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San Mateo County official lands seat on coastal panel
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, D-Los Angeles, announced Monday the appointment of San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom to the 12-member Coastal Commission, a powerful agency overseeing 1,100 miles of coastline.
Groom will replace outgoing Commissioner Mark Stone, a Santa Cruz County supervisor who has been elected to the Assembly. Groom will take her seat Dec. 3.
Groom was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in June 2010 and served as president in 2011. Previously, she served nine years on the San Mateo City Council, including two terms as mayor, and on the San Mateo Planning and Public Works commissions.
Santa Cruz City Councilwoman Lynn Robinson, Monterey City Councilwoman Libby Downey, Seaside Mayor Felix Bachofner, and Monterey County Supervisors Jane Parker and Simon Salinas were also nominated. Stone had expressed support for Parker.
Teen center hosts winter celebration, fundraiser
The North Coast Teen Center, a program of the Davenport Resource Service Center, will host its winter celebration and fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. Friday at the Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill, 490 Hwy. 1.
Teens will make chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, salsa and salad for $10, and tres leches cake will be served for dessert for $2 apiece. The event also will include live music and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the teen center.
For information, call 425-8115.
Farmers gather for holiday potluck
The annual Alphabet Soup Holiday Potluck will be 5-9 p.m. Friday at Live Earth Farm, 1275 Green Valley Road.
The event is sponsored by sustainable agriculture groups, including Community Alliance with Family Farmers, California Certified Organic Farmers, Wild Farm Alliance, Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, Organic Farming Research Foundation, California FarmLink, and Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association.
Organizers ask participants to bring a dish and drink to share. Contact 761-8507 or email@example.com.
Artisans to present Holiday Show
Thirteen local artisans will present the fifth annual Holiday Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Freight Building, 115 Center St.
Participating are Kevin Leopold, Jasper Marino, Niro Mudra, Dawn O"Regan, Ellen Holm, Heather Richman, Jessica P. Lee, Karyn Schmidt, Kris Mangliers, Sally Wood, Alyse Lattanzio, Steve Baranowski and Lauren Junker. They will be selling sea glass jewelry, ceramics, vintage button accessories, hand-painted tiles, tubular bags, hand-blown glass, textile goods, decorative gourds, and fused glass plates and ornaments.
A percentage of sales will go to Children"s Hospice. Visit www.ribbonstreet.com.
Alternative Healing event coming to Barrios Unidos
Barrios Unidos, 1817 Soquel Ave., will host a gathering of alternative healing services from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. "Keeping Our People Healthy" will include free acupuncture, massage, energetic movement, self-healing, herbal remedies, a foot-soaking ceremony, nutrition education and organic food.
Transportation is available. Call 457-8208.


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osa needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 24 designs submitted by 9 freelance designers.
Need a logo for a money transfer website. Website name http://www(dot)poapay(dot)com.
Need an original logo (no clip art) for a money transfer website. Website name http://www(dot)poapay(dot)com.
Not too sure about the graphics but the should point to a fast, secure, and efficient money transfer services. Select your colors since we may be changing the website colors.
The trade name is PoaPay
Logo should be vector because is will be used on web, business cards, and letterheads so we do not want resizing to be an issue.
Payment will be done with paypal on day the contest closes or if a winning design is selected before the contest ends.
Type of Contest: Logo
Prize Money: $100.00
Website, Trademark or Brand Name: http://www.poapay.com
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.

subset: commoncrawl


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There are different ways that someone can record their wishes and choices for their care towards the end of their life. This is sometimes called advance care planning.
Advance care planning can help the person you are caring for think about the future. It can be a way of communicating what they want to professionals and others involved. As their carer, it may help you to feel less uncertain about making decisions. It can also make things easier for you and others close to them if they become unable to make decisions for themselves.
Advance care planning can include Power of Attorney, an Advance Statement, an Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment or making a will.
It may feel very emotional to discuss these arrangements with the person you are caring for. We have more information about talking to someone who has cancer. It has tips about having difficult conversations and coping with your emotions.


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At Advanced Roofing Systems, we want to become your number one choice for installation and commercial roofing repairs in Anderson County, TX. We take customer service seriously, and make it a huge emphasis among our staff. Our goal is to forge strong partnerships with our clients, so we can earn repeat business over the years. As experts for commercial roofing, we understand the importance of flawless installations and attentive service. Because of this, we treat every project as a top priority, and offer consistently superb workmanship.
You can count on fast, attentive responses and friendly interactions when you contact Advanced Roofing Systems for service. We know you have plenty of options among commercial roofing contractors, and take seriously the investment of trust you make in us. We have worked hard over many years to achieve our reputation as peerless experts in our field. From start to finish, on small jobs and massive projects, we always provide top-flight service you'll recommend to colleagues. If you'd like to learn whether your business exists within our service area for commercial roofing repairs around Anderson County, TX, just give us a call at (214) 247-7002.
Service Area
Do not delay a phone call if you need commercial roofing repairs anywhere in our service area. We are ready to offer a fast response, and will approach your work with the dedication it warrants. For unparalleled work with commercial roof replacement, installation, repairs, cleaning, restoration, and maintenance, reach out to us at (214) 247-7002. We currently provide services across the following cities:
Our Services
Commercial Roofing: Our commercial roofing services cover the most beneficial of roofing materials and services. Whether you need installation or commercial roof repairs on modified bitumen, built up, metal, flat, or low slope roofs, give us a call. For environmentally-minded customers, we also provide work on green, cool, and energy efficient roofing options. Keep us in mind whenever you need emergency roof repairs, or when you would like to extend the life of your roof through periodic cleaning and maintenance.
Single Ply Roofing: When it comes to these popular, affordable commercial roofing options, we stand as the area leaders. Across TPO, PVC, and EPDM membranes, you have found your regional expert for all installation and repairs.
Roof Restoration: At Advanced Roofing Systems, we have made it our company-wide policy to never pressure our customers into services they don't need. This extends to a service that many roofers will relentlessly push for: roof replacement. In many cases, a roof restoration will serve the client just as effectively for a greatly reduced price.
For any commercial roofing repairs in Anderson County, TX, we stand as the local experts. To learn more or schedule service, call us today at (214) 247-7002.


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We can't accept locations yet, but mark your diaries! The next Global Service Jam will take place from the 27 February to 1 March 2015 all over Planet Earth. (Dates may vary in countries with other weekends). More details soon!
(And if you can't wait, check out the Global Sustainability Jam in November!


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More shuffling for Broncos offensive line
It only took till November, but the Broncos offensive line looks today like we all thought it would look back in August.
The Broncos opened practice today with the following offensive line: RT Ryan Harris, RG Chris Kuper, C J.D. Walton, LG Zane Beadles and LT Ryan Clady.
McDaniels earlier in the day played coy about any potential moves on the line following the bye, but it appears Harris has his job back at right tackle, while the team is giving Beadles another shot at left guard, where he first spent most of training camp.
"There are some moving parts, I think. We are going to see how it goes," coach Josh McDaniels said Tuesday before practice. "We certainly can fix some things. That isn't putting the onus on one player or the other, I just think we are trying to find the most productive group that we can and that is happening in a lot of different places on our football team. So, we are going to see how that pans out this week."


