making Friends with Funders
MAKING FRIENDS WITH FUNDERS: What Grantmakers Want Every Grantseeker to Know ... Before Submitting a Proposal!
Helped me understand the grant maker, and my role as well
Loaded with Helpful Tips
Making Friends with Funders
Making Friends with Funders
Making friends with Funders
I'm bristling with excitement over this course!
Incredibly useful information!
Making Friends with Funders
MAKING FRIENDS WITH FUNDERS: What Grantmakers Want Every Grantseeker to Know ... Before Submitting a Proposal!
Over her 20+-year career in the nonprofit world, Maryn has been an on-staff program developer and grantwriter; a independent grants consultant (winning more than $42 million for her clients over 10 years); a grants project manager; a grants trainer; a grants reviewer, author, speaker, mentor and coach; and - for the past 10 years - even a grantmaker.
This done-it-all background gives her the unique 3-D "insider's" perspective she brings to the practical and inspiring trainings on healthy, successful grantsmanship that she has been blessed to share with thousands of nonprofits of every size, nationally and internationally as well.
GrantsMagic U, launched in fall 2015, is the "virtual academy" she created to make her extensive portfolio of grantsmanship trainings available (and affordable!) for anyone, anytime, anywhere.
GrantsMagic U is an Approved Continuing Education Provider for both the Grant Professionals Certification (GPC) and Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials.
Since 2006 Maryn has also been "in the grantmaker's chair," managing up to $2 million annually in grantmaking for K-12 education in the Southwest.
She considers herself a dual citizen in the grants world, and may be the only person currently holding membership in both GPA (Grant Professionals Association, for grantseekers) and GEO (Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, for grantmakers).
Every hour of GrantsMagic U training qualifies as 1 credit toward CFRE and GPC continuing-education and certification requirements.
Maryn Boess


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A volunteer has urged more men to join a mentoring scheme he believes could have saved him from gang violence as a teenager.
Vilas Sedov, of Thornbury Avenue, Osterley, was just 12 when his mother separated from his abusive alcoholic father.
With no one to turn to outside his family, he fell in with several gangs and frequently found himself involved in violent street clashes before turning his life around.
Now a 23-year-old supply chain analyst, he is part of Hounslow's Community Service Volunteers (CSV) scheme - set up to help similarly troubled teenagers.
Vilas and his 14-year-old 'buddy' meet every fortnight for about four hours, doing everything from playing video games to gokarting.
"Teenagers who've already had to deal with so much - because they've lost touch with parents and family - need someone they can talk to and who can understand them on a level they feel comfortable talking at, so that sharing problems and finding solutions isn't uncool," he said.
"My buddy's been on the wrong side of the law. But he's a talented kid, with great potential and I feel our friendship creates stability in his life and an opportunity to share problems.
"If I'd had someone to talk to outside the family at that age I think things would have been easier."
CSV Hounslow helps youngsters at risk of falling off the rails - often those in long-term care - who have been referred by social services.
The charity has about 40 volunteers, all of whom are known to their buddies by first name only and must maintain confidentiality at all times.
But there is a desperate shortage of men, according to project manager Rebecca Evison, who says having a male role model can make a 'real difference'.
Vilas has been with his 'buddy' since May last year and says he has seen a huge difference in that time.
"When I first met him he was getting into trouble almost every week but now he's got more focus in his life," said Vilas.
"I don't know how much of that's down to me but it's definitely helping.
"I picked up some slang when I was in the sixth-form at Heathland School and I think it helps that we speak the same language."
For more about getting involved with CSV Hounslow, call Rebecca Evison on 020 7643 1411 or email email@example.com


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Greetings! I would like to welcome everyone to Papers in the Attic blog page. If this is your first time here, please review some of our previous articles and do not hesitate to share some of your insights and experiences. We are all family here. Stay blessed.
It is with wonderful delight that Warriors of the Necronomicon Tradition Part 5: The War of Etluzini; is now available on YouTube. Our regular subscribers may notice that this video is shorter in length than the previous episodes. We apologize in the regard, as the company GoAnimate, has a bit of difficulty in sponsoring longer versions. In order to compensate for such, The War of Etluzini episode will consist of two parts. Part two of this episode will be posted up shortly.
I hope you find this digital-theatre presentation entertaining and enlightening. We send each and every one of you, are deepest blessings!


