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Note: I've been assigning a weekly Action Step on my radio show but realized I hadn't been posting them here. Sorry about that! Look for a new Action Step every Thursday afternoon.
Last month our whole family took a First Aid/CPR class. We practiced bandaging wounds, placing a "victim" in the recovery position, and using an epi-pen. We also got lots and lots of CPR practice on both an adult size dummy and an infant dummy. It held our attention for four hours, even that of my 9 year-old son.
I hadn't taken a First Aid class in many years and was surprised by how much has changed. I also felt newly empowered with the hands-on practice, new information, and the knowledge that my kids and husband were trained as well.
This week, track down a First Aid/CPR class in your area. Or, if you've recently taken one, find out where you can take a Wilderness First Aid class or enroll in a beginning EMT class. You don't have to be a clueless bystander when there's an injury, accident, or sudden illness. These classes won't magically turn you into a doctor, but you can take measures to help out until one arrives or the victim can be transported to a hospital.
After our family class, I decided I would test my kids to see how they would react to an emergency situation. It was eye-opening. I set about making the kitchen appear to be unsafe, with a red hot stove burner, a couple of sharp knives on the floor and the kitchen faucet running full blast. I then laid on the floor and gave a loud scream and then "passed out." The kids were ready for their drill, but they weren't quite ready to see mom on the floor.
Interestingly, it was my son who immediately went to work turning off the hot burner, picking up the knives and turning off the faucet. They had learned the rule of checking to make sure the area is safe before entering. He then proceeded to nudge me to see if I was awake, and then turned me on my side in the recovery position. My daughter, well, she's going on 13 and thought the whole thing was silly, but when I praised my son for his quick actions, she was a little perturbed that she hadn't joined in. Maybe next time.
Being a Survival Mom is all about being empowered, and I promise you that any class in first aid, first responder skills, and the like will do just that.
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relax in our Wilmington riverfront suitesInviting and refreshingly charming, our one-bedroom riverfront suites reflect the authentic atmosphere of historic Wilmington. From the moment you walk into your apartment-style suite, you'll be drawn to floor-to-ceiling views of the Cape Fear River. Walk out onto your private balcony overlooking the famed Water Street Riverwalk, and your worries drift away with the fresh salt air. Inside, well-appointed décor accents the lounging area, and indulgently soft bedding welcomes a good night's sleep.
At time of arrival, please go to Hotel Ballast Wilmington at 301 N Water Street.
- Private Walk-On Balcony
- Refrigerator
- Lounging Area
- Full Kitchen
- Luxury Bedding
- Washer/Dryer
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cable TV
- Dining Tables
- Separate Bedroom
- Sleeper Sofa
- Ironing Board & Iron
- Microwave
- Coffee Maker
- River Views

subset: commoncrawl


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The United Federation of Teachers, one of the largest union locals in the country, on Wednesday rallied its vast network of members behind William C. Thompson Jr. in the race for mayor of New York.
The endorsement from the teachers' union, one of the most prized of the campaign, could help jump-start the candidacy of Mr. Thompson, a former city comptroller, as he seeks to extend his support ahead of a Democratic primary in September.
Union leaders described Mr. Thompson as a longtime advocate for students who would work to address the concerns of teachers, including reducing standardized testing and ending the city's practice of closing low-performing schools.
Standing with Mr. Thompson at a news conference, Michael Mulgrew, the union president, said, "We need to make sure that this entire city school system is about helping teachers help children, and we now have a candidate we know will do that."
In accepting the endorsement, Mr. Thompson said he could sympathize with the difficulties teachers face. He recalled his mother, a former teacher in Brooklyn, falling asleep shortly after coming home from work each day.
"When I'm mayor, I'm going to fight day and night to help the teachers of New York," he said.
The endorsement was something of a risk for the union, which has not aligned itself with a successful candidate for mayor since 1989, when it supported David N. Dinkins. The union has avoided many races since then; it last made an endorsement in 2001. It passed over Mr. Thompson in 2009, when he was the Democratic nominee running against Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a political independent.
The strength of the teachers' union imprimatur in this election remains to be seen, even though it has at its disposal a treasury of at least $2.5 million, a large base of members to volunteer in get-out-the-vote efforts and a sophisticated trove of data to help it go after likely voters.
The union — which counts about 200,000 teachers, retirees and other school employees as members — finds itself at the center of a deep division among labor groups.
The city's largest union, 1199 S.E.I.U. United Healthcare Workers East, which represents health care workers, is supporting another Democrat, Bill de Blasio, the public advocate. And District Council 37, a large union representing municipal workers, has endorsed John C. Liu, the city comptroller.
Some election experts believe those tensions could come to the fore over the next several months, and diminish the influence of labor groups at the polls.
"The days of unified labor are pretty long over," said Joshua B. Freeman, a history professor at the City University of New York, adding that municipal unions had grown so large they did not need to band together to be heard.
Still, Dr. Freeman said, the teachers' union had the advantage of broad name recognition. "There are a lot of people who care about education in this city and care about what the teachers have to say," he said.
By bringing Mr. Thompson a large bloc of middle-class voters, the endorsement could help him draw support away from Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker and the front-runner.
On Wednesday, Michael Morey, Ms. Quinn's campaign spokesman, said, "Chris Quinn is the only candidate who has delivered real results for our public schools."
Many of the Democratic candidates went to great lengths to secure the endorsement of the teachers' union, talking regularly with union leaders, turning their ideas into proposals and accompanying them on visits to schools.
Mr. Thompson, a former president of the city's Board of Education, joined in the union's attacks on Mr. Bloomberg's education record. At one point, he said he would give up the mayor's majority on an educational oversight board, an idea that struck some supporters of mayoral control of city schools as sacrilege.
Even as he has emerged as frequent critic of the mayor, Mr. Thompson has made efforts to assure Mr. Bloomberg's supporters that he would not undo all of his policies. Mr. Thompson has met privately with charter school leaders to say he was receptive to their concerns.
On Wednesday, however, some education advocates remained disillusioned with Mr. Thompson's platform.
Glen Weiner, acting executive director of StudentsFirstNY, an advocacy group, said he was concerned Mr. Thompson would adopt the union's policies, including its demands for retroactive raises. Mr. Thompson said on Wednesday that he supported raises, but did not comment on whether he would agree to retroactive payments.
"Espousing the teachers' union policies would turn back the clock on our kids," he said. "We don't want kids to be forced to attend failing schools."


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All laser powers less than 100mw cost the same as the 100mw laser.
All solid-state 375nm red lasers feature ultra compact construction, long lifetimes, low cost and easy operation. Lasers are used in DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, cell sorting, optical instruments, spectrum analysis, interference, measurement, holography, laser printing, chip inspection, physics experiments, etc.
Power Supply: this laser comes standard with an FDA power supply. The LED power supply is available for $200.
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Note: these laser systems are special-order and may require 4-6 weeks for delivery. All sales final.


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We have expanded and reindexed the News miner, available at http://www.minerazzi.com/news.
Use this miner to find newspapers and news services from around the World, particularly North America and the Caribbean. Search by newspaper, news service, or location.
If you are a data miner or collection curator, use its extraction tools to find urls, links, images, emails, etc from targeted news stories, newspapers, or news organizations.


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When Sally got divorced she realized that it might mean not ever having children of her own. She was also afraid, afraid that she would be alone.
Aside from realizing that there was this possibility I might not have kids, the hardest obstacle was fear and loneliness. It was fear that I would never find a match that I would really love and on a primal level, that I would die alone. My parents had seven kids – family all around. We take care of each other. Who's going to be there for me?
For a while there was some distrust of my own rudder, my own wisdom. It didn't last forever but I had this definite sense of have I totally fallen off the deep end?
I did start dating maybe a year or so after but not really looking or feeling that serious. I knew I wanted to date people who were really, really different. So I was testing the waters there but I also allowed or demanded time for myself to just be alone and not just not in a relationship but alone. I went through this questioning period of what is my style? What do I want? At first it was super lonely. It was also very freeing to start to come into my own biorhythm more. I tend to be much more nocturnal than most of the guys I've been with. I also spent more time with close friends and cultivated friends more.
Although not at first, I did go to restaurants alone. I was pretty squeamish and uncomfortable and when I did, I wanted the safety net of a book. To tell you the truth, I'd go to a restaurant and wear my wedding ring, I think just for the security of it. I'd see my projection on others and wonder if they'd just see me as so sad and so lonely.
I didn't trust that I would meet someone else that I would love as much as my ex and feel comfortable enough marrying and it was nine years before I felt I met someone I would say yes to. It wasn't doubting that I loved him but more thinking, 'Oh my god, if that didn't work, is it going to work again?' But you jump off the cliff and we do the best we can. Maybe I didn't say 'till death do us part' but I did say, 'we do the best we can.' Whatever we do is a gamble and to do it with as much intention and care and awareness as possible and to trust.
In our chat, Sally said she thought that spending some time on her own before dating was helpful. Anka agrees and feels that time can be spent understanding ourselves better. And from all my interviews, I know that there is no set agreed formula that you should follow until dating. You'll date when you're ready and I believe that your body will tell you when that is, if you're willing to listen to it. And when you are dating again, then you have to decide whether to keep the relationship to yourself or to open it to your friends …


