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An Accidental Lesson
Today I made an accidental study in under exposure. See I was shooting away, in what I thought was aperture priority mode. Well I accidentally also moved the shutter speed from Auto to 4000/sec. As a result, the vast majority of the shot became way under exposed. The most highly exposed parts of the photo, did expose properly and created some beautiful colors. Obviously the contrast between dark and light came out fantastic, with a bit of a magical air to it.
The mistake I made reminded me of a basic need...to make sure I sometimes learn what creative possibilities exist by working around the metered perfect. It can teach me why "right" is "right," and what happens when you push the boundaries to sometimes make some magical air.
P.S. X-E1 with 60mm obviously underexposed!


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Synopsis: A recent immigrant working as a janitor struggles to adapt to his new country and menial job and shares his frustrations with his co-worker. But as the two make their cleaning rounds, they are confronted with a shocking discovery and the man realizes that happiness depends not on his station in life, but his freedom to live it.
Description: HALLWAYS was made for the IFP Phoenix 48 Hour Film Challenge in July 2012. Cast and crew included many of my past cohorts plus some new faces. As usual, it was a very long weekend, but most definitely a pleasant one due to the wonderful people on our team! Absolutely love the collaboration that it takes to make these films happen within just two days.
Awards: IFP - Best Film Trailer
Screenings: 2012 IFP Phoenix 48 Hour Challenge
Key Crew: Diane M. Dresback (Director & Producer), Matt Himlin (Writer), Michelle Notrica (Producer), Earnest Robinson (Director of Photography), Ryan Lee Caldwell (Editor)
Main Actors: Bivás Biswas, Jessica Bryn
Required Challenge Elements: Genre - Inspirational; Prop - Padlock; Line - "Do you think it is worth it?"

subset: commoncrawl


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And it's no free ride
During a Republican debate on Jan. 5, 2008, McCain accused Mitt Romney of mischaracterizing the plan by describing it as amnesty — defined as a general pardon of offenders by a government.
"The fact is it's not amnesty," McCain said. "And for you to describe it as you do in the attack ads, my friend, you can spend your whole fortune on these attack ads, but it still won't be true."
Now, understand that the word amnesty is freighted with implications that go beyond immigration policy. Throughout the immigration debate in Congress in recent years, opponents have routinely labeled as "amnesty" any provision that would give illegal immigrants a path to legal status. Many voters interpret it as giving criminals the equivalent of a "Get Out of Jail" card instead of diligently enforcing the law.
Experts say its use here is designed to raise questions about whether McCain is willing to let rules slide and give lawbreakers access to social services and, more broadly, the American dream.
"Amnesty means, 'He's not for America in the same way I am' … They're trying to reach the people who believe in America for Americans. It's almost a code word for something else: fear and uncertainty about the economy, the war, where America is in the world," said Audrey Singer, an immigration expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Back to McCain's charge that the immigration overhaul plan he and Kennedy introduced in 2006 is not amnesty: He's got a strong point, given the hurdles that plan contains.
It would have required illegal immigrants to apply for a six-year conditional nonimmigrant visa. They then could apply for legal permanent residence — a green card — on the condition that they pay $1,000 in fines, pay all back taxes, pass a criminal background check, stay employed and demonstrate an effort to learn English and civics. They would also pay a $1,000 application fee.
Because a green card holder must wait five years to apply for citizenship, this plan would make illegal workers eligible for citizenship 11 years after applying for the visa. Arlen Specter, senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and some other plan supporters have characterized the steps as "gates" that must be passed through before an illegal immigrant can qualify for citizenship.
This is in contrast to what President Ronald Reagan did in 1986, when he signed an immigration reform bill that legalized the status of 1.7-million people. In checking a previous claim on that plan, we found it did qualify as amnesty.
So, while McCain is more receptive to giving undocumented workers a path to citizenship than most of his GOP rivals, the many hurdles included in his plan do not qualify as a general pardon. We rule his statement True.


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'more is everything'
This series is painted on box canvas 76x76 cms. square, in fine art acrylic.
These images are in part inspired by discussions with students and scientists at the Institute for Complex System Simulation at Southampton University. I would especially like to thank Professor Seth Bullock for his support and help.
Complex systems exist everywhere in Nature, from the way ecosystems work to the way pandemics spread; from weather events to the way cells operate. This organising complexity results from the sheer number of participants interacting with one another. In a complex system a small perturbation can effect huge change. More matters. Read how they were painted here.
'small worlds'
Each piece in this series is about 30x30cms before framing. They are painted on paper in fine art acrylic.
These paintings are inspired by many conversations with Professor Lesley Smythies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Lesley is a microbiologist interested in the immune system.
Our immune system is a vastly complex set of interacting biological systems, where astonishing scenarios are played out without simple instruction. Huge numbers of different molecules meet, react and are dispersed over long distances, to meet and interact with other players in the dance. This seemingly uncorreographed world is reliant on molecules' being able to recognise others as 'friend' or 'foe' and respond accordingly.
'within and without you'
Each piece in this series is about 30x30cms before framing. They are painted on paper in fine art acrylic.
These paintings start life through a partnership between the hand and the eye, and the elemental force of gravity. They are drip paintings, where paint is allowed to wander and be redirected in a ballet of chance and intention. They have a consequent organic feel.
There are many kind of networks in the natural world. From food webs to the interactions within whole ecosystems, interrelations and complexity are a cornerstone of living systems.
Some biological networks, like the intricate web of interactions between proteins within our cells, are superbly, and thankfully, resilient. Part random , part modular they grow spontaneously, finding their resilience by reducing their fragility to disruption, to just a small number of replaceable links.


