text:
The polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday for Illinois' presidential primary election to a steady stream of voters.
It has been an election year filled with the usual promises and campaign rhetoric, but with more fireworks than usual. Whatever the reason, early voting in Illinois reached record levels.
By Monday, more than 130,000 people already cast ballots in the city of Chicago and more than 102,000 people cast ballots in suburban Cook County, figures that shatter the previous highs set back in 2008 when President Obama was facing Hillary Clinton.
Cook County Clerk David Orr said most of the early voters have been over 50 years old, but they've also seen a surge in younger voters coming out in force already. About 71 percent of the early voters chose a Democratic ballot and 29 percent Republican, which is not unusual for Cook County.
The previous record turnout for a primary election was also in 2008, with 53 percent of registered voters casting ballots. Election officials predict to end up with somewhere near that same amount today. Polls close at 7 p.m.
Follow our live blog for the latest from Election Day:


text:
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Evolution of a Sequel
When I wrote my first published novel, The Dark Lady, I gave no thought to writing a sequel. I had disposed of a serious villain and solved some of the heroine's more serious problems. I'm a pantser, not a plotter, and most of my writing is seat-of-the-pants. I tend to break the rule of writing that says you should create elaborate back-stories and histories about your protagonist even though you may never use all that information. So when readers started approaching me at Cons and asking when the sequel was coming out, I had to put my brain into gear.
One of the first questions I faced was, am I doing just one more novel, or creating a trilogy? Deciding I could come up with enough ideas for two, I next had to avoid the dreaded "boring middle book" syndrome. How many times have you picked up a book, discovered that it is the middle epic of a three-parter, and found out nothing really happens for the next three hundred pages? The author is saving all the excitement for the wrap-up, and you will have to buy another volume or give up. My next problem had to do with who would turn out to be the new evil villain. I had built up a large cast of characters in volume one. I decided that logically I should chose someone the reader might be familiar with, but throw in a surprise or two.
I had to break from my pantser mode long enough to jot down a number of sentences, each one representing a possible chapter. I find once I start this process, the ideas come fast and furious. When I spoke to my editor about my idea for sequels, she suggested I complete both manuscripts and submit them together so she could see how the story flowed. Fine with me, I just had to write two complete novels all at once.
One of my pet peeves about a series is picking up a book that looks interesting and discovering it is but one of many. Do I want to go back to the start of the series, or put it back on the shelf? To at least partially solve this, I do the delicate balancing act of trying to write the beginning of each volume in such a manner that I provide sufficient information and background for the reader to become involved in the story without having to have read the previous book. The tricky part is doing this without burying the reader in an avalanche of information. You have to be subtle.
I wrote the first book, while not in the first person, by only getting inside the head of the main character, and only following her around in the story. I wanted to remain consistent in my format. This meant I had to come up with a way of describing what was going on elsewhere. In book two I used the device of having the Queen read various reports from across the land, allowing the reader to get some idea of what was going on in other parts of the realm, or in neighboring kingdoms. In book three I get inside of the head of one other character at the start of each chapter. Do you back yourself into a corner sticking to a particular point-of-view?
The last piece of advice I can come up with, when looking at sequels, is if you don't enjoy writing this extended version of your tale, stop and give yourself a shake. If you don't find it interesting, chances are your readers may not either. If you are bored, take a good look at what you are writing. Perhaps you need to approach the story from a different angle, or with a new, unusual character. I was fortunate. In my case the protagonist was relatively young, still in a difficult situation, and surrounded by a large number of characters, any one or more of whom could be turned into the main villain of the tales. I enjoyed writing the extended versions, now if they can only survive the editing process...
The Dark Lady - February 2012
Housetrap - December 2012
Knight's Bridge - March 2013
The Queen's Pawn - April 2013
Dial M for Mudder - July 2013
House on Hollow Hill - Sept 2013
Hounds of Basalt Ville - Nov 2013
5 comments:
- Julie Eberhart Painter said...
Some authors know they will do a series, such as Nora Roberts, who takes the family apart one sibling at a time. Others find that followup question dogging them when they think about a character who has become part of their own family.
In my "three penny mysteries,' I found myself with Penny, the main character having two adventures related in the same book. Then in the sequel, one more, with an opportunity to tell a funny tale that she wasn't mature enough in her early unmarried state to have been a part of.
- September 19, 2013 at 9:17 AM
- Big Mike said...
Had a similar situation with my novels Forgotten Children, Final Solution and Blind Consent. Readers emailed me on when the sequel would be released. Problem is, I love creating new fictional worlds and characters. Finally one day my publisher asked, "Think about a part two for Final Solution" so I did, and it was fun. Got sequels working on two other stories now.
Michael Davis (Davisstories.com)
Author of the Year (2008 and 2009)
Award of Excellence (2012)
- September 20, 2013 at 8:08 AM
- Nikki said...
I had lots of titles and scenarios for sequels to Framed (Still Life, Moving Pictures, Glazed, Oil & Water, etc.), but no plans. Then I got requests for more stories, set to work, and a hit a wall. So I think I'll try, as you suggest, writing it from one character's POV instead of several, and doing a bit more plotting. Many thanks for the encouragement!
- September 20, 2013 at 9:08 AM
- linda_rettstatt said...
I've had people ask if I'll ever write a sequel to Shooting Into the Sun from Lexie's point of view--her story. Readers fell in love with that secondary character and want more. I should really consider it. Thanks.
- September 23, 2013 at 11:47 PM
- Liz Fountain said...
Love the idea of readers asking for more.... I look forward to the day when that "problem" comes my way!
I'm looking for inspiration for this year's NaNoWriMo. Maybe I'll think about a sequel from a single character's POV - why not?
- September 25, 2013 at 7:03 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a new strategy game for Nintendo 3DS and 2DS from Intelligent Systems, known for the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars series. The game has a unique atmosphere with a steampunk setting and comic book-style graphics. The player selects four members from a team of agents, each with their own unique personalities – led by the 16th president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln – to fight back against aliens invading the planet.
Visit amiibo.nintendo.eu for compatible amiibo™ and the latest information. To use amiibo on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS systems a Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer is required. The Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer will be available later this year.
Available languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish
Multiplayer mode: Alternating
Players: 1 - 2
© 2015 Nintendo / INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
Now on Startselect!
Now available at Startselect: Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. . At Startselect you can purchase your digital games and gift cards anywhere and anytime. All of our products are fully authorized and supported by the publisher or developer.
Do you want to purchase this product? Just pick one of the payment methods, check out and you will receive your digital code almost immediately in your mailbox. If you run into any problems or if you have a question, our support team is standing by. We want to give you the easiest shopping experience, so you can use your product straight away!
Happy with your choice? Be sure to check out all the other products available at Startselect!About this game
This genre is perfect for people who like to dress up as Napoleon on parties, for the ones that use skilful thinking and planning to achieve victory in on -and offline battles. You usually have two subgenres: Real-time, where you'll need to think fast, and turn-based, where you take turns for every move.


