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European Union
|European Union
Flag of the EU as of the early 21st century
|Government overview
Representative democracy
|Societal overview
Official language(s):
Official religion(s):
Tier 3
|Historical overview
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of national governments located primarily in Europe on Earth. Established under its current name in 1993, the EU continues to exist as a major political entity in the 26th century.[1] A democratic confederation of nations, the European Union is economically and politically powerful, as well as proudly multicultural.[2]
Early history[edit]
Europe is the birthplace of Western culture. European nations played a predominant role in global affairs from the 16th century onwards, especially after the beginning of colonization. By the 17th and 18th centuries European nations controlled most of Africa, the Americas, and large portions of Asia. World War I and World War II led to a decline in European dominance in world affairs as the United States and Soviet Union gained prominence. The Cold War between those two superpowers divided Europe along what came to be known as the Iron Curtain. The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty—whose main architects were Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand—came into force on November 1, 1993.
Recent history[edit]
At some point in the 22nd century, the Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom (a member of the European Union) were severely damaged in a domestic terrorist attack. During the Jovian Moons Campaign in 2160, and again throughout the Interplanetary War (2164-2170), the Frieden movement was supported by corporations headquartered in the Unified German Republic, since they were often targets of Koslovic-affiliated "workers' crusades" and much of the Frieden-controlled territory included German colonies. At the end of that war, Unified Earth Government became a full-fledged governing entity, which then gained full autonomy and authority over Earth and her colonies in 2204. As a geopolitical entity on Earth, the European Union has been directly subordinate to the United Nations ever since.
When the Human-Covenant War began, the United Nations Space Command took over all governmental affairs, both on Earth and throughout human-occupied space. Over the course of the war, Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme, a corporation based in Essen, Unified German Republic, was responsible for developing multiple variants of MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, including the CQB, CQC, and JFO-class variants. Following the end of the decades-long conflict, Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme continued its work, creating Technician[3] and Freebooter variants of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor and the Rampart VISR, for the GEN2 platform. On October 28, 2558, a Guardian arrived at Earth under the direction of Cortana and swiftly proceeded to knock out all communications and power across the planet with an enormous electromagnetic pulse. The European Union was not spared and fell under her sway along with every other nation-state and political subdivision on the planet, not to mention those on many other human colonies as well.
- France
- Germany
- Essen
- Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme - a major UNSC armor development and testing facility
- Essen
- Greater Czechoslovakian Authority
- United Kingdom
- England
- Hull - birthplace of Randall Aiken
- London - Previously the capital of England and home to the Houses of Parliament, the site of a terror attack in the 22nd century and the location chosen for Iona's trial.
- Wolverhampton - birthplace of Malcolm Geffen
- Scotland - Birthplace of Michael Baird[1]
- Iona - the island of which inspired the name of the AI Iona.
- Edinburgh - The capital of Scotland and location of The University of Edinburgh.
- University of Edinburgh - A renowned centre for teaching and research. Unharmed during the Battle of Earth, it was used for research on Forerunner artefacts and home to the Department of Xenoarchaeological Studies.
- Department of Xenoarchaeological Studies - Where Dr. William Iqbal and his colleagues were hired by ONI to study Forerunner relics discovered on various worlds including Earth and the Ancient Human ruins of Heian.[4]
- University of Edinburgh - A renowned centre for teaching and research. Unharmed during the Battle of Earth, it was used for research on Forerunner artefacts and home to the Department of Xenoarchaeological Studies.
- England
- Scandinavia
List of appearances[edit]
- Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe
- Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian (First appearance)
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Halo: Glasslands (Mentioned only)
- Halo: Saint's Testimony (Simulated only)
- ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Sergeant Mike Baird article
- ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 296 (2011)
- ^ Halo Waypoint: Canon Fodder - Conventional Warfare
- ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, "From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal", page 519


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HighlightsMakassar | Maros | Malino | Bira | Sengkang | Lake Tempe | Tanah Toraja | Tangkoko Batuangas Reserve | Mahawu Volcano | Bunaken Island
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? firstname.lastname@example.com
Responsible tourism
Cultural vacation in Indonesia
Carbon reduction
Your vacation will help support local people and conservation. We must also reduce CO2. Learn about the CO2 emissions of this vacation and how to reduce them.
This tour travels through some remote regions, away from the well beaten tourist trail. Our guides will brief travelers on appropriate behaviour, both cultural and environmental, and when camping we make a point of ensuring that we leave no permanent traces of our stay behind, taking all rubbish with us. We work with our local suppliers to highlight best practice in terms of environmental issues, and introduce them to green thinking, which often does not feature as an issue in the tourism industry in Indonesia.
We visit nature reserves that are home to some unique wildlife, and the entrance fees that we pay here contribute to their ongoing conservation. At Bunaken clients are fully briefed about appropriate behaviour while snorkelling so as not to disturb the marine wildlife. We work with local guides in the parks who know the areas well these are from the communities that surround the parks and this therefore ensures that these vital areas are seen not just as the preserve of wealthy western tourists but as a valuable source of employment and income for local people, thus further contributing to conservation and acting as a discouragement to unsustainable use of the parks resources. We issue guidelines to our travelers about the importance of leaving these parks as they were, and taking all litter out when we leave.
Our philosophy is to only use small and locally owned suppliers, meaning that the income remains within the country and creates a real economic contribution. We also feel that the passion inherent within such suppliers means that your experience will be enhanced. We also try to engage with our suppliers on an equal basis getting the lowest possible price usually isnt the best outcome for local communities and is ultimately unsustainable. We aim to always treat our suppliers fairly and with respect; they are after all part of the key to our success and to us working together is much more than just a business arrangement, but an ongoing relationship that we aim to ensure truly benefits everyone involved.
We believe that tourism is a double edged sword that needs to be wielded very carefully. Our philosophy is to have a limited amount of departures usually between one and three a year - for each of our itineraries. By limiting our presence in areas where local culture can be quite fragile, we hope to avoid as much as possible the phenomenon whereby an area changes in character due to repeated and prolonged exposure to tourism. We want to visit an area as friends, not intruders and to ensure that what we see will also be there for others to enjoy for many years to come.
We only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign Tour Leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and our carbon footprint. We believe that locals know best. Our local operators only use locally owned accommodation. This means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. When possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail or bus) and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops and encourage our clients to interact both financially and socially with the communities that they are passing through. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.
We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. This may include giving a percentage of the profits from each tour to a foundation to help street children or local conservation projects. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where possible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.
Our groups average only six clients, and many tours operate on a private basis with just two travelers. This has much less impact when traveling through rural areas, reducing our environmental and social affects. Finally to emphasis our commitment to Responsible Tourism all clients will receive a copy of our Travelers Code of Conduct with their travel documents.
3 Reviews of Cultural vacation in Indonesia
Reviewed on 13 Oct 2019 by Leslie Miller
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
attending a funeral in Toraja and being personally welcomed by the family.
finding tasiers and snorkelling the friendly people
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It's hot! be sure to bring a good hat. Bring black clothes to wear to the funeral (light weight black pants are best as shorts are not appropriate attire for the funeral and one of your village visits.)
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Sulawesi (especially in the North), does not receive a lot of foreign visitors. (Foreign tourism is low enough that many people asked to have their picture taken with me!) Tourism is an important source of revenue for the guides, hotels, restaurants and tourist sites. Unemployment is a problem and tourism dropped dramatically after the Bali bombings years ago. Tourism dollars were important to those I spoke with.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent trip, our guides were outstanding. The trip was well managed and our food and accomodations were generally excellent. A trip for those who want a cultural experience. However, hotels are sometimes a little far from town.
Read the operator's response here:
Reviewed on 02 Oct 2017 by Simon Emery
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
It seems strange to say but the highlight of the trip was attending a funeral in Toraja. The lavish ceremony, held over five days, is like nothing I have ever seen. There were hundreds attending the ceremony and dozens of buffalo and even more pigs slaughtered to feed the people.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be ready for long days on the road. The distances are not huge, but the roads and traffic are so bad it took 10hours in the minibus to cover 250km.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We used local resaurants and businesses throughout the tour so the money went into the local economy. Also, Mariba, the guide, was very focused on the enviroment, he was embarassed by the amount of litter in Indonesia and went out of his way to point out to locals the bad impression this gives to visitors. In one village he even got a bag and went round picking up the rubbish.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The tour was a good introduction to Sulawesi. Two weeks cannot do justice to such a large and diverse islands but the tour included local culture, history and wildlife viewing.
Read the operator's response here:
Reviewed on 06 Oct 2015 by Gerard Mulryan
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Going to a traditional funeral of a very high status lady in Toraja. We only went on one day but it lasted 7 days. All her relatives and members of her tribe were there - about 20,000 people. We were made most welcome by one of the ladies grandchildren who spoke very good English so we could enjoy the spectacle even more.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Travel pretty light. It's very hot and humid so lots of loose clothes but take good walking shoes - there is lots of walking involved.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I do. We supported the local economy by buying stuff from them and also by using local restaurants for meals, hiring equipment and employing local guides.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Simply amazing!
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subset: commoncrawl