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Card Performance Optimization
Part of a series of Payments Optimization Solutions:CardObedience™ • LevelBest™ • TopCard™ • TransAction™ •
With increasing levels of regulations and tougher competition, maintaining the profi tability of a credit card portfolio has become increasingly challenging. A detailed review is necessary to identify ways to grow your customer base and increase revenue - beyond traditional income sources - while maintaining a strong foothold in the competitive market.
CardMore™ helps issuers uncover account leakage within the current portfolio and creates new opportunities for revenue generation by reviewing current operations and comparing them industry best practices. Using CardMORE™, PROFIT INSIGHT® delivers significant cost savings for clients and identifies revenue opportunities from new markets and products.
PROFIT INSIGHT® takes a two-pronged approach to deliver exceptional service:
CardMore™ delivers revenue generating solutions to any deposits business. PROFIT INSIGHT® experts review fee, product and service structures at multiple levels to evaluate their competitiveness today to prepare for tomorrow. Then, new alternative ideas are developed to turn these structures into market leading revenue generators.
All pricing and billing parameters are analyzed, assessment methodologies and rules and policies are dissected, and performance and cost drivers are benchmarked against PROFIT INSIGHT® standards and industry benchmarks. Account and transactional activity is examined to validate charges, interest and posting while general ledger details are mined to find anomalies and offsets.
These and other analyses combined with our global experience and acumen result in:
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Is 2017 going to be the year you tie the knot? Congratulations! Leave the details of wedding planning to us and host a spectacular wedding weekend at our beachfront resort in Deerfield Beach. Whether you want a romantic wedding in the spring, a tropical-themed reception in the summer, or a beautiful sunset ceremony in the fall, our oceanfront resort can turn your wedding vision into a reality.
South Florida is the perfect place to say "I do" with the love of your life. Offering warm weather throughout the year and stunning beaches as far as you can see, Deerfield Beach is a popular destination for weddings. Just picture holding your sweetheart's hand on the soft sands of Florida while your friends and family look on. After the ceremony on the beach, you can stroll back to the elegant ballroom at our resort to toast your marriage and dance the night away.
Our friendly team of wedding planners will work with you every step of the way to make your dream come true. Still not convinced Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort is the ultimate destination for oceanfront weddings in South Florida? Check out the wedding reviews from valued guests on our Facebook Page. You'll see why people love our thoughtful customer service, custom catering from our expert chefs, and an unbeatable location right on the beach. And don't miss
And don't miss the Deerfield Beach Hotel Deals page for the latest updates on our specials. You can find steep discounts on wedding packages, pet-friendly vacations, extended stays, and business meetings.


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Search News
Costa Rica will strengthen its fiscal sustainability with IDB support
Tuesday, July 2, 2019 - 15:04
A $350 million loan will contribute to controlling expenditure and modernizing the country's tax system Costa Rica will strengthen its fiscal sustainability by controlling expenditure and modernizing the tax system with a $350 million loan approved by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This is the first of two operations under the programmatic policy-based loan modality.
WeXchange 2019 Pitch Competition is now open for women entrepreneurs
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 - 15:48
The Pitch Competition, open to high-growth women entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean, is organized by IDB Lab and Angel Ventures. The deadline for application is July 31.
The IDB honors Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 - 17:47
The ambassador of Peruvian cuisine will deliver the Cátedra Enrique Iglesias of Culture and Development on May 21, 2019. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced today that the chef Gastón Acurio was recognized with the Cátedra Enrique V. Iglesias of Culture and Development. This award was created by the organization to distinguish those who have excelled in their work of promoting the progress of Latin America and the Caribbean through the arts and culture.
IDB launches innovative territorial approach to address development challenges
Thursday, May 9, 2019 - 14:38
A study entitled "Honduras: a territorial approach to development" presents for the first time a spatial economic strategy that redefines the traditional national model so as to achieve greater and more inclusive economic growth. As it marks its 60th anniversary, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has presented the study "Honduras: a territorial approach to development", which makes an innovative proposal to confront the country's development challenges and fu
IDB approves grant funds for countries receiving migrants in Latin America and Caribbean
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - 13:22
Grant resources will support inclusive national development investments, regional projects, research, training on critical issues, and innovative solutions impacting development in region The Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank has approved the use of its special grant facility to support operations that help countries integrate migrants into local communities and contribute to their development.
SDG, urban and housing issues highlighted in IDB 2018 Sustainability Report
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 17:11
The IDB launches its new sustainability report with a focus on housing and urban issues The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) launched its 2018 Sustainability Report, featuring projects, initiatives, and research, with a focus on housing and urban issues in the context of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Spain makes contribution to IDB's migration initiative
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 16:02
Event on migration analyzes impact on Latin America MADRID - Spain has made a $5 million contribution to help the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) tackle urgent development challenges posed by the rise of transborder migrations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The contribution was announced at the conference Migration and Cities: The Road to Inclusive Integration held March 20, 2019 in Madrid.
IDB launches Superheroes of Development contest to recognize executing agencies
Monday, March 4, 2019 - 18:41
In its second edition, the call for proposals will be open from March 4th to May 17th, 2019. The Superheroes of Development Award will recognize executing agencies of IDB-financed projects that have successfully addressed challenges during its implementation. The contest will identify eight finalists from across Latin America and the Caribbean who will travel to IDB's Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to present their solutions.
IDB launches cartoon and illustration contest on the future of work
Monday, February 25, 2019 - 21:33
The competition seeks the most creative cartoonists and illustrators in Latin America and the Caribbean; entries accepted through March 31, 2019 The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announces the launching of its third edition of the Cartoon and Illustration Contest under the theme The Future of Work.
The IDB and Mastercard launch a new Resource Center for Digital Transport in Cities
Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 11:10
The IDB and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth launch a new Resource Center for Digital Transport WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new Resource Center for Digital Urban Transport in Latin America has been founded, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.


