text:
PLEASE READ: Policy on Community Conflict - Printable Version
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Policy on Community Conflict - MosaicMinds - 05-12-2012
In a community as diverse as ours there will undoubtedly be personality or other clashes between community members, or perhaps between community members and a member of the Administration Team. Mosaic Minds would prefer that conflicts between individuals be resolved between themselves. In the rare instances where that may not be possible, the grievance policies stated below may help.
Questions about Posts Removed
Should you require a further explanation of the reason for the removal of a post than what was noted when the post was removed, the first step would be to contact the admin who removed the post. An email address should be left on all "post removed" notifications. Should the explanation given not be satisfactory to you, you and the admin who removed the post would then each ask one other admin to review the post in question and offer their interpretation and opinion. The final escalation would be to contact the Board of Directors to request a policy review.
Conflicts between Community Members
Within the community there may be conflicts involving two or more community members at times. When this occurs, it is necessary to resolve these conflicts via private communications. The public forums are not the place to raise these issues. You, as a community member, have a right and a choice to communicate or not with any other community member. You may request that another community member not post to you; however, it is the responsibility of the parties involved to honor that agreement. Should your request not be honored and the other party does post to you in an appropriate manner, you have the option of adding that party to your 'Ignore List' found in your User CP. However, you need to keep in mind that these are public forums where all members are welcome to respond appropriately within any thread. Mosaic Minds enforces a zero tolerance policy with regards to harassment of any community member.
Conflicts between Community Member and a specific Admin
Should you feel that you are being singled out for unfair treatment by a member of the Administration Team, the first step would be to contact the admin in question via email. Should you not be able to resolve the conflict in this manner, the next step would be to request the intercession by another admin of your choosing -- again, using email.
We realize that Mosaic Minds will not meet the needs of all survivors and/or supporters. There are many sites which offer similar community forums. We would suggest that you research those other communities, should you find that Mosaic Minds does not meet your needs.