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Unsatisfactory work. After several years(6+), he could still not achieve a decent result. Went to another orthodontist and got the perfect result for me in just 5 mo... Read more
My kid has major sensory issues. Dr. Well was so calm and kind as to allow my son to come in a week before the appointment to take a tour, use some of the equipment ... Read more
I was informed 4 years after the fact, by my insurance, that I was overcharged. Whether knowingly or by mistake, I was double charged and my insurance was charged. Y... Read more
Dr. Bloore removed a wire in the bonding behind my front tooth which caused my teeth to move and i had to start over again with another doctor.
Orthodontists are dental specialists that treat and correct irregularities of the teeth and jaw (malocclusions) and related problems.Read more
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Fine Stitch Alterations is a successful alteration and dry cleaning(drop off depot) business located in the Northgate Mall. This turn key operation is easy to run and is business for sale only. There are solid and stable customers with lots of repeat business. Some mall restrictions apply, please contact the listing agent for more details.
The Association of Regina REALTORS® Inc. (ARR) IDX listings are displayed in accordance with ARR's MLS® Data Access Agreement and are copyright of the Association of Regina REALTORS® Inc.
The above information is from sources deemed reliable but should not be relied upon without independent verification. The information presented here is for general interest only, no guarantees apply.
MLS® System data of the Association of Regina REALTORS® Inc. displayed on this site is refreshed every 15 minutes.


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Town, RM seeking support for Energy East proposal
September 10, 2018 7:39 am
Kevin Weedmark
The town and RM of Moosomin are asking people who support their plan to take Energy East off the drawing board to let them know.
Anyone who is in support of the town and RMs plan to have Energy East reconsidered is asked to send an indication of their support to email@example.com.
The town and RM have formed the Energy East Development Committee to promote the development of Energy East, and former SARM president Sinc Harrison has agreed to work on the communities behalf.
As well, the Moosomin Chamber of Commerce has invited the three main federal party leaders to attend a public forum on pipelines in Moosomin this fall, if a date can be found that works for them.
Energy East was a proposal by TransCanada Pipelines to repurpose part of the existing pipeline across Western Canada and Ontario from natural gas to oil, and build new pipeline through Quebec and New Brunswick, to take Western Canadian oil to eastern refineries in Quebec and New Brunswick, and potentially to an export position at St. John, New Brunswick.
TransCanada withdrew its application to the National Energy Board for approval of the pipeline a year ago, after the federal government announced a change that would take all upstream and downstream emissions into account for any future pipelines.
Moosomin would have been a major beneficiary of Energy East as TransCanada planned a 1,050,000 barrel tank farm at the Moosomin compressor station, a feeder pipeline from Cromer to Moosomin, and potentially an additional pipeline from Williston, North Dakota to Moosomin.
The town and RM had sent resolutions to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities in the fall, calling for the organizations to lobby for the reinstatement of Energy East. Since then, SUMA president Gordon Barnhardt has met with TransCanada to discuss the issue. Barnhardt also recently met with SARM president Ray Orb to discuss the issue.
Souris-Moose Mountain MP Dr. Robert Kitchen said last week that he is fully behind the town and RMs efforts.
I think its a great approach, he said Thursday. I truly believe Energy East is the solution we need and I will push for Energy East to be reopened once we get a change of government.
Andrew Scheer has stated he would like to see that brought forward. It was brought forward at convention and was supported by the members, so this is an issue we need to work on, and any way we can do that is helpful.
Sinc Harrison said that letters of support from individuals, groups, businesses, municipalities, or organizations are welcome to submit letters to email@example.com.
Any support we can get would be greatly appreciated, he said.


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Nairobi — Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have vowed to reject the nomination of Miguna Miguna as deputy governor once his name is tabled in the House for approval.
Led by the Majority Leader Abdi Guyo the MCAs on Thursday said Miguna Miguna is not a member of Jubilee Party where Governor Mike Sonko belongs and therefore he cannot deputize him before being cleared by the party.
"I can assure you the nominee's name wouldn't see the light of the day and you can take that to the bank, we cannot have a deputy governor who doesn't belong to Jubilee party," said Guyo.
Guyo said Miguna has not regained his citizenship adding that his nomination flouts the party's laws.
Throwing weight behind the subject, Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi said Miguna Miguna must settle his citizenship row before being vetted for the position of Deputy Governor of Nairobi.
She observed that this is in line with one of the requirements for those wishing to take up political posts in the country.
"You know there are procedures also when you are vying as a member and this is a political position and so you have to go through the same vetting of a political position," said Elachi.
Miguna's nomination was announcement was made on Wednesday, hours after the self-styled general of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) cancelled his trip to the country after the government declined to grant him unconditional entry or issue him with a Kenyan passport as ordered by the High Court.
The Wednesday surprise move sparked mixed reactions, from Kenyans on social media, with many even doubting the nomination.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja through his Twitter handle also dismissed Miguna's nomination.
"Miguna will not become the Deputy Governor of Nairobi. Take that to the bank," he tweeted.
The deputy's post in Nairobi County fell vacant following the resignation of Polycarp Igathe on January 12, citing frustrations over failing to earn the trust of his boss in the management of county affairs.


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As we prepare for Thanksgiving, that question may be on many people's minds. Kim Severson, writing in today's NY Times about a dispute with other food writers (and the ensuing cook-off she won hands down), comes down solidly on the side of "After the Bird, Everything Else Is Secondary."
From turkey comes stock, the flavor-giving fluid that pumps through the entire meal. Good gravy depends on good stock. So does stuffing (more on our stuffing fight in a moment). Delicious turkey does not come from a 29-cent-a-pound supermarket bird with cottony, bland breast meat. They are, as my favorite turkey breeder says, the Red Delicious apples of turkeys.
A bird that has been bred to reproduce naturally and thrive in the open develops tastier meat. I've eaten dozens of both, and I will swear to that basic truth on my favorite turkey platter.
There is a catch. Growing a great turkey takes time and serving one costs money. But if you can afford it, it's the way to go.
The turkeys from Ayrshire Farm in Upperville, Va., spend their days on pasture and get organic feed. Much attention has been paid to their husbandry. They are certified by the Humane Farm Animal Care program. True, they start at
$125. But frankly, no expense was too great in proving Moskin wrong.
It's hard to think of a more fitting tribute to heritage breed turkeys, or a better explanation for why we continue to raise them — even though the baby poults cost twice as much and reach a finished weight of less than half of what their broad breasted supermarket cousins can get to.
The piece goes on to give some excellent tips for cooking a heritage turkey. If you plan to get one, this article would be a good "clip and save." But hopefully you've already reserved yourself a turkey; most small producers sell out far in advance of Thanksgiving. And hopefully you'll be able to pay less than the $125 that Severson had to come up with.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, for a whole host of reasons. To say that I'm looking forward to feasting on one of our Blue Slate tom turkeys later this month would be a gross understatement.


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Spa & more
Pools with whirlpool and air massage and controlled temperature make you relax during the day and fill you with confidence and wellbeing.
Relaxing massage
A good quality deep muscular massage is a marvelous way to relax and eliminate stress in our everyday lives and of course improves our health and well being...
Full body 50min 30 €
Full body 25min 15 €
Face 15min 10 €
Shiatsu (shi meaning finger and atsu meaning pressure) is a Japanese therapy that uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms...
Full body 50min 30 €
Full body 25min 15 €
Face 15min 10 €
Chocolate scented massage
Treat yourself to a deliciously way to moisturize! Chocolate scented massage is recommended for promotion of skin elasticity and prevention of dry skin…
Full body 50min 35 €
Face 15min 15 €
Body & face 60min 40 €
Cranial Sacral Therapy
Cranial sacral therapy is a gentle form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas which alleviates stress and pain.
Back & neck 20min 15 €
Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet and hands. These areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person's general health...
Feet & hands 20min 15 €


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(West Palm Beach, FL – January 22, 2011) The Kravis Center successfully hosts the Second Annual Alan Lebow Awards for Excellence in Shakespearean Recitation, created in memory of Kids' Dreams' co-founder Alan Lebow, who was known for his love of poetry and especially Shakespeare.There were two top winners of $1,000 each: Brendan Gardner of Boynton Beach High School and Johnson Sinophat of Palm Beach Lakes High School. There were two $500 Honorable Mention awards and six $100 Participant awards.
Prior to the Awards ceremony, the students had access to a coaching session and subsequently performed before a locally distinguished panel of judges. Mr. Gardner and Mr. Sinophat performed their recitations to those in attendance at the awards ceremony. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw handed out the awards.
All participants were treated to that night's performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Kravis Center. We are looking forward to the Third Annual Alan Lebow Awards for Excellence in Shakespearean Recitation event next year.