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How Does a Night Owl Survive Corporate Workdays?
Posted on July 18, 2013 by TNS Consulting Team (via Scott Spayd)
I have always been a night owl by nature. Early mornings can seem unbearable at times and my mood is definitely not at the highest. College certainly worked to my advantage as a night owl. I had no problem being awake for a 10am class, however, my 8am classes were very challenging. I only took one 8am course in college because I actually felt I was not awake enough to learn.
Once the summers rolled around and I was working full-time, I always had about two-weeks of constant fatigue. No matter who early I attempted to fall asleep, I typically would not be able to fall asleep until about 1am, only to have to wake up 5 hours later. So how did I deal with this? I learned that I often had to train myself to fall asleep earlier. For starters, I continued exercising five days a week. Exercising regularly can greatly benefit sleep patterns. I have always found a great workout after work can leave me feeling less tired the next day and I sleep better at night.
Secondly, I limit the amount of caffeine I drink. I avoid drinking coffee in the morning although at times it is tempting as I struggle to wake up. However, I know that eventually the caffeine crash will come and I will be left feeling tired all over again. I also do not drink caffeine after 6pm to give my body a chance to begin to unwind.
As tempting as it is on the weekends, I try to abide by my normal sleeping schedule. I may wake up an hour later than the weekdays, but I try not to sleep into noon, like I did so many times in college. When I used to sleep in a lot in college I always had an extremely difficult time falling asleep on Sunday evenings. It is not a wise idea to start the week on Monday already feeling tired.
Finally, I have found that having a routine in the evening allows me to go to bed at a routine time. For me, reading before bed is a great way to do something I enjoy that will help me sleep. For you, you may find listening to music helps you relax and prepare to sleep. Everyone is different in the amount of stimulation they can handle before going to bed. I can never watch TV and then fall asleep because my brain is too awake.
While it is not easy being a night owl in corporate America with the "9-5" workday, I have found that it is possible. I will never be the perkiest employee at the office in the morning, but I can survive the early mornings. Some organizations even offer flexible working hours that allow people to work different work schedules.
How do you handle being a night owl and waking up early?
About TNS Consulting Team (via Scott Spayd)
Great companies know that it takes highly engaged employees to retain customers and make their brand promise come alive. To make the connection between your employees, customers and brand, you need a partner with deep expertise across several areas. Only KANTAR TNS has over two decades of employee survey experience, as well as access to the consultative and research resources of the world's largest customer satisfaction benchmark database and brand analytics research. Whether you have 200 employees or 200,000, Kantar TNS has the expertise and the advanced measurement, reporting, and follow up tools you need to deliver on your employee and customer brand promise.


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Outdoor environments create many opportunities of damage and equipment failure for control panels and component enclosures alike. Manmade and natural elements are of equal concern to designers working in industrial backgrounds, leaving plenty of obstacles in the path to complete, cohesive enclosure design.
In addition to the impacts of natural factors including UV radiation, solar heat, moisture, wind, and natural disasters, it's important to also consider artificial aspects that may detract from a panel's operational integrity. Factors such as chemical presence, Electromagnetic Interference, and ingress requirements can also have a negative impact on the enclosure's performance, necessitating further, more substantive considerations during the design process.
Furthermore, determining the climate and environmental factors of the device's surroundings will help dictate the need for a cooling system, water or dust-tight seals, the need for additional corrosion resistance, and any potential alterations to the component's layout within the enclosure itself.
This article is meant to help designers plan their electrical or component enclosures to best survive in outdoor environments, therefore reducing the chances of equipment failure, damage to the device, and inefficient operation.
How Ambient Temperatures Affect Heat Load
Despite a sealed electrical enclosure being protected from environmental damage, the system's internal temperature can be directly influenced by a multitude of factors, including internal heat load, rate of heat dissipation within the enclosure itself, and the ambient temperature of the external environment.
When standard silicon components reach an operating temperature higher than 85 degrees Celsius, their lifespan decreases by 40% with every 10-degree increase in temperature.
However, the main threat of system failure and damage due to heat comes from within the enclosure itself. Several factors contribute to heat accumulation in an electrical component, including:
- Wattage of electronics
- Size of the enclosure
- Passive airflow within the enclosure
- Cable management and space between components
Ambient temperatures can also drive the internal temperature of an enclosure down. If the ambient temperature is lower outside of the enclosure, an air-to-air heat exchanger can ventilate the enclosure and keep operating temperatures within safe levels.
If the ambient temperature of the enclosure's environment exceeds that of the enclosure's internal conditions, using an enclosure air conditioner or active cooling system may be required for effective long-term use.
Cooling Options for Enclosures
1. Indoor Conditions
In normal indoor locations where contamination or dirt are not a concern, a NEMA-12 enclosure with an acceptable enclosure cooler will provide reliable protection from overheating. NEMA-12 enclosures can be equipped with air-to-air heat exchangers or air conditioners with little modification required.
2. Outdoor Environments
Unlike indoor locations, outdoor environments can wreak havoc on electrical enclosures and control panels unless the proper requirements are met. These are just a few of the potential hazards to the performance of outdoor component enclosures to consider while designing your product:
a. Wind - Wind itself isn't an issue for well-designed electrical enclosures in outdoor environments. Issues arise as a result of the particles of dirt, dust, or foreign debris that enter an enclosure due to an improper or broken seal. These can interfere with cooling and heat transfer systems, clog ventilation mechanisms, and reduce the effective lifespan of your unit.
b. Rain - Even enclosures under covered areas are susceptible to splashing water, humidity, and driving rain that can enter the unit's sides and damage the components inside.
c. Heat - Heat load is among the most important considerations while selecting a cooling system for your enclosure. In addition to the heat generated by the unit itself, solar heat gain must be taken into consideration.
d. Cold - In Northern environments, cold temperatures may have a more detrimental impact on your unit's relative performance than heat gain. Condensation and ice can build up on the outside of component enclosures, necessitating an additional heating unit to keep internal temperatures within acceptable operational limits.
e. Vandalism and Theft - While many forms of vandalism are benign and do not impact the operational integrity of enclosure units, theft and damage to enclosures is a serious concern for most organizations working in a public or outdoor setting. Secured enclosures limit access to vital controls and components, but designers can help fight against vandalism and theft by building in security systems, alarms, monitoring devices, and remote controllers to the equipment inside. Furthermore, NEMA-12 and NEMA-4 enclosures provide a high level of protection against forced entry to a unit thanks to their air and moisture-tight seals.
f. Accidental Physical Damage - In warehouse or outdoor work areas, enclosures are prone to accidental damage due to collisions with heavy machinery, equipment, and vehicles. Selecting a high-strength material and protecting enclosures with metal cages or gates may offset the chances of accidental damage due to collision.
Outdoor electrical enclosures typically need a NEMA-4 cooling system, but in environments with high humidity, moisture, and direct contact with water (marine environments), NEMA-4X enclosure ratings are the best option.
Best Materials for Outdoor Component Enclosures
1. Steel - Each variation of steel comes with its own specific properties, which can be an advantage for customers who know precisely which type they require based on their unique project. Commonly used steel variants in enclosure and front panel design include mild steel, type 304, and type 316.
Stainless steels, which provide additional protection against corrosion due to the presence of chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, are usually far costlier than mild steels due to the cost of nickel and are more suited for use in humid or corrosive environments than mild steel.
2. Aluminum
Both raw and anodized aluminum variants are often used in front panel and enclosure designs thanks the affordability and versatility of the material. Most designers choose anodized aluminum due to its increased durability and appearance, but those planning to add custom branding or colors to their enclosures may opt for raw aluminum as part of the initial design.
3. Fiberglass
Fiberglass is perhaps the most popular non-metallic material used in enclosure design thanks to its high resistance to impact and overall rigidity. Furthermore, the material's resistance to corrosion makes it an ideal choice for covered or protected outdoor applications. Fiberglass, however, is susceptible to damage due to direct exposure to sunlight over long periods of time.
4. Polyester
A relative newcomer to the enclosure and front panel industry, polyester is light, durable, and highly effective at combating corrosive and humid environments. However, its cost and rarity may make it harder to find in most supply shops. It can also be damaged due to sunlight over a long period of time, so any outdoor applications should include protection from the sun.
5. Polycarbonate
Polycarbonates have a high resistance to impact and physical damage, making them an ideal selection for enclosures in outdoor or heavily-trafficked work areas. Polycarbonate enclosures also perform well in high temperature environments and are very resistant to acidic conditions. Organic solvents and strong alkalis can reduce the material's effectiveness.
Cooling Options for Outdoor Component Enclosures
Removing generated heat from inside your enclosure is vital to ensuring its long-term operational capabilities. Four basic types of cooling solutions exist to prevent excess heat from damaging your critical components:
1. Passive Convection Cooling
Filtered ventilation grilles or automatic louvers can open up the enclosure and allow heat to radiate through the surface and safely exit the unit.
2. Active Convection Cooling
Forced air cooling solutions can be implemented in enclosure design to move clean, cool air into the enclosure and allow it to reduce the internal temperature of the enclosure. Using a controlled fan and filter with an adequate grille or vent will provide adequate cooling capabilities in most environments.
3. Closed Loop Cooling
Essential in extreme environments, closed loop cooling keeps outside air and internal air separate. Air conditioners and heat exchangers are considered closed loop cooling solutions.
4. Vortex Coolers
Creating a stream of cold air from a supply of compressed air, vortex coolers provide high-performance cooling in harsh environments without the need for a closed-loop system (as the air entering the enclosure is filtered).
About NEMA Requirements
The National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA) is responsible for providing ratings by which consumers can determine which enclosures offer the best level of protection for their desired use.
NEMA-1: Designed for indoor use. Provides basic level of protection against human contact with potentially hazardous components and protects components from physical contact.
NEMA-2: Offering the same level of protection as NEMA-1, NEMA-2 enclosures are also meant for indoor use. NEMA-2 enclosures add another degree of protection to sensitive internal components by guarding against light amounts of moisture.
NEMA-3: NEMA-3 enclosures are meant for either indoor or outdoor use and are identical to NEMA-2 standards, but carry more protections against water, dust, dirt, rain, and snow, but will not protect against ice formations.
NEMA-3S and NEMA-3R: NEMA-3S enclosures are the same as NEMA-3, but add an extra level of protection against ice. NEMA-3R units mimic the capabilities of NEMA-3, but do not provide protection against windblown dust and dirt.
NEMA-3X, NEMA-3RX, and NEMA-3SX: Same as NEMA-3, except each added designation signifies an additional level of protection against corrosion.
NEMA-4 and NEMA-4X: NEMA-4 is the same as NEMA-3 but adds protection against contact with pressurized water. NEMA-4X is identical to NEMA-4 but adds protection against corrosion.
NEMA-6: NEMA-6 enclosures are designed for outdoor use, but can be used indoors. These enclosures are rated to defend against physical contact, pressurized water, falling dirt, ice formation, and temporary or short-term submersion to a limited depth.
NEMA-6P: These are the same as NEMA-6 enclosures but adds further protection against submersion and corrosion.
NEMA-12: NEMA-12 enclosures offer protection against objects, human contact, dirt, dust, moisture, and drips in indoor environments.
NEMA-13: Same as NEMA-12 enclosures but with an additional level of protection against splashes and spraying of oil or coolant liquids.
Interested in learning more about building the ideal component enclosure? Contact Front Panel Express today to get started or download Front Panel Designer for a free estimate on your custom design.
Image source, labelled for reuse