text:
The weather is improving so it makes golf more pleasant to play. Mind you the wind can cause problems but for those who regularly play on the west coast of Scotland it is a problem we have to live with.
The Girvan golf course was taken up with the Carrick Speakers Open last Sunday.
Over at Turnberry In the Ailsa Championship Tees competition on 16th April Dominic Booth (3)33 Stableford points came in to win followed by D. Carr (8)29 and Paul Ferguson (1)29.
In the Sunset Trophy held on 20th. April Alan Weir (4)75, D. Carr (8)75, Steven Stamper (+2)76 and Duncan Kerr (6)76 all came in to qualify for the final. In the 3rd. round of the Logan Trophy Andy Huxtable (4)77, John Broadfoot (5)77 and D. Carr (8)78 came in with the leading scores whilst in the final round on 25th. April the leading scorers were Q. Dunlop (5)76, John Broadfoot (5)79 and Steven Stamper (+1)79.
All this resulted in Steven Stamper winning the Logan Scratch prize with Andy Huxtable picking up the handicap prize. In the Saturday medal on 29th. April, Bill Clare came in with (14)60 followed by Charlie Jack (13)62 and K. Doyle (11)64 all on the Kintyre course.
In early years it seems that the Scots were neglecting their archery practice and other war time activities and in 1457 James II decreed the banning of certain sports.
'It is decreeted and ordained, that the futeball and the golfe be utterly cryed downe, and not to be used. And as tuitching the futeball and the golfe, to be punished by the Barronniss un-law'. If you can follow all that it appears that both football and golf were banned in favour of wartime pursuits, but as both games have progressed considerably over the years the ban was obviously not taken too seriously. Perhaps if we beat England at both sports all would be forgiven.
I was recently watching a demonstration about the grooves on a wedge and how constant play wears them down. The demonstrators had three pitching wedges one which had been used for 125 rounds of golf, one 75 rounds and one new. So as to make everything equal a machine capable of hitting the ball with a consistent force was used.
The result was that the wedge used for 125 rounds, the ball ran 24 yards after touching down, the 75 times used wedge the ball ran 14 yards whilst the new wedge it bounced 10 yards before spinning back.
All this goes to prove that the more you use the club the more the groves become inoperable. But ask any golf shop for something to improve the grooves in your wedges and the best they will offer you is to replace them.
Quite an expensive operation, I wonder if the professional golfer renews his wedges every time he plays in a top competition, or if he has one of those gadgets for improving the grooves in his existing wedges. What problems we keen golfers have to put up with, nevertheless we will still go out happily with the thought that this will be the perfect round, but if not there is always tomorrow.
Silver Division: 1st Mrs. A. O.Connor 98 (19) 79bih; 2nd Mrs. A. Grant 98 (19) 79; 3rd Miss E. Grant 92 (12) 80
Bronze Division: 1st Mrs. A. Mackenzie 111 (24) 87; 2nd Ms. P. McKay 125 (36) 89; 3rd Miss M. Kelly 120 (26) 94
R & A PLATE; 1st Mrs. F. Warrender (29) 35pts; 2nd Miss M. Kelly (26) 34; 3rd Mrs. J. Morgan (22) 33
MARY WILSON QUAICH 1st Miss M. Kelly 92 (26) 66; 2nd Mrs. J. Morgan 92 (22) 70bih; 3rd Mrs. A. Greenall 93 (23) 70


text:
|Above: Original design on left
Background: A student at another New Zealand school had designed a logo for the 'International Friendship Day' project. The school did not have resourcing for 3D Printing so we took the original student design and gave a brief to two of our students to create a 3D version of the design which we then subsequently printed and sent to the student who had designed the original.
Task: As the original design was created in Google Draw it was felt that this should translate well to Tinkercad and some of the shapes that were available from the main screen would be able to reproduce the original design.
|Above: designer with design
Issues: None - an older filament was used and the machine is in need of a service, there has been a minor issue with some of the filament on the raised surfaces but this is minor and not related to the design of the print.
Size: 20cm by 15cm with a depth of 1cm.
Timeframe: Eighteen hours.
Process: The original in this case was designed by a student in Google Draw. The teacher was emailed the original design which was then copied and printed off so the students had the original to work with, as with most every other design on this site they used Tinkercad (beta) to complete the project which was then converted to Cura for Ultimaker 2 3D Printing.
Reflection: Students were able to mimic the design and it was a way to allow them to refine some of their skills. Producing something for another school added to the novelty value of the project.


text:
Dallas BARBEQUE areas providing the state's finest tacos
In 2015, Americans consumed greater than 4.5 billion tacos inning accordance with nationaltacoday.com. Adding to that number is the swath of North Texans that have actually delighted in Dallas BBQ places most recent var …
Last year, Americans consumed greater than 4.5 billion tacos inning accordance with nationaltacoday.com. Adding to that number is the swath of North Texans that have actually enjoyed Dallas BBQ areas most recent variant in the taco fad, the brisket taco. National Taco Day is Oct. 4. What much better means to commemorate compared to with a see to a BBQ dining establishment? Looking for the best Mexican restaurant in Dallas TX?
" Even though we have actually beened around for greater than 42 years, this is the very first year we are commemorating National Taco Day with our latest food selection enhancement," stated Brett, CEO of Bar-B-Que. "After presenting brisket tacos last month, the responses has actually been magnificent. It's an additional manner in which we are remaining cutting-edge in the cooking area as our business expands."
The site www.nationaltoday.com/us/ explains tacos as a cooking carnival– owing to a selection of full-flavored dental fillings. In Texas, individuals like brisket.
Dallas's very own BBQ brisket taco is made with tender, smoked beef brisket; fire-roasted salsa; as well as flour tortillas. Valued at simply $9.99 for a mix with 2 4-ounce sides, this yummy taco is readily available in all 17 BBQ areas for a restricted time. Added solo tacos are readily available for $3.49 each.
Along with the roll-out of this minimal time deal, Bar-B-Que has actually been leading the accused of ongoing advancement in the cooking area with a number of one-of-a-kind spins on timeless barbeque recipes, such as the Soul Bowl, called a "must-try" bar-b-que meal in Dallas by ZAGAT, as well as Frontier Fries, the recipe that Men's Journal called "among one of the most innovative french fries in America." Dallas BBQ has actually increased its local franchising campaign and also released a nationwide mail order program where visitors as well as followers of BBQ could have trademark dishes supplied to their front doors.
For greater than 40 years, regional Dallas Bar-B-Que has actually pleased the hardest to please bbq fans … Texans! Their options of meats are prepared "reduced as well as slow-moving" over hickory in a classic custom: beef brisket, pork, warm web links, sausage, turkey, hen, drew pork and also, the group favored ribs. Cattle Ranch House Beans and also Spicy Cream Corn are amongst the scrumptious homemade sides.
Scratch map
Meet the excellent chef of all times
People would always like to have food and they are very much fond of it, they like to taste the different kinds of cuisines which will make them to enjoy the variety of dishes. This will help them in having the complete satisfaction. These are usually because of the chefs or the masters who are preparing these dishes. The chefs are the kind of people who always like to have food and are grown with such kind of mentality. One among the popular chefs is the damianmandola who is fond of cooking. He is a kind of person who keeps on talking about food and is fond of cooking different kinds of cuisines. He has started to cook since his childhood because of his mother Grace who taught him about the basics of cooking. Similarly, it is a general fact that cooking style changes from one chef to another. Thus, in this way, Damian has a unique style of preparing the dishes; he loves to explore the local flavors with the traditional Italian cuisines which are popularly called as the Creole cooking. His interests towards the cooking have made him to start a restaurant on his own.
Early life of Damian
Damian will usually call himself as the Italian- American and is proud to be a part of Texas. As his cooking style is based on the traditional cooking everyone will definitely get tempted towards his foods. His restaurant which is started together with his cousin named Carrabba's Italian Grill has now grown up and having the branches at over 235 locations in the United States and is celebrating the twenty two years of successful completion. He is a kind of chef who loves to have fun and enjoyment during the preparation of the foods. Then about his family, he has five children and is blessed with twin sons, out of whom, one son Damian is the Boston university senior and the other son Dominic is working as the distributor at beverages. He is very much interested in hosting different kinds of charitable events and loves to spend time and effort in helping the people to solve the issues which are caused because of the local reasons. The reason behind damian mandola success is that the excellent customer service which is offered in his restaurant. The outstanding food that is prepared by Damian is the favorite thing for most of the people all over the world. That is why; the Damian's restaurant is reaching the heights day by day.


text:
Foremost Auto Insurance Reviews
Are You Paying Too Much for Car Insurance?
Call Now:
+1 (855) 480-62-93
Foremost auto insurance is an ultimate option, which is available for drivers of most states.
The company is considered to be a high-risk insurer, as it provides its services to drivers that do not qualify for other platforms due to poor credit history, bad driving record or other issues.
Foremost will provide such clients with the same range of options, as other customers, including standard policies, such as collision, liability and comprehensive, as well as roadside assistance and rental reimbursement coverage.
Apart from quality and advantageous policies, the company offers a range of benefits, which help reduce the payment and save money:
- Multi-policy discount for Foremost and Farmers companies;
- Single bill system which provides one renewal date available for all policies by Foremost;
- Dynamite Deduction Endorsement that also helps to save from $50 to $100 semi-annually and annually.
Range of Coverages You May Get
While you still doubt about the coverage to choose, Foremost car insurance has prepared numerous options, which are customized with your mind.
The company accepts a multitude of drivers with different driving histories, covering:
- Underinsured/uninsured motorists, which protects your financial situation in case you have got into an accident with the driver without an insurance;
- One household means that you will have one bill for all the vehicles and policies you have. There is no need to worry about renewals, diverse bills, and effective dates;
- Rental reimbursement. The option will cover $50 a day for 30 days of the car rental in case you have covered loss of your auto;
- Property damage and bodily injury. The option will help you cover all the medical expenses and similar issues, associated with an accident and damage. The coverage will be limited only by the liability you choose;
- Dynamite deductible endorsement. The deductible for collision or comprehension loses can be reduced by $50 and $100 for semi- and annual policy renewal respectively;
- Lease or loan coverage will cover the difference between the cost of your auto before and after an accident;
- Medical care. Covering medical bills is one of the most important options for the drivers. Auto insurance with Foremost will cover up to $10,000 for the required medical assistance as a result of an accident.
Ways to Save on Your Insurance
Drivers with a good history, proper financial situation, and perfect records can qualify for the best insurance conditions.
However, Foremost is a revolutionary insurer, which offers its services to all the clients.
Additionally, the company provides an ultimate opportunity to save money in a range of instances, including:
- Perfect driving record for 3-5 years;
- Provide a valid email address;
- Pay using electronic funds transfer;
- Use other Foremost policies, etc.
Contact one of Foremost auto insurance agents, discuss the conditions, rates, quotes, and claims to get a beneficial individual option.