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Tomato envy and cooking up compost
On one of my walks in Denver, I met Stan and Mary — owners of the lovely patio that I mentioned in my last post, the one with the burgeoning tomato in what looked to be a 20 or 30-gallon pot. Here's Stan with the monster, which I learned has one "Sweet 100," one beefsteak and one "Early Girl":
No little weenie pot-tomato varieties for these urbanites! Mary was even growing a cabbage in a pot, one that a student at the school she teaches at had left behind after a biology project. They also had some lovely container combinations, including one for all of their culinary herbs.
And Stan and Mary didn't buy their tomatoes this big from a greenhouse. They got them small, in April, and carefully brought them indoors during all those cold spring nights. Now they have them in a nice warm corner and have already harvested ripe fruit.
You CAN garden anywhere. You just have to have desire.
Meanwhile, when I wrote about clay soil, reader Jackie Swenson commiserated, uniquely evoking the color — and texture — of the stuff that coats boots, shovels, and the roots of unlucky plants here:
"Peanut butter/cement," she called it.
Yup. That's the stuff! The stuff I used to despair of ever getting out of my sneakers after walking the dog near an irrigation ditch. The stuff that resists the blade of gardening tools with a "tang" sound that almost sounds like rock. Here's Jackie's tale:
"When we moved here from the east coast I was appalled at the peanut butter/cement soil that our garden had. I soon learned that if I added coffee grounds and banana peels, cut up, to the soil it got better in a hurry. We have just sold that house that has a beautiful garden and yard. Now we have a new garden to cope with, and I'm adding the same things to the soil. It's improving rapidly. Also, crushed eggshells are good to add. They supply calcium and deter small animals and bugs from walking across the soil.
Now, my animals are not small — one Alaskan husky, one motley, muttley terrier — but I found the eggshells to be a lure to them, not a deterrent! Jackie answered:
"I think that the coffee grounds repel the cats, not the egg shells. I also have heard that orange peels repel cats when mixed with the coffee grinds. I haven't tried that. We don't have a compost pile any longer because the compost attracted rats. Maybe the dryness had something to do with it. It also took a long time to decompose. I just throw the grinds and banana peels on the ground. Then I turn the banana peels in around the roses. I have great roses. I also dead head them and fertilize them regularly. At our old house I haven't cared for the roses and they were great again this year."
I have the same problem with compost, and I have one of the big round bins that you can easily turn. What you CAN'T do with it is continually add compost and expect to take out a finished product. So you'd need at least two of these, not one — one to add to and one to allow to "cook." Moisture is certainly a problem here for compost. I'm lucky if I get around to watering my plants, let alone my compost turner!
Has anyone out there taken a composting class? A lot of cities and municipalities offer them. And one Saturday this spring, the city of Loveland was selling, at half price, the big square composters, the ones that let you take finished compost out of the bottom of the bin, all the while adding more stuff to the top. I think I need one of those!


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Tweets by @SigourneyNews
Full text and e-editions are available to premium subscribers only. To subscribe to the digital edition, please visit subscription page. If you are already a subscriber, please login to the site.
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The News-Review
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Sigourney, Iowa 52591
Phone: 641-622-3110


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For years, Warren Buffett has focused on finding the strongest companies with the best competitive positions, and buying them when they're cheap. That strategy has made him billions, and it's perfectly suited to today's market. These days, you can buy many of the best companies in the world for less than their fair value. You just need to be brave enough to face the volatility.
But ironically, the biggest risk to this strategy isn't the daily volatility; if a company's truly strong, it will be able to survive even in a depression. The real risk lies in buying a company whose competitive position is weaker than it appears, or is just getting weaker.
Deceptively weak barriers
Often, a business seems to have strong barriers against competition simply because it has a well-known brand and large market share. In markets where there are significant economies of scale, such as many manufacturing or distribution businesses, market share can be a huge barrier. But if the economies of scale are relatively insignificant, a competitive advantage due to market share can be far weaker than it appears.
Take Charles Schwab. It has a good brand name and billions in assets under management, but its revenue last year was less than it generated in 2000. A major problem is that there are few barriers to creating an online brokerage.
Interactive Brokers and thinkorswim have both made big splashes in the last few years by offering superior trading technology, while E*TRADE has also grown its brokerage top line significantly. Meanwhile, retail banks like BB&T
If Schwab truly had a huge moat, these competitors would have had a difficult time gaining any traction. Thus far, thanks to the brand and stickiness of assets under management, Schwab has actually been able to grow its margins, but it's unclear how long that will last with increasing competition.
Times change
The impact of fewer people reading newspapers has been obvious for years, as advertising dollars have fled from papers to the Internet. But social changes are affecting television networks as well. CBS has had declining revenue for years, and if you exclude the effects of the Olympics and acquisitions, General Electric's NBC unit has had limited growth. The world is changing, and it's hurting both of these networks.
While TV viewing is at all-time highs, couch potatoes have more channels than ever before, meaning the market is more fragmented. The rise of Internet television only increases market fragmentation. As if that weren't enough, personal video recorders (PVRs) and file-sharing networks have made it much easier for consumers to skip commercials. These changes will result in lower ad rates and weaken the competitive position of TV networks.
Watch out for technology
It's no coincidence that new technology is playing a big role in weakening the TV networks. Game-changing technology is one of the biggest risks that a company can face.
For years, integrated steel producers like U.S. Steel
As a result, minimills run by Nucor
So when looking at stocks, be particularly aware of technological threats to the business.
The Foolish bottom line
This doesn't mean that you should never buy any company whose moat has weakened. Even from an eroding competitive position, some blue chips can generate cash for decades. Just make sure that the price you pay is cheap, even considering the impoverished prospects of the business.
If you are looking to take advantage of the market decline, our Motley Fool Inside Value team spends a lot of time thinking about moats, and we've identified many excellent stocks that look exceptionally cheap today. You can read about them for 30 days for free by clicking here.
Already subscribe to Inside Value? Log in at the top of this page.
This article was originally published May 22, 2009. It has been updated.
Fool contributor Richard Gibbons is looking to buy a swamp monster to put in his moat. He doesn't own shares of any company mentioned. Interactive Brokers, Nucor, and Charles Schwab are Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations. The Fool's disclosure policy wants to be an Alt-A mortgage when it grows up.


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ACCORDING to the State Department, the J-1 visa Summer Work Study program, which allows foreign students to work in the United States for a few months, is meant to promote "lasting and meaningful relationships" between the students and Americans.
Try telling that to the more than 300 J-1 holders who went on strike at a Hershey's distribution plant in Pennsylvania last week, with the support of the National Guestworker Alliance. These engineering majors and future lawyers from places like Turkey, Moldova and China came hoping to travel and speak English, but spent the summer packing and lifting heavy pallets of Kit-Kats, often on overnight shifts and for meager pay.
The America that the Hershey's workers have seen is surely not the one the J-1 visa was created to promote. But perhaps it is the America we have become. Hershey's business strategy is a microcosm of the downsizing and subcontracting that so many American companies have pursued during the past few decades in search of ever cheaper labor.
The J-1 visa, also known as the exchange visitor visa, has its roots in the cold war. In 1961, Congress created a program for international students and professionals to travel here, with the goal of building good will for the United States in the fight against Communism. The program, which became the J-1 visa, thrives today — but not as Congress intended.
Instead, it has become the country's largest guest worker program. Its "summer work travel" component recruits well over 100,000 international students a year to do menial jobs at dairy farms, resorts and factories — a privilege for which the Hershey's students shelled out between $3,000 and $6,000. They received $8 an hour, but after fees and deductions, including overpriced rent for crowded housing, they netted between $1 and $3.50 an hour. Hershey's once had its own unionized workers packing its candy bars, starting at $18 to $30 an hour. Now the company outsources distribution to a non-union company that hires most of its workers from the J-1 program.
The Pennsylvania workers are not alone. Recent exposés by journalists and advocates have found similar abuse of J-1 visa holders at fast food restaurants, amusement parks and even strip clubs.
Though the number of J-1 visa holders admitted to the United States swelled from 28,000 in the program's first year to more than 350,000 in 2010, and the government made minor changes to the program earlier this year, the State Department has never established a sufficient oversight system. Instead, it hands that responsibility to organizations it designates as sponsors, who profit from the arrangement and so have no incentive to report abuses.
Other guest worker programs — themselves often avenues for exploitation — are managed, however ineffectually, by the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor. They require employers to offer international workers the same wages as local workers in comparable jobs and to attest that no local workers are available. Not so with the J-1 visa.
Indeed, the J-1 program is attractive to employers because it is uncapped and virtually unregulated; companies avoid paying Medicare, Social Security and, in many states, unemployment taxes for workers hired through the program. One sponsor authorized by the State Department even offers a "payroll taxes savings calculator" on its Web site, so potential employers can see how much they would save by hiring J-1 visa holders rather than American workers. Visa holders can be deported if they so much as complain, and cannot easily switch employers.
At a minimum, the government should preclude the use of the J-1 program as a way to obtain workers at below-market rates. If the program continues, it should be reformed to explicitly incorporate worker protections, including the right to organize, and should be supervised by the Department of Labor.
But last week's strike, and the resulting uproar over J-1 visas, should also lead us to rethink the downward spiral of job quality to which such programs contribute. To recover from economic distress, this country needs not only more jobs, but good jobs, with living wages, full workplace rights and meaningful freedom to organize. That goal will remain out of reach as long as easily abused guest-worker programs exist. Among other things, Congress should pass the proposed Power Act, which protects immigrants who report workplace abuses from being deported.
In a way, the students at Hershey's got more insight into the realities of the American economy than they ever could have expected. Unfortunately, it's an insight unlikely to foster the sort of "lasting and meaningful relationships" that Congress intended — or the United States needs if it is to promote decent work in a global economy.