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You are lost, scared, confused. It is late. Your friends have abandoned you at the latest party, leaving you alone for darkened kiss on a dance floor. The music pounds inside your head, brains screaming for a moments peace as you grab your head to try and soothe away the agony, but it is of no use, your hands are hot, sweaty like the rest of you, feverish frenzy of dancing, hormones and alcohol, manic activity as you dance alone to the beat of a tribal pop tune.
It is then, it is always then when He finds you.
Is he the spiky blonde with the clear aqua eyes, tattoos of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics etched into his arms and chest, white kimono top and piercings?
Is he the tall black gentleman caller, leather trench coat and tinted glasses, muscled chest and slow smile that reveals sharp pointed fangs?
Is he the aged film executive in Vivienne Westwood, who believes spirits haunt his sleep and lives in a converted boys orphanage?
He takes many forms but in one thing He is constant. He always comes when you are most alone, most afraid, most angry and most self-destructive. He always offers you a drink, a drug, an escape, a promise.
A meaning to the universe, and a reason that you are here, that you met Him, tonight. There is always a reason. You were meant to fight with your boyfriend, you were destined to go to that club where he just so happened to be there. You knew you were meant to find something, someone, that night. Him.
He enchants you with talk of magic, of chaos theory, of chakras and world travel, of tai chi in Beijing, of healing, of energy and how everything is one. In his world, you are beautiful, you are fully connected to the earth and air and sky and him, forming a perfect circle, never alone.
He seduces you with passionate rhetoric on vampirism, how he is a dark and dirty creature of the night. He whirls you around on the dance floor, he invites you to Paris, to fabulous balls, to his flat after the party.
He flatters you with compliments, showers you with gifts and praise. You are stunning, gorgeous, thin, lovely, better than Her, always better. You are talented and perfect and interesting and what I wouldn't give to be with a girl like You. You deserve champagne, cocaine, ecstasy and designer clothes, Chanel and Dior and dinner at Nobu, cocktails at The Mandarin.
And yes, you are taken in. You want the religion, the magic, the feel that maybe he really is healing you with his energy, your aura is glowing, purple and red and green. The sushi and sake and fish oil pills, the valerian root to help you sleep, the paintings and travel that he offers you, the way that he seems to worship you when he looks into your eyes.
Or else you want the travel, the seduction, the sex. The feel whirl of the dance, the feel of his fangs biting into your neck, your lips. The sensation and the pleasure, the decadence of knowing you are forsaken but uncaring, eager only to embark in the next event, the next feeling, the next embrace. You don't want to be healed by the light, but luxuriate in darkness. Lust.
Maybe you crave the leather, the silk, the feel of expensive clothes draped on your body, the perfume and diamonds making you feel like you are worth something, for that day, for that minute. Worthless girls don't walk around in clothes worth more than most monthly rents, worthless girls don't sip candy-coloured drinks and nibble delicately at appetizers, the white powder suppressing your appetitive, helping you to fit into your size 0 jeans. Opulence.
It is so easy to slip away, losing yourself completely in their world. They have chosen You because you are different, unlike most girls, beautiful and valuable in your own right.
You are the ultimate actress, changing yourself completely as they mentor you, in universal consciousness or metaphysics, physic vampirism or how to improve you, make you a star.
They are always intelligent, well spoken. Stacks of books and films and theories and debates. They do not simply want money or sex, not always. They want to seduce your mind, your soul. They see you, attractive but sad, a lost girl or boy with no family, dressed up but alone. They are only to happy to provide the escape that you seek.
And sometimes you see through the bullshit, the smokescreens and the lies. Sometimes when it is late and you are sober, somehow, and they push you and grab you and force your mouth to theirs, their ugly hands pushing up your dress, and you are screaming inside. And this is wrong, so wrong, and you don't want this, yes you want the fame or salvation or whatever they have promised you but not this, anything but this.
But something inside of you freezes, grows cold and hard as a stone, and you cant do it, you are too weak and scared to fight, still tipsy on his promises and you know, you just know that he wont stop.
It is better to submit than be violated.
And then comes the day when you walk away.
Night. 6AM at the strangers flat. Morning, now. You are with your partner but he is weak, wasted on the wine and champagne. You are half-asleep, lying on his bed, also drunk. The vampire is smart. He has not been drinking. He strips naked and flexes his chest, coming onto your lover first. He kisses his lips, runs his nails down his body as your boyfriend looks at you, and you silently mouth "no". He tries to protest but submits, in the end, and see him and think of you, how you have been used and drawn into the fantasies of so many other false prophets.
Not again. Never again.
But the vampire is clever, as they always are. He licks you, caresses you, draws you into pleasure but for once your mind is stronger than your body and you leap off the bed. He grabs your arm, restraining you and you are scared, and think, for the briefest moment, of submitting once again. But something in you snaps and you wrench your arm free, throw open the door and sprint down the stairs.
New Year. New Start.
You are outside, shivering and furious, angry and cold. You are naked underneath your coat, feathered shoes clutched in your hands. You are still drunk and lost, but proud, so proud that for once you had the strength to resist, the courage to walk away.
And then you hear the footsteps behind you.
It is your lover. He has left the vampire and his pleasures and ran instead to follow you, tears and makeup streaked down his face, eyes silently begging for forgiveness for not protecting you, not sheltering you.
But he is here and he has come back for you, and together you find a lighted pathway leading home.
The entire night he holds you close, whispering his love, how he cares more for you than himself, that he would do anything for you. And you clutch him tightly, seeking solace and warmth in his arms. Falling asleep with your head on his chest, listening to the sure and steady beating of his heart.
And for all their glitz and glamour, all the prophecies and promises in the world could not live up to the strength of your love.