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Chef: Jessica Meyer Altman; Garden Fresh Foodie
Makes: 15 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
- 1-15 oz. can pinto beans (or 1¾ c cooked beans)
- 1-15 oz can black eyed peas (or 1¾ c cooked beans)
- 2 c fresh or frozen corn (raw), if frozen, thaw by running water over and strain
- 1-15 oz can diced tomatoes or 2 c fresh chopped tomato
- 4 oz of pimentos-drained
- 1 large chopped red/orange or green pepper-about 2 c
- 1 c scallions, chopped or ½ c minced red onion
- ½ c chopped parsley/fresh minced basil or cilantro, or combo
- ½ c apple cider vinegar +2 T
- 2 T maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ t kosher salt
- 1 t ground pepper
- Drain and rinse beans if using canned, adding pimentos, tomatoes (with juice), peppers, scallions, and basil/parsley and place in a medium sized.
- Bring sauce ingredients to a boil in a pot and pour over caviar ingredients
- Mix well.
- Chill overnight. Best the next day. Serve with chips, fresh scooping veggies, or topped on some greens for a great salad!
Jessica Meyers Altman
Associate Professor of Whole Food Nutrition & Living
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Garden Fresh Foodie blog: www.gardenfreshfoodie.com
Instagram www.instagram.com/gardenfreshfoodie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gardenfreshfoodie
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gardenfreshfood
Pintrest: www.pintrest.com/gardenfreshfood


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Elizabeth and Sean were easily the most giggly couple I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. It's kind of insane how stinking happy they are--not just as individuals, but together. I would venture to say that every moment they are together, they are at their happiest simply because they're together.
Three and a half years of dating, and Elizabeth and Sean having officially decided to tie the knot. No matter what, I know their wedding is going to be a joy-filled event. When happy people throw a party, happiness seems to be the host more than the people themselves. Keep your eyes peeled this June to see if my little prediction proves true!
In the meantime, wish these two well as they are days away from uniting in holy matrimony!
|We had a little tilt-shift fun. What you see here is the result of asking happy people not to smile... more smiles!
|We were blessed with an amazing Kansas sunset that was absolutely showing off for these two. Cherry. On. Top.


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How to Keep Your Boss from Sinking Your Project
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Release Date: June 2006
Pages: 24
Read on O'Reilly Online Learning with a 10-day trialStart your free trial now Buy on Amazon
Where's the cart? Now you can get everything with O'Reilly Online Learning. To purchase books, visit Amazon or your favorite retailer. Questions? See our FAQ or contact customer service:
1-800-889-8969 / 707-827-7019
Even if you have the best boss in the world, chances are he or she does not come from an IT or software engineering background, and may lack the time or technical focus to manage your project well. And if your boss sinks your project, you'll share the blame-even if you did everything right. The guidance in this document can help you understand what problems cause projects to fail and how to fix them, and what you can do to keep your software project from running into trouble.


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3469 Route 46
Directions Parsippany, NJ 07054
All Roads Lead to Paul Miller
Once you find the right new or used Subaru, let our Parsippany Subaru dealership finance team help you with a car loan or lease. Our experts can help you secure a car loan in Parsippany, regardless of credit. Visit our Parsippany used car lot today! To browse the best of the best, check out our selection of featured used cars.
There are many reasons why people visit Paul Miller Subaru from all around New Jersey for a used car in Parsippany. One reason is our selection of quality sought-after pre-owned vehicles. The second is our commitment to our customers. At Paul Miller Subaru, we don't believe in gimmicks, just good cars and great people. Take a look at our inventory below and visit our Parsippany used car dealership for a well-maintained pre-owned vehicle. We are located at 3469 Route 46, and can be reached by phone during business hours.


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Big Hole Stretch Fishnet Chemise Set from Intimate Attitudes by Shirley of Hollywood. Includes matching G-string.
With off the shoulder styling.
Trimmed with satin spandex, very flattering!
Includes matching G-string.
Size : Queen
Colour: Black, Pink, Red or White
Please see our size guide
This website is Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved by Topline UK Sales


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We have detected your current browser version is not the latest one. Xilinx.com uses the latest web technologies to bring you the best online experience possible. Please upgrade to a Xilinx.com supported browser:Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer 11, Safari. Thank you!
Watch this video see the ARTY Board work with the Xilinx MicroBlaze soft-core Processor. ARTY, a $99 Evaluation Kit based on the Xilinx Artix-7 35T FPGA, uses MicroBlaze as it's soft-core processor.


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- Home
- Satin Finishing Disc
- High Strength Satin Finishing Disc 3" TYPE-R MEDIUM AO
Product Description
High Strength (HS) material utilizes advanced resin technology in conjunction with a reinforced fibrous mesh. This combination yields the strongest, longest lasting, conformable satin tool.
Price/Quantity: $2.51 each sold in packs of 25
Size: 3"
Material: Aluminum Oxide
Grit: Medium
- The most durable product in the finishing family
- Tough fibrous mesh resists snagging and tearing
- Open construction runs cool and resists loading
Ideal for:
- Gear and thread cleaning and deburring
- Blending of light tool marks
- Edge deburring on extrusions
- Finishing brass and steel metal stampings
- Moderate rust and adhesive removal
- Final finishing on aerospace parts


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Flower Parties
Come party with us!* We are obsessed with flowers and think they add extra life to any party. Check out our themes below to book yours!
The proposal
If you're looking for a romantic space full of flowers to propose to your sweetie, we've got you covered.
the birthday
It's your birthday! Come make yourself something special. This party comes complete with cake.
the Bridal shower
Celebrate your engagement with us! We provide the flowers and champagne, you bring the excitement.
the corporate
Want a sweet team building event? This is it! We bring the class to your office.
the wedding
Want the fun parts of DIY wedding flowers with none of the tedium? This is the party for you.
the just because
We don't need an excuse to flower with some champagne. You don't either!
* All flower parties are held in our studio located at 237 Kingston Ave Brooklyn, NY 11213


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Panavid provides production services to all type of markets and industries: from Fortune 100 executive presentations for special announcements/acquisitions, to small non-profit fundraising events.
We have the crews, the equipment, the experience, and the expert knowledge to provide unique solutions across a broad spectrum of clients. We inspect our equipment regularly, and it is always well-maintained and uses the latest technology including LED, HD and even 4K quality video.