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News Archives at Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation
Metal Sales remains committed to innovating higher-quality, longer-lasting and more environmentally sensible products, and contributing to inspired buildings in the commercial, institutional, light commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential markets. Because of that, we're constantly developing new products and contributing to exciting new building projects and renovations. This page contains archives of press and media coverage of Metal Sales products and projects.
If you wish to speak with a media contact, please contact:
Matthew Willinger


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BART website hacked, customer info leaked
Breach: Group publishes customers' private info
SAN FRANCISCO -- The amorphous hacker group known as Anonymous made good Sunday on its threat to strike BART, breaching an agency website and releasing customers' personal information in retaliation for BART's decision to cut cellular phone service to prevent an antipolice protest in San Francisco.
The hack attack sent BART scrambling to protect its websites, and it infuriated some riders whose information was leaked. It came as the hackers also called for a 5 p.m. protest today at BART's Civic Center Station, where a police officer fatally shot a knife-wielding man on July 3.
BART, which ignited a debate about technology and free expression when it shut down cell phone service last Thursday, has not ruled out blocking it again tonight, agency spokesman Jim Allison said.
"We're going to take steps to make sure our customers are safe," Allison said. "The interruption of cell phone service was done Thursday to prevent what could have been a dangerous situation. It's one of the tactics we have at our disposal. We may use it; we may not. And I'm not sure we would necessarily let anyone know in advance either way."
The hackers took information from myBART.org, a site run by an outside vendor, then published it on another website. The leak contained 2,001 names of people - along with their passwords - who use the myBART service, which notifies riders of contests, discounts and events. In many cases, addresses and phone numbers were published as well.
"We are Anonymous, we are your citizens, we are the people, we do not tolerate oppression from any government agency," the hackers wrote in an online posting. "BART has proved multiple times that they have no problem exploiting and abusing the people."
BART "stored their members' information with virtually no security," the hackers wrote. "Any 8-year-old with an Internet connection could have done what we did to find it. On top of that, none of the info, including the passwords, was encrypted."
BART said such websites were separate from the computer network used to operate the transit system.
"We regret the inconvenience and stress that it's created for customers. We're disappointed that they would do this," Allison said. He said myBART.org is "meant to be a service to our customers. We're doing everything we can to protect bart.gov, which is used by nearly 2 million people a month as an important tool."
As of late Sunday, bart.gov was functioning normally. Allison said the agency planned to notify everyone whose information was posted online.
Anonymous, which surfaced in 2003, stepped up its activity in 2008 with a series of protests in the name of Internet freedom and free speech. Notably, the group targeted the Church of Scientology, which it accused of suppressing an unflattering video of Tom Cruise that had been posted online.
Subsequent protests have involved cyber attacks on PayPal, Sony and various foreign governments accused of suppressing free expression.
Thursday's planned protest, which never materialized, was organized in response to the July 3 police shooting. Activists also remain upset about the fatal shooting of unarmed BART rider Oscar Grant on New Year's Day 2009 by a former officer who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Marsha-Ann Sebay, a Vallejo woman whose personal information was released, said she was furious with the hackers.
"To be honest with you, I'd like to kick their ass," said Sebay, 61, who works in the UC Davis registrar's office. "If you have a problem with someone, you resolve it with that person. You don't punish other people because you don't agree with something.
"There's other ways to protest," she said. "In my day, you bombarded them with letters."
Bracing for protests
BART advises that protesters may attempt to disrupt BART service during the afternoon commute Monday in downtown San Francisco.
For information: For regional travel information, go to 511.org or call 511-BART. Information will be posted at BART.gov, facebook.com/bartsf and on Twitter at @SFBART. To receive updates by text message, text "BART service" to 878787.
To report: To report suspicious or dangerous behavior, call 911 or BART's nonemergency number: (510) 464-7000.
E-mail Casey Newton at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Malloy frustrated by Newtown donation process
NEW HAVEN — As a local group prepares to distribute $7.7 million in donations to families of Newtown school shooting victims, Connecticut's governor is expressing frustration with the process and wants an independent party to handle the remaining nearly $4 million in donations.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy wrote a letter to the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation on Friday, saying he hopes families are not precluded from receiving additional money.
Twenty-six children and educators were killed in the massacre Dec. 14, and more than $11 million was raised afterward with the help of the United Way. The foundation was asked to divide the money and decided to divvy up $7.7 million to the families and survivors.
At a public hearing last week, some questioned the process for arriving at the $7.7 million for the families and why all the money wasn't going to the victims. Some victims' families have also complained the process has caused them anguish by putting them in the difficult place of deciding how to divide the money.
Malloy said the foundation and others involved have acted with the best of intentions during difficult times. But he said he's made clear that a third party would bring "a balance of neutrality and emotional distance."
"While I appreciate your efforts, I remain deeply frustrated at both the pace and the manner in which the foundation has approached decisions on how best to distribute these funds," Malloy wrote.
He said he's heard that sentiment from Newtown residents and others as well.
"Your choice to rely primarily on community members to make these decisions has unintentionally made the process more difficult, especially on those most directly affected," he wrote.
A foundation spokesman countered that the fund was created to help those most affected by the shooting, including families, surviving students and first responders and is best managed by local people who understand their long-term needs.
"It is unfortunate that the governor is unwilling to put his faith in local control," said foundation spokesman Patrick Kinney.
He said the remaining money will be used to support the needs of those affected most, which doesn't exclude anyone who has already received money.
A draft proposal released last week calls for their families to receive $281,000 each. Families of 12 surviving children who witnessed the shootings would each get $20,000; two teachers who were injured would get $150,000 between them. Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros, special advisers to a distribution committee appointed by the foundation, made the recommendations.
The distribution committee was expected to finalize the draft proposal Monday. The $7.7 million is expected to be paid out next month.