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Congressman Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) told an accepting and eager crowd of supporters that "corporations control the patterns of thinking" in America.
As Deep Throat said, "Follow the Money." According to OpenSecrets.org, Johnson received money from a number of "corporations." For example:
- Bank of America
- Coca-Cola Co.
- General Dynamics
- Microsoft
- Comcast
- Cox Enterprises
To be clear, "The organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organizations' PACs, their individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates."
If Johnson is serious about what he thinks of corporations, then he should refuse any money that comes from them either directly or indirectly. In fact, it would be a good idea to send Rep. Johnson's comments to the corporations that have funded his campaign. Maybe they will direct their PACs to send their money elsewhere. Don't count on it. Democrats need people they can control.
In addition, Johnson received a load of contribution money from Industrial Unions, Lawyers and Law Firms, and Public Sector Unions.
In addition to being a total idiot on the subject of what corporations do, Johnson went on to say that the Bill of Rights, found in the Constitution that he took an oath to uphold, should be amended so that the government (that would be him) is given the power to restrict freedom of speech. Freedom of speech for me, but not for thee.
"We need a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to control the so-called free speech rights of corporations."
This is the same Hank Johnson who was worried that too many people on the island of Guam would tip it over:
"In a discussion regarding a planned military buildup on the Pacific island, Johnson expressed some concerns about the plans [of] Adm. Robert Willard, head of the U.S. Pacific fleet. "My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize,' Johnson said."
With a straight face, keeping his composure so as not to burst out laughing, "Willard paused and replied, 'We don't anticipate that.'"
Johnson was re-elected in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia with 73.6 percent of the vote a district that went heavily for Obama.


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The significant drop in demand for executive talent, age & income considerations, out-sourcing and downsizing have convinced us to help a large number of executives address these concerns:
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Friday, April 29
6:30 – 9 p. m.
Opportunity House
1141 Asheville Highway
Hendersonville, NC
Suggested donation $5 per person
You are invited to be a part of the grass roots, non-theatrical release of HEALINGVOICES, a social action, feature-length documentary which explores experiences commonly labeled as 'psychosis' or 'mental Illness' through the real-life stories of individuals working to overcome extreme mental states and integrate these experiences into their lives in meaningful ways."
NAMI Four Seasons in collaboration with THRIVE and Full Circle Counseling & Wellness as community partners are sponsoring this documentary. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Proceeds will be utilized to cover the cost of the event. Any extra moneys will be shared and will benefit the participants of the various programs. We hope that the viewing of the documentary will shine light and hope into an area of mental health that is often misunderstood and feared. The panel discussion following the viewing will provide an engaging opportunity for dialogue.


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My first job right out of college was as a production assistant on Ken Burns' "Baseball" documentary. The gig lasted about five months and when it was over I couldn't find another paying job in the movie business so I spent most of the summer in central park watching softball. I pretended to look for work but really I hid out in the park instead. I was a regular goldbricker, but was not alone. I discovered a group of regulars who would hang around the great lawn and watch games all afternoon. Fat guys with red bellies who would rotate around the fields to stay in the sun. A skinny black dude, Smokey, used to sell Snapple, water, soda and beer. I'd follow an animated umpire named Butch and watch all of his games.
My favorite league was the Press League (This may be the same league that our man Cliff later played in when he was with Viking). The games just had more juice than the Broadway League. The New York Times had a wonderful second baseman at the time, an older woman who wore braces on both knees. She was a fluid fielder, the kind of person you just wanted to talk baseball with. The kind of person you'd be honored to have a catch with.
I thought about her a few days ago when I read this piece about the Press League in the City Section of the Sunday Times:
Each spring for at least three decades, starting in late April or early May, media softball with all its pranks and rivalries returns to the diamonds of Central Park. The undertaking involves dozens of players, largely in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
And this season, coming as it does on the heels of possibly the worst year in memory for the publishing industry, the idea of repairing from the office to the green of the park seems especially appealing.
Over the past year, caught between an ailing economy and the struggle of print publications in an increasingly digital age, one after another title has trimmed its sails, migrated to the Web or closed up shop entirely. The shock has been felt especially in New York, home to so many publications and to so many who read them or work for them. And the body count continues to rise, with the attendant impact on the softball season.
February brought the folding of Trader Monthly, a magazine for the financial community, whose team planned to play this year. On April 30, Condé Nast announced the closing of Portfolio, its glossy business monthly, laying off more than 80 people. It had planned to play the New Yorker on June 16.


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Call today @ 856.305.1796 and let Data Right Services help your business get the most out of Intuit QuickBooks with our professional setup and support


