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We gathered at Ecotrust's Billy Frank room for the August B Learning Lunch to learn how to run effective meetings. At the previous lunch in July, Suzanne Coffman, Senior Business Advisor & Insight Activator at Trebuchet Group shared the different types of conflict and how to harness it for better results. Healthy conflict should be present at effective meetings.
Highlights from our July B Learning Event
Highlights from our May B Learning Event
Highlights from our April B Learning Lunch
Highlights from our March B Learning Lunch
Highlights from our February B Learning Lunch
Highlights from our January B Learning Lunch
At the January Learning Lunch, we came together as a community to share the results of the recent 2019 B Local PDX Community Survey. Over 75 individuals met at Ecotrust to help inform future programming for B Local Events. We had small group discussions and shared our 2019 goals and the current challenges we face in our organizations and community.
Highlights from our December B Learning Lunch
Highlights from our November B Learning Lunch
At our November B Learning lunch, we heard from Lisa Cox from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, along with representatives and interns from New Seasons Market and Nossa Familia Coffee, about the Oregon Applied Sustainability Experience (OASE). OASE is an internship program administered by Oregon Sea Grant and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, funded through a grant from EPA. This non-regulatory and voluntary program invites Oregon businesses to host a free, full-time, ten week intern to conduct onsite sustainability research at their businesses.
Highlights from our August B Learning Lunch
Highlights from our July B Learning Lunch
Thank you to everyone who came to our July B Learning lunch, where we focused on a project entitled US, A Collection of Immigration Stories from Our B Corp Family: Their Journeys, Experiences, and Reflections on Home. The production of this book was an all-volunteer initiative, and the goal was to learn, highlight and reflect on the unique immigration stories in our community. The project was "driven by the need for personal connection and the desire to recognize ourselves in each other. The result is a collection of stories that feature the paths by which members of our B Local community, originating from all over the world, came to reside in Portland, Oregon. These volunteers were asked to share their personal experiences in the effort to foster a bigger conversation about immigration."
Highlights from our June B Learning Lunch
Thank you to everyone who came to our June B Learning lunch at HUB, and special thanks to our speaker, Anais Tuepker, from 350PDX. We learned more about how B Corps can become involved in the organization's mission to "address the causes of climate disruption through justice-based solutions by inspiring, training and mobilizing people to act," with a particular focus on the Portland Clean Energy Fund.
Highlights from our May B Learning Lunch
At our May B Learning Lunch, Heather Schrock joined us again at Hopworks for the second installment of her two-part series of talks on environmental footprint for business, this time on measuring a company's water footprint. In her talk, Heather addressed some questions that companies face on the B Impact Assessment around measuring water usage, and actions that a company has taken to measure and reduce its water footprint.
Highlights from our April B Learning Lunch
Our April B Learning Lunch was held on April 26, 2018. The topic was Carbon Footprinting & Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Business 101 with Heather Schrock, Environmental Products Representative, from Bonneville Environmental Foundation. In her talk, Heather demystified some questions taken directly from the B Impact Assessment around measuring your greenhouse gas emissions and figuring out carbon footprint. She also discussed carbon offsets and how they can be calculated.


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What I wore to Blog Her
If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you know that I recently attended my first Blog Her '14 in San Jose. As with most things I do, what I was going to wear was important to me. I was going to represent me, my brand and Blog Party so I wanted to look stylish and professional. However, I didn't know how much walking there was going to be or if it was going to be hot or cold so I wanted to also be comfortable. I went more casual the first two days and saved my new Ted Baker dress for the last day. I also toted around my Ona camera bag which fit my iPad, notebook and makeup perfectly. Tell me, what would you wear to a blog conference or networking event?
Photos by Chris Mieuli
What I wore: Prabal Gurung for Target top Asos polka dot joggers Dolce Vita shoes
Anthropologie top J.Crew jeans Enzo Angiolino shoes
Ted Baker dress Halogen shoes
Ona Camera Bag

subset: commoncrawl


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Despite the film depicting historic Asian culture and being set in China with a predominantly Chinese cast, it still has a Caucasian actor at the forefront. So even if Damon isn't playing a character with a Chinese name, you still have a film with a "white savior" complex which has been done to death in films like Avatar and Dances With Wolves.
I find this rather unfortunate because this is a U.S. and Chinese co-production and they had the opportunity to finally allow an Asian actor to be the lead of a Hollywood film. The worst part is that roles that end up being whitewashed go to actors that are never hurting for roles. Matt Damon never will be. Scarlett Johansson, who's playing Motoko in Ghost In The Shell, isn't hurting for roles since she is already Black Widow. Emma Stone, who played the part-Asian Allison Ng in Aloha, isn't banging on people's doors for a great role.
Some people will probably defend Damon's casting, saying "Well, lead ethnic actors don't sell movie tickets." But at this point, I say that isn't an excuse. Ridley Scott tried defending the whitewashed cast of Exodus: Gods and Kings, essentially saying that he couldn't get a foreign actor who doesn't sell movie tickets as the lead of his film. Yet Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton sell movie tickets?
Now, I do like that the U.S. and China are co-producing a flm together and I don't want to sound ungrateful. But I care a lot about seeing opportunities given to people of color and seeing them be the stars of their own pictures. Like Idris Elba once said, "The talent is there. The opportunity isn't." Until we see more opportunities given to people of color and also women, I am going to continue to speak on the diversity issue. I may be speak on it a little too much. But again, it's only because I care.
What do you guys think? Are you as tired as I am about seeing history being whitewashed or do you see this as business as usual? Please feel free to write your thoughts in the comments section. Thanks for reading!


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Wear protection, slip-resistance, appearance retention and durability over a long life are real issues in these busy areas. Modern flooring options deliver excellent colour retention and choice, plus long-term ease of maintenance and cleaning. You may need lasting enhanced acoustic performance in certain areas, so you can choose our acoustic flooring or combine our other flooring ranges with an acoustic underlay.
Stair nosings provide additional safety, wear resistance and appearance retention.
Flooring should reduce noise in key areas to improve the well-being of all patients and staff.
For lasting enhanced acoustic performance, choose our acoustic flooring or combine our other flooring ranges with an acoustic underlay.
Colour and design should highlight the stairs' location and define stair edges.
Combine standard flooring colours to satisfy your need for aesthetic impact and variety. You can contrast the colours of the stairs with the colour of the nosings for enhanced safety. Combine the flooring with the vast colour choice of Altro Whiterock wall cladding systems.
You need resistance to inorganic and organic chemicals, spillages and wastes.
Altro safety flooring and Altro Whiterock hygienic wall cladding systems offer excellent resistance to a wide range of chemicals and most staining.
Long-term resistance to wear, abrasion, point loading and impact, especially from wheeled equipment, walking aids etc.
Heavy duty, resilient 2.5mm slip-resistant Altro safety flooring and resin flooring offer excellent resistance to point loading and impact and are warrantied for up to 15 years. Altro Whiterock impact-resistant wall cladding is warrantied for up to 20 years.
Easy cleaning to the highest standards of hygiene, plus low cost and easy maintenance are important.
We offer impervious, coveable Altro safety flooring with Altro Easyclean Maxis PUR Technology, proven to provide unrivalled low dirt pick-up for improved long-term cleanability.
Combine our flooring with hygienic, impervious, impact-resistant Altro Whiterock wall cladding, doorsets and ceiling systems with welded joints and thermoformed corners, which offer easy maintenance and can even be hosed down if required.
Lasting slip-resistance to meet Health and Safety standards and keep staff and patients safe underfoot is vital.
We offer Altro safety flooring with lifetime sustained slip-resistance of up to 20 years.
Sign up to Altro's email list to receive: the latest case studies, Events updates, product news and much more.