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Words are our tools. They come readily to us and we much prefer them over actions as they use so little energy. We have no sense of guilt, remorse or conscience that we are easily able to make promises with no intention of ever keeping them. You on the other hand hate to break a promise and we know that your adherence to this means that the effect our broken promises is significant against you and will allow us to draw fuel. You will be familiar with the nature of the broken promises if you have danced with our kind already but you may not know what we actually mean when we say certain supposed promises to you. If this dance is new to you, not only will you not know what is being really meant when we whisper these words to you, but you may not realise that this promise will not be kept. Here are five of the most-used promises we issue, that we always break and this is what we really mean when we say them.
- I will always love you
I know that you love to hear such bold proclamations because they appeal to you as a love devotee. Indeed, you have been conditioned to believe strongly in the concept of love. I won't always love you, in fact I will not even begin by loving you because I am incapable of feeling what you know to be love since it has been denied to me as an option. I understand what love is to you however because I am surrounded by people like you telling me what it means and it appears in books, on the television, on the internet, in films and advertisements. It is easy to understand what love means to you but impossible for me to feel it and therefore I can never love you. What I mean when I tell you this is that I am telling you what you want to hear so you will remain with me and provide me with the fuel that I crave. I am telling you that I will actually always want you so long as you give me what I need. My desire to be with you is entirely conditional on you furnishing me with fuel.
- I will repay you
I will borrow money from you because of my sense of entitlement since either I have none and I want yours or I have plenty and I still want yours. If I have no money I need it and therefore I will want to borrow it from you. I will of course promise to repay you in order to induce you to lend it to me in the first place. I will then make repeated promises to pay you: –
"I am a little short this month, I will have it for you next month."
"I am due a bonus in two months so I will pay you from that then."
"I had an emergency and had to use the money for that."
"I am not able to work at present but since you love me you won't mind waiting will you?"
"If you really loved me, you would not ask for it back."
Those of our kind who lack financial resources want the money for obvious reasons but also in order to strengthen the link between them and you, so that you have reason to remain in contact with them and to allow them to trot out excuses and reasons which will eventually provoke you through exasperation, frustration, irritation and upset.
Those of our kind who have ample financial resources do not have any intention of making repayment. Instead we use this borrowing of the money as a bridge between you and I and as above it is all about keeping a hook into you.
When we promise to repay you, we will not do so. What we are telling you is that we want to create a method of ensuring you are connected to us and able to draw fuel from you.
- I won't hurt you
Of all the broken promises this is perhaps the one which does the most damage. We are actually telling you this: –
"I won't hurt you as long as you comply with what I want."
It just so happens that we always omit the last nine words. We regard you as our appliance, an extension of our will and you are expected to do what we want. Provide potent positive fuel, succumb to our demands, run around after us, say yes when we want yes and no when we want no but you must guess which is correct. We want you obedient, compliant and submissive. Navigate your way through this maze successfully and you will not be hurt. Unfortunately, for you nobody is ever able to do this because you will always have to be hurt because we want fuel. You have to be hurt because no matter how hard you try you will always cause a criticism which will wound us and therefore we have to defend ourselves by lashing out and hurting you. You have to be hurt because there are even those of our kind, the malignant and the greater who delight in doing so.
The hurt will always visit you somehow.
- I will be faithful
We cannot be faithful. We need fuel too much. Although most of it will come from you we need it from other sources as well and this will result in our infidelity. Infidelity comes in many forms, just as fuel does. To some it may be sharing long and intimate conversations, to others it is a kiss, to others it is sexual touching and to others it is full blown sexual intercourse. Our desire for fuel combined with our massive sense of entitlement and our failure to recognise boundaries means that we will be unfaithful. Add to that our lack of accountability, our failure to feel guilt or remorse and you stand no chance of ever ensuring that we remain faithful.
We say this because you want to hear it. This is most often used after we have been exposed as committing an act or acts of infidelity and we are concerned that you will leave us and thus take away our primary source of fuel when we have not secured a replacement yet. We will pledge that we will be faithful moving forward in an attempt to prevent you from causing a cessation to our supply of fuel. These are empty words. We will be unfaithful within the week, maybe not even that long, just so long as uttering such a promise stops you from going.
- I will change
No I won't. Even if I could, which is highly unlikely, why should I when there is nothing wrong with me. Everything I do is necessary to ensure my survival and my remaining elevated and superior. Just because you and others do not like the way that I behave does not mean that I have to alter what I am. I know however that you love to think that we can be cured of whatever ill it is that we suffer from. You want us to become better and different and naturally if this means we can get you to stay, do what we want and keep providing us with fuel we are content to tell you that we will change. We are experts at adopting false expressions of contrition as well to accompany this empty promise.
This vacant promise actually means
"I will carry on doing what I am doing and nobody will ever stop me."


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Grace is something I want to ponder more and more. I am continuously at the receiving end of it. I may be (or feel) unlovable, but I experience grace over and over and over. Grace feels a little like a pity party - what we extend to people we can't love but who we know could use some loving - but I am grateful for grace nonetheless. I bask in it.
I feel it being lopped into my lap from all ends. Well, almost all ends. Maybe it's more accurate to say that the experiences of grace fill my heart all the more because they stand in such stark contrast against the withholding of grace. Some people have indeed been inspiring me by their grace lately, and some of them are the people from whom I may have least expected it. But they just do it. It's as simple as that. And it's beautiful.
My definition of grace this week is as follows: grace is allowing another person their space, but doing so in community. Maybe that's not the best definition ever, I mean it obviously isn't the most brilliant definition ever. But that's the grace I need these days: I need to be given my space but know that people are still nearby.
Grace is the person who sits next to you on the sofa helplessly watching you cry. They don't get up, they don't tell you to stop, they don't try to sneak in a hug because that's-what-cool-friends-do. They just sit there and nod, pray or wait until you're ready to talk. Grace is watching you spin and spin and spin yourself dizzy until you collapse, perhaps doing a little spinning along just for the fun of it, or perhaps just smiling. But they don't egg you on to spin harder, they don't try to stop you, and they don't calling in a crowd of others to watch you make a fool of yourself. When you collapse, Grace is standing there ready to help you back up, or is sitting on that sofa making sure there is space for you to sit, inviting you to take a breather if you want.
As the recipient of grace, perhaps I am being terribly selfish and self-centered, but that's not the point. The point is that I'm becoming more and more grateful for the experiences of grace in my life. I'm going to cry and I'm going to spin - that's just the phase of life that I'm at right now. And those people who accept that about me, without trying to try to make it more intense and without trying to make it stop, I'm so grateful for them. Those people who walk away have every right to walk away - no one wants to be around a weepy spinner - but those people who stick it out are emulating the character of God. I hope to learn from them, return the favour someday, or perhaps pay it forward to someone else.
Merry Christmas, dear Emily and everyone else who is part of the Imperfect Prose community. Loving the grace I feel amongst you!


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Offers to Manila from Taipei
The colourful heritage and varied nightlife of Manila make it irresistible to tourists.
Flying to Manila with us is the best way to start a holiday in the capital of the Philippines. Sit back, relax and let our professional crew take care of you as you savour your meal and browse through our collection of inflight entertainment. Our award-winning cabin crew are always on hand to ensure your needs are met and that you're fully refreshed when you arrive in Manila.
Experience Cathay Pacific's brand new lounge in the newly-opened Terminal 3, designed by London-based Studioilse. At 650 square metres, the Cathay Pacific lounge is twice as big as our previous lounge, featuring workstations, printers, free WiFi access, a cocktail bar and our signature Noodle Bar.
Do note that Manila airport's four terminals are not connected, so travellers are advised to use taxis or cars to get between them. The airport is located around half an hour outside of the main city centre areas.
When in Manila, be sure to visit Quiapo, one of the most bustling parts of the city featuring Plaza Miranda and Quiapo Market. Thanks to its rich multicultural heritage, colonial architecture can be seen throughout the city. The National Museum of the Filipino People is a must-see attraction for first-time visitors to the city, as is Manila Ocean Park. As night falls, head to the hip hangouts of Makati and Quezon City.See More
You may also like
Flights from TWDNT$6,870
TokyoFlights from TWDNT$8,241
YangonFlights from TWDNT$9,170
CebuFlights + hotels from TWDNT$18,373
Denpasar (Bali)Flights from TWDNT$9,270
Kuala LumpurFlights from TWDNT$21,395
NagoyaFlights from TWDNT$9,500
OsakaFlights from TWDNT$9,235