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This lady vendor heads home after spending the day hawking her wares. These vendors sell fresh fruit and vegetables, personal hygiene stuff, clothing or shoes. They spend the day walking all over and consider themselves lucky to make enough money to buy food for their families' evening meal. It's a tough life. One question: who is taking care of her children while she's out and about?
Stay informed, stay involved: here's one way of keeping up with what's happening in southern Haiti. Please consider supporting our mission to save orphans and vulnerable children from desperate poverty; contributions can be sent to our partners at Free the Kids - www.freethekids.org. Thank you for your help.
Monday, August 22, 2011
This is Titid. He was extremely malnourished when he first came to us but is doing really well these days. Wish I could say the same for his older brother but, sadly, he has not bounced back from the protein deprivation.
Small projects
Above is a human and vegetable waste composting system that has four submerged septic/holding tanks. This composting project is spearheaded by Terre des Hommes, a Swiss non-profit. Keep your fingers crossed that this works out as it will produce fantastic fertilizer. Terre des Hommes needed a place to try out their system and we had land so...
It was painted chocolate brown. How appropriate!
Here's a photo of the guard station placed right next to the children's village. We're waiting on the grilled metal doors and then it will just need paint.
TiJean is a neighborhood boy who usually eats with us every day but today he borrowed his uncle's horse and took his bounty home with him.
TS Irene
They've just announced a tropical storm watch for Haiti. Tropical storm Irene is heading our way and promises much rain and wind, not good for this deforested country. Say a prayer that Haiti be spared more tragedy.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Primer for the pharmacy
Clinic Update
Primer coat of white, water-based paint plus doors (made by our boys) and windows installed on the first phase of our clinic. Looking good, non?
Food arrives
A container of LifeLine food arrived in Cayes yesterday. Berthony, Renold, myself, a few security personnel and a bunch of older boys went there to meet the truck and to transfer the food into our old Mack truck. Once home we unloaded the contents into our warehouse.
A few, curious younger boys watched the unloading and were glad to hear that it was their favorite food.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Espwa staff team
Apart from the children's sport's program, our staff plays other organizations. We played the Department of Human Services yesterday and won with a score of 3 to 0. Number 17 in the center is Berthony, our director, surrounded by electricians, agronomists, security personnel, mechanic, masons and one of our older boys, Jean-Robert who was the goalie for half the game.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Visitors from CA
This is a photo of the current group of visitors. One of them asked me to make sure I posted that the group had safely arrived so that her family would not worry. Mission accomplished. Above are: Mary, Brooke and Bailey Brannon, Jaime Cueto, Jesmari Julian, Sean Goodman, Patricia Butler and Josh Butler-Peck, Teirney Lynch, Clara Kearney and Erika Hoopes. They were escorted down here by Dee Orlowski who is not in the photo. That's Mimi, the Guest House cat, on the bottom right.
Friday, August 12, 2011
I asked Biondy to take a few photos of some children in our care yesterday afternoon. His photos follow.
Free time
Michael had surgery two weeks ago and is taking things slowly. Prognosis: excellent.
Wilfrid Cadet is an aspiring artist. Here he's putting the finishing touches on a painting of Pwoje Espwa. Nice work, Wilfrid.
Luinord is entertaining himself with a mini slingshot. Real slingshots are confiscated as they are way too dangerous.
Free time
Blondy Jean-Claude, a future engineer or architect, caught putting up a small structure in front of his home in the children's village.
Weckson Constant is one of our artists. Here he is working on a new painting.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Susan and David
Lemsa pampering Susan in the children's village
Casimir (left) with his new best friend
David and Susan Ely will be leaving us tomorrow after spending a week giving us a hand and looking at the possibility of moving down here and working full time with us. Susan is an administrator and David is a medic in the Army, an EMT in civilian life and a third year student for his BA in Nursing. His talent was put to the test last evening when Casimir was brought to the Quad with a soccer injury. David prepped him and saw him off to town for x-rays and a cast. Thanks very much, David.
Hope to see more of you!
Thanks to all who responded with info and suggestions. We'll get x-rays and more details about Cebencio's ability to manipulate his digits and go from there.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cebencio Congo
This is five year old Cebencio. His mother brought him here this morning to see what we could do for him. Look closely at the photos. Cebencio has two fused fingers on his right hand and three fused fingers on his left. His father is deceased and his mother does odd jobs for food. Cebencio has four brothers and sisters. I have no idea what all is involved to separate the fingers and our Haitian doctor was unable to shed any light on the subject. Your help is appreciated in finding out more about this condition, the operation and ways to get this done. Thanks very much.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Clinic Update
southern side (showing gallery)
Work is continuing on the clinic complex. Some windows and doors are already installed and it is looking very nice. Our doc and the nurses are really anxious to move in.
Metal Workshop
The metal workshop for the professional school is complete. It's the building on the right and will be painted this coming week. The electricity will be turned on so our welders can start working there. Thanks to friends of the Oblates in western Canada for this terrific addition to our vocational school program.
Guard Station
Here's the new guard station for the children's village. The large gate will be closed most of the time except for vehicle traffic and everyone will be going through the guard station. This will allow for better control of who comes in and goes out.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Home at last
Arrived in PaP just four hours late and was met by Berthony, Jhony and Emmanuel. Headed straight for Les Cayes, slowed down by some occasional torrential rains and flooding, and made it here in just five hours. A large group of kids met me under the thatched gazebo and welcomed me back with a song and a skit. What a bunch!
It is GOOD to be home again.
It is GOOD to be home again.
Posted by Unknown at 5:30 PM 1 comment:
Labels: home
Am waiting at the airport for my flight to PaP. It has been delayed because of tropical storm Emily. The last thing Haiti needs is rain and floods. Say a prayer, please, that the destructive power of Emily be minimal.
Had a successful three weeks in southern California. The folks there are always so generous. The weather was perfect most of the time but the traffic...ugh!
There's much happening so check in often.
Had a successful three weeks in southern California. The folks there are always so generous. The weather was perfect most of the time but the traffic...ugh!
There's much happening so check in often.
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A federal lawmaker is asking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to investigate employer wellness programs that seek intimate health information from employees, and to issue guidelines preventing employers from using such programs to discriminate against workers.
The request, by Representative Louise M. Slaughter, Democrat of New York and a staunch advocate for health privacy rights, came a few days after Pennsylvania State University suspended part of its new employee wellness program that had drawn objections from faculty members.
"What happened at Penn State was appalling to me," Ms. Slaughter said in an interview on Tuesday, referring to the university's requiring employees to pay a monthly surcharge of $100 if they did not fill out detailed health risk questionnaires.
Called Take Care of Your Health, the Penn State program initially required employees, including faculty and staff members, to fill out the questionnaires — which asked about workplace stress, marital problems and women's pregnancy plans — or pay the surcharge. After faculty members complained that the program seemed coercive and invaded their privacy, the university suspended the penalty.
Ms. Slaughter, who made her request on Monday in a letter to the commission, is the author of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, a federal law that protects Americans against discrimination in employment or health insurance based on their genetic information.
"While the employer wellness program has recently suspended this fee, their plan still raises concerns about the type of information that can be collected through wellness programs and the definition of 'voluntary' participation," she wrote. "It is my strong hope that E.E.O.C. promptly drafts subregulatory guidance stopping this type of abuse and ensuring strong nondiscrimination protections for employees in wellness programs."
It is legal for employers to use financial incentives to encourage workers to fill out health risk assessment forms as long as that reward is based on completion of a wellness form and not tied to specific questions related to an employee's health status.
In fact, employer use of financial inducements is likely to increase under new wellness rules, scheduled to take effect in January as part of the Affordable Care Act. The rules allow employers to offer incentives of up to 30 percent of health coverage costs to employees who complete participatory wellness programs like health risk questionnaires, or biometric assessments like body-fat percentage measurements.
In her letter, however, Ms. Slaughter raised questions about whether the lack of federal guidelines on the design of such questionnaires could put employees at risk for discriminatory practices.
As a hypothetical example, a workplace wellness questionnaire that asked female employees questions about their pregnancy plans might cause a disproportionate number of women to decline to participate in the program, said Matthew T. Bodie, a professor at Saint Louis University School of Law. If that employer also fined its employees for not filling out the questionnaire, its wellness program could potentially have a discriminatory financial impact on that company's female employees, he said.
"Down the road, the law could get a little firmer on this if there is a consensus that employers are going overboard in what they are asking," said Professor Bodie, who specializes in labor and employment law.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had a special meeting in May on wellness programs in which its legal expert concluded that the agency should issue guidance on the potential intersection of wellness programs and federal antidiscrimination laws. In particular, the expert said, the agency should clarify the meaning of "voluntary" employee participation.
But it has yet to issue that guidance, prompting Ms. Slaughter's letter. "I'm deeply upset with the E.E.O.C. for delaying this," she said.


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Each morning outside the Capital Hotel, a cement block building located in Phnom Penh, a sizeable group of young eager Cambodian's wait to ferry backpackers on their Honda Cubs.
I always pick Elephant Man. Burliest of the lot, he speaks English, charges fifty cents a ride. I hop on his feisty scooter and put my arms around his waist.
"Where to?" he asked.
"Ministry of Information."
"Why you need?" he asked as we darted through traffic.
Years ago the Khmer Rouge had killed his family.
"Hey,why you need?"
I tell him a small bribe obtains a Media Pass.
"To stay longer at Angkor Wat."
"Oh…OK…" says Elephant Man, pulling up to an office once used by the French. I hopped off the Cub. "See you tomorrow." Elephant Man disappeared in a roar of blue smoke.
The Ministry of Information clerk, a gaunt man whose angular skull inhabited his broad Khymer face, whose threadbare white shirt hung from his body like a wind blown leaf, whose thinning hair revealed traces of something near fatal, said, in purposeful voice, "You passport, please…" I offered him the document, a 2×2 ID photo, and a counterfeit resume composed the day before on computer at the Foreign Correspondents Club. He inspected each item with deliberate care. "One hour," he said, pocketing the money. We shook hands. "One hour, s'il vous plaît."
To pass the time and to avoid the oppressive sweltering sun, I walked the beautiful narrow side streets. The faded stucco walls of the low buildings, once bright red or solid blue, recalled sections of Paris. I entered a half dozen dry goods stores, peeked into classrooms where students chalked graceful Khmer script on ancient slate blackboards. Inside a former French post office, the lone chandelier long past its glory, I bought exquisite stamps, tissue thin aerograms, a laminate phone card made in Australia. When I returned to the office even the clerk was sweating.
"It is here," he said, extending the coveted pass.
I took it, and give him another few dollars.
"Merci, monsieur. Merci beaucoup."
He closed his eyes, then opened them, and bowed slightly. His raised palms pressed together, his lips gathered to shape a smile. A survivor's smile. Then he was gone.


text: Share: Comments Print September 19, 2013 at 7:01 AM Low-income families suffer from diaper shortage Posted by Letters Coordinator Use cloth diapers Nuts! For little more than the cost of a box of the disposable ones, a family could buy a dozen cloth diapers that would last through the child's entire toilet training period. ["Lack of diapers creates problems for families," News, Sept. 16.] We raised seven happy, healthy kids in Seattle without ever using a disposable diaper. The diaper pail was like one of the family; it went everywhere with us — to friends' houses for dinner, out to the ocean on vacation, wherever. Now, 40 years after our youngest stopped needing them, we're still using the last diapers as window-washing cloths. Moreover, is there any other household item that has the horrendous impact on our solid waste landfills that millions of those disposable things do? David Harris, Wenatchee Comments | More in Economy, Families | Topics: cloth, costs, diapers


