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Now resident in Sydney, John Douglas again pursued his interest in politics, presenting himself in November 1860 as a candidate for the seat of
Camden, a conservative stronghold to the southwest of .[1] Because Sydney Douglas did not reside in the electorate, it was alleged by conservatives that he had been sent by Cowper to carry the liberal banner in the seat.[2] Douglas was characteristically modest in rebutting this allegation:
I am myself sorry to observe that my determination to come forward has occasioned remarks which gives me a prominence I scarcely deserve.[3]
The seat of
Camden was dominated by the pastoral properties of the Macarthur family, who let out the land surrounding village to tenants. Previously the leading men of Camden village had routinely supported the invariably conservative candidates sponsored by the brothers William and James Macarthur. Camden
Nothing that I shall do in my canvass will I trust be in the slightest degree other than courteous to you, and respectful to the influence which you deservedly posses.[4]
The election of 1860 for the fourth parliament of the colony was again dominated by the issue of land, the cry being "free selection before survey."[5] The Robertson government had recently introduced the Crown Lands Alienation and the Crown Lands Occupation Bills to allow for the conditional purchase of land and free selection before survey over all the unimproved lands of the colony. Under this proposed legislation, non-suburban land was open for selection as freehold, conditional on bona fide residence and certain improvement conditions. As the government's aim was to free up land for selectors, all crown land, including that held on pastoral lease, would now be open to free selection.
However, one of the bills was amended in committee with the insertion of the words "after survey as hereinafter provided," and this resulted in the dissolution of parliament on
9 November 1860.[6] This amendment was unacceptable to the government, for, given the supposed lack of surveyors and corruption in the survey department, free selection could have been delayed for many years. In a notice to the Camden electorate, Douglas affirmed his continuing support for the Cowper/Robertson administration and its land reforms.[7] Nevertheless, Douglas also sought the support and forbearance of William Macarthur in standing against his sponsored candidates, indicating that he was ready and able to accept his opposition for "I can take a licking with perfect good humour."[8]
As events transpired,
Douglas was in no danger of having to "take a licking." The principle of free selection, which enabled a person to settle anywhere, appeared to promise instant fulfilment for many who dreamed of independence on the land. Despite the reality being that the land still had to be paid for by instalment, and at the high price of £1 per acre, there was widespread enthusiasm for a bill that promised, "to give everyone everything."[9] Free selection was even more alluring in the electorate as floods had devastated the last two seasons' crops. The liberals informed farmers whose crops had been destroyed that if they were returned to government then farmers could put their families and their possessions on drays and travel until they found suitable land on which to settle.[10] Camden
Consequently, support for the liberal cause in seats such as
was overwhelming; because its land program offered many tantalising possibilities that they could escape from their inferior position in the social hierarchy and assert their independence from landowners like the Macarthurs, whom they currently deferred to both socially and politically. The promise of land reform was irresistible to those who wished to curb the power of the squatters as well as to tenant men who dreamt of farming their own land.[11] Such was the climate in which Douglas nominated, to "great cheering," at the Camden courthouse.[12] Addressing the assembled voters, Camden Douglas was eager for continued political success:
They would understand the state of excitement in which he had been waiting, and would forgive him for saying he was rather agitated upon stepping upon a platform upon which he was to receive his sentence. There were certain duties and privileges they had to impose upon two of them and also certain disadvantages. ... but though they had to pronounce their verdict, he trusted it would not be upon him. He did not want to be politically extinguished. Let them not kill him or string him up upon this place of execution. He was young and there were others fitter to meet their fate than he.[13]
In rebutting conservative allegations that he was Cowper's nominee in
Camden, Douglas declared that:
He had never slavishly served him - nor would he do so. He would rather serve them (the electorate) than any man.[15]
At the election,
Douglas, along with most of Robertson and Cowper's supporters, achieved an overwhelming victory.[16] Only nine members opposed to free selection were returned while at least 45 of its supporters were successful.[17] The Macarthurs were not unduly upset with the result, John Macarthur noting, " Douglas is a man of old family and educated as a gentleman."[18]
[1] Sydney Morning Herald,
5 November 1860
[2] Hirst (1988), p. 92
[3] John Douglas to William Macarthur,
24 November 1860. Macarthur Papers, Dixson Library, State Library of , ML A2937 New South Wales
[4] Ibid.
[5] Richards, p. 320. The term was a misnomer, as the land had to be purchased on deferred terms at £1 per acre. However, it was free in that a selector could choose any unalienated crown land within the colony.
[6] Richards, p. 320; Loveday (1966), p. 30
[7] John Douglas. "To the Electors of
." Sydney Morning Herald, Camden 27 November 1860, p. 2
[8] John Douglas to William Macarthur,
21 November 1860. Macarthur Papers, Dixson Library, State Library of , A2937. In his nomination speech, New South Wales Douglas was reported as having said; "no man should be a representative of the people who was not prepared to take rubs with a good face. He believed that was the old English spirit; he was taught to cultivate it when at school, and he hoped to see more and more of it in this country." (Sydney Morning Herald, 20 December 1860, p. 2)
[9] Hirst (1988), pp. 91-92
[10] Ibid., p. 92
[11] Ibid., p. 95
[12] Sydney Morning Herald,
20 December 1860, p. 2
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid. One interjector referred to
Douglas as "the poor man's friend."
[15] Ibid. Putting party interests first never came naturally to
Douglas. As Browne accurately observed, "he was always more concerned in the welfare of the country than in a small party advantage." (Browne (1927), p. 78)
[16] The
Parliamentary Record ... 17th ed. Sydney, Government Printer, 1950, p. 120. Over 80 per cent of the New South Wales electorate voted, with John Morrice and John Douglas being returned with 614 and 519 votes respectively. (Sydney Morning Herald, 24 December 1860) Camden
[17] Loveday (1966), p. 32
[18] James Macarthur to William Macarthur,
24 March 1861, p. 2. Macarthur Family Letters, vol 36, A2932. Macarthur Papers. Dixson Library, State Library of New South Wales, reel 2259.
[19] When the parliament sat on
10 January 1861, Charles Cowper was once again holding the office of premier, John Robertson having retired in his favour. (Richards, p. 321)
[20] Mason, p. 42
Legislative Assembly. Standing and Select Committees Appointed During the Session of 1861, pp. 1 & 3. New South Wales Votes and Proceedings 1861, vol 1 New South Wales
[22] Mason, p. 42
[23] Sydney Morning Herald,
20 December 1860, p. 2