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Story highlights
- The officer called 911 to say he had killed his wife and son
- His home was burning when the SWAT team arrived
- After the fire was put out officers found three bodies in the home
- Survey: Last year, 126 police officer killed themselves
Even for stone-faced, seen-it-all-before officers, the act that took place at a police lieutenant's Las Vegas-area home Monday was deeply distressing.
The 52-year-old lawman, police said, killed his wife and child, called 911 to say he was burning his house down and warned he would take the life of anyone who tried to stop him.
Then he waited.
When a SWAT team arrived at the lieutenant's Boulder City home, they found Hans Pieter Walters outside with what looked like a handgun.
Officers asked him to drop the weapon -- commands the lieutenant must have screamed many times before in his 20-year career. He ignored them and ducked back into the blazing home.
It was then, police believe, that he killed himself.
Once firefighters put out the blaze that tore through the home, they found Walters's body, his 46-year-old wife's, and their five-year-old son's.
The lieutenant worked for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he supervised patrol officers, CNN affiliate KVVU reported.
The station had interviewed him before about other crimes.
The wife, Kathryn, worked for some time as a Las Vegas police officer, the Las Vegas Review-Journal said.
She won a community service award and a lifesaving award before leaving the department in 2004.
"Anyone involved with law enforcement for any amount of time is usually prepared for any scenario, but nobody can prepare for something like this," Las Vegas Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie told reporters.
Last year, 126 police officers killed themselves, according to the National Study of Police Suicides by the nonprofit The Badge of Life.
It's a steep drop from the other two years the survey was conducted: 143 in 2009 and 141 in 2008.
Yet, it's cause for concern.
"In spite of this encouraging news, the fact is that police suicides continue at a rate much higher than the number of police officers killed by felons," the group said.
Folks who knew Walters were also trying to make sense of it. The soul-searching was agonizing for some.
Retired Las Vegas lieutenant Randy Sutton told KVVU he had worked alongside Walters for years.
"There's no rhyme or reason," Sutton said, saying the lieutenant was hard-working and seemed well-adjusted.
This is "the most unconscionable, dishonorable thing to do I can ever imagine," he added.
"The memories I have of him, they mean nothing to me anymore."


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C.G.P. Grey is among the best explainers on the Internet.
But this video is scary.
C.G.P. Grey is among the best explainers on the Internet.
But this video is scary.
And the award for most over-the-top ad spot goes to the Dems -- just weeks from Election Day and they decide to go with this?
"I just want to make sure I got this straight. He'll get rid of regulations on Wall Street — but he's going to crack down on Sesame Street!"
Big Bird and Co. are not impressed:
Sesame Workshop is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and we do not endorse candidates or participate in political campaigns. We have approved no campaign ads, and as is our general practice, have requested that the ad be taken down.
Simpsons and Family Guy veteran Lucas Gray has reimagined the tired campaign ad -- watch as an April Obama speech on trickle-down economics and the American dream comes alive with bobblehead politicos and pundits.
Schmoyoho is at it again, this time with an autotunerrific version of last night's presidential debate. MC Lehrer wanted a verse, but no one was having any of that noise.
Check out more LOLitics over at Pundit Kitchen!


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Search Results
Below are 2 offers that match your search criteria.
You may re-order your search results by clicking on any of the underlined column headers. For instance, if you would like to see your results listed from the lowest price to the highest price, click on the underlined column header titled "From Price".
Filter by: Show all offers | Cruise offers only | CruiseTour offers only
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9-night Pearls of the Indian Ocean Cruise
Ponant Cruises — Le Bougainville
Destination: Nosy Be/Victoria
Departure: 3/20/2020
Length: 9 Nights
Ports Hell-Ville Nosy Komba Nosy Tanikely Iles Glorieuses Astove, Seychelles Assumption, Seychelles Cosmoledo Alphonse Island St. Joseph's Atoll, Seychelles ...
The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
Exclusive Amenities
Offer ID #: 1311842 | Compare This Offer
9-night The Vanilla Islands Cruise
Ponant Cruises — Le Bougainville
Destination: Nosy Be/Victoria, Seychelles
Departure: 2/23/2021
Length: 9 Nights
Ports Hell-Ville Nosy Komba Mayotte (Mamoudzou) Moheli Iles Glorieuses Assumption, Seychelles Astove, Seychelles Alphonse Island Praslin, Seychelles ...
The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
Exclusive Amenities
Offer ID #: 1355603 | Compare This Offer
Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.


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{Spring Shades}: Shades of Orange, Green + White
{Shades of Orange, Green + White}
{bottom row}: via prettynecklaces, peach cocktail, calligraphy, bouquet.
Details We Love
Cake Design + Lovely Bouquet
What great colors. And I love both of those bouquets and that cake? Wow!!!!!
Really lovely colors, Chrissy =)
Love how these colors play off of one another!
Happy spring colours!
Any green palette, I'm in! The romantic bouquet is incredible.
Loving this unique palette - definitely beautiful!
That cake is almost too pretty for words!
Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com
Oooh really loving the orange and the green together...very spring-like. :)
These colors look so great together! I never would've thought!
Love the cake design - so unique and different!
Stunning, darling
Orange and green always make me think of spring.
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
It's too funny–I saw the colors and thought, "Well, I don't know..." but once I saw your gorgeous board, I was completely hooked!
Orange and green is a perfect match! I have seen weddings with this kind of colour! I love it so much!
Love the coulours!!!So sweet!!and the cake looks yummy!!
So very pretty! x
Love how the orange brings energy yet softness to the palette. It's so fun. That bouquet is incredible!
So perfect for Spring!
Stunning, Chrissy =)
Loving this one!
i love these colors together! so, so pretty
Be especially careful that fits this additional Kaylees Bridal accessory to dress well, and especially to the overall style of your bridal outfits.
Feel like a Greek goddess in the 21 Century! Simple, falling cuts combined with pleated curtains lend an antique charm.
wedding dresses
So glad y'all love the cake! My design, made by Jim Smeal.
We align our highest expectations with good quality and Custom Paper Writing Services all through,which make our Free online custom essay writing services affordable to many students.


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Senior Research Fellow
0131 455
Masters, Z., Masters, Z., Macintosh, A., & Smith, E. (2003). Young People and e-Democracy: Creating a Culture of Participation. In R. Traunmuller (Ed.), Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Electronic Government, 15-22. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-30078-6_3
Research originally suggested that new technologies, particularly the Internet, provided a useful mechanism for engaging young people - an otherwise largely disenfranchised gr...
Participation Space Studies explore eParticipation ...
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This week Keolis began operating 43 fully electric buses on three of the four new bus rapid transit (BRT) routes in Amiens on behalf of Amiens Métropole. Called Nemo, these four new BRT routes, make up the backbone of the whole Ametis public transport network where they are expected to constitute more than 70% of total network traffic across the Amiens intercommunal area. Amiens Métropole and Keolis forecast an increase of 28% in passenger numbers over the next five years as a result of this new network. This BRT system is the first of its kind in France and represents a major milestone in the roll-out of Keolis' electro-mobility strategy which will see the Group become France's leading operator of electric shared mobility networks by the end of 2019.
17-12-2018 On 17 December 2018, Keolis launched an electric autonomous shuttle service on the university campus of Lille (Cité Scientifique) at Villeneuve d'Ascq. Globally, it is the fourth city where the Group provides this innovative mode of transport at within a university environment. In Rennes, France, the autonomous shuttles serving the university have been quickly adopted, within three weeks of the start of the operation the services have been used by nearly 3,000 people, a record in usage for this new mode of transport. Keolis is the only public transport operator in France to offer this mobility solution on university campuses. The results of the trials prove the real need for autonomous shuttles on university sites, a service for which Keolis intends to accelerate deployment.
Keolife was designed and implemented to structure the Group's strategy of continuous improvement. Based on proven fundamentals, Keolife provides a shared framework for all Keolis' subsidiaries to improve their performance for the benefit of passengers and public transport authorities alike.
At Keolis, our vision is one of shared mobility that increases the liveability of each community and responds to the biggest economic, social and environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.


