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Desert Southwest (CO,AZ,UT,NM), Trip Reports » A Taste of the Divideby shelbystop
I just returned to the flatlands of Kansas after a few days of touring the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route which led me on a course form Steamboat Springs, Colorado down to Ute Pass. I had been planning this trip for the better part of a year. I had been doing a fair amount of riding prior to the trip in preparation for some of the distances. I had initially planned on riding from Steamboat Springs to Lynx Pass on day one. This section would have encompassed about forty miles about half of which would be on pavement. The remaining dirt road would be mostly uphill. Day two would entail riding from Lynx Pass to Kremmling, which would be another thirty five to forty miles of what was thought to be mostly downhill to Radium and then uphill to Kremmling. Day three we were to ride from Kremmling to a campground on the eastern side of Ute Pass during which we would have traversed another thirty five or so miles. The plan was to then go over Ute Pass and down in to Silverthorne which would have been about another twenty three or so miles.
Our taste of the divide started on Tuesday night in Denver with some friends whom we had not seen in several years. Part of our planning included a couple of days to acclimatize in preparation for the altitude in comparison to my normal riding conditions in southeast Kansas. The night was well spent. Wednesday morning, we then than loaded up in the van and headed up to Steamboat Springs. The drive and views were wonderful. We had rented a condo at Steamboat Springs for two days. Our trip was to include several components, one of which was a family vacation including my lovely wife and our three daughters, ages nine, eleven and thirteen. My son and I were to do the riding and meet the ladies of the house at various spots throughout the trip. So although we did ride equipped to camp, Kathy and the girls, along with the van (affectionately dubbed the chuck wagon), met and at times picked us up following sections of the ride at which time we would then drive to a camp ground if needed.
View from the condo balcony at Steamboat Springs
On our second day in Steamboat Springs, we decided to go on a five or so mile hike to the north of town. After arriving at the trail head, we set out on foot to see what we might discover. Not being familiar with the trail and attempting to follow the instructions on the material in hand, we ended up taking the long way around which made things a bit more challenging. However it was a great walk and we did not get rained on given our late start. Our hike included several notable discoveries.
Kathy and Sidney on the hike north of Steamboat
Poop is not something that I have spent a lot of time studying. However, in the mountains it does come in handy to be familiar with that which is left behind from certain four-legged beasts which although may mean you no harm, can at times present certain potentially hazardous encounters. After hiking up and over a pass, we entered a fairly wooded section of the trail and discovered what I considered a large amount of poop which appeared to my untrained eyes to be similar to that of the standard cow pie found in eastern Kansas. However some of the excrement also appeared to be similar to that which may be discharged from the local bear populace. As we continued down the trail, we began to hear things. I first heard what sounded to be like a low beastly growl off in the distance. We also noticed that there were numerous areas in the grass along the trail that were matted down and had clearly been used as a bed for by some large animal or animals in the area.
As we continued down the trail the animal noise began to get closer. I had never known bears to make a lot of noise and I have also never known bears to stick around much when people area around so my mind then went to that of a moose. As we slowly continued down our path, we began to hear more than one groaning beast in the woods. As we were coming around a corner, I noticed movement in the woods. As I focused my attention on the area of the movement, I then noticed the brown face of a cow staring back at me with the normal bewildered cow face that you so often see when riding down country roads in Kansas. I had forgotten that there are a number of free range areas in Colorado and this was one of them. Before long we were being followed by a number of cows that had appeared from the woods along our isolated trail. We continued our trek somewhat relieved, with cows in tow.
Local wild life
The trail wound down to a beautiful creek where we stopped for some lunch which we had packed along the way. Another family came from the other direction of the trail and was enjoying the other side of the creek while we ate our lunch. After finishing our brief siesta, the lady that was across the creek hollered over to us that there were some cows coming down in to our area of the creek bed. I guess I should say it was the cattle's area of the creek bed. Several cows then appeared from the trail above us and slowly walked down to the creek right next to us and stopped for a drink. It was all very entertaining. The cows eventually headed back up out of the creek bed and we picked up our stuff and walked on.
This creek made for a great lunch stop
One of the features of this trail was an old rustic barn. Upon arrival, the girls and Tyler decided to climb up and explore the hayloft. It was a great time for all including Kathy who joined them for a picture up top. Everyone then came back down and we continued along the trail which continued along a mountainside above a creek that roared below us. We eventually made it back to the parking area after walking the full loop and headed back to the condo. It was a great family hike and a great way to get our lungs ready for a ride at the altitude. Just as we arrived back at the condo from our little hike, it began to rain and hail heavily. The weather in Colorado this year had up to this point been very wet. We hoped that this was not foreshadowing of days to come.
Old barn along the trail
Day One: Steamboat Springs to Lynx Pass
After enjoying a decent sleep for the second night in the condo, Tyler and I rose early the following morning to begin the biking portion of our family adventure. The goal for the day was Lynx Pass. Based on the maps and other computer resources, we determined the mileage to be somewhere in the neighborhood of around forty miles. I had initially planned on taking a Camel Back with me to carry water and a few extra supplies that might not fit in my small panniers and my small frame bag. In consideration of the mountain terrain and the fact that we were meeting the girls at the top of the pass, I chose to lighten the load and just take enough items for one night should we be stranded due to a mechanical or some other unforeseen reason. This ended up being a good move for me.
The equipment that I took consisted of the following:
Bike (Salsa Fargo)
Eureka Two Man Tent
North Face Sleeping Bag
Small Back Pad
Extra Clothing (1 pair of socks, 1 underwear, 1 shirt, 1 shorts, 1 long sleeve shirt, 1 rain gear)
First Needs Water Filter
Three Bottles of Water
Tool Kit (2 tubes, tire wrenches, Allen wrenches, star wrenches, multi-purpose tool, chain lube)
Food (Trail mix, dried fruit, power bars)
As far as positioning goes, I strapped the tent across my handle bars. Tyler carried the poles and the tent cover. I combined the tent and the back pad inside of a water resistant bag and strapped it on the top of the rack on the back of the bike. The tool kit was stored in the small frame back and all other items were tucked away inside of the panniers on the back of the bike. Everything was positioned well and secured tightly for the trip. In retrospect, I would have been fine for a couple of overnight stays if we would have wanted to. If we were going to be bike camping on our own, I would have added my penny stove, a very small mess kit and a couple of dried meals. But as it was, those items were not needed.
Once we had loaded up the bikes we rode out headed south from Steamboat Springs. The weather was perfectly cool. The ride from Steamboat was on pavement for several miles. As we headed out, we passed a road rider that was taking a break just outside of town. He caught and passed us pretty quickly as we continued south. The early part of the day consisted of mostly rolling hills. These hills were a good warm up for what was to come. We stopped a couple miles south of Steamboat Springs to take a few pictures looking back at the town before it was finally out of sight.
Farewell to Steamboat Springs
Continuing our trek south, we missed our first turn which exited the road and added about four miles to the days riding. When we realized it we had gone up the road about two miles up hill so the two miles back was nice. Our road rider came up behind us again at this point. He was flying. A pickup truck had just passed us and he was keeping up and in fact almost passed it on the way by. It was impressive. I cannot imagine a better training ground for a road racer than the Colorado roads. The rider turned around after the truck sped off and came back to join us on the ride. He asked us what we were doing and I told him that we were riding a section of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route to Lynx Pass. He said that he had a friend that had ridden to Lynx Pass the week before. He said that it was a really nice ride but that his friend had advised him that it was really "buggy" up there last week. Given all the rain that the state had received this year I did not doubt it. He confirmed the turn off that was ahead and then took off and disappeared in the distance.
Once we made it back to our missed exit, we headed south again until reaching Highway 131 which we road on for about a quarter mile then continued our trek to the south which brought us to Catamount Lake. The view of the lake was spectacular and the mountain backdrop was incredibly beautiful. We ran in to another rider out for a morning ride, who had stopped to watch a deer with two little ones in a field of tall grass just south of the lake. He said that he had been up to Lynx Pass in years past and it was some great riding. He had been up in Steamboat on business so he was headed back but he wished us well. One thing I have really learned to enjoy about bike riding is the community nature that exists between riders. I very rarely come across a rider that is not willing to share their experiences on the road or help out when needed.
Catamount Reservoir to the south of Steamboat Springs
After leaving the lake, and continuing for several miles, the route takes you off the pavement onto a forest road most of the way to Lynx Pass. There was very little pavement between the first forest road and Lynx Pass, if any. The forest road we were on was wonderful and for a while it was only slightly uphill running next to a small river that was flowing very fast creating a wonderful watery orchestra of sound in the woods. The road was mostly dirt with a few potholes to bring you back on focus should you be spending a little too much time watching the river, rather than the road.
Creek on the way Stage Coach Lake
The road eventually wound to the west and began some consistent, albeit not extremely long, climbs. It rose above the river and a number of other creeks where we could see a few fly fishermen enjoying a great morning in search of brown and brook trout. Eventually the ride brought us to Stagecoach Lake. Stagecoach Lake is an 820 acre reservoir that is surrounded by mountains. The trail around the lake was incredible with some really good single track directly next to the lake. It was not technical and very smooth and rolling. The trail made for a great ride for a couple of miles.
The lake and area also has a great history beginning with the Ute and Snoshone Tribes using the area for hunting, gathering and making stone tools. French trappers and traders began using the valley in the 1700's and paved the way for mining and cattle and sheep ranching which continues today. The park was also a stop on a Stagecoach Line running from Toponas to Steamboat Springs. The stagecoach Line went our out of service in 1907 (information provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife).
Stage Coach Lake
At Stagecoach Lake we were at approximately 22 miles into our planned 40 or so mile day. When we left the lake we began the climb up to Lynx Pass. Having done the majority of my riding in Kansas recently, I had somehow forgotten how long some of the climbs in Colorado can be. Since the ride, I have looked at the elevation chart and realized that we had in fact been riding uphill since we left Steamboat Springs. This however became very noticeable as we continued on from Stagecoach Lake to Lynx Pass. In Kansas when we come across up hills sections either on pavement or gravel, the hills tend to be rolling and generally no more than a couple of miles long. There is are also a number of places in between even on longer uphill sections where it levels out or the climb lets up a little to rest. In mountains you are either going up or down. And from a time perspective you are always going up much longer that you are going down. In eighteen mile stretch from Stagecoach Lake to Lynx Pass you are primarily going up. Fortunately the beauty of the surroundings provides a great backdrop for slow riding.
Somewhere between Stagecoach Lake and Lynx Pass, I was passed by another rider who was from Minnesota. Neil told me that he was riding from the Colorado section of the trail from the northern border to the southern border with New Mexico. He said that he wanted to eventually do the entire route from Canada to Mexico but could only get a couple of weeks off this year to do the section that we were on. We talked bikes, riding, and distances. We also talked of things we had seen and people we had met along the way so far. Again I discovered another friendly ride to share some time on the ride with. Best of luck Neil and hopefully your ride was completed safely.
The road up to Lynx Pass
A little push following a long uphill
After climbing approximately two thousand feet in altitude over approximately thirty seven miles of riding, I finally came to the conclusion that there was no shame in walking the last two miles to camp. If there was any shame in pushing my bike up the last steep two miles to the top of Lynx Pass I really didn't much care. So much of bike riding is mental and my mental had melted in the sun so I turned the remainder of the uphill into a leisurely stroll. Truth be told there was nothing leisurely about it. It was a pain in the neck, back, legs, feet, posterior and other places. As we crested the top of Lynx Pass, we hopped back on the bikes to ride to the campground which was just on the other side. It was nice to see the girls and Kathy waving as we rolled in to the campground after a long day of riding. In total, we had ridden somewhere around forty miles and gained 3485 feet of altitude. Not bad for a couple of flatlanders. It was early afternoon as we set up camp and got dinner ready as a family.
A look back just before the top of Lynx Pass
Day two: Lynx Pass to Radium
After resting in the tent we arose the next morning to a beautiful day for riding. Truthfully I thought about packing it up and just doing a driving campground tour for a couple of days after the last couple of mile walk up to Lynx Pass. But I would have felt very defeated if we had not at least ridden to Radium which according to the map was predominately downhill. I did learn however that you must be careful not to assume that just because a map indicates that you may be losing altitude, that it does not mean you are always going downhill. In fact the ride down to the Colorado River ended up being filled with numerous up and downs which were both thrilling and daunting.
As I said earlier there is no level ground in the mountains. You are either going up or down, sometimes at a very rapid pace. I had talked to the camp host the night before and told them what we were doing. They shared the ominous news that they had just spoken with some bike riders that were doing the route going north from Mexico. They had shared the news that the section from the Colorado River to Lynx Pass was the most difficult of the ride so far. From my perspective, this was good news since we were going the opposite direction.
We headed out going downhill for a couple of miles until crossing highway 134. The first section of the day's ride was beautiful. We passed a field where we could see several antelope grazing making the mountain scenery even more spectacular. Once we crossed the highway, we entered a section of rolling hills that eventually dropped to a creek that we had to cross. Prior to the creek, we came across the old Rock Creek Station which was an old Wells Fargo stop in to the 1880's.
An old Wells Fargo station along the route
A climb began after crossing the creek which continued for several miles until reaching highway 134 again. Another gravel/dirt road headed south towards Radium. We headed towards Radium expecting a downhill to the river to start shortly. Let's just say that it did not quite work out that way.
The next several miles that lie ahead were filled with numerous climbs and drops. The drops were great. The climbs were steep. Some of the drops were very fast and at times a bit slippery for the bikes. Not due to the recent rains but rather the loose surface of rock, gravel and dirt. I must admit that it was quite exhilarating. Tyler was about taken out by a cow in the road and I fish tailed several times throughout the day.
During one downhill section, we had just reached the bottom and while moving at a pretty quick pace, I saw what looked like a badger in the road ahead of me. The color however was off and something did not look quite right. Tyler was up ahead and as he passed the critter, it ran back in to the tall grass on the south side of the dirt road we were on. As I passed, it had spun around in the tall grass and was looking at me straight on. It was a brown in color creature with a square nose and mouth. There were not stripes on the nose but there was a sort of bow across the top of the eyes. Along with the color and the general appearance I believe that it was a wolverine cub. I know that there are not many wolverines in Colorado, albeit that they are apparently making their way back in from the north. But given the appearance, I would almost guarantee that is what it was. I thought about stopping for a picture but given its small size I figured that the mother might be around somewhere and wanted nothing to do with the risks of stopping to take a picture so I rode off and will always wonder I suppose. Tyler said he also believed it to have been a wolverine. Whatever it was, it was a great highlight to the ride.
On the edge of the abyss
As we continued on our trek to the Colorado River, the hills began to get more and more extreme. When reaching the bottom of several downhill sections, we would spend a little time hoofing it up the hill in front of us. Some of the hills were steep enough to make it difficult to push a bike up. At one point, Tyler raced down a hill in order to catch a Jeep that had passed us just to speak with the driver who confirmed our route. Tyler said the Jeep chase was fast and fun. I caught up with them before we headed on. They passed us again and we caught them when they had stopped at the top of the last big downhill before reaching the river.
A look from the to before the downhill
to the Colorado River
The last drop down was very steep, windy and included many blind corners which presented the possible hazard of unseen vehicles coming our way. The only person that has ever died during the Tour Divide succumbed to injuries that he suffered after hitting a vehicle around one of these corners. We were as cautious as possible and had no problems. It was a wonderful sight to again see Kathy and the girls in the Radium parking lot as we crossed the river bridge and dropped down to the parking area to meet them. We loaded up and drove to our next campsite which was at the bottom of Ute Pass several miles to the south of our present location. We had survived another twenty miles and 2000 feet of elevation drop albeit on what was an incredible up and down roller coaster ride.
That night we camped and took it easy the following day. The campground we were in was wonderful right next to a decent size creek in what was discovered to be a very marshy area which made it a great moose habitat which we would later discover. The next day we took a day off and drove down to Frisco and rented some paddle boats. We all had a blast on the lake and enjoyed a nice relaxing day in some very beautiful country. After returning to camp, we prepared dinner and talked of riding over Ute Pass the following day with a little hesitation. It was predominately pavement other than the three or so miles out of the camping area, but it was still pretty daunting after coming over it in a car. After cleaning up and watching the sun set we turned in looking forward to what lie ahead on the morrow.
Sunset in the camp ground
Day Three: Ute Pass
Tyler and I awoke around day break on the last day of the ride. We were thinking the same thing. After sleeping pretty well the warmth of our sleeping bags made it very tempting to stay put in the tent. I would have felt like the trip was not complete without a ride over Ute Pass, so I got up stepped out of the tent to the shadow of the mountains at sunrise.
It is always when you are not looking for things in the wilderness that the things you have looked for previously seemingly appear from nowhere. As I stood enjoying the morning air, I looked over my left shoulder and saw what at first appeared to a dark spot against the landscape at about forty yards on the opposite side of the camp that I did not remember being there the night before. As I looked at it more closely, the dark spot then began to move very slowly and take on the form of a large moose just on the other side of the camp. I had seen moose in Colorado before, but never this close. It was as my wife said later, a majestic experience.
I whispered to Tyler, who was still in the tent, that there was a moose in camp and to get the girls up while I kept an eye on it. Kathy and the girls arrived from their tent a few moments later while the moose was still standing there. The moose seemed as curious about us as we were about him. Our presence did not frighten him and he continued to walk along the base of the mountain on the other side of camp. After several minutes, the moose turned around and trotted off into the forest. What great way to start the day.
After our experience with the moose in camp, the girls went back to bed and Tyler and I geared up and headed down the road for a final taste of the divide. There was a section of dirt road coming out of camp that stretched out for about three miles. It was mostly rolling with a few little climbs and a small dips. It was cold enough to cause my finger tips to become a little uncomfortable, but it was a good ride to pavement. We saw numerous deer meandering in the forests as we rode.
After about two miles of riding, the tree line broke and there was a river that ran parallel to the road we were on. In the middle of the river was a rock bar where to my surprise, stood another large moose with a huge rack. There were some bushes on the rock bar that the moose apparently favored for breakfast which we had momentarily interrupted. He looked at us and continued his snack while we watched in amazement. He was only thirty to forty yards away and totally unconcerned. He continued eating for awhile and then slowly walked back towards the opposite river bank. The bank was an easy six to eight feet in height and he walked up it with no problem. He then strolled gently out of sight in to the woods. I was definitely glad that we had decided to ride out rather than sleep in. They say the early bird catches the worm. I guess the same thing is true for moose.
Another moose along the way
After the moose wandered off in to the wilderness, we continued our journey to the base of Ute Pass. Once we reached pavement the uphill began. From that point we had four miles up hill and then approximately six or so miles downhill. The climb was slow but steady. Once you get used to slow riding, it becomes somewhat meditative. You just keep your peddles moving while enjoying the great scenery. And there was plenty of great scenery to see. I saw more deer and several elk along the way. The elk were up high just below a ridge. I would not have seen them in a car. That is one of the wonderful things about bicycling. You can see so much more at a bicycle pace. The Henderson Mill marked our approximate half way point to the top. It is a huge lumber mill that has in fact produced some local damage to the forest which can be clearly seen.
The top came faster than I thought it would as I found Tyler parked on the side of the road just before cresting the pass. We took a little break and shot a few pictures at the tip before beginning the ride down the other side.
At the top of Ute Pass
After taking our short siesta, we headed down the west side of the pass to Highway 9. It started out fairly gradual. After a quarter mile of so the grade increased and we were off on a windy downhill ride that was better than any roller coaster I have ever ridden. The day before, while driving this pass in the van, I had clocked a bicycle rider coming down the pass at fifty miles per hour in one section. I do not think I reached fifty miles per hour but I am sure I hit the forty mile per hour mark. It is hard to say when you are tucked down and enjoying the wind in your face. It had taken us a couple of hours to get up the back side of the pass and the downhill only lasted for ten minutes to fifteen minutes. It made the climb well worth it.
A great view as we began the downhill portion of Ute Pass
The downhill finished out with a long straight decline that put us out right on Highway 9 that heads south into Silverthorne. Kathy and the girls picked us up at a spot somewhere in between along a river that ran under the highway. Moose, elk, deer and a great downhill made for a spectacular conclusion to three days of riding in Colorado. I can't wait to do it again.
Enjoy the ride