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Sharpley, Andrew N. and Kleinman, Peter J. A. and Heathwaite, A. Louise and Gburek, William J. and Folmar, Gordon J. and Schmidt, John P. (2008) Phosphorus loss from an agricultural watershed as a function of storm size. Journal of Environmental Quality, 37 (2). pp. 362-368. ISSN 0047-2425Full text not available from this repository.
Phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural watersheds is generally greater in storm rather than base flow. Although fundamental to P-based risk assessment tools, few studies have quantified the effect of storm size on P loss. Thus, the loss of P as a function of flow type (base and storm flow) and size was quantified for a mixed-land use watershed (FD-36; 39.5 ha) from 1997 to 2006. Storm size was ranked by return period (<1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–10, and >10 yr), where increasing return period represents storms with greater peak and total flow. From 1997 to 2006, storm flow accounted for 32% of watershed discharge yet contributed 65% of dissolved reactive P (DP) (107 g ha–1 yr–1) and 80% of total P (TP) exported (515 g ha–1 yr–1). Of 248 storm flows during this period, 93% had a return period of <1 yr, contributing most of the 10-yr flow (6507 m3 ha–1; 63%) and export of DP (574 g ha–1; 54%) and TP (2423 g ha–1; 47%). Two 10-yr storms contributed 23% of P exported between 1997 and 2006. A significant increase in storm flow DP concentration with storm size (0.09–0.16 mg L–1) suggests that P release from soil and/or area of the watershed producing runoff increase with storm size. Thus, implementation of P-based Best Management Practice needs to consider what level of risk management is acceptable.
|Item Type:
|Journal Article
|Journal or Publication Title:
|Journal of Environmental Quality
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|Faculty of Science and Technology > Lancaster Environment Centre
|ID Code:
|Deposited By:
|Mr Richard Ingham
|Deposited On:
|18 Jan 2010 09:55
|Last Modified:
|11 Sep 2019 01:00
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Well, it's up in any case!!!
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
So, I can't believe that I'm finally here. I can't say what this book means to me. I can't say how much work, sweat, blood (yes!), and tears has gone into making this book. It's a combination of support from everyone, huge gobs of work for me, and way, way less sleep than is healthy!
Please share this post, go buy a book, and get everyone you know to buy one, too! I'm counting on you! =^___^=
Buying one supports me, supports my art, supports my future plans of beginning a manga magazine some day, and means that you either think that what I wrote is cool, or love me.
Feel free to buy more than one!
If I somehow hit my goal of 1,000 copies, then I will find a way to publish my manga, Denkiki, online, for FREE. Gratis! There are several models that I'm looking at, but the basics are that if you don't want to, you don't have to pay. You can read, or preview, or anything that you want!
(Plus, if I sell enough preorders quickly enough, I can get out of here and into a new place where I can work in peace. If you don't know what's been happening, check out my other blog.)
I can't express what this means to me that I not only have been able to get this book (almost-- it's in it's final edit and design stage now) out, but that I have had so many of you guys express interest and stand by me. I had no idea how much work it was going to be. None at all!
Here's the final stretch, and I need your preorders!
▶ This is a limited-time preorder. Book release will be June 15, 2014, although preorders may ship earlier.
▶ Deluxe softcover book
▶ 5.25 x 8"
▶ ~250 pages
▶ full color cover, b&w interior
▶ illustrations, photos, and mini comics included!
▶ Free postcard with original art
▶ Each book will be signed with a short personalized message (if desired)
▶ E-book included (delivery on release day)
▶ FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING included
I'm waiting for your orders, comments, and questions!!
And just to let you know, I will return on Monday for daily blog posts-- until then, I will be monitoring orders and comments, but taking a little bit of a breather! I can't say how much I need it! I haven't taken a day off since the beginning of the year! See you in my comment box and mailbox! ^O^
PS: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SHARE THIS POST! Thankyousomuch!
Current Mood: accomplished


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Recently, I added a photo essay to my portfolio that documents over 40 greeting cards that I made when I was a child. I am incredibly thankful that my mother thought it was a good idea to keep all of my childhood artwork. ALL of it. She has boxes upon boxes.
It's wonderful to look at them. Some are funny because I was actually trying to be funny, some are funny even though I wasn't trying to be funny. Some are outrageously creative (can I be that creative and uninhibited still, please?). They represent to me that creativity and art are part of who I am, and always have been. That I will carry creativity in my chest, between my ribs, and in my brain, wherever I go.
They also remind me of a time in life that I try to revisit and investigate often. Though I believe I had a beautiful childhood, full of wonder, freedom, and nature, it wasn't empty of darkness. These little pieces of art were made during the time that my father was dying. I don't remember everything that I was thinking or feeling then, but these are a window into the mind of a coping child, and I am thankful for that.
My favorite one is this:
It's just so inspiring.
View the rest of the project here.


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The Flowers in My Mothers' Name by Philip Harris
The Flowers in My Mothers' Name by Philip Harris
The Flowers in my Mothers' Name is a chapbook collection of nonfiction prose poetry that explores the intersectionality of narrator Philip Harris. A gay, Mexican man from Southern California, Harris finds himself at the center of cultures, sexuality, and generations. Through explorations of his mother's life as a Chicana faced with racist microaggressions, his grandmother's grief, and his own queer existence as a person of color with passing white privilege, Philip shares his multicultural narrative.
What People Are Saying
"In The Flowers in My Mothers' Name, Philip Harris fearlessly explores his roots and tangled loyalties, what it means to feel love for one's Mexican mother and her struggles while trying to individuate his own gay identity he so early recognizes. It is an homage to truth and growth and the terribly rich framework of what is ours and how the world tries to shred its meaning. What he finds is what he needs. That is the power of the story of Philip / Felipe, the flowers of his empathy, his truth, and its hard-earned beauty of acceptance."
– Maxine Chernoff, author of Here (2014) and Camera (2017)
"These beautiful prose poems tease out the mysteries and griefs of identity forged in the crucible of American childhood. In reclaiming his mothers' name, Philip Harris has written a new prayer book, its patron saints the Virgin and La Llorona, its pages a wreath of flowers to lay at their feet."
– Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to You (2016), long-listed for the 2016 National Book Award in fiction
"We admire the flower in bloom fullness, delighting in the vibrant color of a wind-shivering petal or its resilience in blossoming after the viciousness of winter or the pruner's shears. What goes unnoticed often is the becoming. What can the flower teach us of that journey? Harris offers us an intimate seeing in these poems of witness, drawing us as readers into personally expansive moments that resonate in canto y flor. Through the interweaving of familial stories in the structured block of the prose poem, primarily those of son, mother, and grandmother, we experience the thousand bee stings of microaggressions as much as we do tenderness and acceptance within the family. Ultimately, the revelations within his work resist white supremacy's hegemony and cultural erasure; rather, this collection insists on the deeply personal and human experience, the revealing of the flower in its time."
– Raina J. León, PhD, author of sombra : (dis)locate (2016) and Profeta Without Refuge (2016)
"The Flowers in My Mothers' Name is a brave and intimate book. There's comedy, as well as a great deal of pain, and above all: honesty. Harris, who wastes no words, has written a moving tribute to two strong women, as well as a gut-punch of a memoir. You want to know what it's like to grow up in America? Read this."
– Peter Orner, author of Love and Shame and Love (2011)
"A melodic, poetic, memoir hybrid, Philip Harris' The Flowers In My Mothers' Name, is a stark and yet surprisingly intimate book about family and self. Harris's flashes of familial history are beautifully reflected in his contained prose, each brief story a slight shifting of perception told in first or in third, is a quiet agonizing or celebration of the personal and political lives that reside in our everyday lives."
– MK Chavez, winner of the 2017 Cosmonauts Avenue Poetry Prize, author of Virgin Eyes (2008), Mothermorphosis (2016), and Dear Animal, (2016)
Publication Details
All of our books are printed locally in Oakland, CA. We strongly believe in supporting local publishers and local printers.
September 2017 • 5 x 7 • 60 pp. • Trade Paper
Cover art by Arthur Johnstone
Interior and cover design by J. K. Fowler
Author Details
Want to know more about this author? Click here to be taken to their author bio page.


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Having played both Fenders and Gibsons for many years, I began to imagine a guitar that was a cross between them – sorta like a Telecaster / Gibson 335 hybrid. So I made my first guitar along the lines of a hollow body Telecaster. I made it in the back yard with a hammer and a chisel. After a lot of hard work I assembled what I affectionately call the "Telebastard", named my new company The Hummingbird Guitar Co, and now make what I and others have come to know as one of the finest playing machines available.
The Telebastard is an inch wider at the lower bout than a standard Tele; in addition it's a half inch longer and half an inch thicker. The guitar is completely hollow and the sustain block is chambered so all hollow chambers are connected. The result: a guitar that does everything a Telecaster does, but is warmer and more acoustic sounding. In fact it is 50% louder acoustically than a Telecaster.
Now the best part…..I hand select excellent tone wood which allows me to tone test the lumber, but also choose exotic wood for strikingly beautiful guitars. The finishes are nitro cellulose for the color, and hand rubbed tung oil for the clear coat. The natural finishes allow the guitar to develop a vintage tone much more quickly than conventional, poly coated guitars. Also, a tung oil finish is easy to repair: a little sanding and reapplication does the trick.
In short, they are the coolest playing machines available for about half of Fender custom shop prices. I also can choose from a wide array of necks, pickups, and hardware for more "custom" variations all with the same result: a superior sounding and aesthetically beautiful hand crafted instrument that rivals and surpasses its vintage counterparts.
Duffy Kane
Please browse the photos above and read what other Telebastard owners have to say about their guitars.You can purchase a hand crafted Telebastard or Stratobastard built to your specifications.
Contact Duffy Kane on the Contact page of this website.
"Plenty of snap, tons of thump, and gobs of bottom. Plays as good as any Telecaster I've played and I've played 'em all." Mark Fasbender, Barking Pig Studios, Salt Lake City UT
"I have never seen a guitar like this. Plays better than any Fender I ever played. It's an awesome guitar." Mario Rivera, Ogden UT
"This guitar is the crown jewel of my collection. The exceptional sound and depth of the low end vibrate from the head stock to the tail piece. It is the Stratovarius of guitars" J Parker, Fairfax VA