text:
Matthew Frise
I am a Lecturer at Santa Clara University. My scholarly work focuses on memory as it pops up in epistemology, cognitive psychology, and the philosophy of mind. I'm also interested in Ancient Greek philosophy, biomedical ethics, ethics, logic, and philosophy of religion.
Recently I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Baylor University and a Dissertation Fellow at Saint Louis University. I received my PhD in philosophy from the University of Rochester in May 2015.
My research has been published in such journals as Philosophical Studies, The Philosophical Quarterly, Synthese, American Philosophical Quarterly, Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, and Erkenntnis.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Rest in peace, W.S. Merwin
I became hooked more than 30 years ago, the first time I encountered his poems in The Carrier of Ladders. It was beautiful, stunning, strange. Sad to hear Merwin has moved on. As for the rest of us, well …
We continue
by W S Merwin
For Galway Kinnell
The rust a little pile of western color lies
At the end of its travels
Our instrument no longer.
Those who believe
In death have their worship cut out for them.
As for myself we
An old
Scar of light our trumpet
Pilgrims with thorns
To the eye of the cold
Under flags made by the blind
In one fist
Their letter that vanishes
If the hand opens:
Charity come home
I'm struttin' my stuff, y'all …
¡Vamanos Pens!
(This is my last installment in El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary. I left sooner than planned due to family issues and realized I'd never posted this final entry. If you want to read El Gringo Feo from the beginning, start here.)
October 26, 2018 — Sadness at leaving. No howlers this morning. Even the agouti is scarce. But as I'm feeling sorry for myself, a blue morpho butterfly drifts past. I've seen them only 8 or 10 times in the 3 months I've been here. An omen? The skies are blue. Well, at least by Uvita rain-season standards, and I had an incredible pasta dinner at Gian and Sara's last night, including time to play with Misha and her Kong toy. I was the human Kong.
There are tears in my eyes as I depart. Uvita has been good to me. I'll be back. Thanks to Jeff and Lauri for trusting me to keep an eye on the place for the past three months.
Later, while killing time in the tourist shops at the airport, I spot a gorgeous blue morpho butterfly dried and mounted for display. It supposedly was "farm raised." Whatever the fuck that means. I decide to pass. Having a dead one hanging on the wall just seems so weak compared to seeing a real one whirling through the wild.
While I'm standing in the passport control line at the airport in San Jose, I notice a guy in front of me is wearing a Penguins shirt.
¡Vamanos Pens! I yell.
He spins around and instantly starts talking about last night's game. He's going to a game on Tuesday night. I ask him where he's going.
Columbus. Same as me.
Turns out he's heading down to the infamous Athens Halloween party. He had a place in Chillicothe for a while but it wasn't doing it for him so now he's trying Costa Rica.
Small world indeed.
El día de los muertos
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Friday, October 26
"Only against death does man cry out in vain."
— Malcolm Lowry
At this time of year, my mind wanders the streets of Urubamba in Peru's Sacred Valley. I brush past the spirits of Incan warriors who roamed the area centuries ago until I come to a heavy wood door secured by an imposing padlock.
I enter after being granted access by Hernan, who grew up here. We come to a second door, which opens into a courtyard lush with corn, herbs, tomatoes and clucking poultry. But before we enter this domestic Eden, I look up and spot several human skulls perched on a shelf above the doorway. They are surrounded by fresh flowers, chicha corn beer and other tributes from the living to the dead.
I'm taken aback to learn these are Hernan's ancestors. The skulls aren't clay replicas. They're the bony remains of real people. In return for the humble offerings surrounding them, they guard the home from threats physical and spiritual. Perhaps that's why Lobo, the German shepherd padding along behind us, seems unperturbed by the presence of a strange Gringo. Hernan's ancestors have the situation under control.
It's disconcerting to be in such close proximity to the dead, to have them occupying the same space as the living. But as the writer George Saunders has said, the dead are always with us, "whispering lovingly or harshly" in our ears. "We all carry dead people around with us, and we carry the prospect of our own death around with us."
We all navigate this confrontation with mortality in different ways. I take great comfort in the approach I've encountered during my travels in Latin America, where life and death aren't segregated to separate spheres. T.S. Eliot called April the cruelest month, for it reminds those of us plodding through middle age that the passion Spring once provoked in our youth is far behind us, beyond our reach. Perhaps October, then, is the most bittersweet month. The Autumn days tick down toward Winter, and El Día de Los Muertos awaits us at the gateway to November. This holiday is much more than candy skulls and dancing skeletons. It's a time to pause and reflect fondly on those who are with us only in memory and to remember that we inevitably will join them on the other side. There's a tinge of sadness in this, but it's also life-affirming and conjures a flood of wonderful memories.
Life lessons in a cemetery overlooking the Mon Valley
"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity. "
— Edvard Munch
I've been meditating on the Monongahela River valley during my time here in Costa Rica. I'm working on a book that's steeped in the smoke and fire and cacophony of the steel mills that dotted the river. I remember drinking beer perched high on a hill overlooking the Homestead Works and Carrie Furnace back in the late '70s when I was a feckless teenager, marveling at the furious orange glow pulsing down below, never fully ceding the valley to night.
When I return to Pittsburgh, I always make time to stop at the Braddock Catholic Cemetery to visit my childhood buddy, Jimmy Shogun. Twenty-nine years ago we carried him there and lowered him into the ground. That was the first time death sucker punched me, beating back, at least momentarily, my cocksure belief that I was eternal.
Shog, as we affectionately called him, was my next-door neighbor growing up in Braddock Hills. We played street hockey together, fought each other, competed on rival Little League teams and attended the same college, Edinboro University. Shog always stood by me, even when I alienated many of my other childhood friends with a college-boy's arrogance fueled by strange ideas, new musical tastes and non-Yinzer influences. "Benzy, you egghead!" he'd chide, shaking his head, grinning broadly and giving me a shove stiff enough to get my attention but not hard enough to knock me down. He was a big guy, Lunk Yargish, as one friend referred to him. There's a massive hole in my life where Shog once stood. He died in October 1989, just a few months after I married Lara. I remember bawling like a bullied child as we carried his casket to that plot with a sublime view of the Mon, taking a modicum of consolation in the fact that Shog had met Lara when I brought her home that summer to introduce her to friends and family before our marriage. Shog and Lara hit it off immediately. I saw that as a benediction of sorts, his blessing of my marriage and my post-Pittsburgh life.
I think of Shog often. I have his picture within view of my favorite reading spot at our house in Athens. The approach of Dia de Los Muertos always conjures images of us launching Big Wheels off ramps and building shacks in the woods. The big guy lives on as long as I draw breath.
The dead are always with us. Sometimes, they send us postcards.
"His soul swooned softly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."
― James Joyce, 'The Dead'
During my most recent visit to Mexico City, I met Alex Dorfsman, an artist who lived upstairs from the AirBnB Lara and I rented in the Condesa neighborhood. He invited us up to his apartment, where we sipped herbal tea and listened to classical music in his bright, uncluttered apartment lined with book shelves that sagged under the weight of myriad art and photography books. We talked about a wide range of topics, including how social media is having a chilling effect on letter writing and other more calculated forms of communication. Alex focused his curious, intense green eyes on me as he told me about his latest project, Correspondencia, which he was working on with a local yoga studio. Participants were encouraged to pick up one of his art cards, fill it out and send it to someone, anyone. He gave me five of them, which I promptly addressed and sent to friends back in the States.
I couldn't help but think my friend Barb Page was looking down from the great Copy Desk in the sky, smiling as we had that conversation in Mexico City. Barb loved to travel, and she always detailed her adventures in a swarm of postcards that would arrive in clusters. The narrative flowed from card to card, and each was numbered so I could reassemble them in order to read the message. Sometimes it would take weeks to assemble the verbal puzzle, but it was always worth the effort. Our friendship was punctuated with postcards. They came from Europe. From James Buchanan's homestead in Pennsylvania. From New York City. From Albuquerque. From thrift shops. It was always a delight to receive this stream of smart, encouraging, literate correspondence.
Barb ventured to the other side in 2011. I'll never forget the winter evening when she called to tell me she was ready, that she was going to refuse to be connected to machines that kept her alive. She'd had a nasty fall, which resulted in a broken hip and a domino effect of health problems. Her eyesight was going. I was disembarking from a Metro Bus in Washington, D.C., and as I walked the four blocks to our rental house in the Brightwood neighborhood Barb broke the news to me. I wanted to argue, to protest, to insist that she reconsider. But I knew Barb. She didn't do anything without a lot of thought. So instead I listened, tears streaming down my cheeks as I approached the house. As a young, cocky copy editor I learned a hell of a lot from her during the time we sat side-by-side at The Albuquerque Tribune, the greatest paper I ever had the honor of working for. Through the years, we never lost touch. Sometimes our communication was a tenuous trickle of postcards. Other times it was random gifts we sent each other. Best of all were the out-of-nowhere phone calls, where I filled her in on my latest life updates and received thoughtful advice and encouragement. She always seemed so filled with wonder and amusement at my antics. Her approval buoyed me like the praise of a parent.
The Tribune closed years ago, another death in the family. It lives on in the memories of those of us who thrived there, and so does Barb. I'm confident she's sitting there at the copy desk, trying to get the hang of whatever new technology the afterlife has dropped in front of her and making some post-mortem reporter's prose sparkle.
A Boogie Down Production
Heaven and Earth are heartless
treating creatures like straw dogs
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5
Few losses in my life were more heart-breaking that Lynn Rawlings' premature death. She and Lara were best buddies in college, a friendship I had the privilege of piggybacking on during my Birmingham years. Everyone called her Boogie, a nickname she earned in college. I remember the pain in Lara's voice when she called to tell me Lynn had died. I was in some soulless hotel room in Atlanta, suffering through another in an endless series of business trips. I cried all night, unable to come to grips with the news.
Some of my most outrageous times in the Deep South were punctuated by Boogie's infectious laughter. We were together at Honey for the Bears, an after-hours dive bar in Montgomery, Alabama, when I talked a gun-totting idiot into stepping out in the parking lot to talk, where I slowly, gently convinced him to put the gun away. I plucked her out of the Alabama River when she overestimated her limited ability to swim on a crushingly hot day. And she was the maid of honor at our wedding. I've never been so sad as when I sat behind Boogie's children at her funeral, wondering what would become of them in a world devoid of their mother's love. But Boogie lives on. Her daughter is still a key part of our lives. She's a police officer in Alabama and comes up to Ohio about once a year to visit us and remind us that her mother lives on in our memories.
Finding transcendence in a band of humans
I ain't no Sylvia Plath
I ain't gonna die never
— Phil Pollard, 'Sylvia Plath'
I learned Phil Pollard had died when Lara and I were in to Mexico City to celebrate the Day of the Dead at San Gregorio Cemetery, surrounded by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Mexicans gathered around the graves of their loved ones to celebrate their lives. I'd been playing hide and seek with the dead since we landed in Mexico City. News of Phil's death hit me hard.
I wouldn't say I knew Phil. My relationship with him was like a pebble skipping across Knoxville's night life. He was one of those defining personalities of our years there, keeping the beat for Sara Schwabe's Yankee Jass Band and numerous other musical endeavors, including his eclectic, electrifying Band of Humans. He and Sara played our Christmas party on several occasions.
"We're all having a little funeral in our souls right now, too," Knoxville's Matt Morelock wrote on his Facebook page after Phil died. "He'd reject the mourning and admonish us to celebrate and get off the damned computer and do somethin' freaky! I think it's our duty now. I'm going skinny dipping in broad daylight."
Yes. Exactly. Mexico City was my skinny dipping in broad daylight. The flamboyant colors. The persistent DayGlo presence of the deceased. No time for a funereal remembrance of things past. This was a rave.
During a subsequent trip to Mexico City, I bumped into Phil again while watching the frenzied subsonic celebrations of Aztec drummers and dancers near the Zócalo. He lives on in every drum beat of every song I listen to.
Fallen Alpinians and other friends gone but not forgotten
With all darkness closin' in
Will the light reveal your soul
Yes one sweet kiss on your clay cold lips
I'll know sleep you'll never know
Where do we go, where do we go
Where do we go from here
— UFO, 'Rock Bottom'
A frightening number of my high school and college friends are no longer with us. I remember them fondly. I remember hanging out in the rocky parking lot of Alpine, a dilapidated ice rink in suburban Pittsburgh. Shog was there. And Bilson and Glenmo. Carmine roared through occasionally in his revved up Datsun 280Z. Micki Simko showed up more than a few times. A beautiful breeze that made those Pittsburgh summer nights shine. I learned so much in that place, at that time. Those of us who survive serve the memory of those who departed much too soon. They ring as true as the notes of a Michael Schenker guitar solo.
Canines I have known and loved and lost
King went a-howlin' after a deer
Wasn't scared of jumpin'
off the truck in high gear
King went a-sniffin'
and he would go
Was the best old hound dog
I ever did know
— Neil Young, 'Old King'
Mitzie, the dog who brightened my childhood and never lived up to her alleged Britany spaniel pedigree but was my constant companion; PigPen the black lab/golden retriever cross who emerged from the dust in Algodones, New Mexico, and won his name on the way home while we listened to a bootleg tape of the Grateful Dead's Ron "Pigpen" McKernan howling the blues at the Filmore East; Crystal the cocker spaniel, daughter of Brandy, another dog I loved and lost during the Birmingham years; Fluffy, a poorly socialized chow cross, unpredictable, snappy, but fiercely loyal to me; Kesey, a tired old collie abandoned at a Tennessee park and rescued on the day Ken Kesey died; Ozzy, another dumped Tennessean who won our hearts and was stuck with the name of a bat-eating metal maniac he had nothing in common with; Gilligan, a black and tan coonhound found emaciated, frenetic, plagued with worms, craving a pack to join on the day Bob Denver died; Xena, the Newfoundland who lumbered into my life and never left, still roaming my dreams whenever water is the central theme; Mully, a frustrating adrift Maltese we took in when Boogie passed.
We continue
by W S Merwin
For Galway Kinnell
The rust a little pile of western color lies
At the end of its travels
Our instrument no longer.
Those who believe