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Choosing your palette
When choosing colours for your sprite art it is usually best to use already existing (mainline or UMC) palettes. But what can you do when you want to create your own, individual units?
I'll try to give you a short lesson -and hopefully some insights- into colour theory.
Analysing existing art
Some of the newer mainline sprites use a lot of shades you (at first) wouldn't expect. Before creating your own images it is good to look at and analyse them. Good examples are the Firedragon(green and purple shadows) and Elvish Outrider(yellow highlights on metall)
Those colours, sparingly used, can create contrast in the picture without breaking the whole image.
Choosing number of colours
Any material (which doesn't lie completely in shadows) should have at least 4 shades. Bigger surfaces should have up to 6, while the most dominant can have around 8 shades, but try to keep the number low. The shades you need are:
1. White: for shiny or bright surfaces
2. Highlighting colour (optional)
3. Base-colour of the material in normal light
4. Blackish outline (Don't use black; The outline can be the same colour for the whole unit)
5.-8. About 2-4 Darker shades of the base-colour (can be replaced with other colours; more of that later)
Shading depending on material
Metal is usually shiny and therefore should be white where light hits best. It reflects its surroundings, so many different colours could be used. Metal surfaces usually use more shades than other materials
Skin and leather aren't (very) reflective. Oily skin is very shiny (-> high contrast), while dry or dirty skin has a lower difference between shades.
Textile isn't shiny or reflective at all. As result white can only be used for bright fabric. It also creates folds on its own, so light shades and shadows often alternate.
Reusing shades
I'd generally advise against using the same shades in the same image on different surfaces as it can make later edits more difficult and look confusing, but sharing the palette between different units can be useful to indicate unity (eg. units from the same faction).
Nevertheless here are three units, who use only 12 shades of brown, to show you how to reduce colour count
These units create different materials and colours by using variating shading method (see above) and quantity of a colour.
The fist one has a lot of orange in his trousers to distinguish it from his skintone. His weapon uses browntones with a hint of purple and green to create the illusion of a natural wooden branch and beige for dry leaves. The golden ornaments are mostly yellow with white as higlights and orange/brown in the shadows.
Nr.2 has a darker but shiny skin, so the contrast is higher (white highlights to brown skin)
The last one has a lighter skin with mostly beige shades. On his shoulders are bronze plates with a lot more orange than the gold ornaments of Nr.1. His skirt and breastplate have nearly the same shades as the skin, but a lot more white (skirt) and brown (armor) to distinguish.
Most of the time the shape of an object can be decisive for the apperance of the material.
Darker shades can be replaced with different colours to create a higher contrast or to give the material an undertone.
The default shadow for wesnoth is purple. It works best on orange or brown shades, but can be used for almost every colour with good results.
Non-reflective surfaces (e.g. normal clothes) should have just darker shades of the base colour, grey, or the default purple in the shadows. Metall and other reflective materials can use a larger variety.
Complementary colours (e.g dark green shadow for orange materials) let the surface shine a little brighter.
To create the illusion of reflection green (grass,forest) and blue (sky) shades on metall work best.
Other colours can be used to characterize a faction/unit (e.g. blue shadows for units with a water theme, red for a fire theme...)
Additionaly the number of shades you replace can have a large effect:
Replace only one shade for a hardly noticeable undertone. It's an easy effect with little efford.
Replace multiple shades with different colours to create properties for the material (e.g rusty surface, magical aura, unique (magical) metalls like mythril). It has to be carefully crafted, otherwise it will look very strange.
Replacing multiple shades with the same colour will change the colour of the material. It is only good when desired.
As general rules:
1.Replacing brighter shades will most of the time be more noticeable than replacing dark ones.
2.Replacement-shades should have (roughly) the same brightness as the original shade.
3.Replacement-shades will be less noticeable if they have a low saturation or a similar saturation as the original shade. Can be desired or not.
Highlights are bright shades with a different colour than the material. They will mostly be used for metalls, but can also give textile a shining ability (-> silk).
If you don't want to change the whole colour of the material, they should only be used very sparely (single pixels). Only use them as replacement for the brightest shades, otherwise use shadows (see above).
Theoretically you could use any colour (with high brightness) to highlight, but bright green and yellow work best most of the time. Like shadows, a hue with higher saturation will be more invading than a grey colour.


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Former WWE Star Alberto Del Rio Reportedly In Talks With TNA
Alberto Rodriguez, the former WWE star Alberto Del Rio, may be returning to wrestling in the United States pretty soon.
Rodriguez is reportedly in talks with TNA, in a deal that could see him arrive in the company as early as this spring. As of this week, no official deal has been made, but both sides are apparently still discussing a potential arrangement.
TNA will be taping the next several weeks of TV this week, so if he doesn't appear at the tapings, the earliest we can expect Rodriguez is in March for the next set of TV tapings. On the one hand, that's plenty of time for TNA to put this deal together. And yet, it's also plenty of time for this deal to fall apart. Rodriguez doesn't seem like the kind of guy who really needs to be in pro wrestling, especially now that he's the president of Combate Americas, the first Hispanic MMA franchise.
But if Rodriguez wants to wrestle in the United States, TNA makes at least as much sense for him as, say, Lucha Underground. In fact, you could argue TNA makes even more sense, since they'd presumably take anybody who was even half the star Rodriguez was in WWE. Even with his reputation for no-showing or getting into violent altercations, Rodriguez would still be a solid hand to have on the roster, provided he doesn't bring any of his usual problems with him. And that's a big "if", I would imagine.
What do you think about Alberto Rodriguez potentially signing with TNA? Sound off in the comments!
And for more wrestling news, watch WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair deadlift 400 lbs. — at age 67!


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Christian Outdoor Leadership (COL) Seminars, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, and Backcountry skiing clinics, courses and guide training. High ropes course construction, facilitation and facilitator training.
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"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him..."
Climbers With Christ
28 years of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in the local high and low alpine!
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Thank you for your patience as we update the different pages of our website.