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You know, I remember last time I did NaBloPoMo, I thought that that momentum gain would propel me into a lot of posting for the following month, even if not every day again. But I think that is one of the problems with the timing of the official big NaBloPoMo–the month after it is December which is full of all kinds of busy-ness. Everyone is so busy with parties and cleaning house and shopping and making gifts (in varying amounts, depending on the person, 🙂 ), that it is hard to keep up with anything, especially a relatively new habit. I will have to jump in on this earlier next year, so that next December I already have a deeply ingrained habit, I think.
One habit I am determined to keep going, though, is the menu planning. It is even more crucial when I am busy–on any given day of running around and projects, I don't have time to make decisions about what to cook for dinner, and with gift buying and holiday entertaining, I don't have the money to be buying pre-made food. The key words this week are fast and easy–even more than most weeks. I always like easy, but I usually throw in a few more involved dishes because I really do enjoy that when I have time. This week, I don't have time!
Monday: Peanut Coconut Chicken Curry
Tuesday: Bacon and cheese omelette
Wednesday: Pork with Paprika, Mushrooms and Sour Cream, gnocchi for the kids
Thursday: Unstuffed Cabbage Casserole Skillet
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Chili
As always, you can find a lot more ideas on orgjunkie.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Which of these Sources is most useful to an Historian studying the deaths of the Tsar and his family?
Extracts from this document...
Which of these Sources is most useful to an Historian studying the deaths of the Tsar and his family? Source F is a photograph of the basement room where the family murders are supposed to have taken place. Photo graphs are usually useful to a historian as he is able to interpret independently what happened. He can deduct from the picture that there was shooting as he can see that there are bullet holes in the wall. This is useful to the historian studying the deaths of the Tsar and his family as he can see exactly how they were killed. The photograph is made more reliable as it is supported by other sources: A, B and C as they all agree that the victims were killed by "shooting" and in the "basement". Source F is further supported by both picture sources, G and H. Source G is a painting of the deaths of the Imperial family, based on D, the investigation carried out by the Whites Source G supports F in that it shows that the shooting took place in the same room (we can tell this, as the door and the walls are in the same position) ...read more.
However this Source would be useful to the historian studying the deaths as he can see how they died, and their relative positions. It is supported by both Sources F and G in some aspects as it shows that shooting took place, and that the positions are the same- i.e. by the storeroom. It is supported by both source A and B as it shows the Tsar "kneeling down" like it says in Source B and also that some of the family were not killed their as the Tsarina and the daughters don't look as if they are being shot at in Source G. Source H is a diagram of Room the Romanov family were killed and their positions from a book written by Judge Sokolov. It might not be accurate as he wasn't there himself. It is not very useful to the Historian studying their deaths as it doesn't indicate who exactly was killed (if they were killed) and who is who, it only shows a general picture with the black dots being representative of everyone: the doctor, the maid, the servants and the family, it would be unuseful for the historian studying the Tsar and his family's death, as he would not be able to differentiate between The maids position or the Tsars position. ...read more.
also, he cannot have obtained this information from D. It is also unclear exactly who was shot, or whether there were any survivors as Source A suggests. Out of all these sources However, Source F would have been the most useful to the Historian studying the Tsar and the family's deaths. This is because it is a photograph so there is no chance of bias or lying: he can see for himself exactly what happened, though one photograph can be interpreted in different ways. It is supported by 5 sources making it very credible and reliable for the Historian if he was using it as a source. Source F also establishes the method applied, i.e. shooting. But like sources G and H this source is ambiguous as it does not identify who the victims were (if there were any) It is only "claimed" that the Tsar and the Royal family were killed here. I believe that none of these Sources can be useful to the Historian studying the Deaths of the Tsar and the Royal Family on their own, however they could be used in support of or reinforcement of other sources and accounts of the Tsar and the Families murder. ?? ?? ?? ?? History-Hareem Bhatti-Sutton Grammar school 1 Hareem Bhatti 10v ...read more.
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The objective of this research study was to gauge the current status of patients' access to health care services in a developing nation or least-developed country (as defined by the World Bank and United Nations), Nepal. Many patients are not privileged to have a hospital at a close proximity in Nepal. They are also forced to travel and wait for long hours due to their inability to pay for services offered by private healthcare institutions. A survey questionnaire was developed to get a snapshot of how long patients travel to get to a public hospital for an outpatient service. The survey tool was also designed to summarize patient wait times and other factors related to patients' access to healthcare services at the site chosen for the case study. Survey results showed that patients certainly have access to the healthcare services in Nepal but it is not readily available. Patients travel and wait for hours before they get seen by the physician. Findings of this research study suggested that implementation of some process improvement interventions may result in lesser patient wait times and may help increase patient satisfaction levels which may ultimately contribute to increased health status of the overall population in Nepal.
Craig Evers
Committee Member
Harry Petersen
Committee Member
David Guerra-Zubiaga
Date of Degree
Document Type
Master of Science (MS)
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Science, Engineering and Technology
Recommended Citation
Bhandari, Pawan, "A Cross-sectional Study on Patients' Access to Healthcare in a Developing Nation" (2016). All Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects. 639.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License


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Men's modern fit training shorts designed with a soft touch, elasticized waist and adjustable drawstring. Solid colors, maximum storage capacity, reinforced stitching for long-lasting quality and open flap legs for maximum freedom during your workout and movement.
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Suitable for indoor and outdoor workout, light and heavy fitness training, gym, bodybuilding, basketball, training, squats, lunges, dead-lifts, running, squash, jogging, vacation, outdoor leisure or as trendy casual wear.


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Renowned research group calls out Brand VO2 for predictive modeling of business results, aligning with in-market performance
DENVER, COLORADO – Sept. 13, 2016 – Brand VO2 has been named a global leader in brand and experience measurement by Forrester Research, Inc., in the report "Vendor Landscape: The Emerging Revolution in Brand and Experience Measurement, Tools and Technology: The Brand Experience Playbook." Brand VO2 is featured under a headline reading "Uses more robust predictive brand models." The report went on to recognize the unique Brand VO2 insights software as having a "robust" framework that enables "predictive modeling of business results and alert features."
Distinguishing Brand VO2 from " … many traditional branding models that rely on answers to predefined questions …" the reports author added that the software provides "… more actionable insights thanks to rich data sets and flexible analysis of all available information." The report concluded its assessment of the software by saying: "A major manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products has partnered with Brand VO2 for day-to-day brand measurement and has found that the work directionally aligns with in-market performance."
"We based our unique linguistic and brand equity models at the heart of Brand VO2 on 20 years of experience working with the most recognizable companies in the world: including P&G, General Mills, Dr. Pepper, Snapple Group, Aetna, and others," said Peter Murane, co-founder of Brand VO2 and CEO of brand strategy and insights company BrandJuice.
"As a result, we are now mining actionable insights that are predictive of future sales for large companies in a dozen different verticals. What we are hearing from our brand customers," said Murane, "is that they have never seen another brand experience and measurement software that has been able to align with a company's future sales results to the degree that we realize by applying Brand VO2 brand performance, real-time insights. He added, "We are delighted that a research group with the outstanding global reputation of Forrester has recognized us in their report on measuring what they call 'The Full Brand Experience.'"
About BrandVO2
Brand VO2 is cloud-based software that allows brands to keep score against competition, identify market disruption and predict future market share.
Our system produces real-time business intelligence from millions of online conversations across social media, e-commerce, blogs, forums, review sites and traditional media. Then, we apply brand-, competitor- and category-specific proprietary computational linguistic systems and brand attribute models to yield a company's unique, early-warning Brand VO2 Score™. The software and score, backed up by real human analysts, can effectively quantify brand health and marketplace momentum, predict future market share and business performance, monitor risk points, identify weaknesses, reveal emerging trends, spots market disruption and identify potential acquisition targets. For more information and a short informative video, please visit www.BrandVO2.com
Peter Murane


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NeoGeoGraphy is a project which brings together creative practice and new technologies to capture the community's connection with where they live. It is a project of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Queensland Writers Centre with funding support from Arts Queensland and the Australia Council.
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I was out and about today in Budapest, the first day of the year that we've had snow actually sticking on the ground. Just in time for Christmas! I also wandered through the Christmas market on Vorosmarty Square, where I snapped this shot of Santa Claus.
Happy holidays to all, wherever in the world you may be!


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11. Inman Family Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Olivet Grange Vineyard (2009)
Lightly aromatic on the nose with a lovely gentle sweetness of waxy ripe red cherry over a light camphor base, topped with intriguing hints of rosewater. This is wonderfully light, crisp and focused in the mouth, with excellent snap of almost tart but ripe red cherry and cranberry fruit framed by hints of cinnamon and rhubarb. The finish shows lovely purity and energy, with persistent raspberry flavors and the merest hint of tannin offering a touch of mouth grab. 91 points
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EXCLUSIVE Details! Salman Khan Takes a PAY CUT for Bigg Boss 10 :- Salman Khan is hosting the show Bigg Boss from the very beginning Salman Khan's job on Colors shows Bigg Boss is so fortunate that each year the Megastar pay has only increased. In fact, the Sultan actor is the highest paid anchor or host on Indian screens. However, this time, the scenario will not be as same as before as Salman will not be paid as much this year. Well, looks like Khan has a diverse payment plan for Bigg Boss season 10.
The actor has been hosting the show from the season 1 and he has become as a mark for the show. "Salman has always increased his price for the show Bigg Boss, but this time, he will be accepting a pay cut. As he desires Colors to put a part of the money into Being Human foundation." Clearly, the foundation has become a preference for Salman now.
This year Salman has a jammed schedule, he has Sultan releasing on Eid and post which the actor will start shooting for Bigg Boss season 10. The star is all set to off from Mumbai for the first plan of his next venture with Kabir Khan, named Tubelight.