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Hmmm. Soska Sisters and Katharine Isabelle? Enough said. I am in.
After giving the world DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK, the irrepressible Soska sisters unleash AMERICAN MARY. Starring Katharine Isabelle (GINGER SNAPS), this metaphor for the Soskas own journey through the independent film industry follows medical student Mary Mason as she becomes increasingly broke and disenchanted. The allure of easy money sends Mary into the twilight world of body modification and underground surgeries where obsessed flesh artists will pay anything and go through any pain to get their unusual procedures done. But Mary soon finds that her new 'profession' leaves more marks on her own psyche than on her freakish clientele.
Directors: Jen & Sylvia Soska
Canada 2012
Katharine Isabelle — Mary Mason
Antonio Cupo — Billy Barker
Tristan Risk — Beatress Johnson
David Lovgren — Dr. Grant
Paula Lindberg — Ruby RealGirl
Clay St. Thomas — Dr. Walsh
John Emmet Tracy — Det. Dolor
Twan Holliday — Lance Delgreggo


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It is well known that circumbinary discs can allow the binary to evolve by acting as an angular momentum reservoir, but we have found that in the case of an asymmetric binary (non-equal mass and non-circular orbit), the young binary can cause strong precession in its disc causing interesting changes in accretion patterns. This is due to the non-Keplerian nature of the binary potential, and has strong implications both for long-term accretion variability and for how binary mass ratios can be set or changed during their young disc-accretion phase.
In Dunhill, Cuadra & Dougados (2015), we perform SPH simulations of the system HD104237. We see that the eccentric inner cavity of the disc formed through dynamical interactions with the binary begins to precess. This leads to a period change in the accretion pattern into the cavity through accretion streams, and onto the binary components. The movie below shows our simulation at four different times during its evolution, and clearly shows both the precession of the disc cavity and the changes in how the binary components accrete gas from the disc edge through streams.
We find that the binary component which sees the most accretion switches as the position angle of the cavity changes, allowing both components to accrete equally over time. This is in strong contrast to accretion onto circular binaries, where the secondary is always the primary accretor and the mass ratio is pushed closer to unity.


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A City On The Rise
"South Florida is one of the hottest markets for startups in the country. Magic Leap, Open English and Care Cloud call it home and the global tech leaders have opened offices here. In 2016, Miami was ranked the #2 most entrepreneurial city in the US." – via techcrunch
"Do your dreams. Founders choose the hero's journey.
Co-create gifts for the greater good. Evolve from me
to we. Ascend."
"Hire and partner with those who share a common purpose, nothing is a stronger (or cheaper) motivator."
"Epictetus said: "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." We have to accept what we can't control. So it's critical that we focus on what we can control! We've chosen a path that will challenge us to our core. It's a long journey. Buckle up!"
"Surround yourself with the brightest, most hardworking, creative, positive, and passionate people. Strong teams can turn any obstacle into an opportunity. "
"It's a marathon, not a sprint, and that couldn't be truer than when running a startup. Always remember to enjoy life while in pursuit of your goals."
"As a founder the most important thing to master is your own psychology (patterns and programming). You are your best asset and biggest roadblock."
"The secret to being a successful entrepreneur; is to plan a little…and surrender a lot. Letting go makes room for the universe to deliver unexpected surprises."
"You are not just what you do at work. Having a life beyond the office is key. Gift your startup time and space to grow."
"In the face of all logic and reason… Believe in your project, believe in your team, and believe in yourself. You can't lose if you believe."
"Focus on the 'why' behind your company and not the 'what.' Once you find that, you'll attract everything you're looking for."
"Everything in business is negotiable."
"When you get to choose the destination, the path travelled, the vehicle of transportation and the friends you bring along for the ride—that in itself will satisfy the forever entrepreneur. The financial independence is a secondary and welcomed bonus."
"Wile E Coyote had a lot of great ideas of how to catch the roadrunner. His persistence, determination and willingness to put his life on the line were the greatest qualities he possessed. Never give up as long as your vision is clear."
"Be like a swan. Look graceful to others, but under the waterline… paddle like your life depends on it."
"Everything you need is within you."
"If your heart is not 100% in it, don't bother. Trust your feelings."
"Persevere. If this was going to be easy, everyone would be doing it."
"Founders need to figure out their company's raison d'etre first. Then the startup journey is figuring out how to actualize it."
"Ruthless Prioritization. Trust but verify. Don't complain, create. Failing to plan is planning to fail. Make your own luck."
"Before over-investing into your product/service, figure out viable and affordable distribution/sales channels first. Most entrepreneurs figure out their product/service and fall in love with it—but fail in selling it at scale."
"Life is an amazing song and dance we all hear differently. Inclusion is letting others hear your music + teaching them your dance."
"No means three things: 1) Not now, 2) You haven't given a good enough reason for me to say yes, and 3) Go one level higher. Through the obstacle you'll find the way."
"Vision is a gift to be received humbly. Execution is a craft to be practiced with patience and persistence."
"Your intuition is your compass. Don't borrow someone else's, it's your journey to take."
"If we weren't doing this, we'd be doing something else; either way we have to choose to enjoy it."
"Speed is everything. But without quality, there is nothing. Always remember that to go fast, go slow."
"Feel. Understand. Act. Founders' passion will ultimately evolve into value creation. Keep in mind during the journey how much of that value you want for you or others."
"Begin Again. Experience each day as its own lifetime. Each day is an opportunity to recommit and begin again, to create again, to help others again, to love again. No person is too far gone, no situation is too hopeless that one cannot start anew. Begin Again. Now."
"Being an entrepreneur means being flexible to adapt through customer feedback but rigid to persevere on your vision."
Miami made. Mission
To leverage the diversity, collective knowledge and creative energy of founders to lead Miami's startup ecosystem to its next evolution as a premier place to start a company.
Miami made. is a membership organization comprised of Miami's top founders.
Join the Miami Founder Movement
Stay Informed
Sign up to receive some of the most relevant news and events in the Miami startup community.
Generously Supported By
"Miami's startup scene has made tremendous strides over the past few years, fueled by a joint commitment to create a collaborative ecosystem where startups can thrive. Miami made will help to take that commitment further— bringing together leading startup founders to help shape the future of our innovation ecosystem."
Matt Haggman, Miami program director at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.