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|This card's written lore in the anime was not shown, was too small to read, or was partially or completely obstructed; the lore listed here is a reconstruction based on how it was used, character descriptions of the card, and/or its OCG/TCG lore. It may not be accurate or complete.
Attachment Dragon
- Japanese: アタッチメント・ドラゴン
- Romaji: Atacchimento Doragon
Anime cards (Galleries: GX)
Search categories
- Actions
- Changes battle positions
- Miscellaneous
- Treated as Equip Card
- Limited activations
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


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By Mary McCann Sanchez, Senior Director of Programs at Solidarity Bridge
The call went out loud and strong. In March of 2015 Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Year of Mercy. "Let us allow God to surprise us," he encouraged followers, for "God never tires of casting open the doors of his heart." [1]
I had just opened a new door in my life as the Senior Director of Programs of Solidarity Bridge, a Catholic organization founded and staffed by lay men and women. Solidarity Bridge partners with committed Bolivian professionals to advance the health and well-being of persons with scant economic resources, particularly those seeking surgery. Working across continents, Solidarity Bridge and its Bolivian partner, Puente de Solidaridad, harness the energy, skills and compassion of highly specialized medical practitioners in the United States who join Bolivian specialists in valued relationships of professional service and training.
The results are impressive. More than 400 missioners have contributed their time, resources and skills to provide treatment or medical advice to nearly 62,000 patients over that past 16 years. Using equipment made available through industry donation, Bolivian and U.S. surgeons have teamed to perform 5,184 surgeries, including open heart surgeries, complex cancer surgeries, removal of brain tumors, spine surgery, reconstructive gynecologic surgeries and other surgeries not readily accessible in Bolivia. Every mission trip feeds into permanent programs run by Bolivian partners throughout the year.
There are many compelling reasons for collaboration in Bolivia. A culturally rich country, Bolivia has one of the highest poverty rates in the hemisphere, with direct consequences to the health of the population. Chagas disease, a parasitic infection transmitted by insects that inhabit mud walls and thatched roofs, is just one case in point. While Chagas is endemic to 21 countries, Bolivia is most severely affected, with some rural communities infected at a rate of 75 percent of the population. This disease can severely affect the patient's digestive system or heart, requiring surgical treatment inaccessible to the poor.
As an educator with 30 years of work in Central America and in immigrant communities in the United States, I was drawn to this new role for a simple reason. I wanted a deeper understanding of Christ as healer. At the same time, I was thirsty for the "wellspring of joy, serenity and peace" that Pope Francis proclaimed, and motivated by his conviction that via mercy God's love is revealed.
Nonetheless, opening a new door is a risk. At the threshold are doubts and questions. My previous commitments in Latin America were on-site and long-term. What is the magic – or perhaps the grace – that must happen in order for a medical mission to be productive, respectful, successful? How do even the most well-meaning caregivers avoid pitfalls of insensitivity that so often mar cross-cultural encounters? Is mercy a personal matter or does it inform justice?
Six missions later and nearing the official closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, I offer some of the valuable lessons I have learned:
1. There is strength in making the connection between one's day-to-day work and the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
As laity, we live out our faith principally through family and work. The medical missioners I have been privileged to accompany bring unique histories of commitment to their profession and use their skills wisely. They approach the opportunity to serve a patient who might not otherwise receive specialized treatment with deference to the attending Bolivian surgeon. At the same time, Bolivian surgeons value professional interchange, technology transfer and collegial mentorship. The corporal work of mercy, in this case healing the sick, is an everyday passion they share. The surgery may last for several hours; the mission may extend for more than a week. But the work is not short-term: it is grounded in years of professional study, a deep passion for healing and the common language of science, even when spoken through an interpreter.
Medical missioners are accessible to the patients' families, and it is not uncommon to hear Solidarity Bridge missioners mention their own families. In most cases, communications technology keeps missioner parents close to their children. Parental acts of mercy --- offering counsel, bearing patiently in the face of difficulties --- reach not only the families at home but are shared in reflections within the mission team, which becomes a community. Bolivian partners strengthen that community by bringing their families to join in welcoming the mission team and bidding them goodbye as friends.
Pope Francis capsulizes this sense of groundedness, and celebrates the commitment made by lay people. In short, the mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality with which God reveals his love as of that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that this is a "visceral" love.
2. Be at peace if you travel.
Undeniably, medical needs abound in my community at home. Adequate access to health care continues to be a privilege in the United States. Medications are out of reach for all too many individuals. Insurance plans continue to limit, squeeze and exclude some, even while they benefit others.
It is not necessary to cross borders to serve. There is no spiritual or corporal work of mercy that cannot find its place close to home. Yet, my experience of mission has taught me that voluntary displacement from the comforts -- and problems -- of home can serve to generate insight and appreciation. The striking diversity and beauty of Bolivia and the evocative sounds of its panpipes fill me with the beauty of God's creation and invite me to co-create joy. At the same time, the extensive nature of poverty in the Southern Hemisphere, rich in natural resources, provokes questions that guide my spiritual quest at home and --- when I am at my best --- lead me to seek justice.
Pope Francis tells us that a primary task, especially at a moment full of great hopes and signs of contradiction, is to introduce everyone to the great mystery of God's mercy by contemplating the face of Christ. I see the suffering Christ in the doorways of hospitals in Bolivia as an imperative just as compelling as the growingly familiar presence of Christ under highway bridges in Chicago. Solidarity teaches me that I cannot ignore either.
And the journey is part of a tradition. The practice of pilgrimage, Francis tells us, has a special place in the Holy Year...Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a viator, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to the desired destination.
3. Contemplation helps us as we determine our path.
There are interminable details on mission trips to heal the sick. Solidarity Bridge seeks to equip hospitals, knowing that tools and instruments in the hands of a healer can save lives. Staff are consumed with the details of logistics, regulations, transportation, missioner needs. Doctors, nurses and technicians feel the tension of adjusting to a new venue, the expectations of excellence and conditions beyond their control.
Aware of the intensity, we seek spaces for reflection. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, Solidarity Bridge missions respectfully welcome persons of all creeds. We gather each morning in silence and then share the Word.
The quiet that follows contemplation can be powerful. One morning after the candlelight of morning reflection dimmed and the lingering tone of the gong diminished, the doctor sitting next to me said softly, I need to be centered today. Otherwise, how will I perform surgery? I did not ask if she prays at home or how she achieves the confidence enter into the spaces of pain in another's being. I did not comment on what I perceived as courage. But I was glad that she shared that thought in prayer with me, and I found myself at peace with the tasks of the day.
Francis says it simply. We need to constantly contemplate the mystery of mercy.
4. Solidarity helps us overcome cynicism.
Pope John Paul II taught us that solidarity is "a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good."[2] Despite flashy sound bytes and claims that nearly every deal can be a "win win," the stark inequities that we observe on mission and the economic and social constraints that limit access to health can fuel hopelessness. Healers, however, cannot despair. At the time of surgery, they put away all kinds of concerns that are part of a not-perfect medical world. Administrative burdens must take the backseat to the patient entrusted to their care.
But the problems are real. In the context of transferring technology to what are often called "third world" countries, we can become burdened by the frustration of "planned obsolescence" of some equipment, when the emergence of new technology means that replacement pieces for older models are no longer available. We are aghast at market schemes or legal frameworks that limit supply even when the demand from patients is great.
Francis warns us: Let us ward off destructive cynicism! May we reach out to our brothers and sisters and support them so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our fraternity! May their cry become our own, and together may we break down the barriers of indifference. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy, he says, "will be a way to reawaken our conscience, too often grown dull in the face of poverty."
5. It is not necessary to understand it all if we are open to the mystery.
Science has unfolded many layers that surround what were, in centuries past, the mysteries of pathologies and treatment. Solidarity permits human knowledge and learning to be shared, and Solidarity Bridge structures its missions to do just that. Mentored surgeries and coursework permit what was initially unknown to a doctor to become part of his or her skills set -- and ultimately benefit patients.
A neurosurgeon, whose discernment, dexterity and calming presence in the operating room has won the respect of colleagues in Bolivia, mentioned to me on mission that every surgery has the potential for good and for harm. An advocate for access to surgeries globally, he approaches the role of the surgeon abroad with utmost care. Willing to operate under developing world conditions, he aims to expand access to equipment and training to ensure safety for all patients. He meticulously seeks clues in magnetic images, unravels the mysteries of failing equipment, establishes surgical strategies, and expertly teaches less experienced surgeons to mitigate risks.
He knows that medicine and human life is much more than a puzzle. Charged time and again with discussing the reality of our mortality with patients and their families -- and capable of doing that with compassion -- he mentions a deep desire to contemplate life's mysteries even further.
Our faith teaches us that there is indeed mystery. Francis explains that mercy will take us to the unknowable. From the heart of the Trinity, he says, from the depths of the mystery of God, the great river of mercy wells up and overflows unceasingly. It is a spring that will never run dry, no matter how many people draw from it. Every time someone is in need, he or she can approach it, because the mercy of God never ends.
As this Jubilee Year of Mercy comes to a close, I can say with certainty that my first year with Solidarity Bridge has been extraordinary. I give thanks, knowing that the opened doors will not close. As Francis teaches us, the profundity of the mystery surrounding mercy is as inexhaustible as the richness which springs up from it.
[1] All citations of the words of Pope Francis are from the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy
[2] Pope John Paul II - Sollicitudo rei socialis