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Next run date to be announced soon
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Expectations are growing as the countdown to IBM Connect 2016 in Orlando has started. Some of the news on what is coming i IBM Connections Cloud are already out (source IBM):
Verse Mobile Updates
While in other iOS applications, Verse is now a selectable mail
application for sending pictures, file attachments, URL links, and more.
On Android, calendar events processed when using the application
offline are now immediately reflected in the Verse application calendar. No more waiting for a sync to complete.
Real-time alerts help you focus on items that need your attention
Stay up to date with things that require your attention and response.
The new notification center in the navigation bar increases your
awareness less disruptively. See alerts with a single click – no matter
where you are in the service. Allows you stay on track or swiftly shift
gears depending on what is required at the moment.
Leverage third-party apps to maximize value of Communities
Community owners can add third-party apps to Communities. A new
extension point opens up the possibilities for Independent Software
Vendors (ISVs) to create apps for Communities. Developers can now write custom responsive apps that can be surfaced within Communities.
Community owners don't have to do anything different from what they do today. As soon as a new third party app has been approved by the administrator, it'll be available for all community owners of that organization
Organize your files with nested folders
Now you can create nested folders to organize your content in a
familiar hierarchy. You can create sub-folders within folders to give
your content a structure that makes it easier for you and other users to manage content. For both My Files and Community Files , you can build a hierarchy of folders with tree-navigation on the side of the Connections Files page.
Nested folders are also supported in the Connections Mobile app and in the IBM Connections Desktop Plugins for Microsoft Windows and the IBM Connections Plugin for Microsoft Outlook when syncing your offline files with Connections Files in the cloud. Note : Syncing of folders is coming in the future
Drag and drop support added on Microsoft Windows
Also new in January is the ability to drag and drop files from the Windows desktop directly to an IBM Connections folder in the IBM Connections Desktop Plugins for Microsoft Windows .
Improved user experience working with files
The sidebar is now resizable and labels have replaced the icons on
the tabs making it easier to navigate and view information and comments.
Enablement to help new users get started
A guided tour for new users has also been added to provide an overview of Connections Docs.
Additional browser support and other enhancements
Enhancements have been made to the editors including adding support for Apple Safari 9 and Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.
New browser and operating system support
Connections Meeting and Chat are now supported on Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Firefox on Microsoft Windows 10. For the complete list of browsers and operating systems supported, see IBM Connections Cloud system requirements .
Kategorier:Nyhet, Produktivitet, Social


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The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 15 is nothing less than DEVASTATING. The Haitian "government" says 40,000 are buried and another 100,000 believed to be dead. Aside from the millions of dollars in property damage, this is a human tragedy on a scale that's difficult for our minds to grasp.
The United States is and has always been generous with our compassion and our wallets. Donations from the American people are pouring into Red Cross and other relief and charity groups. The U.S. military has flown in hundreds of rescuers and has advance teams and assessment teams on the ground. The Coast Guard has deployed four ships as well as air support for evacuation efforts. The Navy destroyer USS Higgins, with about 320 sailors on board, arrived on Thursday. Thousands more from every branch of the U.S. Armed Services have been deployed and will soon arrive.
Haitians (an estimated 40,000) who are in the United States illegally are allowed to stay, being granted temporary protected status by Homeland Security. Advocates are pushing to relocate thousands of Haitian children orphaned by the earthquake to the United States. "Operation Pierre Pan," as it's being called, most likely will be based in Florida.
But Obama has vowed to do more. This morning, I heard him on the radio promising, in addition to $100 million in rescue and relief aid, that America will also help to REBUILD the country.
Not to seem heartless, but the question needs to be asked: Can we afford it? Here are some inconvenient truths about Haiti and the state of America's finances:
We are in debt up to our eyebrows. America's national debt is a record-breaking $12 trillion, and expected to nearly double in the next ten years. Unsustainable borrowing has created the largest debt in history. The share of the U.S. national debt held by individuals, corporations, pension funds and foreign governments having risen in 2009 from 41% to 53% of GDP.
Our entitlement program is nearly broke. In May 2009, our government revised estimates for the long-term solvency of Medicare and Social Security, moving up the date when trust funds for the entitlement programs will run out of money. Medicare will be depleted in 2017, two years earlier than estimated. 2008 marked the first time that Medicare ran a deficit, paying out more in benefits than it generates from taxes and other revenue. The picture for Social Security is better. The illusory Social Security trust fund wouldn't be exhausted until 2037, but that is still four years earlier than once thought.
The United States is the world's largest foreign-aid donor to Haiti, and as been since 1973, as pointed out to us by Jim Geraghty at National Review online. From 1990 to 2005, the U.S. sent $1.46 billion to Haiti in aid from development assistance and children's health through the Economic Support Fund, the U.S. food program, the Peace Corps, and foreign military training. In May 2008, the Bush administration sent an additional $25 million in emergency food aid to Haiti, bringing its total emergency contribution to $45 million . Congress provided $100 million for hurricane relief and reconstruction assistance for Haiti and other Caribbean countries in the FY 2009 continuing appropriations resolution. Haiti received an estimated $287 million in regular appropriations for FY 2009.
But all of that aid has had little impact on improving the lives of the Haitian people due to, as explained by Reuters, poor and downright criminal governance, endemic political turmoil, and widespread corruption. Haiti is the third most corrupt country in the world, according to corruption watchdog Transparency International, which compounds the difficulties agencies face in delivering aid in an accountable and transparent way. Power lies in the hands of a few elite, leaving ministries unable to implement policies and divert funds to the local level. Haiti's civil service is poorly trained and lacks the expertise to manage aid. To put it simply, Haiti's defective political and human infrastructure makes it highly likely that whatever relief and reconstruction aid that the U. S. provides will be stolen and squandered.
To make matters even worse, whatever government there was on Haiti has disappeared into the rubble of the collapsed presidential building. There is a vacuum of security and government, evidenced in the reports of looters and gangs of men wielding machetes , piling dead bodies as road blocks to hijack trucks carrying relief supplies. All of which means that the U.S. and international relief agencies have few or no local partners to work with.
So, what ought America do? Let's hear what you think on this OPEN FORUM.
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If you have a smart phone you should have Ibotta installed! Ibotta is a fantastic way to save money while shopping. It saves you money and you don't have to search for and cut out a coupon!
If you aren't using it just yet, now is the time to sign up for Ibotta and receive a $2 Newbie bonus. It's part of their celebration for the new upgrade with Bonuses and Store Extras. You will earn $2 when you redeem 2 offers within the first 2 weeks of registering.
New Bonuses can be revealed at any time; users will uncover hidden surprises as they use the app. Go to the Main Menu in the app and select Bonuses. Users can tap on the specific Bonuses to reveal instructions and earning levels.
My current favorite Ibotta offers include:
- Annies – Save $1.00 – Organic Granola Bars Any Variety – 7 ct. box
- Mott's Applesauce – Save $0.50 – Any Flavor – 6 pack of 4 oz. containers
- Ore-Ida – Save $1.00 – Golden Crinkles – Any Variety – Any Size
Learn more about Ibotta here and here. This is an app that I have installed on my phone that I use regularly and LOVE! How many apps do you have installed that earn you money? This one is a must!
Make sure to download or update to the latest version of Ibotta to see your Bonuses, Store Extras and other new features!!
If you love saving money, and who doesn't, check out these deals and freebies that will save you even more! Be sure to subscribe to Coupons Are Great so you don't miss out on great deals, fun freebies, crafts, and more.
Thanks The Coupon Challenge!


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The Most Effective Job Search Tips for 2019September 11th, 2019
A common mistake for job hunters is to treat the process like a numbers game, thinking that applying for the most jobs as possible is the way to go. Unfortunately, this approach puts much of the effort to waste because it reduces the quality of the applications and results in getting overlooked by hiring managers. Make the most of your effort – check out these tips for job searching effectively:
Create an Agenda
Consistency yields better results than random large bursts of effort. Develop a weekly job searching agenda and schedule in time for specific tasks and challenging goals. Having a plan and a way to measure the outcome of your effort keeps you accountable for your results and helps you stay motivated.
Research the Role
You can't make a convincing argument about why you're the best candidate unless you can present well-researched evidence. Before applying for jobs, look up information about the companies and if possible, hiring managers' contact information. Include details specific to the company in your cover letter, but you can address your application materials directly to the hiring manager.
Optimize for Search Engines
Trying to stick out by using creative copy in your resume can backfire because applicant tracking software or hiring managers will be initially performing a very brief scan of these materials. Include keywords directly from the job description so it's immediately clear that you're qualified and you don't get filtered out.
Be Savvy with Social Media
Social media can hurt or help you with your job search. To prevent it from hurting your chances, do a social media clean-up and delete anything you think may reflect badly on you if hiring managers searched for you. Get involved on LinkedIn and take part in discussions to help you network and get job leads.
Utilize the Right Job Boards
General online job boards tend not to be as useful as job seekers would hope. There's so much competition because the majority of job seekers use them, making it difficult to stand out or find the right opportunities. Check out different sources, such as smaller, industry specific job boards or go directly to company websites.
Turn to Staffing Agencies
Make your job search effective by having someone who is there to support you and has vested interest in you finding the right job. Consider a staffing agency – they are hired by employers to help fill their available positions and can match you to more targeted, higher-quality opportunities than the general job resources.
Make your job search more effective with a staffing firm you can trust to have your best interests in mind. Professional Alternatives is an experienced Houston and Dallas professional and finance recruiting firm serving Texas employers throughout a variety of industries. We work with candidates to connect them to the available positions that are the best fit. Apply online to get started on your job search with Professional Alternatives or contact us now about hiring top talent!


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Who we are
Adelaide Metro is Adelaide's public transport system, run by the Public Transport Services Division of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.
Adelaide's transport system is extensive, accessible and responds to a variety of community and individual needs services include buses, trains and trams throughout the greater metropolitan area (Adelaide Metro) and regional bus services (Connect SA).
Taxis and other passenger transport
For more information on transport, visit the Transport, Travel and Motoring page on the sa.gov.au website.
Terms and Conditions
For information on Adelaide Metro's Terms and Conditions please visit this page.
To view the metroCARD Conditions of Use please click here (PDF 156KB).