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|Previous Close
|Expire Date
|Day's Range
|36.86 - 36.90
|Contract Range
|Open Interest
RH (NYSE: RH) announced today the opening of RH Columbus, The Gallery at Easton Town Center. RH Columbus represents the brand's quest to revolutionize physical retailing, and its continued foray into hospitality with a glass-encased Rooftop Restaurant, and Wine & Barista Bar, that open onto a beautifully landscaped park.
Insight Enterprises (NSIT) is at a 52-week high, but can investors hope for more gains in the future? We take a look at the company's fundamentals for clues.
Q3 2019 RH Earnings Q&A Conference Call
The new shop shows off the brand's luxury furnishings and design and "represents the brand's quest to revolutionize physical retailing, and its continued foray into hospitality," according to a statement.
Restoration Hardware Holding s (NYSE: RH ) announced Wednesday that CEO Gary Friedman sold 500,000 shares of RH common stock from Dec. 9-11. The stock sale comprised an option to purchase 100,000 shares and ...
RH (NYSE:RH) announced today that Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Gary Friedman sold an aggregate of 500,000 shares of RH common stock from December 9, 2019 through December 11, 2019 consisting of an option to purchase 100,000 shares, and 400,000 shares of common stock that Mr. Friedman owned outright.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: MHO, NVR, PHM, DHI and RH
Given the growth in share price and strong fundamentals, RH stock could be worth a spot in a growth-oriented portfolio.
Top Ranked Momentum Stocks to Buy for December 10th
Millennials are expected to propel housing growth next year. And it's mostly because of low mortgage rates and a strong economy that has led to low unemployment and in turn higher disposable income.
A blowout non-farm payrolls report launched U.S. equities higher on Friday. Can they continue the momentum next week? Let's look at a few top stock trades that might help. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 1: Goldman Sachs (GS)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comAt one point, it felt like you couldn't give Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) away -- that's how bad investors didn't want to own the stock. Now though? Shares are in breakout mode.$220 has been resistance for the past few months, but each dip in GS kept on getting more and more shallow. That's shown via uptrend support (blue line). With it now breaking out over resistance to new 52-week highs, bulls will likely look to keep up the momentum.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 7 Overlooked Value Stocks to Buy That Will Shine in 2020 Should GS wobble, look to see if the $220 breakout area acts as support. If it does, it could be a buy-the-dip opportunity. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 2: Big Lots (BIG)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comBig Lots (NYSE:BIG) roasted short sellers on Friday, ripping 30% on better-than-expected earnings. This isn't a big-time breakout like we saw with RH (NYSE:RH) the other day, but it's still an encouraging move for bulls.Now, though, potential resistance looms nearby. I want to see if BIG stock can clear the $25 to $26 area. If it can, it not only puts the declining 200-day moving average on the table, but also marks a huge turning point for sentiment.If it gets over $26, bulls will have regained substantial control.If this area acts as resistance though, it's vital that BIG protects as much of its post-earnings gains as possible. Staying above the 100-day and 50-day moving averages would be ideal, but it's now vital that the stock stays above prior downtrend resistance (blue line). Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 3: Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comBristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) jumped to new 52-week highs on Friday, as bulls continue to bid this biotech stock higher. It recently closed on its acquisition of Celgene, while on Friday declaring a dividend that was up 9.8% from its prior payout. Nice.Shares are backing off channel resistance (blue line), so it's not clear if BMY will immediately continue higher or pull back first. If it's the latter, it would be encouraging to see $58 to $59 hold as support. Below that level and channel support will be on the tableOn a rally, see if shares can take out Friday's high, potentially triggering a breakout over channel resistance. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 4: Zoom Video (ZOOM)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comLast but not least is Zoom Video (NASDAQ:ZM). At one point Friday, shares were down more than 10% despite a beat-and-raise quarterly report.Now the setup is quite simple. Either support between $60 to $61 will hold and ZM stock will bounce, or it will fail and probe new lows.If it's the latter, bulls have no need to be involved with the stock from a trade perspective. A close below $60 and ZM will clearly need some more time before finding its footing. If it holds though, look to see if it can rally back to the 20-day and 50-day moving averages, and reclaim its post-earnings losses.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell is long BMY. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Hot Stocks for 2020's Big Trends * 7 Lumbering Large-Cap Stocks to Avoid * 5 ETFs for Oodles of Monthly Dividends The post 4 Top Stock Trades for Monday: GS, BIG, BMY appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Is (RH) Outperforming Other Retail-Wholesale Stocks This Year?
Restoration Hardware (RH) is at a 52-week high, but can investors hope for more gains in the future? We take a look at the company's fundamentals for clues.
Investors need to pay close attention to RH stock based on the movements in the options market lately.
Weak store traffic hurts Kirkland's (KIRK) third-quarter fiscal 2019 performance. Further, management lowers fiscal 2019 view.
It was a sluggish day in the stock market on Friday, as investors gear up for a non-farm payrolls report on Friday and digest a rocky start to December. Let's look at a few top stock trades. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 1: RH Inc (RH)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comMan, what a blowout quarter it was for RH (NYSE:RH), formerly known as Restoration Hardware. The quarterly figures sent shares to new all-time highs, while the stock is working on its seventh straight monthly gain.After a double-digit one-day move, it's likely a bit late to start chasing the name now, but keep an eye on it going forward.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips * 9 Stocks That Every 20-Year-Old Should Buy On a pullback, see if prior channel resistance (blue line) acts as support. Depending how it trades, the 20-day moving average may also represent a solid buying opportunity. This recent Warren Buffett buy is certainly a buy-the-dips candidates given how well it has moved this year. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 2: Dollar General (DG)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comDollar General (NYSE:DG) is working on slight gains after reporting earnings on Thursday. For now, the stock is giving investors a very measured level of risk.Simply put, DG is holding up at its prior gap-up level, the 100-day moving average and the backside of prior downtrend resistance (blue line). A break below this area -- call it $150 -- and DG could go on to fill its gap in the lower-$140s, technically speaking.If this area holds as support, look for a rebound up to the 50-day moving average. Above that and resistance near $162.50 may be on the table. Above that and the 52-week high of $166.98 is possible. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 3: Kroger (KR)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comUnlike DG, Kroger (NYSE:KR) is struggling after reporting its quarterly results. However, not all hope is lost with Thursday's decline.If Kroger stock can hold up over $26.50 -- essentially, the September high and recent support -- then reclaiming the 20-day moving average is possible. Should it rebound further, see if KR can hurdle $28 and break out to the upside.If Kroger can't hold $26.50, then we need to consider some downside targets. First is the 50-day moving average and uptrend support (blue line). If it goes below that, $25.50 is possible. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 4: Biogen (BIIB)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comMan, Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) has been a wild mover since October. But guess what? The stock has been in an amazing trading range -- one that saw its highs and lows tested on Thursday.One could certainly make the case that this is a "go with" trade on a break of either range support or resistance. That is, buying the breakout over resistance or selling the break below support.For traders that do take the trade though, be vigilant. This one is a wild mover with plenty of volatility. Top Stock Trades for Tomorrow No. 5: Signet Jewelers (SIG)Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.comSignet Jewelers (NYSE:SIG) ripped higher by more than 6% on Thursday, but resistance kept it in check.That came from both the $18 level and the declining 200-day moving average. Fortunately though, the setup is now pretty straightforward.A move over the 200-day triggers a long entry. The first upside target is Thursday's high. Above that and $21 is possible. Below $18, and support between $16 and $17 may be called upon. There it has the 20-day and 50-day moving averages, as well as uptrend support.Dip-buyers may feel comfortable nibbling on a decline into this area, but below uptrend support could send SIG stock to $15 or lower.Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * 7 Retail Stocks to Buy That Dominated Thanksgiving Shopping * 6 Manufacturing Stocks to Buy as the Economy Recovers * The 7 Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy as Blockchain Heats Up The post 5 Top Stock Trades for Friday: RH, DG, KR, BIIB appeared first on InvestorPlace.
RH earnings beat Q3 views, and the newest Warren Buffett stock increased its plans for annual store openings. Shares soared Thursday.
The latest U.S.-China trade war updates and some positive U.S. economic data. A dive into third quarter 2019 earnings and what to expect from Q4 and 2020. Plus, a look at why RH is a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stock right now...
Five Below and RH beat forecasts on earnings and revenue Continue reading...
Restoration Hardware Holdings (NYSE: RH) surged Thursday after reporting its third consecutive bottom-line beat and raise. "To management's credit, this is becoming a common theme, as earnings have surprised to the upside multiple times this year," Raymond James analysts Bobby Griffin and Budd Bugatch wrote in a report. RH reported an adjusted $2.79 bottom line on a lower-than-expected tax rate and 44% year-over-year growth in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT).
Higher revenues and margins help RH to post better-than-expected fiscal Q3 earnings.
Lower margins owing to product margin contraction, increased occupancy deleverage, and higher costs associated with second DC impact At Home's (HOME) third-quarter fiscal 2020 earnings.
Company Raises Fiscal 2019 Guidance for the Fourth Time this Year
Restoration Hardware (RH) delivered earnings and revenue surprises of 25.68% and 0.17%, respectively, for the quarter ended October 2019. Do the numbers hold clues to what lies ahead for the stock?


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Researchers in California say blood from human umbilical cords may be the key to unlocking the fountain of youth.
Scientists from Stanford University have discovered a protein in human cord blood that appears to have anti-aging effects on the brain.
They say when they injected middle-aged mice with stem cells from the youngest blood possible, their memories improved, and they performed better in maze tests.
Scientists say, with further research, cord blood may one day be used to revitalize the human brain.
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Amazing to see the end result of a bathroom remodel with new tub, toilet, vanity and flooring can do to open up and brighten up a room...Bravo Team TCC!
|Toronto Bathroom Remodel
We design & build home renovations/additions including custom kitchens, bathrooms, built-in wall-units, cabinetry, basements, wood carpentry, flooring, framing, drywall, painting, interior wall removal, general contracting and other renovation services. We cover Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Ancaster, Milton, Georgetown, Brampton, Caledon, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill
|Toronto Bathroom Remodel


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TomToms Vido Tutorial on No Spin Knife Throwing
For several years already, TomTom is focused on practicing knife throwing with no spin. In this one hour tutorial on no spin throwing, he dissects the elements of his own index finger spring pull throwing style. Including his signature effortless side arm motion, of course. TomTom also explains how to mix in throwing styles like Fedin.
Embedded via YouTube>
Chapter guide(Klicking on the chapter times will open the video in a new window - so you can start right where you want to.)