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The parks and recreation department puts on their holiday show that spoofs what has happened in the town of Pawnee. Prepare to laugh your Asnov! (Sid Asnov was a government official, some of the jokes are more inside.) Tonight's joke is all about Councilman Bill Dexhart and his sex scandals, with Leslie portraying the infamous Dexhart in yet another sex scandal involving multiple women, a love child, rabbis and priests.
Lot 48, which used to be the disgusting pit, is now being used as a Winter Wonderland. Leslie gathers the parks department together to inform them of the day's itinerary. However, April tells Leslie that Councilmen Dexhart wants to meet with her, but Leslie isn't scared, she has nothing to apologize for. According to Leslie, Dexhart got off easy (and often!)
Leslie meets with Councilman Dexhart and she doesn't apologize for her spoof of him in the Government Follies. However, Dexhart wants to know how Leslie knew about the new sex scandal and who told her about it. It seems as thought the "spoof" that Leslie acted out the night before, is actually true. Dexhart apparently slept with the babysitter, got her pregnant, then in the delivery room had sex with four nurses and a woman whose husband was getting a liver transplant. Once Leslie comes clean about not having any real information about Dexhart's new scandal, he plays their meeting off as a funny prank. Meanwhile, April asks Andy's advice about what to get her gay boyfriend for Christmas. When Leslie gets back to the office, she finds out that she is now in the middle of a new scandal with Dexhart because of their meeting. Her face is on the front page of The Pawnee Sun!
At the office, Ann and Tom try to tell Leslie not to worry about the tabloid magazine. Andy tells Leslie about all the talk around the shoeshine stand, like, "Can you believe it?" and "That Parks lady boned Dexhart." Leslie tells Andy to keep his ear to the ground, and she is not going to let anyone intimidate her. Leslie had pictured herself in a situation like this, only in her mind, she was the President and the scandal was about the Vice President sleeping with her.
At the Winter Wonderland, the press interviews Leslie. Leslie tries to tell the truth, but Ron quickly breaks up the interview. Leslie decides to hide out and lay low until the media storm surrounding her passes. Meanwhile, Ron has to divide Leslie's daily duties amongst the parks department employees. As part of Leslie's agenda, Ron and April sit in on the Discussion on Re-Organization of Local Auditing Systems meeting. Ron has to give a presentation, but he has no idea what it's about!
Officer Dave meets Leslie for lunch and tells her that his Army Reserve Unit has been called to active duty and he is moving to San Diego. Dave wants Leslie to move to San Diego with him, and he needs to know soon. In interview, Dave gives an "affirmative" when asked if he's in love with Leslie. When Leslie talks to Ann about it, Ann admits she'd miss her like crazy. Meanwhile, Tom and Mark skip buying a case of beer for the sanitation department and Tom tries to convince Mark to give Ann diamonds for a gift instead of a computer bag.
At Ann's house, Ann and Leslie watch Pawnee Today, where an old tape of Leslie shaking hands with Councilman Dexhart is broadcasted and analyzed. In the public's eye, Leslie has now become Dexhart's "alleged sex toy." Leslie can't believe it, but she knows that this is the drill: the tiniest story in Pawnee will get dissected over and over again. Back in 2004, a kid from Pawnee was going to the Olympics and it was reported on for over a year. The kid wasn't even competing; he was just going to watch the Olympics!
Later that night, Leslie brings Councilman Dexhart to Ann's house and asks him to call a press conference to clear her name. But Dexhart doesn't want to do it. Being linked to Leslie is covering up his real sex scandal. Leslie threatens Dexhart with coming clean with the real story, but Dexhart tells her that in his experience, denial only makes the situation worse. Dexhart then has the nerve to ask Leslie if they should just go through with it and sleep together. Everyone thinks they already have. Leslie, appalled, kicks Dexhart out of the house.
Andy has made a list of gift ideas for April's gay boyfriend, including a gift certificate for a spray tan, a trip to Germany, and a hip-hop abs fitness DVD. April turns down these ideas in the hopes of getting Andy to come clean about what he wants for a present. Unfortunately he does: an Indianapolis Colts Reggie Wayne jersey, home blue, signed by Reggie Wayne right after he catches a touchdown to win the Super Bowl.
This just in on Pawnee Today: pictures of City Councilman Dexhart with Ann and Leslie! The news anchors believe that Ann and Leslie are lesbians. Leslie makes a phone call and demands to be on Pawnee Today to clear her name. On Pawnee Today, Joan interviews Leslie about the sex scandal. While Leslie tries to deny the affair, Dexhart comes out on the show and refers to Leslie as "sweetie!"
At the Winter Wonderland, the rest of the parks department has their own surprise: sanitation didn't empty the dumpster, and raccoons now are running amok! Ron wants to know who dropped the ball. Tom and Mark realize they didn't bring a case of beer to sanitation, like they were supposed to. Later Ron tries to run a public forum where he gets complaints about Turtle Flu and mayo-less sandwiches.
Leslie beats Dexhart at his own game when he claims she has a mole on her butt. She pulls down her pants and shows Joan that there is no mole on her butt! There is no mole on Miss Knope! Dexhart finally comes clean about the affair rumors being false, but he has no plans to resign.
Later that night, Leslie tells Dave that she can't go to San Diego with him. She loves Pawnee too much to leave it. The parks department waits for Leslie to come to the Winter Wonderland. Leslie lights the tree and the holiday spirit is alive! The next day, Andy gets a jersey from April and Mark gives Ann the computer bag. With Leslie back in the office, Ron is relieved and everything is back to normal.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Dr. Boris G Vainer
Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB RAS, Novosibirsk State University, Russia
|o Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, received July 2010; thesis title: Multichannel Spectrometry and FPA-Based Infrared Thermography Developed Using Indium Arsenide Photosensitive CID MIS-Structures; defense on 2009 in the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. o Dr., Ph.D. in physics and mathematics, received August 1985; thesis title: Indium Antimonide MIS Structures at High Electric Field; defense on 1985 in the Institute of Semiconductor Physics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
|Research Interest
|? Application of quantitative infrared thermography and thermal imaging to different spheres ? Biomedical infrared thermography ? Human and animal physiology ? Multichannel (line-array and FPA) infrared detectors ? Quantitative analysis of thermograms ? etc.