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USWC Contract Holder FAQs
Do I need to return to the dealer for repairs?
It is not required that you return to the selling dealer for repairs.
Where can I have my vehicle repaired?
You may have your vehicle repaired at a repair facility of your choice in the United States or Canada.
How do I determine what is covered?
Please refer to your Service Contract and Registration Page to determine your coverage. Please feel free to contact our Claims Department for a detailed review of your coverage.
What method of payment do you utilize to pay claims?
Reimbursement can be made to the repair facitlity or to the customer by check, credit card or ACH (Automated Clearing House).
The awning and roof of my Recreational Vehicle have sustained wind and hail damage, is this covered?
We do not cover weather related damage. Please contact your insurance company for further assistance.
I am unsuccessful in locating my service contract number, can you help?
We can do a search in our database for your service contract number with either the last six digits of your Vehicle Identification Number or your first and last name.
Why should I purchase your extended warranty over one of your competitors?
We have been in business since 1975 and are one of the oldest RV Extended Service Protection companies in the United States. We've carefully built in special coverages that you may not find elsewhere. For instance, we include coverage for diagnostic fees, shipping and taxes. Seals and Gaskets are included at no extra cost on all plans. Senior Citizens, Active Military and Veterans receive a 25% reduction in their deductible when they call in a claim (not available in Florida).
We also include the following benefits at no extra cost to you on every contract: USWC Personal Assistant, Towing, Emergency Service Calls, Lockout and Trip Interruption.
Watch out video to understand why we believe customer education is the backbone of our business and relationships are the heart and soul!
Are seals and gaskets covered?
Seals & Gaskets coverage is included at no extra cost on all plans (excluding powertrain only coverage).
What is GAP coverage and do you offer it?
GAP is a unique coverage program that protects you from financial disaster in case your vehicle is stolen or totaled. Here's why: as your vehicle gets older, the actual cash value (ACV) declines, while your lease or loan balance may remain higher than what the insurance company will pay you. You are then liable for the difference between what the insurance company pays you and what you owe.
Many people do not realize that they are responsible for the balance owed on the vehicle. GAP covers the difference between your loan or lease balance and your insurance settlement.
Please contact us directly to find a dealer near you who offers our GAP protection.
What if I break down when your office is closed?
Claims adjusters are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays by calling our toll free number (800) 233-9878.
How do I file a claim?
Authorization must be obtained from us before repair work is commenced.
In the event of a breakdown, contact us immediately to report and discuss the claim prior to commencing the repairs in order for us to do a preliminary evaluation of our liability.
To report a claim, call (800) 233-9878 or submit through our website under the CLAIMS TAB above.
It is your responsibility to authorize the repair facility to diagnose the problem and to contact us to provide the diagnosis and an estimate of the parts and labor. We will evaluate the claim and upon our acceptance of liability we will issue an authorization number and confirm the repair cost.
Upon completion of the repair, we review the service performed with the repair facility and make certain that you are satisfied before signing the work order approving us to pay the repair cost.
Watch our video to learn more about filing a claim.
Can I cancel my extended warranty?
Please refer to your service contract for cancellation procedures or contact us directly at (800) 233-9878.
Can I transfer my warranty when I sell my vehicle?
Yes, if you sell your vehicle to a private owner, you may transfer the warranty to them. Please refer to the service contract for transfer details or contact us at (800) 233-9878.
When does my coverage begin?
Your coverage is effective as of the date you signed the application pending our acceptance.
What are the different levels of plans and is there a deductible?
We have three (3) levels of plans to cover most vehicles!
Plan: Eagle – This plan includes basic coverage and allows you the flexibility in designing your own warranty by purchasing only the options you need. Only listed parts are covered.
Plan: Eagle Plus – This plan includes all coverage and most options contained in Plan: Eagle. Only listed parts are covered.
Plan: Eagle Guardian – The most comprehensive exclusionary coverage available. This plan provides coverage for virtually all factory approved and dealer installed mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic parts essential to the operation of your vehicle.
Standard deductibles range from $50 – $200. Contact us for more details per plan. You have the option of increasing the deductible to reduce your overall payment.
Watch this video to learn more about our services.
Do you offer a Payment Plan option?
Payment options should be discussed with the dealership you are purchasing the warranty from.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help.
United States Warranty Corporation
6150 Parkland Blvd, Suite 200
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
Phone: (800) 233-9878 Fax: (440) 516-2604


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Susanne M. Alexander
You have reached a page which will soon be archived. Please see Susanne's new faculty bio.
Susanne M. Alexander has served as lead faculty for the Wilmette Institute relationship and marriage courses since 2013. She and her multi-member team create courses that help people more deeply understand the Baha'i teachings on this topic and do practical application of them in their lives.
Susanne is an experienced Relationship and Marriage Educator and Coach with a specialty in character. She has presented over 100 relationship and marriage workshops and keynote addresses in the US, Canada, and China through her service company Marriage Transformation® (www.marriagetransformation.com; www.bahaimarriage.net, which is also www.bahairelationships.com), including at Smart Marriages®, Better Marriages, and Fortress for Well-being conferences, as well as at many Bahá'í schools. She is certified as a coach by Life Innovations to offer to couples their PREPARE/ENRICH readiness to ask for consent/marry and marriage well-being assessments. Susanne is also an author of over twenty books and discussion guides on relationships and marriage, a journalist, and an editor. She is a member of the National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education (www.narme.org). Susanne holds a BA in Communications from Baldwin-Wallace College in Ohio. Her over 200 articles have been published in Simplemarriage.net, Marriage Partnership, Strengthening Marriage, Newsweek Japan, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, and Massage Magazine among others.
Personally, Susanne has been single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, and widowed. She is a child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, and grandparent. All of this has given Susanne a diversity of experience to share! She is currently married to a wonderful man named Phil in Harrison, Tennessee near Chattanooga.
Susanne's articles on bahaiteachings.org


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Oh hey how ya doing?? I have been ultra busy thus the lack of posting lately. Sigh it is always the way at the end of the month for me. This month though life has thrown a few doozies my way. But here I am and that is what counts. I soo hope you and your family are doing fine!
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New Artist Spotlight: Alisa Steady
Property Lines IV
The bright and bold colors in Alisa Steady's work come from a very cheerful place. As she puts it: "I paint happy." She thrives on the idea of exploring emotion through color. Oftentimes, she uses her fingers to manipulate the acrylic paint she uses.
She explains:
It's magical and joyful each time I step into the studio and begin work. My end goal with each piece is to capture the joy that is transmitted through me and expressed onto canvas.
Check out some of her lively pieces below and see her full profile here.
Please Do Not Disturb a Dreamer
Property Lines II
Property Lines III


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This New Fingerprinting Technology Can Secure Almost Any Handgun
Omer Kiyani knows what its like to get shot in the mouth. When he was a teenager, he says, he survived just that.
Now, he is bringing his own new brand of gun safety to market. It's called "Identilock" and it's a system that completely covers the trigger of a gun, unlocking it only to a set of authorized fingerprints. Recognizing a gun owner's prints in about a second, the clamshell lock falls off the trigger, and the gun is ready for use.
Kiyani says with his new portable lock, he's not out to change the world, he just wants to make sure that when it comes to personal firearms "the right person gets in every time, and the wrong person never does."
At CES, the annual technology industry show, in Las Vegas last week, there were no guns allowed on the show floor. But Kiyani's lock, which works with hi-tech fingerprinting software, was there anyway.
While the tech is a rather bulky add-on, the plus is that it can be used to lock almost any handgun. Kiyani hopes that means it won't draw the same kinds of criticisms smart guns have, which have been shut down numerous times over regulation fears. The Identilock is more like a mobile gun safe than a smartgun, he argues.
Armed with a $100,000 grant from the Smart Tech Challenges Foundation, Kiyani started developing the tech about three years ago. The initial funding was followed by a round of venture capital investing that took the product into manufacturing. Kiyani says investors for the Detroit-based startup include an ex-CEO of Chrysler. As the tech comes to market this summer, Kiyani says he's actively pursuing a second round of venture funding.
Get Data Sheet, Fortune's technology newsletter.
The finished Identilock fingerprint scanner is about twice the size of a smartphone thumb scanner, and made to store up to nine prints from both right and left-handed owners. Kiyani, an electrical engineer who worked in airbag safety for a decade, says that was the hardest part of making the lock: building it with super-sensitive, accurate fingerprint technology.
But what happens when an owner's finger is wet, muddy or bloody? Those are questions that haven't been fully worked out yet. The lock, which keeps a charge for six months, recharges via a USB port, but can also be opened with a manual key override. The lock is pre-selling online now for $319, set to start shipping in summer 2016.
What's the holdup for smart gun tech? Watch:
President Obama pushed forward with his own executive action on guns earlier this month, aimed at reducing gun violence by ramping up background checks and regulating internet gun sales. But Kiyani says his new lock is not really cure for gun violence. "It's an unauthorized use prevention device," he says, simply aimed at keeping kids safe around the house, and keeping control of a gun in the hands of its owner, not a thief.
But the President is also looking to the tech industry for fresh answers like Kiyani's. In a New York Times op-ed last week, Obama wrote " If a child can't open a bottle of aspirin, we should also make sure she can't pull the trigger of a gun."
As for Kiyani, he's keeping politics out of it. A card-carrying National Rifle Association member, he says his new tech appeals to both sides of the gun debate. Next week, he'll be heading to Las Vegas for the Shot Show, the world's largest firearms trade show, to market his new product to gun shops.