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So, the spring season has just about come to a close. With it's most high-profile show Attack on Titan S2 having released its final episode. So, onto the Summer Anime season we go!
The shows listed below are in no particular order per se, though the ones I feel may oust the others are positioned closer to the top. I haven't included any returning shows, or sequels – just to keep things super crisp and fresh.
All synopses are taken (robbed) from MAL
Click the show titles to go to their respective MAL pages.
Made in Abyss
"The enormous cave system, known as the Abyss, is the only unexplored place in the world. Nobody knows how deep down goes this titanic pit, inhabited by strange and wondrous creatures and full of mysterious ancient relics which purpose in unknown to modern man. Generations of bold adventurers have been drawn by the cryptic depths of the Abyss. In course of time those bold enough to explore the dangerous pit came to be known as "Cave Raiders."
In Oosu, the town at the edge of the Abyss, there lives a little orphan named Rico, who dreams of becoming as great a cave raider as her mother was and solving the great mystery of the pit. One day exploring the murky depths she stumbles upon a little boy, who turns out to be a robot…"
From the coming season, this is truly the only show that I feel something substantial for. The premise sounds unique and refreshing. The visuals and art-direction look stunning and don't contribute in any way to what I like to call the cancerous Kirito Effect. I feel like the season needs something a little different, especially after all those that aired in Spring (of which some were great… others, not so much…) I have massively high hopes for made in abyss. As always, I pray that the world, and the narrative/characters are as good as the visuals. If they are, we may be onto a winner!
Koi to Uso
"Lies are forbidden and love is doubly forbidden. In the near future, when young people in Japan turn sixteen, they are assigned a marriage partner by the government. People don't have to go through the trouble of looking for someone, and everyone accepts that the country will find a compatible partner to make them happy. Yukari Nejima is fifteen years old. He lives in a small corner of the country, and just can't seem to get ahead in life. Both academically and athletically he's below average. But within him, he hides a heart burning with passion! In this world in which love is forbidden, what will happen to him when he falls in love?"
Though, I'm finding it difficult to be sure exactly what Koi no Uso actually is. I'm all for the Slice of Life themes, and the apparent element of mystery. Admittedly, the character designs don't look massively promising, but if everything else is at least good, this won't be a problem. I find, you can never have too many well-done romance shows. Throw in a little sci-fi, a little coming-of-age, and you have something I'm instantly curious of. Whether it can set itself apart from shows of a similar tone/setting, is to be seen.
The Reflection(….?)
"After THE REFLECTION, some of the people in all parts of the world are discovered with super powers.
Some become heroes, and others villains.
How did the Reflection happen? What was the cause of it?
With many unsolved mysteries, the world is lead into turmoil."
I wasn't sure whether I'd slipped into an LSD induced coma when I can across this one… Stan Lee? Anime? Is this real life? Now, I don't have any particular affinity to Stan Lee – I'm no comic/Marvel buff, but I appreciate his work nonetheless. So, this seems mega interesting. I'm unsure as to what form it's going to take. It is a Japanese production led by Studio DEEN, and directed by Hiroshi Nagahama (known for Mushishi and Aku no Hana) Stan Lee actually has worked with anime before – Heroman and Ultimo (manga). From one of the PVs the art-style appears very Marvel-esque, and distinct. A breath of fresh air, that I think the anime industry is in need of right now. I cross my fingers, and hope The Reflection will be something great.
"This is a story that revolves around certain students and one hobby. Amano Keita is our lonely protagonist who has a passion for gaming and is friends with Uehara Tasuku, who is secretly a fellow gamer and is someone who believes his life is perfect. We also have Karen Tendou, the club president of the video games club and Chiaki Hoshinomori, who constantly bickers with Keita. This is a story filled with a non-stop sequence of comedy scenes and misunderstandings. Our chaotic romantic comedy now begins!"
Another comedy/romance/slice of life show. I will be honest, there doesn't seem to be anything stand-out about Gamers! It seems to be exactly as it presents itself, which of course isn't necessarily a bad thing. It only means that it bas to be fundamentally 'better' than other shows that follow a similar route. For there are so many shows akin to Gamers! that are essentially empty – devoid of personality and creativity.
I couldn't find a PV/Trailer for this, so as of yet, I'll remain skeptical.
Princess Principal
"The stage is set during the 19th century London, in its capital where a wall divides the east and west of the Kingdom of Albion. Five high school girls, who enrolled in the prestigious Queens May Fair School, are involved in spy activities that involve disguise, infiltration, car chase, and more. These girls take advantage of their special abilities and fly around the shadow world."
I'm all for the setting, and aesthetic for this one. I'm somewhat endeared to the 'Victorian' visuals, and the slightly steampunk themes. It feels dark(ish), and brooding. Sometimes I feel the all-girl cast thing is overused, and done badly too many times. It would be nice to see it done well in a non-indulgent way. I hope of that from this show. The fantasy element might make things interesting, especially if it can mask itself known amongst so many other shows who do the same things, if not necessarily in the same ways.
"Hyakkaou Private Academy. An institution for the privileged with a very peculiar curriculum. You see, when you're the sons and daughters of the wealthiest of the wealthy, it's not athletic prowess or book smarts that keep you ahead. It's reading your opponent, the art of the deal. What better way to hone those skills than with a rigorous curriculum of gambling? At Hyakkaou Private Academy, the winners live like kings, and the losers are put through the wringer. But when Yumeko Jabami enrolls, she's gonna teach these kids what a high roller really looks like!"
I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Kakegurui, mostly because of how it isn't my thing. Though, it's here nonetheless, if only in hope of what it will it not be. Still, the things that draw me in are the character designs, and the seemingly eccentric nature of the show; essentially, the madness the characters appear to outpour in droves. They are themes I like, themes that if grounded in reality and reason, can really propel a show forward. I'll cross my fingers, and see if Kakegurui plays its cards right, (ha….)
Honourable Mentions
Konbini Kareshi (Slice of Life tickles me in the right spots, so… we'll have to see.)
Clione no Akari (the art looks a little rough, I'm still interested though.)
Thanks for reading, as always
-Chris (Follow me on Twitter and consider supporting Peach's Almanac on Patreon!)


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Looks like this is going to be a gorgeous show. I'm especially fond of the new minimalist pieces by Regan Rosburg - a friend but also a fan of her art! http://www.davidbsmithgallery.com/artist/show/regan-rosburg
Exhibiting artists featured: Ricky Allman, Emil Alzamora, Gregory Euclide, Christina Empedocles, Lori Field, Regan Rosburg, Kristen Schiele & Mike Stilkey
1543 A Wazee Street Denver, CO 80202
p 303.893.4234 f 877.893.4234
School of Doodle Draws on Knowledge Dropped by Creative Types - The founders' favorite "Loud Women" — like Kim Gordon, Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramovic, Sophia Amoruso — helped get this new online high school for imaginat...
5 years ago


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For most women, the menopause will begin as they enter their late 40′s and early 50′s. In a number of young women, other health factors can in fact trigger the onset of the menopause, which can cause much anguish and distress for the sufferer and her family. Let us have a look at some of the main causes of premature … Continue readingRead more
Premature Menopause – Causes and Treatments
Most women continue to enjoy a happy and satisfying sex life in the years leading up to, during and after menopause, but a significant minority experience problems that prevent them from remaining as sexually active as they would like to be. A decrease in libido is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of 'the change', with between 20% and … Continue readingRead more
How Can I Keep My Vagina Fresh?
Because it is such an embarrassing and sensitive topic for many women, the question ' How Can I Keep My Vagina Fresh?' is often avoided at all costs, with many women not having the confidence to approach their doctors with this surprisingly common problem. Vaginal odour is natural, with each women having their own unique scent. This only becomes an … Continue readingRead more
Don't Let the Menopause Halt Your Sex Life
The decline of a woman's sex drive during menopause is considered by many sufferers to be a normal symptom. This can promote intense feelings of sadness, frustration and guilt; all emotions that heighten existing libido problems. While some of the physical changes that occur during menopause can attribute to the loss of sex drive, many of the real problems are … Continue readingRead more
Natural alternatives to HRT
Using herbal supplements as a method of treating various medical ailments dates back many centuries. Since the beginning of recorded history, much evidence exists showing how humans and plants have shared a close relationship through botany and medicine. Ancient texts, such as "The Great Herbs of China" (around 3,000 B.C.), and lists by Ebers Papyrus (1500 B.C.) all list extensively, … Continue readingRead more
Menopause Advice for Him
Amongst the many letters and emails we receive, asking about advice for menstrual problems and period pains, we occasionally come across letters from women who are concerned that their husbands do not know how to cope with both the physical and mental changes occurring. I have decided to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) today in order to … Continue readingRead more
Yoga and the Menopause
The Menopause is widely accepted as one of the most physically challenging and emotionally draining stages of a woman's life. Symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, hot flashes and feeling helpless and overwhelmed, all combine to make life very difficult for women experiencing the menopause. While the menopause is considered a natural biological process, there exist many different methods in … Continue readingRead more


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Affordable Website Design Service In Eastleigh
Welcome to Nic's Website Design Service, Hampshire's low cost web design company.
If you need an affordable website design service to help you stand out from the crowd, then you've come to the right place.
With over 8 years experience building successful websites for small businesses, I can create and deliver beautiful looking websites, optimized for all devices and search engine friendly at an affordable price.
My website design service can be tailor made to suit any budget to ensure my clients receive the ideal website for their requirements.
So whether you are looking for a local website designer in Southampton, a website designed in Eastleigh or even need a website designer in Hampshire, just get in touch with me and I will start the design process for you.
I am very proud of the service I provide for my customers. In fact, I see a client relationship drastically more personal than that of similar companies in my sector.
My client relationships do not start at 9AM and end at 5PM—they stay with me to continually receive the quality service they deserve.
Here are just a few lovely testimonials from my clients.
'Nic thank you so so much for creating such a fantastic website for us here at Dreaming Of A Cupcake. We honestly cannot thank you enough. The service you gave was absolutely fantastic! We totally love the design! Thank you, thank you, thank you! One very happy customer!'