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Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor of the Red and Blue BBQ Cook-Off on June 1, 2019. With your support, we hope to raise over $20,000 for the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Foundation and the Colorado C.O.P.S. charities, which assist fallen or injured firefighters, law enforcement officers and their families.
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ProMed Staffing Resources http://cdn.haleymarketing.com/templates/61749/logos/promedstaffingresources-mobile-jb.png http://www.promedstaffingresources.com http://www.promedstaffingresources.com
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A potato grower – Florida-based Bulls-Hit Ranch & Farm – and its labor contractor have been accused of labor trafficking and exploiting drug-addicted workers, according to a Jacksonville lawsuit filed Apr. 24 by Florida Legal Services and Farmworker Justice.
The suit was filed on behalf of two farm workers. They say they were victims of trafficking and other federal and state labor law violations while employed in 2009 and 2010 by the grower, reports the AFL-CIO.
Bulls-Hit's labor contractor, Ronald Uzzle, recruited and took advantage of vulnerable men from Jacksonville homeless shelters, the complaint claimed. Uzzle then used these men to form work crews for potato packing operations, but took advantage of their drug dependencies to make them compliant and willing to work at a low cost to Bulls-Hit.
As such, Uzzle and Bulls-Hit are liable for cheating the workers out of fair wages, and for damages that result from violations of migrant agricultural worker protection laws and federal labor trafficking laws. The trafficking laws prohibit exploiting a person for labor by way of force, fraud, or coercion.
According to the complaint, Uzzle took the workers to a dirty, overcrowded labor camp where they were given below-human-standards housing, illegal harmful drugs, and credit to make drug and other camp purchases at interest rates of up to 100 percent.
When the farm workers received their pay each week, Bulls-Hit took money from their wages to pay for their rent, food, and weekly debts. Resultantly, the workers were left to stagnate; stuck in a destitute state, deeply in debt and extremely dependent on their employers.
The workers feared for their safety if they tried to leave while still indebted, the report notes.
"The lawsuit exposes deeply disturbing labor practices that should have no place in modern agriculture," said Bruce Goldstein, president of Farmworker Justice. These practices, he remarked, are "all too sadly still employed by the most unscrupulous employers."