text:
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!
This week I am excited for...
If fate sent you an email, would you answer?Leave it to Jennifer E. Smith to come up with, what I expect to be, another obnoxiously cute and unexpected romance. Not that I'm complaining, the hopeless romantic in me falls for these books every time. Set for release April 2nd, 2013, this sounds like a perfect springtime read!
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? (From Goodreads)
So, what are YOU waiting on?
Much love, Samantha


text:
The Modernistics are Peter H. Bloom, flute; Mark Leighton, guitar; Ted Powers, guitar, ukulele, percussion, tap and vocals; and Pamela Powers, tap and vocals. Dave Zox, double-bass, is frequently on the Modernistics bandstand as well. The five artists have performed and taught extensively in the United States and abroad. The group performs upbeat shows of Music and Dance from the Great American Songbook, with crowd-pleasing favorites by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Dorothy Fields, George Gershwin and other great American tunesmiths.
Among the many selections are:
Sunny Side of the Street
Bye-Bye Blackbird
Blue Skies
Let's Fall in Love
Top Hat
Lulu's Back in Town
Georgia on My Mind
Night and Day
It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Acclaimed for their tap dancing prowess, inventive choreography, and winning personalities, Ted and Pamela Powers have performed extensively in the United States and abroad. Ted Powers' career in jazz, blues, and pop includes several years as a solo performer in the south of France and tap-dancing in the U.S. with the legendary Jimmy "Sir Slyde" Mitchell. He appears widely as a solo artist and with the band Swing Café.
Pamela Powers has performed and taught in the United States, Germany and England. She studied with Harold Nicholas of the iconic Nicholas Brothers and with renowned Broadway choreographer Charles Hughes.
Peter H. Bloom has concertized with jazz and classical ensembles in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and is featured on 45 CDs. Praised for his "hip, jazzy flute work" (allaboutjazz.com), he is a veteran flutist/saxophonist with the illustrious Aardvark Jazz Orchestra ("lush sonorities worthy of Ellington's finest reed sections" - JazzTimes) and has appeared with jazz luminaries Charles Neville, Geri Allen, Jaki Byard, Sheila Jordan, Ricky Ford, Mark Harvey, Raj Mehta, Matt Savage and others.
Mark Leighton is acclaimed as a jazz and classical guitarist. He performs across the Northeast, at venues including Islesboro Maine Summer Concerts, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, King's Chapel, Corning Community College, Boston Public Library, and the Hudson River Museum of Art. He was Director of First Night Quincy for 20 years and serves on the faculties of Colby College and St. George's School. He has appeared with jazz notables Billy Novick, Larry Carsman and others. His teachers include Robert Sullivan, David Leisner and Sharon Isbin.
Bassist Dave Zox has performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Artie Shaw Band, Herb Reed and the Platters, John Abercrombie, Kenny Werner, Phil Woods and other internationally renowned artists. He shared the stage for many years with the Al Vega Trio and pianists Ray Santisi and Harvey Diamond. He serves on the faculties of Northeastern University, Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and Ipswich Public Schools. He earned a master's degree in Jazz Studies from New England Conservatory.
The Modernistics have performed for the Ocean Park Music Festival, Middletown Concert Association, Medallion Opera House, Tillotson Center, Concord City Auditorium, West Claremont Center for the Arts, Colby College, Nichols College, Chelmsford Center for the Arts, and other venues.


text:
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Everybody gets a trophy...
Written by Selwyn Duke
Our society's attack upon competition is intensifying, and it breeds some truly ridiculous policies. Years ago already, a soccer league in Massachusetts banned keeping score in 10-and-under tournaments in deference to the feelings police. Some schools have eliminated the designations "Valedictorian" and "Salutatorian" because they're too non-egalitarian. More recently, a Rhode Island school canceled its long tradition of an honors night (the decision has since been reversed following an outcry) because it was too "exclusive," and, not to be outdone, a Michigan elementary school just distributed a flyer stating that the "urge to win" at their annual field day should be minimized because all students are "winners."
There are obvious points to be made here, such as how this anti-competition mentality unjustly denies achievers their due. It's also true that if you reward something — and excellence is no exception — you get more of it; if you don't, you get less. But in our effort to protect losers' feelings, we forget the other victims in this lunacy:
The losers themselves.
As a few of my readers know, for part of my life I was an aspiring tennis player. It was an all-consuming passion, and I wanted to be the best. I did become good, but, alas, I didn't have the talent to rise to the grandest stage. What, though, if the playing field had been tilted so that I could somehow be made to appear as capable as Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi? Assuming I would have accepted such preference (I wouldn't have), it could only have hurt me.
You see, there was great disappointment and pain associated with my failures, but, as C.S. Lewis said, "Pain is the megaphone God uses to get through to deaf ears." My striving and stumbling built character, helped teach me what truly mattered, and, ultimately, steered me toward areas in which I was truly gifted. And now, with pain-perfected priorities, I'd much rather be spreading the Truth via tongue and pen than spending my time hitting a fuzzy ball around.
The point? This fixation with shielding kids from certain realities, such as failure and consequences, denies them necessary growth opportunities. Pain is the crucible in which the impurities are distilled from our souls.
What we're seeing from the anti-competition crowd is a lack of depth, a superficial world view. Sure, they're concerned about losers' self-image, but if a person can't handle losses, the problem doesn't lie with the winners or any fair competition.
It lies with him — with his lack of humility.
Humility is when you know what you are and accept it; humiliation is when you find out you're something you're not and can't handle it. Instead of protecting children's sometimes bloated egos and fixating of their "self-esteem" — now a euphemism for "pride" — we should regain appreciation for humility and the "failures" that can cultivate it. We should ponder why Rudyard Kipling stated in his poem "If" (written for his 12-year-old son), "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same." Kipling might have meant that the two are imposters because they're impermanent, they come and go; that they're illusory because they don't really reflect God's true plan for us; or that what may seem negative or positive may actually be the opposite (such as "success" that destroys a child star or, again, painful losses that inspire growth). He also might have meant that we are what we are, and confronting better competition and losing or worse competition and winning doesn't change that; hence Hemingway's saying, "[T]rue nobility is being superior to your former self." But whatever Kipling meant, he didn't say that worldly triumph and disaster don't exist and that everyone is a "winner." He was adding perspective, not denying reality.
The pain of failure, like physical pain, is also invaluable feedback. It calls your attention to a problem; it may signal that you have to work harder — or be an indicator that your glories lie elsewhere. Insofar as this goes, competition is the world's best guidance counselor, sometimes saying about a given endeavor, "This is your calling" or "This isn't for you." And one of the secrets to happiness is learning where your gifts lie and then diligently cultivating them.
The reality is that little good drives the anti-competition movement. And one of its uglier, but seldom noticed, animating forces is something hiding in the Trojan horse of equality, something expressed by French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville when he wrote, "Equality is an expression of envy. It means ... 'No one shall be better off than I am.'" Instead of stoking children's envy, we should help them appreciate others' gifts, as we simultaneously help them identify and exploit their own.
De Tocqueville also warned that as long as this envy-driven equality "is preferred to good government, good government is impossible" and that "Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom."
If we want to breed slaves who will revel in their equality, our educational model is on exactly the right course.
Posted by Wallyworld
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Mindfuling at Weekend is The MAW. The previous weeks episodes edited and added to a bit.
Keywords: MAW, Sound Meditation, Present, Mindfulness, Bird song, Sati, Gothic, radio, serial, theater, art decco, honey bees, mead, deadpan, audio story, goth
Written, Recorded and Produced by Paul M. Cheevers | Email: firstname.lastname@example.com | Web: www.Mindfuling.org