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Brighten up your home with this stunning Ryedale Raspberry Throw from Adriana Homewares.
Woven in Yorkshire using 100% British Bluefaced Leicester Wool, the edge of the throw is finished with attractive blanket stitch detailing.
British Bluefaced Leicester Wool is a long lustre wool. Its longer fibres produce a yarn that is fine yet dense and is prized for its softness and durability.
Size: 155cm x 120cm
We aim to dispatch within 1-2 working days. Most orders received before 12.00 will go out that same day. If this is not possible I will email you to confirm a dispatch date. Goods are sent Royal Mail first class signed for or by courier depending on the item. There is no charge for standard delivery in the UK. Delivery time is usually 1-2 days after dispatch. If you have a deadline please let us know and we will try to ensure you item is there in time. Please bear in mind as we use Royal Mail we are in their hands as to ultimate delivery time but we can always give you a tracking number. You can choose an express delivery option which goes Royal Mail Guaranteed by 1pm next day - the cut off for same day dispatch is 12.00. If you need express for delivery out of the UK please contact us and we will quote you.


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Authentic Flag Designs As Supplied to the
United Nations N.Y. Headquarter
• Outdoor flags have strong canvas headings and grommets
• 100% nylon on 2×3′ and larger
• Quality dyed, bright, and color fast
• Lock stitched for long life and wear
• Also available with indoor/parade sleeves
and/or gold fringe
Flag drawings and color are approximate.
Actual flag designs and color are United Nations approved.
All others are generally approved and recognized designs.
|Constitution Day (1993)
|March 14
|La Vierge de Meritxell
|September 08
|St. Stephen's Day
|December 26


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An often overseen action is to lock down Internet Information Services. You can increases security of SSL connections to your server by disabling insecure SSL2 and SSL3 and all insecure and weak ciphers that a browser may fall-back, too. I recently found a great PowerShell script, which can help implement the current best practices for IIS in a quick way. This PowerShell script setups your Microsoft Internet Information Server 7.5/8.0/8.5/10 (IIS) on Windows 2008R2/2012/2012R2/2016 to support TLS 1.1 and TLS 1.2…
Browsing: SSL
How to configure SSL on IIS 7.0 running ServerCore0
Found this nice mini-article about how to configure SSL on IIS 7.0 on a Windows Server 2008 running ServerCore. Due to the popularity of Windows 2008 Server Core I have seen frequently questions about how to configure SSL on IIS7 with only command-line. Since I wandered that path few months back I thought of putting this article/guide together. Read the full blog post here.


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We live near the beach now, in Australia, and it was Sunday so naturally we went to the pier and got fish'n chips. It was a very Australian thing to do and there were lots of Australians down there doing Australian things such as sitting on the pier eating fish and chips and calling out numbers in fish'n chip shops like this:
"Fiffty faww. NUMMA FIFFTY FAWW!"
The fish'n chips weren't good, but they weren't bad either, so effectively they were good. I dipped my fish in a lot of tartare sauce. That makes anything good. Plus I like the way the words fish'n chips sounds so much it always makes the fish'n chips taste better. Fish'n chips. Fish'n chips. Fish'n chips. Fish'n chips. In Victoria by the way if you ask for fish'n chips the default fish is flake which is actually shark which freaks people from other states and countries out. The Love and I smiled at this as we ate our fish'n chips dipped in tartare sauce. I think the fact that we eat shark in Victoria makes us feel quite tough.
So we sat there and ate the shark and wondered about Australia and being Australian as we sat amongst our fellow Australians doing an Australian Sunday thing.
It was fun. It was Australian. But I felt this funny feeling I couldn't name. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was because, though I'm Australian and love doing Australian things, I've never quite felt True Blue.
I think it started when I was four or five and we were staying at our cousins' house in the country. One cousin had a nightie with a koala on it waving an Australian flag and the words:
I asked my auntie Rozzy,
"What's a true blue Aussie?"
Auntie Rozzy considered this for a moment. Then she said:
"I guess a true blue Aussie is somebody who is born in the country."
And at the time by country I thought she meant country as in, not the city, and as I was born in the city I thought to myself "I'm not True Blue."
And as I grew up I never did feel quite True Blue. And whenever a question arose about my nationality I would say,
"I'm Aussie. But not True Blue."
Perhaps that's why I always felt a bit on the outer.
I still don't know if I'm true blue, I don't think so, though I know I'm Australian. I look at friends like the Angel from the North – so true blue Irish it's not funny. True green. French friends, so true bleu. And for some weird reason today as I sat and ate shark on the pier in the sun even though I smiled wide I still felt a bit like an imposter.
|Magritte 'Poisson'


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A resource for informing patients and caregivers about Multiple Sclerosis, its possible causes, effects, and treatments. Get the most current information on new developments, clinical trials and other important matters for anyone dealing with MS.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Most Important Actors In Growth Process Of Neurons Identified
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: October 19, 2006
Defects in the growth process of our neurons often underlie brain or nerve diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis. Scientists from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, led by Bassem Hassan, have achieved a major step in unraveling the growth process of axons, the offshoots of neurons. They have identified the JNK, Wnt and FGF signaling cascades as the most important actors and have also discovered their respective roles. Their research shows that the growth of axons and the activity of neurons are completely independent of each other. This new finding can lead to better understanding of a variety of nerve diseases.
A complex network A human being has approximately 100 billion neurons, the body's information and signal processors. The great majority of them are found in the central nervous system. The brain contains complex networks of neurons that regulate a large number of bodily functions. Because the brain and the nervous system are a delicate system, something can sometimes go seriously wrong and a brain or nerve disease appears - for example, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In the quest for possible cures for these diseases, it is important that we understand how connections are established between neurons.
Neurons have a number of long thin offshoots - called axons - that conduct electrical impulses. These primary elements of information transfer in the nervous system can sometimes be more than a meter long. The axon's orientation as it grows is also of great importance in forming the right connection. As in-coming stimuli are converted into signals that determine the direction and speed of an axon's growth, three things can happen: the axon can grow further, pull back, or change direction. Therefore, axon growth is a process that consists of several components: growth of the axon, orientation, recognition of objectives, and finally formation of synapses in order to transmit stimuli. Unraveling precisely how this whole process works is important for understanding the development of the brain and for helping develop therapies for diseases that are the consequence of damaged or diseased neurons.
The fruit fly as model Bassem Hassan is using the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as model for his research. Many processes in this small fly are in fact comparable to processes in humans, even for something as complex as the nervous system. Axon growth is a complicated process in that it involves growth as well as orientation and recognition. So it's not surprising that many different genes are involved. To bring clarity to this complex organization, Mohammed Srahna and his colleagues, led by Bassem Hassan, have been studying the DCN (Dorsal Cluster Neurons), a group of cells in the fruit fly's brain. The DCN belong to the visual system of the adult fruit fly and stimulate the visual cortex. The axons of the DCN form a very stereotypical connection pattern. This well-ordered pattern gave the researchers the perfect starting point for studying the influence of various genes on the axon growth process.
Regulation by several genes From their study of the developing brain of an adult fruit fly, the researchers have found that axon growth is mediated by an interaction among three signal cascades: Wnt, FGF and JNK. JNK is necessary for stimulating the growth of axons. Wnt activates JNK and FGF inactivates JNK, so the right balance between Wnt and FGF provides for a precise regulation of the growth of neurons. Axonal growth turns out to be completely independent of neuronal activity. This finding brings greater clarity to the axon's growth process - knowledge that constitutes a major step forward in understanding neuronal disorders.


