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The next stop in our Mount Kenya trip was Safari Club, a picturesque resort in Nanyuki, with vast green lawns and Mount Kenya range in the background. Regardless of my silent prayers, the clouds were not allowing us a view of the highest peaks. Our destination was the Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage inside the property, where many animals have been rescued from injury or ill-treatment. Adi, loaded with two toy cars (cars and he are inseparable even in sleep) went in with us, fully charged to "see animals".
The first animal that we met was a caged caracal – a medium sized slender muscular cat with noticeable black ear tufts or tassels; its name in Turkish (karakulak) means black ears. It is believed that the ear tufts help to camouflage the animal in tall grass. However, the most widely accepted theory is that the cat twitches the ear tufts as a means to communicate with fellow caracals. These agile cats are known for their amazing jumping abilities, leaping up to 10 feet (3 meters); they will even leap on a sitting ostrich! The caracal was once tamed and trained for bird hunting in Iran and India (called syahgosh in Persian meaning black ears). They were put into arenas containing a flock of pigeons, and wagers were made as to how many the cat would take down. This is the origin of the expression "to put a cat amongst the pigeons." The caracal is capable of leaping into the air and knocking down 10-12 birds at one time! Our cat was licking his lips after a satisfying meal, wonder if it had pigeons for lunch today.
|Caracal - notice the black ear tufts
The next animal we met was an antelope named bongo, near extinct from the region. Bongos were moving around freely and were open to being patted. It is incredible how many types of antelopes I have seen in the past one year. This was a new one – bright chestnut coat with thin vertical white stripes, with a hairy crest running from shoulders to rump – the hair on the crest alternating between chestnut and white as well. The orphanage has a bongo breeding (and reintroduction into the wild) program and bongos have been gathered there from several zoos around the world.
There was another antelope nearby – a bushbuck – a small antelope with brown coat and white spots on the face and body, and white patches on the throat. Adi was encouraged by its small size and felt brave enough to move freely around it. Both bongo and bushbuck, not seen in savannah grasslands, are primarily browsers and only occasional grazers. I realised the difference while writing this piece; grazing means eating grass and browsing means eating twigs and leaves from trees and shrubs.
|Bushbuck - notice the white throat patches and white spots
We passed by a bunch of hyraxes; a grey crowned crane; even a strutting Indian peacock (that surely cannot be indigenous, there is an African Congo peafowl though - certainly not as pretty as the Indian one); an Egyptian goose sitting over her eggs, almost merging with the ground - a local guide later told us that she had to protect her eggs from her own children from previous cycles! We thought we had seen all that was to see and were just about to leave, when a fellow visitor was kind enough to tell us that there is another section (hardly visible, separated by a small gate) of the orphanage with more animals. We would have certainly missed some unique moments if not for her.
|Grey crowned crane
|Indian peacock
|Egyptian goose sitting over her eggs
The Adopted Mother
We went inside the gate and found somebody to guide us at last. And who else do we see inside – half camel, half sheep like creatures with long necks, erect curved ears, large doe-like eyes, woolly coats - a group of llamas! How can I forget Captain Haddock being spit by a llama in the Tintin adventure "Prisoners of the Sun" – but was it not in Peru? The guide cleared the confusion – the llamas had been brought to Kenya from South America, a gift from somebody to help with mountain climbing, especially for children. The llama is a hardy animal, well adapted to surviving at high altitudes. It's cloven (divided into two) hooves make it surefooted, adept at negotiating steep, rocky trails. And who was with the llamas – a lone wildebeest, which considers one of the female llamas to be his mother and is always by her side!
The Idling Bachelors
Next we saw two caged male cheetahs, idling away – they had been brought especially to mate with a female cheetah, who did not find either of them worthy of her, leaving the caretakers baffled as how to proceed further! While this was an example of female having her say, the male surely reigned supreme in the case of ostriches. Initially the brown coated female was being fed by the guide, and then came the black coated male relegating the female to the background; humble servant watching from a respectful distance while His Highness savoured the delicacies.
Musical Quills
The guide told us that we could go ahead and feel the pointed black and white banded quills of an African crested porcupine – the largest porcupine on Earth. I did not feel at all up to the task, although it was keeping its quills very flat. I had absolutely no doubt that the moment it feels threatened, it will arch its back and the extremely sharp barbed spines on head, nape and back will leap to attention. Porcupines grow new quills (modified hairs coated with thick plates of keratin) to replace the ones they lose (for example detached when embedded into attacker). The average porcupine has approximately 30,000 quills, which average 5cm in length, African crested porcupine's quills can be 35 cm long! As a defence mechanism to let the attacker know about its quills, it vibrates specialised quills that produce a characteristic rattle (the hollow rattle quills serve as musical instruments and were once used as containers for gold dust). If an enemy persists, the porcupine runs backward until it rams its attacker. The reverse charge is most effective because the hindquarters are the most heavily armed and the quills are directed to the rear. Once their barbs embed in the skin of their attacker, they expand, forcing the quill deeper into the attacker's flesh. The name "porcupine" comes from combining the Latin for pig (although porcupine is not related to pig at all) and French for spine, hence the nickname "quill pig" for the animal. They have strong, armoured tails as well which they thrash about to hit a potential predator. Porcupines are rodents, so their teeth grow constantly to help them chew through almost anything. To keep them from growing out of control (in other words to ensure tooth attrition), they have to eat non-stop!
guide was quick to point out that it was a porcupine, not a hedgehog – which
indicates that most of the tourists like me are unaware (or was unaware then)
of the differences between the two. Porcupines and hedgehogs (the latter is
much smaller of the two) are not even related. A hedgehog's quills (compared to
a porcupine's) are very dull and are not barbed and not dangerous at all. They
have around 7000 quills which average 2.5cm in length. In short, if you need a
prick, pick the latter any day.
|African crested porcupine, head also has hairy projections
Mr Speedy
We had seen a few tortoises on our way, though we did not pay much attention to them. We often forget how extraordinary animals are these – roaming the Earth for a very long time, dating back at least 200 million years, which means they shared the planet with dinosaurs. But what came next certainly caught our attention - a more than hundred years old giant tortoise, named Speedy Gonzales. This tortoise is probably not native to Kenya but has lived at the orphanage for many years. When the guide called out, Speedy obediently stood up – lifted his body up on raised legs, happy to give a ride to his guests, his back certainly can accommodate adult humans!
The Hybrid
We were marvelling at nature's creations all this while, and then we came face to face with a creation which had man's intervention striped all over it – a zebroid; black zebra stripes on a horse's brown body, even the brown horse ears were striped – a cross between a male horse and female Grevy's zebra (a zebra found north of the Equator in Kenya with thinner stripes as compared to the plains' zebra which is found south of the Equator). It seems the zebroid was bred by a hunter who wanted the perfect pack-animal. The hybrids have certain advantages: they are more resistant to certain diseases, such as sleeping sickness, than horses or donkeys (it is believed the stripes confuse the flies in zebras); can be domesticated like a horse or donkey; usually unlike zebras have withers (ridges between the shoulder blades) which help the saddles to fit. On a later visit to Nairobi National Park Animal Orphanage, we have also seen a zedonk – a zebra cross bred with a donkey. One thing is for sure, zebra hybrids are far more handsome than mules.
A Tussle for Car
The unforgettable parts of the trip came from the monkey section of the orphanage. Like in the case of antelopes, the fact that there are so many different primate species - has to be seen to be believed. The trip proved to be a continuation of that eye opening journey when a group of Patas monkeys greeted us from their cages. This is probably the grumpiest looking monkey that I have ever seen – brown body, shaggy white hair in the face and chest, eyes like black goggles, big round black nostrils and black drooping lips. A monkey that is known by many names: "military monkeys" or "Sergeant-Major monkeys" due to their smart brown coats, erect posture and solider-like white moustaches and whiskers; "dancing monkeys" because they raise all four feet off the ground to express pleasure or excitement. Looking at their cheeks, it is not possible to guess that these monkeys can hold as much food in their cheeks as they can in their stomachs (may be I should have been looking at their lean stomachs). The Patas monkeys are the most ground-dwelling and fastest of all primates, running at speeds of up to 55 km (34 miles) per hour - at a distance, a running Patas can sometimes be mistaken for a cheetah due to its speed! They have slender bodies, long limbs and short digits which are adaptations that enable them to run at that speed. They walk on their fingers, not on their palms; quadrupedal terrestrial movement rather than arboreal movement. As a result they have not been affected by deforestation in the same way as many other primates. They may look nasty, in reality they are an exception to the rule of big, aggressive Old World (Africa, Europe and Asia as against New World or Americas) monkeys, the Patas will run away rather than fight. When relaxed, they actually lean back and put up their feet. None of them were relaxing in front of us; on the contrary, they were alert to what our guide had brought for them; experience would have taught them the direct correlation between tourists and food.
There was another monkey species that I saw for the first time – a very adorable one with grey coat, lively eyes, Captain Spock like white ears, bushy eyebrows, white muffler and a long tail - called the Sykes monkey. Our guide threw corn at these caged monkeys, and here again the others watched expectantly while the dominant male expertly caught each thrown bit and fed first. But there were baby monkeys outside the cage who were not to be bound by protocol (of course inside the cage would be a different story). They hovered near us in search of food. To reach to the guide's hands that held corn, all of a sudden a baby Sykes monkey jumped on my shoulders catching me completely off guard and starting off a peal of laughter from the gathering. After that there was no stopping the baby monkeys - in search of corn, they jumped on everybody's head and shoulders. When Bulbul started to feed one of them, it climbed up her hand, to her head, grabbed her sunglasses from there, ran off and climbed over a cage out of our reach, sitting just at the edge. The guide tried to coax the fellow to part with it. Not paying any attention to the guide's requests, to our utter amazement, it tried to wear the sunglasses over its eyes - again and again unsuccessful every time. The glasses fell off in one such attempt, whence it could be retrieved. The monkey jumped down on Atanu's shoulders to capture the glasses back, but we were smarter by then – everybody holding tight onto sunglasses and caps. It was not the end of the story - the baby monkey had eyed the car in Adi's hand by then. Soon there was a tussle for the car – by babies at both ends, none letting go; which lasted till I put an end to it by shooing the monkey away. Need less to say, the car became super precious for Adi for the rest of the day; he would not relax his grip on it even for a second.
Monkey Tales
My monkey discovery goes on as I saw three more previously unseen monkey species at Nairobi National Park Animal Orphanage on a later trip. The first one was De Brazza's monkey, named after Italian-French explorer de Brazza; the same explorer who founded the Congolese capital, Brazzaville and the French Congo. De Brazza's monkey has a funny face with an orange crescent-shaped forehead backed by a black band (appears as if it is wearing a cap) and white mouth and a flowing white beard. These monkeys are comfortable in many different habitats: they dwell in the trees as well as on the ground, and are reported to be excellent swimmers (never thought a monkey could swim, but apparently these do). As guenons (a monkey classification) like Patas monkeys, De Brazza's monkeys have cheek pouches in which to carry food while they forage. The word "guenon" means 'fright' in French. When De Brazza's monkeys are frightened, they freeze to avoid detection, and have been observed to remain unmoving for up to eight hours!
The second one was a lesser spot-nosed monkey, incidentally another guenon and a rare one in East Africa. One look at the monkey (if you did manage to get a look that is, since it is the first cage in the orphanage and hence attracts the maximum crowd attention) and you know where it gets its name from - a bright white mark on the nose. The white spot is believed to help out spot the face in the surrounding greens to facilitate communication - they jerk their heads in different positions, each of which is supposed to mean something specific!
The third one was a black crested mangabey (again not a resident of East Africa) – black slender monkey (often called "the ones with the thin waist") with a tail longer than the length of the body, grey outward curving cheek whiskers and a head that has a crest – in the shape of a conical hat or a spiky hair. The name mangabey comes from the port city of Mangabe in Madagascar. It was a comical sight (probably tragic from its view point) - rest less all throughout, pacing up and down the cage, rotating its head around the neck from time to time. Even within the constrained enclosure, it was easy to gauge its jumping abilities. Their preferred habitat is a closed canopy where they leap great distances from branch to branch and tree to tree in search of food.
Adi remembers the Mount Kenya monkey episode very well. Till date, whenever he is with his cars near monkeys, he will check first whether the monkey will come to take his car. And as luck would have it, he would be in a tussle with a Sykes monkey again, this time over biscuits – but that's a story for another time.
|De Brazza's monkey with its orange cap
The third one was a black crested mangabey (again not a resident of East Africa) – black slender monkey (often called "the ones with the thin waist") with a tail longer than the length of the body, grey outward curving cheek whiskers and a head that has a crest – in the shape of a conical hat or a spiky hair. The name mangabey comes from the port city of Mangabe in Madagascar. It was a comical sight (probably tragic from its view point) - rest less all throughout, pacing up and down the cage, rotating its head around the neck from time to time. Even within the constrained enclosure, it was easy to gauge its jumping abilities. Their preferred habitat is a closed canopy where they leap great distances from branch to branch and tree to tree in search of food.
|Black crested mangabey - notice the black crest and outward curving cheek whiskers
Adi remembers the Mount Kenya monkey episode very well. Till date, whenever he is with his cars near monkeys, he will check first whether the monkey will come to take his car. And as luck would have it, he would be in a tussle with a Sykes monkey again, this time over biscuits – but that's a story for another time.