text:
Everywhere you turn this summer, you'll see kids interacting with our costumed interpreters. From hands-on activities inside our trades to 18th-century dancing lessons to milking our cow—you never know what's waiting around the next corner!
Not all of these new activities are advertised in your Daily Map & Program Guide as they are often spontaneous and dependent on the weather. Our hope is for you to "expect the unexpected" so those memorable moments will catch you by surprise. Almost all of them take place in areas that require your CW ticket or pass.
Dancing! Our Junior Interpreters and Youth Ensemble Dancers are waiting to show you and your family colonial-style Country Dancing and possibly even some specialty dances. These activities take place Sunday – Thursday throughout the Historic Area. Our costumed interpreters will round up the little ones and you may also hear a Fifer and Drummer signaling the fun.
Put Out Fires! Every afternoon at 2:30 and then again at 3, listen for the clanging of the bells and cries for help in Market Square. Our military programs will ask for every able-bodied person within hailing distance to help put out a "fire." Kids will get to learn what it was like to be a part of a colonial community in an emergency by lining up as part of the bucket brigade. A lucky few may also get to take a turn at pumping water from the fire engine. It's a fun way to cool off on those hot summer days! Read more about the history of our fire engine here.
One-on-One Time with Nation Builders! These activities vary from day to day but take place behind the Mary Stith House. On Thursday mornings, join the Young Mrs. Washington and her Brother Bartholomew Dandridge beside the Lumber House as they talk about travel in the 18th century and answer questions about horses. Later in the afternoon, join the top secret meeting with Mr. Madison and Mr. Jefferson as they give a lesson in cyphering. If you miss that session, you may see them again Saturday morning!
Saturday afternoons, Young Martha Washington will be out again, this time to enlist help to make the flag that Congress adopted on June 14, 1777 for our country. It has 13 red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a sea of blue. Kids will get to help her sew on patches and when they're done, write their name and where they're from!
Join Matriarch Edith Cumbo for storytelling. She'll use the names of her young audience in her Call and Response work rhythms, songs and games to prepare children for their daily chores.
Puppets! Come enjoy the wild and hilarious antics of the ever immortal Punch and his wife Joan in a show that is fun for all ages. We're working to build a shaded structure in our outdoor Playbooth Theater. For now, we're holding these puppet shows behind the Tucker House most mornings at 11 a.m.
Games! Can you find your way out of our live-sized maze behind the Governor's Palace? It's in the northwest corner of the property and is a family favorite. The goal is to find your way into the center of the maze and then back out again. While there are shortcuts, the challenge is to do so while staying on the path within the hedges!
From Hoop and Stick to war games with toy soldiers—you're also likely to be asked to join in a little friendly competition around town. Some of the busiest areas for these interactions are the Market House, the shady area by Chowning's Tavern, and another shady spot beside the Lumber House Ticket Office.
Get to Work! Last week, we outlined several amazing hands-on opportunities for kids inside our historic trade sites. We're ready to put kids to work! They can help us tread clay and build a brick wall at the Brickyard. Or help our historic gardeners tend to their plants and even give them a little water. Or they might get to try on military equipment like cartridge pouches and soldiers' knapsacks when they stop by the Military Artificers.
Boat Races! On select Wednesdays, you can join the "Great Colonial Boat Race" in the stream behind the Printers and Bookbinders. Each child will get to "select" a boat from our fleet of about 15 to enter in the race. These boats were constructed by the Coopers and the Joiners, with the sails crafted by the Weavers. We expect to have more trades participate throughout the summer. Not only does the winner get bragging rights, he or she also gets a special certificate!
Milk the Cow! Join our ox drivers and other members of the Rare Breeds Staff between 2 and 2:30 each afternoon behind the Randolph House. They'll milk our cow, Savannah and take questions from the crowd about what it was like to farm in the 18th century and what makes the animals in our Rare Breeds Program so special.
Cow Milking, with Darin the Human and Savannah the Cow
Posted by Colonial Williamsburg on Thursday, June 23, 2016
Help with Chores! At the Powell House: Explore what lies beyond the gate. Make the bed or pass the plates. Step a dance, or learn a game. No two days are quite the same.
This site has a little of everything and you can explore and discover at your own pace. Inside the Powell Lumber House, you'll find a coloring station, clothing to try on, games to try, and a cypher wheel quest to help us find Hannah's lost dancing shoe. You may also find rhythm instruments in the garden and our kitchen may be open where you can help to prepare Mr. Powell's dinner!
Archaeology Kids DIG! "DIG! Kids, Dirt & Discovery," is a 50-minute, hands-on, excavation engaging 5 to 16 year olds in learning about the past. We are digging in an early 1700s cellar—the basement of Archibald Blair's "Storehouse." The site has been dug before, though, in the 1940s. At the time, a decision not to reconstruct the store resulted in the dirt and artifacts being tossed back in to the cellar. Technically we are "re-excavating" a site and it's a great learning opportunity for children. Read more here.
Young Apprentice This program is recommended for kids ages 8 to 14 and each child must be accompanied by a ticketed adult, meaning an adult must also purchase a ticket and escort the young apprentice. These boys and girls will be able to visit three trade shops during their time, which rotate based on specific days of the week. Not only will they get a hands-on lesson from our journeymen and women, they'll also get to make and take home a souvenir. Read more here.
A very special thank you to Fred Blystone for being a big kid and getting out there to capture some of these awesome moments with our younger guests! Make sure you're following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and tag us in your pics with #colonialwilliamburg. We may feature some of your images next time!


text:
Our team has now been divided. It was all in the plan but I sent Bob and Tommy back to Prague today where they will spend a few days with Tomas Polivka before I join them again on Saturday Evening.
Our time in Poland was awesome as I spoke to a group of men In Zory on Saturday night and then Preach at a church in Bielsko-Biala on Sunday. This is a church where I have preached twice before and it was great to be there again. I preached in their series on the Ten Commandments and addressed the sixth Commandment, "You should not murder." (Remind me not to offer that as an assignment for a guest speaker.) I think it went well anyway as I taught part of the lesson from a ladder trying to illustrate that the laws are not a ladder to get us to God but a window that shows us the heart of God. The sixth commandment shows us that God loves people and so we should as well.
After church we went to an amazing restaurant in the mountains. I will attach a picture of the scene with Greg and Heidi Carlson and their two girls Kealsy and Jillian. They are Josiah Venture Missionaries in Poland and have been there for 17 years faithfully serving. Greg recently turned over the leadership of JV Poland and the National Organization (Fala, which means "wave" in Polish) to a young Polish leader named Michal (pronounced "me-how"). Greg, Heidi and I talked all day Monday about Greg's future and how he can best use his gifts here in Eastern Europe (I did Greg and Heidi's premarital counseling 17 years ago. Meanwhile Bob and Tommy went to Auschwitz/Birkenau for the day. That is a hard day and it is even harder to talk about the experience. I will let you ask them when we return but know it is not an easy thing to describe the impact that place like that has on you.
On Tuesday we headed back to the Czech Republic and stayed with Pavel and Magda Mecovsky in Olomouc (pronounced O-lo-motes). Pavel and Magda have been to Fellowship and he is the man who organizes the Men's Conferences here in CZR.
Tonight, after Tommy and Bob left for Prague, I got to speak to a group of 24 Czechs from a few different churches in Olomouc about marriage. It was a great evening and we talked for two hours.
It is so interesting to see how many issues in marriage are cross cultural and how many times the solution seems to be taking yourself out of the center and serving your spouse in order to see them flourish rather than using them to meet your needs.
Tomorrow I head to Pardubice and an English camp reunion and then Friday and Saturday I will be at another Men's Conference.
Please keep us in your prayers as we finish here. Pray that we will represent the Lord well and be an encouragement to our hosts and especially to those who are serving the Lord here in a country that is in desperate need of a clear presentation of the gospel. Ololouc, for example, is a city of over 100,000 and they have only eight churches. One of them, the Hussite church, has only 20 members. The largest is still less than 100 in attendance on Sunday morning. So in a city a a good bit larger than Conway only 400 people were in church this past Sunday. But, I am encouraged when I see how the people who know Jesus love Him and are working to make Him known.
We are having a great time and trying to stay as warm as we can. We have not had one day above freezing and Saturday night it is supposed to be below zero (F). We will all have many stories to tell when we get home, just ask us.
For the Only Cause that Matters,


text:
Supercalifragilistic wrote:Are you guys renting books/getting used books/or buying new??
I noticed for some of the books on Amazon, if you rent/get used, it says "access codes and supplements not guaranteed." Does this matter? Will we end up getting other brand supplements anyway?
It does not. You're fine renting books.