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By Jodi Paloni
The only thing better than facing challenging life transitions with intention, is meeting them head-on with a room full of equally excited people confronting similar, yet unique, developing edges. You realize there is nothing to be afraid of. You're part of an ever-growing "in" crowd.
Last spring, on the brink of turning fifty, I'd just about finished my coaching certification program at the Gestalt International Study Center, ready to start a new career after 25-years of teaching. My partner and I were recently engaged to be married, his father needing more and more care six hours away in Pennsylvania. If those weren't enough transitions for one plate, we found ourselves shocked by news that I would become a grandmother by winter. Did I mention we had decided to put our house in Vermont on the market to move closer to the ocean?
As conditions gathered for the perfect storm, I received an e-mail invitation from GISC to attend a program called The Next Phase: Life Strategies for Navigating Personal and Professional Transitions. It took me about sixty-seconds to sign up.
But this four-day workshop turned out to be far more than a short-course in strategies for moving forward. Instead, I was asked to take stock of where I resided presently (emotionally, physically, mentally) in my life, by engaging in a creative exploration of the past that led me there. What struck me, as I spent time alone, remembering and sketching a pictorial view of "The Experiences That Shaped Me," then shared my discoveries in a small group, was the tendency I had to assign meaning and value to particular memories. Water as part of place was definitely a factor. Surprisingly, the role my three grandmothers played in shaping my character emerged in great proportions compared to some other events such as travel and education.
The group sharing was powerful. When it was my turn to talk, I heard new ideas about my life coming from my own mouth before I had a chance to think them. More important, in the careful listening to others' stories, I found resonance with the meaning in their lives, again and again. The model of participatory learning fueled my growth whether it was my story on the table, or not. When others spoke, I gleaned aspects of myself that had not yet emerged. The experience was mutual. My excitement in this realization confirmed my passion for courageous conversation, supporting my new career path as coach.
The beauty of the GISC workshop model schedule is that there is loads of "free time" built into each day. A long walk on the beach at lunchtime to think about what my grandmothers mean to me, to dream about the kind of grandmother I want to become, for example, became invaluable for the integration of the morning material. The calming presence of the sea settled deep in my bones, substantiating my growing need to locate closer to water. My questions were complex, my style creative. The intricate all-encompassing design of the course met my need to immerse in a composite of experiences. Down time scheduled after morning work established energy for fresh work in the afternoons.
Mining the past readied me for "Mapping My Current Life" a visual memoir of the present. In activating the right side of the brain, the theoretical voice in the head, the part of the brain that thinks linearly, the voices that have solidified my default script all of these years, would be sidestepped temporarily to allow the true story to manifest from the sub-conscious.
I found my map resembling three over-lapping cloud shapes to represent my three roles in life: woman, mother, professional. The size of each cloud, unplanned, bore significance. I noticed the spaces marked mother and professional were diminished more than if I had made the map a few years back, when a single mother in a full-time career, allowed for little room for space me as a woman. Yet, when a large green triangle block signifying money appeared on the paper, spearing my professional "cloud," I could see that it was time for growth as a professional to, once again, be considered as significant part of the future. Fortunately, the workshop allowed for process time to view the work, make connections, generate meaning, and use what I now understood about my overall journey to "Envision the Future."
Getting back to the script I'd played in my head until now, The Next Phase workshop offers a powerful opportunity to challenge those loud-mouthed demons, the voices in our heads, that tell us why we can't be or have or do what we want in our futures, the voices that keep us small. Instead of moving forward with our new ideas and plans, we were asked first to pause, to take the much needed time to validate the presence of negative thoughts and degrading influences. How might the past stand in our way?
Up to this point in the workshop, we'd used visual pictorial learning modalities and the more conventional communication skills to engage the curriculum. Now we found ourselves up on our feet, fully immersed in a potent role-playing session, in which we could, literally, "break-through the self-talk" and re-construct the messages we'd prefer to hear.
I'd attended three transition retreats, earned a master's degree and a coach certification in the past three years from various institutions and centers with the purpose to discover my calling for the third phase of life, hone a purpose, see the clear path. I'd heard inspirational speakers, received one-on-one coaching sessions, made collages, read books, wrote in reams, and listened to self-help tapes. I had even worked with a clairvoyant who comforted me by confirming things I already sensed about myself. But it wasn't until I was surrounded by a circle of new friends, comrades who held a sincere desire to support each other's dreams and visions, who spoke the words that would not hold me by my ankles, but words that would lead me forward, that I felt clear-minded in my vision. With clarity, I bought in.
Recently my younger daughter purchased a digital camera that requires knowing how to use a lens. I stood beside her as she received instruction on the basics of aperture. My experience of The Next Phase was just that. Over the four-days, I scanned the landscape of self. I studied the background and honed the foreground until a figure emerged and became the point of interest. And like in the well-made photographs I favor, the focal point in a scene or a portrait becomes more notable when the landscape informs its position in the piece.
On the final day, I reviewed the overall composition of my vision once more, a "fattening of the figure" and developed an action plan, which included tangible and deliverable actions for achieving SMART goals. In a nutshell, the overall strategy I took away from the weekend, in the words of our facilitator, was this… "dream big, start small, act now."
In writing this, I have spread before me the maps I made, the notes I took, the poems and journal entries crafted beside the sea, and the list of the seventeen participants in my cohort. It was difficult to say good-bye to a group that shared so deeply and generously, and the feeling of support we held for one another. I'm certain that if any one of them was to stop and think of me today, it would be with only the best intentions for my success and happiness, just as I think of them.
As for my plan, to believe in the gifts I developed and the dreams I've created and to offer them to grandbabies and the whole wide world alike, I'm working on it, step-by-step, every day, a little closer to the past, the present, and the future.
Tags: coaching, Gestalt, life stages, Next Phase, personal development, Transition


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Artifact Details
TitleVacuum tube type 7AK7
Catalog Number102731744
TypePhysical object
Date1948 ca.
Identifying Numbers
|Model number
|Etched on the top of the object
Dimensionsoverall: 3 in x 1 in x 1 in
DescriptionThe object is from the Whirlwind collection. Information on a piece of cardboard found in the box reads "Bus Driver Arithmetic Rack S/N4" and "SR1707 in 7AK7 slots" and "6145 tubes, 7AD7, and 7AK7 all interchangeable on rack." The tube has 8 pins, one of which is empty.
CategoryComponent/vacuum tube
CreditGift of the Digital Equipment Corporation
Lot NumberX115.82
Related Records
|Vacuum tube type 5881


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Steve Reder, professor and chair of the Department of Applied Linguistics at Portland State University and principal author of the LSAL study on adult learning.
[M]any adults need support developing plans to reach their goals, and they will need assistance from tutors or teachers at certain points as they work on their own. We need to think about how to broaden the elements of the adult education programs instead of self-study being such a different world.


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The benefits of a Graduate degree such as a MBA or Masters in Information Systems come down to future marketability and equalization with many other potential job candidates who also hold Graduate degrees which is becoming more and more common. Nothing beats hands-on experience, but when combined with a Graduate degree and IT certifications, the sky is the limit. Never stop learning.
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Falling Away
It's mid January.
Some things don't change.
The sunlight has found a path
through winter clouds.
The patterns it throws across the walls,
as it falls through bare branches,
are familiar.
It's the sun pushing back the covers,
and stretching its broad back,
to start the year, again.
In this house, for decades,
I've watched the seasons melt,
one into another.
Buckling soil, greening shoots,
rhapsodic bloom, endless lawns,
ripening seeds;
Mid January.
I sit watching timeless patterns.
The years have left their marks.
Only I, and the family pictures,
on the sun-drenched sill,
mark time . . .
falling away.


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Topic : Software configuration management plan example pdf.
Author : Durrant Thomson.
Published : Fri, Aug 30th 2019 17:08 PM.
Format : jpg/jpeg.
To make a business plan template usually begins with the name and the details of the owners of the plan. This is followed by a table of contents that constitutes an executive summary, a general description of the company, the products and services the company offers, the marketing plan, the operational plan, and the management and organizational structures. These elements complete the narrative part of the business template. The financial part of the template should contain a financial statement, startup expenses and capitalization details, and a complete financial plan that encompasses the goals of the company.
Plenty of individuals think that developing a business plan finishes after they have edited out all mistakes on grammar. Well, their plans may have been written without flaw, but these business individuals could still turn off prospective investors if their plans have boring appearances and mediocre formatting. So, it is really important to obtain a business template; specifically the one that has impeccable designs. There are lots of websites on the Internet, and most of them offer free plan templates. These templates are oftentimes very simple. They typically contain only one spreadsheet and a small number of headings. They are usually in Microsoft Word formats, and they do not provide any support with the contents of the plans. Because of this, poorly constructed plans often become the results.
With a wide range of free business plan templates available online, be sure to search for one that suits your business. There is no point using a plan designed for an accountants firm when you are starting a fast food franchise. Plans suitable for Windows users are available as MS Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. While Excel can be daunting if you are not familiar with it, plans on Excel are often very good to work with. Since Excel is one of the best spreadsheet programs out there it is well worth learning how to use it.