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River Marina Town House at 9590 Sw Purple Martin Way in Stuart9590 SW Purple Martin Way is a three (3) bedroom, two (2) and a half bathroom town house located in River Marina in Stuart. Built in 2016, this home features upgrades such as the 18"x18" diagonal tile and a Nexia Smart Home System. Nexia gives the homeowner the capability to control the thermostat, lights, unlock doors, and view the cameras throughout the home. Stainless steel appliances, a center island with room for seating, and quartz counter tops can be found in the open style kitchen. Enjoy preserve views on the raised, paved patio with a standing garden. Don't miss your chance to own this beautifully updated town home with the option to buy docking space for your boat. Speak with a Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agent today!
Address: 9590 Sw Purple Martin Way, Stuart, FL 34997
This listing courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Agent: Annette duPlessis PA


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From the state that popularized drive-thru dog washes comes the latest in canine convenience - a company that contracts out dogs by the day.
Marlena Cervantes, the founder of FlexPetz, bristles when people refer to her business as a rent-a-pet service. She prefers the term "shared pet ownership," explaining the concept is more akin to a vacation time share than a trip to the video store.
"Our members are responsible in that they realize full-time ownership is not an option for them," said Cervantes, 32, a behavioral therapist.
FlexPetz is currently available in Los Angeles and San Diego. Cervantes plans to open a new location this month in San Francisco.
Shari Gonzalez said she was thinking about getting a dog when a dog trainer suggested part-time ownership. At first, she had reservations.
"I was thinking, 'How is a dog going to bounce from house to house and be OK with that?'" she said.
Her misgivings were allayed after she spoke with Cervantes, who explained that only dogs with suitable temperaments were picked for the program.
Since signing up, Gonzalez said a black Lab named Jackpot has become a treasured part of her social network. They spend an average of one day each weekend together.
Melissa Bain, a veterinarian at the University of California at Davis, said she had concerns but no hard-and-fast objections to a service like FlexPetz.
Advantages include giving people who might want to own a dog a chance to test the waters, Bain said. A possible downside would be irresponsible members.
"It depends on the people and it depends on the animal. Some dogs may be fine and some may become stressed," Bain said.
Seymour: Where have you been, Victor?
Victor: I haven't left the house because I've been as sick as a dog.
Seymour: What did you come down with?
Victor: First I had a case of the flu and then I came down with the chicken pox. It really wasn't a good week for me.
Seymour: It sure sounds that way. I'm glad you're up and about now.
as sick as a dog 病得很厲害
Someone who is as sick as a dog is very ill. For example, "Raul went to Mexico for spring break and came down with typhoid fever. He was as sick as a dog for weeks."
形容某人「as sick as a dog 」代表此人病得很厲害。例如:「魯爾春假到墨西哥,並染上傷寒。他大病了好幾個禮拜。」
彈性寵物飼養FlexPetz的創辦人瑪琳娜: 賽凡提斯對於有人把她的事業稱作為寵物出租服務感到不悅。她偏好使用「分享寵物飼養」的字眼,因為這樣比較類似分享假期的概念, 而非只是到影音出租店。
莎莉:岡薩雷斯說 她想過要養一隻狗,但有一位馴狗師建議她可以考慮彈性養狗。剛開始,岡薩雷斯對此持保留態度。


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Jintao Liu's body shuddered in pain as he endured yet another day of extreme torture.
He had woken to pins being pushed into his nails before he was forced to stand still in a yard for some 18 hours. If he moved, he was beaten viciously and within an inch of his life.
Each excruciating second of the gruelling punishment caused his legs to swell as his body threatened to buckle under the pressure. He was given "no toilet breaks", and shown no mercy. Time had become his enemy - but not his worst.
That was a typical day for Mr Liu during a lengthy stint in a series of Beijing detention centres and labour camps between 2006 and 2009.
There, he was subjected to electric shocks, medical tests, forced feedings, beatings, violent sexual assaults and other barbaric forms of torture designed by prison guards to humiliate and inflict maximum pain.
But it was one particularly savage punishment that etched the deepest psychological scar on Mr Liu.
"The incident which marked me the most was when they, four of (the prison guards), stripped me of my clothes, and used the toilet brush to pierce my anus, saying that they would pierce until I turned homosexual," Mr Liu told news.com.au.
"They pulled my pubic hairs and played with my genitals."
His only 'crime' was to practice Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation based on the guiding principles of "truth, compassion and tolerance".
But perhaps just as shocking is that the Chinese government has been carrying out these human rights atrocities - including forced organ removal for harvesting purposes - on innocent citizens and convicted criminals for the best part of the past two decades. And it's still happening today.
Mr Liu, 36, is one of thousands of people who have been incarcerated in some of China's worst jails, labour camps and detention centres for practising Falun Gong and refusing to give up their spiritual beliefs.
By the 1990s Falun Gong had become so popular it was estimated to have 100 million members, outnumbering the country's ruling Communist Party and prompting former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin to ban the practice in 1999.
Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) Australia spokeswoman Sophia Bryskine said the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners was still extensive with many being locked up "with no legal proceedings".
"In our recent research and communications we have focused predominantly on prisoners of conscience as the scale of abuse remains vast," she told news.com.au.
Dr Bryskine said China was committing human rights atrocities on a mass, state-sanctioned level and that Australia, along with the other nations, needed to immediately act and condemn it.
China is Australia's largest export market for both goods and services, accounting for nearly a third of total exports, and a growing source of foreign investment.
In 2015, Australia signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement with China, with total trade worth almost $160 billion in 2013-14.
But how much do we really know about our largest trading partner?
"Sadly the global awareness of this mass-murder taking place in China is still very limited," Dr Bryskine said.
Since the Chinese government outlawed Falun Gong, it has detained thousands - most likely hundreds of thousands - of practitioners, according to a 2008 report by the Congressional Commission on China.
"One hundred and twenty two Chinese government websites regularly report detentions of Falun Gong 'criminal suspects' and some provincial and local authorities offer rewards as high as 5000 yuan ($US732) to informants who report Falun Gong 'escaped criminals'," the report read.
In 2006 the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Novak, concluded that 66 per cent of all prisoners in China were Falun Gong practitioners.
A 2014 report by Human Rights Watch into police torture and ill treatment of suspects revealed that while China introduced laws to curb violence towards detainees, torture was still routine in Chinese jails, with police flouting regulations and courts ignoring rules designed to exclude evidence and confessions obtained by mistreatment.
In December 2015, the United Nations Committee Against Torture gave Beijing one year to report back on progress made in implementing key areas of the UN Convention against Torture.
"The Committee remains seriously concerned over consistent reports indicating that the practice of torture and ill-treatment is still deeply entrenched in the criminal justice system, which overly relies on confessions as the basis for convictions," the committee said.
At the two-day hearing to review China's record on torture, held for the first time since 2008, China denied it held political prisoners and said torture was banned, to derision from dissidents.
According to witness accounts, it's those persecuted for their beliefs who are the main targets of the most brutal torture, abuse and killings in China's correctional facilities.
Some of those who escaped persecution and resettled in Australia after being granted refugee status have shared their shocking stories with news.com.au in a bid to expose the scale and severity of the human rights abuses in China and help bring them to an end.
Mr Liu had a promising career ahead of him in the field of chemical technology when he was robbed of his freedom and "taken away" to endure the worst years of his life. Life, for him, would never be the same again.
He was a student studying chemical technology at the China University of Petroleum who constantly produced top grades and was well liked by his peers. He was also well known as a Falun Gong practitioner.
Mr Liu said some students who knew that he would graduate and easily secure a career were jealous and so dobbed him into authorities for practising Falun Gong.
He doesn't speak English but his deeply haunted eyes tell a story that transcends language.
"(Police) caught me without providing any reason, just by finding Falun Gong materials on my computer at the school," Mr Liu said through a translator.
After he was arrested, Mr Liu was sent straight to a detention centre where he stayed for one month.
"There was no due process, no interrogation, no procedure followed," he said.
"When (my sentence) started, I was made to sit on a small stool, a plastic stool, for a long period without moving.
"I was forced to sit there all day and not use any toilet.
"When they saw it was not working (to change my beliefs), they had me stand instead. Stand for a whole day, until my legs were swollen. When that didn't work, they reduced the hours I slept. "They woke me up by putting a needle into my nails. If you slept for three hours, it became two, then one, then no sleep at all. They would continue torturing you this way until you submit."
Mr Liu was eventually locked in an isolation cell for one year. He said it was the same belief that landed him in the labour camp that helped him through his darkest days.
"I was trying to stick to the principles of truth, compassion and tolerance and not act with any hatred or violence," he said.
"At that time my major fear was that I couldn't really withstand the torture and abuses and that I would give up."
Mr Liu said that in the end he "couldn't stand it anymore" so agreed to sign a statement declaring he would stop practising Falun Gong.
"I didn't really give up," he said.
"The one thing that helped me get through without dying is that I wanted to expose such atrocities."
Falun Gong practitioner Hongbin Lin, 43, was a naval officer in the Chinese military who went from "heaven to hell" when he was persecuted for his spiritual beliefs.
He spent one and a half years in a forced labour camp, despite not being charged or convicted of any crimes. Upon his release from detention he wrote "Falun Gong is good" on a banner in 2002.
It was a move that would lead to him being charged with "damaged law enforcement" and sentenced to six years in prison.
Mr Lin said he went to trial after the second arrest but that he had no hope of being set free because lawyers representing Falun Gong practitioners "aren't allowed to plead innocence" on behalf of their clients in China. Several lawyers who have entered a plea of innocence for Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested and detained.
"There's no freedom of expression in China," Mr Lin said.
Mr Lin said he endured electric shocks while in captivity at the hands of prison authorities. He said criminal inmates were made to help the guards persecute Falun Gong practitioners.
"After my third day in prison, because I refused to admit that I've committed a crime, the prison guards started to torture me through various methods, such as shocking me with their electric batons," he said.
"There would be two electric batons, two policemen, with criminals surrounding me. They pressed me down, stepped on my legs, some grabbed my arms, twisting them behind my back. "(One of them) pressed me on the floor, with both of my legs stepped on by 10 plus people. "Then they shocked me on my head, face, and lower body. They shocked me until their batons ran out of power.
"After shocking me, shackling me to the iron bedframe and depriving me of sleep which lasted up to 15 days at one stretch."
Mr Lin slept next to a toilet for about a year. His living space "was narrower than a chair, about 1-2m long".
"I was often forced to lie on the ground with my hands tied up behind," he said.
"I felt severely wounded, in both body and soul."
The guards treated human beings worse than dogs, he said.
"Food is placed on the dirty floor, without tables," Mr Lin said.
"When we eat, we eat from the floor.
"The police treat the criminals and us as they please, beating us when they feel like it, scolding us when feel like it, humiliating us as they please.
"The police can curse us whenever they want. They can curse and beat us up at any time."
Mr Lin said he witnessed many other political prisoners being tortured and humiliated during his stint behind bars.
"One of the supervisors of the prison ward, in front of many prisoners (made another prisoner) take off all his clothes and abused him in public, exposing him in the sunshine as a way of humiliation because he felt he didn't do enough labour work," Mr Lin said.
"I felt there was no safety or security. I was quite desperate. The Communist Party just doesn't treat people like human beings and has no humanity so I never knew what the future would hold or what would happen to me the next day."
Some prisoners were tortured to death, he said.
"I feel so different in Australia, in a free country," he said.
"Where people don't even want to hurt animals and there's respect for people, human beings.
"In China, there's no respect for human rights and dignity."
Chang Zhi Yue, 78 was an electro engineer in an aeronautic department and a painter when she was arrested for practising Falun Gong. She was detained for four years in Beijing Women's Jail where she suffered extreme torture and abuse, despite never being charged or convicted of any crimes.
"In prison, I suffered multiple times lengthy torture in a variety of ways," she told news.com.au.
"Nine policemen tortured me for five hours resulting in multiple fractures of vertebrae, such as cervical spine fractures, lumbar spine deformed and protruding to the left and anterior, and a deformed pelvis.
"A man suddenly came up, grabbed me and forced me on the floor. They beat me, forcefully beat me, and they twisted my hands until ... they would strike your teeth.
"Someone pressed me on the floor, then lifted me till I was sitting, then spread my legs apart.
"My legs will not naturally open that wide, so they had a few people pull my legs apart at the same time, pulling, pressing, stepping on my legs.
"That time, I heard a 'crack, crack' sound, that was a bone in my hip breaking. After that, the bone in my back broke.
"Later on, he asked me when I was nearly unconscious whether I would still continue practising (Falun Gong)."
Fengying Zhang, 66, was abducted from her home and sent to a detention centre followed by a labour camp for practising Falun Gong in 2013. She was never charged or convicted of any crimes.
Mz Zhang said she went on a hunger strike after three days to protest her imprisonment.
"I was force-fed twice in the year 2000 when I went on hunger strike," Ms Zhang told news.com.au.
"That time when they force-fed me, there were four people, two of them held my head, while two of them stepped on my legs. They had me face the sky, and started force-feeding me, and I started choking.
"They were especially brutal, when he inserted the tube, he did not do it slowly. He forced it in through the nose, down to my stomach. If the tube went the wrong way, it could pierce the lung.
"I choked and coughed out yellow liquid, until my neck was covered with it.
"After they were finished, I felt like I was suffocated and on the verge of death.
"They started force-feeding me daily after that."
This investigation is the first in a three-part series to appear on news.com.au. Read tomorrow about China's secret brainwashing centres, where political prisoners are forced to watch videos containing propaganda until they agree to change their beliefs.