text:
It's the middle of the night and I'm browsing Craigslist when I see someone is selling their 3-month-old Beagle. This puppy's face is so damn cute, I instantly fall in love with her, and before I know it, I'm emailing the owner with a bunch of questions. I want to know why they are getting rid of her, stuff about her medical history, and all the other basic queries one might have in this situation.
While I'm typing, in my head, it's already a done deal. It almost doesn't matter what the owner replies with. I've calculated it, and spent the money I don't really have to spend on this dog. I've already picked her up and taken her home with me. I'm visualizing the Facebook photos I'll share, the walks we'll go on, and all the hours spent romping around the house. I've even got a new name picked out: Lucy. Me and Lucy are gonna be best buds, and I can't wait for everyone to meet her.
Then, the reply comes from the Beagle's owner…and it's clearly a scam. This woman says she lives in Cameroon, works a lot of hours for an international conglomerate or whatever, and needs to ship her dog back to the United States. But do not worry, because if I'll only cover the following fees, jump through a couple legal hoops, and then await transport, this beautiful dog will be mine! I know it's bullshit right away, but still I wanted to respond in the hope that, somehow, it would all turn out to be legitimate. I fought that urge and didn't bother. The whole situation is a punch in the gut.
I close her stupid email and sit there moping. I'm almost crying. An hour before, I wasn't even looking for a pet, and I'm not looking for one now, yet there I was feeling teary-eyed and alone.
While the dog in the photo may well exist somewhere, it's certainly not Miss Cameroon's to sell, and thus not mine to buy. I'll never post those pictures to Facebook, we'll never go on those walks, and the hours we would've spent romping around the house will probably just be replaced by late-night television and snacking.
It's 6:30 in the morning and I'm sad at the loss of a dog I never had. Crazy, that puppy love.


text:
Guest Reviews
Comments from guests:
"The best banana bread ever!"
"It was a perfect stay, unfortunately just one night..."
"Fresh fruit, guava juice, banana bread. Delicious."
"Thoughtful attention to every detail."
"The shower is a highlight with those little stones on the floor, everything just perfect."
"Lovely entrance with the road through the jungle, we loved the property!"
"Great location. Close to everything in Volcano Village."
"It cannot be better located for visiting the Volcano National Park."
"Thank you very much for your warm welcome. We really enjoyed our stay, the room was very nice and clean. We really enjoyed staying there so thank you very much for everything. I wish you all the best for the future."
"We love the patio best, the garden view is amazing. Also the breakfast is good too. Just love everything overthere!!"
"So happy I found your property. The location was perfect for the national park area and for a little solitude from a busy schedule! I hate my stay was so short."
"Mahalo for this beautiful staying experience - should be more places like yours!!!"


text:
Plan for success with smart UX strategy
Discover what matters most to your customers
Create products that delight users
Extend your product creation capabilities with UXArmy
Ask the right audience the right questions
Fast and easy way to do user testing online
Be heard, Get paid.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
All trademarks, logos and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Responsible Disclosure Policy for Security Researchers
We will be in touch with you very soon.
Please fill in the form below so that we know how best to help you


text:
Taking Proper Care of a Bonsai Tree. Bonsai tree care is a fundamental part of the bonsai hobby. The trees are the star of the show, and as such, they need the proper care to remain beautiful and healthy.
Taking Proper Care of a Bonsai Tree
If you are just starting to get into the bonsai hobby, bonsai tree care may be a little difficult for you to understand at first. For beginners, there are two fundamental aspects of bonsai tree care that must be dealt with first.
The primary one is knowing how much to water your tree. Because bonsai grow in such small pots, the trees need to be watered in a very specific fashion. Over or under watering the tree is a death sentence for a bonsai.
Under watering the tree causes the tree to wilt, wither, then die. Over watering causes a condition known as root rot, which is responsible for the destruction of the root system. This also leads to fatalities in bonsai trees.
As long as you take care to make certain that your pot has good drainage holes, this problem is fairly simple to avoid.
The next thing you need to remember about bonsai tree care is that these trees are usually grown outdoors. They require certain habitats that cannot be mimicked in certain growing regions.
Research the tree you are planning to grow. This will make certain that you are using the right bonsai tree care tactics and ensure the long life of your plant.
As you become more adept at bonsai tree care, you will learn how to properly prune your plant, pot it in larger pots, and trim the roots so you have a proper sized root mass. You will learn how to wire your plant so the branches go to the form you want without leaving unsightly scars or damaging the visual aspects of your bonsai tree.
If your tree becomes sick, you will learn the best treatment methods to prevent your tree from dying. There are many facets to bonsai tree care, all of which can be learned with effort, experience and time.
If you are interested in bonsai tree care and do not want to learn through experimentation, there are a lot of resources available to you. You can inquire on bonsai tree care in bonsai circles, read online publications and books, or purchase instructional videos that will outline bonsai tree care in a way that is easy for you to understand.


text:
Home › Forums › Site technical issues and feedback › Unsupported Protocol? › Reply To: Unsupported Protocol?
Yeah, the site works with Firefox on XP. I use XP cos I've got a encyclopedia significant for my work which only works under XP. All the data has three off-site backups, and more less frequently updated. There's not much danger of losing data through an invasion.


text:
Air compressor to inflate tire. Plugs into 12-volt power connection in car to provide power for air compressor.
Fits GTI (2015 - 2017)
Your cart will be set to In-Store Pickup
By adding this item to your cart, the shipping option will not be available for your order. The In-Store Pickup option will now be defaulted at checkout.
Please contact our customer service department with questions.


text:
If spending time with your loved ones is at the top of your list, then we invite you to plan your stay with us at The Family Lodge at Pine Valley.
Pine Valley, Utah is a place like no other. Nestled within the heart of the Dixie National Forest, our home-in-the-mountains is the perfect, cozy getaway for every family to come together, and we want to share it with you.
2019 Summer Specials
- Between May 25th and June 3, 2019 get $100 off the Daily Rate – Now only $1,150 per Day.
- July 25 to August 1, 2019, get $100 off the Daily Rate – Now only $1,150 per Day.
- August 12 to August 29, get $300 off the Daily Rate – Now only $950 per Day for Weekdays. (Friday and Saturday – $1,150 per Day)
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring families together in a warm space that offers limitless opportunities to reconnect and create lasting memories.
The main lodge has 8 bedrooms, consisting of 5 king suites and 3 bunk rooms. In the living quarters over the garage are 2 additional bedrooms. There are beds for 30 Guests. With the additional air mattresses and portable cribs available the Family Lodge can host up to 42 people. If your group size exceeds our maximum please contact the Family Lodge of additional options.
We invite you to explore all The Family Lodge has to offer.


text:
- CO desorption (1)
- Density functional theory (1)
- Potential of mean force (1)
- Pump-probe (1)
- Two-temperature model (1)
- X-ray spectroscopy (1)
Vacuum space charge effects in sub-picosecond soft X-ray photoemission on a molecular adsorbate layer (2015)
Vacuum space charge induced kinetic energy shifts of O 1s and Ru 3d core levels in femtosecond soft X-ray photoemission spectra (PES) have been studied at a free electron laser (FEL) for an oxygen layer on Ru(0001). We fully reproduced the measurements by simulating the in-vacuum expansion of the photoelectrons and demonstrate the space charge contribution of the high-order harmonics in the FEL beam. Employing the same analysis for 400 nm pump-X-ray probe PES, we can disentangle the delay dependent Ru 3d energy shifts into effects induced by space charge and by lattice heating from the femtosecond pump pulse. (C) 2015 Author(s).
Strong Influence of Coadsorbate Interaction on CO Desorption Dynamics on Ru(0001) Probed by Ultrafast X-Ray Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Simulations (2015)
We show that coadsorbed oxygen atoms have a dramatic influence on the CO desorption dynamics from Ru(0001). In contrast to the precursor-mediated desorption mechanism on Ru(0001), the presence of surface oxygen modifies the electronic structure of Ru atoms such that CO desorption occurs predominantly via the direct pathway. This phenomenon is directly observed in an ultrafast pump-probe experiment using a soft x-ray free-electron laser to monitor the dynamic evolution of the valence electronic structure of the surface species. This is supported with the potential of mean force along the CO desorption path obtained from density-functional theory calculations. Charge density distribution and frozen-orbital analysis suggest that the oxygen-induced reduction of the Pauli repulsion, and consequent increase of the dative interaction between the CO 5 sigma and the charged Ru atom, is the electronic origin of the distinct desorption dynamics. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of CO desorption from Ru(0001) and oxygen-coadsorbed Ru(0001) provide further insights into the surface bond-breaking process.
Optical laser-induced CO desorption from Ru(0001) monitored with a free-electron X-ray laser: DFT prediction and X-ray confirmation of a precursor state (2015)
We present density functional theory modeling of time-resolved optical pump/X-ray spectroscopic probe data of CO desorption from Ru(0001). The BEEF van der Waals functional predicts a weakly bound state as a precursor to desorption. The optical pump leads to a near-instantaneous (<100 fs) increase of the electronic temperature to nearly 7000 K. The temperature evolution and energy transfer between electrons, substrate phonons and adsorbate is described by the two-temperature model and found to equilibrate on a timescale of a few picoseconds to an elevated local temperature of similar to 2000K. Estimating the free energy based on the computed potential of mean force along the desorption path, we find an entropic barrier to desorption (and by time-reversal also to adsorption). This entropic barrier separates the chemisorbed and precursor states, and becomes significant at the elevated temperature of the experiment (similar to 1.4 eV at 2000 K). Experimental pump-probe X-ray absorption/X-ray emission spectroscopy indicates population of a precursor state to desorption upon laser-excitation of the system (Dell'Angela et al., 2013). Computing spectra along the desorption path confirms the picture of a weakly bound transient state arising from ultrafast heating of the metal substrate. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