In death have their worship cut out for them.
As for myself we
An old
Scar of light our trumpet
Pilgrims with thorns
To the eye of the cold
Under flags made by the blind
In one fist
Their letter that vanishes
If the hand opens:
Charity come home
And finally, a few words from the Grateful Dead. Perhaps now I understand the grateful part of their name …
There comes a redeemer
and he slowly too fades away
There follows a wagon behind him
that's loaded with clay
And the seeds that were silent
all burst into bloom and decay
The night comes so quiet,
and it's close on the heels of the day
— Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia, 'Eyes of the World'
Return of the howlers
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Sunday, October 21
I've been struggling mightily with a section of The Book, and yesterday morning I started to hit stride, making more progress than I had in a few days.
Then the howlers showed up. Monkey business ensued.
I noticed two of them in a tree about 25 feet from where I was writing. They've been scarce since the days became bloated with rain, and I guess yesterday's nice weather convinced them it was time for a feeding frenzy. I still act like a little kid at the zoo every time they come around, so I promptly abandoned my computer and went over for a closer view of what turned out to be a mom and baby munching leaves and seed pods from a tree about 15 feet above me. They seemed completely unfazed by my presence.
That's when I noticed two more. In the same tree. And three more in a nearby tree. The sound of dropping leaves and branches prompted me to spot another handful making their way toward the bar area of PurUvita. Within 15 minutes about 15 or 20 of them emerged, hanging out in the nearby trees.
So much for momentum on The Book. But I did get to spend a quiet hour watching the monkeys move gracefully through the trees, and the alpha male even unfurled a magnificent series of howls. That's the first time I've actually seen one screaming. Very impressive. Even cooler, there apparently was another band of them over behind La Jungla Ferretería (The Jungle Hardware store), so their alpha started shouting back at our guys.
I also had a really strange coatimundi encounter on Friday. I was in the Treehouse reading Jennifer Egan's incredible "A Visit from the Goon Squad" when I heard a racket that sounded like the distress call of some bird that had been nabbed by a predator. When I hobbled out onto the deck to see what was up, I saw a swarm of coatis hopping around in an extremely agitated manner. There were easily 15 or 20 of them, and as I watched closely I realized there was a larger, darker one who was the center of their ire. I assumed it was a male, and it wasn't backing down. I pulled up the Wikipedia entry on coati's and found this:
Males over two years become solitary due to behavioural disposition and collective aggression from the females and will join the female groups only during the breeding season.
I'm betting that's what was going on here. They're a lot like raccoons, and they can be just as fierce. After snarling at each other for a while, the entire pack ran in unison up the hill and disappeared into the jungle.
Last night, I took Gian and Sara out to dinner at a wonderful Mexican place here in Uvita to thank them for their help and friendship. If you ever find yourself in Uvita, I highly recommend Carlito's, especially the shrimp enchiladas and the pineapple margaritas with jalapeńos. ¡Que sobrosa!
This morning, I decided to take the steadily improving ankle for a test drive. I toyed with going to the beach but opted instead for a walk up to the top of the property, which I figured would be lower impact. Th ankle did well and the view was breathtaking. I'd forgotten how much I love it up there.
Banana update: I'm not sure I see a lot of difference sine the last photo, but they do seem to be doing well. I suspect they'll be ready after I'm gone. Something for Jeff to look forward to …
The scorpion's failed attempt at revenge
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Thursday, October 18
I made my weekly run to el supermercado today, and as is my custom, I locked up my valuables in the bodega, a secure, gated part of PurUvita, before I set off to torture the Ticos with my mangled Spanish. I have the key to that area hidden on site, tucked in a magnetic key holder that's attached to a strategically located piece of metal.
I'm of a paranoid nature (see above), so I always take a good long look into the crevice where the key is stashed before sticking my hand up in there to dislodge the magnet. Never know who might have decided to call it home since the last time I checked in.
When I returned from the market, bristling with enough food to last me a week or so, I looked up into the crevice, and retrieved the key. But I noticed something way up in there, a bit farther back, that I thought might be those odd pods that contain spider eggs. So when I went to return the magnetic key holder I carried my trusty broomstick, stuck it in there and gave it a quick stabbing motion.
A bad-ass scorpion promptly plummeted to the ground, no doubt kith and kin to the one I encountered and terminated in the kitchen not too long ago. I proceeded to bash the bugger with my broomstick until it stopped moving, which took a surprising amount of violence. After I swept him off the patio and into the jungle, I got ready to put the key back in its hidey-hole, and paused. Maybe not. I now have a new location. Just as concealed but easier to assess before I stick my paw in there like a drunken bear digging for honey …
Anyone who has Suffered the Benz knows what an insufferable creature of habit I am.
- Evidence, exhibit 1: When I go in to the supermarket, I always stop for lunch at a place called Sibu, which has been consistently excellent. Today was no exception. I had their Sibu salad and a red snapper burrito that were superb, as well as a papaya-banana smoothie. As an added benefit, there were several dogs milling around, including one Gian once told me is a fixture around town. She came up to let me pet her and then went on her rounds, showing no interest whatsoever in the salad I was shoveling into my mouth. But when that snapper showed up, she suddenly materialized in front of me. Smart dog. I also see her ranging around the parking lot in front of Sibu at times, and she's clearly street smart. That stretch of the Costanera Sur is almost always congested, and the truck drivers like to barrel through as if it's a stretch of Kansas Interstate.
- Evidence, exhibit 2: After lunch, I always swing over to the catercorner side of the intersection, trying to be as traffic-aware as my canine friend, and buy a kilo of mamon chino from a guy who sets up there. That 1,000 Colones (about 2 bucks) is the best money I spend each week. So I'm sitting here cracking those buggers open and eating them like a hungry howler as I write this. I love market day.
- Evidence, exhibit 3: As I hopped out of the taxi (a crewcab white Toyota pickup, more accurately) my driver, Michael, grinned and said, "¿Hasta la próxima semana, no?" (Until next week?). Sí, hasta la próxima semana. Like clockwork.
This morning was gorgeous, which was much needed after the ceaseless rain we've suffered. The howlers were in full flail and the jungle was buzzing with yellow flycatchers and a bunch of blue, finch-like birds I couldn't ID. The agouti were out, foraging for scraps of papaya I'd tossed them earlier. I flock of parrots flew high overhead, chattering noisily, paired up, maybe 20 or so total, and I heard a macaw or toucan somewhere out in the jungle, but I didn't get a look. Several insanely beautiful butterflies flittered through. It was sublime.
When I returned from the store it was cloudy, but I still managed to steal an hour or so in the hammock before a light rain started to fall, chasing me inside to read Isaac Asimov's I, Robot on my Kindle. But several hours later, as I write this, the relámpagos y truenos are raging, the rain is falling and the electricity is being incredibly fickle, flashing on and off, pitching me into sporadic bouts of blackout. It's amazing how inky it gets here when the lights fail. Really eerie with the lightning illuminating the jungle in flashes like a B horror movie.. When the lights die, the glow of my computer screen becomes a magnet for swarming insects. And when the electricity comes back up, bats zigzag through to snatch the bugs that regroup around the restored lights. The bats don't bother me at all. They come and go all evening while I type. I'm assuming one of them is BatBoy, who spends his days snoozing above the doorway of the Treehouse. I always stop to say hi to him when I'm coming and going. I'm sure he's told his comrades I'm cool, for a human.
Oh well, light or dark, rain or shine, at least I have my mamon chino.
Last, but certainly not least, Happy Birthday, Lara Edge. I can't put into words how much I miss you or how utterly happy I am to have you in my life. I love you. Only two more weeks and we'll do Costa Rica in a more decadent way than the Tarzan life I've been leading for the past two-and-a half-months …
Who'll stop the rain?
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Wednesday, October 17
It's been raining nonstop for 36 hours here in Uvita. So I figure if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
As long as I remember
The rain's been comin' down
Clouds of mystery pourin'
Confusion on the ground
Good men through the ages
Tryin' to find the sun
And I wonder, still I wonder
Who'll stop the rain
— Credence Clearwater Revival
It's Raining In Love
I don't know what it is,
but I distrust myself
when I start to like a girl
a lot.
It makes me nervous.
I don't say the right things
or perhaps I start
to examine,
what I am saying.
If I say, "Do you think it's going to rain?"
and she says, "I don't know,"
I start thinking : Does she really like me?
In other words
I get a little creepy.
A friend of mine once said,
"It's twenty times better to be friends
with someone
than it is to be in love with them."
I think he's right and besides,
it's raining somewhere, programming flowers
and keeping snails happy.
That's all taken care of.
if a girl likes me a lot
and starts getting real nervous
and suddenly begins asking me funny questions
and looks sad if I give the wrong answers
and she says things like,
"Do you think it's going to rain?"
and I say, "It beats me,"
and she says, "Oh,"
and looks a little sad
at the clear blue California sky,
I think : Thank God, it's you, baby, this time
instead of me.
— Richard Brautigan
Bleak House
London. Michaelmas term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln's Inn Hall. Implacable November weather. As much mud in the streets as if the waters had but newly retired from the face of the earth, and it would not be wonderful to meet a Megalosaurus, forty feet long or so, waddling like an elephantine lizard up Holborn Hill. Smoke lowering down from chimney-pots, making a soft black drizzle, with flakes of soot in it as big as full-grown snowflakes — gone into mourning, one might imagine, for the death of the sun. Dogs, undistinguishable in mire. Horses, scarcely better; splashed to their very blinkers. Foot passengers, jostling one another's umbrellas in a general infection of ill temper, and losing their foot-hold at street-corners, where tens of thousands of other foot passengers have been slipping and sliding since the day broke (if this day ever broke), adding new deposits to the crust upon crust of mud, sticking at those points tenaciously to the pavement, and accumulating at compound interest.
— Charles Dickens
Rain Travel
I wake in the dark and remember
it is the morning when I must start
by myself on the journey
I lie listening to the black hour
before dawn and you are
still asleep beside me while
around us the trees full of night lean
hushed in their dream that bears
us up asleep and awake then I hear
drops falling one by one into
the sightless leaves and I
do not know when they began but
all at once there is no sound but rain
and the stream below us roaring
away into the rushing darkness
— W.S. Merwin
That coatimundi munched my pineapples
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Monday, October 15
When I returned from my trip to the States, I went over to the pineapple plants to harvest one since I knew they'd be really ripe. That's when I realized someone had munched an entire pineapple, leaving only the nub still attached to the plant. My first suspect was that massive iguana who hangs out in the parking area.
I went down to open the gate for Gian, who was coming by to take me to refill the propane tank that fuels the stovetop and I saw a coatimundi bolt from the pineapple plants and bound over the fence. The raccoon-like bastard had started working on another ripe, delicious pineapple. So I picked two others that he hadn't gotten to yet and then pulled the one he'd started working on, cut away the part closest to where he'd been munching and diced it up for myself. It briefly ran through my mind that maybe the critter had rabies or something, but screw it. I'll teach him to mess with my pineapples, even if it leaves me foaming at the mouth and fearing water. I tossed what was left where the agouti hang out, and they were quick to find it and finish it off.
Overall, I took it easy yesterday. I'm going to return to my work on The Book this morning, but I wanted to take a day to decompress. Unfortunately, I started reading John Kenneth Turner's Barbarous Mexico, which is thoroughly depressing. Turner was a socialist muckraker who traveled to Mexico several times in 1908 to report on conditions under the Porfiriato. He poses as a Gringo with millions to invest in the de facto slave plantations. Early in the book, he writes the following prophetic passage:
Mexicans of all classes and affiliations agree that their country is on the verge of a revolution in favor of democracy; if not a revolution in the time of (Porfirio) Diaz, for Diaz is old and is expected soon to pass, then a revolution after Diaz.
After reading his accounts of conditions on an agave plantation in the Yucatan and his reporting on conditions at the tobacco farms in Valle Nacional, it's not hard to understand why the country exploded in bloody, chaotic civil war in 1910. A system was in place to funnel people into indentured servitude in both places, though this really was outright slavery, as Turner points out. Yaqui Indians, Mayans, petty criminals and working people who thought they were signing up for decent jobs and wages all were hoodwinked into signing contracts that put them on these plantations with no ability to escape. It was systemic, with government officials, the police and the owners of the reservations conspiring to work these people, literally, to death to keep costs low. People were little more than fodder for this capitalist nightmare. Turner writes the following about why the slave owners made women grind corn by hand to feed the other slaves rather than use machines:
I asked the presidente of Valle Nacional why the planters did not purchase cheap mills for grinding the corn, or why they did not combine and buy a mill among them, instead of breaking several hundred backs yearly in the work. 'Women are cheaper than machines,' was the reply.
His reporting was impressive, and he names names, quoting the perpetrators of these atrocities, who, in their insatiable greed, told him everything believing he was about to invest tons of money in their operations to make them even richer. We often look at the murderous rampages of Mao in China and Stalin in Russia to rightly condemn the horrors of communism. This book makes it clear capitalist economies were just as quick — and brutal — in grinding people under foot to attain their goals.
If you're interested in the Mexican revolution, which is a fascinating story, Mike Duncan's Revolutions podcast currently is focusing on it. It's well done and Duncan is doing a solid job of following the myriad threads of the conflict in a way that's easy to follow. It also points out yet another instance of American intervention in the Americas, largely to protect the interests of corporations that were benefitting greatly from the excesses of the Porfiriato. It's a good reminder of why Mexicans are so leery of their neighbors to the north.
Turner's Barbarous Mexico is out of print, best I can tell, but it is in the public domain and available free via the Internet Archive and I think you also can download it from Amazon for .99 cents.
Missing my critters … and Lara's cooking
(To read El Gringo Feo's Costa Rica Diary from the beginning, start here.)
Sunday, October 14
I talked to Lara for a while today, and she sent me a few photos via What's App that made me a tad homesick. Only a few more weeks before I can hang out with Sunny and Sydney and eat Lara's amazing cooking …