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What's left to be said about Halo: Reach? It's the biggest entertainment launch of the year, has near perfect review scores across the board and has been in consoles worldwide for over a fortnight now. Surely it's time for the words to stop and the game play to begin?
Well, maybe. But before you start your 200th round of Firefight of the day, why not take a peek at ShortList's gallery of concept art for the game? Before the maps were designed and before the Spartans were rendered, this is where Bungie started the years-long process of making its final ever entry in the franchise it created.
The drawings show the game was clearly a labour of love for the team and, what's more, they're exclusive to the new-look ShortList.com. And there's even more, right here.
(Halo: Reach is out now exclusively on Xbox 360)


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How did you grow up? Were you surrounded by parents, coaches, teachers, and grandparents that yelled at you? Or were you surrounded by encouragers? Based on experience, my guess is that very few of you were fortunate enough to be surrounded by encouragers. Unfortunately, there are more people in the world who are likely to fuss, complain, bitch (sorry for any offense, but it's a strong word used intentionally), whine, or give "negative" feedback.
Have you ever noticed that this type of feedback is "excused" in unique and creative ways? "It's just tough love." "We're a high-performing organization and need people who can handle 'straight talk.'" "I'm just being truthful." "They need to hear it from someone. Might as well be me." "Don't be a baby. Put on your man-pants (or big-girl pants)." "Hey, I'm just being truthful." And on and on it goes. People who, in essence, are yelling at, or putting others down, want to be believe they're being helpful. They want to believe that others respond to this type of feedback.
Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, there's a time for "critical feedback" and "tough conversations." Yes, there's a time for getting straight to the point and being direct (like hitting someone between the eyes with a 4×4). But mostly, these are excuses for a lack of grace, for a lack of tact, and for poor timing. Without tact, telling the truth can be as harmful as telling an outright lie!
In 30+ years of corporate work in multiple states and countries, I've had many failures. And I've also learned a few things. I've learned that honey attracts more flies than vinegar. I've learned that for every negative thing you say, you should find 4-5 good things to say. I've learned that the behavioral skillset (art) of shaping is powerful in every setting. Every. One. And I've learned that the quickest way to sustainable, high performance is through the art and science of positive reinforcement (not flattery, not negative reinforcement, not bribery, not YELLING, not bitching, not being a "truth-teller" and not "tough love"). All of these approaches fall short and really indicate a lack of understanding, mastery of leadership, and maturity.
Please don't misunderstand. I've had tough conversations with people. I've terminated many people (for performance and behavioral issues). But 95% of the time (or more), I try to find the good in people and reinforce it.
Today I woke up to thunderstorm. It rained all day. And it was gloomy. Waiting upon someone for one, of many, meetings, I looked out the window. Dreary. Depressing. Rainy. Cloudy. But as I thought about the person with whom I was about to meet, my heart quickened.
I was about to meet with an incredible human. Someone with an amazing brain (a computer of sorts). Someone with concerns. Someone with passion. Someone with fears and hopes and anxiety. Someone who had emotions and logic. Someone with a family and associated concerns. Someone who wanted to do a good job. Someone who hadn't slept well the night before. Someone with incredible potential and intelligence. This, by the way, is you. It's EVERY human.
And I was reminded not to YELL at them for their failures. I was reminded not to fuss or bitch or complain about their failures. I was reminded to encourage them, to lift them up and to look for the good. I was reminded to gently point out areas of opportunity and reinforce positive behaviors. I was reminded what an awesome privilege it is to be a servant. To be a leader. To be a colleague. A friend. A brother. I was reminded how much others crave a pat on the back. Myself included.
Don't excuse poor behavior. And don't avoid tough conversations. But look (actively!) for opportunities to praise, to positively reinforce, and to encourage. Go ahead and YELL at others, but only if you want poor performance, low engagement, and sub-optimal impact.
But world-class leaders in the home, classroom, sports arena, and corporate office know that others need encouragement. They know that 95% or more of good coaching is about identifying good behavior and reinforcing it. They know that the fastest way to sustained, excellent performance is through the behavioral process of shaping (by the way, if you didn't know, shaping is how you learned to walk).
Take a quick self-exam. Do you yell at others? Do you look for and reinforce the good? Are you a good coach? Do you have sustainable, world-class performance in your organization? Have a great week until we "see" each other again next Friday. In the meantime, go ahead and YELL at others. If you want poor or mediocre performance. Or, choose to be a contrarian, a world-class leader, and shape the behaviors of those within your circle to achieve optimal results.
Dr. Robert Gerwig is an agent of change and is able to balance the needs of the business and the needs of people. Dr. Gerwig believes and practices the values of performance and delivery of business metrics while simultaneously developing and growing people into leaders. You can contact him at RobertGerwig[at]LeadStrategic.com.
Photo by Author