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Power Walking: Researchers Charge Cell Phones With Shoes
With every step you take, you lose as much as 20 watts of power as heat. But a pair of Wisconsin researchers has discovered a way to convert that mechanical energy into an electric charge capable of powering personal electronics like smartphones.
Tom Krupenkin and J. Ashley Taylor, electrical engineering researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have invented something called a footwear-embedded energy harvester. Fitted into the bottom of a shoe, this technology is based on a scientific principle called electrowetting.
According to New Scientist, electrowetting is when "the shape of a liquid droplet sitting on a liquid-repelling surface is charged by applying voltage to the surface." Krupenkin and Taylor's technology, however, reverses this principle. New Scientist explains that it converts the energy of a moving liquid metal alloy called Galinstan into an electrical current. Used in thermometers, Galinstan is similar to mercury but it isn't toxic.
When placed in a shoe, this device could produce between one and 10 watts of energy.
"The amount of energy you can produce is very large in comparison with other methods for energy harvesting," Krupenkin said.
The technology is not ready to hit the commercial market yet. But through their new company, InStep NanoPower, Krupenkin and Taylor have developed a prototype, and they're working to create another model that could be slipped inside the sole of a shoe.
The duo has figured out a way to capture the energy, but just how does it power your devices? One way it could work is by plugging your device into a USB port directly in the shoe. But Krupenkin doesn't see that as a practical application for the average consumer.
"That might work for the military, but it's not something a regular user would want every day," he told New Scientist.
Another solution would be to use the power-excavating shoe as an intermediary between cell phone towers and your phone, like a long-distance radio. As searching for a signal is a huge drain on a phone's power, Krupenkin said this method is a huge energy saver and could make your phone's battery last as much as 10 times longer.
Krupenkin and Taylor expect the energy harvester to be ready in two years.
For more from Leslie, follow her on Twitter @LesHorn.


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Your Source for Education Design and Planning
KG+D Architects, PC
Roslyn Union Free School District
6,700 sq.ft.
The aging 1968 cafeteria was divided into two self-contained service and dining areas. Upgrading was needed, and administrators seized the opportunity to explore potential for remaking the space to create a cohesive, technology-rich cafeteria commons. The challenges were to open up and unify the existing space, gain seating capacity, update the kitchen ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONCOST PER SQ FT$249.00FEATURED IN2012 Educational InteriorsINTERIOR CATEGORYCafeterias/Food-Service Areas service areas, and create a modern student commons that encouraged students to stay on campus.
The design solution removed cafeteria and corridor walls to create a bright, open commons with daylighting, views to the outside, access to an outdoor terrace, and 162 additional seats in a more flexible configuration. A central focal point was created around the food-service area by framing it with curving, raised counter seating. The ceiling grid system allows for a sense of more openness and forms a strong unifying graphic, which is punctuated by circular lightwells, and vibrant wall and furniture accents.
Flat-panel monitors, wireless technology and charging stations enliven the space to create an engaging and flexible 21st-century media commons.
David Lamb Photography
© 2019 Penton Media, Inc.