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The next morning, Rio decided to depart from the inn just before sunrise.
「Thank you so much for treating the injured guest yesterday. It was thanks to you that the situation didn't spiral out of control.」
The women who treated the injured man yesterday also happened to be the landlady of the inn. She deeply bowed her head in apology to Rio.
「No, please don't worry about it. Things like that are bound to happen to someone like me travelling at this age. There's no need for you to apologize.」
Rio waved his hand in reply, dismissing the landlady's apology.
「Still, I should've been the one to intervene first but I thought it was just the usual quarrel so I was late in noticing the severity. I am truly sorry.」
It seemed like drunken brawls were a daily occurence for bars.
However, judging from her words, things usually did not escalate to the point of bloodshed.
「No, I was also partly at fault for provoking them. Well, alcohol certainly played a part, but I think they reaped what they sowed for getting that drunk.」
Rio displayed a ridiculing expression as he recalled the drunk men.
Despite acting violently, they were drunk so it could not be said that they were inherently bad people.
「About that, I don't believe they truly bore any ill will towards you. They're usually good people. It's probably because they really care for Chloe and saw her acting intimate with another boy of her age that, with the addition of alcohol, made them inadvertently want to tease you?」
The landlady tried to defend the men's actions.
She was surely a kindheared person.
However, Rio found it unpleasant to agree with her reasoning.
「Is that so…?」
Rio did not hold a grudge against those men so while he was not angry, he still held an undescribable feeling. Therefore, he gave a vague answer.
「I am deeply sorry. You also couldn't take a bath due to yesterday's commotion despite having already paid for it right? I'll return your whole payment as an apology.」
Having said that, the landlady returned the total sum he paid for lodging and bathing in a small sack.
「No, it's alright. I caused you trouble and the food was delicious too. Thank you for the meal.」
Rio refused the landlady's offer.
「But, you still haven't eaten breakfast yet. Uhm, can you please wait a bit? I'll be back right away. I'll make you a bento instead.」
Leaving those words, the landlady left the sack of money on the counter and hurried to the kitchen before Rio even had a chance to reply.
(She's an honest and good natured person but, quite naive. She's trusting enough to leave the sack of money in front of me.)
Such was the impression Rio had of the landlady.
How to put it? The landlady's personality strangely suited her.
Rio took a peek at the kitchen and saw Chloe and an unknown girl putting on their aprons.
When the two spotted Rio, they quickly hid themselves further in the kitchen.
(Was that… Chloe's younger sister? She's still quite young.)
From her looks, she was probably around the age of a lower grade elementary schooler.
Chloe was probably an upper grade elemntary schooler at most.
When Rio wondered if it was appropriate for such a young girl to work at an inn, he realised the hardship of inn's landlady.
(Could it be that only the three of them work here? Come to think of it, I haven't seen any signs of a husband.)
Upon arriving at the inn, Rio had never seen a hint of a husband figure.
He previously thought the husband shut himself up in the kitchen but it seemed like the landlady managed the kitchen as well.
(Well, whatever.)
Since the landlady did not seem to mind, Rio abandoned the train of thought when the landlady returned with a bento in her hands.
「I'm sorry since it's mostly just yesterday's leftovers, but I stuffed a lot of it into the bread. Chloe woke up early to bake it so please take it.」
「Thank you. I'm extremely grateful for this.」
Rio expressed his gratitude with a smile.
「Oi! I'm back!」
Suddenly, an evidently drunk man appeared from the inn's entrance. When he noticed the landlady, he began walking towards her with unsteady steps.
「Honey! Again, you're already that drunk and it's only morning!」
「Shut upp! I only drank a teensyy bit!」
The man suddenly slapped the landlady while yelling.
Rio could only look at the scene in astonishment.
It appeared that the drunkard was the landlady's husband.
Staying out all night, coming home drunk in the morning, and hitting his wife when criticized, Rio could not see him as a decent husband.
Rio could not bear to just standby and watch the landlady be abused by her husband, but it was also not a place where he could casually stick his nose into.
However, when he saw the landlady crouched down and holding her hands over her swollen cheek, Rio approached her with a sigh and treated her wound using Spirit Arts.
The swelling disappeared in an instant and despite being surprised, the landlady understood what he did and thanked him with a bow.
「What? What'd you do!?」
Although the landlady's husband did not understand what just happened, he glared at Rio with an irritated expression when he saw Rio assisting his wife.
「Stop it! He's a guest!」
The landlady stood before her husband to block him from approaching Rio in a hurry.
(She's going to get hit again…)
Rio was astonished at the landlady's action.
He understood that she held a strong sense of responsibility but she was far too reckless.
When the landlady's husband was about to hit her again, Rio parried his strike and gently pushed him onto the floor.
A faint light emitted from Rio's hand and reason returned to the husband's eyes after a few seconds.
「I used magic to sober you up. Are you fine now?」
Rio spoke to him in a cold voice.
「A— Ah… Sorry about that.」
The landlady's husband apologized in a slightly bewildered voice having had his mind cleared.
「If you're going to apologize to me, apologize to Landlady-san too.」
Rio directed a glance at the landlady as he spoke to her husband with a tinge of disdain.
「So— Sorry.」
An awkward apology was given.
Although he hit his wife in a drunken rage, he did not seem like a man who normally behaved violently.
「Th— Thank you so much!」
The landlady deeply lowered her head in appreciation to Rio.
「No, it was nothing. I only did it because it'd become a nuisance to the other guests if things continued. Thank you for the bento. Farewell.」
Bidding the landlady farewell, Rio left the inn before he was roped into any further trouble.
(Well, it's not like anything's going to change.)
Rio once again regretted poking his nose into somebody else's problem. Problems were best left to be settled by related parties.
He sunk into a somewhat depressed state for the rest of the morning.
「I guess I should have a manju.」
In order to forget about his worries, Rio decided to try some local cuisine that he missed out on yesterday.
The bento he received from the landlady, he was going to save for lunch.
Despite it still being quite early in the morning, the market was already open.
Morning for the people of this world began early.
Even people who were not merchants or farmers still woke up at six in the morning at latest.
The market was already bustling with numerous stalls selling breakfast. The mouth watering fragrance of cooked food permeated the air.
「Two orders of manju, please.」
「Got it!」
Rio handed over 10 copper coins in exchange for the two manju.
Although steam could be seen rising from the manju, its appearance was closer to that of a fried manju.
The springy texture of the dough left a bit to be desired.
Regardless, the manju exceeded his expectations as he savoured the taste inside his mouth.
The hearty flavour of the meat juices seasoned with salt spread throughout his mouth.
It was delicious.
However, the flavour was closer to that of a hamburger rather than a steamed manju.
Those were Rio's impressions of the manju.
(I don't know what was put in this… No actually, the seasoning is made using ginger and oyster sauce, and I think there's a hint of sesame oil too.)
Rio pondered over why he still found the overall flavour to be slightly lacking.
It did not mean that it was not good.
He was just a little disappointed since the taste deviated from what he was expecting.
Rio knew how to make manju.
Rather, the idea of collecting ingredients during his travels to make seasonings suddenly came to his mind.
Cooking was one of Rio's few hobbies since he lived alone in his past life and he constantly brainstormed for new ideas and recipes.
Thanks to that, although he was not well-versed in specific cuisines, he could prepare an ordinary meal as long as he had ingredients.
Apart from humans, other humanlike beings also existed as well as many creatures not found on earth. However, much of the flora and fauna were similar.
Perhaps ingredients that could not be found in this area were abundant in others.
(Should I look for some when I have some spare time?)
Rio considered harvesting or purchasing any familiar ingredients he might come across during his travels.
While thinking about such things, he arrived at the city's eastern gate.
There was a highway that cut through the forest, but Rio deliberately veered off the highway and entered the forest.
A search warrant for Rio in the Galark Kingdom had not been issued yet but it was only thanks to his speed that he was able to outrun any possible pursuers.
If he was to move quickly, he wanted to do so in a place where people would not notice.
The forest was shrouded in mist since it was still early in the morning.
Rio began to run at a slightly slower pace than usual due to the decreased field of view.
He skillfully dodged a group of trees blocking his way despite his limited visibility in the fog.
Suddenly, Rio caught sight of what appeared to be the figure of a fallen person.
It lay approximately 30 meters ahead of him.
The person appeared to be lying face down on the ground.
(…Is that a corpse?)
While monsters and other carnivorous creatures rarely approached human settlements, they were quite common if one entered the forest.
Perhaps this was an unlucky soul who encountered such a creature.
As Rio approached the fallen person, he noticed the body was covered in a Haori-like robe.
Judging from its size, the body probably belonged to a child younger than himself.
(…A child. Did they collapse after straying from the highway? But why?)
Despite the arising feelings of doubt, leaving a person, who was possibly in dire need of help, as they were would leave a bad taste in his mouth.
Reluctantly, Rio decided to call out to them.
「Oi, are you okay?」
He lightly shook the body but saw no reaction.
When he rolled the person over to look at their face, warmth from their body could be felt through the robe.
(This person seems to be alive.)
Rio let out a breath of relief and from under the robe's hood, he saw the face of a young girl.
Suddenly, the girl's eyes snapped open.
At the same time, bloodlust was felt.
When he glanced at the girl's hand, he saw it firmly gripping a knife with a long blade.