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Michael Bierek
Michael is an illustrator currently living in Montreal. He spent a few years studying illustration and fine art in San Francisco during his early twenties before landing a job at Massive Black, where he spent three years as a concept artist. During this time, he also began a working relationship with Wizards of the Coast for the card game Magic the Gathering, which he still illustrates for. He then moved to Montreal and worked as a concept artist for THQ on various projects, which he spent two years, before starting work at Ubisoft on the FarCry franchise. The better part of a year later, and he is again working for Massive Black as a concept artist.


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Casino Salzburg
The casino in Salzburg is a mid size casino. The casino's official name is Casino Salzburg. It offers 232, a huge number of slot machines. The total number of live game tables is 26, which is rather large. The casino Salzburg offers the classic table games such as Blackjack and Roulette and in addition Poker Table Games. Poker lovers will find 7 cash tables. Visitors can play the slot machines from 10:00 until 03:00 and the live table games from 15:00 until 03:00. You can raise your bets on the poker cash game tables as early as 19:00 and 03:00 at the latest.
Live Table Games Casino Salzburg
|Live Table Games
|Opening Hours Table Games Casino Salzburg
|American Roulette (6 Tables)
Blackjack (8 Tables)
Poker Table Games (11 Tables)
Punto Banco / Baccarat (1 Table)
|Monday-Sunday: 15:00-03:00
Poker Casino Salzburg
|Opening Hours Poker Casino Salzburg
|Texas Holdem Poker
Omaha Poker
(Total 7 Tables)
Poker Tournaments
|Monday-Sunday: 19:00-03:00
Slot Machines Casino Salzburg
|Slot Machines
|Opening Slots Casino Salzburg
|232 Slot machines,
Video Slots,
Jackpot Slots,
Electronic Roulette (29 Stations)
|Monday-Sunday: 10:00-03:00
Dress Code Casino Salzburg
Semi Formal (a dress shirt and jacket are required in the live games area)
Minimum Age / Entrance Fee / Payment Options Casino Salzburg
Minimum Age: 18
Entrance fee: free
ID required
Contact Details Casino Salzburg
Casino Salzburg
Schloss Klessheim
5071 Wals-Siezenheim, Austria
Phone: +43 662 85 44 55 0
Website: http://www.casinos.at


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I'm writing a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for the site and thought this was pretty important.
Q: How often should I get a reading?
A: I will say as often as you feel drawn to getting one with this (pretty large) caveat: DO SOMETHING with the information you are given. Many times, we ask for help, are given that help and perhaps it didn't come in the way we expected it to so we disregard it. And we keep asking. And keep getting help. And keep putting it to the side.
There is no benefit to you from the readings if you are not willing to put in the work on your part with what is given to you.
Perhaps a little bit of explanation might be helpful. I have known people who love to gather psychic or spiritual information as if they were picking apples off a tree. Get the apple, look at it a bit, put it in your pocket and go on your way. Heck, I have been that person! I love to get readings to see not only what comes through but how the reader brings it through as well. (I'm a fan of the process.) Sometimes, I didn't pay attention to the messages because they didn't resonate with me for whatever reason. Sometimes, I wrote the information down and planned to come back to it later. But there have been many times I didn't really pay attention to what came through and just blew it off. I think that's pretty common so if you do this, don't feel like you're the only one. You are definitely not alone.
What often comes through in a reading (mine or someone else's) is a call to action. You are seeking answers because there are things in your life that aren't working for you. Maybe you don't know what, exactly, isn't working but you know something's not right.
Me? I like the kind of guidance where they tell me everything is peachy, list the 47 reasons it's all happening, that it will turn out okay and to my liking. And I'm sure you can guess how many times that's the case, right? :)
What I'm given, though, are actions I need to take to shift the energies around. And, of course, it's an action I already know I should take but don't really want to. Maybe I'm scared to stand up for myself, or fear looking like a fool. Maybe it's ending a friendship I hang onto even though I know it's past time to let go.
The Guides are really just telling me what I already know but don't want to do. So, I have done what was easiest for me and blown off the action part. And nothing in my life changed. No energy was moved, no resolutions were had. I just got some information, much as you would if you opened a book, and read a few paragraphs. Just information.
Without action, that's all it is. Information. So your Guides, your Aunt Nellie and your best friend can tell you the same thing until they are blue in the face. But if you choose not to act, nothing will change. I know it's hard to do some of the things we are called to do. I totally get it. I was the Queen of gathering information so I could store it all up in my head and use it maybe later. Or not. But I loved the information.
Which made it doubly hard for me to take that information and turn it into action. Then – and only then – did I see things start to move and shift in my life.
And that's part of how Practically Intuitive came to be – I realized my own habit of just getting information and not doing anything with it. Even further, when doing readings for others early on, I got a lot of information about Spirit Guides – their names, their traits, what kinds of things they helped us with. And one day my friend came to me and said "Well, this is all nice. Now, what am I supposed to do with it?" and at that very moment, you could have seen the light bulb go on over my head. That's when I began asking the Guides to give practical information and steps so that if one chose to shift the energies and were committed to doing so, they'd have some actual, concrete steps on the path.
I say CHOOSE because it is always your decision whether to gather information for a "that's nice" reading or commit to acting (in whatever way that happens) on the information. It's like thinking about making a cake vs. getting up off the couch and actually making the cake. At the end, you either have a cake or you don't.
Getting a chance to hear from your Guides is pretty cool, I think. And if you don't do anything with what they tell you, there is NO JUDGEMENT on their part at all. (Trust me. I know this from experience!)
But the rewards for stepping up and doing the work are immense. (I know this one from experience, too!)


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3,034 Ahrar al-Sham terrorists and their family members, including 1,072 militants, left Harasta for Idlib on 59 buses on Friday.
A total number of 4,386 people, including 1,413 terrorists and 111 commanders, left Harasta in the past two days.
Reports also said that the terrorists engaged in infighting while leaving the region which led to the death of 16 of them.
Field sources reported that the army has entered the region after full evacuation of terrorists from Harasta and started cleansing operations.
A sum of 7,128 civilians left the terrorist-held areas in Eastern Ghouta towards safe areas under the army's control through al-Wafedin corridor on Thursday.
Nearly 95,000 people have left Eastern Ghouta through humanitarian corridors since the declaration of humanitarian pauses, head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the opposing sides in Syria Major General Yuri Yevtushenko said on Thursday.
The first group of terrorists left Harasta for Idlib on Thursday.


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Most people who believe they've had an encounter with a higher power report lasting psychological benefits. more...
December 15 , 1791 : The US Bill of Rights was ratified. more...
Learn something new every day
More Info... by email
A chocolate fundraiser is a means of raising funds for not-for-profit organizations such as schools, youth groups, or sports teams. Typically a company will provide the chocolate wholesale and in bulk. The fundraiser is responsible for ordering the candy, maintaining inventory, and making sales. Many organizations that use this method of fundraising will make it an annual event.
Several different kinds of companies provide chocolate fundraiser materials, from name brand candy companies to organizations which are solely in business to supply and facilitate the sales. Most companies will have a suggested sales price for each bar. They will also often note what kind of a profit can be made per box if it sells at the suggested price. Some companies also offer perks such as free shipping.
The chocolate is often sold in boxes of several bars, depending on the type of candy and the company. Some come in one flavor, though mixed packages are also common. A wide array of choices is available for chocolate fundraiser events. Most organizations will sell multiple flavors in order to increase the number of sales. Some companies also offer different kinds of chocolates, though bars tend to be the most popular.
There are several ways candy can be sold for a chocolate fundraiser. Popular methods include standing in front of stores, and grocery stores in particular, or selling door-to-door. Chocolate may also be sold at special events or through friends and family.
Several factors may be considered while selecting candy for a chocolate fundraiser. The goal is to determine which product is most likely to appeal to the targeted customer. Some factors to consider include sales price, quality, and the appeal of brand names. Fundraisers do absorb some risk, as unsold candy cannot be returned to the company.
It is also advisable to determine which flavors are most likely to be popular. Buying equal amounts of each flavor does not usually reflect the actual sales potential. Plain candy tends to attract the widest customer base, while novel flavors may attract people who would otherwise not be interested in buying.
Though the chocolate fundraiser has traditionally been one of the most common food-related fundraisers, the companies that provide the candy often offer other kinds of snacks to use for sales. Some offerings include lollipops, popcorn, and beef jerky. There are also multiple companies which provide raw cookie dough for fundraising purposes.
One of our editors will review your suggestion and make changes if warranted. Note that depending on the number of suggestions we receive, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Thank you for helping to improve wiseGEEK!