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Outdoors gear: Medical kits
The situation: Hunters and anglers often find themselves in locations far from help should a medical emergency arise.
A solution: Adventure Medical Kits has developed its Sportsman series with kits specifically designed for hunters and fishermen. The contents are geared to the types of injuries most often sustained doing these activities and are available to accommodate larger groups and longer excursions.
The details: Each kit features the company's Easy Access Pocket System. All you have to do is open the kit, fold out the clearly labeled pockets and at a glance choose and open the one you need. The kits also come with treatment instructions inside each injury compartment.
Cost: The kits range in price from $25-$125.
Availability: Kits can be found at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Dick's Sporting Goods, REI and other retailers, or online at adventuremedicalkits.com.


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A revisit to the CM690 II Advanced with some modifications and water cooling. Read More
Posts Tagged: CM690 II
Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced Review
Cooler Master has been in business for more than a decade. They were "founded with the mission of providing the industry's best thermal solutions." The Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced that we'll be looking at today, which is a significant update to the venerable RC690, a budget champion for wire management with superb airflow, aims to push them further toward that mission. Read More


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Rumblings in the Far East: President Medvedev, in July 2010 brings about military exercises on an island the Soviets confiscated from Japan, and declares a new holiday for September 2nd as "the anniversary of the end of WWII" in addition to the previous Victory Day in May – when Berlin fell and Germany surrendered to the Soviets. Interesting – the Japanese surrendered to Americans and not to the Soviets – and technically the war never ended between Japan and Russia as inheritors of the Soviet legacy – this exactly because of those four islands. The rumblings were picked up in Japan – we doubt anywhere else – we wonder if the intended target is not the US?
Posted on Sustainabilitank.info on August 9th, 2010
by Pincas Jawetz (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Russia's new war anniversary.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on July 25 signed into law a bill designating Sept. 2 as "the anniversary of the end of World War II." The bill had been approved by the State Duma (lower house) on July 8 and by the Federation Council (upper house) on July 14.
The law has been interpreted as effectively commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Japan on Sept. 2, 1945. Tokyo signed a surrender document on that day aboard the U.S. battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. As this year is the 65th anniversary of the war's end, Russia may carry out large-scale celebrations Sept. 2 centering on the Russian Far East.
On July 3-4, the Russian military carried out a military exercise involving some 1,500 soldiers and 200 military and special-purpose vehicles on Etorofu Island, the northernmost and biggest of four islands, northeast of Hokkaido, that are claimed by both Japan and Russia.
In 1998, then President Boris Yeltsin vetoed a similar bill in consideration of Japan-Russia relations. Mr. Medvedev has taken the opposite tack. Russia apparently aims to justify its effective control of what Japan calls the Northern Territories and check Japan's attempt to get the four islands back. Japan did not strongly protest the enactment of the law because the phrase "victory over Japan" is not used.
Nevertheless, the Kan administration must firmly maintain Japan's official stand on its sovereignty over the Northern Territories and persevere in trying to break the deadlock over the territorial issue. Japan maintains that the Soviet Union declared war against Japan on Aug. 9, 1945, in violation of the Japan-Soviet neutrality pact, and that its military illegally seized the islands between Aug. 29 and Sept. 9 of that year.
Despite the anniversary law, Russia considers economic cooperation with Japan, especially in developing the Russian Far East, indispensable for modernizing the Russian economy, which at present relies mainly on natural resource exports. Japan should make every effort to take advantage of this opportunity to improve its position in the territorial row.


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Don't let yourself or your team get stuck in a rut. Always in Motion, LLC, also known as AIM, has motivational speakers who are ready to help you put the punch back into your productivity. We can provide 30-minute pep talks or full day seminars. Plus, we customize our topics to meet your organization's needs.
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Put your best foot forward with an inspirational speaker session today. Call 251-444-7453 to schedule an appointment.