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Hobby Lobby has a cute little God-n-Country advert, something it has apparently taken out in newspapers across the country since 1997, extolling the virtues of a patriotic faith. Which they are, of course, free and entitled to do.
Regular readers here — assuming there are any — will know that I am not a fan of "God and Country" Christianity, since it tends to put country first (with God somewhere behind in a supporting role). Or, worse, it confuses the two, not knowing quite where God (or the Church, the people God) stops and country starts. This isn't so much Christianity as it is a civil religion, a mishmash of Enlightenment nationalism and the popular protestantism of America's founding, a swirling concoction of Scottish and English Calvinism, the rigors of Methodism, and the fervor of the Baptists. I will leave the genealogy for another day, however.
The Hobby Lobby advert begins with a quote from Pslams:
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 33:12)
This isn't the whole verse, which is actually:
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (33:12, ESV)
Which is Hebrew, reads thusly:
אַשְׁרֵ֣י הַ֭גּוֹי אֲשֶׁר ־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יו הָעָ֓ם בָּחַ֖ר לְנַחֲלָ֣ה לֽוֹ
The word here translated as "nation" is גוי goy, which is almost always rendered as εθνος ethnos in Greek (when Jesus or Paul or any of the other NT speakers or writers refer to "the nations"), and in the Hebrew Bible it tends to mean those people who are not Israel. But not always. God promises Abraham in Genesis 12:2 that "I will make you a great nation" (וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל) a goy gidol. In Exodus 19:6, God speaks to Israel through Moses, telling the Israelites that "and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (וְג֣וֹי קָד֑וֹשׁ) a goy qodesh. So Israel, the People of God (usually refered to as an עם, which tends to mean a people related by kinship and a shared patrimony), can be a goy too.
Psalm 33 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, marking God as just (vv. 4-5), creator (vv. 6-9), then finally the redeemer of Israel (vv.10-19), finishing with a proclamation that because the LORD is good, we who are the people saved and redeemed by the LORD, will wait with patience, gladness and hope (vv. 20-22).
An interesting aside, the passage praising God for being Israel's redeemer contains very a scriptural condemnation of sophisticated and powerful armies, and that true salvation always lies with the LORD:
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. (vv. 16-17)
I think Hobby Lobby in quoting the first part of v. 12, is trying to make a fairly simple statement — that America is blessed because The LORD is our God. Or at least the God of real, faithful, proper Americans.
The problem with this is the second part of the verse: the people for whom he has chosen as his heritage. This is a very specific reference, a reference to Israel, the people — עם and/or גוי — that God called into being with the promises of land, children and "being a blessing" to Abraham as he wandered. The people that God redeemed from slavery in Egypt, gave the teaching to at Sinai, rescued from oppression again and again during the time of Judges, promised a final redemption from exile in the lineage of David the King. God has chosen a people, it is Israel and the Church, the εκκλησια, the assembled people God brought together through baptism and calling in the person of Jesus Christ.
It is not the United States of America. I know many American Christians wish to believe that, at some point in our history, God inked a covenant with America, but I've seen nothing resembling proof that such covenant exists. Just mere assertions, and none of them hold the weight of scripture or revelation. The owners of Hobby Lobby may believe in such a covenant, the Americans are the people of God merely by being Americans (or they should be), and they are welcome to that faith. But that is not a Christian faith. Americans as Americans are not the people of God — they are a גוי or an εθνος in the negative sense. A people who are other, who are not.
Americans, of course, can be part of the people of God. But their inclusion is the result of baptism or some other kind of calling, and not because they were born as Americans, had the right parents, came from the right kind of community, or believe the right things. American citizenship does not contain in it the promise of eternal life, or the Kingdom of God.
And the owners of Hobby Lobby may, if pushed, actually admit to that. But the advert, as it stands, it a testament to an idolatrous civic faith that tries to turn the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob into the God of Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan, a God who always sides with state and blesses it unconditionally regardless of what it does.
Well, except when it legalizes abortion, allows homosexuals to get legally married, and demands companies provide birth control for their employees.


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1. When did you decide to become a novelist?
When I was semi-retired and looking for something to do, other than playing golf or cards, I thought of a neighbor from my past, who, through a surgical accident during plastic surgery, became comatose. I always did well in writing classes and decided to craft a novel around a woman that suffered a similar event. She became the basis for my novel, TRAPPED.
2. What process use to construct the story?
Once I had my main characters, I imagined a story of love, terror, disillusionment and revenge. Then I created scenes to fulfill those ends, writing a chapter-by-chapter outline – just a few sentences each – to give me direction. Once I got into the writing, however, the characters seemed to take over the story, steering me into areas and situations I never originally imagined.
3. How long did it take you to write?
TRAPPED took 6 months to initially write…and 20 years to perfect! I studied writing books and attended several conferences and seminars, with the goal to improve my craft. As I developed and refined what is called "my voice," I frequently revisited TRAPPED to deepen the plot and broaden the connection to the main character and contempt for the villain. During that time, I also wrote 3 other novels, the last two of which were the beginning of my Detective Al Warner series.
4. What was your experience in trying to get published?
Although I constantly refined my submission letters, agents and editors seemed unwilling to take a chance on a first time author. Of course, ALL authors are initially "First Time Authors." Despite a bevy of rejection letters, I kept pitching. Three of my novels were finalist it major writing contests, so I was confident of my skills and knew many now-famous authors had been heavily rejected before getting their first break. Among them John Gresham, Louis L'Amore and J.K. Rowlings.
5. How did you finally succeed?
I entered TRAPPED in several writing contests, including TAG Publishers' Next Great American Novel Contest. Editor Dee Burks and her staff loved my story and offered to publish it, if I allowed them to make editorial suggestions. I've always appreciated expert advice and was willing to revise most of their concerns. It became a dialog between us, with some give and take on both sides, and TRAPPED ended up something of which I believe we're both very proud. TRAPPED went on to become an Amazon Top 100 Novel, with loads of 5-Star reviews. The most common comments are, "I couldn't put it down" and "I loved the ending." TRAPPED is also now available in Audio format from Audible.com.
6. What about your next book, after TRAPPED?
I've written four other novels since publishing TRAPPED. The second, A 3rd TIME TO DIE, is a paranormal romantic suspense, centered around Past Lives, rebirth, and murder. It's received mostly 5-Star reviews, likened by reviewers to the best of the less-spooky works of Dean Koontz and Stephen King. It should be also available as an Audio Book in late 2017. The first of my Detective Al Warner series was DEATH'S ANGEL, with rave reviews, followed by BORN TO DIE, and the publishing in July of 2017 of THE PROM DRESS KILLER. The 4th Al Warner suspense is well under way, with plots outlined for at least two more. All my novels are nbow published by small indie publisher, GnD Publishing LLC.


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MilanoR, in collaboration with Quantide, organizes
"Introduction to R" Course
October 23, 2013
Course description
This one-day course aims to provide an overview of the basic R environment and its applications. This course is intended as a starting point for any future development with R. At the end of the course, you will be able to gain awareness of the basic R language, importing data and manipulate data using R.
Who should attend this course
Anyone who is new to R and willing to learn it. Anyone who has some previous knowledge of R and wants to organize it in a more structured way.
Course outline
Introduction to R: overview
R Data Objects
Data Import
Using R functions
R Graphics
Course location
Hotel Michelangelo; Via Scarlatti, 33; Milano (near Central Railway Station)
Course language
Course will be held in Italian. Course material will be in English.
Course price
Please visit www.quantide.com
Course time
October 23, 2013 from 9.00 to 17.30.
Course material
The course material will be provided during the course.
Information and bookings: [email protected]
R-bloggers.com offers daily e-mail updates about R news and tutorials on topics such as: Data science, Big Data, R jobs, visualization (ggplot2, Boxplots, maps, animation), programming (RStudio, Sweave, LaTeX, SQL, Eclipse, git, hadoop, Web Scraping) statistics (regression, PCA, time series, trading) and more...


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U.S. House of Representatives vote on NSF funding bill
On May 10, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the commerce, science and justice appropriations bill for fiscal 2013 by a vote of 247-163. The CJS bill sets funding for several government agencies, including the National Science Foundation.
The House set NSF funding at $7.33 billion for FY13, an increase of $299 million (4.3 percent) over the FY12 level. While the NSF ultimately fared well, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., did propose an amendment to reduce the funding for research and related activities at the NSF by $1.2 billion. Fortunately, the amendment failed by a vote of 121-291.
However, several other amendments were approved that affect NSF funding in FY13. The amendment proposed by U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., to cut funding for the climate change education program at NSF, passed by a vote of 238-188. An additional amendment by Flake to cut funding for the political science program in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate of NSF, also passed by a vote of 218-208. View all the adopted amendments here.
The U.S. Senate will now have to approve its CJS appropriations bill before the two chambers will conference to determine the final allocations for NSF and the other agencies included in the CJS bill. The Senate is believed to begin their deliberations after Memorial Day. The ASBMB science policy blotter will keep you up-to-date with all the breaking appropriations news!