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Fender® FUSE™ is no longer actively supported by Fender.
Please Note:
- If you wish to download this software, you may experience functionality issues.
- Fender no longer offers technical support for issues arising from the installation or use of Fender® FUSE™.
Purchasing a pre-owned Fender® FUSE™ connected product is just as rewarding as purchasing a brand new one. You can benefit from receiving the third party software (varies by model) and receiving the balance of the five year warranty from the original purchase date. Every new Fender FUSE connected product comes with a *5 year transferable warranty, Fender FUSE™ software and transferable licenses for the included third party software licenses (varies by model). While Fender FUSE does not need to be registered, the third party programs do. Note that the the original purchaser must endorse the sale of the product to the new owner on the original sales receipt for the product warranty to be valid. The software licenses can be reissued by contacting Fender using the information below.
*Note: Please see the "5 year transferable warranty" Support Article link above for details regarding the transferable warranty terms.
If you have purchased a pre-owned Fender FUSE-connected product and would like to take advantage of the third party software, please follow the links below to register for a Fender FUSE Community user account. Once you have registered for your Fender FUSE Community account, please read through the Fender Support articles linked below for information and step by step instructions for access, registration and authorization of the third party software. If you are unable to successfully use the "Redeem Now" button in the "My Amplifiers" tab in your Fender FUSE Community account profile, please contact us by phone: (480) 596-7195 or by email: firstname.lastname@example.com for further assistance.


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Sep 21, 2010 | 557 Minutes
"'Lord, give me chastity and continence, but not yet.' Ian Ayres has developed the pathbreaking tools that resolve Saint Augustine's paradoxical prayer, brilliantly showing us how to escape self-defeating behavior and overcome the drive for instant gratification." —David Laibson, Robert I. Goldman Professor of Economics, Harvard University
"There are creative books, rigorous books, and useful books, but Carrots and Sticks is all three. It's fascinating and fun to read, and my abs are in great shape too—all thanks to Ian Ayres. Bravo." —Tim Harford, "The Undercover Economist"
"For about thirty years there has been increasing study of how people try to manage, and sometimes succeed in managing, their own behavior: smoking, eating, procrastinating, drinking, losing their temper, fears and phobias, games, fingernails . . . . The list goes on. Here is an entertaining report on one of the basic techniques of overcoming what the ancient Greeks called "weakness of will." All can enjoy it; many may discover it therapeutic."—Thomas C. Schelling, 2005 Nobel Laureate in Economics
"This brilliant book will help you outwit your greatest adversary: your future self. It will give you tools that can change your life."—Barry Nalebuff, co-author of The Art of Strategy


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Former branch sales manager replacing McBee.
YELLVILLE, Ark. – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce Dawn Cotter has been promoted to branch administrator in Yellville.
Cotter, who has worked as a branch sales manager the last five years, will office at Arvest's Yellville branch at 105 N. Panther Ave. She is replacing David McBee, who was recently promoted to sales manager.
In her new role, Cotter will be responsible for the management and supervision of the eleven banks in North Central Arkansas.
"Dawn has proved herself as a valuable asset to both Arvest Bank and our customers and community," McBee said. "I have no doubt she will excel in her new role and continue to help our customers find financial solutions for life."
Cotter has lived in Mountain Home for more than 20 years and been active in numerous civic groups, including Care Center Ministries Mountain Home and Mountain Home Lions Club. She's also a board member for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Baxter County.
Cotter and her husband, Jody, have four sons.
Submitted questions will be answered by an Arvest banker and may appear on the Arvest Blog.
All Arvest banks are Equal Housing Lenders and Member FDIC.
Investment products and services are provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Asset Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Trust services are provided by Arvest Bank. Insurance products are made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by insurance companies.
Securities and Insurance Products: Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate.


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AARP Uses Humor AND Facts in Fight to Protect Seniors
By Reshma Mehta , June 20, 2011 04:46 PM
Glenn Kessler posted a critique of our new ad on the Washington Post website today, saying that "it turns out this stuff adds up to peanuts in the context of a $3.7 trillion federal budget." Yes - AARP is not really suggesting that cutting pickle technology would solve the country's budget woes. The point was to get people talking - and use a little humor to do it. There are billions of dollars in cuts that should be considered before Congress considers cutting people's hard-earned Medicare and Social Security benefits.
AARP's Senior Vice President for Campaigns John Hishta gave the following statement in response (after the jump):
"Now is a critical time in the debate over what particular cuts Congress is willing to make in order to gain support for raising the debt ceiling, and AARP has always maintained that changes to Medicare and Social Security benefits have no place in this debate. Our new television ad was designed to bring attention to the critical discussions that are taking place today inside the beltway on proposals that may include harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security. The ad never made the claim that the deficit could be closed by eliminating the four examples of wasteful spending mentioned in the ad - but the ad has resulted in many people talking about what should be considered before cutting critical lifelines, which was the desired reaction.
AARP is well aware of the challenges that are facing our nation, and no one has or will continue to work harder to educate and engage the public in these important discussions than AARP. Whether or not Mr. Kessler believes that changes could be made to critical benefits for deficit reduction is a perfect example of why AARP will continue our campaign to educate the public on what is at stake in this debate.
AARP will continue to fight with the strength of our millions of members to prevent harmful cuts to Medicare and Social Security from being included in any deal to pay the nation's bills. Congress needs to reduce our nation's debt by cutting wasteful spending, closing tax loopholes and working to rein in costs throughout the health care system."
Haven't seen the ad yet? Watch here, and then tell us what you think in the comments!


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TUCSON – Real Salt Lake had an unlikely hero in its FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup opener on Wednesday night, with reserve goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez playing a leading role in the Claret-and-Cobalt's scoreless draw against the New England Revolution.
One of 11 RSL players to come off the bench at the hour mark, the 21-year-old Fernandez pulled off a huge save in the 90th minute, making a fine reaction stop on a header from New England midfielder Donnie Smith to preserve the shutout and give the Claret-and-Cobalt a point.
"It was a foul on my left side, the cross went to the second post and their guy managed to win the header," Fernandez said. "He got it on target, but – thanks to God – I was able to get my hand there and push it away."
The save was another positive step in Fernandez's development, a path that saw him graduate from the RSL-Arizona Academy and sign with Uruguayan club C.A. Peñarol in 2011 before joining RSL as a Homegrown player in the 2012 preseason. Now entering his third-year as a pro, Fernandez is looking this year to build on a 2013 season that saw him appear in six games for the RSL Reserves.
One thing Fernandez thinks will help him this season? RSL's tremendous knowledge at the goalkeeper position. In addition to more senior teammates Nick Rimando and Jeff Attinella, Fernandez has former Goalkeeper Coach and current Head Man Jeff Cassar and current Goalkeeper Coach Daryl Shore to lean on in 2014.
"Having Jeff and Daryl here is like having two great goalie coaches at the same time," Fernandez said. "It's like double, like having two fathers and two mothers. They're great and hopefully I can learn a lot from them."
"Personally, I want to make all my opportunities count this year," he continued. "I've been growing the entire time I've been at RSL, and I feel good. Now I just need to get better and better every day and make good when I do have my chances, regardless of when they come."


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It's been a tough week to be Ron Johnson. After facing down investors this week over a dismal quarterly performance, the J.C. Penney CEO will be in the spotlight again -- in court.
Johnson is expected to testify Friday in New York State Supreme Court in a trial that pits the struggling department store chain against rival Macy's Inc. over a partnership with domestic diva Martha Stewart.
The trialfocuses on whether Macy's has the exclusive right to sell some of Martha Stewart branded products such as cookware, bedding and bath items.
Business News
Macy's is seeking to block Penney from opening Martha Stewart mini shops in its stores. The shops are part of Johnson's big plan to reinvent the shopping experience at the beleaguered chain.
Copyright AP - Associated Press


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York Bunch Initial Pouch- X080539088104RICH_CRM
Was £10.00 Now £3.75
Personalised pieces feel more special, so show your initials some love with our lovely lettered accessories - they make great gifts too! The cotton initial pouches come in a mix of prints, this one in stylish York Bunch with a gold letter 'X'.
My best bits
- Pouch with metallic initial
- Fully lined
- Available in full alphabet
I'm this big
- 21.5 x 15 cm
I'm made out of
- Outer: 100% Cotton
- Collect From Store: Free
- UK Standard Delivery: £3.95 (Free if you spend over £40)
- UK Next Working Day Delivery: £7.95- Currently Unavailable
- USA Delivery (up to 7 working days) $8
- International Delivery (7-10 working days): from £7
There are currently no reviews found for this product. Be the first to review this product.


text:
ARK SM0401-0197D Catback DT-S Exhaust System Polished Tip 97-04 Chevrolet Corvette C5
The ARK Exhaust System is committed to leadership, technological innovation, and supplying the best quality performance exhaust products in the automotive aftermarket. Today, those efforts have earned ARK position of being the best and one of the largest sport exhaust manufacturer. The sound of a ARK exhaust system is as distinctive as the performance gains it makes, so it is imperative that the acoustic signature be 100% ARK.
The ARK DT-S muffler has a warm exhaust sound at idle and a robust full-throttle note. All ARK Fabrication Performance Exhaust systems are 100% T-304 stainless steel mirror polished, all tubes are precision mandrel bent and everything is hand TIG welded featuring 12month warranty. Additionally, No other company has devoted more time to sport exhaust sound results. Deep, throaty and rich. That is the sound of ARK. You are going to love the fit, finish, and performance of your ARK exhaust system. And the sound is going to turn heads, including yours. They are a direct replacement for the original equipment - no cutting, welding, or modification is required. Installation was a snap because it all lined up just like the stock system.