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Wycombe High School is the lead school for the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Maths Hub and is one of 35 hubs designated in the summer of 2014. The Maths Hub programme is supported by the National Centre for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and funded by the DfE. You can find out more about Maths Hubs and where they are http://www.mathshubs.org.uk/
The Maths Hubs programme brings together mathematics education professionals in a collaborative national network of 35 hubs, each locally led by an outstanding school or college, to develop and spread excellent practice, for the benefit of all pupils and students.
Our hub covers the following areas: Buckinghamshire to just north of Aylesbury (Milton Keynes and Buckingham are covered by the Enigma Hub); West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead (Bracknell Forest and Slough are covered by the Surrey Plus Hub); Oxfordshire - including Bicester, Oxford and Wantage (the Banbury area is part of the Enigma Hub and West Oxfordshire is covered by the GLOW Hub).
Many schools on the border of two hubs, sign up to both and attend events and participate in workgroups which are conveniently situated and are of interest to them. All the hubs are happy with this arrangement, we just want you to get involved!
We are privileged to be working with the following partners:
· Oxford Brookes University
· The Mathematical Association
· The Further Maths Support Programme
· The Core Maths Support Programme
· Oxfordshire Teaching School Alliance
· Kendrick School, Reading
· Buckinghamshire Learning Trust
· West Berkshire Local Authority
together with an increasing number of primary and secondary schools, and colleges across our region.
How to contact us:
Senior Lead - Sharon Cromie
· Hub Maths Lead - Julia Brown
· Maths Hub Senior Administrator - Sarah Yarwood
· Math Hub Administrator – Ruth Long
· Mastery Lead - Jane Liddle
· Level 3 Lead - Kathy Bentley
For all enquires please email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The work of Maths Hubs falls into two broad categories:
1. National Collaborative Projects - where all hubs work in a common way to address a programme priority area
2. Local projects, where hubs work independently on locally tailored projects to address the programme priorities. These projects are based on feedback from schools and colleges we work with and involve us repeating popular workgroups or providing new opportunities where you tell us there is a need. For example, we were approached by teachers working in the EYFS and SEND areas who told us there is not enough provision in mathematics for their phase and we are delighted to be running some workgroups to begin to address their needs. We are also keen to run more events in Oxfordshire and Reading/West Berkshire if there is sufficient interest. So please do get in touch.
Teaching for Mastery Workgroups
Increasing Participation in Post-16/Level 3 Mathematics (Secondary)
Reasoning and Problem Solving Workgroups
Leadership Development Workgroups
Curriculum, Resources and Qualifications Workgroups
Supply of specialist teachers of Mathematics Workgroups
Other Workgroups
We are leading a number of other courses and events in our region and publicise these in our regular newsletters. Click to see our LATEST NEWSLETTER.
To sign up for our newsletter or for any further information please email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Cygnus are dedicated to ensuring the highest possible standards


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FIRST LOOK: Viraltag Serves Up Something New for Social Media Managers
It's no secret that busy social media managers need all the convenience they can get. Images and video are typically planned in a very un-social way. And offline tools like Excel are typically used in time consuming fashion to keep track of what images are to be shared and when, leaving teams to work between multiple, fragmented solutions.
That's the assessment from Viraltag, a company that is reinventing this "antiquated system" with a new shared, team-centric platform.
"Normally, this type of content would need to go through several stages of approval, like the Content Creation team, the Marketing team, etc.," says Tashween Ali, Director of Social Strategy at Hearst Corporation. "Viraltag's new 'Collaboration' feature will hasten this process."
So how does it work?
Using Viraltag, teams discuss content and gain efficiency with one-click cross-channel promotion, and marketing departments gain a transparent view into social media ROI. Clients including Conde Nast, Hearst Corporation, AOL Entertainment, Lacoste and H&M rely on Viraltag to share optimally formatted images at the most opportune times to boost engagement and brand credibility.
According to a provided briefing, with Viraltag, draft posts are created and dropped into a real-time collaboration dashboard for comment and review, and team members receive alerts when feedback is given. Administrators can then review suggestions, make changes and approve a post, before releasing it to a scheduling queue. Performance data is aggregated across all social channels for each image and campaign, which the connected team can then use to measure asset effectiveness, and improve future campaigns.
"Social media is all about creating conversation, so we applied that spirit of collaboration into the development of this new feature to help teams collectively improve the quality and effectiveness of their posts," said Sudheer Someshwara, Viraltag's founder and CEO.
Later this year, we're told that Viraltag will introduce integration for AI and chatbot technology, building on the company's mission of incorporating best practices and emerging technologies into a single platform for quality-focused social media managers and brand marketers.
To learn more, click here.


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PhD researcher with a story to tell
By Emma White
Emma White is a PhD student with the Department of Infrastructure Engineering, who is on the verge of becoming a published author. Her memoir, Broken will be launched next month. I wondered how she managed to find the time to write a thesis and a memoir, little did I know that she was also balancing this with raising a family. Here is Emma's story in her own words.
Being a PhD student is hard. It is, on occasion, isolating, bewildering, frustrating and completely and utterly overwhelming – kind of like being a parent.
As one of the many people in our university community raising a family while studying, I'm trying to balance caring for my children with my research, sustaining a relationship with my partner, getting enough exercise, and lately, putting the final touches on a memoir. I want to excel as a mother, scientist, partner and author, and at times, my expectations are unrealistic, resulting in stress, anxiety and fears I'm failing at everything.
While theoretically, it's possible for me to make my kids animal shaped sushi for lunch each day, stick to a rigorous exercise regime, publish and present prolifically in the best journals and conferences, and meet my publisher's deadlines; it is about as sustainable as strip mining. In reality, I craft elegant emails to my supervisors explaining why my research is not as far progressed as I'd promised, my kid's teachers barely recognize me, dust bunnies the size of cats blow through my hallway and we are having toasted cheese sandwiches for dinner – again.
Life will always interfere and prevent us from achieving our research or early career goals as rapidly as we would like, be it children, health complications, or other reasons, and as stated in an outstanding article in Science, we as researchers, need to re-evaluate success and our priorities.
I need to accept that occasionally I'll miss a school event due to work constraints, or after a kid falls off the monkey bars, I'll spend the night dozing in hospital lounger instead of presenting my research at a long anticipated conference. My personal and professional life is managed the way a nurse triages emergency patients: which role requires my attention right now.
Borrowing an analogy of work life balance from the author James Patterson, imagine a series of balls representing work, family, friends and spirit being actively juggled. Each ball is made of either rubber or glass and fluctuates between materials at different times. If a ball made of rubber is dropped, it bounces back. However, a fumbled glass ball may chip or even shatter to pieces.
The trick to balance is determining when a ball is rubber and when it is glass.
Emma's research concerns the statistical evaluation of the effectiveness of groundwater management and her memoir Broken, detailing a backpacking trip around Australia four months after her boyfriend became a paraplegic will be launched by Melbourne Books in June. Her blog can be found here: http://www.broken-ekwhite.com/


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The November issue of Lab Animal Europe magazine features an Outreach article written by Emma Martinez, EARA Communications and Policy Officer. In this article, also published in Lab Animal (US), Emma discusses how the European Citizens' Initiative 'Stop vivisection' and the review of Directive 2010/63/EU converge on the European Commission scientific conference 'Non-Animal Approaches – The Way Forward' and the need for scientific engagement. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Stop Vivisection
'Stop Vivisection' petition unsuccessful
For immediate release 3rd June 2015, London
We welcome the response of the European Commission to the European Citizens' Initiative Stop Vivisection petition reiterating its support for the European Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Any roll back from the Directive would have jeopardised the European Research Area and Europe's leading role in important biomedical research that benefits both human and animal health.
Myth Busting: Stop Vivisection
In their most recent statement, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Stop Vivisection calls for a 'new paradigm in biomedical science.'
In a letter addressed to MEPs, Stop Vivisection makes a range of claims as to why animal research is not only unnecessary, but also hindering medical progress. These arguments are unsurprisingly based on inaccurate and misused information. EARA goes through Stop Vivisection's most recent publicity stunt to separate fact from fiction.
Are there effective treatments for modern diseases? Continue reading
Activists Turn to EU to Ban Animal Research
There is a new effort to ban animal research in Europe. The Stop Vivisection European Citizens' Initiative, and its 1.2 million signatures, has been submitted to the European Commission and the organisers have now been invited to discuss their petition.
More than 120 organisations oppose 'Stop Vivisection' initiative
Media Release
London, 4th March 2015
EARA joins research funders and organisations, learned societies and patient groups in a joint statement to support Directive 2010/63/EU and to oppose 'Stop Vivisection' Citizens' Initiative, which was submitted yesterday to the European Commission.