text:
McKINNEY -- A grand jury has cleared the McKinney Police officer seen on video forcing a teenage girl to the ground outside a pool party last year.
Seven minutes of video posted to YouTube put Eric Casebolt and the city of McKinney in the national spotlight in June 2015.
In that video, Cpl. Eric Casebolt is seen using profanity and aggressively throwing a 15-year-old girl in a bathing suit to the ground, face down, outside a pool party in Craig Ranch. He then appeared to pin her down with his knees.
A Collin County grand jury on Thursday determined there was not enough evidence to warrant criminal charges against Casebolt, who was a 10-year veteran of McKinney PD.
Eric Casebolt, the former McKinney officer, involved in the Craig Ranch pool party incident with the teens has been cleared by a grand jury.— Tanya Eiserer (@tanyaeiserer) June 23, 2016
Casebolt resigned four days after the pool party fracas.
Dejarria Becton is the girl in the bikini.
"What he did wasn't right," she said. "I think more should have been done. I don't think he should have just walked away."
"McKinney may very well be the best place to live in the U.S. -- as long as you're not an African-American," said Kim T. Cole, the attorney for Dejarria Becton.
The Texas Rangers completed an investigation into the incident in January. The results of that investigation were given to the district attorney's office and then presented to the grand jury.
The full results have not been made public.
In a lot of ways, the decision handed down Thursday was expected.
"No indictment, no surprise," Kim T. Cole said.
Experts say it would have been a challenging case, since law enforcement is legally protected when using reasonable force.
Messages left for Casebolt's attorney were not immediately returned.
"It has been a terrible, terrible thing, and it shows where race relations stand in McKinney," Cole said.
Despite no criminal case, Becton's attorney says she's more confident in civil court.
She promised to file two lawsuits against McKinney on Monday for personal injury and civil rights violations.
McKinney Police will hold a public forum next week regarding the grand jury's decision, according to a statement from the city:
The McKinney Police Department will be holding a community forum at the Old Settler's Recreation Center 1201 E. Louisiana Street, McKinney, Texas 75069 on Monday June 27 at 6:30 p.m. Several community leaders involved with the Police Chief's Advisory Council will be on hand to speak at the meeting focusing on the theme: Moving Forward, Strengthening Police and Community Relationships. All McKinney residents are invited to attend this meeting.


text:
Just a quick note to let you know that we received your parcel with the clothing in it for Rod. Thank you so, so much for your help. The dress pants were a lifesaver on Christmas day. Rod was able to sit in the wheelchair in REAL clothes instead of his boxer shorts. That was wonderful for his self-esteem. I have posted on your FB page and also made a donation. I have shared your FB page on several of my Australian FB pages and with all my friends. I hope it results in some my Australian donations for you.
Thanks again


text:
Gritter Earns Seat at 2018 Bassmaster Classic
Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation boater Luke Gritter earned his place in the 2018 Bassmaster Classic with a strong performance finishing 2nd at the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell!
Held October 19-21, 2017 in Anderson, South Carolina, Gritter also caught the event's big bass – 6-3 on his Day 3 sacking a total of 14-9 to jump into 2nd place with a 15-bass, 3-day total of 34-8! Gritter joins a select group of Michigan anglers who have qualified for Bassmaster Classic appearances!
Gritter qualified for the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship after finishing third at the April 5-7, 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Lake of the Ozarks with 48-9 as the Michigan team's top boater. Gritter's path to excellence began with the 2016 MBN State Championship August 12-13 last season on Lake St. Clair where he finished as the 7th place boater with 35.01 pounds.
Dreams can come true! So proud of you Luke!!
Original story on Bassmaster.com.
Gritter Weighs-in on Championship Day at the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship


text:
- Publish SPF records and sign mail with DKIM authentication. Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is a simple DNS record that conveys what IP addresses are allowed to transmit mail for your domain. It's easy to configure and there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't have already implemented SPF. Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM) is a little bit trickier. Your (or your ESP's) outbound mail server needs to support DKIM directly; it involves signing outbound mail with a cryptographic key. Microsoft's Outlook.com webmail platform checks for DKIM and SPF, and you'll want to have both in place, one to back up the other. I've been occasionally seeing odd DKIM failures when sending to Outlook.com. Very low numbers, but in that scenario, mail is still getting delivered fine, because SPF is in place and acting as a backup.
- Be sure to ramp-up your sending IP address. Microsoft explains: "IPs not previously used to send email typically don't have any reputation built up in our systems. As a result, emails from new IPs are more likely to experience deliverability issues. Once the IP has built a reputation for not sending spam, Outlook.com will typically allow for a better email delivery experience." Meaning: Don't expect to send to 30 million Hotmail subscribers on day one. Build up that volume over time on a new IP address. Assuming it's wanted mail, it'll probably take three to four weeks until you can get up to full speed. If you're sending unwanted mail, life probably isn't going to get easier.
- Sign up for SNDS. Microsoft's Smart Network Data Service (SNDS) is a reputation portal that helps you to understand deliverability-related reputation issues. After you've signed up, and requested access to view data about your sending IP address(es) you can get some idea if you're hitting spamtraps, and whether or not your reputation is red, yellow or green. If you're seeing a consistently "red" (bad) sending reputation, it could be that you're getting too many complaints (if you see numbers suggesting an elevated spam complaint rate) or it could be related to Windows "SRD" (Sender Reputation Data). How SRD works is that Microsoft queries a small sampling of your subscribers, allowing them to provide more direct feedback regarding your email messages. Does the recipient feel the message is spam? If enough of those people say "yes" then your deliverability reputation is really likely to suffer. To avoid that, don't spam, don't buy lists and be very transparent to subscribers. If need be, cut back to mailing only engaged subscribers, after dumping any questionable data that may not be opt-in.
- Don't get tagged for Namespace Mining. Microsoft explains: "This is the practice of verifying email addresses without sending (or attempting to send) emails to those addresses. This method is commonly used by malicious senders to generate lists of valid e-mail addresses that they can send spam, phishing emails or malware. Microsoft does not allow this behavior and takes action on IPs that engage in it." I've seen this happen to senders where I'm fairly certain they're not engaged in such a practice, and I think in that scenario, the sender has such a horribly dirty list, with so many invalid addresses, that they've tripped this trigger at the ISP. Solution: Don't mail really, really old lists that you found in the back of some filing cabinet. Attempt to mail enough invalid addresses, and you'll run into this issue. It also goes without saying that Microsoft is explicitly saying that SMTP-based address validation is not allowed.
- Get Certified. Return Path runs a paid Certification whitelist, and Microsoft is listed (by both Microsoft and Return Path) as a user of this whitelist. If you pass the vetting process and your sending IP address gets certified, you'll be able to bypass some filtering at Microsoft's Outlook.com and other ISPs. Do note that this isn't a free pass to spam; if you garner too many spam complaints (or negative SRD votes) you could find your certification suspended.
Microsoft Outlook.com / Hotmail Deliverability Troubleshooting
6 comments:
Do you know anything about Hotmail/live/outlook/microsoft completely blocking emails sent from godaddy email servers "secureserver.net".ReplyDelete
The company I work for uses godaddy for our regular dalily work related emails (no newsletters/marketing).
I have spf set to include secureserver but none of emails sent make it to any of my microsoft accounts. Ive looked on our godaddy server to find any kind of mail logs and can't find any that are made available to us.
Any help solving this problem would be greatly appreaciated!
Hey Brian, this is sort of like asking me how to replace the windows in your rental apartment. The key here is you don't own the apartment, so you don't get to make material upgrades to the physical structure. Similarly, you're just a user of Godaddy's mail server. You don't manage it, so you have no insight into what might be causing problems, and no access to the switches that might be necessary to fix the issue. Thus, all you can do is take the issue to Godaddy and ask them to intervene.ReplyDelete
My experiences with Godaddy haven't been positive. I've never been able to get a human response from them. Meanwhile, I see admins from Microsoft and Google both active on various public and private mailing lists, and people are able to reach out to them for help with their respective platforms. Based on that, in your shoes, I'd move your mail away from Godaddy and move it to Microsoft's Office 365 or the Google Apps platform. It doesn't totally prevent this type of problem from ever happening again, but I think getting out of the Godaddy line-of-fire reduces your risks in the long term.
Hi Al,ReplyDelete
I wonder if you've come across issues with the Unsubscribe app that seems to be added by Microsoft by default in Outlook for Office 365. Even though we send email with authentication in place, the message that shows when clicking on unsubscribe is "It looks like this is a newsletter, but we aren't sure if it is safe to unsubscribe from it using the information provided by the sender. If you don't want to receive from this sender again, you can block it." Then the only option is to click block sender so future emails go to the junk folder. It would seem better to have it function as an unsubscribe. Any insights about this and how to work with it?
I'd be curious as to what the list-unsubscribe header looks like. Is there one? Does it have the HTTP method or MAILTO method? If there is no list-unsub header, then this response wouldn't be unexpected.ReplyDelete
It looks like we have a MAILTO method that's applied by our ESP - we don't have one coded in our templates (an example at the bottom). Would the absence of the http method be the reason?ReplyDelete
Thanks for your insight.
List-Unsubscribe: (note: domain x'd out)
Nice article and nice blog.ReplyDelete
Hotmail Aka Outlook have some serious deliverability issues these days, since he changed his MX. Did you notice this problem ?
Would love to hear your point of view about this!
Comments policy: Al is always right. Kidding, mostly. Be polite, and you're welcome to join in, even if it's a differing viewpoint.