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Staying Fit during a Trip to High Hampton Inn
In the weeks leading up to a vacation, people typically make an effort to eat well and exercise regularly to be in the best shape possible. Whether you're vacationing at the beach, lake or mountains, trips away from home usually involve indulging in different foods and drinks and often times little exercise. A visit to High Hampton Inn includes not only great dining but also unique ways to stay active on your vacation. Below are four fun ways to keep in shape while making the most of your stay at High Hampton.
Hiking and Fitness Trails – Since High Hampton is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you are guaranteed access to a number of hiking trails. There are 15-miles of well-marked hiking trails on property for you to explore alone or with a guide. To reach the summit of Rock Mountain at 4,370 feet, you will need about an hour-and-a-half. A four-hour round-trip excursion leads to the peak of Chimney Top Mountain, located at 4,618 feet, and back down. The Lake Trail is ideal for visitors looking for a mild hike. The 1.5-mile trail meanders around Hampton Lake, giving you many opportunities to enjoy the area's flora and fauna. The Fitness Trail includes 10 exercise stations that will tone your muscles. The trail begins at the upper end of Hampton Lake and finishes at the base of Rock Mountain. All of these hikes allow for spectacular views and great cardiovascular exercise.
Hampton Lake – Hampton Lake offers numerous ways for you to stay active all day long. The 35-acre lake features a wading pool, swimming area, beach, two docks and swim platforms, and a playground. Spending an afternoon kayaking, canoeing or paddle boating is a great way to get active and enjoy a peaceful summer day on the water. Those looking for something more vigorous will enjoy swimming laps in the refreshing mountain water.
Beanstalk – If you are seeking the thrill of rock climbing, the Beanstalk is for you. The eight-sided, 28-foot climbing tower located outside of the Hampton Health Club and Spa the perfect way for adults and kids to work on total body fitness. Arm and leg muscles are sure to be toned as you make your way to the top of the rock.
Outdoor Sports – You can also enjoy spending time outdoors playing golf, tennis, and bocce ball. A round of golf on the George W. Cobb 18-hole golf course or playing tennis on one of the clay courts are both great ways to burn some calories. To hone your skills, you can participate in our golf and tennis clinics that are available throughout the year. Our two new bocce ball courts are also great ways to get active and indulge in a little friendly competition.
When you visit High Hampton this summer, you don't have to stop your fitness routine. By participating in our fun and unique activities, you are sure to stay fit on your trip this summer.


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Restaurants found in Amsterdam
Listed below are all Calm, child friendly, affordable restaurants in Amsterdam rated Rating between 9 - 10, that serve Gluten free and Vegetarian, where you can reserve online, that are open on saturday, with Catering. Do you want to eat in Amsterdam? Would you like a nice dinner at a cozy restaurant or perhaps some tasty snacks? You'll find it at Eet.nu!
Are you the owner of a restaurant and do you want to be listed on this page or would you like to be able to update your venue's profile page? Register your restaurant now
- Afghan 1
- Mediterranean 1
- Middle Eastern 1
- Spanish 1
Halal 2
Kosher 2
Catering 2
Takeaway 2
Terrace 2
Wi-fi 1
High-tea 1
Budget 1
Calm 2
Formal 1
Hip 2
Romantic 2
Classic 1
Cosy 2


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Difference between revisions of "Minecraft"
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(OpenJDK7 is the only JRE in the Arch repos.)
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{{AUR|minecraft}} is available in the [[AUR]]. This package includes the official game plus a script for launching it.
{{AUR|minecraft}} is available in the [[AUR]]. This package includes the official game plus a script for launching it.
==Update LWJGL==
==Update LWJGL==
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* Incompatibility with some NVIDIA drivers
* Incompatibility with some NVIDIA drivers
the newest LWJGL from [http://sourceforge.net/projects/java-game-lib/files/latest/download?source=files here] (tested with 2.9.0).
Replace the following files in {{ic|~/.minecraft/bin/}} with the corresponding versions in {{ic|lwjgl-*/jar/}}:
Replace the following files in {{ic|~/.minecraft/bin/}} with the corresponding versions in {{ic|lwjgl-*/jar/}}:
Revision as of 00:31, 17 June 2013
minecraftAUR is available in the AUR. This package includes the official game plus a script for launching it.
Update LWJGL
Updating the bundled LWJGL is recommended. This is known to solve various issues:
- Black screen on start
- Sticky keys
- Stuck on pause menu
- Incompatibility with some NVIDIA drivers
After updating Minecraft using the launcher, download the newest LWJGL from here (tested with 2.9.0).
Replace the following files in
~/.minecraft/bin/ with the corresponding versions in
jinput.jar lwjgl.jar lwjgl_util.jar
Replace the following files in
~/.minecraft/bin/natives/ with the corresponding versions in
libjinput-linux.so libjinput-linux64.so liblwjgl.so liblwjgl64.so libopenal.so libopenal64.so
Running Minecraft
If you installed Minecraft from the AUR, you can use the included script:
$ minecraft
Otherwise, you will need to manually launch Minecraft:
$ java -jar $HOME/.minecraft/minecraft.jar
To allocate more RAM to the game, include Xms and Xmx arguments:
$ java -jar -Xms1024M -Xmx2048M $HOME/.minecraft/minecraft.jar
You can change these depending on the amount of RAM that you have. The
Xms argument specifies the minimum amount of RAM to allocate to the program, and the
Xmx argument specifies the maximum amount.
There are several programs and editors which can make your Minecraft experience a little easier to navigate. The most common of these programs are map generators. Using one of these programs will allow you to load up a Minecraft world file and render it as a 2D image, providing you with a top-down map of the world.
Minutor is described as a minimalistic map generator for Minecraft. Don't let this mislead you, it generates maps of existing worlds, not the other way around. You are provided with a simple GTK based interface for viewing your world. Several rendering modes are available, as well as custom coloring modes and the ability to slice through z-levels. minutorAUR is available in the AUR.
Minecraft Server
There are two AUR packages for easy installation of a minecraft server.
For a server compatible with systemd, install
aur/minecraft-server and then enable the service:
$ systemctl enable minecraftd $ systemctl start minecraftd
- Monitor the minecraft server by running the below command as root:
# screen -r
(Remember that one can exit screen sessions with
/srv/minecraft. Add your user to the
minecraft group to modify minecraft settings.
For a server that uses the legacy rc scripts, install
You can also run a dedicated Minecraft server:
- Follow the steps above to install Java
- Download the multiplayer server from the Minecraft site
- Run the server:
$ java -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui
(You can sub the -Xmx and -Xms values for the amount of memory you want your server to use. A good rule of thumb is one GB per ten users.)
- To configure the server, take a look at this wiki page.
- Establishing a Minecraft-specific user is recommended for security. By running Minecraft under an unprivileged user account, anyone who successfully exploits your Minecraft server will only get access to that user account, and not yours.
- To leave the server running unattended, look into tmux or screen.
- You may wish to modify your server, to provide additional features:
- Server Wrappers are one way to add administrative capabilities.
- Bukkit is a powerful modding API, with a wide variety of plugins available.
- If installing the Dynmap plugin, you will need to install fontconfig and libcups to get it to work.
- You might even set up a cron job with a mapper to generate periodic maps of your world.
- ...or you could use rsync to perform routine backups.
- Terrafirmacraft : http://www.terrafirmacraft.com
- Technic pack / Tekkit : http://www.technicpack.net
- Feed The Beast Mod Pack : https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/feedthebeast/
- List of mods : http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1434593-list-of-mods-for-146147-and-from-132-onward/#t
Useful links
- Main site : http://www.minecraft.net/
- Community links: http://www.minecraft.net/community
- Crafting recipies : http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Crafting
- Data values (useful in multiplayer mode) : http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Data_values
- Reddit community : http://www.reddit.com/r/minecraft
- MineTest Tutorial : http://gotux.net/arch-linux/minetest-game-server/