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Magento Individual Customer Prices Extension
Always there are situations when it is necessary to offer special promotions, discounts and individual prices for the favorite and regular customers in order to improve customer services. Also individual tier pricing comes as a part of the extension. The certain price can be established for every single customer.Visit publisher site: Magento Individual Customer Prices Extension
Listing Details
- Version:
- 1.0
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Plugins / Magento Extensions / Pricing & Promotion
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- Jan 27, 2013
- Publisher:
- iKantam LLC Other listings by this publisher
License & Pricing Information
- License Type:
- Commercial
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- Additional Info:
- One license per Magento installation
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text:
We are most efficient at responding to phone calls, but we can also be reached by fax, Email, or in writing. Please give us several days to respond to any fax or Email queries, and a week or two to respond to letters. If you do not hear back from us, please call. Thanks for your patience!Office Hours: Mon ñ Fri 7 am ñ 6 pm Sat 8 am ñ 2 pmAddress: Natomas Veterinary Hospital 4551 Gateway Park Blvd, Suite 2 Sacramento, CA 95834Telephone: (916) 925-3535Fax: (916) 575-9400Email: email@example.com: www.natomasvet.com
Natomas Veterinary Hospital4551 Gateway Park Blvd, Suite 2Sacramento, CA 95834(916) 925-3535


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School: Fayetteville State University
Bio: I am Amber Cousin Hargrove from Henderson, NC (Vance County). I am majoring in elementary education and minoring in psychology. Growing up in rural North Carolina, I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Up until my second year as a Golden LEAF scholar, I was unsure of how I could successfully complete this goal. At a conference, during the panel with the year four scholars I realized my passion for education and how I could make a difference by simply teaching. The Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program has changed my life in numerous ways. I have met lifelong friends and learned how to network successfully. I have also broken out of my shell and learned to embrace my leadership qualities by putting them to use. Being a part of Golden LEAF has given me opportunities to grow as a student and a leader, but also to make a difference.
School: Campbell University
Bio: Growing up in a small town, Elizabeth City, NC of Pasquotank County, I've fallen in love with the small town environment, which is why I am attending Campbell University. I am currently studying Kinesiology Pre-Med with Biology, Chemistry, and Honors Interdisciplinary as my minors, while in hopes of becoming an Optometrist in the future. The main reason that interests me in becoming a member of the Leadership Advisory Council is because I want to make difference. I want be more involved with the community, along with the program because I felt like I did not get to know the other scholars that well. I believe that building relationships with others is significant because you will never know who you will work with in the future. Without the program, I wouldn't able to handle conflicts as well as I do now, or be able to raise my voice in a crowd. The program had given me opportunities to have different internships that help me in the processing of pursuing my career, which inspired to come back to the rural community in the future. The staff always has an open arm for me to come to and always there when I needed help. Overall, the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program has a special place in my heart and there are no doubts that other scholars feel the same way.
School: East Carolina University
Bio: As a first-generation college student, attending a four-year university was a dream of mine. That dream came true, as I am now in my junior year at East Carolina University, studying accounting. Growing up in a small town, I felt that college would be a difficult adjustment. Golden LEAF made that adjustment a little bit easier for me, as well as added to the appreciation I have for my hometown in Perquimans County. When I first joined the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program, I had no idea what to expect. In spite of my lack of expectation, the program went above and beyond what I originally thought and allowed me to gain valuable experience/skills, career opportunities, and a network of friends at various universities. I would not trade my time working with the Golden LEAF Foundation and the Center for Creative Leadership, and can't wait to positively impact the organization on the Leadership Advisory Council this year.
School: UNC Pembroke
Bio: My name is Juwan Lockhart, from the small town of Hamlet, NC. I am a junior at UNC Pembroke and currently a major in Art with a concentration in Digital Art. Over the past three or four years, I have been afforded the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in my community as well as under my church in our music and youth department. Over the past 3 years, The Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program has made a huge impact on my leadership journey and has influenced me to go and make a difference in my rural community. While being in the program I've been able to step out and host many programs and events to impact lives in counties such as Richmond, Lee and Anson County. This program has been a great influence in my life personally. It has allowed me to grow and face the fears of stepping out and being a leader in my community. Through this program, I've been inspired to chase my dreams and accomplish many goals and dreams.
School: Winston-Salem State University
Bio: I am ShaTonya Howell, a Sophomore at Winston-Salem State University. I am currently a Healthcare Management major with a minor in Information Systems. I was raised in the small town of Tarboro, NC in Edgecombe County where not many people are able to have this opportunity, and I am honored. Being a first-generation college student and experiencing my first year as a Golden LEAF Scholar, I am looking forward to the upcoming year. Golden LEAF has taught me great innovative skills throughout my first-year journey, the ability to step out of my comfort zone and to develop more as a leader. After my first internship, I knew that going back to help with my rural county was my passion. Being able to see what the problems were and how I could be a big help to my community drove me to become more active. All of this was because of the Golden LEAF Foundation, being apart of this organization not only opened new doors for me but it also broadens my mind on how I can help my rural county. My school motto says, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve" and I plan on doing just that.
School: UNC Chapel Hill
Bio: I am Mya Walker and I am from Thomasville, NC. I am a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill currently studying sociology on the pre-law track with a minor in social economic justice. I serve as a Pre-College Mentor with Upward Bound, a mentor with Queen In You, a Co-Chair on the Elections Committee through the Black Student Movement, and a Shift Leader with Carolina Cupboard. When I first learned about the Golden LEAF Scholarship, I knew it would not only help me financially but personally and professionally as well. The Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program allows me to gain insight and understanding about the impact I can have on rural counties in North Carolina through internships and service projects. As a member of this program I have developed the skills to become an effective leader, built lasting friendships with other scholars, and created a vision of how I will give back to my community.
School: UNC Asheville
Bio: My name is Jackson Whitmire, and I am a current sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. While growing up in Transylvania County it was common to see people traveling for multiple hours for good healthcare, so my passion to serve rural North Carolina and to one day provide quality healthcare to the area in which I grew up. I am studying pre-medicine and psychology, and I intend on attending medical school after I graduate. The Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership program provided me with the amazing opportunity to work with a local Pediatricians office in my home county and has allowed me to meet many people with similar aspirations at conferences. I always wanted to stay close to home after I graduated, but I always heard that to find a "good job" I would have to move far away to a bigger city, but meeting so many people with the same dream (and who are actively living it) has given me the roadmap to working in my home county when I graduate. I believe that the work Golden LEAF is doing for the rural part of North Carolina is invaluable, which is why I am so very grateful to be working on the Leadership Advisory Council this year!