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Say what you will about the PA film franchise. True the humor is sort of an acquired taste. And yes, it might've lacked in thespian-level talent, but you certainly can't knock the film score. Especially since the music was masterfully composed by accomplished maestro, ROBERT FOLK. This Julliard alumni has conducted music scores for over 50 plus film classics including: Tremors, NeverEnding Story II, American Pie: Band Camp, and Van Wilder 2.
Just watching Folk conduct The London Symphony and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra you can see how he has a command of all the instrumental sections. A skill Robert utilized when composing the Police Academy overture. His signature, symphonic mark on the score being the subtle, yet playful wind instruments followed by booming brass crescendos. Take a listen.


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This was a different romance compared to the contemporary books I usually read, and in a good way because it surprised me and made me laugh. "Melt for you" tells the story of Joellen, a 36 year old woman with low self-esteem because she thinks she's old and she isn't fit. Her thoughts on herself will be questioned after she meets the Scottish baller Cameron, who came to New York to change air. He is not her type, but that will change as well as Joellen realizes that he is more than she thinks he is.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publication Year: 2018
Part of a series?: No
You can buy it HERE from Amazon.com
A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.
Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She'd give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she thinks.
Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He's not Jo's type—at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam's kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam's eyes she's sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.
Unfortunately for Cam, he's just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he's in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.
This book was really funny from the first page until the end. Joellen is a witty woman but she's also sassy, and the banter with Cam was exceptional and makes them even more realistic as characters. Their journey was slow paced (maybe this is why the series is called 'slow burn') and there is a slow character development that is given at the right time. These characters were original to me, and you could relate to them in many ways.
Everyone has been or has met a "Joellen" in her life. She is insecure of herself, always thinking she is not fit because she is not skinny or she is not beautiful because of this, or several other worries that most of us surely thought about during their lives. And this is wrong. This is the message the author wants us to receive: that it doesn't matter if we're not fit or we're not something else, we are still valuable people and we deserve to be loved by other people, but above all, we should love ourselves first. We should forgive ourselves because nobody is perfect and it's imperfections that make us unique.
In this book, Joellen had the luck to meet Cameron, who is a good-natured man that doesn't try to judge others by their appearance or other stuff, since appearances can easily deceive. Joellen was deceived by Cam's appearances as well when they met, but then Cam turned out to be a different person than who she made him out to be. From a silly proposition to give her a hand to make her boss Michael fall head over heels with her, Cam helped Joellen believe in herself and her many qualities and accept herself but also him with his baggage. The past of a person doesn't define him/her. We must overlook the differences and ask ourselves if somebody is acting in a certain way because maybe that person is having an inner war with themselves we don't know about. With this I'm not saying we should be nice to everybody to avoid that somebody suffers at our expense, but that we should be balanced. We can't be too nice but we can't be angry at everybody as well.
I will surely read J.T. Geissinger in the future since I loved the sense of humor of her characters. 🙂
RATING: 5/5 stars


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Police arrested a South Florida man for child pornography.
After a months-long investigation, 23-year-old Christopher Reynoso was busted last week when police said they found nearly 200 sexually explicit files in a Dropbox account under his name.
According to officials, the children shown ranged in age from just 2 years old to 12 years old.
Officials traced the IP address to a Hollywood apartment near South 26th Avenue and Van Buren Street.
Reynoso is being held on $90,000 bond for several charges involving the possession of child pornography.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Moonlight Tours Expedition
Company Profile
Moonlight Tours Expedition was founded by Fredrick Saturun, who was born and grew at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, he shifted from Kilimanjaro region to Arusha seeking for the high level of education and new mode of life as soon as he arrived in Arusha region the smells of nature touched and hooked his heart from the magnificent and fantastic landscapes, wildlife,culture,whether and the breath take from the crescent coved pick of Kilimanjaro. With the passionate and captivating spirit Fredrick aims to share the magic of Tanzania and Africa entirely with the rest of the world; its flora and fauna especially, and seeks to share and instill this within everyone who treks or travel with his company. As the Young man Fredrick with his staff aims to dedicate their lives for supporting disable people, wildlife, orphans, local people in different aspect
Together we say!!!!!!!
"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up."
Started as the local company based in Arusha Tanzania, Pole Pole { Slowly} as mostly people say in when Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro now it has grown and recently Moonlight Tours Expedition offers you a chance to explore the real Africa,Asia and Europe.
Our priority is our clients and we aim to ensure that every client gets the trip they pay for.We want to share the magic of our countries with the rest of the world.
Africa Destinations
Tanzania,Kenya,Uganda,Zanzibar,Rwanda,Egypt,Ethiopia,South Africa,Zambia,Madagascar,Zimbawe,Namibia & Botswana
Asia & Europe Destinations
Israel and Nepal
These are the ones of the most beautiful countries in the world, and have so much to offer in terms of culture, scenery, wildlife, vegetation, aquatic life, beaches, islands and more.
Our desire is that we can share all this and more with you.
As a company we aim to provide the best customer service in the countries so that your experience is one to remember. We are also extremely socially conscious and endeavor to help communities and protect wildlife.We are known for our attention to detail and value for money services. Our reputation is based on professionalism and going that extra mile for all our customers.
We provide luxury,Normal and Budget safaris in Africa,Asia and Europe, trekking services on Mt. Kilimanjaro and Other mountains across our covering destination, beach vacations on the island of Zanzibar,Madagascar,Dian,Mombasa,Bagamoyo,Lake Victoria and other more, plus many special interest tours and outings. We have decades of experience leading travelers to these world's most popular destinations from eastern Africa to the world.
Moonlight Tours Expedition Guaranteed Departure
We offer guaranteed departure, small group guided safari tours and private, and custom guided tours. We have crafted an attractive collection of carefully planned itineraries, featuring lodges and camps that meet our stringent requirements for comfort, luxury, value, and natural setting. The reputation of the entire Moonlight Tours Expedition staff depends on the quality of these destinations, and we take great care in making our selections and reviewing them frequently.
Guaranteed Departure Group Tours
Our guaranteed departure programs range from one to nine days. We are careful to balance many clients' desire to "see everything" with the logistics of travel between parks. We have been doing this long enough to know how much road travel is enjoyable and how many spoils the adventure.
Private Tours
Private, custom tours of two or more travelers depart daily, which affords travelers the greatest flexibility and intimacy. Clients may choose from our expertly crafted itineraries or they may craft their own (with your own expert guidance). We are especially proud to be able to offer this level of customized, hands on tour guide service, at very reasonable rates. It perfectly reflects our beliefs about personal client care.
Moonlight Tours Expedition Mount Trekking Services
Moonlight Tours Expedition has led more than 7000 climbers to the summit of Kilimanjaro, with a success rate of 96 percent. We are serious about climber success, safety, and comfort. Just as importantly, we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of the guides, porters, and cooks with whom we live and work.
Spice Islands and Beach Vacations
We offer short Zanzibar beach resort stays and cultural tours as add-ons to dusty safari itineraries. We also offer lengthier itineraries for those travelers seeking to dive deeper into the mysteries of Zanzibar past and present.
Moonlight Tours Expedition Special Tours
In addition to our popular safari itineraries, we also arrange several special interest tours and outings. These include the Chimpanzee Trail in Mahale National Park; Game Fishing in the waters surrounding Mafia Island, south of Dar es Salaam; and Camping Safaris in Africa.
Our Professional Guides and Staff
A lot of advance planning and preparation go into a successful safari - many moving parts are set into motion through the efforts of many skilled people - but the key cog is the safari guide. It is a rare person who has the ability to combine the skills of the naturalist, the mechanic, the driver, the anthropologist, the teacher, and the hotel concierge. Yet all of that is precisely what our experienced guides have delivered to thousands of safari travellers over the years. Cheerfully.
On average, our guides have 12 years of experience leading safari travelers. Our most experienced guides train our newer guides. All are certified and receive ongoing training and education. All understand what it means to be a member of the Moonlight Tours Expedition and the exceptional attention with which they must attend to our clients' expectations.
Moonlight Tours Expedition Vehicles and Infrastructure
While the skill and knowledge of safari guide is the most important component of client satisfaction, the comfort and reliability of the safari vehicle is also critical.
Moonlight Tours Expedition has devoted considerable resources to developing our custom 4x4 Land Cruiser safari vehicles. Of course, every traveller gets a window. Every guest is outfitted with binoculars and all the other standard safari practices that Moonlight Tours Expedition has been at the forefront of for nearly 5 years. We continue to refine and upgrade our vehicle design and amenities for client comfort and for a deeper connection to the landscape that draws them here.
We ensure the safety and reliability of our vehicles with a rigorous maintenance schedule that includes a 52 point inspection before and after every tour. This work is carried out in our own fully equipped garage by our own qualified and experience mechanics.
We tailor your adventure to fit your travel style, time frame, budget, and interests.
From different styles of lodging to your favorite adventure activities, we will create the best synergistic itinerary for you. If your goal is to see as many elephants as possible, swim with sea lions, hike to Kilimanjaro summit off the beaten path, make your dream a reality… adventure travel your way.
Some trips are better if you join a group while some are better as private trips.
We offer both options, focusing on private trips when they are affordable and groups when they make the most sense for logistics and value. Our goal is to offer unforgettable flexible and affordable adventures for the traveler.
Part of an authentic adventure is the people you meet along the way.
We work with qualified, experienced, English-speaking local guides.
Our guides guarantee you the best exposure to your destination. In addition you'll know that your trip is supporting the local economy.
We offer the very best value and quality on our many tours.
We aren't the cheapest company out there, but we never sacrifice quality or our ecological and sustainable standards.
Whether you are looking for a great value trek, a high quality mid-range tour, or an amazing luxury safari, we offer the best bang for your buck. Let us know your budget, and we'll help you choose and plan the right trip for you
Wherever we take you, you'll experience authentic adventures that focus on or combine four elements: landscape, wildlife, physical challenge, and distant cultures, trekking to Kilimanjaro, Meru or dancing wit
We hand-pick our favorites and send you the hottest deals every week!