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According to Europe's only professor of gambling, the number of problem gamblers will increase dramatically across Scotland if officials adopt a plan to build four mega-casinos in Glasgow, The Herald reported.
Dr Mark Griffiths, professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University, fears that Glasgow's deprived communities would suffer the most from the massive developments touted as a keystone of the city's regeneration.
The professor warned that Glasgow, which has four casinos planned, could follow the example of South Africa, where deregulation of gambling and the growth of the super-casino created an epidemic in gambling addiction.
"Glasgow has pockets of poverty and deprivation and these areas may be more susceptible to these casinos and the issue of problem gambling," he said. "There has to be a cost-benefit analysis about the advent of casinos and their positive and negative aspects. Poorer people have been shown to spend a disproportionate amount of money on gambling.
"In South Africa, poorer people were flocking to casinos which sprung up around the townships. In some casinos, a small stake can produce a potentially life-changing win," the professor said.
"The UK government is introducing these unlimited jackpots (in some casino gaming machines). In the vast majority of cases, when these big destination-type casinos are opened, problem gambling increases," Griffiths argued.
"People will also travel in from smaller areas to get the big gaming experience and take that back home with them, and a proportion will develop a gambling problem. The problem is effectively exported. They will go back to their smaller towns and casinos and feed their playing behaviour there," he said.
Earlier this month, Kerzner International, a global gaming group founded by Saul Kerzner, who developed Sun City in South Africa, announced a £162 million ($303 million) casino and entertainment concept that will include a 150-bed, five-star hotel near the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC).
In June, London Clubs International (LCI), another major international gambling company, was given a licence to open a casino on the Clyde.
The Rendezvous, its £8 million ($15 million) development at Springfield Quay, would create 200 jobs and be the focal point for a £40 million ($75 million) leisure revamp for the quay, with a mix of gaming facilities, themed bars and top-class restaurants.
The city currently has five of Scotland's 12 casinos, including the Riverboat on the opposite bank of the Clyde. Other proposed super-casinos include plans by Sheldon Adelson, one of America's richest men, to form a partnership with Rangers to bring a Las Vegas-style casino to Ibrox, and a move by U.S.-based MGM Mirage to open at the Glasgow Harbour scheme.
Geoff Rayner, of the Public Health Association, has echoed Dr Griffiths's fears, claiming that an impending liberalisation of gambling laws could double the number of problem gamblers to 750,000 people in the U.K.
However, Glasgow City Council officials claimed that casinos and the leisure industry will play a vital part in the Clyde's resurgence.
Ian Manson, deputy director of the council's development and regeneration services, said that "Glasgow is already successful in attracting tourists and visitors. The operators see this success and want to build a resort casino concept to tap into the market."
"A lot of the operators are looking around to expand after the [gambling] legislation is changed. There has been a lot of interest in the city from casino operators who want to be associated with the regeneration of the Clyde."
"They are jostling for position to come to Glasgow. The leisure industry is a growth sector that will hopefully provide good quality jobs. There will be around £2 billion of investment in coming years on the Clyde and this is all part of that."
Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the casinos would be good news for the Clyde and would fit with the vision of the city as a total leisure and shopping experience.
"These developments will put Glasgow on the map. Everyone recognises there will be social issues, but they can be resolved through education rather than handicapping the city by not allowing these developments," she said.


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Offwhite eases the integration of Eastern culture into the lifestyles of Asian-Australians wishing to maintain a balanced cultural identity or anyone interested in Eastern culture, in a social environment.
Elements of Cultural Semiotics such as chopstick, fish scale motives, Confucius, ninja is used.
Mixture of Chinese and Japanese might confused the audience if they have no in depth understanding of Asian Culture.
Source: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Branding-Offwhite/1840965