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Afghanistan: Risk Assessment
Country Risk Rating
Business Climate Rating
- Financial and military support from the international community, particularly the US
- Prospects for extraction of raw materials (gas, oil, minerals, etc.)
- Unstable security and geopolitical situation
- Poverty
- Corruption and weak governance
- Reliance on international aid
- Fragile banking system and low distribution of credit
- Heavy reliance on the agricultural sector
Current Trends
Security Situation Still a Cause for Concern
The security situation deteriorated in 2017 and is set to remain a cause for concern in 2018. The number of victims of the war in Afghanistan grew significantly over the year, especially among civilians. Attacks on the population are no longer limited to the areas of confrontation between government forces and anti-government militias (Islamic State, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban). The country's big cities were hit by several deadly attacks, with the central government controlling only 60% of the Afghan territory. Although recognized by the international community, President Ashraf Ghani, elected in September 2014, continues to suffer from a lack of legitimacy following the political crisis after his election, which is further weakening the central government. The parliament, whose term expired in June 2015, will probably be renewed in July 2018 with new parliamentary elections. However, a worsening conflict could compromise the political agenda. The increasing frequency of the confrontations led to a reinforcement of NATO troops in May 2017, and likewise to the sending of more US troops by the Trump administration in August 2017.
In addition to the worsening domestic security situation, relations with Pakistan are expected to continue to be marked by tensions. In 2017, border incidents led to the displacement of 111,000 Afghan refugees from Pakistan. Data from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs counted over 168,000 displaced persons over the first six months of 2017. Attempts at mediation by the US administration led to a bilateral summit in September 2017 between President Ghani and General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Pakistan's military chief, aiming to open talks between the two parties.
An Economy Still Heavily Dependent on the Agricultural Sector
Despite a difficult security situation, economic activity is expected to continue to grow in 2018 – albeit weakly, and without reaching the heights seen during the previous decade (average annual rate of 11.5% from 2007 to 2012). Growth will still depend to a considerable extent on the agricultural sector, which employs over 80% of the workforce. Agricultural yields are likely to remain limited by climate conditions (drought), as well as by the lack of water supply infrastructure. Although illegal, opium cultivation is on an upward trend, gradually replacing agricultural land intended for cereal and market-gardening crops: twelve out of the 34 Afghan provinces have observed a rise in opium cultivation. Industry and services are also likely to see modest growth. Remittances from expatriate workers will sustain household consumption, the main contributor to growth, as will the return of some of the Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran (1 million in 2017). Greater political uncertainty, together with increased violence, will hamper investment by limiting inflows of foreign capital, especially in the mining sector, which nonetheless offers considerable economic opportunities in a largely dollarized economy.
Inflation, which sharpened in 2017, in part due to higher food prices, will remain high in 2018. The deteriorating security situation is disrupting food supplies, while the mass influx of refugees is heightening inflationary tensions. However, international aid helps keep foreign exchange reserves at a comfortable level, which will help stabilize the currency in the short term.
Large Twin Deficits Financed by International Aid
The public finances are still highly reliant on international aid, which keeps the public account in balance. This is because 70% of the budget depends on international aid, and the public deficit excluding grants amounts to about 10% of GDP. With the IMF's help, the Afghan authorities have embarked on an action plan aimed at improving basic infrastructure and strengthening the economy with the support of foreign donors. However, the plan's implementation could be compromised because of the worsening conflict with the Taliban. The authorities have managed to improve tax collection since 2016, despite weak activity, but these efforts are not sufficient to reduce the dependence on international aid. Budget spending is also expected to increase slightly. This increase largely reflects the fact that previous security spending defrayed by international partners will gradually be transferred to the budget.
The current account balance is expected to remain in surplus in 2018 thanks to continued flows of foreign aid. The trade deficit will still be substantial and close to 33% of GDP in 2018. This will be funded by foreign aid.


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If you aren't putting a 100nF capacitor between the FTDI's DTR and the ATmega328's RESET pin, you don't have auto reset. You'll need to reset manually (and leave DTR disconnected).
On the FTDI device its called RTS so disconnect that and use the reset switch that came with the kit?
DO I need the Caps like they show on the diagram for the crystal? That would not be the reason for the sync error would it?
When do you reset manually before and after the successful upload of the sketch?
I can see why I did not have this working correctly. Is there a schematic or drawing on how to set up a manual switch? Resistor between one side of the manual reset switch button pin and Vcc correct? But inline with the reset pin of the Arduino Chip?Cap in line with the reset pin #1 of Atmel328 and the other between the manual reset switch button pin and where would the other pin go on the cap?I know I should know this but this is a non polarized cap so it should not cause an issue inline but will probably not work that way since one side needs a negative or connected to the other side of the momentary switch?
The manual switch procedure that works best for me is to push and hold down the reset switch, then press upload on the IDE, and when the IDE prints the final compiled sketch size only then release the reset button.Lefty
Quote from: retrolefty on Oct 07, 2012, 05:00 amThe manual switch procedure that works best for me is to push and hold down the reset switch, then press upload on the IDE, and when the IDE prints the final compiled sketch size only then release the reset button.LeftyTried that to no luck. Do I need to load a Serial to USB sketch with the Blink Sketch? The Baud Rate settings etc?
It was a stupid question. The hardware Serial to USB does not need a sketch to run separately sorry for the confusion. It assigns a com port and works off the internally set serial protocol.I just tried a Sparkfun USB to Serial TTL 5 volts and it worked no problem.I think the Tx/Rx is mislabeled on this device link below because I revered them and finally got this to work with all of the great help. I am very thankful for all your time and a lesson to be learned!!


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Arsenio Hall Returns To TV
Arsenio Hall is eager to get back in the late-night talk show game, minus the big hair and shoulder pads that marked his initial foray nearly 20 years ago.
Joking to the Television Critics Association on Monday that he's "been away making turkey bacon," Hall said the challenges are much bigger now than when he was a pop-culture tastemaker on his old show that ran from 1989-94.
Back then, there were fewer channels and Johnny Carson was the dominant late-night host of "The Tonight Show."
"It's a huge challenge this time to bring people to the television," Hall said. "Your biggest fan doesn't watch you every night. You hope to get a guy three nights to check you out, the other nights they'll be catching someone else."
Hall isn't focused on going after fans of Jay Leno or Chelsea Handler, for example.
"I'm trying to be in the game," he said. "I just got to be better than one guy that's there."
He offered few details on the format and style of the new "Arsenio Hall Show" other than the old theme song is coming back with a new bit of music that Hall wrote added to it.
Hall said no guests have yet been booked for the syndicated show debuting Sept. 9. More than 200 outlets have signed up to carry it.
Soon-to-be rivals Leno and Jimmy Kimmel have reached out to Hall. Leno offered the phone numbers of the best writers on his staff who were forced out during layoffs, while Kimmel wrote a check to support Hall's charity when he won "Celebrity Apprentice" last year.
"Maybe they're setting me up to knock me out," he said, "but the bottom line is everybody is being real nice to me."