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It's a known fact that too much sugar causes obesity, diabetes and other health problems and that's one of the reasons San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was tackling sales of sodas and other sugary drinks with a tax.
But Newsom said on Wednesday that he has abandoned plans to charge grocery stores and other retailers a fee on the drinks. Newsom made the comments while discussing his decision to veto a proposed fee on alcohol.
There was no law drafted or introduced to impose a sugary drink fee and Newsom had said he was prepared for lawsuits that were sure to follow. He told the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday that he will not follow through on the plan because he is "open to disagreement and listening to the evidence."
Instead, Newsom will be introducing a new plan to get people to kick the sugar habit. Come on, did you really think "Nanny Newsom" was ready to abandon his percieved overbearing ways and give up imposing laws to keep people healthy?


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man, i love these little bat guys! they are a fun and easy halloween craft. and necessary!! because its been 80 degrees around here [actually i just checked, its 90!!] and our spooky carved pumpkins are starting to dwindle down and die!! sad. so bats, it is! to add some festive flare to our hyatt house!
you will need:
- smooth foam balls
- tooth picks
- black card stock
- twine
- black craft paint
- glue gun
and of course, how to!
- paint foam balls in black craft paint
- cut out wings from black card stock - lots of traceable templates on google images!
- tape a toothpick to the back of the wing
- stick wings in foam ball
- glue wings to twine [or glue the top of the foam ball to twine, whichever!] and hang how you like!


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Plan, launch and analyse a comprehensive test that will greatly improve your site or product, and drive business growth.
6 UX Rules Tech Startups Need To Master
Get these 6 rules drilled into your mind as early as possible, and you'll have an easier time producing designs that communicate value and keep customers happy.
Improving UX with the Right Front End
User experience designers focus on enhancing the customer interactions and experience as a whole, while UI developers translate product design and content into a responsive and interactive interface.
A Quick Guide to UX Writing
UX writers help create a great customer experience through the written word. It's a role more companies are looking to hire.
10 Ways to Improve Your Website Design
The MVP is dead, long life to the MAP. (Minimum Awesome Product)
I will say this bluntly and without sugar coating … the MVP has died. What does that mean for product and UX designers?
Building an Atomic Design System with Sketch Library
Sketch libraries will definitely change the way we design today. Here are few other things we learned while building atomic system
UX Best Practices for User Retention
The most successful apps give us a reason to come back every day. We return to Facebook and Twitter every day because of the community social media fosters -- for better or worse.
Not so scary: Using Design Thinking for Haunted Houses
Unknowingly (at first), I studied human behavior to give people what they want: nail-biting, scream-inducing fun.
A Human-centered take on Seniors and Technology
When I got my first full-time job, I got my dad a Macbook Air as a thank you gift. I helped him set it up and explained that "Finder" is similar to "My Computer" on his old Dell computer and everything else worked just about the same.


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Facebook broke my heart
Johnny Diaz, The Boston Globe, November 25, 2008
Kristin O'Neill blames Facebook for her recent breakup. O'Neill, a financial worker from Quincy, created an account on Facebook.com this year after hearing about the social networking site's popularity from her boyfriend and friends. What she found on the site was the stuff of a bad Lifetime channel movie: Her guy had created two separate profiles. He posted salacious comments on other women's photos, and he claimed he was in an open relationship. With printouts of his photo comments, O'Neill confronted her boyfriend of two years. He confessed. She dumped him.
Kristin, an obviously emotionally vulnerable young woman, claims that Facebook is "just awful." Really? Facebook helped her discover she was in a relationship with a loser and she's upset with Facebook? Perhaps a more mature person would blame the boyfriend instead of scapegoating a web site.
For some people, learning that a partner is chatting with former love interests is too close for comfort.
Like, get over it. How insecure and possessive does one have to be for this to be an issue? Charles Lindholm, professor of anthropology at Boston University, said, "When your old girlfriend in high school can look you up and start a conversation with you, it might be from a distance, but it is still a conversation." Huh? If I were in a relationship with a person who was so insecure that they expected me to cease all former relationships, even if those relationships are strictly platonic, I'd walk away so fast I wouldn't have time to say "goodbye". Jealousy, insecurity, and possessiveness are immature and have no place in a healthy mature relationship.
In one forum, a member confessed: "A three-year relationship ruined . . . if it weren't for Facebook, I would have never known he was sneaking around with other girls. . . . It's pretty much the new form of cheating."
If it weren't for Facebook they would have never known they were in a relationship with a loser. They should be grateful for Facebook, not critical of it.
Finally, we have a bit of refreshing maturity.
Some Facebook users said they don't mind if their better half engages in conversations with former romantic interests. They believe the initial rush of reconnecting with an old friend fizzles out after a few exchanges.
Facebook enables people to catch cheaters, if that's what interests them. Caring about with whom your partner is conversing is immature. Be happy for the time you get with them and be happy for them if they are happy with another. Life is too short for pettiness in relationships.
Facebook is a great way to connect with people in current and past social spheres. If you don't want to learn your partner is cheating don't use the service. Deal?
Visit my Facebook profile.


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Confined and Unconfined Powder Flow
Two types of powder flow pattern are typically employed for quantifying flowability: -
Forced (or confined) Flow
A measure of the powder's flowability when forced to flow, such as through a screw feeder or in an active feed frame.
This property is defined as the
Low Stress (unconfined) Flow
A measure of the powder's flowability when unconfined, such as during low stress filling, or low shear blending. This property is defined as the
The regimes of confined and unconfined flow are very different and so it is important, when correlating data with process performance, to identify which regime is most representative of the process being considered.