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Reading, Writing, Hold the Arithmetic
I am an Assistant Professor of English Literature at Radford University in Radford, Virginia, where I teach British and Anglophone literature and culture as well as gender theory, interdisciplinary courses and composition. My book investigating the connections between textual experimentation and female identity and subjectivity creation has been published by Routledge. My current research interests include modern anglophone literature (particularly Indian women), Olive Moore, the history of the novel, literary and critical theory, film studies, drama, pedagogy, young adult literature, and interdisciplinary approaches to literature and cultural studies. I am especially curious about the narrative experimentations of 20th Century British, American, and World literatures. In my fifteenth year of teaching, I still find it challenging, insipiring, and more fun than should be allowed.
Rick and I have been married for 15 years, and we have a five-year-old daughter, Hallie, and a six-year-old dog, Zola (see photos!). When we are not reading or cleaning skates, pastels or dress-up clothes off the floor, we enjoy gardening, biking, painting, Nordic skiing, British TV, hiking, camping, road trips, and eating ice cream. One of us likes to catch sticks, three of us like to read books, and three of us like to sleep.
Feel free to contact me about shared research interests.
Thanks for visiting,


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Articles on Trance
Article list
For Light Magazine (published by The College of Psychic Studies)
Thoughts on the demonstration with Sarah Tyler-Walters, Becky Walsh and Simon Bacon in January 2007 - The intention of the demonstration was to show the differences between a Psychic, a Medium and a Trance Medium.
When asked to take part in the demonstration with Becky [a psychic medium] and Simon [medium/clairvoyant], it struck me that I possibly had the easiest task. All I had to do was expand my consciousness out of the way and allow Master Chou to step forward and speak. I would not have to look into the faces of the audience, nor consider what was being said and its impact. The irony is that, simple as that sounds, trance mediumship remains one of the more physically demanding aspects of spiritual communication. And letting go of one's consciousness can be a mammoth mountain to climb.
Having taken the steps towards developing trance mediumship, where spirit take control of the physical body, mind and voice, my reward is in the work spirit do. (I use the word control cautiously as it has overtones of possession and that is not what takes place.) Trance, by its very nature, is a willing and loving partnership between medium and spirit, never forced, never uninvited. So though, my task was simple the path to that simplicity was, and continues to be, long and hard.
As with all disciplines it takes dedication, time and trust. Having trained as a mental medium (Clairvoyant) I was familiar with my spirit guides and inspirational speaking. This coupled with a sense of self and complete trust, helped me make the transition from mental to trance mediumship. Trance mediumship is the combination of two things: the trance state where the conscious awareness is altered and physical blending with the spirit energy and consciousness.
I'm often asked; "Where do you go when you are in trance?", and to be honest I don't know. In the room somewhere, off wandering around or sitting with spirit. I generally don't remember and have little concept of the time elapsed. The other question I am often asked is; "Do you remember what was said?" Generally, no, however on occasion odd bits of information stick in my mind but they are generally without context and forgotten soon after.
A gentleman asked me after the demonstration about which spiritual realm Master Chou was from and how that effects his answers. Like us, communicators answer from their own perspective and level of understanding, but that does not mean they are not still learning and evolving. The journey of evolving never stops for the soul and this is as true for the souls of spirit as it is for us on the physical plane.
Trance mediums often refer to their communicators as their guides. For me I feel my spirit guides are separate. I have spirit guides, as every one does, however, I regard Master Chou and The Oracle as spirit communicators, working with me in partnership. We have agreed, prior to me being incarnated, to work together for a purpose through the medium of trance communication.
So what is their purpose? In essence, I believe it is to find ways in which we can improve how we live our lives and therefore change our vibration and consciousness for the greater good of humanity and the planet. Guiding us to find our truth and walk our paths as individuals and as part of all existence. They do this through words, healing, intention and love. What more could I ask of my friends, for that is how I truly regard them.
Trance Mediumship for the 21st Century - Based on several lectures given during 2007
What is Trance Mediumship?
Firstly, what is trance mediumship? In a nutshell; it is the willing use of the mind and body of the channel (medium) by a spirit being for the purpose of communication or healing. Please note the word willing, the channel (medium) acts as a conduit or vehicle for the spirit being by choice. Trance mediumship as with all forms of channelled information (drawn, spoken or written) or energy is done in partnership with spirit.
Working in an altered state of consciousness
Working in a trance or altered conscious state has been around for thousands of years as a form of connecting and communicating. Shamanic vision quests are a form of altered state that allows the shaman to communicate with animal spirits or ancestors. Many temple priest and priestess when into a trance to bring forward guidance in temple ceremonies. More recently seances were often conducted with the medium (channel) entering a trance state to allow the loved one to speak directly to the attendees. As with many things trance went out of favour and seemingly disappeared or at least went out of the public eye.
However, it was not a forgotten skill or indeed a lost one. It was merely sitting quietly in the background until it was needed again.
The re-emergence of Trance
Over the last ten years there has been a growing interest in channelled information from the world of spirit. People are once again seeking communication with spirit; and spirit are once again seeking to bring us that understanding. When trance mediumship was at its height it was mostly in the form of deep trance mediumship sometimes referred to as full trance mediumship. Humanity at that time needed as much assurance that it was spirit as possible and this provided the best option. Deep trance mediumship is where the channel (medium) is completely unaware of anything happening around them or through them during the session. They do not hear nor remember what was said. This level of trance mediumship is also used for physical mediumship where apports or ectoplasm are used to prove spirit exists and life does indeed go on.
Today though people are more open, they may have seen a clairvoyant and had proof of survival so are now more inclined to listen without needing such extremes. Physical mediumship still goes on and like trance mediumship is growing in numbers again. It still acts as a proof of spirits existence but it also acts as a glimpse of what is possible. So trance and channelling are going through some changes. The first thing to understand is that trance and channelling are closely linked. Whenever someone refers to themselves as a channel it is important to establish what they mean by that. It should be regarded as an umbrella term for in fact all of us who work for and with spirit, whether as mediums or healers, channel that information or energy.
Trance or Channelling
Sometimes channelling is used to describe trance work or visa versa. There are subtle difference between information that is channelled and that which comes via trance. However this is not necessarily in the information itself but in the mechanics behind how the communication was made. It is degrees of the same things - for instance if you say you are a runner, you might just jog for fitness, or be a 100m sprinter or even a 10,000 Kilometre runner. But you are still a runner the difference is in the why you run and how far. Spirit know that we are ready to receive guidance and information from them and as the vibration of Earth and ourselves increases so we can work and receive it in different forms. Trance mediumship was always regarded as slightly elite, you had to know someone to get an invite to a seance as it wasn't very public. Now though, spirit want it to be more accessible to those who are open to hearing or receiving. So more channels (mediums) are being drawn to the work and the work is changing to accommodate this.
Deep trance mediumship can hold physical risks for the channel (medium) if not done under strict guidelines, such as silence and no sudden movements. This limits who can see or hear spirit in this form, hence lighter levels of trance are coming to the for, which do not need such strict rules. By the channel (medium) being in a lighter state sudden noises or disruptions no longer cause physical harm. True trance mediumship does not depend on the level of conscious awareness of the channel (medium) but the fact that they have handed over complete control to the spirit communicator. Meaning no interference in what is being said or done. Of course no channel is 100% accurate all of the time so discernment by the listener is always required.
About the teachings
Many of the teachings or guidance from spirit has got corrupted, in a minor way or in a major way depending on the message and the time. This has lead us in to misunderstandings and misguided beliefs. Spirit now want to ensure that their message is not changed or misgiven, which means they want to deliver it. Whether the information is channelled or delivered via trance the listener must always trust their owns hearts. The spirit being will speak from their level of understanding which may not be yours, this is especially true when it is delivered to a large audience who will be made up of many levels of understanding. Be open to what you hear, see how its resonates in your heart and soul, if it feels wrong then let it go, you may already be beyond that understanding or yet to step into it.
Trance is changing
Trance is therefore changing, there is now more emphasis on what is said instead of awareness. Spirit are moving closer and wanting to bring forward a greater sense of themselves than before. By that I mean appear less still and reserved, or even aloof, they want to speak to people in such a way that you almost forget they are spirit. They want to remove many of the barriers that stand between us and them so greater understanding can be brought about. We are after all spirit incarnate not a separate or inferior life form. At our core, our soul level, we are spirit, here experiencing a physical life or journey.
Healing through Trance
Many of the ancient uses for trance work are now being brought forward to bring back deeper energy work for the good of humanity and Earth. But more of that another time. The other change in trance work is healing. Spiritual healing is after all channeled but spirit want to draw closer during the healing session. The reasons for this are many, but here are a few - our vibrations are now higher, the balance of energies on the Earth is not in harmony, we are moving towards ascension and lessons are being learned faster and in greater number during a single lifetime. These factors and many others mean spirit want to work deeper with us, as they have agreed too, to assist with these changes. Many of you will know that the energies on Earth and within us have changed so other things need to change in concordance.
Trance healing allows spirit to move closer and anchor a higher vibration of healing during the session. Due to the density of the physical plane, healing energy that passes through the channel (medium) is denser. In the trance state the healing spirit being anchors their lighter energy to the physical plane allowing a lighter healing energy to be channelled through them (they then act as the channel (medium). Multiple spirit healers can then work together anchored by the spirit blended with the trance medium, so amplifying the healing. I have also observed during trance healing session that work is done on a much deeper soul level than perhaps when I am doing spiritual healing and in a shorter period of time. Group trance healing session are even more powerful and I use that word cautiously. What I mean is more intensive healing takes place.
Other areas opening up to Trance work
Others aspects of the work are beginning to be brought forward such as building light constructs to work in for healing and communication. Deeper guidance and information is being given during readings and public demonstrations to assist and guide the individual or humanity. No longer is it just philosophy, it can now be spiritual counselling, deep insight into your souls journey (even through several life times), fast tracking for ascension and connecting to your true spiritual self, as well as deep emotional healing and release. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Sit back, relax, open your hearts and minds, and enjoy the wonders that trance communication will bring.
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Since 1993, the Keystone Foundation has been working in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) with indigenous communities on improving their lives, livelihoods, and maintaining their unique cultures. Keystone's approach is defined by "eco-development:" the principle that development can happen in harmony with both the needs of people and the land they live on in mind. Through a holistic approach towards livelihoods, conservation, and enterprise, Keystone maintains the principles of eco-development as we aim to support and empower indigenous groups to realize a better future, for many generations to come. We group our work into various thematic areas, which can be explored above.
"We are working with the fair trade principle, not only for our own local produce but also buying fair trade from other parts of the country"
"I want to make documentaries, documentaries on challenges that the indigenous people face in the present world"
"I like everything about this. The bees, the pollination, the processes and the whole service that bees provide. "
""The work that you do each and every day, the efforts that you put in, you see the effect that happens in the communities, with the people…""
""This is a different kind of work-cubicle. There is nothing that separates you from nature and I wake up to the sound of birds. It is a life I would like to live. Quiet, calm and simple.""
"I can go anywhere! I feel no fear, I can do whatever I want, I can speak to more people and gain more knowledge. It's a different world!"
""To go up the hills, singing songs that my father sang and his father before him, with my buffaloes ahead of me, and my family waiting back home – that is what I would like to do""