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Comparing Windows and Linux features
Where can I find some specific information comparing Windows XP/other Windows operating systems and Linux kernel architectures? Is there a place to find a features comparison? If not, could you list the features and show what features one has that the other doesn't?
This question is very broad. In particular, which features are of particular interest to you? What are your goals and objectives? Are you interested in a theoretical comparison only? Do you have business goals that must be met?
Both are operating systems that are used by a large user base. Windows XP has a huge commercial software market behind it. Linux does not. A Google search for "comparison Windows XP Linux" returns a large number of links, many of which provide useful insights. Here's an example.
Dig Deeper on Linux servers
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Please add a title for your question
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The Story
After sadly having to replace the beloved HTC EVO LTE, Techsnoop choose the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This is a story of the first 30 days with the Note 4.
The Usurper
So in Techsnoop's 30 day shake down of real world use, the Note 4 was extremely satisfying. Although the phone is large, it is a comfortable fit in my hand. (side note, Techsnoop has hands on the large side for a female). If you need frequent one-handed operation, there are settings to make that easier. It is thin and light and beautiful to look at. And the basic functions are simple to master.
Let's look at the number one concern; battery life. Yes, the big, bright screen does suck up energy. But a tweak of screen brightness and screen saver settings helps extend this time. In this test Techsnoop ran 3 to 5 games continuously with 3 email accounts, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn, messages and S-Health. These settings with calling and texting using Bluetooth meant twice a day charging. The included fast charger made this pretty painless.
Social media apps including Hootsuite are easy to open and use and the recent apps button keeps everything at your fingertips for fast retrieval. Voice recorder, Office Suite, Splashtop, WordPress and Square apps all work seamlessly. These are the apps Techsnoop can't live without. Cashing checks with the Note 4 couldn't be easier and the 3D Anatomy app is great for learning and for looking up info if you are having pain or symptoms. The scroll, detail and zoom all work excellent.
Games play lighting fast and graphics are crisp. Angry Birds games were great to play with the extra screen space. The display skews cool and bright but settings can be adjusted. Techsnoop prefers the rich colors. Phone connected to my bluetooth headset smoothly and voice quality was great (till my bluetooth battery started dying). Same with music playing, sound great and quickly switched from music to voice when calls came in.
Reading with Nook, Kindle and Komik apps are all smooth and easy on the eyes. The Note 4 is light enough to not have arm strain while reading for long periods. Graphics on the comics are crisp and beautiful. Disclaimer: Techsnoop loves printed comics, they are great but storage becomes an issue quickly. So, compromise with a digital/print mix.
One benefit of the shakedown is learning that all of Techsnoop's/DKemp Designs' sites are beautifully displayed on the mobile screen which is between the former HTC EVO LTE and the 7 inch tablet size previously tested.
Stay tuned to this post for the unboxing video which is being edited by IRM.
The Dirty Specs
« Facebook Sucks and Other Random Thoughts Designing Your Freelance Future »


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Three people died after their SUV rolled over at a rest stop on Interstate 84 in Willington on Sunday night.
A Toyota RAV4 was heading west between exits 70 and 69 at about 8 p.m. on Sunday when it pulled into the rest area, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over several times, police said.
The four occupants were ejected and Kyle Fedors, 29, of East Lyme was pronounced dead at the scene.
Keith Devlin, 35, of Wethersfield and Walter Dlugozima, 30, of New London were flown to St. Francis Hospital where they were pronounced dead, authorities said.
A female passenger was flown to a Hartford hospital with serious injuries.
Police are investigating the crash.
Follow us on Twitter @NBCConnecticut, on Facebook, and sign up for breaking news SMS alerts on your phone by texting "CTBREAKING" to 622669.


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As a defiant response to Sad Desk Lunches, the Food52 team works to keep our midday meals both interesting and pretty. Each week, we'll be sharing our happiest desk lunches -- and we want to see yours, too.
Today: Easter comes with a lot of leftovers. Here's how to turn them into lunch.
If you had an Easter feast on Sunday, we're guessing you were left with your fair share of food. After any holiday celebration, the first day of eating leftovers is a joy. You tuck in gleefully, greedily, because it'll be 364 days before this exact meeting of foods happens again.
However, after the initial thrill, leftovers quickly lose their luster -- and that's where these tips come in. From ham to hard-boiled eggs, here's how to get excited about repurposing leftovers, all week long. Just don't forget to pack a marshmallow peep or two for dessert (hey, no shame).
1. Be the toastess with the mostess. When it comes to ham sandwiches, it's time to re-invent the wheel. Add some sweet chutney, good, grainy mustard, or swiss cheese; then make use of that office toaster to crisp up the bread until it's nice and golden and the cheese is melty.
More: Here's another way to take advantage of your office toaster.
2. Complement with condiments. A little homemade aioli or bagna cauda can also go a long way towards jazzing up leftovers. Whip up one of these addictive sauces, then bring it to the office in resealable containers. Pack some crudités and leftover meats, and get ready to dunk.
3. Asparagus is the new lettuce. Kids table didn't devour the asparagus like you'd hoped they would? Make these stalks the base for your next salad. If your asparagus is roasted, toss it with a tangy vinaigrette, some torn bread, and chopped hard-boiled eggs (we're sure you have some of those, too). If it's raw, shave it thin, then add sharp cheese and nuts. Bonus: unlike lettuce, asparagus won't wilt if you dress it the night before.
4. Lamb, redux. A perfectly cooked leg of lamb is not something you want to let go to waste. Pull the meat off the bone, then use it to round out a spring stew. You could also shred it and bring it into the office along with cheese, greens, and tortillas for a deskside taco-building session. Don't forget to microwave the tortillas first for easy pliability.
5. Put all your eggs in one (lunch) basket Once you've had your fill of deviled eggs, put your hard-boiled beauties to work in other ways. We've rounded up 9 ideas to inspire you, but you can't go wrong with a classic: Pack a hard-boiled egg, wrapped up in parchment with a hefty pinch of good sea salt, and you're all set up for snacking.
How do you breathe new life into Easter leftovers? Or are you eating all ham sandwiches, all the time? Tell us in the comments!
See what other Food52 readers are saying.


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Order the 2011 Calendar now
Help stop catchment logging, make a donation to MWCN.
MP's logging lockout
Log out for now
Mountain Views & Upper Yarra Mail
By Kath Gannaway
5th February 2008
The Armstrong catchment as photographed last week by the Wilderness Society is one of the areas in which Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato is lobbying her government to put a halt to logging.
GEMBROOK MP Tammy Lobato has weighed in to the growing controversy over logging in Melbourne's water catchments.
The state Labor MP last week called on the Brumby Government to put a hold on logging areas in the normally restricted and highly regulated water catchments.
Speaking out against the Brumby Government's policy to grant VicForests contracts in the Armstrong Creek catchment between Warburton and Marysville, Ms Lobato said she believed the logging should cease until a study into the relationship between logging and water being carried out by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is completed.
"If that study is about the loss of water and its quality, I certainly believe we should wait until it is completed," said Ms Lobato, who last year spoke out against the State Government's decision to allow genetically modified crops.
DSE's director of public land policy, Nina Cullen, confirmed the four-year study was due for completion in September.
She said the fundamental objective of the Wood and Water Project study was to assess options to increase water yield in Melbourne's water supply catchments while meeting existing timber supply catchments.
Ms Lobato is backing similar calls by the Shire of Yarra Ranges and a number of conservation and environment groups which have called on the government to ban logging in the catchments.
"My main concerns are that this is a water catchment area which supplies the most pristine and high quality water for Melbourne's drinking supply, and that it is home to some very significant flora and fauna including 100-year-old mountain ash and the endangered Victorian faunal emblem, Leadbeater's Possum.
"Logging in the water catchment area in a time when Victoria is experiencing the most severe drought in decades causes me great concern, as well as the threat it poses to the habitat of the Leadbeater's Possum," Ms Lobato said.
Ms Lobato said she has had calls from constituents who are alarmed at the increased number of logging trucks coming down the Warburton Highway and has spoken with people from within the timber industry who are appalled at the destruction going on in the catchments.
"There are signs up there saying keep out because this is pristine water catchment and I see it as a total contradiction that you have right now 11 bulldozers and workers in there logging it."
Ms Lobato's stance has been applauded by The Wilderness Society who also deemed the Shire of Yarra Ranges stand as "a courageous move in the interests of its ratepayers and the Melbourne public".
"What you really must look at is where the logs are going and the majority of it is going to woodchip and in that case there is no flow-on effect except to share holders of those companies," said Wilderness Society spokesman Luke Chamberlain.
Mr Chamberlain said the most recent figures from VicForest showed 85 per cent of Victoria's native forests were going to woodchip waste and sawdust.
He said the society was unable to get figures from the government on how much of that was from the catchment contracts.
"The issue here is that these are the most carbon dense forests and we need to be managing them for carbon and for water and looking at other resources such as plantations for timber."
Timber Communities Australia (Victoria) coordinator Scott Gentle accused Ms Lobato and the Wilderness Society of being opportunistic and using the drought as a means of killing off the logging industry and pre-empting the outcome of the DSE study.
"The Armstrong catchment is all regenerated forest. There's no old grown timber harvested there or anywhere else in the Central Highlands," he said.
"The study is being undertaken at the moment by the government to determine what will happen in these sub-catchments and this whole thing is a beat up to try to pre-empt it.
"We have the State and Federal governments Regional Forest Agreement where scientists have ensured world's best practices are used by the industry. The Shire of Yarra Ranges' forest policy also states logging is a permissible activity.
Asked if it would have been a wiser decision by the government to hold off of the Armstrong allocations until the DSE report was out, Mr Gentle said the logging industry had already been forced to make major concessions to pressure from environment groups.
"The State ALP reduced the allocations by 30 per cent and the lines have been drawn and we are sustainable," he said.
"Every time we give a bit they want more. Every opportunity they can grab to try to close the industry down, they will use it."
Meanwhile, Ms Lobato said she had made representations before Christmas asking that the logging stop, and said she had now written formal letters to Premier John Brumby, Treasurer John Lenders and Environment Minister Gavin Jennings.
MP's logging lockout
Leader-Lilydale and Yarra Valley,
Page 1 (Mon 18 Feb 2008)
Author: Bryan Allchin buy misoprostol
PRO-logging protesters held Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato's car to ransom last
Tuesday over comments she made in support of a logging ban in water
Sixteen women, whose livelihoods depend on the industry, chained themselves
around Ms Lobato's car in Yarra Junction.
Timber Communities Australia, which organised the protest, said the women
were angry at Ms Lobato's calls for logging in Upper Yarra water catchments
to be suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry.
cheap Propranolol cheap Colchicine "It is hard to believe that an ALP member can come out against their own
party's policy and against an industry she has claimed to support since
gaining power in 2002," the group's national convener, Healesville's
Kersten Gentle, said.
Ms Lobato has called on the State Government to stop logging in water
catchment areas in the Upper Yarra until the Wood and Water Study being
conducted by the Department of Sustainability and Environment is completed.
Ms Lobato said she had offered to meet with the protesters about her
concerns for logging in the Armstrong Creek catchment but had been rebuffed
"I have made it clear publicly that my concerns relate to the logging
within this particular water catchment and not the logging industry in
general," Ms Lobato said.
The protest delayed Ms Lobato from meeting with constituents in Warburton,
and she is now reconsidering her approach to community liaison.
"When my constituents who want to meet with me in their own townships are
subjected to verbal abuse, I obviously need to consider whether my
commitment to being accessible by conducting mobile offices is posing
unacceptable risks," Ms Lobato said.
The protesters unchained themselves when the police arrived.
Write to your MP and ask them if they support an end to logging in Melbourne's catchments so the people of Melbourne can have more water. When you receive a response, please email or post us a copy.
To receive email updates about logging in Melbourne's water catchments, click here to send an email to email@example.com