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Many women dread menopause. Roseanne Barr is not one of those women.
"Menopause had indeed made me into a nicer person," the 59-year-old former sitcom star writes in a column for Newsweek. "After menopause, I discovered the joy of drinking wine, and of sinking deeply into writing and time alone. These things replaced the sex drive I had thoroughly cruised down as a youth, exploring one dead end, detour, and unpaved dirty road after another."
NBC goes Downwardly Mobile with Roseanne Barr
Losing her sex drive, Barr says, has actually been a relief because of the pain it caused. She also praised her current partner, Johnny Argent. "I no longer fear moving on to a better existence than this one, which is, of course, no existence at all. Oblivion will be f---ing sweet after a lifetime at the mercy of my hormones and my biological clock and the twisted logic that produced the craving for a dominant male sex partner. I'm quite thrilled to say that at this late hour, in my autumn years, I have at last found a man who is more savant than idiot, and with whom the sparse occasions of physical enjoining of souls is quite sublime."
Since going through menopause, the comedian said she has had more time to meditate and take more time for herself. "My family is close, but I have more me time—there, I said that too! And what do I do with some of the time I don't spend being whipped around by the desperate process of staving off the appearance of aging and all the rest of the crap we're sold 24/7? For one thing, I meditate, and for another, I think. Let me elaborate (after I meditate, and then think for a bit)."
Lifetime no longer serving Roseanne's Nuts
After decades of having to worry about that time of the month, she said now that she's "sailing on much calmer seas" without such concerns. "I continue to realize how much of my life I spent firmly under the thumb of Mother Nature, that inscrutable Boss Lady. I can still hear my biological clock ticking, but it's a calmer rhythm. Without being one of those happy-talking, sugar-coating types I can't stand, I just have to say it's so much easier living on this side of menopause, even with my high-mileage body."


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Lovers in Paris Portrait Session - Meagan & Chris/
Paris certainly provided us with one incredible morning for Meagan and Chris's Lovers in Paris photo session back in autumn. It was the perfect weather to ride a Velib from one location to the next and explore the city along the way. I can't explain how amazing it is to work with the light here - it's different to Australia and just seems to be a little bit more magical somehow. Meagan and Chris were in Paris to celebrate their anniversary and were such a pleasure to get to know. They have the cutest connection and from looking at the photos below, I think you'd agree!


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"There it is again!" Little Johnny thought to himself as he slowly backs away from the middle of the room in to his bed, quickly sliding inside the covers. It was just past midnight when Little Johnny was awaken from his slumber by a noise coming from outside his window. "Psst!" a shadowy figure softly calls in through the window. Little Johnny tries to make out of the figure, its silhouette broken by the window blinds drawn for the night. "I need your help! I can give you anything you desire!" the voice softly speaks.
Little Johnny trembles in fear as the shadow seemingly becomes larger as it slowly creeps in through the top crack of the blinds, crawling up to the ceiling as if it's readying itself to jump down unto Little Johnny. "I've been watching you sleep, you know?" the figure informs Little Johnny as it taps the glass on the window. "Tap. Tap." "I've been watching you for a while now. Let's go fly out to a place away from here. There will be toys and candies and only good little children are welcome there!"
"Who are you?" asked Little Johnny as he hesitantly reaches for his baseball bat leaning on the table right next to his bed. "I'm a friend but you can never tell your parents about me. Can you keep a secret?" the voice replied. "I just want to play. I'm not going to hurt you". The figure starts shaking the window, trying to pry it open. "Can you unlock the window for me so we can play?" The shadow on the ceiling, broken by the blinds, shifted position.
"Go away!" yelled Johnny as he slowly slides out of his bed. "Go away or I'll call the cops!" Johnny bluffed. "Hmhmhmhmhmn..." the figure laughs as it paces back and forth right out the window. "I know you won't do it and even if you did, they wouldn't believe you!" Johnny surrenders to the corner of his room, sits down in a fetal position, covering his ears still holding the baseball bat in his hand. "What do you want from me?!?" Johnny asked with a frustrated tone. "I WANT YOU!" the figure screeched as its shadows creeps in closer to Johnny.
"No! Stay away from me", Johnny, a twenty-something kid, fragile as a bubble, burst and yelled as he blindly swings his bat, hitting the dry walls and his desk, knocking down the stuff on it. The maniacal laughter gets louder as its shadow gets closer until Johnny madly hurls his bat across the room, hitting the window pain. The window glass shatters to the floor and all of a sudden, silence. Johnny starts howling as he starts to cry painfully. He then starts crawling towards the debris that fell earlier off his desk reaching for something. Defeated, Johnny rolls on his back, on the soft carpet of his bedroom floor, clutching an empty, amber colored prescription bottle, staring blankly into space.
Yay? Nay? Meh? Check me out on see|me, 500px and facebook!