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On a lazy afternoon, you curl up in the sofa in front of the window, with your Kindle and a cup of steaming Earl Grey. Can life get any better? Yes! Add a breathtaking view in front of you. Perfect!
It's no surprise that a view makes a home more attractive to buyers. But a view of what, exactly? Ocean waves, snowy mountains, or just the trees in your own backyard?
It turns out that homes with a view of the urban jungle sell the fastest—at just 83 days on the market. If you guessed that homes with ocean views would be most in demand, well, they sit on the market for 98 days on average. But let's get real; the median price of $749,000 for an oceanfront home is clearly not for everyone.


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Alex and I (Simon) have been doing lots of phone calls mobilizing for the launch of the new ministry in Proclaim-Africa called YOUNG MEN OF HONOR, this ministry targets young men aged 18-35. Our theme was YOUNG MEN AND MORAL PURITY and the speaker was professor Kaahwa head of Physics department Makerere University.
In his talk he emphasized on purity as young men in their work places and areas of responsibilities that God has entrusted them, to be satisfied with what God has given them as a way of avoiding the temptation of corruption. To live as examples to other fellow workers and to live as problem solvers depending on God's providence.
This year as committee members we felt the need to start a ministry to the young men so as they can grow along with MEN OF HONOR a ministry that is for adult men.
There was a change of the venue this time from the one we have been using for the MEN OF HONOUR MEETINGS to the one downtown Kampala. There were challenges being that this ministry is just kick starting e.g We had to start from scratch in getting contacts.
We thank God that the launching of this ministry went well and the opportunity given to me as the master of the ceremony and Alex working on the registration table. The response from the young Men that came as we do follow up is good and most of them are happy about its launching and already to be part of this ministry.
In this same month also we had the opportunity to minister to a high school in the neighborhood through the preaching of the word and two students gave their lives to Jesus.
Y.G.S fellowship is going on well and soon after this month we are planning to launch another group in Jinja near the Nile. This will be accompanied with the new developed material that we intend to use in all our youth fellowship as an organization.


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Kumquats are a citrus fruit that is in season in winter. They look like miniature, oblong oranges, and every part of them is edible except for the seeds. The peels are the most flavorful and aromatic part of kumquats.
These recipes make the most of the brief kumquat season so that you can enjoy the sunny taste of this fruit year round.
01 of 09
Kumquat Marmalade Recipe
This marmalade recipe perfectly preserves the bright color and flavor of kumquats. The addition of an orange to the kumquat fruits adds depth to the citrus flavor.
There is no need to add commercial pectin to this recipe. The natural pectin present in the citrus peels, combined with the sugar and the acidity of lemon juice, ensures a good gel.
02 of 09
Candied Kumquat - Kumquat Glass
This simple recipe makes candied kumquat slivers that look like tiny wheels. Also known as kumquat glass, these elegant morsels are tasty as is, but also fantastic dipped in melted chocolate (or served along with anything chocolate flavored).
03 of 09
Whole Preserved Kumquats in Syrup
Serve whole preserved kumquats alongside coffee or desserts, or in the bottom of a glass of champagne.
04 of 09
Kumquat - Bourbon Marmalade
Many thanks to the reader who took my basic recipe for kumquat marmalade and turned it into something extra special with the addition of a splash of bourbon. The booze goes perfectly with the citrus, making this a holiday-worthy gift.Continue to 5 of 9 below.
05 of 09
Honeyed Kumquats Recipe
These kumquats are preserved in diluted honey, and the warmth of the honey flavor works perfectly with the citrusy but not too sour taste of this fruit. Try them spooned over yogurt or ice cream, or on pancakes. Save the leftover honey-kumquat syrup to use as a glaze for ham and other meats, or on roasted root vegetables or winter squash.
06 of 09
Kumquat-Ginger Caipirinha
In this version of the popular Brazilian rum drink, the Caipirinha gets a special boost from the natural citrus flavor of kumquats.
07 of 09
Kumquat Endive Salad
During its brief season, kumquats deserve to be enjoyed fresh as well as preserved. Try them quartered or slivered and served on top of salads, as they are in this recipe made with winter salad ingredients.
08 of 09
Kumquat Vodka Recipe
You get two terrific treats when you make this recipe: vodka infused with the sunny citrus flavor of kumquats, plus the fruits themselves after they've soaked in the booze.Continue to 9 of 9 below.
09 of 09
Kumquat Bundt Cake with Kumquat Glaze
The sweet-sour flavor of kumquats goes deliciously with the sliced almonds and ginger in this easy to make cake. The glaze gives the whole dessert an extra infusion of kumquat's unique citrus note.


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War II
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CASSINO 1944 - BREAKING THE GUSTAVE LINE. Full color battlescenes, 3-dimensional "bird's eye view" maps, photographs, and battle maps. A pictorial history with an effective blend of concise text, photos and other illustrations.
CASSINO 1944 - Breaking the Gustav Line. The battle for Cassino was probably the most bitter struggle of the entire Italian campaign. The dominating peak of Montecassino crowned by its magnificent but doomed medieval monastery was the key to the entire Gustav Line, a formidable system of defences that stretched right across the Italian peninsula. This position completely dominated the Liri valley and Route 6, the strategically vital road to Rome. Between January and May 1944 the Allies struggled amid inhospitable terrain and dreadful weather to dislodge the German paratroops that tenaciously defended the vital mountaintop. Ken Ford�s book details the dramatic events of the battle to break the Gustav Line.
The color plates are evocative and the maps and bird�s-eye-views make it easy to understand why the Allies had such a hard time in the area and why they needed to attack where they did.�
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Our own content will be uploaded soon 🙂
By now, we provide you some open courses for creative technologies from different institutions and initiatives:
1. Kadenze:
At Kadenze, they believe in promoting access to education for everyone. As a part of this core mission, they announce the launch of our Women in STEAM & Creative Technology Initiative.
This initiative is dedicated to the following goals:
- Encouraging women of all ages to explore creative technology topics
- Promoting accessibility to courses taught by women in these subjects
- Celebrating and showcasing inspiring work created by women in the Kadenze community
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) is an educational initiative that expands traditional STEM learning to include the arts. Incorporating a focus on creativity and project-based learning helps to engage students and cultivate a deeper capacity not only for technical and critical thought, but also for innovation and leadership.
Women are underrepresented in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fields, resulting in a lack of opportunities, visible role models, and community. Our goal is to promote the growth and diversification of STEAM fields and empower women to pursue their passions.