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While it's only anecdotal, the evidence is accumulating that the law of unintended consequences in the land that the man-made beast known as "Franken-Dodd" roams, is working its inexorable way through the community banking businesses, and especially that portion of the business that relates to residential mortgage lending.
One local community banker is saying his bank will no longer offer certain home loans because of new mortgage lending regulations.
Hunt Campbell, president and CEO of $117 million First Alliance Bank in Cordova, said his bank will no longer make mortgage loans to borrowers who don't meet the standards for new qualified mortgages that went in to effect Jan. 10.
Campbell said that the bank can't generate enough non-QRM loans to make taking on the additional risk worthwhile.
According to the Federal Reserve, Campbell is not an outlier.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's latest Beige Book for the Sixth District, which includes the lower half of Mississippi and central and east Tennessee over to the Georgia-South Carolina border, some mortgage lenders have exited the mortgage lending business altogether or changed their business models because of the added risks.
Some lenders indicated they were shifting their focus from residential mortgages to small business and commercial real estate loans, the report said.
Cambell's parting words are ironic.
"The place where a bank can wind up if they're deemed to be out of compliance in certain areas — you can get a DOJ referral and wind up fighting Eric Holder and Co.," Campbell said. "It's just not worth it."
The reference to Holder is ironic because, notwithstanding lip service paid by the CFPB and other regulators that a QRM-only bank would not, by that factor alone, be deemed to be running afoul of CRA or Fair Lending laws, Holder and his crew have been champions of pushing the "disparate impact" theory to its logical limits, and beyond.
No community banker can sleep well at night knowing that there is a Catch-22 waiting to make his or her life miserable. Make non-QRM loans and make them on less favorable terms (to the borrower, at any rate) than QRM loans, to compensate you for the higher risk? Not only do you not have the benefit of the Dodd-Frank "safe harbor," you might end up with a fair lending "referral" based upon a disparate impact argument. Make only QRM loans? Disparate impact-based Fair Lending or CRA violations are not out of the picture, due to "other factors" that the regulators throw into their analysis.
In these times, given the nature of the crew manning the bridge of the good ship USA, there is no true "safe harbor" in residential lending.


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Can you make sure you haz health in half hour or so ?
Found It. Thanks for at least reading what I wrote Ging.
Hey Ging. Been away for a while and decided to stroll back. Is there still a place here where you can purchase equipment for past generals? I need to upgrade Kanbe and need some of his equipment. Cant find it anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
*hides bacon under spaceworm*
hello darl
dances and wiggles all over your profile!
Got this Fixed..thanks to DoR and Pad....
*Flex* And you know 10 char
Did you notice I broke your keep?
How am I supposed to say, "hi" if you are DoTW?
Castle Age Royalty
Castle Age Count/Countess
Castle Age Scholar