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Sweet mama Toki submitted her birth story for me to share, but when I read it, I felt the sadness amidst the joy of having a baby. I felt I needed to embrace Toki with much love, compassion, and support. And then came the outrage. I hear stories like these all too often, and every time I feel this way. I do not like to judge any provider or mama doing her best with what is known and faced at the time, unless I have been in their shoes...which is never. I know what happened was meant to happen, because it did; and I do believe it was a gift even though we do not always understand why, nor comprehend each of our soul's unique journey. Nevertheless, I told her I could only post her story if I could write how as a midwife, I would have dealt with a situation like hers, and she agreed I could add my editorial. My comments are based only what she reported. I am forever grateful to modern medicine when medical and surgical intervention are truly needed for serious illness or life threatening complications. But when they are used on healthy pregnant women having healthy babies, I speak up about avoiding unnecessary risky procedures and major abdominal surgery, I speak up about prevention, and I speak up to support mamas who have had such experiences.
Mama said she was "tremendously scared about the entire pregnancy... It was my first and I was 38 years old. Everything was frightening to me including the tests, the OB visits, and the internal ultrasound! Mostly, I was afraid that something would happen to my baby. I was always in a state of worry. I worried about the heartbeat, if she was getting squished inside me... all those silly crazy things that we worry about!" When a mama has such anxiety and fears, it concerns me; they must be addressed comprehensively throughout the pregnancy, as they negatively impact labor, birth and life. Sometimes all that is needed is some education and calm reassurance; but in many cases, we need to take a look at lifestyle as a whole, ways to reduce stress and enhance a more relaxed inner world. I also draw upon many holistic modalities, depending on the needs of each individual. I would definitely urge hiring a wonderful doula and taking my Love Your Birth online course!
But there are red flags here, that make me question the entire philosophy of maternity care that has become standard. Healthy women today over 35 are unnecessarily placed in a high risk category simply because of their age, and are scared into an array of testing to screen for problems. Looking for problems when there are none or there is a very low chance of having them, alone creates anxiety. Also aside from the prevalent horror stories of others who birthed in typical hospitals and the media hype and dramatization, many modern women have not been exposed to normal birth as women supported women during the process throughout history, before birth was moved to the hospital setting in the 1900s. There is much fear in the unknown. Another characterization of today's mom is disempowerment to a patriarchal system, placing full trust in technology and modern medicine rather than confidence in herself as a woman and the process of childbearing. That being said, we are a generation bereft of spiritual connection, with a false expectation of perfect outcome always, without tolerance or ability to cope with anything less.
"Saturday morning, I wake up with this crazy urge. Pee. I get up, or rather I roll out of bed and head to the bathroom (I am on my 38th week of pregnancy). Everything goes as normal, so I head back to bed.
Check the time… it's 3:30 am. I'm lying there WIDE awake at this point, just trying to flop around and get comfortable when I feel a small warm surge flow out of my "va-jay-jay". Whoa... Felt like I went an extra tinkle, it happened before. No biggie. Then, this warm surge happens again and once more but on the latter, it was a wee bit more or a LOT more! I whack my partner on the bum and say, "I think my water broke!" Of course, I have no clue and I was freaking out. Normal, right?! I roll out of bed and the moment I stand up completely, a much larger surge flows out! Yet, I am still clueless and asking out loud if my water broke because, again, I am freaking out."
I do my part to prevent mamas in my practice from freaking out about a normal sign of labor, as I make sure they are well prepared about what to expect, and to embrace it with calm. I want mamas to be empowered with the brilliant wisdom they possess within, so they are not clueless, so they do not become scared - but rather are excited about the adventure ahead. Also, at 3:30 am in the middle of the night, if the fluid is clear and all is well, mamas need to feel relaxed to go back to bed so they are well rested for the challenging work of labor.
"Could it be true? Is this really happening? I don't know what to do, what to think and want dearly for this not to be happening. Back to the story, I went into the bathroom to see what this was and my bottoms were fairly soaked with a slimy type substance. And as I am standing there, more is coming out. By this time, my partner is up and waking my mom up because it's time! I make the call to my OB office and they said for me to come in immediately."
To go the hospital immediately after suspected water breaking, without other signs of labor, is a set up for induction that often fails, resulting in a cesarean birth - which can usually be avoided if managed differently. That is what this mama was told by her obstetrician. Maybe the hospital or malpractice insurance has these policies. But this is not evidence based care. This is not in the best interest of mother or baby. Unless there is an emergency, something wrong or cause for concern, a reassuring phone call which includes basic assessment and guidance, would be all that is needed, with follow up in the morning after a night's sleep. I also like to make sure it was not simply the outer bag of fore waters that commonly breaks prelabor - which is often mistaken for the main sac of amniotic fluid. Babies are double wrapped in the chorion and amniotic membranes. There can be up to 2 tablespoons of fluid between them, which can make a pancake size stain on mama's clothing, if the first outer sac breaks. If indeed it was the main inner bag of amniotic fluid that broke, there is usually a puddle, or as if you poured a few cups of water on your pad, panties, or surface beneath you; and that puts mama on the clock to birth before a certain time in which the risk of infection increases. But there is time to wait for mama to go into labor as most do, and natural remedies to try before rushing to medical treatment. There is time in the morning to discuss the pros and cons of watchful waiting versus induction in the hospital, for informed decision making.
"I change while my mom is getting ready and I am standing there chanting, "I can't do this, please, why did I do this to myself, I don't think I can do this!" Over and over… Side note: I was saying why did I do this to myself because I went through a IUI process to become pregnant. If you are interested, you can read my pre-pregnancy story here - https://www.rockthebabybump.com/intrauterine-insemination/ "
I do wish I was in mama's range here, to whisper repeatedly "Yes you absolutely CAN do this, like the billions of women who birthed before you. since the beginning of time," and remind her of her capacities when she doubted it.
"My mom, just listening to me, says, "Get in the car because I am not calling the wammbulance to come get you." Yes, mom, real funny. Oddly enough, amongst all my chanting and on the drive, I was feeling NO pain. When I calmed down, I was still feeling nothing. The car ride was filled with even more chanting and just talking to myself about how I can't believe this is happening. My mom, just smiling.
At The Hospital!
We get to the hospital and check in. At the hospital, everyone is being so nice. Too nice. I wasn't expecting this kind of treatment. I actually didn't know what to expect. All the nurses were just making sure I was as comfortable as possible. (Emerson Hospital in Concord, Ma. was where I had my baby girl.) My OB came in, did the ultrasound and tested my amniotic fluid. It's a GO! Next I am being hooked up to all the many monitors to make sure the baby has a heart beat and mine hasn't exploded! Next, they need to know how far along am I. Pelvic exam. Let me preface this by saying I am NOT a fan of pelvic exams. Who is? But for me, it's just not a happy time for me. Painful."
The evidence does not support internal exams prior to labor, in a healthy women whose main bag of amniotic fluid has broken and the amniotic fluid has released. The word broken implies something is wrong that needs to be fixed, when it is all as right as can be. Internal exams increase the risk of infection, which is what we want to avoid or at least minimize. Especially when such a woman who is not having surges or waves of contractions looks this happy, I do not need to do a pelvic exam to determine what is going on. She is not in labor. Period. I do like to confirm that the main bag is intact or not and releasing clear amniotic fluid (this can often be done by history and assessing fluid on the pad), there is no sign of infection and check baby's heartbeat, but there is no need for ultrasound. Basic hand skills to assess the uterus and baby via mama's belly are sufficient...unless there is a concern.
"So when it came time to see where I was at in dilation, well it wasn't pleasant. My OB attempted the exam and an epic deathly scream filled the air. Failure. My OB walked right out of the room saying only, "get the epidural!". She stated I was NOT dilated past 1 cm. As a result, the nurses had me going through a 10 hour regime of walking, squatting, bouncing on a medicine ball, hugging that medicine ball and just trying everything under the sun to get my body to dilate. Not happening. After all was said and done, I never dilated."
I value talking to the moms in my care as human beings, and discussing my findings and possible options with them. And there is no failure in labor. Zero. I cringe at the word. I would not expect you to dilate when you are not having waves of contractions/expansions, and I would not expect you to go into labor under this stressful pressure. Animals in the wild do not labor well when afraid or stressed, nor do humans. The mind and body are intricately connected. And the facts speak for themselves. Here is an anxious first time mom whose main bag of amniotic fluid has released presumptively, and is not yet having other signs of labor. Normal findings. Go home (even if you are planning a hospital birth) and do what you can to relax, cuddle, have fun, eat, drink, stay active but make sure to rest, prevent and monitor for infection. Most mamas go into labor naturally within 24 hours, a small percent by 48 hours, rarely longer. This is what you can do to help bring it on. These are the risks and benefits of watchful waiting versus medical induction. And we stay in touch.
"Leading up to getting myself and the epidural ready, I was being induced with Pitocin. (My water broke only but I was not in labor. If that is even possible?!). With being induced, I started to feel the twisting and straining of labor. Not bad until the dosage was being raised higher and higher and then the pain. I was then offered, laughing gas. Never heard of this and surely didn't think this would ever work for the pain of labor. I had a myriad of questions about this but the main one, will this hurt my baby? They assured me that inhaling this does not hurt the baby but helps with the pain. I was given the mask and told to breathe it in very deeply. I remember taking 3 deep breaths in and on the third I felt my entire body just instantly relax."
Yes, mama, it is normal - sometimes your water breaks before labor. And now there is the medication Pitocin creating contractions that are more painful than natural ones. Natural oxytocin secreted in labor stimulates the top of the uterus to contract so the bottom part, known as the cervix, thins and opens for baby to be born; this also leads to the production of opiate like hormones, beta-endorphins, that naturally lessen pain and produce a high that is reported after natural childbirth. The natural hormonal balance within the bodies of mama and baby has been disrupted here. There are serious short and long term consequences to this disruption that are downplayed and even disregarded by many in the medical world. For a wonderful discussion about the hormones of labor and the importance of not disturbing them, check out this amazing book by physician Dr. Sarah Buckley. ->
"My hand holding the mask dropped and I began to literally laugh. Laugh in a tone I have never heard before. So loud that the nurses had to ask my mom if this was normal! It was not normal, I could not control this screeching high pitched laugh at all. I had NO control over my body. It struck me as so funny that I could not control a thing and felt so relaxed... I was just as fine as can be with no pain. All I could feel was extreme pressure.
By then 15 hours passed, exhaustion set in and I was asked that dreaded question (meaning I knew it was going to be a c-section), "Do you want to have this baby?" I replied, "Yes." I was truly and utterly exhausted, though. So it began, the preparation for getting ready for the c-section. Just breath, the anesthesiologist said right before he slid the needle in my lower back. I didn't jerk nor did I feel any pain. Just a prick. Felt like a rush of cold water flowing down my back but from the inside. Almost immediately my legs went limp and felt as if they weighed 100 pounds each! It was the oddest feeling to see my legs yet couldn't move them or have control. While the team was prepping for the procedure, I started to regain feeling in my right leg. Not sure why but the anesthesiologist had said that my spine was twisted slightly in the middle of my back. So right before I was taken into the birthing room, I had ANOTHER epidural done. I was completely numb at this point. My legs felt like lead weights, made me laugh that I could not move them no matter how hard I tried."
The cascade of interventions had already begun when admitted to the hospital. I am not surprised about the cesarean. Mama was not given much of a chance, even to have a vaginal birth. Of course she was exhausted. She had been up since 3:30 am and scared. 15 hours in the hospital under this duress probably seemed like forever. I totally get why mamas in this position just want it over with.
"Into the operating room I went with only my partner. Upsettingly, my mom was not allowed in the room. It was a small room with white walls and 1 door in and out. I had one hand on my OB, the entire time. I was scared and felt so alone…I was also administered a spinal tap at this point. I was so out of it by now that I didn't question why I even needed that… as well as why I needed morphine."
I am a huge advocate of what is termed the gentle cesarean, in which humanity is restored to the operating room. More and more providers are doing it. Mama can have her so needed support with her, and in this case, would include her mom as well as her partner. No mama should feel scared and alone, especially during a surgical birth. The drapes are lowered so mama is involved and can see her birth, baby is supported in gently emerging on its own from the incision (to simulate passage through the birth canal), into mama's hands and skin to skin bonding. Baby is allowed to receive the cord blood via delayed optimal clamping, and early breastfeeding is encouraged.
"What I Was Feeling?
I felt so drugged up and my mind was just so distant. I felt alone and so very nauseated. I was throwing up the entire time. Especially during the c-section. The only things I was feeling physically were the shaving, the harsh pushing (she was pushing hard on my chest for a while, knocking the air our me moments at a time) and a vacuum of sorts (for the blood I am guessing).
What Was I Hearing?
The first words I heard from my OB was, "Look at all that hair!". Yes, she had a full head of hair. Then moments later, I hear my daughter's first sounds… her cry. The most beautiful sound I heard and I just lost it. I started asking for her and crying uncontrollably. I couldn't see anything but my blue tarp! Then she came around the side and was brought right to my face to kiss, feel and just love. I almost don't remember after this. I also never got skin to skin right away either. I felt so sad because they took her away and I didn't see her for almost 45 minutes later. I was also so exhausted that I think I was sleeping most of that time, I was in and out. Granted, post birth, the doctors had to stitch me back up, make sure I was ok and clean up but I figured I would get some time with her right away. I felt a bit of a disconnect. Is that normal?"
Yes, sweet mama. It is totally normal and expected to feel this way, given what you went through. Aside from the powerful obvious effects of the medications, the delicate natural hormonal balance within your body, responsible for bonding and attachment has been disturbed. When you are given the medication Pitocin, it suppresses your own production of oxytocin, the love, bonding and attachment hormone. You can certainly compensate with breastfeeding and skin to skin bonding time as much as possible postpartum. But this explains why you felt disconnected at the time. Pediatrician Dr Sears gives some helpful suggestions here. You CAN heal... which may take some time and lots of support. But there is no place for shame and negative self judgement. You ROCKED your birth like a rockstar, despite being challenged to the max, and this is something to be immensely proud of. You have the strength of a warrior, strength YOU possess and can draw on forever.
"Overall, after all was said and done my little girl was healthy and well, just wanted to sleep. The next 5 days were of recovery and just learning the ropes of motherhood. I am sure that the mommy reading this knows all the highs as well as the lows. For having a c-section, I couldn't get out of bed for the first couple days, so thankfully my mom was a huge help with feeding, changing and caring for my baby…I also got extremely nauseated and had vomiting for the first day post birth as well.. I couldn't eat anything. Just drink water. BUT loved all those nurses, all hours of the night, who brought my pain meds every 4 hours because healing from this was extremely painful. But amongst all that pain, I had no feeling in my legs for a long while but I noticed they were put into a compression device, constantly being massaged to keep blood flowing for a good 24 hours post birth. It did feel good and after the feeling came back into my legs I was instructed to begin walking around… noting that my feet would most likely begin to swell. It was a double edge sword here because when I would walk, my feet became so swollen that it merged with the width of my calf! Then they told me to put my feet up but yet I was supposed to be walking as much as possible. That double edge sword.
After this week at the hospital was over, I headed home with my new baby girl and began a life changing feat that I just absolutely love. Well, sometimes.
Anani Pearl 7 lbs. 9 oz. 20 inches long
My name is Toki, mommy of Anani. Thank you for being a part of my little story… for me mothering will always involve long hours, heavy physical work and the type of worry that could bring down an elephant if put into a dart gun. I'm here to cultivate a sense of inner support to calm our mini little storms. You can read more about me and my family here: www.rockthebabybump.com ."
Toki, you are one amazing woman! Thank you for sharing your story and for allowing me to use it to raise awareness, empower and support other mamas, and do my part in helping to lower our country's soaring rates of cesarean births, especially those that could be prevented. Rather than creating more fear, I want to create more voices, who speak up respectfully in knowledgebale support of themselves, their babies and their families. Thank you for creating a blog to support other mamas.
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This past weekend I made my annual Spring Training pilgrimage to Scottsdale. I always go with my cousins and I will again in a couple of weeks, but this first trip was all about the half-marathon that I ran on Saturday. However, I was fortunate enough to squeeze in a couple of SFGiants games too! I flew in on Friday morning and got to the park at about 11 am.
I did some damage in the dugout store, then headed to my usual spot for autographs and photos. I situated myself along the first base side, behind the dugout. There were these little kids there and I knew they were going to battle me for position. So I pointed down the line towards right field and told them, "Hey, there's someone signing down there." The kids looked and then told me, "Ugh, that's just a coach...and besides, we already got him." I knew I was in for a battle.
But right after that, I looked behind me and saw some family friends. Its not the same trying to get autographs and photos without my cousin Shari, so I decided to give up and wait until she was there with me for Trip 2. I walked up to chat with our family friends. Its funny, we all live in the Bay Area, but the only time we see them is in Scottsdale. Since I was at the game by myself, they took pity on me and invited me to sit with them - behind home plate.
They had also told me that they walked into the park with Cal Ripken. They weren't sure what he was there for, but guessed it was for some kind of ceremony because he was in a suit. I'd never seen Cal Ripken in my life, so I was excited with anticipation.
But first, I had to take care of business - food. I always remember that I like the food at Scottsdale Stadium, I just never can remember what it is that I liked. If you're a Giants fan, and making a trip to Spring Training, you have to try the Soba Noodles with Ginger/Garlic Chicken. Its out in the Left Field area. They serve it to you in a chinese takeout container and is so delish! I loved it so much I had it on Saturday too!
After having lunch, it was nearing game time and the temperature was warming up. Perfect day for a game. It was about that time where a large contingent of the Scottsdale Police Department entered the park from right field. I thought they were escorting Cal Ripken into the stadium, but as they got closer, I didn't seem Cal. Then I realized that he stood alone, down the right field line signing autographs. Those darn kids were so lucky. As he made his way down towards home plate, he saw Will Clark in the Giants dug out and they greeted each other like childhood friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time. They seemed genuinely excited and chatted for a while.
Then they had a special ceremony where Cal's foundation honored the Scottsdale PD and he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. This was definitely a highlight for me!
I also got to sit behind the scouts. I think I paid more attention to them and who they would take notes on, than the game itself! LOL
It was actually a good game vs the Rockies. I think the Rockies are going to be tough to be again this season.
All in all:
* Matt Cain looked good, and slimmer * The Panda looked the same to me; not sure if Camp Panda worked
* I was really impressed with John Bowker (who I never really paid much attention to before) and Thomas Neal * Velez made an amazing catch in RF
The next day, after the race from hell, I was back for a game vs the Diamondbacks, this time with my aunt. For this game, we sat in steerage...I mean the grandstands. :)
My aunt is a pretty knowledgable baseball fan and as she watched Jonathan Sanchez pitch, she turned to me and said, "He sure does have to throw a lot of pitches to get an out, doesn't he?" Yep, old Sanchez is back folks...
Since the D'backs' Spring Training facilities are in Tucson, there were a ton of their fans at this game. I've never been impressed with Diamondback fans and none of them at this game really did anything to change that opinion. There were a group of about 7-8 of them a few rows in front of us - loud, obnoxious suburban kids trying to look trendy and cool - some of looked like they were even fans of Brian Wilson. I was not impressed. As predicted, they were gone by the 6th inning.
Maybe that was because the Giants scored 9 runs in the 5th! I had left our seats to get some frozen yogurt and Italian ice, but got back just in time to see the offensive burst. I really hope it can carry over into the regular season!
While it wasn't unbearably hot, it wasn't that cool either, and after the race and sitting in the sun, I was exhausted. We left in the top of the 9th and went to the mall for a bit to pick up a few gifts, then headed to Don and Charlie's for dinner.
You cannot go to Scottsdale for Spring Training without going to Don and Charlie's. Its an institution! We've been going there since 1994 and I remember the first few years that got anything but the ribs. Then I tried it and thought, "Why have I never gotten this before?!" It is sooooooooo good! I don't even need to look at the menu; the hardest decision I have to make is getting a half slab or a full one.
The Giants have a lot of functions there and its a popular eating place for a lot of the players and press. Over the years I've witnessed:
* Joe Nathan being turned away for not having a reservation * Charlie Hayes picking up takeout * A server spilling an entire tray of food on Peter Magowan * Bud Selig standing in the lobby
My cousins and I have seen tons of people there, but these days, its all about the ribs (and the bbq sauce).
All in all, it was a great weekend, where I was able to do my 2 favorite things - run and watch baseball - my own personal mecca! If I had to rank it, this was a "light" Spring Training trip for me, a good way to gear up for the main one coming up next weekend!
I took just a few photos on this trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nj129/sets/72157623458431077/.
More to come in 2 weeks!