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Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (UPCIC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Insurance Holding Company, a Florida corporation. Universal Insurance Holding Company is wholly owned by Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.
UPCIC has aligned itself with some of the best and most respected service providers in the industry. This functional structure affords UPCIC the opportunity to take advantage of a unique combination of financial strength, underwriting skills, analytical expertise and administrative capability
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company has a distinguished and experienced group of individuals as its directors and officers. The individuals provide guidance and lend their expertise to ensure this insurance operation continues to be successful in the property and casualty insurance marketplace.
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company offers diverse coverages for your protection:
Dwelling Coverage: Protection against covered perils
Other Structures Coverage: Protection for unattached structures on covered property
Personal property coverage: Worldwide coverage for personal contents
Personal liability coverage: Legal protection for claims from accidents to others Homeowners Policy; Designed for owner occupied dwellings.
Renters Policy: Designed to cover contents in a rented dwelling
Condominium Policy: Designed to provide coverage for owner occupied or tenant occupied condominiums
Dwelling Fire Policy: Designed to protect landlords dwelling
NOTE: The answers to coverage questions are primarily based on ISO forms generally used in Florida by most companies. However, please keep in mind that all companies forms are NOT necessarily the same. Some companies may provide broader coverage and some may be more restrictive.
The privacy of our website visitor's and our client's is very important to our company. We will respect your privacy and we will not share your information with advertining or marketing companies, and will not sell your information to any mailing lists. We only share your personal information with the companies and the individuals that are necessary in performing our business duties in acquiring and in servicing your insurance needs. Please feel free to contact us immediately if you have any questions about your privacy.
Information contained within this site is the property of Hoffman and Associates Insurance Company and is provided for consumers looking to purchase insurance. Any other use is prohibited. We are not responsible for errors and omissions on this web site. All information contained herein should be deemed reliable but not guaranteed, all representations are approximate, and individual verification is required. Please contact Hoffman Insurance Company at 321-751-2511 before making any purchase decisions based on information contained on this web site to check for validity. This content is copyrighted by Hoffman and Associates Insurance Company and will bring legal action on to anyone who copies the information contained here. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPLETION OF A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PURCHASE OF INSURANCE. NO COVERAGE MAY BE ADDED, CHANGED OR BOUND AS A RESULT OF SUBMITTING A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. ALL COVERAGE MUST BE CONFIRMED BY THE AGENCY IN WRITING SUBJECT TO AN ACCEPTABLE SIG NED APPLICATION MEETING THE UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. Please read your policy carefully for your terms of coverage. No information in this website alters the terms of coverage in your individual policy. If you do not agree to these terms please exit this website


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10 Celebrities Who Completely Changed Their Bodies For A Role
Being an actor may seem like all fun and games, but it doesn't always live up to the hype. Actors have to convince audiences to forget who they are in real life and focus on the person they are portraying. Many times that means they totally change the way they look. These are 10 celebs who completely changed their bodies for a role. In this video, we are taking a look at some incredible actors in iconic roles. We'll show you Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club, as well as another role that he packed on 67 pounds for. We are also going to show you how tiny Mila Kunis got when she was in Black Swan, and how Miles Teller became obsessed with losing weight because of his role in Bleed For This. Once you are finished watching our video, tell us what you think in the comments.