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En ce jour de célébration de la première journée internationale pour les forêts, H₂O Gabon a cosigné cette lettre ouverte pour la sauvegarde des forêts, adressée aux Nations Unies (UN) et à ses principales organisations internationales en charge de la question (FAO, CBD, UNFCC et UNFF).
Pour paraphraser un slogan déjà connu, « La forêt est notre avenir, économisons la ».
21 March – the first ´International Day of Forests´
An appeal to urgently halt forest destruction, addressing the underlying causes
The UN has launched one more initiative to call attention to the fate of the world´s forests: 21 March from 2013 onwards will be the International Day of Forests. But will the Day make any difference to the forests and people who depend on them, considering that the UN International Year of Forests in 2011 went largely unnoticed?
Indeed, the UN should lead the measures to halt tropical deforestation, and therefore it should know and appropriately address the causes of forest loss. The most important direct causes of deforestation are quite well known, and include logging, the conversion of forested lands for agriculture and cattle‐raising, industrial tree plantations, urbanization, mining, oil and gas exploitation, hydroelectric dams and industrial shrimp farming. The underlying causes that drive deforestation, however, are multiple, interrelated, less easily visible, and often little discussed and understood. A thorough process of analyzing underlying causes of deforestation, undertaken in the late 1990s by the UN with significant civil society participation, concluded that these drivers of deforestation are related to land tenure, resource management, trade, international economic relations in general and social exclusion.
The FAO claims that deforestation was lower in the period 2000‐2010, compared with the previous decade. Still, 13 million hectares of mainly tropical forests, including mangrove forests, were destroyed each year in this period; and the actual figure is likely to be even higher because FAO continues to consider industrial plantations as forests. By defining "forests" as any land with a certain quantity of trees on it, the FAO distorts the data: the real forest loss appears lower than it actually is because for the FAO, industrial tree monocultures are the same as diverse forests that provide home and food for forest dependent peoples.
The International Day of Forests comes in the wake of renewed international attention to tropical forests that started with climate negotiators putting the role of forests in climate change on the agenda of UN climate talks: since 2007, the UN climate summits have been debating REDD – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. But have the efforts put into REDD+ resulted in reduced deforestation or at least a reversal of the current trend? Have the many initiatives undertaken since REDD emerged slowed the loss of forests worldwide? Are mangrove forests ("blue carbon") less degraded today than they were in 2007? Are forest peoples' rights better protected today than they were in 2007? Have the pledges of Northern governments to contribute US$ 7.7 billion, as well as the renewed attention itself for forests internationally really been able to slow, and eventually halt the loss of forests?
Recent reports from Brazil and Indonesia, the two countries where most of the forest was lost during 2000‐2010, indicate that after a short dip in the rate of deforestation according to FAO statistics, deforestation is going on and many new forest areas are under threat of large‐scale corporate‐driven activities that destroy forests.
Those same actors involved in forest destruction are often at the same time involved in projects that allegedly aim to protect forests, for example through REDD+ projects. These actors include transnational corporations, Northern but also Southern governments, financial market institutions including the World Bank, big conservation NGOs and certification organizations. With the UN at the forefront, all of these key actors defend the so‐called "green economy", presented as a "winwin" approach that tackles both the economic‐financial and environmental crises, by redirecting investments to unlock so‐called "natural capital", as well as new, supposedly clean technologies (such as those based on biomass) and the "carbon market", as well as the trade in "environmental services" in general. In tropical forest countries, this is leading to increasing conflicts, human rights violations and resistance. The destruction, if anything, has increased, not decreased, let alone stopped (1).
Forest destruction must be halted – urgently!
This letter is an international appeal that forest destruction needs to be urgently halted – and not just "reduced". Forests are vital for forest peoples, whose way of life depends on them. An indigenous leader from Eastern DRC states: "The forest and the indigenous peoples could be described as inseparable friends. The life of a pygmy depends 100% on the forest because the forest is our home 'par excellence'. I can state that without the forest, there can be no life for indigenous peoples" (2). Halting deforestation and the recognition of land rights are of special importance for indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation. An increase in land grabbing, much of it in forest areas, and the ongoing destruction of forests, particularly through the "concession model" of logging, agriculture and mining, put at risk the continued voluntary isolation because most often the areas where peoples in voluntary isolation are able to still survive on this planet and maintain their way of life are the very areas targeted by land grabbers. Halting forest loss is also crucial to combat social exclusion and to respect the rights of Nature and its intrinsic value. Furthermore, forests are important for humanity in general, especially the populations in tropical forest countries. It is extremely concerning that forests are increasingly affected by the effects of climate change. The perpetuation of the current unsustainable production and consumption model is at the root of both, the climate and forest crises. Initiatives aimed at truly halting deforestation – or avoiding runaway climate change – will therefore need to address these root causes.
To halt deforestation, the underlying causes that drive forest loss need to be eliminated. Urgent actions needed towards this end include:
‐ Recognition of the rights of forest and forest‐dependent communities over their communal territories with special attention to the indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation; these rights must include the right to control decisions affecting the territories of forest dependent communities.
‐ Define forests by their true meaning for forest‐dependent peoples; exclude industrial tree monoculture plantations from the definition: Plantations are not forests.
‐ Expose and halt the destruction caused by transnational corporations (TNCs) and other actors who lead the land grabbing process; the past decade has shown that TNCs cannot be regulated: their existence and increasing influence are a main threat for the future of tropical forests.
‐ Expose and break the pattern of corporate‐driven false solutions like ´sustainable' large‐scale activities in tropical forests, REDD+, trade in environmental services, public‐private partnerships, certified "green economy", etc.. Instead, propose and defend true solutions which mean defending locally sustained economies, in terms of the use of for example minerals, biomass and energy. We reiterate the call of the international Oilwatch network: Leave the oil in the soil and the coal in the hole!
‐ Support efforts to consume less forest destroying products instead of initiatives that promote buying the certified products from large‐scale operations and companies that continue to destroy forests.
Above all, on this first International Day of Forests we call on the UN and its forest‐related institutions to heed the lessons of past initiatives aimed at ending deforestation: Halting forest loss will remain an illusion until action is undertaken to eliminate the underlying causes that drive deforestation.
1.‐ For more information on Deforestation see " A brief overview of deforestation in tropical forests" at
Vous pouvez télécharger la lettre en format PDF ici
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Using gaming to promote the love of learning, and equip students with information literacy skills.
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Looking for wisdom and suggestions. I am forming a gaming elective for 7th and 8th grade public education students for next year. Plan on using the California Model School Library Standards as a…Continue


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The Truth about Crime in Nigeria
Nigeria stands tall alongside strong African countries such as South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Angola and Morocco, all of which enjoy thriving GDP's thanks to their profitable economies. In fact, Nigeria has such a huge economy it is virtually the "leader of the pack" with an estimate GDP of $504million (USD) and according to reports it has since 2015 been the 20th largest economies in the world.
It's clear to see why the country also dubbed the nick name "The Giant of Africa" as it not only has the largest economy in Africa but it is also the 7th largest country in the world according to UN reports. Based on estimate statistics by "World O Metres", Nigeria has a massive population of more than 187,665,000 people. Yet crime is something that is commonly associated with Nigeria and the country struggles to shake this image off.
What's truly going on in Nigeria?
It's no secret that there is crime in Nigeria, just as there is within every country, one may say? This could be true to a certain extent, however, but there is so much more to the crime of the Nigerian country than what meets the eye. Organised crime is rife pertaining to all sorts of trafficking, racketeering and fraud. Crime organizations operate in a manner that filters corruption throughout the country as well as within politics. Even some of the "smaller" crimes committed in the city such as home invasions or muggings are also said to be linked to the larger leaders behind the country's organised crime.
Political crime in Nigeria
Reports of crime in Nigerian politics came about long ago from the misuse of funds and power dating back to when Nigeria became an independent country. Several heads of government even from as early as the 60's have resorted to unscrupulous measures by which they administered the country.
The advance-fee scam entails that the unsuspecting victim will be tricked into giving an advance sum of money in order to accomplish something and then be promised a much larger amount of cash in return (419 scam, black money scam, and Spanish prisoner scam), just to name a few.
Scams are another prevalent form of crime in Nigeria and they mainly consist of the following types:
• Fake Cheques
• Email scams
• SMS scams
• Job scams
• Lottery scams
• Scarce pet scams
• Online dating scams
• Advance-fee scams
These are, however, usually not perpetrated upon those living in the country, but rather those far away in other countries.
Combating crime in Nigeria
The Nigerian police and other special crime-fighting organisations are constantly working at solutions to combat crime and corruption in the country. The Lagos state government and the Nigerian police make use of helicopters to source out crime as means of surveillance. The launching of the National Task Force also aids in the pursuit to clamp down on the crime levels within the country.
It is therefore not necessarily that one should avoid Nigeria for personal and business travel, but rather that one prepare for a country in which a little more caution must be exercised than usual.


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When I first thought about getting serious with travel photography, I knew my gear had to be light. My cardio game has never been good, so adding a lot more weight to myself will just slow me down even more, especially when I have to climb or hike to get good photos. Minimal Gear When… Continue reading My Travel Photography Essentials
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Photographing Iceland
My biggest concern during our 2.5-day winter trip to Iceland was the weather and its effects on my photography equipment and experience. I've gone to the Swiss Alps with my Fujifilm XT20 camera, but other than being cold, it was dry and sunny. Iceland was a different story. It was cold, wet, and gloomy the… Continue reading Photographing Iceland


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What have you heard? What does it look like? Did we have a deficit in 2010? Are we looking at cuts for 2011? Where are any cuts going to come from? What meetings has Toledo City Council held on the subject?
Are you as clueless about this as the rest of us? Are we on track to passing a final operating budget by January 31, 2011?
The mayor released his proposed budget in November as required by law.
At that time, we learned we will have a deficit to address for 2011, partly because the 2010 budget was 'balanced' by deferring overtime payments and pay increases to 2011. So, despite the fact that we are not anticipating any significant increase in income in 2011, we're going to have to pay for items from 2010 on top of the items already in the budget for 2011.
There are many questions to be asked about our budget this year. I want to know what revenue items from 2010 failed to meet their projections. We know the city 'balanced' the budget with projected income from the sale of city property. Did we sell everything we planned to - and at the price we estimated? What about the projected income from sale of property in 2011? Are any of these properties the same ones that didn't sell in 2010?
Will the city stop the practice of pushing costs into the next year where they just keep accumulating without any plan for paying them?
Will council members stop spending on unnecessary things (like helping pay for the cost of the Symphony to go to Carnegie Hall) in order to have a budget that fits a realistic expectation of our income?
Will our income projections be realistic?
I'm waiting to hear when council will hold meetings on the matter. You'd think they've have them scheduled considering that we must pass our 'balanced' budget by March 31st.
If I hear anything, I'll let you know.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Toledo's 2011 budget
Posted by Maggie at 6:06 AM
Labels: 2011 Toledo budget
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