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January 2019【A New Year with New Hope and New Strength】
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is the time of the year when people make new plans, In the new beginning of a year. With the mighty power of creation, God opens the curtain of a new beginning in the first verse of the book of Genesis, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). When God says, let there be light, and there is light. God commands order out of void and chaotic darkness. By His words God creates everything and human beings, His most beloved you and me. Regardless of the ups and downs in the past year, the words of God will always be the lamp to our feet and light to our path. As I John 4:9 says, that "the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." Today God continues to breathe the new life, new hope and new energy into our lives.
The birth of Jesus Christ marks the new era in human history and is the beginning of the New Testament between God and humans. In John 1:12, the scripture says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." From then on, every person on earth is given the privilege to become the child of God and have eternal life by accepting the salvation of Jesus Christ. God desires everyone to be saved and not to be perished. Today, the mission of proclaiming this good news has been entrusted to you and me.
SWe at SOW have committed ourselves to this mission faithfully, through the production of a series of Bible study guides and videos. Following the publication of The Book of Job Bible Study Set in Chinese, the English version of it will be completed in the first quarter of 2019. In May, we will start the filming of the video of the book of Psalms and The Book of I Samuel Bible Study Set will be available after Summer. Every project we do is made possible by God's provision and guidance; not by our intelligence or skills, We need your prayer support for God's continuous guidance of SOW's ministries in the Arabic world. In February, I will travel to Egypt and its neighboring countries, to demonstrate how to use the Arabic version of The Book of Esther Bible Study Set in disciple training and small groups . We know the perpetual purpose of God, who gives us His words, is for "giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater". (Isiah 55:10)
Although the power of Muslim is huge in the Arabic world, Jesus proclaimed clearly the prophesy of Isaiah had been fulfilled: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18-19) Today, the proclamation of Jesus continues to be fulfilled in our generation. Because regardless the alteration of the ages, the will of God and His decrees will be last forever.
May you be blessed in the coming year with deeper experience of the mighty power of God and be filled with joy and peace from Jesus Christ.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Susan Chen
Founder and Lifetime Volunteer
Spring of Water International Ministries
SOW has been accredited as an ECFA member for its financial accountability.
Copyright © 2018 播種國際事工, All rights reserved.


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I remember the first time I watch this and part two, I came so hard I almost hit the ceiling.
That was crazy lol
I'd never thought I'd see the day that I saved a cartoon to my favorites!
This is a nice fuck
yeah it's funny
Never get tired of these, wish they made more...
Why Do i Enjoy This One so Much? Pfffft Oh Well :3
Crazy funny and shamefully sexy!
That's prime stuff.
Please what those cartoons name? I've seen few, so I'd like to get the rest :)
My Little Pony Porn
Danny XXX
Naruto Hentai
Zoey101 Sex
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Disclaimer: This website contains adult material, all members and persons appearing on this site have contractually represented to us that they are 18 years of age or older.
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Art Journals & Sketchbooks
The 100 Day Project (2019)
From 2nd April to 10 July 2019, this year's #100dayproject is all about the doodle for me.
This is my meditation, my therapy, my escape from the noise of my thoughts. For 100 days this year I'm sharing these little mark making experiments with time lapse videos and a bit of wordage about my process.
Follow the project's progress day to day on Instagram, or check out my newsletter for first looksies at flip through videos and time lapse compilations 🙂
Over the weeks these pages changed beyond recognition.
This is a snapshot into the evolution.
NEW Postcard Prints
A collection of art postcards digitally collaged from the pages of the 100 day project art journal.
There are 15 designs in total, available individually or in sets. See the full collection here
Available now in my Etsy store!
The Sketchbook Project
Brooklyn Art Library is home to over 41,000 sketchbooks from over 130 different countries. If you find yourself in Brooklyn, you can view these books in real life.
My 2019 Sketchbook [shelf ref 360.55-6]
My 2018 Sketchbook [shelf ref 348.59-2.]
If Brooklyn's too far to travel, you can see a flip through of my sketchbooks right here instead.
The Tiny Book Collective
This Tiny Book is part of the #TinyBookCollective from Hope Fitzgerald on Instagram. Check out her posts to see more itsy weeny books like this, and find out how to take part.
Read more about the thoughts behind this piece here.
The 100 Day Project (2017)
The 100 day project is intended to awaken, nurture and sustain the creative spirit though the cultivation of small daily acts for 100 days.
Through the span of 100 days in 2017 I created these images inspired by the odd assortment of photos in my phone.
I learnt more than I expected in the process [read more here]
Sign up here for monthly studio musings


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Tuberculosis risk for HIV and AIDS patients is 20 times greater than those, who are not infected with HIV/AIDS because of the weakened immune system in the former.
The risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV and AIDS is between 20-37 times greater than people, who are not HIV infected. Sufferers of HIV and AIDS have a weakened immune system due to which they become susceptible to TB. Not only must people with AIDS get themselves tested for tuberculosis but also those, who are HIV+.. Early diagnosis of TB can help in the prevention of greater damage to immune system.
How People with HIV and AIDS get Tuberculosis?
People are infected by the bacteria (Mycobacterium) causing tuberculosis because the bacteria travels through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A single exposure to infected air will not give the bacteria, but constant exposure to an infected person will affect the immune system causing TB. The Annual Global TB Control Report by World Health Organization published that AIDS sufferers have a sharp risk of developing tuberculosis.
Association between the HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis:
- It is harder to diagnose TB in HIV positive people.
- Tuberculosis spreads at a faster rate in people with HIV/AIDS.
- Tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS is fatal if left untreated.
Types of Tuberculosis Infection in HIV and AIDS Patients
There are two types of tuberculosis infection:
Latent TB- in this TB, bacteria causing it remains in the body without causing any major symptoms. HIV and AIDS patients with latent TB will start feeling more fatigue due to the deadly combination of which their body will not be able to fight TB germs completely.
Active TB- in this TB, the germs are growing constantly in the body and they are symptomatic. Active TB deteriorates the already weak immune system of AIDS patients and present symptoms such as bad cough that lasts more than three weeks, blood in the cough, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, losing weight, food sickness, high body temperature and sweating at night.
In HIV and AIDS patients, latent TB is more likely to become active soon. Consult a doctor immediately to prevent latent TB from becoming active TB. In HIV and AIDS patients, TB disease increases HIV viral load and lowers the CD4 cell count (CD4 cells are a type of immune system cell). HIV and AIDS patients are more prone to active TB than latent TB. The drugs that fight TB are equally effective in patients with HIV and AIDS as they are in people, who do not have HIV. In people, who are HIV+, onset of TB means later stage of AIDS.
Read more articles on Tuberculosis.
All possible measures have been taken to ensure accuracy, reliability, timeliness and authenticity of the information; however Onlymyhealth.com does not take any liability for the same. Using any information provided by the website is solely at the viewers' discretion. In case of any medical exigencies/ persistent health issues, we advise you to seek a qualified medical practitioner before putting to use any advice/tips given by our team or any third party in form of answers/comments on the above mentioned website.