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From Patisserie to Hotel
In 1850, a pastry cook started a patisserie in Zeist. In doing so, without knowing at that time, he formed the basis for a hotel, theatre and congress centre. For on that exact spot, 160 years later, around 450,000 guests now visit the place to enjoy a multitude of activities. At Figi Hotel Theatre you can attend a congress or visit theatre, stay at the hotel, dine at the restaurant or simply have a beer in the theatre café. Since March this year, the number of possibilities at this hotel has increased even further. The municipality of Zeist has let the seventeenth century Slot Zeist to Figi Hotel Theatre. Slot Zeist is a magnificent location with unique style rooms and well-equipped meeting rooms, perfectly suited to parties, dining and business meetings.
Situated in the centre of the unique, hilly, Green Heart of the Netherlands, both locations are available for diverse types of conferences and meetings.
Figi Hotel Theatre and Slot Zeist - used together or independently - are excellent accommodations for a combination of activities. From big events to intimate parties: we are surprisingly versatile.
Figi Hotel Theatre
- Surprisingly versatile -
From Patisserie to Hotel


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April 14, 2016
(April 14, 2016- Mississauga, ON) The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is pleased the federal government is taking steps to define Medical Aid in Dying in advance of the Supreme Court of Canada's extension of June 6, 2016.
"Our family physician members are already having discussions with patients about end-of-life care including physician assisted death, so federal leadership is critical to providing a legal framework," said CFPC President, Jennifer Hall, MD, CCFP, FCFP. "What we heard today represents a prudent first step for the government and we look forward to seeing how things unfold during debates."
The CFPC continues to find ways to support family physicians with respect to questions on physician-assisted dying, issuing a Guide on Ethical Reflection. The CFPC also contributed the family medicine perspective to the work of several groups in preparation of this legislation, including the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying. Further, we asked a group of our members who volunteer to be part of our ePanel, for their opinion on physician-assisted dying. These survey results have helped to guide the CFPC through this complex policy and health care issue. We found that 65% would help competent, consenting dying patients end their life if requested. More than half of this group agreed only if appropriate checks and balances are in place.
"We look forward to continuing to offer our advice and perspective to the federal government as the legislation takes shape. Clarity of process and resource availability will be crucial for both physicians and their patients as well as an understanding of criteria when providing physician-assisted dying," adds the CFPC's Executive Director and CEO, Francine Lemire, MD CM, CCFP, FCFP, CAE. "We are looking for assurances that physician conscientious objection will be considered and balanced with both the rights of the provider and ensuring patients are not abandoned when most vulnerable."
The CFPC is committed to supporting its members through education and guidance to ensure that there are well-defined universal standards that govern physician-assisted dying. The CFPC also places great importance on the value of palliative care and will continue its work in ensuring high quality palliative care, in addition to comprehensive, continuing family medicine, is available to all in Canada regardless of developments in legislation.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) represents 35,000 members across the country. It is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training, certification and lifelong education of family physicians. The College provides quality services and programs, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of family physicians and the specialty of family medicine. The CFPC accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools.
Susan MonicManager, Communications ServicesCollege of Family Physicians of Canada905-629-0900 ext. 432@FamPhysCan


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Safety and security guidelines, as well as industrial requirements for remote release rotary latches are becoming key influences in the design process across industries.
Southco's complete Rotary Latching System uses three elements to create remote, manual actuation: R4 Rotary Latch, AC Cable and AC Actuator. Southco's AC Cables connect the actuator to the rotary latch and allow remote latching.
Constructed of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials, Southco's AC Cables are suitable for use in both interior and exterior environments, and are available in seven different options and end fitting styles. The cables service wide range of application requirements across industries, including Off-Highway, Transportation, Automotive and Industrial Machinery.
As part of Southco's complete rotary solution, AC Cables enable remote actuation and offer design flexibility, allowing rotary systems to be easily integrated into new and existing enclosure installations. All three elements of the system – Rotary Latch, Cable and Actuator were designed by Southco to work together, enhancing security and industrial design.
To learn more about Southco's Rotary Latching solutions, please download our Rotary Latch System Guide.


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Fantasie : Belle underwired balcony bra
Price: £35.00
The Fantasie three section cup bra gives a forward look with a good uplift, This Austrian embroidery Fantasie bra which has simplex undercup, apex detail and a wide set adjustable straps offers a candle construction for greater comfort and support.
Product code: FL6010
- Express delivery - £6.00 (Next working day, Excluding Saturdays)
- 1st Class delivery - £3.50 (Recorded)
- 2nd Class delivery - £3.00 (Recorded)
Orders placed before 3pm are dispatched the same day, subject to payment authorisation and stock availability.
Should there be any delay or stock issues; one of our excellent customer service team will contact you.
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, simply return the items to us in their original condition and packaging within 14 days of receipt and a full refund will issued (excluding original delivery charge), or exchanged for a different size / colour, if preferred.


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Course Outline
To ensure your success in this course, you will need to have familiarity with either the Office 2007 or Office 2010 suite of products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. Additionally, you need to be familiar with how Windows® 10 operates.
This course builds upon your existing Microsoft Office 2007/2010 knowledge and skills by focusing on the enhanced features in Outlook you can use to improve the way you manage, organize, present, and distribute your company's data and information. You'll explore a variety of enhancements, including Word's ability to edit PDF files, the Flash Fill feature in Excel, and improved collaboration. This course helps bridge the gap from the version you already know and love to this latest release of Microsoft's flagship productivity suite.
What You'll Learn
Students will learn how to:
• Get Started with Microsoft Office 2016
• Work with Microsoft Word 2016
• Work with Microsoft Excel 2016
• Work with Microsoft PowerPoint 2016
• Work with Microsoft Access 2016
• Work with Microsoft Outlook 2016
Who Needs to Attend
This course is intended for individuals who already have foundational knowledge and skills in Office 2010 or Office 2013 and who are interested in transitioning from the earlier version of Office to Office 2016.
Getting Started with Microsoft Office 2016
• Common Features
• Office 2016 and the Cloud
Working with Microsoft Word 2016
• Edit a PDF
• Work with Tables
• Embed Videos
• Edit Documents
• Read Documents
Working with Microsoft Excel 2016
• Streamline Workflow in Excel Using Templates
• Accelerate Data Entry with Flash Fill
• Incorporate Charts
• Analyze Data
Working with Microsoft PowerPoint 2016
• Apply a Theme
• Incorporate Objects
• Leverage the Enhanced Presenter View
• Collaborate with Others on a Single Presentation
Working with Microsoft Access 2016
• Explore Web Apps
• Utilize Templates in Access
Working with Microsoft Outlook 2016
• Navigate Through Mail, Calendars, People, and Tasks
• Manage Your Mailbox
Cancellation Policy
We require 16 calendar days notice to reschedule or cancel any registration. Failure to provide the required notification will result in 100% charge of the course. If a student does not attend a scheduled course without prior notification it will result in full forfeiture of the funds and no reschedule will be allowed. Within the required notification period, only student substitutions will be permitted. Reschedules are permitted at anytime with 16 or more calendar days notice. Enrollments must be rescheduled within six months of the cancel date or funds on account will be forfeited.
Training Location
Online Classroom
your office
your city, your province
your country


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"What is today -- Friday?" asks Pompano Beach City Manager Dennis Beach. "This is my fifth day on the job." Indeed, an eternity. Which is why Juice called to ask whether he had finally gotten 'round to addressing the massive condo vacancy on the beach.
The emptiest one of all: the Plaza at Oceanside -- a 17-story luxury condo that was engulfed by the housing market's crash. The developer, WCI, reported that buyers defaulted on deals for 100 units. In total there are 186.
In August 2008, Bonita Springs-based WCI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and early this month it was plucked out of that bargain bin by Ari Pearl, a Hollywood developer who partnered with the Chetrit Group to buy the Plaza for just $38.5 million.
A deal that should allow the new owners to offer some good deals on the 138 units they'll be trying to sell. Beach's mission from the commission that hired him: Do whatever it takes to help the developer's cause.
Back in April 2006, when the proposal for the Plaza at Oceanside was still being shepherded through the city's approval process, the city's planning director, J. Mark Leaf, called it "the most significant redevelopment in the beach area in over 30 years."
It would replace the dilapidated Oceanside Shopping Center, powering a flurry of high-end retail development in the blocks on either side.
But the project met resistance by existing beach residents, who feared a condo cavern, wanted more affordable units, and were concerned about the newcomers crowding streets and schools. When Pompano Beach made its presentation to the Broward County Commission, city representatives were scolded for being unprepared and incomplete.
That led to fighting by city commissioners. All the while, the clock was ticking on the South Florida housing bubble. By the time Oceanside opened its doors this past February, the housing market was in free fall. The condo virtual golf room, its movie theater and enormous gym are all quiet. At night, it's hard to spot a single lighted window in the tower.
Beach, who was the Fort Pierce city manager for 13 years, sees hope in the purchase price. The $38.5 million was less than the $42 million that WCI paid for the land alone. "The new owners are going to be able to put together a development scheme that will make it a productive property," says Beach. "It's in their financial best interest."
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Just as its in his city's interest to provide an assist. Beach says there's a good sum of money available to fix the infrastructure and make other improvements. "The city is engaged in redeveloping public property in that vicinity," he said. "We'll upgrade the streets and parks."
Beach says he'll be contacting Pearl and the development partners soon "to get a feel for their direction and what we can do to help their efforts." (We reached Pearl this afternoon, but though he expressed excitement about the project's future, he declined to give an interview.)
The $38.5 million deal included a piece of land across A1A from the condo, on the northeast corner of Atlantic Boulevard, where WCI had originally planned to build a tower that would house 303 hotel rooms and 77 condo units. You can bet it'll be a long wait before the developers decide to make good on that potential.
Rather, first priority will be to fill the units at Oceanside. Undoubtedly, those will be sold for far less than the $700,00 to $2 million range that was the initial price per unit. Recent sales suggest the new price is 50 percent less.