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This day-long symposium begins at the Museum with a reception and fascinating tour of the exhibition Regarding George Ohr: Contemporary Art in the Spirit of the Mad Potter. The program continues at FAU's University Theater with keynote lecturer Garth Clark, noted ceramic historian and curator. The day includes panel discussions with noted ceramic art collectors who loaned works for the exhibition, and leading national and international ceramic artists Anne Marie Laureys, King Houndekpinkou, and others. The day concludes with a visit to the FAU Ceramic studio and meeting with the ceramic faculty.
9:00 am
Coffee and bagel reception before the Museum opens for the day. Check in to explore and tour the exhibition Regarding George Ohr: Contemporary Ceramics in the Spirit of the Mad Potter.
10:30 am
Make your way to University Theatre at Florida Atlantic University
11:00 am
Keynote Lecture by Garth Clark, exhibition curator, award-winning historian, writer, critic, and chief editor of CFile.org
12:00 pm
Lunch break
1:30 pm
Collecting Ceramics Interview with Garth Clark and George Ohr ceramic art collector Marty Shack
2:00 pm
Artist Presentation with Anne Marie Laureys
2:30 pm
Artist Presentation with King Houndekpinkou
3:00 pm
Panel Discussion with leading expert and ceramics dealer Mark Del Vecchio, Garth Clark, and renowned gallerist and ceramic art collector Mindy Solomon
3:45 pm
FAU Ceramic Studio visit to meet with the ceramic faculty and view ceramic art exhibitions around campus.
Through the generous support of donors to the Museum's Leadership Fund we are pleased to offer this symposium free of charge.
Online tickets are no longer available for this event. Please plan your arrival to register at the desk.


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The "Hero of the Terminus" medal. You will have a choice of silvertone or brasstone.
It comes with the stretch goal "Beast of the Rails" insert, shipped unattached and ready to any of our medals you may choose, or even the craft project of your choice!
The medals are still in production, so we don't yet have a final photo.
This year the medals will not hold up shipping on the books–and in many cases will be shipped seperately.


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This black and white hand-crocheted rag doll panda is meant to be a little friend for your little one. The only parts that are stuffed are the head and the paws. The rest is crocheted "flat and floppy" so your baby, toddler or child can carry, play or sleep with it easily.
The eyes are black and aqua safety eyes which are attached from the inside with nuts that prevent the eyes from being removed. The eyes are plastic as is the little black safety nose. The panda is stuffed with polyester fill. The yarn used is 100% worsted. The total size of the panda is 18 inches long at the longest point and 12 inches wide at the bottom of the body.
Feel free on convo me if you have any other questions.
Design Al la Sascha
Please contact me to find out when this item will be ready to ship.
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.


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Make Your Speech Memorable
Date: November 19, 2015
It's not the speech that counts, but what happens after it. Gestures of agreement and a surge of motivation through the crowd are positive feedback, but you want to have your audience thinking about you for days, months… even years afterwards.
We've all been in the audience of someone who doesn't seem to notice that nobody cares what they're saying. (How can yawns and fidgeting go unnoticed really?). The desire to make your speech memorable is the most common ambition that public speakers have.
If it's not, then you need to reevaluate why you're speaking in the first place. Isn't it to inspire people and make a difference to their lives? To be the one who made that person quit the job they hated and live their dreams?
Your message will only resonate with listeners if:
- Your subjects are relatable
- Your speech is memorable
How To Make Your Speech Unforgettable
Before we begin with tips on improving your own abilities to connect with the audience, think back to a recent presentation you attended. What do you remember? It's probably not much, and if people were to think the same thing about your speech, you'd be pretty disappointed.
No matter what you're covering, it has to inspire people. Before you put pen to paper, ask yourself what you want people to take away from you. It has to be put into a positive light, even if what your presenting is dark and heartbreaking. Your goal in mind should be for people to walk out of the room thinking that they will take your advice on board throughout every part of their life.
In order to get people to remember you, they have to listen to you, and they'll only do so if you don't treat them like students. Remember that grumpy teacher you despised at school? Don't become that person by telling people what to do and how to live their lives. Make suggestions.
Present yourself in such a way that it's like you're looking out for them, and not bossing them around. People won't respect a stranger telling them how to behave and act.
So how do you do that?
In a number of ways. But the first, is to make your speech personal and emotive. Let's say you're talking to students about safe driving. They won't listen or remember you if you say "If you drive 40mph in a 30 limit, you could kill someone and lose your license". Facts are boring and non-emotive. We all know that, like we know eating too much chocolate will make us overweight – yet we don't listen to the facts all the time.
If we use this same goal of getting students to drive safe, but instead, you talk about a time someone you know was in a car accident because another driver was texting at the wheel, you'll get their attention. That's because stories are a lot more personal. You're talking about an experience that happened, and not about the chances of it happening.
You make it real this way and bring your points to life.
But also, this example has a lot of emotion too… and not the good kind. It's hard for the speaker to say, and hard for the audience to listen to, but that's actually a positive thing. It's shocking and devastating to listen to someone who has been through a traumatic time.
Think of it like this; have you ever heard something so terrible on the news that you can't get it out of your head? It plays on your mind whilst you're eating breakfast, having a shower and just walking to the car. You can't shake the terrible imagery away.
It's not all doom and gloom though.
You don't have to make your audience feel uncomfortable and ONLY talk about sad times in your speech to make them remember you; you can talk about positive things too. But you should always address serious, life-changing points. Keep it serious. No inappropriate jokes, sloppy body language or slurred diction.
Don't Lose Your Audience's Attention
What's exciting to you isn't always exciting for others. Just because you think your dream was extraordinary, doesn't mean everyone else wants to listen to the details.
It's the same with your speech. Every single minute is precious, so only say things that either entertain others, or add something to its meaning.
Here's the thing, everyone has a personality… but most become a robot as soon as they step on the stage. A sense of humour, smile and friendless all become abandoned traits.
Be true to who you are. Don't change the way you speak to try to get others to like you because that's too typical and you'll be forgettable.
Have fun and be lively. Don't stand still. Be energetic, use your arms to project yourself and even come into the audience if that's what makes you comfortable. Avoid eye contact and stand in one position all night and you'll be labelled as "the boring one".
Everyone loves stories, so keep them coming. We live in a world where we watch movies, read books and analyse song lyrics. Create characters and act out scenes. Bring everything to life and make the audience feel like they were with you at the time.
The main thing is to never confuse your audience and always keep them entertained. Do this by summarising up your main points in the conclusion without repeating yourself. Think like your audience. Would they know what to take away from your presentation? Are you making your points clear enough that they completely understand what you're saying? Or are you running on a treadmill and not getting anywhere?
Say things as you mean them.
Regardless of how long your slot is, your job is still the same: to entertain and inspire. Practice your speech so much that you don't need any prompts on stage. Notes can make it look a little too scripted. You want to keep the whole speech natural by letting go of how people will perceive you.
Giving a speech is scary, but you're not alone and you're not being judged half as much as you think. Don't be afraid to tell strangers personal stories – and if you shed a tear in the process, they'll respect you for letting them in. It shows you're human and people remember stories that are packed with exciting events and have made a difference to someone's life.


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Debt comes in many forms. Mortgage, auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, and medical bills.
If you've accrued debt it's easy to say that you'd love to pay it off.
That's easier said than done, for most of us. Especially when mortgages run in the 100 thousands, auto loans in the 10 thousands, even personal loans range from 5-20 thousand.
For mortgages, auto loans, and higher personal loans it's easier to just stick with the payments set by the financial institution and pay it off over time.
You can, however, pay toward principal when you have extra money available, which will help pay your debt off a little faster. To do this, just make another payment after you've made your regular payment, but make sure to specify that you want it put it toward the principal.
For this post I'm focusing on smaller debt. Maxed out credit cards, medical bills, small personal loans, or maybe even backed up bills.
It's always a good idea, even if you can't pay on it, to have a current list of debt.
Setting up a list of debt can be a hassle, but the point of it is to get a sense of how much you actually owe, which is sometimes not clear until it's all laid out in front of you.
First, you need to find everything you can on the debt you owe.
You can find these things by looking at bills, statements, online accounts, or working up the courage to call.
Make your list. Arrange your debt how you'd like to try to pay it off. Big to small, small to big, whatever you think will work for you.
Next, using my plan to pay off sheets, write in the information and come up with a feasible amount to pay.
There are a lot of factors to consider when coming up with a feasible amount. Take into consideration the total of the amount of bills you already have and how much money you are bringing in. Are there things you could cut back on to make payments to your debt?
When you figure out an amount to pay make sure that you figure the payments into your monthly bills. Also contact the company to set up the payment plan.
It's going to take some work to get your plan to pay off set up, but I can almost guarantee once you start making payments and are able to look at your worksheets and see those numbers dropping, you will feel a huge weight lifting off you.
For your free plan to pay off debt bundle click the links below.
If you found this post useful, feel free to share, like, or comment. Thanks for reading!
Also, if you would like to receive weekly email updates from alwaysdoinsomething.com sign up here.