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Leading K-pop boy band BigBang will be honored with postage stamps to mark the eighth anniversary of its debut, the state postal service and the group's management agency said Wednesday.
Three different versions of postage stamps with images of the band members will be released simultaneously in South Korea, China and Japan on Oct. 31, the Korea Post and YG Entertainment said.
The three versions will all have different designs, with the South Korean version including one gold stamp and five postcards, according to the agency.
The Japanese version has postcards along with stamps for commemorating the group's upcoming concert tour of five Japanese cities, while the Chinese one consists of stamps and commemorative coins.
"Those stamps were produced with new images of BigBang, which have not been unveiled so far," a YG official said. "They will also be a good present for fans as they can see the group's undisclosed images on the stamps."
BigBang is scheduled to perform in Nagoya on Nov. 15-16, the first destination of its five-city concert tour in Japan. (Yonhap)


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Attica Bank: Non-performing loans portfolio securitization and assignment of loan management
Attica Bank S.A. informs the investing public that, pursuant to the resolutions of the Extraordinary General Meetings of the Bank's shareholders of 14 December 2016 and 15 May 2017, the Bank has executed on Friday 30 June 2017 and Monday 3 July 2017 a securitization and transfer of a non-performing loans portfolio.
In particular, pursuant to Law 3156/2003, the Bank transferred a portfolio of defaulted loans (of an amount of approx. € 1,331.2 million) to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the name ARTEMIS SECURITISATION S.A. based in Luxembourg. In parallel, the SPV issued and transferred to the Bank a Class A bond of nominal value of Euro 525 million (Senior Note) and a Class B bond of nominal value Euro 806.2 million (Junior Note); the two bonds derive from the securitization of the above loan portfolio, in accordance with the provisions of Law 3156/2003, and are secured by a legal pledge on the loan portfolio.
Simultaneously, ARTEMIS SECURITISATION S.A. has assigned the management of this portfolio for 10 years to the company "THEA ARTEMIS - SOCIETE ANONYME FOR MANAGEMENT OF LOANS AND APPROPRIATIONS", which has been established by the Bank according to the provisions of Law 4354/2015, with the Bank maintaining the management of the loan portfolio for an interim period of 3 months, with the possibility of an extension for the same amount of time.
Furthermore, the Bank has agreed, subject to statutory approval by the Bank of Greece and under terms and conditions customary in such transactions, to transfer to a company belonging to the preferred Investor selected through an open tender, namely Aldridge EDC Specialty Finance:
a. 80% of the shares of "THEA ARTEMIS - SOCIETE ANONYME FOR MANAGEMENT OF LOANS AND APPROPRIATIONS" at their nominal value, and
b. the above Junior Note derived from the securitization for an amount of € 70 million, payable within one month from signing.
Upon completion of the aforementioned transaction, which, based on its terms, constitutes a true sale of a non-performing loans portfolio, the Bank may de-recognize these assets and recognize a profit of € 70 million which will be counted as TIER 1 in its capital and will fully cover the capitalization of the adverse scenario of the 2015 share capital increase.
The present announcement constitutes translation in English Language of the Bank's announcement in Greek Language dated 4-7-2017 (to be noted that the Greek text prevails in case of differentiations).


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Become familiar with your ebike!
Becoming familiar with your ebike!
For cyclists switching to ebikes
For cyclists who switch to ebikes, handling the support levels and checking the operating display is an unusual and therefore often underestimated requirement. On the other hand, there is this incomparable thrust when pedalling compared to a bicycle! This magical ease in locomotion! It could bring a confident smile to your face if you were more familiar with the ebike. Welcome, you've come to the right place!
Becoming familar with the ebike
With this course you will become familiar with your ebike and will be able to take advantage of the pedal-assisted biking as you want it to be.
Step by step, pedal stroke by pedal stroke
You approach ebiking step by step and pedal stroke by pedal stroke. Through the playful exercises and trying out the different operating modes, you will get a feeling for the many possibilities of the ebike. Soon we will be able to leave the training place and collect real ebike experiences in a traffic-free area in order to become even smoother on the ebike.
Personal learning is personal growth
That's why you take this course in "At sight" mode!
Course mode "At sight"
The ebike course is designed in "At sight" mode, i.e. you reserve only one double lesson at a time and decide whether you want to continue or whether your learning requirements have already been met. A double lesson costs 60,- €.
Course location easily reachable by subway at the Reichsbrücke bridge on the New Danube in Vienna
The course will take place on the left bank of the Neue Donau river in the immediate vicinity of the Reichsbrücke bridge in Vienna, where you can easily get by underground U1 or by car.
Individual training dates
The two-hour training dates can be arranged individually. On weekdays appointments are possible from 14:00 and on weekends from 8:00. Early risers can even enjoy magical early morning moments by booking appointments from 6:00 – 8:00 a.m.!
Ebikes can be rented if you don't come with your own ebike
Rent an e-bike at the bike rental,
if you don't have one!
Payment of course fees
The course costs of 60,- € per double hour will be paid after the respective date. It is also possible to make cashless payments with a Maestro or credit card or by prior bank transfer.
Your pre-registration is not binding
To sign up for the ebike course, please fill out the form below and submit your contact details. The City Cycling School will then get in contact with you in order to arrange the course dates and send you the summarized information about the ebike course. The pre-registration is not binding in any case. It becomes binding as soon as we have agreed on an appointment and you are ready to start the ebike course.
Questions & Answers
That would be ideal, of course! Your ebike should have working brakes, inflated tyres, an oiled chain and – if available – well adjusted gears. It goes without saying that the battery is charged and the electronics work, isn't it? f necessary, the bike mechanics of the bike rental can help you at our meeting point.
Three steps lead you to the ebike course:
1.) After your non-binding pre-registration the City Cycling School will inform you about the possible dates.
2.) As soon as we have agreed on a course date, you will receive the summarized information about your ebike course.
3.) Only then will your pre-registration become a regular registration and you are ready to start your ebike course.
As already described above, your cycling course will take place on the left bank of the New Danube at the Reichsbrücke bridge in Vienna. You can reach the exercise place comfortably by underground line U1, stop "Donauinsel" or by car, parking lot "Donauinsel". So it's only a few minutes walk away! In any case, you will receive the detailed directions including a sketch plan and Google Maps link during the pre-registration.
Yes, of course! The maximum group size is 4 persons and the best thing is that you can divide the course fee of 60,- € per double lesson among the attendees, because it stays the same. Simply enter the names of the second / third / fourth person in the remarks field when you pre-register for the ebike course!
You read correctly, there is also good bad weather, where you can learn to ebike without problems with appropriate clothing and we therefore – after prior arrangement – hold the course so to speak `despite the bad weather´. In case of badly bad weather we will reschedule the course in time!
Come as you are! You need closed shoes with flat heels and thin soles; long trousers suitable for movement protect your legs from abrasions; a light jacket prevents you from cooling off as soon as we take a break; if you have long hair, a hair band prevents them from falling into your face.
You read correctly: no need for helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, cycling shorts, safety vest, etc.


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ThinkSmart leverages its proprietary digital technology 'SmartCheck' together with its broad range of permissions granted by the Financial Conduct Authority, to create advantage for retailers, financiers and intermediaries.
We have an embedded culture of treating customers fairly and can offer a broad range of point of sale finance propositions for consumer and business leasing and loans and provides contract lifecycle management solutions. The company has established proven processes and operations which were designed to banking standards from inception with our joint venture with Halifax Bank of Scotland.
Using our regulatory expertise, we are able to manage the full lifecycle of point of sale finance propositions to serve both consumers and business customers.
ThinkSmart's platform is agile and customisable which together with our mobile app enables the company to serve customers through all key lifecycle stages, including: application, onboarding, in-life and end of term and retention.
Our proprietary system is proven and scalable in managing these key customer stages in high volume, low value sectors, where transaction values range from £250 to £15,000


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64 Step CV/ Gate Sequencer
SEEK is a 64 step CV/gate sequencer with legato and an accent output. The easy to use yet compact interface allows for quick sequencing of complex, carefully crafted melodies. The multipurpose reset input, multiple pattern options and algorithmically controlled randomness make it perfect for completely or partially generative patterns.
This Module is currently available.$299 Price in € submitted Aug 8th 2016, 16:55 by coppertraces | last Change Mar 11th 2017, 17:24 by coppertraces


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I've taken the opportunity this year to watch the AllianceTournament XI. It didn't interest me much last year because it's PvP and this time last year PvP was not something I considered. While I was a little disappointed in the results last week, this week is turning out to be much more entertaining. I enjoy watching E-Sports because it pertains to my area of interest. Physical sports aren't really my thing and I've watched quite a bit of tournaments involving Starcraft II, League of Legends, Dota II, various shooters, and other odd games that somehow made it onto the tournament scene. The metagame involved in all of these is different, but one thing they need to provide is entertainment.
While the teams/players participating in E-Sports tournaments have made a huge investment in time and perhaps money, their goal is to win. This sometimes results in a tried and practiced method being used over and over, which may eventually be adopted by other teams. I do not find seeing the same thing over and over very entertaining. CCP whether they knew or not has helped negate this trend by including bans in this tournament. From what I understand this is the first alliance tournament where bans have been introduced and I hope they consider keeping the format in the future. Also when I look at the fitting restrictions for this year's tournament it appears they are also eliminating or restricting modules which also cause boring matches.
From what I've seen so far it seems to be working. While bans weren't introduced in the first weekend there was still a nice variety of team compositions. Some of which did not do very well, though this may be the result of the matchup they went up against. There were also a few teams I would expect to have done a lot better than they did. Most of last weekend seemed to have been very one-sided and when an important ship is lost it looks to go downhill from there. This weekend has proved to be far more entertaining and I believe there were a lot more matches hanging by a thread than there were last week.
Several games I have seen tend to do a stagnation as the life of the game goes on. Starcraft II can be very entertaining to watch when a few of the players develop new approaches, after which it stagnates where most end up doing generally the same thing until a new innovator comes along. While I understand they are trying to win, that is not what's going to keep me watching.
So I'm interested to see how this alliance tournament will turn out and whether I'll continue to watch it. I wasn't able to find the rules for the older tournaments and so I don't know exactly which new rules were added for this one. But who knows I may go back and watch the VOD's of some of the older tournaments.