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This newspaper has consistently opposed the government's policy on special economic zones. The plethora of market-distorting tax giveaways, the liberal mix allowed of "processing" and other areas in a zone (which helped convert some into real estate projects rather than export zones), the minimum and maximum sizes stipulated without economic logic, the administrative difficulties that would be there in dealing with hundreds of "no-tax" zones, all these made this a thoroughly irrational policy that had little to commend itself. And if none of these arguments carried weight, there was the additional outrage that all that was required of the tax enclave was that it be foreign exchange-neutral! Even after the inevitable group of ministers tweaked the model, SEZs continued to be quite lucrative as real estate deals.
But all the criticism was papered over, citing the vast investment sums that were supposed to come to India as a result of SEZs being opened. Examples were trotted out to show that there was a large body of merchant capital that would invest in a country with tax incentives — if China gave incentives, the investment would go to China; if India gave incentives, it would flow to India. With these investments, the argument ran, there would be more exports, the absorption of technology, increased employment, and other such benefits. As for the tax losses, it was argued that these were only notional since, at the end of the day, exports are never taxed anyway; also, since there would be no investment without the zones, there would be no production and hence no taxes. In practice, the government declared large tax holidays for real estate and other development activity too.
If the policy has come unstuck, it is not because of the criticism or the lack of business logic but because of two stumbling blocks: the economic slowdown and the difficulties that many SEZs have faced in acquiring land. As this newspaper reported last week, almost half the proposals that the Board of Approval for SEZs examined last week were for cancelling licences (which the government had said initially was not even envisaged in the enabling law) or extending the dates by which the land was to be acquired. And, as Mahesh Vyas of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) pointed out in this newspaper on Monday, the rush for SEZs has been reduced to a trickle.
SEZs accounted for around a third of the new investments proposed in the quarter ended December 2006, but the figure is down to less than 5 per cent now. Just 42 SEZs have been completed so far, out of the hundreds cleared; they have an investment of Rs 48,776 crore — of which Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery accounts for more than a half (Rs 27,000 crore). Ironically, Reliance is now keen to put an end to the SEZ status of the refinery since it wants to sell petroleum products in the local market! Perhaps this provides the right opportunity for formally recognising that the game is not worth the candle, and burying the policy for good.


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Introducing Go West's Tour Guide of the Quarter… Leonie!
Posted on 12/11/2014 in Latest News
There's a good reason why Go West is a multi-award winning provider of days tours across Melbourne. Our team is dedicated to delivering you with an interactive and informative day trip experience that is bucket loads of fun, rather than just dragging you around Victoria. An enthusiastic and trusted Melbourne tour operator, we'll show you a collection.


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Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
For the second time in two decades, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is undergoing major transformation. The VA Strategic Plan directs VHA to become more Veteran-centric, to use technology to better support health care delivery, and to improve appropriateness, safety, and efficiency of care for the 8.1 million Veterans it serves.
In an era of rising healthcare costs and rapid technology advancement, these measures are necessary to VHA's retaining its status as a model for providing efficient and high-quality care. As healthcare reform broadens choices for citizens, VHA must become a healthcare system where well-informed Veterans choose to obtain their care.
To make these changes, the VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) is conducting research in three focus areas: (1) finding ways to optimize healthcare decisions while maintaining a focus on patient centeredness; (2) developing and implementing innovative approaches to improve safe clinical care, especially for the most vulnerable, complex, and costly patients; and (3) improving patient outcomes with lower resource expenditures by devising sustained approaches to engage patients and their caregivers in self-management.
Examples of CCMR research conducted each of these three areas in 2016 are provided below.
Much of the work in this area addresses not only how to get patients the proper treatment when they need it, but also on how to ensure that patients do not receive risky and costly treatment when they are at low risk for a disease.
For example, CCMR and U-M investigators in the Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine (CBSSM) have demonstrated the feasibility of using a machine-learning risk prediction model to identify patients at high and low risk for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The use of a risk prediction model to prioritize CHC treatment has the potential to maximize benefit, while minimizing harm and containing costs. Such a model could be of tremendous benefit to VHA, given the large amount of resources currently devoted to pharmaceuticals for the treatment of CHC in Veteran patients. CCMR investigators are hoping to test this model in VHA.
In another study, CCMR investigators are working with the Center for Health Communications Research (CHCR) at the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI) to develop, implement, and evaluate a web-based decision support tool for helping VHA primary care providers discuss the risks and benefits of lung cancer screening, based on a patient's individual risk of developing lung cancer. They will be using an innovative quality improvement program developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to help VA medical centers determine how to incorporate the tool into a busy clinical practice.
CCMR investigators are also developing ways to pinpoint when medical services should be "de-intensified"—reduced, removed, or simply not started when such services are unnecessary, or potentially harmful. For example, recent analyses of VA data have demonstrated opportunities for de-intensifying treatment of older patients with low glucose or blood pressure levels
CCMR has a strong track record of improving care for our most vulnerable, complex, and costly patients, and is currently focused on developing innovative approaches that focus on systems-based solutions for two especially vulnerable patient subgroups: patients with significant mental health problems or substance use disorders, and hospitalized medical patients.
Research on improving care for hospitalized patients produced the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC), which specifies indications for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use. Other research completed this past year by the Patient Safety Enhancement Program (PSEP) showed that hospital patients given anti-heartburn drugs have a higher risk of dying, and less than half of U.S. hospitals require flu shots for staff, despite the risk posed to patients. Findings from CCMR's research on patients with sepsis showed that sepsis survivors are often re-admitted to the hospital for preventable reasons, and mortality among Veterans with severe sepsis has declined, but significant variations in mortality rates across VA hospitals persists. Finally, in a June 2, 2016 New England Journal of Medicine article, CCMR investigators revealed that efforts by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in U.S. hospitals have paid off in the non-ICU setting, as evidenced by a 32% reduction in CAUTI rates.
CCMR research on improving the care of patients with mental health problems or substance use disorders this past year included noteworthy findings on the determinants of opioid overdoses, and on mortality risk from antipsychotic drugs in patients with Parkinson's Disease and dementia. A new study was initiated to examine the impact of VA antipsychotic reduction efforts on patients with dementia.
New grants to improve care for patients at risk of opioid overdose or at risk for suicide were also funded. Efforts to reduce the risk of opioid overdose will use motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioral strategies in the primary care setting to provide tailored feedback on risks of opioid use, and to elicit commitment from patients to reduce overdose risk behavior and over-reliance on opioids for pain management.
An intervention for reducing suicidal behavior will target Veterans hospitalized for a recent suicidal crisis who have not yet used the Veterans' Crisis Line. These patients will be provided with brief, motivational interviewing-based therapy in an effort to increase use of the Crisis Line, thereby decreasing the likelihood of future suicide attempts.
Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of patient self-management and treatment engagement has mainly focused on the development, testing, and implementation of innovative interventions, with a particular emphasis on enhancing patients' self-management and prevention of chronic conditions. One new line of work is in this area uses theories of behavioral economics to design interventions.
Findings from one such study showed that use of a lottery encouraged patients to screen for colon cancer. New work in this area will use these theories, as well as theories from health psychology, to design interventions to motivate patients to engage in healthy behaviors to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus.
CCMR investigators participating in the QUICCC (Quality Improvement for Complex Chronic Conditions) partnership with U-M continue their research on the effects of providing automated feedback to non-household family members or friends willing to act as "CarePartners" for supporting patients with their self-management activities. This past year results were published from a study that used this approach for caregivers of VHA patients with chronic heart failure. Findings showed that when CarePartners experienced significant caregiving strain and depression, systematic feedback about their patient-partner decreased those symptoms.
Recently funded research in this focus area is examining the effect of computer-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (cCBT) programs for assisting Veterans with management of their depression and with pain management. One new study utilizes peers to promote the use of cCBT for patients with depression. Another study is testing the hypothesis that artificial intelligence-based CBT will result in functional outcomes that are at least as good as standard telephone CBT for patients with chronic pain, while improving patient engagement and satisfaction and reducing costs. The artificial intelligence approach will determine each patient's personally-tailored treatment plan based on daily feedback via interactive voice response on patients' physical activity, physical functioning, and CBT skill practice.
All of the above research is taking place in the collaborative environment of IHPI, which enables CCMR research teams to work closely with U-M partners, including the following VA/U-M consortia referenced above:
- VA/U-M Quality Improvement for Complex Chronic Conditions (QUICCC)
- VA/U-M Patient Safety Enhancement Program (PSEP)
- VA/U-M Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine (CBSSM)
- VA/U-M Mental Health Services Research