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I've been playing a lot of Diablo 3.
It's pretty cool.
First computer game I've bought since the original Starcraft.
It's taking up more of my spare time than it should.
So I've been cutting myself off at 9:00 each night so I can get some writing done.
Has anyone else fallen for it's spell as well?
Keep writing,


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Fishing has a long history as a means of hunting and as a sport. There's tons of fun elements to fishing, and people who love the hobby are often very passionate. Part of the enjoyment of fishing is the passion for the outdoors experience. Additionally, it seems there is always more to learn about fishing and always room for improvement of techniques. The tips in the next few paragraphs will help you enjoy your fishing experience more, and of course, catch some great fish.
Casting close to the shore can help you catch more fish. This is because fish will find insects in these locations. So to increase your opportunities for success, try fishing along the bank. Be careful of weeds, though!
During wintertime fishing, use sinkers on your line. The sinker will bring the line lower down in the warm water where most of the fish will be during the colder seasons. The weight of sinkers on your fishing line will depend on the depth of water.
Depending upon the type of fish you hope to catch, you may want to seek out areas with deep water. Rivers are full of different trenches and ruts, so you should have no trouble finding one to fish in. Most fish enjoy deep, cool waters when weather is warm. Large rocks or overhanging ledges are also favored spots. Once you've located a promising spot, make a mental note so you can find it again in the future.
Lighter colored grubs are a standard choice of bait for most bass fishermen. Try grubs that are white or yellow. Salt and pepper colored grubs are also very popular with the fish you want to catch. Translucent grubs are great because they reflect light and attract fish. Whenever you run into a bite drought, try switching to a grub that is the same color as the water.
Whether you are new to fishing or have fished for most of your life, it is always wise to fish with a positive attitude. It can be quite frustrating to fish, so don't let negative thoughts creep in. Do not get frustrated if you do not get a bite in a long while.
Smallmouth bass and walleye are particular to the type of bait used. It never hurts to pack a dozen or so leeches to shake things up. Add an inch or so of water to the bottom of a ventilated container; this will ensure that the leeches are kept alive overnight.
Always praise a child for fish that they are able to catch, no matter the size or species. You may be hoping to catch a bigger fish to place on your stringer, but even the tiniest fish can be a great thrill to a young child.
Fishing has been a popular activity for the entirety of human history. Regardless of whether fishing is a passive sport or an aggressive passion, any person who engages in it can stand to learn a few more things to ensure success. You will also be able to become better with the help of this article.