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The Rocketseed Blog
Thoughts, musings and opinions from all kinds of Rocketseed people across the world…
7 Questions IT managers ask about Rocketseed email signatures for Office 365
You're in IT. You're responsible for managing your company's Office 365 email signatures. And you're fed up. Fed up with the limitations...Read More
Want a snapshot of your email signature success?
That's the challenge of modern marketing campaigns. And when it comes to reporting results – that means data. But data overload can just end up making the 'noise' worse...Read More
The Parrot has landed!
From 1 October Rocketseed's Australasian business is re-branding as Parrot Digital and remains the exclusive reseller of Rocketseed email signature solutions in Australia and New Zealand...Read More
7 Internal marketing ideas to improve employee experiences
They're your two most important assets – your people and your brand. And how your employees experience, buy into, represent...Read More
Don't risk the temptation to tamper. Email signature security
Some signature providers make a big selling point of the fact that employees can see their signature on every email before they press send.Read More
GDPR – a process in its infancy with growing pains – or a big bulge?
Rocketseed as GDPR-compliant Processors have tackled some of the complex issues regarding indemnity and thus, through...Read More
7 Essential email banners to boost your business
Are you getting the most from the space on your email? Is every banner on your emails enticing real-time sales interaction? So maybe it's time to update your strategy and start mixing things up a little. Stand out...Read More
Don't get clicked out of the market
Ever suspected a competitor is trying to 'click you out of the market'? We have. And here's what we think about it…We're no strangers to clicks at Rocketseed. Everything we do is geared to generating...Read More
Your essential '10 Cs' checklist for choosing email signature software
Looking to introduce email signature software across your business? (and if you're not, you should be!). It can be a complex and confusing...Read More
Email disclaimers. Are you protected?
We've had a big surprise - the number of recent Rocketseed website visitors searching for email disclaimers! It seems that suddenly the short (and sometimes not so short) small-print...Read More


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San Joaquin River Restoration
In 1988, the Natural Resources Defense Council Coalition filed a claim under the Endangered Species Act, stating that the Friant Division's water contracts lacked an Environmental Impact Statement and that Friant Dam was not releasing enough water to keep the fish below the dam in good condition, putting it in violation of California Fish and Game Code Section 5937.
This eighteen year old lawsuit was resolved in 2006 when a settlement was reached between the NRDC Coalition, Friant Contractors and the Bureau of Reclamation to restore the salmon habitat below Friant Dam. The two stated goals of the settlement are to restore self-sustaining salmon populations to the San Joaquin River (Restoration Goal) and to mitigate impacts on San Joaquin River water users (Friant) due to the restoring of the river flows (Water Management Goal). In March of 2009, federal legislation was passed implementing the settlement, in addition to providing water right and other protections for downstream third parties such as the Exchange Contractors' landowners. Unilaterally, the settlement was to be implemented in two stages, beginning with interim restoration flows in 2009, and full restoration flows scheduled for 2014.
According to the settlement, Spring-Run Salmon are to be reintroduced to the San Joaquin River by December of 2012. The water release schedule called for water to be released from Friant Dam, ranging from 70,000 to 550,000 acre feet. In 2013, the first phase of river channel improvements were to be implemented, followed by the second phase of improvements in 2016. These will include both water releases and structural and channel enhancements. All improvements were planned to be completed prior to 2025.
It is evident that the initial implementation schedule was unrealisticlay ambitious, the financial cost of the program was grossly underestimated, mitigation measures were absent, and therefore the salmon reintroduction must be delayed until the Phase I projects and mitigation measures are completed. Based on these facts, even settling parties now realize a revised implementation schedule is necessary to provide a realistic road map for the implementation of the program and is due out sometime in 2012.
For more information please visit the San Joaquin RIver Restoration site: http://www.restoresjr.net/


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In a previous blog post on commercial security, we broke down the various equipment involved in business security systems. We've also written about the several features that businesses can add from an alarm monitoring standpoint.
Pictured above is a intercom substation with a built in camera, speaker and a call button.
Today, we'd like to discuss a specific tenant of business security systems—intercom systems—that can truly bolster a company's perimeter.
Intercom systems are often overlooked when businesses either build their security systems from the ground up, or when they upgrade. In many cases, many entrances to buildings are left open during business hours because the property is manned. It doesn't have to be this way.
Think about the layer of security an intercom system could add—especially when video is combined with the audio aspect. And security is not the only added benefit. Convenience and efficiency also come with the package since employees don't have to leave their desks to let visitors in.
The basic components of an intercom system at a business are a master station and a sub-station or door station.
The master station is typically located at the reception desk or in the office manager's office. It is capable of transmitting to any of the sub-stations, as well as receiving from them.
The substation, in a business situation, can be located at the entrance door. It is only capable of transmitting back to the master station (and of course receiving transmission from the master). It contains a call button that communicates with the master station.
Since it is often outside when it is at a door, the sub-station is usually both weatherproof and vandalproof, and is typically hands-free instead of being equipped with a handset into which people would speak.
Video vastly improves the functionality of an intercom system. Sub-stations can come equipped with a built-in camera. The employee at the master station can then use a monitor to further identify the potential entrant.
Some prefer the security camera to be detached and located above the entrance. Although sub-station units can contain wide-angle pan, tilt and zoom cameras, a separate pan, tilt and zoom camera in an elevated location is sometimes preferred to capture an even greater field of view and to make sure no one is hiding.
Not only does video help with identification, but it also helps prevent "piggy backing". This occurs when someone gets buzzed in and another person enters behind him without permission.
Due to IP video, images of potential entrants can be placed on the network and access can be granted or denied by employees at remote locations of the building or of the country for that matter.
If running wires is an issue for some businesses, wireless intercom systems can be the way to go. Some things to consider with wireless systems however are interference from wireless networks and the fact that conversations may be able to be picked up by another device outside the company.
Be sure to speak with a security integrator about adding intercom to your company's overall security plan. Businesses can invest thousands of dollars in access control systems and burglar alarms for off-hours protection, but thieves and wrongdoers still need to be prevented from entering freely during business hours.
Thanks for spending some time with us today.


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Daily Insights
Trade tensions cooling. China has resumed soybean purchases for the first time since tariffs were put in place, and more corn shipments could be next according to a Bloomberg report overnight. China also indicated it would provide greater market access to foreign companies, consistent with the Trump administration's goal to level the playing field. These developments follow reports earlier in the week that China would lower tariffs on imported autos, contributing to cooling tensions and increased optimism the two sides can find middle ground and reach a deal even as the conflict over the arrested Huawei executive escalates.
May survives but Brexit uncertainty remains. Theresa May won a no confidence vote, though by a narrow enough margin that her ability to push through her Brexit plan remains very much in doubt. Still, the result increases the odds of a market-friendly outcome: either an orderly exit or no exit at all, as opposed to a disorderly exit (so-called "hard Brexit"). Economic risk to the U.K. is high, but as the March 2019 deadline approaches, a deal becomes increasingly likely.
ECB threads the needle? Weaker growth in Europe was not enough to scare the European Central Bank (ECB), which announced this morning it will stick to its plan to end its asset purchase program this month despite expectations the central bank will lower its economic growth and inflation forecasts. The ECB also maintained its interest rate guidance to keep rates unchanged at least through the summer of 2019 but will reinvest maturing debt beyond that time frame. The message may be dovish enough for markets, but not too much so as to increase anxiety around the economic outlook.
Initial jobless claims fall. Weekly initial unemployment claims came in at 206K, below the 226K expected and last week's revised 233K. The four-week moving avg., a better gauge of labor market trends, also declined ~4K to ~225K after increasing nine of the past 10 weeks. Continuing claims (1661K) came in above expectations (1649K), but have trended lower this year and remain near year-to-date lows. Overall, the data suggest the labor market, and by extension the U.S. economy, remain in good shape.
Click Here for our detailed Weekly Economic Calendar
- Initial Jobless Claims (Dec. 8); LP: 234K
- European Central Bank Rate Decision
- Nikkei Japan Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary, Dec)
- Japan Industrial Production (Oct)
- China Retail Sales (Nov)
- China Industrial Production (Nov)
- Retail Sales (MoM, Nov)
- Industrial Production (MoM, Nov)
- Markit US Services PMI (Preliminary, Dec)
- Markit US Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary, Dec)
- Markit Eurozone Manufacturing PMI (Preliminary, Dec)
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual security. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted.
All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment.
Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments.
All company names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solitication of their products or services. LPL Financial doesn't provide research on individual equities.
All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.
To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor, please note that LPL Financial LLC is not an affiliate of and makes no representation with respect to such entity.
The investment products sold through LPL Financial are not insured deposits and are not FDIC/NCUA insured. These products are not Bank/Credit Union obligations and are not endorsed, recommended or guaranteed by any Bank/Credit Union or any government agency. The value of the investment may fluctuate, the return on the investment is not guaranteed, and loss of principal is possible.
Index data obtained via FactSet
For Public Use – Tracking #1-802434 (Exp. 12/19)


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A powerful show by the incomparable Gillian Welch left Melbourne fans stunned at the Palais Theatre on Friday night. Still showcasing an incredible talent, the musician left us entranced – check out Tony Proudfoot's photos from the evening!
Photo Gallery: C.W. Stoneking + Marlon Williams – Melbourne Zoo Twilights (05.03.16)
The Melbourne Zoo Twilights series has brought with it again, another incredible series and array of musicians, both local and interstate, to a surrounding unlike any other for some unforgettable evenings of live music. Last weekend's programming was no different, with ARIA winner C.W. Stoneking headlining the Zoo Twilights stage, with Marlon Williams on the bill too! Check out…Continue reading →