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Безсульфатные shampoos – trend in hair care in recent years. Now most of the brands in every price category there has to be in the range of a couple that do not contain sulphates. Today we will tell you what are their advantages and what are the drawbacks?
The most harmful of sulphates are considered lauryl сульфатнатрия (SLS) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). Both of these components are an effective means of purification and removal of dirt. But they cannot be left on the skin, as both substances are toxic. That is why recently безсульфатные shampoos are becoming more popular.
Let's see, what advantages and disadvantages are безсульфатные shampoos.
Advantages безсульфатных shampoos:
– Completely wash away sulphates impossible. Accumulated on the hair and scalp is a substance may cause irritation and allergies. Using безсульфатные shampoos, these problems can be avoided.
– Clean natural components (usually products of fermentation coconut and are indicated on the labels as Coco Glucoside, Sodium Cocoy Glutamate and Disodium Cocoyal Glutamate) within безсульфатного shampoo easily washed off with the surface of the hair and scalp, not violating the protective layer of the epidermis.
– Colored hair retain their effect is longer due to the gentle structure of natural ingredients.
– Безсульфатные shampoos contribute to the fact that hair is not пушатся as the cuticle not undergo a rigorous mechanical impact, in consequence of which the structure of the hair stays smooth.
– You can not use sulfate shampoo, if you make the procedure of keratin hair straightening. Sulphates wash nutrients that support straightening, 3-4 wash the whole effect disappears.
– Безсульфатные shampoos with constant application for a healthier hair and supply them with nutrients.
Disadvantages безсульфатных shampoos
– Безсульфатные shampoos can not completely wash away the remnants of silicone. This is especially true for people who actively use the track-laying vehicles. When washing your hair this shampoo is not able to wash away the remnants of varnish or gel.
– Безсульфатные shampoos also unable to cope with dandruff. Sulphate shampoos, on the contrary, it is better to clean the scalp and, therefore, the active components of dandruff penetrate deeper and more effectively influence the fungus.
– To completely rinse with thick, long hair, безсульфатный shampoo need to apply several times, and this entails a large expenditure of funds.
– For fans of thick foam бузсульфатные shampoos will be a disappointment, as they are very bad light. However, to foaming went more active, you must apply the product throughout the length and for a few seconds substitute hair under a stream of soul.
– If you just started using безсульфатным shampoo, you may encounter such a nuisance, as temporarily безобъемные hair. During the transition to безсульфатные shampoo hair takes time to get used to the new product and to restore the level of acidity, which was broken with sulfate. This period of adaptation can take about a month.
Today безсульфатные shampoos are very well represented in many brands, for example look at Natura Siberica, Mitiam Quevedo, Moroccanoil, L'oreal Professionnel, "Grandmother Agafya" and other


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I am not really a fan of new year, and setting resolutions, let's be real, Its probably not going to happen, so why am I pretending! Like many years, I just hope I'll be well enough to see the next one in! I have problems which I know cannot be solved, and trying to force myself to be someone new just because it's a new year isn't going to make those problems disappear.I came across the below quote on instagram the other day and thought it summed up perfectly exactly what I should be focussing on over the next year and beyond.
"So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow."
2018 has been a year with some huge highs but also some massive lows. I think the whole 'coming of age' thing has been a huge part of my insecurities and I have really struggled with my mental health. As each year begins, I start to worry about the year ahead, and the challenges life may throw at me, both with or without cancer. It's hard enough being a single 30 something trying to get by in life without having a serious illness to contend with. I have a GP appointment next week, followed by pre treatment bloods and then I am back in for treatment mid-January. Although a Christmas break is much needed, it doesn't take much for the focus to shift back to the dreaded C word. I've come up with a short list of things I am going to try and do to make life seem a little less daunting each day, just taking some time for myself to focus on non-cancer related successes or key moments. Not a resolution which will no doubt be broken, but key things to try and help me live my life as well and happily as I can.
Make regular lists of things that make me feel happy…and do more of them
This could be something small like going out for brunch with a friend or family member, calling a friend I've not seem or spoken to in a while, or going out for a walk and getting some fresh air. If I make a list then I hope I'll put more effort into doing them again because i know they bring me joy. I used to be a huge theatregoer, having graduated with a drama degree before my stage 4 diagnosis, but I could count on one hand the amount of times I've been to the theatre (non work related) in 2018, and feel so out of the loop with what is happening in theatre land, even though I practically work in the West End. I need to put more of a focus on doing things for myself, no matter how small they may seem. I love the theatre so I want to try and add this as one of my additional good things over the next year. Not doing this seemingly obvious things makes me feel like I've lost my way slightly and in turn lost a bit of my personality. Do shout if anyone has any good theatre recommendations, both London and beyond.
Spend time with supportive people
It's important for everyone to be around good people, or in situations where there is a lot of support. We need radiators and not drains in our life, a good friend of mine uses this analogy often and it really hits the nail on the head. Radiators are those who give warmth, those who gave something back to others. They naturally have their own problems and situations where they need support, but generally, seeing them, or interacting with them is a hugely positive experience. For me, these are the ones who lift me up and listen, those who make me feel better about the injustice of the world. Drains are the opposite; those who drain energy and take more from the friendship than they give and don't always listen to others.
Be grateful
No matter how hard it seems we all have something to be grateful for, even on the darkest of days. I went on amazing holidays in 2018, which I am hugely grateful for. My trips in 2019 will be much smaller scale, but it was completely worth it and the experience will stay with me. Apparently those who take time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for can experience more positive emotions, it's a no brainier really. Focus on the good! Being grateful doesn't need to be reserved for big occasions, but simple daily activities that bring joy. Part of this also includes thinking more carefully about my use of social media, and be sure to use it for good, rather than comparing my life and my successes and failures to people online and feeling bad about it. I must remember I survived the last year and I am grateful for that. My ultimate goal is to stay alive!
Here's to 2019!