text:
We're just counting the days to June 12. Cheers, jeers, announcing, dribbles, jukes, goals, Shakira, vuvuzuelas… wait wait wait. Definitely not the vuvuzuelas. Anything but the vuvuzuelas.
In anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2014, we'd like to put the spotlight on a short film featuring US Soccer star Clint Dempsey, aptly titled "On the Move." It's directed by Jon Hamm, who is otherwise known for his work as Don Draper of "Mad Men" fame, and produced by Degree.
"I'm not nervous when I go into games. I've always been a firm believer of 'the work you put in is the work you get out.'"
Throughout the entirety of the one and a half minutes, there's a recurring theme of persistence and hard work as key ingredients to success. And yes, one and a half minutes is enough time to establish a recurring theme. Sometimes, it's easy to forget that a lot of these professional athletes didn't pop out the womb chopping a soccer ball, dunking a basketball, or hucking a high release flick (the last one is a shout out to my fellow Ultimate Frisbee fans). But, I digress.
Clint Dempsey reminds us as viewers that there is always room for improvement, and in order to improve, we have to make moves.
Did you catch the "Dempsey" jacket Clint was wearing about halfway through the film? Yeah, that was us. You could basically say we're unofficially a part of the US Soccer team, and on a first name basis with Clint.
Let us know if you need wardrobe or casting for your next production. We like to make magic happen and we're confident we can be of great assistance. But if you want Clint in your next commercial, you'll have to talk to him; he's always "on the move."


text:
- Page 1 Datacolor Spyder3 Express Review
- Page 2 Datacolor Spyder3 Express Review
- Page 3 Datacolor Spyder3 Express Review
Once everything is installed you can hook up the colorimeter to a USB port and you're ready to go. At 1.75m, its USB cable is long enough to cover most situations. You can place the device on the monitor's surface using either the suction-cup (handiest when dealing with CRTs and glass-fronted LCDs) or use the moveable counterweight on the cable to balance the meter in front of your monitor (it helps to tilt the screen slightly backwards when doing this). It's worth noting though that the counterweight grips the cable a little too tightly making it difficult to move, something Datacolor might wish to change on future iterations.
The calibration/profiling process really is as simple as it gets. You need to reset your monitor to factory defaults (which should include a colour temperature of 6,500K) and a "comfortable" brightness level. Once you start up Spyder3Express 4.0 it shows you the outline of where to place the colorimeter – don't worry, felt pads protect against scratching the monitor's surface – and then it's simply a case of pressing "next". The calibration itself is fully automatic and took just a few seconds over five minutes to complete (Datacolour claims five and 2.5 minutes for initial calibration and recalibration respectively). You're then presented with SpyderProof, which shows you a selection of images and allows you to switch between calibrated and uncalibrated views of them.
Finally you're given the location of the .icm profile Spyder3Express 4.0 has created after the whole process is finished, which allows you to rename or copy it. Overall, the system is almost as easy to use as the box suggests and shouldn't pose a challenge for anyone who knows how to use a mouse.
But what about the results? First we tested it with a decent but old ViewSonic monitor based on a TN panel. After automatic calibration we could see more detail in our test image, tones were closer to what they were supposed to be (originally the image was created on a high-end monitor) and colour gradations were more obvious, while dark detailing also increased. This did come at the cost of white purity, but in this case was a more than worthwhile trade-off for colour-critical work – and those who want and can afford a colorimeter would probably buy a better monitor to begin with.
Unlike other sites, we thoroughly test every product we review. We use industry standard tests in order to compare features properly. We'll always tell you what we find. We never, ever accept money to review a product. Tell us what you think - send your emails to the Editor.


text:
In competing for the best Summer Fair on the 22nd June in Worcester Park, Cheam Common Schools have gone to the trouble of organising live crocodiles and snakes! And they are offering some likely to be very popular raffle prizes plus they are having a chocolate fountain – that wins me over by itself!
There will also be the usual array of fun stalls and games, a bouncy castle, BBQ, face painting, tombolas and there will also be henna tattoos, a craft table, musical performances, and an international food stall.
The fair is being billed as a fantastic day out for the whole family and will take place between 12 midday and 3pm. Please use the Kingsmead Avenue Entrance. Everyone is welcome!