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For Sale Sign Detroit
(Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)
DETROIT, MI - In March median home sales prices in Metro Detroit grew by double digits for a 13th straight month, according to figures released Monday by Realcomp, the Farmington Hills-based Multiple Listing Service for southeast Michigan.
The median selling price in Metro Detroit grew 36 percent in March compared with the same month a year before, hitting $115,250, compared with $85,000 in March 2013.
While prices continue to rise, inventory and actual sales have been declining. On-market inventory in Realcomp's coverage area is down 9 percent on the year. Sales across Metro Detroit declined 15 percent year-over-year in March with 3,693 units sold.
Realcomp defines Metro Detroit as Oakland, Wayne, Livingston and Macomb counties.
Here's a closer look at how each of those areas fared on an annual basis in March:
The median selling price rose 25 percent to $60,000, while total units sold dropped 16 percent to 1,470 homes.
The median selling price grew 11 percent to $161,000, while total units sold declined 14.5 percent to 1,243 homes.
The median selling price climbed 35 percent to $112,250, while the number of units sold dropped 17 percent to 792 homes.
The median selling price increased 20 percent to $185,925, while the total units sold fell 2 percent to 188 homes.
In the Grosse Pointe area, in which Realcomp includes all of the Pointes and Lake Township, total sales by units fell 19 percent to 47 homes in March. The median selling price in the Pointes climbed 9 percent year-over-year to $228,500.
For the Detroit area, which includes the city of Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park, the median selling price grew 15 percent to a mere $10,000. Home sales by units decreased 15 percent to 472 homes.
David Muller is the business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at email@example.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.


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Catch all our Galway Film Fleadh 2016 coverage here
. .
In America – ★★★
Ken Wardrop's His & Hers has achieved a sort of modern classic status in the Irish film industry, with people rooting for this little underdog of a documentary about Irish women's relationships with men since it first played in 2011. If you'll excuse the hyperbole, it felt like it arrived at a time when the brand for Irish Mammies was being emblazoned on tea towels and amidst a newfound respect for staunch Grannies and Mammies who were helping keep a generation of young men fed and watered following a recession which most impacted a generation of those involved in the construction and engineering industries.
Since then Wardrop's craft has been imitated by others, most notably in the well-received Alex Fegan docs The Irish Pub and Older Than Ireland. Rather than risk any accusations of repetition, Wardrop has decided to make his next documentary in America – in Oklahoma City to be more precise – in the manliest city in America and Wardrop wants to show these manly men's relationships with their mothers. All very honourable.
Tying the whole film together is the unknown American DJ Joe Cristiano and his talk-show "The Joe Show". All of our participants are introduced in shots that show them turning on the radio, as if they're listening to "The Joe Show". It's a narrative technique which very quickly gets very testing and irritating and you sense that Wardrop and his producer Andrew Freedman would have been better served to have dropped it in the edit and just given us the mother and son stories, maybe with a little introduction from Joe Cristiano at the beginning.
As for those stories and characters they vary hugely. A casting director is present in the credits and in his post-film Q&A Wardrop mentioned working toward storylines and looking for a hook. You just get the sense that the whole thing was too over-thought and wrapped up in the constructed structure that they had in mind. Some of those featured are incredible and will linger long in your memory.
For whatever reason Wardrop opted to shoot in the 4:3 standard, which leaves Oklahoma's landscapes without the scenic expanse that would be afforded by widescreen. It's also shot (and possibly graded) in a very washed out white colour palette which leaves the whole film without any contrasting images that will stick in your mind.
It's a perfectly fine documentary which sheds plenty of light on American society, but when viewed up against its predecessor this has to be seen as a massive disappointment.
[youtuber id="W2_vCFZ94Pc"]
Mom and Me is out in Ireland on the 15th of July, 2016
Director Ken Wardrop
Producer Andrew Freedman


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Light has a huge effect on your emotions. It makes you happy, fills you with hope and gives you a bright outlook on the day. The type of light fixture you choose infuses your home with personality. If you want to create rooms that feel rustic, exciting, soothing or sophisticated, picking out the right home lighting is one of the best ways to make it happen. At Williams-Sonoma, we have tons of different styles to make finding the ones you love as easy as flipping a light switch. Here are some ways to use them.
Table Lamps
When choosing accent pieces for your home, don't forget to include table lamps. They do bold decor really well. For elegance, a ceramic base is a good choice. Crystal pieces add a ton of brightness to the room. Metallic accent lamps feel modern and sleek. And there are vibrant tones too to complete the space's color scheme. They work well on bedside tables, console tables in the living room and as lighting in your home office.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps fill large spaces with a lot of indirect lighting. That soft illumination is extremely relaxing and easy on the eyes. That's why floor lamps are very popular in living rooms. They complement the comfort of a sofa or recliner, making you want to kick up your feet and relax.
Since lighting tells people a lot about your style, it makes sense to choose pieces that reflect your personality. Pendants are great for that. They often feature really distinctive artistic touches, from welded metal to fine layers of woven material. A pendant puts the finishing touch on a beautiful bedroom and gives a kitchen island a culinary appearance. It's also a good choice above a pool table in the family room.
Few things are as intimate as a set of wall sconces. They provide gentle and warm illumination in the bedroom, making it easy to fall asleep at night. Want to create an elegant bathroom? Sconces are a natural choice. They make soaking with rose petals even better and add a touch of romance too. Adjustable reading lights are helpful near the bed also.
Chandeliers are all about magnificence. They're not timid. So use them in spaces that you want to stand out. At the kitchen table, a metallic chandelier provides lots of light and chic. That enhances the appearance of the food and helps everyone have a good time. Or leave your guests breathless from the moment they walk in the door with a sophisticated crystal chandelier in the foyer.