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I have lived all of my life in Texas, where seasons are merely idyllic mirages. The only way Texans know spring has arrived is when it hails. When the air conditioner is off at night, at least once a week, you know autumn has arrived. Generally, winter is considered to have arrived when the temperature stays below 65 degrees for more than three consecutive days. Summer is essentially every other day that does not fit the above descriptions. Ultimately, seasons don't provide us with clear weather expectations in Texas.
Unlike Texas weather, the soul does have regular seasons. In the summer of our souls, we relish in the fullness of lush, green places of life. We find ourselves marveling at the blooming roses of ourselves until the heat causes us to wither. In the autumn, we lay down places of our soul that need to die. We watch as God takes these broken pieces of our life, turning them brilliant and beautiful as we let go. In the winter, deep rest settles over the lost places of our soul. Blankets of snow cover these hidden spaces, and life freezes for a time as we grieve for what we knew that is now a mere memory. In the spring of our souls, new life breaks free from frozen ground. It is fragile but resilient as God offers us a new dream that flourishes into lush green places.
Seasons are an extremely helpful metaphor when we seek to name how we are with God. Every person will walk through these seasons multiple times throughout his or her lifetime. As a leader, knowing what season your soul is currently in can be an invaluable experience. Take a moment now to wonder about this with God. What season is your soul in? How do you know?
Whatever season you are in, there are two key truths to navigating that season. First, name it free of judgement. Winter is not a "bad" season of the soul, and summer is not a "good" season. They are just seasons; they are cyclical and expected. Second, stay with the season. If you are experiencing the withering heat of summer as it gives way to autumn, you can't rush through or skip it. While spiritual sunburn is uncomfortable, it is nevertheless part of the experience. Trust that God will move you through to autumn when it is time. Attempting to maneuver your way into a perceived more pleasant season can short-circuit your opportunity to be transformed.
When you have named and accepted the season your soul is experiencing, take time to savor what is beautiful about this moment. Being snowed-in forces us to be silent and restful. The winter of the soul has beauty to find. Ice formations, after all, can be exquisite. Equally important is the acknowledgement of what is hard or uncomfortable about this season. Pollen may signal the beginning of gorgeous blooms, but it makes me sneeze! The rapid growth of the soul's spring is challenging, too. Linger where you are. God is the one who brought you to this season and will complete it as well.
Those who lead groups of God's people would also be wise to name the season their community is currently experiencing.
Is your community experiencing the rapid growth of spring? Is the community being asked to let go of a damaging belief and watch it die? Whatever season your community is in, the same two truths apply to navigating it as a body of Christ. Name it without judgement, and stay within the season. A forced new program cannot effectively end winter. For instance, adding a new service with new attractions will not bring authentic new life. It will spring forth organically when it is time; it cannot be rushed.
As a leader, there is a third truth that also calls for your attention. Beware of assuming your community is in the same season you are personally experiencing. One of the many challenges of spiritual leadership is seeing yourself both as a part of the community and separate from the people you lead. This is particularly challenging if you are in a season of new life while your community is experiencing death or grief. Use your energy of new life and joy to support your community without forcing them to feel the same way.
While the seasons of the soul are certainly more predictable than Texas weather, there is still room to be surprised and even confused. If you find yourself wondering about the current season of your soul, seek out a spiritual director or wise friend. As Daniel said:
Blessed be the name of God from age to age,
for wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons,
deposes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and light dwells with him.
(Daniel 2:20-22 NRSV)