text: Own rating 2019-03-12 18:17:19 Hello everyone! I wana make my own rating of tracks. Approximate formula: Quote(the number of full playbacks of this track) / (total number of start of playback of this track) / (average number of full playbacks of all tracks in my collection) * 1000Example: 10 times started to play the track, full playbacks 8, and avarage number of full playbacks in my collection 22. And finally I will get: 8/10/22*1000 = 36.3 Rating.Now Im using foo_enhanced_playcount (scrobbles = full playbacks of the track) and foo_playcount (total number of starts of playbacks of this track). But if I will press "skip track" before 60 second foo_playcount will dont count. How can I change 60 secs to 1 sec? And I dont have any idea how to count "average number of full playbacks". Sorry for my english. Thanks a lot. Last Edit: 2019-03-12 18:20:49 by Gorst


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Scion team
Dr Nari Williams – HTHF Programme Leader
Programme Leader, Forest Pathology
A plant pathologist specialising in Phytophthora species, Dr Williams research has involved the management of Phytophthora diseases within native forests and included epidemiological, diagnostic, containment and eradication projects and community engagement. Since joining Scion, Nari has applied this experience into the epidemiology and management of red needle cast.
Dr Emily Telfer
Molecular Breeding Scientist, Forest Genetics
Dr Telfer specialises in molecular biology, bacterial and fungal transformation and gene expression. She has been involved in gene expression in fungi, both genetic and non-genetic systems.
Rebecca McDougal
Molecular Forest Pathologist, Forest Protection
Stefan Hill
Scientist/NMR Spectroscopist/Research Leader – Advanced Chemical Characterisation, Biopolymers & Chemicals
Laura Raymond
Scientist, Clean Technologies
Ilena Isak
Scientist, Biopolymers & Chemicals
Natalie Graham
Senior Research Officer, Forest Genetics
Natalie's background is in molecular biology, investigating abiotic-stress induced gene expression in sugarcane. Natalie has experience in managing large complex datasets, tracking samples from field through to lab analyses, with expertise in the extraction of DNA from recalcitrant samples. She has worked on the detection of pathogens from individual seed components using molecular techniques, also applying her skills to Scion's association genetics research and more recently in the Genomic Selection and Healthy Trees Healthy Future programmes. Natalie's role in the HTHF programme has been the screening of industry-relevant breeding material for susceptibility to Phytophthora species.
Lindsay Bulman
Science Leader, Forest Protection
Lindsay Bulman is a nationally renowned science leader who specialises in the effects of foliar diseases and techniques available to mitigate losses. He has carried out research for 35 years and has a long and broad track record of helping to manage diseases affecting radiata pine in New Zealand. Lindsay's current research encompasses disease and growth loss interactions and reducing impact of Phytophthora diseases.
NZ Collaborators
Plant and Food Research
Dr Ian Horner
Dr Vincent Bus
Dr Erik Rikkerink
The Auckland University of Technology
Dr Sebastian Leuzinger (AUT)
Landcare Research
Dr Stanley Belgard
Massey University
Associate Professor Rosie Bradshaw
Research Associates
Dr Wayne Patrick Otago University
Dr Monica Gerth Otago University
Dr Paul Gardner University of Canterbury


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SWINDON golfer David Howell says he will be 'like a kid at Christmas' before he makes his 2019 European Tour debut at the Dubai Desert Classic today.
Howell has been plagued by injury in recent years, but the last few months have been particularly problematic as he has failed to tee it up in any event since the Portugal Masters back in September.
The Desert Classic, taking place at the Emirates Golf Club, will offer Howell the chance of a fresh start to an injury-free 2019 and the 43-year-old is hoping his tempered expectations will put him in good stead for a successful showing.
Howell believes his lowered expectations and child-like enthusiasm at being out on the course again may cause him to achieve beyond his top-25 finish at the same tournament in 2015.
He said: "It won't be easy as it's my first event after three months off, but the one thing for sure is that as soon as I'm fit to swing and hit freely, then I'm going to be like a kid at Christmas – I'm going to be really excited and just enjoy being out there.
"That will be good, to get some positive vibes and enjoy playing golf again as my expectations will be low.
"That's often a good mix – when you're keen and have low expectations, generally you can put in a good performance.
"Hopefully those two things will be positives, but the lack of golf over the last three months is obviously the biggest negative."
Howell, who lived in Dubai for a short time, won the Desert Classic in 1999 as a 23-year-old but last finished inside the top 25 at the 2015 tournament.
The 43-year-old is hoping to use that familiarity to not only fuel another credible finish, but also to stand him in good stead for a more successful year of golf.
Howell said: "They're great tournaments over there and I've won the Desert Classic before. I used to live there too, so that's got some strange feelings attached to it, but I'm very at home at the Emirates Golf Club.
"It's been a few years since I played well there, so I need to try and turn that around."


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Comic Relief 2019
We had a brilliant day on Friday fundraising for Comic Relief. After buying from three different places we ended up selling a total of 224 noses which equalled to £280!
The children also gave generously and came in non-school uniform. Some of the Disney characters looked particularly impressive!
We had many children enter our competition to design a Red Nose and the student council judged them. Congratulations to all our winners!
Fabulous Fundraising
We have been thinking of lots of ways that we can fundraise this year so that we can make break and lunchtimes more exciting. We are aiming to raise £2000 this year.
Stay posted for further information!
Comic Relief 2019
Comic Relief is fast approaching - Friday 15th March 2019
We are inviting children to come to school either dressed in red, Comic Relief merchandise or as a Disney character. This is in exchange for a £1 donation to the charity.
We are also holding a competition for all year groups. Children need to design their own Comic Relief nose and enter the competition by paying 50p. There will be prizes for Nursery, Reception, Year 1/2, Year 3/4, Year 5/6.
During the week leading up to Comic Relief, the student council will be selling Red Noses. These cost £1.25 and there is even a chance to get a rare green one.
Children in Need 2018
The student council planned their first event of the school year - to raise money for Children in Need.
All children were invited to come into school dressed in Pudsey clothing or anything Spotacular with a donation of £1.
Secondly, children could also enter a colouring competition. We had so many entries and the Student Council voted for their first, second and third.
1st - Pudsey Bear Prize - Daisy (2L)
2nd - 2 Tokens - Paris (2L)
3rd - 1 Token - Jimmy (2S)
1st - Pudsey Bear Prize - Mischa (6B)
2nd - 2 Tokens - Lewis - (5K)
3rd - 1 Token - Neve (5K)
Staff were asked to donate £2 to be part of the Children in Need duck race. Whilst watching the race on the BBC Children in Need website, Mr Fox's Firequacker led the way until he became stuck on a rock! James Pond swam into first place! Mrs Burton's Drake-O-Malfoy didn't even leave the starting line!!
There was also a token presented to the "Best Dressed" in each class. The following children were chosen as the winners:
1P - Grace
1LS - Ava
2L - Teddy
2S - Freya
SLU - Ashton
3B - Kayleigh
3G - Brandon
4CO - Casey
4D - Tallulah-Beau
5H - Lucy
5K - Maggie
6B - Connor
6S - Harvey
Congratulations to all our Children in Need Winners!!


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Come join us for lunch or dinner to enjoy the best Mediterranean and American cuisine we attentively serve in our beautiful new space in Livingston, New Jersey.
Sunday-Friday: 11:30AM – 3:00PM
Saturday: 11:30AM – 2:30PM
Sunday – Thursday 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Friday & Saturday: Two Seating: 6:00PM – 6:30PM & 8:00PM – 8:30PM – By Reservation
Make Mezza Restaurant your first choice when you are in the mood for a great middle eastern restaurant in Bergen County NJ. When you have been searching for the ideal romantic restaurant for a date night, Mezza is the ideal option. You won't discover a better choice if you'd like to make certain your guest is impressed with excellent food and a relaxing atmosphere. Mezza combines the old world with fresh new ideas in cuisine, therefore you get the best of both worlds if you dine with us. If you've ever been interested in what an excellent fusion in Bergen County NJ is all about, come and see all that Mezza has to offer.
If you combine tradition with innovation, you get an amazing mix of flavors which you won't able to experience elsewhere. This combination of the newest in new world innovation and old world tradition is what our menu and atmosphere are based around at Mezza. We have received amazing reviews from many notable publications. Are you looking for an excellent modern restaurant in Hasbrouck Heights NJ, you're able to be confident you're going to enjoy your time with us.
Serving up all of your traditional favorites with a contemporary edge, Mezza is a top choice for a Israeli restaurant in Bergen County NJ. We have a menu with a broad variety of options. Our attentive and skilled staff will help you make a decision if you require, as well as to help pair a fine wine with your meal. Mezza is the perfect place when you'd like to spend a relaxing night out with a date, with friends or with family. Prepared with a combination of Israeli tradition and new world creativity, you are able to enjoy appetizers, entrees, and desserts that are presented artistically, conversation will easily flow. Try Mezza today if you're looking for a top Mediterranean restaurant in Northern NJ.
When you'd like to save on dinner, or you want to enjoy your very favorite rare wine, you aren't going to discover a better BYOB restaurant in Bergen County NJ than Mezza. We provide a wine menu that offers many tasteful choices and is curated to pair well with our appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Nevertheless, we're aware that many customers prefer their own wine with dinner. A lot of individuals have a special bottle which they have been saving for a special occasion. When you want to celebrate, there is no better place to celebrate. When you're searching for a top choice for the best restaurant in Hasbrouck Heights NJ that's also BYOB, choose Mezza!
In addition to being a place to enjoy an intimate conversation with friends, Mezza Restaurant is a terrific party venue restaurant in Bergen County NJ. Our attentive staff at Mezza will make certain that you've got nothing to be concerned about while you enjoy the company of your guests with our traditional Mediterranean charm. We'll make sure that every detail of your event is taken care of and that each guest enjoys their time at the best Middle Eastern restaurant. Impress your guests with the best in Mediterranean cuisine, served with a modern flare and unbeatable customer service. For any kind of event, Mezza is a perfect space to take into consideration. When you are looking for a party venue restaurant in Hasbrouck Heights NJ give us a call right away.
Remember to make a reservation at Mezza the next time you'd like to enjoy excellent food at a middle eastern restaurant in Bergen County NJ. With our combination of new world charm and classic Middle Eastern cuisine, you won't find a better spot to spend a night out.