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There's nothing new about cars celebrating movies. Hardly can you surprise someone with this fact. For example, Chevrolet Camaro has Transformers Edition which is rather predictable, though. As for Nissan, this company has decided to celebrate Star Wars. So their new Limited Edition goes as 2017 model year Nissan Rogue One Star Wars.
Black and White
What's makes this case unusual is that the model gets a new cinematic package but you won't see it in the film itself. Neither can you find it any commentaries. What relation has Nissan to Star Wars? A reasonable question. Recently Rouge has been spotted at TV commercial where the auto uses its safety features and numerous detectors to navigate through space.
This commercial is said to be the reason why Nissan has decided to release their limited amount of Rogue One Star Wars Package. So the small crossover is going to be the bestseller among all fans of Star War. This strategy is rather interesting and beneficial as well. Now that Rouge has starred on big screens its price is likely to rocket significantly.
The car itself was revealed during the latest car show in Los Angeles. You can buy it in a black or white variants. According to the carmaker, they're going to call them as Darth Vader Black and Stormtrooper White shades. There're not so many units to be released. Their total amount is 5,400 only.
What is more, there's a Death Trooper Helmet included. It's not for wearing, no. The helmet is placed on the stand and looks really awesome as if there's Darth Vader sitting next to you.
This auto is based on SV trim. The new exterior offers a modified grille. Its roof rails are of a solid black color. The car also represents Rebel Alliance's Starbird logo. Bumpers of the auto include Star Wars logo. The model rides on 17-inch wheels.
You can find a lot Star Wars stuff inside of the car. Cupholders, mats, plates, everything says that you're the fan of the Star Wars series. Cloth seats are of Charcoal Black shade. The model is also equipped with an amazing panoramic sunroof.
The car uses 2.5-liter engine. This unit is paired to Xtronic CVT. Standard variant is offered as a front-wheel-drive. Nevertheless, you can optionally buy all-wheel drive system as well. Unfortunately, Nissan hasn't revealed a thing about the productivity of the AWD variant so we still don't how much horsepower this model outputs.


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"Let me speak to your conscience. Where is your zeal? Where is your zeal for the glory of God, and for extending the Gospel throughout the world? You know well, that it is very low. You know well, that your zeal is a little feeble glimmering spark, that just lives, and no more—it is like a thing ready to die. Surely there is a fault somewhere, if this is the case. This state of things ought not to be. You, the child of God—you, redeemed at so glorious a price—you, ransomed with such precious blood—you, who are an heir of glory such as no tongue ever yet told, or eye saw; surely you ought to be a man of another kind. Surely your zeal ought not to be so small." - J.C. Ryle
"There are some professing Christians who can speak of themselves in terms of admiration; but, from my inmost heart, I loathe such speeches more and more every day that I live. Those who talk in such a boastful fashion must be constituted very differently from me. While they are congratulating themselves, I have to lie humbly at the foot of Christ's Cross, and marvel that I am saved at all, for I know that I am saved. I have to wonder that I do not believe Christ more, and equally wonder that I am privileged to believe in Him at all—to wonder that I do not love Him more, and equally to wonder that I love Him at all—to wonder that I am not holier, and equally to wonder that I have any desire to be holy at all considering what a polluted debased, depraved nature I find still within my soul, notwithstanding all that divine grace has done in me. If God were ever to allow the fountains of the great deeps of depravity to break up in the best man that lives, he would make as bad a devil as the devil himself is. I care nothing for what these boasters say concerning their own perfections; I feel sure that they do not know themselves, or they could not talk as they often do. There is tinder enough in the saint who is nearest to heaven to kindle another hell if God should but permit a spark to fall upon it. In the very best of men there is an infernal and well-nigh infinite depth of depravity. Some Christians never seem to find this out. I almost wish that they might not do so, for it is a painful discovery for anyone to make; but it has the beneficial effect of making us cease from trusting in ourselves, and causing us to glory only in the Lord." - C.H. Spurgeon
"For there is some danger of falling into a soft and effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal theology. Christianity was born for endurance; not an exotic, but a hardy plant, braced by the keen wind; not languid, nor childish, nor cowardly. If walks with strong step and erect frame; it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle, but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging, but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish. It does not fear to speak the stern word of condemnation against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext it is not of this world; it does not shrink from giving honest reproof, lest it come under the charge of displaying an unchristian spirit. It calls sin sin, on whomsoever it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of being actuated by a bad spirit than not discharge an explicit duty. Let us not misjudge strong words used in honest controversy. Out of the heat a viper may come forth but we shake it off and feel no harm. The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent outspoken testimonies against evil. To speak smooth things in such a case may be sentimentalism, but it is not Christianity. It is a betrayal of the cause of truth and righteousness. If anyone should be frank, manly, honest, cheerful (I do not say blunt or rude, for a Christian must be courteous and polite); it is he who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, and is looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God I know that charity covereth a multitude of sins; but it does not call evil good, because a good man has done it; it does not excuse inconsistencies, because the inconsistent brother has a high name and a fervent spirit; crookedness and worldliness are still crookedness and worldliness, though exhibited in one who seems to have reached no common height of attainment." - Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
The World
"Be ye separate." (2 Cor. 6:17)
"The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live," should be "Christ." Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith," and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of his presence, delighting in communion with him, and seeking to know his will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in his beauty-let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets-let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy." - C.H. Spurgeon
Baptism sets forth the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and our participation therein. Its teaching is twofold. First, think of our representative union with Christ, so that when he died and was buried it was on our behalf, and we were thus buried with him. This will give you the teaching of baptism so far as it sets forth a creed. We declare in baptism that we believe in the death of Jesus, and desire to partake in all the merit of it. But there is a second equally important matter and that is our realized union with Christ which is set forth in baptism, not so much as a doctrine of our creed as a matter of our experience. There is a manner of dying, of being buried, of rising, and of living in Christ which must be displayed in each one of us if we are indeed members of the body of Christ. - C.H. Spurgeon
"Oh, that men and women would learn to live with an awareness that one day they are going to die! Truly it is a waste of time to set our hearts on a dying world and its short-lived comforts and pleasures, and for the sake of momentary pleasures to lose a glorious eternity in Heaven! Here we are striving, laboring, exhausting ourselves about little things, and running here and there like ants on an anthill and yet after a few years we will all be gone, and another generation will take our place. Let us live for eternity. Let us seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness that can never be taken from us." - J.C. Ryle
Christ's Visible Church
"Now, I know there are some who say, "Well, I hope I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church, because—" Now, why not? "Because I can be a Christian without it." Now, are you quite clear upon that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord's commands as by being obedient? Well, suppose everybody else did the same, suppose all Christians in the world said, "I shall not join the Church." Why there would be no visible Church, there would be no ordinances. That would be a very bad thing, and yet, one doing it—what is right for one is right for all— why should not all of us do it? Then you believe that if you were to do an act which has a tendency to destroy the visible Church of God, you would be as good a Christian as if you did your best to build up that church? I do not believe it, sir! nor do you either." - C.H. Spurgeon
Open Profession
"If it is right for one Christian not to confess Christ, and join a church, it must be allowable for other Christians to do the same. Where would be churches, where would be the continuance of gospel ordinances; and for the matter of that, who would be bound to be a preacher if no one is even bound to make an open profession?" – C.H. Spurgeon
Union with Christ and His Church
"Will you follow the wicked policy of separating your own personal interests from those of your Redeemer and his church? If so your ship is wrecked before it leaves the harbour. You are no child of God if this principle holds the mastery over you. Your salvation lies not in your separation from Christ and his church, but in your union with them. Over the sea of life there is no passing in safety but in the vessel which carries your Lord and his disciples. Are you going to sail in a separate boat, or will you try to swim across the sea in your own strength? Then look to yourself, and expect disaster." - C.H. Spurgeon
You Belong Yet You Do No Approve?
"Some people say, "We belong to such-and-such a church, but we don't approve of its teaching or its practice." What! you belong to it, and yet you do not approve of its principles? Out of your own mouth you are condemned. If I unite with a church, whose creed and catechism I do not believe, and whose ordinances I do not practise, I am guilty of my own share in all the error that is there. It is no use for me to say, "I am trying to undo the mischief;" I have no business to be there." - C.H. Spurgeon
September 2017


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The Seasons API provides seasonal data of a large variety of crops. We distinguish between local and import seasons. Local seasons are only available to fruits that are commonly grown in the specified region. Import seasons indicate that a there is a high availability of the crop imported from other regions. This usually coheres with local availability in other areas but doesn't necessarily match these exactly due to demand or habits of target markets.
A crop might have multiple seasons, be it import or local. A single season could be all year round, not having a start and end date, or by having such be limited to a period of time. These start and end dates are usually set to start or mid of a month. Due to regional weather conditions and climatic fluctuations these are or not actual/360 but regional approximate values.