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Leeds – Chunk – CHICALOYOH + CHEVAL SCINTILLANTES + MARLO EGGPLANT – Thursday 7th April 2016
Was Ist Das? is teaming up with our dear friend Russell (aka Girl Sweat) to promote a show in Leeds under the banner of SWEAT IST DAS! CHICALOYOH: French artist Alice Dourlen makes music that is st…
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Write on any topic related to transgender dating - and other transgender issues
Budget $10-30 USD
Do you consider yourself to be knowledgeable about transgender dating and other transgender related topics?
We're seeking very articulate writers who have great knowledge to share about transgender issues.
Please note that we require newspaper-style and quality writing samples. We pay $1.25 per 300 word article. In our project, you get to propose what titles you write on.
14 freelancers are bidding on average $26 for this job
Hi, I can write about transgender dating and other transgender related topics? please share details regards Rashid.
As a specialist in Research-Based writing, the multitude of services I provide my clients truly knows no bounds. In fact, you might say I am a jack of all trades, as I am experienced in almost every field of writing More
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Hello dear, I can write excellent posts and articles for your blog or website. I am perfect this or a specific job, I have all the relevant skills and experience. To ensure you may check my profile and see my qualifica More
l can deliver according to requirements and within the specifications. I have excellent writing skills with no grammatical error.
I was live on LGBT environment meanwhile that I'm not the part of them. But, It's always nice to share something each other about experience.
I've B. A. in English language and have studies academic writing also been working on GBV and transgender issues with agencies including UNHCR and IRC.
Hallo? I am an inventive and proficient lecturer. I am also a competent and contrivance researcher. I have written hundreds of books which English language scholars candidly acclaim for publishing. I have also publishe More
" I read through the job details extremely carefully and I am absolutely sure that I can do the project very well."


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We support landowners in dealing with forest damage caused by wind and other weather events. By using our low impact forest machine, we ensure that the salvaging of trees is done in a most careful manner. We can then either help arrange sale of the logs or on-site production of lumber with a portable sawmill.
We also work in support of landowners who have had a recent a timber harvest and want the tree tops removed or cut into smaller pieces and made into wildlife habitat. We can also smooth out soil damage and re-open any access trails that have been blocked by timber harvest debris.


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I really thought I wasn't going to do a South African version of Supermarket Souvenirs, because what appeal could the local supermarkets possibly have to me after calling this place home for so many years? Would I be able to forget the countless hours I spent waiting in lines, grumpy salespeople who didn't know fish sauce from soy sauce, and kids in the check-out aisles fighting over small packets of chips & gummies? Apparently so because upon my first trip to Woolworth I almost caught a cold for spending 20 delightful minutes in the freezing aisles looking for cut heirloom veggies wearing nothing but shorts and flip-flops – my kind of Cape Town souvenirs!
After spending way too much money in under an hour this afternoon on numerous presents for myself and friends, I realized: I do still know (and appreciate) where to get the good stuff here. So while I'm using the term supermarket very, very loosely, I put together a few things you should get when you want something local and lekker, some true South African souvenirs that are not beaded or previously had eyes (looking at you zebra rug).
Cape Town Souvenirs
*Also, note, how I managed NOT to have my Cape Town souvenirs eaten by not one but two greedy bull terriers or have anything blown into the pool due to a strong South Easterly. I quickly did eat all the yoghurt covered nuts during and after the shoot so they wouldn't suffer, but that is neither here nor there…*
Enmasse linen spray
Enmasse is my favorite massage parlor in town. In fact, their shiatsus are so good that I once described them as "As good as a massage can get without a happy ending". Yup, that good. They have also cleverly started to bottle up the way the whole places smells: heavenly. You can now buy that heavenly smell as linen spray, mind you, I use the term linen loosely as in surely the clothes I'm wearing right now can be considered linen?! It has long been a staple gift between my friend Julia and I and I believe that with or without a massage voucher attached it makes the perfect little Mitbringsel for locals here or abroad. For the tea drinkers amongst you, check out their awesome selection of unusual tea mixtures as well.
Yoghurt covered nuts
If it's for sale at a store called Wellness Warehouse it can't be bad for you, can it? And especially not if it contains yoghurt, right? Mh, this might be the one exception, but honestly, their yoghurt covered mixed nuts are totally worth the illusion (also available as peanuts and raisins). They are my favorite fake healthy treat and a great alternative to your usual biltong or dried mango gift.
Victorian Garden
Another something I picked up from Wellness Warehouse is face oil and eye serum from Victorian Garden. Victorian Garden is a local, organic brand I have used and loved for a long time. I am a sucker for face oils at night and theirs have always been a favorite of mine. I have been eyeing the Revitalising Flower Therapy Facial Serum (I will admit the name is a mouthful) for a long time, but honestly, it was always a bit too pricey (ca. ZAR 250) while I lived here. Mind you the bottle is probably going to last me a year and now that I'm paying with a grown-up currency I have decided to give it a try. It's supposed to revitalize your skin completely overnight and whatever that may mean, I cannot wait to try it!
Dan Hugo is one of the world's most famous triathletes and a good acquaintance of mine due to some jobs we worked on together back in the day. He has started his own company of nut butters and spreads called ButtaNutt and I have become completely obsessed with them. In lieu of honey, I had bought the almond honey spread and fell in love with it. Now I am trying the Macadamia Coconut Rooibos because – how much better can it get?! I am telling myself to keep it closed until I fly home next week, but it has been very hard – I cannot wait to try it! If you wonder why you should be eating nut butter and such in the first place, I recommend you google Dan. If you end up looking like him for eating things like nut butter, I reckon they are worth their money…
Frazer Parfum
I have said it about her before and I will say it again: Tammy Frazer is a fragrance magician. If you don't want to deal with carrying her fragile handblown glass flacons or wooden jars with heavenly smelling shea butter, I recommend her Parfum Solide. Perfect for travelers and stay-at-homers and for you the gift giver as they are tiny and light. All of her fragrance 'chapters' are available as this solid perfume in either a tiny Protea Porcelain container or a carved African Blackwood wood box. Rarely was a smell that pretty too!
Watershed V&A Waterfront
If you are looking for an array of great South African souvenirs and artisanal products I recommend heading to the Watershed, Cape Town. While there is no shortage of markets in Cape Town the stalls are a bit more curated here. So while you will still find your good old beat work and yes, animal rugs, this is also a great place to score some local designer goodies. Look out for clothing brands like Mungo & Jemima, beautiful pottery from Wonki Ware and the awesome rope jewelry from Pichulik.
What are your favorite things to buy and take home in South Africa, any other Cape Town souvenirs I can add? I still have a few days left here so I'd be keen to find some more gems to add to the list.


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Today is the Fourth of July. Commenting on the day he believed would represent the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Founding Father John Adams stated:
"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews [sic], Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
Today we do as a nation celebrate the signing of our nation's birth certificate. Fireworks from coast to coast light our shores in commemoration to the deeds of the fifty-six men who affixed their names to the Declaration of Independence. But amongst the hot dogs and fireworks, do we remember what the Signer's cause was?
While the Signers believed the principles of their declaration were "self-evident," rooted in the immutable nature of God Himself, they made sure the world would know why the 13 colonies had chosen to become 13 States.
"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone…"
"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation…"
"For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies: For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments…"
"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."
As you read through the twenty-seven reasons set forth by the Signers, it become clear that they were concerned about preserving their very society from being stripped away by a tyrannical king who had already begun to wage war upon them. In subjecting their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the wrath of the British military forces, they acted as the protector's of posterity's future.
Continuing on, John Adams stated:
"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States."
And it indeed cost them toil, blood, and treasure. Many Signers lost all of their worldly possessions. Others lost their families in the struggle. Some of the Signers even died as a result of their stand against the King. While excessive taxation may not be a reason to give one's life, preserving their way of life for future generation was a cause worthy of death. Adams's concluding statement confirms such a perspective:
"Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph [sic] in that Days Transaction, even altho [sic] We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."
As I sit by a pool this Fourth of July, I enjoy the fruits of their labor. I also enjoy the labors of the American men and women who right now are far away from home on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. They give their lives just as the Signer did so that America will shine brightly into their children's future. I pray that we today will, like the Signers, never count our own pleasure so valuable as to purchase it at the cost of our children's future. Americans have always looked beyond to posterity. And I believe that they will continue to do so. May God bless these Unites States of America on this Fourth of July and may we always find ourselves "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…"
To learn about about all of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration, read the 1848 reprint, Lives of the Signers of the Declaration. Reprinted by Wallbuilders.


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Published on
Webtrends Summer Finale Fun Planner
There's sun. There's warm air. There's the unflinching desire to go DO something. Start now with this handy infographic. It's packed with helpful tips you really need to know. READY? We have all the data you need to plan the perfect vacation before summer is gone.