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Sigh….the listserv software did not like my use of HTML text in the first attempt to announce this event. I hope this goes better:
* upcoming events: The HLS-Brookings Project on Law and Security, "Law, Security, & Liberty after 9/11" (Harvard, Friday and Saturday this week) (co-sponsored by the Harvard National Security Journal)
Harvard Law and Brookings recently formed a very interesting partnership to explore law and security issues, under the leadership of co-directors Gabby Blum and Ben Wittes. The "smarston.


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Today, I'm sending you a week-old article. Fear not, dear reader—though the news peg is several days gone, the significance is historic... and when this author says "pay attention," I do. Today's piece is from my friend George Friedman, founder & CEO of STRATFOR.
During the week of Palestinian protests and the IMF scandal, George chose to write about an obscure decision by Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary to form a battlegroup. Though you may wonder why, we're all about to care about the Visegrad Group.
The decision revolves around the new reality of a resurgent Russia, a weakened Europe and a fractured NATO. I don't think you'll wonder why you should care about Russia, Europe and NATO.
I've been in this business a long time. Some days it feels like a very long time. But never in all the years that I've been in the financial markets have I felt like business per se has less impact on my investment decisions. Let me explain.
GM shares have gone from being a claim on earnings from car sales to being a call option on whether the US government will extend another lifeline. Banks' capital structures have gone from being the province of Boards of Directors and CFOs to the "expertise" of Congressional committees and appointed regulators. Used to be when I thought about Financial Centers New York and London came to mind. Instead now I have to think about Washington and Brussels.
My friend George Friedman and his team at STRATFOR are where I turn when I need help thinking about these new realities. George's team provides me context and understanding of the environment in which financial developments are going to take place. I may tweak him about his ties, but if you saw George speak at my conference in La Jolla, you know that he's an absolutely compelling speaker. And it's small wonder that his latest book spent those weeks on the New York Times bestseller list too.


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JW Marriott Hotel Lima
Away from the incessant car horns ringing through Lima's bustling city centre is this serene high-rise hotel overlooking the Costa Verde's barreling whitecaps and Larcomar's resplendent boutiques. With the mighty Pacific disappearing over the western horizon, there's no better place for a legendary Lima sundowner.
- Simon Parker, Travel writer
Guests can be surfing in the Pacific Ocean or shopping in the Larcomar mall within five minutes of surfacing. Surrounded by manicured lawns and palm-fringed walkways, in a city where greenery is rare, this is prime oceanfront real estate.
Style and Character
From the exterior its vast glass frontage can dazzle in high summer, but this does make it the flamboyant show-off of the strip, set among more modest hotels. The communal interiors are largely grand and spacious, but presented in a minimal and elegant manner, not gaudy. Windows are a big thing in this hotel, as opposed to walls of artwork; guests are encouraged to feast on sprawling ocean views instead of marveling at internal murals.
Service and Facilities
Front-of-house staff are all at least bilingual in English and Spanish, while all menus, signage and television guides are also consistently delivered in both languages. This hotel achieves all the high standards of a business retreat, such as fast and reliable Wi-Fi (not always a given in Peru) and abundant power outlets, while also catering well for tourists, with a spa, fitness centre and an open-air pool available for use between December and April.
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Bar
- Laundry
- Pool
- Sauna
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
- Fitness centre
Of the hotel's 300 bedrooms, 222 are ocean-facing, so guests are odds-on to get a bird's eye view of Lima's Costa Verde. Internally, rooms certainly have the tech-savvy modern traveller in mind. Laptops and tablets can easily be synced with the television and there are no fewer than a dozen power outlets surrounding the beds. IPod dock alarm clocks and Illy coffee machines come as standard. Bathrooms are clad in marble throughout and have both average-sized bathtubs and large walk-in showers.
Food and Drink
La Vista serves up Peruvian and Western-inspired à la carte specials - the Peruvian-style braised duck, marinated in malt beer is novel but delicious and there are several gluten-free items on the menu. The JW Sushi Ceviche Lounge has a much larger menu and (as the name would suggest) mainly seafood-oriented approach, specialising in thin cuts of raw fish served in Peruvian and Japanese styles. The breakfast buffet, spread out in La Vista, is extensive – with myriad pastries, meats, soups, breads and fruits, catering comprehensively for South American, East Asian and European appetites.
Value for Money
Standard double rooms cost $352 (£282) per night, however the hotel's rates fluctuate depending on the day of the week and how busy it is. Friday and Saturday rates can be considerably cheaper – sometimes to the tune of a £100 saving. Given the excellent location, you certainly get what you pay for – and at weekends you could be scooping a real bargain. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Modifications in three adapted rooms include lower beds, abundant handrails and larger showers.
Four rooms on each floor can be interconnected for families and La Vista has a children's menu. Families are welcome in the bar, but it's much more of an adult cocktail drinking vibe than a place for children.


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I'm thinking of buying a 30kW Nissan Leaf in my efforts to be a bit more green and save on road tax and fuel costs. I do however have a bit of "range anxiety." I know the official figure is 155 miles but I am sure that's total twaddle.
I occasionally drive 120 miles to visit our daughter and I was wondering if any members here can give me a realistic everyday range, especially for motorway driving at 70mph.
Also, what are the best seat covers for the Leaf? Post up your pics to back up your claims


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written by Aaron Henry
The final "repair" regulations were released by the IRS and became effective January 1, 2014. These regulations provide significant changes to the rules on capitalizing and deducting costs incurred with respect to tangible property. The regulations apply to amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. Every business is affected, especially those that have a large amount fixed assets.
Required and elective changes
There are three categories of changes under the regulations:
- Changes that are required and are retroactive, with full adjustments under Code Sec. 481(a), in effect applying the regulations to previous years
- Required changes with modified or prospective Code Sec. 481(a) adjustment beginning in 2014
- Elective changes not requiring any adjustments under Code Sec. 481.
Required changes with full adjustments include unit of property changes, deducting repairs (including the routine maintenance safe harbor), deducting dealer expenses that facilitate the sale of property, the optional method for rotable spare parts, capitalizing improvements, and capitalizing certain acquisition or production costs. If they are capitalized for financial accounting purposes, elective changes can include capitalizing repair and maintenance costs.
Rev. Proc. 2014-16
The IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2014-16, which grants automatic consent to taxpayers to change their accounting methods to comply with the final regulations. Rev. Proc. 2014-16 applies to all the significant provisions in the final regulations, such as repairs and improvements; materials and supplies, including rotable and temporary spare parts; and costs that have to be capitalized as improvements.
Rev. Proc. 2014-16 provides 14 automatic method changes for the repair regulations. Taxpayers may file for automatic consent on a single Form 3115, even if they are making changes in more than one area. The normal scope limitations on changing accounting methods are not applicable when the taxpayer makes one or more changes for any tax year beginning before January 1, 2015. Normally, scope changes would apply if the taxpayer is under examination, is in the final year of a trade or business, or is changing the same accounting method it changed in the previous five years.
Filing deadlines
For prior years, the 2011 proposed and temporary (TD 9564) regulations or the 2013 final regulations can apply to either 2012 or 2013. Taxpayers are allowed to do this on a section-by-section basis. If the taxpayer decides to apply the final or temporary regulations to 2013, they must file for an automatic change of accounting method (Form 3115) by September 15, 2014. Taxpayers applying the regulations to 2014 must file for an automatic change by September 15, 2015. (Both dates apply to calendar-year taxpayers.) The effective date of the regulations is unlikely to be postponed by the government.
For more information regarding these regulations, please contact us at 417-881-0145.


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22 CFR § 1425.2 - Content of exception.
§ 1425.2 Content of exception.
An exception must be a dated, self-contained document which sets forth in full:
(a) A statement of the grounds on which review is requested;
(b) Evidence or rulings bearing on the issues before the Board;
(c) Arguments in support of the stated grounds, together with specific reference to the pertinent documents and citations of authorities; and
(d) A legible copy of the decision or other document representing the action taken by the Foreign Service Grievance Board, together with legible copies of other pertinent documents pertaining to the action.