text:
As a gallery packed full of onlookers watched, the Montana Senate by a 1-vote margin endorsed a bill to continue Medicaid expansion in the state with the addition of work requirements and an expiration date of 2025.
Six Republicans joined with all 20 Democrats to pass the bill 26-24 on second reading. It would not have advanced on a tie. It needs to clear a final vote Tuesday, on a transmittal deadline, to move back to the House. There representatives will consider amendments added by the Senate.
One of the major changes to House Bill 658 on the Senate side was the addition of a 2025 sunset date. The original bill the Legislature passed to expand Medicaid in 2015 came with an expiration date of this summer to give a chance to review the program this session. House Bill 658 is carried by Great Falls Republican Rep. Ed Buttrey.
Monday's vote came after the bill stalled out in the Senate at the end of last week on a tie vote, and later attempts to put it back on the schedule failed. Medicaid expansion's fate has been tied to another piece of legislation dubbed the "Save Colstrip" bill, which eases the way for the state's monopoly utility, NorthWestern Energy, to increase its ownership in the Colstrip power plant and pass the costs onto ratepayers.
A group of five Republicans who are co-sponsors of the expansion bill but voted against it Thursday said then they want to make a point about other balls still in the air — including the Colstrip bill — during the final days of the legislative session.
A heavily amended version of that bill, which returns oversight of any possible deal to the state Public Service Commission, passed second reading in the House on Monday.
Sen. Russ Temple, a Republican from Chester, is the Republican co-sponsor who switched his vote from a "no" on Thursday to a "yes" Monday. Temple said "no comment" when asked why he changed his vote after the Senate adjourned Monday.
Four other Republican co-sponsors, Sen. Duane Ankney of Colstrip, Tom Richmond of Billings, Brian Hoven of Great Falls and Jeff Welborn of Dillon, voted against Medicaid expansion Monday.
Richmond is carrying the Colstrip bill and said Monday he was swayed by arguments made against Medicaid expansion on the floor.
Ankney, who is also a co-sponsor of the Colstrip bill, said he still thinks Medicaid expansion is good but he wanted more opportunity to see natural resource bills, including the Colstrip bill, get more traction.
"My no vote was based on the fact that I still think there was some work we could have got done, some negotiating with some very important job-creating, economy, revenue bills and this to me looks like that just shuts that down," Ankney said. " … I wanted to sit down and negotiate this out and get some of these natural resource bills passed, and it would have been the happiest day of my life if I could have voted a yes on this bill."
Asked if he thought his no vote hurt the chances of the Colstrip bill or others he wants to see pass the finish line, Ankney said it "damn sure don't do it any good."
Ankney said he didn't blame the other Republican members of the so-called Solutions Caucus who voted for the Medicaid expansion bill on the floor, including sponsor Sen. Jason Small, of Busby.
Small carried the bill in the Senate, and said Monday it addressed all the concerns people have raised about Medicaid expansion since it passed, from questions about people skirting eligibility requirements to work provisions. Small also called the six-year sunset "reasonable."
"This is trying to get people back to work. It's not meant to be something you can live on the rest of your life," Small said.
You have free articles remaining.
Sen. Fred Thomas, the Senate majority leader, also spoke about the Medicaid expansion bill being tied to other proposals working their way through the Legislature.
"While many people want Medicaid expansion in the state, we also want the jobs and economy bills to pass too and this may be our only opportunity," Thomas said.
Sen. Daniel Salomon, a Republican co-sponsor from Ronan, spoke in support of the bill. He countered some points made by fellow Republicans critiquing the program, including that it adds to the national debt and has resulted in millions of dollars in reimbursements to Montana hospitals.
Salomon said while Republicans talk about the ballooning federal debt, "whatever we do is like a drop of water in the ocean." He also pointed out how much federal money makes up the overall state budget. In 2019, 46 percent of the state budget was federal funds
"We accept federal money for highways, we accept federal money for education, we accept federal money for fish and game. You name it, we do it," Salomon said.
Sen. Jennifer Fielder, a Republican from Thompson Falls, cited the defeat of a ballot initiative last fall that would have lifted the sunset on Medicaid expansion and increased the tobacco tax to pay the state's share of the program as a message from Montanans they didn't want to see expansion continue.
"The voters of Montana said no and here we are, some of us thinking we know better. My vote is with the people of Montana who said no to this last fall and they ask us to vote no on this today," Fielder said.
The tobacco tax effort was the most expensive ballot initiative in state history, with tobacco companies spending $26 million against it.
Sen. Brian Hoven, a Republican co-sponsor who voted against the bill, said was frustrated with the asset testing in the bill and that it does not capture net worth. He was also frustrated with the provisions in the bill for 501(d) religious organizations, which is how Hutterite groups are organized. Many Hutterite colonies used to fund their own insurance, which reimbursed hospitals at a higher rate than Medicaid, before expansion became available under the Affordable Care Act. A fiscal note estimates about 2,500 Hutterites are covered on Medicaid expansion.
Sen. Jon Sesso, a Butte Democrat and minority leader, said the bill is a good compromise between what Democrats and Republicans wanted. Democrats had their own proposal to continue Medicaid expansion that was voted down in March. After that, Buttrey's bill was amended to ease some of the requirements for reporting hours worked or exemptions to the work requirement.
Other changes made after the Democrats' bill was defeated including lifting language that would have ended expansion in Montana if a court found work requirements invalid. The bill has language that would continue Montana's program until 2025 without work requirements if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes them down.
"I think we have addressed the concerns that were raised by the public, the concerns we have raised with each other, to make this the best product it can be in 2019," Sesso said.


text:
Weekdays: from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
En caso de incidencia
This website uses cookies to ensure the best user experience. The Web site is configured to allow all cookies. If you don't change this setting, you accept the use of cookies.


text:
Four indie authors have teamed up to form a blog!
Hey there my lovelies!!
I've joined forces with Molli Moran, Marie Landry, and Jessica Sankiewicz to form a super group of indie authors on a new blog called The Authorteers! Between the four of us, we've published 14 books! The genres range from YA to NA to contemporary romance to, of course, erotica. Today is our official launch day, which is exciting!
Here's what you can expect from The Authorteers:
- Info about our books, writing, plans, etc.
- Interviews, guest posts, and spotlights from our favorite authors
- Discussions posts related to reading, writing, being an author, etc.
- Some fun posts that aren't book related
- And TONS of giveaways! (And I mean TONS.)
Meet the Authors:
Molli is a Southern author who doesn't consider her day complete if she hasn't written. She loves coffee and talking fast, things she attributes to being raised by Gilmore Girls. She's a romantic at heart, and brings that to her books, which are usually about quirky characters chasing after their happily ever after. Although content when reading, she can often be found watching and flailing over Doctor Who, cuddling her various pets, or spending time with friends, family, or her girlfriend. Molli loves Oxford commas, country music, Stefan Salvatore, and scarves.
Marie has the best job in the world—one where she gets to make stuff up for a living and shamelessly eavesdrop on everyone around her. She writes happily ever afters while dreaming about the day she'll have her own epic love story to tell. Most days you can find her writing, reading, fantasizing about traveling the world, listening to U2, watching copious amounts of TV on DVD, or having grand adventures with her nephews and niece.
Lilly Avalon is the author of the RESIST series as well as other erotic romances. She's somewhere in the midst of her twenties and lives mostly in the stories in her head. When she's not enveloped in the worlds she creates, she's out in the real world making stories happen. That or reading other romances. It's a toss-up.
| Facebook | Twitter | tsu | Goodreads | Pinterest | Author Site | Newsletter |
Jessica Sankiewicz is the author of the New Adult novella series, This Night. You can often find her either reading or marathon watching TV on DVD, her favorites being Castle and Veronica Mars. She frequently mismatches her clothes and giggles uncontrollably. She knows almost every Billy Joel song by heart. She collects books and toys, and she has an intense love of cats and lemurs. Jessica decided when she turned 27 that she would remain 27 forever. Currently in the midst of her quarter-life-crisis, she is still takin' names and getting very close to reaching an epiphany.
Hang out with us!
We've created a Facebook group to hang out with everyone. It'll be full of all sorts of things from news on our books to links to giveaways and posts on this blog. That way you can stay up to date and not miss out on anything awesome!
Request to join today and we'll get you added to the group right away!
To celebrate this occasion, The Authorteers are hosting an EPIC giveaway! Here's what you can win:
International (20 WINNERS)
- FOUR winners receive 4 e-books--1 book of choice from each author
- EIGHT winners receive 1 e-book of choice from our backlist (from any author)
- FOUR winners receive 1 swag pack (one from each author, the one you receive will be randomly selected)
- FOUR winners receive 1 signed postcard (one from each author, the one you receive will be randomly selected)
US/CAN only (4 WINNERS)
FOUR Special Prize Packs from each author:
- Plush with candy, $15 iTunes gift card, AYTA and OSA swag
- Angel Island swag (postcards, mini bookmarks, stickers), chocolate, Minnie Mouse memo pad, various stickers
- Seduced by a Stranger by Lisa Kleypas, candy, book swag (including buttons!)
- Autumn notebook & bag of chocolates & handmade hemp bracelet & book swag
Giveaway Rules:
1. The only real requirement is to follow The Authorteers blog (via Bloglovin', Feedburner, or another reader of choice).
2. This contest runs from February 9th to 28th.
3. Winners will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on March 1st via Rafflecopter random selection.
2. This contest runs from February 9th to 28th.
3. Winners will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on March 1st via Rafflecopter random selection.
International:a Rafflecopter giveaway
US/CAN Only:a Rafflecopter giveaway


text:
Especially now that I hear KY is going to get over a foot of snow today. I am so glad I'm not there. I told Jeremy I won't be back until Spring. :)
Tennessee is plenty cold, but at least we don't have all that snow here.
I went back last week to meet my new nephew! Oh, my heart.
|I'm pretty sure he was thinking "Mommy, get crazy Aunt Katie off of me!"
Someday I'll know. Someday.
Charity came to visit me this weekend. We had a great time, as always.
Since coming to TN I haven't really tried to meet people or make new friends. I feel a little like a hermit. I go to the gym, and I go to church. That's about it. But since my plan is only to stay a month, I like the peace and quiet for a little while.
So it was nice having someone from home to spend time with and talk to.
We went to The Big Bang dueling piano bar. And this is Nashville, so you know these people can sing!
I wasn't able to get my long run in, but that's ok because...
What did you do this weekend?
What was the last movie you saw?