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Do you guys ever fall down the internet rabbit hole?
So- background. I love conspiracy theories. The wilder and more insane the more I love to read them, watch them on television and drunkenly argue them with my friends. Aliens. Black helicopters. Project paperclip and Area 51. My deep love of Welcome to Night Vale and my devotion to watching Ancient Aliens. My lurking on the Black Bag sub-blog. I do not (repeat- DO NOT) believe any of these ravings- I enjoy it as a form of fiction; like an alternate history. No, aliens did not build the pyramids as Egyptian power stations (but King Arthur didn't go questing for the Grail and nobody makes fun of a love of Arthurian legend)
Today, I was just fucking around on Pinterest (where, seriously you guys, my Pins are mostly rainbow crafts and knitting patterns. Also grown up coloring book pages, which I have decided I want to start doing. So i need to find good colored pencils that aren't necessarily Prisma-color nice)
But last night I had a weird dream and on a whim punched "ghosts" into Pinterest. Which led to a link for "The best ghost photos on the web" Which was attached to a site about- well all manner of paranormal and conspiracy type stories and weirdness, which led to a link about the Tangled/Frozen/Little Mermaid theory, which led to a site that was literally NOTHING but various and rather crazy pants theories about the connections in the Disney-verse.
I spent the last three hours of my limited life on that you guys. I am three hours closer to death, and the only thing I have gained is the knowledge that somebody in internet land thinks that Tarzan's parents are the shipwrecked/ stranded parents of Anna and Elsa.


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Hoosier Crafts
Regular price
The Manitoba Mirror is the perfect compliment to your Beaumont Dining Collection or just about anywhere.
About the Builder:
Hoosier Crafts has been blessed with a landscape abundant in trees. It is the fragrance and depth of colour of fresh-cut hardwoods that are the inspiration for their home furnishings...hand built and lovingly finished to add an element of natural beauty to any decor. Your heirloom-quality Hoosier Crafts pieces will last a lifetime and become family treasures passed from generation to generation.


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Serving all of Rhode Island with Offices in Warren and Providence
If you have been charged with First Degree Sexual Assault in Rhode Island, you are facing an extremely serious felony that will be vigorously prosecuted by the State. Whether you are being questioned, investigated or indicted for a First Degree Sex Assault, it is imperative that you contact an experienced Rhode Island sexual assault defense attorney immediately. Early intervention from a qualified attorney is essential if you intend to preserve your career, reputation and freedom.
Our Rhode Island sexual assault attorneys have the experience investigating, preparing and defending clients against charges of First Degree Sex Assault. If you have been charged, it is imperative that you contact a qualified attorney immediately.
What is First Degree Sexual Assault?
Commonly called rape, First Degree Sex Assault occurs in situations where the accused engages in sexual penetration of the mouth, vagina or anus of another and one of the following four circumstances exist:
- The accused uses force or coercion
- The accused uses concealment or surprise to overtake the victim
- The accused knows the victim suffers from some type of mental or physical incapacity
- The accused engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or stimulation
Due to the seriousness of these charges, First Degree Sexual Assault is one of the few crimes where your innocence does not matter. Unfortunately, the allegation alone is enough to derail your life and one misstep in the pretrial process can result in incarceration and registration as a sex offender.
Penalties for First Degree Sexual Assault
If you have been charged with First Degree Sex Assault, the penalties are severe and include imprisonment for ten (10) years to life, lifetime registration as a sex offender, and sex offender counseling.
These penalties can easily ruin your future, so start fighting your charges today by retaining a skilled Rhode Island sexual assault defense lawyer from our firm. Our attorneys are available 24/7!
Call today for a free and confidential consultation—(401) 245-5100.


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Hello Commanders,
Before I get started, please could I get this thread Stickied as for permanent use for new players!
Recently as you may be aware, I have set up a fansite for Invasion and hopefully to provide all the tools and guides players need to be using it on a regular basis.
For you new players and maybe some oldies here are a few guides!
Note, not all these guides are by myself and may be used from the Invasion forum or submitted from other players on the Invasion4You Fansite.
Start Up Guide: [CLICK HERE]
War Simulator Guide: [CLICK HERE]
Rebel Approaching: [CLICK HERE]
Formations: [CLICK HERE]
Capturing a Commander: [CLICK HERE]
**I will be adding more and more guides as they are submitted**
Thanks for reading!


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New! Studio Limited Deux.
Created for fans by fans. Selecting two beautiful fan-favourite Studio Limited (classic or coming to the site) notes perfect for layering; created here in the bottle so that you don't have to layer. Ready to wear. Expertly blended at the perfect ratio by our Master Perfumers. You can always add more of your SL Original perfume to create a deeper scent of your choice.
The Studio Limited Originals are perfumes created by Nocturne Alchemy built from the most beautiful perfume notes (and single notes), accords, resins and creations in our Studio and from around the world. Sometimes rare, often times luxuriant; Studio Limited is just that, perfume offerings that are limited due to their ingredients and availability. Individual Studio Limited Collection items will be available until sold. Perfumes are available in both 5mL amber bottle and cobalt blue 10mL bottle only, no samples are available. This Collection will continue to expand with new and exciting perfumes.
Studio Limited Deux
*NEW* Kashmir/Egyptian Musk
*NEW* Bourbon Vanille/Santalum
Blue Topaz/Santalum White
Patchouli/Vetiver (forthcoming SL Original)
More to come.
Ingredients can be found within the Studio Limited Collection: SL Originals. Two Studio Limited combined, no other ingredients.
In 5ml Amber bottle of 10ml Cobalt blue bottle. The glass dropper bottles also include orifice reducers, which allow for controlled product dispensing.


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Australia's recreational fishing sector is moving further offshore in pursuit of fishing opportunities, which places them in areas managed by the Australian Government. As recreational fishers are key stakeholders in marine management a better understanding of their motivations and values are required to effectively inform administration of the EPBC Act - such as effects on matters of national environmental significance - use of Australian Marine Parks (AMP) and Commonwealth managed commercial fisheries. Most recreational fisheries research is state based and we will both assess and contrast the general utility of existing state datasets from WA and NSW for quantifying recreational fishing in adjacent Commonwealth waters. At two case study sites – the Hunter and Ningaloo AMP – we will also test if state data can be downscaled to example areas of interest.
Across both States (NSW and WA), data will also be scrutinised for its utility to describe the recreational catch of a priority list of species suggested by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority: Yellow fin tuna, Striped marlin, Swordfish, Blue trevalla, Pink ling, Gummy shark, School shark, Eastern gemfish, Flathead (blue spot) and deepwater flathead. In addition to these desktop studies a field work component along Tasmania's east coast, which is adjacent to the well-established Freycinet Australian Marine Park, will trial a boat ramp questionnaire to determine recreational fishers understanding of management, values and uses of offshore areas. Finally, a novel low-cost ramp sensor method will be trialled in conjunction with the boat ramp interviews to determine total use across the field work period and peak timings for departures and returns of vessels.