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The Bible has much
to tell us about our everyday lives
Listen Lord, to my prayer; hear my cries for help.
I call to you in times of trouble because you answer my prayers.
From Psalm 86 v 6 and 7
Search the Bible
Can't remember where you read about something?
Type in a word or phrase in the box below, and
click on the 'Search' button. The passage(s) containing that
word or phrase will be listed, and you can then click on the
Bible reference to bring up the whole passage in context.
Search the Bible, see how the Bible is changing lives
and find out about
the Bible
Trust in Him
Our world seems to spin faster every day. As we
struggle to keep up, we grow tired physically, mentally, and
spiritually. At our deepest level - in our very soul - we feel
a deep emptiness. The Bible offers refreshment for your soul.
Since the days when Jesus walked the earth, people have found
strength and meaning in the life-sustaining wisdom and truth
of the Holy Scriptures.
Whether you thirst for the presence of God himself
or for peace, love, hope, and truth, the Bible can answer your
For all the negative things we have to say to
ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
Just One Step
One step won t get you very far —
You've got to keep on walking.
One word won't tell folks who you are —
You've got to keep on talking.
One foot won't make you very tall —
You've got to keep on growing.
One trip to church won't tell you all —
You've got to keep on going!
10 ways to read the Bible
How well do you know your Bible? If you would
like to know it better, but find it daunting, here are some
tips to get you started:
1. Study with others Find a friend
or two and agree to read the same section of the Bible each
week. Make notes, and when you meet for coffee, be that weekly
or whatever, chat about what you have read. Try it!
2. Fall in love See the Bible
for what it really is: a love letter from God to you. Start
with the gospels or the Psalms and make your reading a dialogue
with him. When you read a verse that touches you, tell him.
Worship him as you go along. If you can't understand something,
stop and tell him. And so on.
3. Write your own Bible Read
a passage and then try saying the same thing in your own words.
4. Use a system There are some
excellent daily Bible reading notes around — sample a
few and see how you get on. Any Christian bookshop will stock
5. Verse on the move When you
read, be on the lookout for a verse or verses that mean something
special to you in your situation. Copy them out onto a card,
and carry them about with you. Memorise them. Let them sink
into your soul.
6. Respond in your own way If
a passage moves you, draw a picture of it, write a poem about
it, or create a dance inspired by it.
7. Create a sense of place Sometimes
having a set place in which to meet God can help us. A certain
chair, the kitchen table, whatever. You can enhance this with
an icon or candles —anything to help focus you down on
the spiritual side of things.
8. Vive Ia difference Vary the
way you read the Bible. Sometimes, read a whole book through
at once. Other times, follow a character like David or Peter.
Or, with the help of a concordance, work on a biblical theme
such as gentleness, grace, prayer, or whatever.
9. Be honest about yourself When
are you most alert? Give that time of day to God. Don't
give God the part of the day when you are at your most sleepiest.
10. Listen You can listen
to the Bible
SERMON NOTEBOOK: 'Location, Location,
Malta: Acts 28: 1-10
At the end of the book of Acts we find Paul sailing for Rome,
following his trial before Festus, when he appealed to Caesar.
As a result of a violent storm the prisoners and crew were shipwrecked
on the island of Malta. This story is an object lesson in how
God is alongside of us in our trials and difficulties.
The Shipwreck
There is no denying that the hardships we face
as Christians often come from the way life is. Even Paul was
not exempt from the violent storm and shipwreck. However, his
confidence in God enabled him to take control, and save the
lives of all those on the ship.
After being shipwrecked on the island of Malta,
they immediately set up camp and built a fire. Paul's
practical side is shown in the way he gathered brushwood and
dealt with the viper that fastened to his hand. Despite the
difficulties, he was able to take the necessary practical action.
The Sickness
Publius, a key man in the island of Malta, and
one who had shown great kindness to Paul and the others, fell
ill with fever and dysentery. Sickness stuck as suddenly as
the shipwreck. However, Paul lay hands on him and prayed for
him, resulting in his healing. We are also called to pray with
expectancy to God in the face of disease and sickness.


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Many people find their spirituality through an organized religion, such as Judaism or Christianity, while others are able to come to it simply through their own personal experiences and feelings without having to follow the teachings set forth by any particular religious group. Some individuals, for example, find their spirituality through practices like yoga and daily meditation. But everyone, no matter how old you are or where you live, can become more spiritual.
No matter what, spiritual awareness can help you grow and evolve by giving more meaning to your life and by transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. Those who are spiritual feel a connection to other living beings, as well as to the universal life force that governs all that exists. They also tend to be more content, centered, and calm, and they may be able to cope with whatever life throws at them because they have a strong faith in the deeper meaning of life and the existence of an afterlife.
What Exactly is Spiritual Awareness?
The process of becoming spiritually aware, or spiritually awakened, is a solitary one. It is something that you pursue on your own, and you cannot rely upon others to make you more spiritually aware or to awaken your inherent spiritual self. Instead, the key lies in exploring your deepest self, often referred to as the soul, by turning inward and really listening to your heart and to your inner wisdom. By doing so, the ultimate goal is to figure out your life's true calling and then follow the path towards your fulfillment. In other words, by tapping into the core of your being, you will be able to listen to your deeper self, which will tell you what you should be doing in your life in order to bring the most joy to yourself and to others.
Once you have connected your body to your spirit and your mind, you will feel balanced and you will have a sense of purpose that guides your thoughts, words, and actions and provides you with a clearer direction towards joy and peace. Again, many people achieve this unity of body of spirit through the ancient practice of yoga, as well as through daily meditative practice. These both allow you to settle into a quiet state without outside distractions so that you can listen to your true self rather than be influenced by the people around you and what society dictates.
Also, as you become more spiritually aware, you will notice signs in your daily life that guide you towards your goals or that give you clues into what path would bring you the most happiness. Coincidences may begin to occur more frequently, and paying attention to these occurrences will help you realize that there are certain patterns and forces at work that are inspiring you and guiding you to the life that you have always dreamed of. Again, rather than listening to what society has to tell you or what others expect of you, you begin to listen more to yourself and to the little insights provided to you by the universe. You will also begin to shed negative patterns that used to hold you back from being the person you were meant to be in this life.
How to Achieve Spiritual Awakening
If being spiritually awakened sounds like something you would want, you will have to work for it by giving yourself some much-needed alone time on a daily basis in order to tap into your soul. Below are some of the key steps that people often take during their journey toward becoming spiritually aware and more open to the infinite possibilities that the world can provide.
Meditation and Choosing Your Path
Meditation can be very difficult for beginners. You may find that your mind races, that you cannot clear away your thoughts, and that you become fidgety. Starting a daily practice through a course that teaches you how to meditate if you are a beginner is a great way to introduce yourself to this practice without becoming overwhelmed. You may also wish to read this blog post that explains how to meditate properly.
Many individuals choose to begin with guided meditations or those that use special sound effects and music. Others prefer mantra meditations, such as those that balance the chakras (especially the third eye chakra, which is associated with insight and intuition). No matter what, a meditation will help you focus your mind on the present moment and relax and heal your entire body. And by incorporating special breathing techniques, you can also open up the channels throughout the body in order to allow your body and mind to connect with one another and bring about a state of natural healing. As you practice meditating every day, it will definitely become easier, and you will be able to spend more time in silence as you get better at it.
As you slip into the silent state of meditation, you will be able to gain insight into who you really are and what your purpose really is. By relaxing your entire being, you are then able to focus more on the inner self, and this can help you consider what you really want out of life and how you can reach your goals.
Exhibiting More Compassion in Everyday Life
As you become more spiritually aware, you will notice subtle shifts in the way you see others and in the way you interact with them. You will begin to be more compassionate and patient. You may also notice that you are able to empathize more easily with those who are suffering, which will make you even more inclined to want to ease the suffering of other living beings on the planet. Many people who become more spiritually aware, therefore, may begin volunteering for a good cause or they may change their daily habits by focusing on a healthy plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle that does not contribute to the suffering of animals.
As you begin to become more aware of the world around you and the needs of others, your spirituality will blossom at the same time. Your ego will begin to melt away and you will behave more selflessly yet feel more fulfilled by being a more positive individual as you strive to fulfill your heart's desire.
Other Shifts That Will Occur
As you become more spiritually aware, you will notice other shifts taking place. For example, you will be more willing to love yourself–flaws and all–and stop yourself from being so critical and judgmental of your own thoughts and actions. By freeing yourself of these inner criticisms, you will be able to change the way you think and behave so that you can enjoy a richer life that is in line with what your soul wants. And, of course, you will be able to connect with others better and have deeper relationships with those you love.
Becoming more spiritually aware, to the point that you begin to follow your dreams of having a career that you enjoy, will also help you find and generate more abundance. Money and comfort comes to you naturally because you are able to work at something that you love and your skills will continue to improve as you focus on the tasks at hand rather than feeling miserable and unfulfilled. You may even find that you become more creative, and you can use this in any of the many industries around the world in order to do even better work and be rewarded for it.
Those who have awakened spiritually also find that their intuition is more powerful than ever before. They are able to sense people and their intentions better, make sound decisions, and look for signs that will steer them in the right direction in both family life and career. Inner wisdom shines through and becomes the guiding force throughout the existence of the individual who is spiritually aware.
If you become more spiritual, and you encourage those around you to the same, you will be contributing to global spiritual awareness. And as more people make this positive shift towards a more tranquil and fulfilling existence, the world can become a more joyful and more peaceful place as well.
A Personal Journey
The first step in achieving spiritual awareness is being willing to embark on a path that is very personal, so try to let go of everything else that you have been taught and begin to connect with the universe on your own terms. Always remember that spiritual awakening is a private experience, so everyone will come to it in their own time and by their own unique means. Therefore, the process itself will be different for each individual.
Begin walking along a more spiritual path and awaken your inner divinity. Learn more about the intelligence that lies within you and the steps you can take to target your true purpose while living in the moment and harnessing the powerful energy that permeates through your entire being and the whole universe.


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Here is some advice: if you aren't a web developer, use GoDaddy. I was able, with my fine art site, to log in, click "forward domain," check "with masking," and magically my Blogger hosted art blog looks like it's at its own URL. With Verio I had to make actual effort, consult Bu repeatedly, etc. It looks like it will be a hassle to use daisybones.com rather than blog.daisybones.com, which is a pisser. After I think on it a while I may decide I can live with that but I'm cranky right now.
The good? news is I had no idea I have a small hosting package included with my domain. So, potentially I could just be self-hosted. (In which case I could consider a Wordpress.org site but then my brain hurts from wasted effort migrating to Blogger so I'm just gonna go lalalalalala and ignore that.) I could also have some nice "about, gallery, whatever" pages like at WP.com.
My brain hurts now from CNAMES and DNS and RSS and CSS and subdomains and I want to cry. So I will just refocus on my raunchy dream about Malcolm Reynolds (OK technically it was probably a Nathan Fillion dream but having read lots of interviews with him lately I have this sense of knowing him as an actual person- which I don't but still... and my crush feels suddenly creepy because I grok that he is generally squicked by that aspect of fame. So, let's persist in pretending that my sex dream was about a nice safe fictional character) and go to a shinier place in my brain.