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Day 2 of the Mirabai Expedition
I wake in Vrindavan.
I wake with two problems on my mind: money and food. I slept without dinner and no breakfast is available; and the day before, I tried two ATMs and both were out of money. So, with a mixture of hope and trepidation, I haggle for an auto and go straight to the ATM. The sound of the money dispensing is more delightful to me than all the temple bells in this moment. Even in a holy city like Vindravan, money is necessary.
From there I go directly to Govinda's Restaurant at the ISKCON Temple for breakfast. As it is an "ekadasi day" — a day without grains — I have a strange breakfast of fruit, juice, a mango lassi and kind of potato dosa. Then I have their thick herbal tea and a coconut laddu.
THE MIRABAI EXPEDITION is a cultural journey to follow in the footsteps of Mirabai, a 16th century poet and Krishna devotee. I undertook the expedition in October 2014 by travelling to all of the primary sites associated with her in India. It was made possible by an Explorer's Grant from Kensington Tours, as part of the Explorers-in-Residence program. To find out more about Mirabai, read Tracing the Myth of Mirabai.
With money in my wallet and food in my tummy, I feel so much better about life and about the day. These things do matter, and I don't agree with the spiritual people who turn their backs on embodied life. In Vrindavan, I find myself thinking that if all the effort that goes into prayer, darshan, and parikrama were put into cleaning up the city, creating an irrigation system so more plants and trees can grow, installing proper plumbing, sterilizing the stray dogs, educating all the children, and addressing all the other social and environmental problems, than you would have a much more lovely, harmonious Vrindavan — the kind in myth and legend.
But in the meantime, it's a very crowded, dirty, dusty place — no different to me than any other Indian town. I hail a bicycle rickshaw outside ISKCON and fall into the usual negotiations over the price. They say 100 rupees, which is two or three times the price that Indians pay. A young woman joins in and bargains one driver down to 50 rupees to take me to the Mirabai temple. He stops and buys two small bags of water from a street stall.
We ride through a long, narrow market area — it's fascinating to see the stores, the old buildings, some carved, and the crazy traffic jams. Bullock carts, a camel cart, every type of vehicle, all vying for space in a very narrow street. We pass tiny children playing and open-air barbers and groups of devotees walking parikrama in their bare feet. Finally, we get there. Because of the distance and the heat, and the man's advancing age, I decide to give him 100 rupees after all. He isn't sure whether I mean for him to keep it. I feel his sweetness and humility in my heart, I feel humbled.
Immediately on stepping through the old, rusty gate, and entering the small residential temple, I feel cooler and calmer. I love the feeling in this shady, airy house, full of light and greenery, painted pale blue and white. The bearded man appears, this time in a more priestly garb, a white robe trimmed in red, and we sit down to talk.
He gives me a piece of paper, tells me it's at least 45 years old, and that I should have it translated and copied. On it, he has carefully printed his name and address:
Praduman Pratapsingh,
Meerabai Temple
Govind Bagh, Vrindaban
Praduman tells me, in simple English, what's written on the paper, which is in Hindi. He goes through the main details of Meerabai's life, and how she was rejected by her husband's family because of her devotion to Krishna, her dancing and singing. This is why she came to Vrindavan — to find peace and to devote her life to Krishna.
Praduman's ancestor built this temple for her to live in, and she lived here for about 15 years. Apparently she wrote many poems in this temple. He continues to tell me her life story. Meerabai went from Vrindavan to Dwarka. While she was living in Dwarka, when she was about my age (around 50), there was a drought in Rajasthan. Some of her family members travelled to Dwarka to entreat Meerabai to return, but she refused. That night, according to Praduman, she dissolved in Lord Krishna — and the drought ended.
Praduman talks about Meerabai with conviction and enthusiasm, and though he must do this several times every day, he seems very passionate. He has an open face, large eyes, and he is very expressive. He is very accommodating to me, and shows me around the temple, poses for me and even opens the altar grate so I can photograph the statues. He tells me that he is the ninth generation of his family to be born here, and to maintain the temple. He has a son and daughter — they are the 10th generation (but his son is an artist and animator in Mumbai).
"People come here for peace, love and spiritual strength," Praduman says. "This is the real place of Meerabai. She lives in this temple. People who come here can feel Meerabai and Gopal (Krishna) in their hearts."
Though I am not a Krishna (Gopal) devotee, I do feel a light, happy atmosphere in this temple. It's a great start to my Meerabai expedition to find this lovely temple and this warm and helpful man.
Day 3: Moving on
I wake up on the third day of the Mirabai expedition feeling satisfied. Meeting Praduman and basking in the delightful energy of the Mirabai Temple is such a great start.
I'm also very grateful for the opportunity to stay at Gopinath Bhavan. It is a lovely red sandstone building, run by warm women, most of whom come from European countries such as France and Holland. They gave me a top floor room with a view of the Yamuna River, and the Parikrama parade. I slept very well on a simple bed, and had the luxury of an AC unit in my room.
Nevertheless, I find Vrindavan a difficult place. Very hot and dusty, menaced by grabby monkeys, stray dogs, wild pigs, cows and the natural substances they leave behind, and filled with auto drivers who try to extract maximum cash from foreigners as a matter of course.
Vrindavan in myth and legend is a fecund place of peace and harmony, a kind of garden-of-Eden where Krishna and his gopis (milk maids) cavorted in innocence, bathed in love. Vrindavan in reality cannot be further from this image. It must take enormous faith for the many devotees who flock here to feel the spiritual energy of this place.
I feel a bit bad about not feeling Krishna's energy in Vrindavan. But when I was discussing the Mirabai expedition with a woman I met at Gopinath Bhavan, she said it's great that I am giving attention to one of the female players in the Krishna story. So be it.
I am happy to move on.
I decide to leave early on my third day in Vrindavan. I have to be in Agra to take the train to Rajasthan at 5 p.m., so I make plans for a taxi to drive me there in the late morning. I consider seeing the Taj Mahal (for the third time), and decide to stop at the ITC Mughal hotel. I stayed here previously for a few days so it feels a bit like a homecoming.
I get a warm reception from Jyoti, the PR Director, who invites me for lunch with her in Peshawar, their signature restaurant. She offers me a room to get refreshed, and I swim in the pool, instead of seeing the Taj Mahal.
The Mirabai expedition takes an unplanned detour into luxury and it feels right, too. Mirabai was a princess who lived in a sumptuous palace before striking out on her own, to both escape the cruelty of her husband's family, and to follow the voice of her soul, the call of her devotion to Krishna. There is synchronicity in this visit too, as the ITC Mughal celebrates the era of Emperor Akbar — who visited Mirabai in disguise, and praised her talent and devotion, bestowing upon her a valuable necklace.
So, as Mirabai left her palace home, I have to leave the comfort of the ITC Mughal to brave the chaos of the Agra train station. Upon arriving by taxi, I try and negotiate a porter to carry my bags to the somewhat distant platform and help me find my berth, but the female (!) porter demand 350 rupees, probably three or four times the regular rate. Luckily, I never carry more luggage than I can handle in India, so I grab my bags and find my platform myself.
A broken heart, a spiritual journey
The train is late, but eventually it arrives, I find my berth and settle in for the journey to Ajmer in Rajasthan. I'm in a lower berth, in the second-class compartment. Though it is not that clean, the bathrooms are a bit scary and I am surrounded by Indian men burping and snoring, somehow I like taking the train in India. I like the gentle movement and knowing I am going somewhere fascinating — plus I like it better than driving. The roads in India are a chaotic obstacle course and you really do feel you are taking your life in your hands.
Somehow, the movement of the train makes me philosophical. I started out on the Mirabai expedition with feelings of sadness and vulnerability. I didn't like Vrindavan, I doubted my self and the expedition and I was missing my friends in Delhi.
I am wondering why am I travelling at all? Unlike Mirabai, I was not rejected and threatened by my family, though I did feel abandoned as a teenager after my parents divorced; and again after my parents died. But I still have my siblings and their families at home in Canada.
Heartache was one of the things that originally propelled my travels in India. Heartache also propelled my spiritual longing. But I think, perhaps, my heart is finally mending.
In Vrindavan, surrounded by bhaktis, I realized I want to live in the world. I don't want to reject the embodied experience. I like a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment, a touch of luxury, some jewelry and makeup.
Some of the women devotees in Vrindavan seem to delight in dressing up in saris and looking pretty, reminding me of Krishna's gopis; but others seem so thin and colourless, and I find myself concerned about them.
There must be a way to be spiritually aware and yet of this world. I would love to see spirituality and materialism come together, so that people increase their consciousness about daily life, about use of resources, garbage disposal, how we treat animals, the planet and each other; and also continue to enjoy the sensuality of life, and the aesthetics of art and nature.
I take out my iPad, to read The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux (perfect reading for a train journey in India). I'm on this train until I arrive in Ajmer at about 1:15 a.m. Though I have made careful plans, to have a reliable and reputable driver waiting for me on the train platform, it is always unnerving to arrive late at night at a train station in India.
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text: Insurance is typically one of the last things looked at by most financial advisors. Any sound financial plan must address insurances and protection planning. We ensure a lot of aspects of our lives…our life, our ability to generate income, our health, our businesses, our property, our liability, etc. When appropriately used, insurance can be a powerful and affordable tool. Whether it's merely for protection or for savvy wealth transfer to avoid taxes, insurances can offer protections and help preserve your legacy. Our licensed professionals can help educate you and inform you of your options.


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Hi ! I am currently a Gold elite member in Marriott and a,
1. Diamond Select member on Best Western
2. Platinum Elite member on IHG
3. Diamond member on Hilton
Would you consider giving me a Marriott Platinum Elite membership ?
Thanks & regards
Hi ! I am currently a Gold elite member in Marriott and a,
1. Diamond Select member on Best Western
2. Platinum Elite member on IHG
3. Diamond member on Hilton
Would you consider giving me a Marriott Platinum Elite membership ?
Thanks & regards
Hi there! Welcome to Insiders. You should give Marriott a call to see if they will offer you the Platinum Status Challenge. Calling Marriott is the only way to request this.
United States/Canada
1 801 468 4000 (8:15am - 9:00pm, Monday - Friday, US Eastern time)
1 800 450 4442 (toll-free, 24 hours/7 days per week)
Please note: the toll free number is an automated line.
60 3 2688 8080 (from Kuala Lumpur and Asia Pacific)
61 2 8298 5250 (from Australia)
8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday - Friday (Malaysia/Singapore local time)
8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday
(Malaysia/Singapore local time)
Closed Sunday
400 830 0250 (from Mainland China)
800 962 962 (from Hong Kong)
9:00am – 6:00pm, Monday – Friday (local time)
Europe/Middle East/United Kingdom/
South Africa
44 20 7012 7312
0699 508 6492 (from Germany)
+971 4 449 0841 (from UAE)
0-21-4276486 (from South Africa)
8:00am - 6:00pm, Monday - Friday (GMT)
9:00am - 5:30pm, Saturday (GMT)
10:30am - 7:00pm, Sunday (GMT)
81 3 5405 1513
9:00am - 6:00pm, Monday - Friday (local time)
Latin America/Mexico:
52 55 110 221 21
55 11 3069 2507 (from Brasil)
8:00am - 8:00pm, Monday - Friday (local time)
9:00am - 2:00pm, Saturday (local time)
Closed Sunday
And check out seatexan's Platinum Challenge thread
Also, you may have luck getting the match without a challenge. Ask C
You status in other programs probably won't provide anything for you, unless the other program was SPG and you were Platinum there. 2 of your 3 statuses can be achieved simply by holding a credit card (IHG & Hilton) and paying the annual fee. And your Gold Marriott status can be achieved with holding a credit card (in the 1st year) and credit card spend (as well as other ways), and Marriott is trending toward no status matches at all (and has been for a couple years), especially in this pre-combined program unification period.
Marriott most likely will not give you Platinum Elite status, regardless of your stated statuses (I doubt right now they care about anyone having other statuses in other programs as they probably feel they are the industry leader - and they probably are right now), but you do have a couple options to achieve Platinum status:
With over 110 million rewards members, Marriott probably would love to have each and every person they can get, but also probably know they can't get them all, and don't need them all. Hopefully you can find an option though that gets you to Platinum!
o0o0o0o0o0o...points! don't forget to add to the list that members earn Platinum status by completing only 25 nights with SPG (1 night per stay)