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"Londonskaya Ltd." , IATA certified agency was established in Odessa, the best marine city in Ukraine, so we know firsthand about the seafarers' needs.
For many years we cooperate with the leading Ukrainian and European crewing agencies and ship owners.
Since 1989 we help seafarers and crewing companies to make their lives easier. We have 3 offices in Odessa including office in the airport working 7 days per week, 24 hours per day for you in emergency cases.
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We have a possibility to issue tickets for seamen from/to airport of Simferopol not breaking the current Ukrainian law for occupied territories.
Our visa managers make full assistance in getting seamen visa and touristic visa for crew members and employees of the crewing agencies.
Our travelling department provide such services as transfers, bus and railway tickets all over Ukraine and within Europe, delivery to your office or other requested place.
We offer flexible payment schedule, most convinient in your particular case.
Please feel free to contact us
monday-friday 10am — 6pm
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Ashley Dunning is Co-Chair of the Public Pension and Investments Group at Nossaman LLP and a member of the Firm's Litigation Group. She has nearly two decades of experience providing general, fiduciary, investment, and/or litigation counsel services to most public retirement systems in California, including 16 of the 20 retirement systems governed by the County Employees' Retirement Law of 1937 ("CERL") as well as fiduciary, conflict of interest, and governance training to trustees and public pension staff and attorneys throughout California and nationally. Ms. Dunning is immediate past Chair of the Fiduciary and Governance Section of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys ("NAPPA"), and recently was elected to its Executive Board.
Ms. Dunning chairs the Nossaman Women's Affinity Group and serves on the Firm's Diversity Committee.
What is your proudest professional moment so far?
Making a novel argument to the California Supreme Court (both written and in oral argument) regarding conflict of interest principles as applied in the public retirement arena, and having the Court unanimously adopt that argument.
Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer a couple of years after I graduated from college. I realized then that lawyers are some of the best positioned in our society to advocate on behalf of others, and that they do so both orally and in writing, which are skills I had then and that I wished to hone further. The combination of becoming an effective advocate, and making my living analyzing and assisting in the resolution of difficult problems, were very appealing to me.
Do you have any interesting talents or hobbies?
I love outdoor sports of all kinds: skiing, mountain biking, and soccer, among others. I also love the outdoors generally: camping, hiking, mushroom foraging, et al. I have traveled on nearly all of the continents of the world, including living in West Africa for a while and France for a couple of years, and I speak several languages. I particularly enjoy quality food from all over the world. Finally, I treasure these activities most when accompanied by my husband, our two boys, and often one or more of the kids' grandparents.
Gina Nicholls is a member of the Firm's Water Practice Group and represents public agency clients and investor-owned utilities. Ms. Nicholls has litigation, regulatory, and transactional experience and focuses on water rights, California public agencies, and limitations imposed by the state constitution on water-related rates, fees, and charges.
Ms. Nicholls is chair of Nossaman's LGBTQ Affinity Group and serves on the Diversity Committee.
First, I think it is important to mention that I have been given lots of opportunities I never expected thanks to supervisors and mentors who took chances on me. There is not just a single moment that stands out. I am proud of closing the reorganization of a large international renewable energy fund after coordinating much of the due diligence as a first-year law firm associate. And I am especially proud of litigating and reaching a favorable settlement for the client in a human trafficking pro-bono case as a fourth-year associate. Also, I am proud of my work supporting two trials taking place simultaneously when I first started practicing law. Some of the client's witnesses personally thanked me for helping them navigate the process. Both trials resulted in clear victories for the client. Finally, I am extremely proud of my active duty service in the U.S. Navy in 2000-2004.
What do you love about your work?
I love being a water law attorney. The practice allows me to use a variety of skill sets—from litigation to transactional law, and sometimes even technical skills learned before law school—all to help solve problems related to the allocation and management of natural resources.
How do you contribute to the community?
I try to contribute through pro bono work such as the human trafficking case I litigated a couple of years ago with a local legal services provider. In addition, my wife is very involved in the community through her work as a public interest lawyer and her participation in various local organizations. She helps guide our support of projects and organizations addressing, among other things, LGBTQ issues and poverty-related issues.
Simon Santiago is the Leader of East Coast operations for Nossaman's Infrastructure Practice Group and a member of the Construction, Energy and Water Practice Groups. He handles development, procurement and construction issues for some of the largest transportation, transit and multi-modal projects in the U.S. Mr. Santiago assists public sector clients in creating successful infrastructure projects through innovative procurement, financing and delivery methods including public-private partnerships (P3s). He also advises industry leaders and policymakers on emerging federal legislative and policy issues involving transportation.
Mr. Santiago serves on Nossaman's Diversity Committee and was recently elected to the board of the National Filipino-American Lawyers Association, DC Chapter.
I enjoy the clients that I work with. Given the focus of my practice—representing public agencies on major infrastructure projects—I get to work with public employees who are dedicated and committed to their job. The deals are complex, challenging, and occasionally wrought with politics. Nevertheless, they approach their work with integrity and a desire to "do the right thing." This motivates me to get up each morning and do my best to help them accomplish their goals and objectives.
What do you like to talk about with individuals interviewing at Nossaman?
I talk about how the firm is made up of very talented lawyers who have made significant contributions to their practice areas and the legal community. As an example, I mention that several attorneys in the firm's Infrastructure Practice Group are widely considered as trailblazers and thought leaders in public-private partnerships and transportation policy. I also like to emphasize that we encourage and promote initiative among our younger attorneys.
How do you contribute to diversity and inclusion efforts at Nossaman and in the larger legal community?
Currently, I am very focused on mentoring minority law students. Looking back at my law school years, I didn't have a seasoned practitioner of color who was available to me as a resource. While I had many role models, it would have been helpful to hear and learn from a person of color regarding any unique challenges or issues he or she faced as a lawyer. Therefore, I've been taking advantage of the large law school community in the Washington, DC area and volunteering my time to establish a law student mentoring program through the Filipino-American Lawyers Association of DC.
Alfred Smith is the Chair of Nossaman's Water Practice Group and member of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group. As a recognized expert in water and environmental law, he advises clients on matters involving water rights, contamination remediation, groundwater adjudications, water transfers, recycled water, desalination, conjunctive use, climate change, and environmental regulatory compliance. Mr. Smith also develops water supply assessments and environmental impact reports for residential and commercial developments. His accomplishments as a litigator include helping negotiate one of California's largest water contamination mitigation settlements in favor of his clients and winning a unanimous decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Smith chairs Nossaman's Diversity Committee and co-chairs its Minority Affinity Group.
My proudest professional moment involves the successful representation of four water agencies in an intensely litigated perchlorate contamination case. As part of this litigation, we obtained the first published decision on perchlorate liability in the country. We also achieved a $100 million recovery for our clients.
Being featured on the cover of the Los Angeles Lawyer magazine, and being named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Los Angeles, were major highlights as well.
What might people be surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to learn that I was inducted into the United States Achievement Academy for excellence in percussion instruments.
I serve as a deacon and on the trustee board for the Triedstone Church, where my grandfather served as the Pastor for 36 years. The church is located in South Los Angeles. We have a number of community outreach programs which include feeding the homeless, job fairs, professional counseling services, housing and shelter referral listings, clothing, tutoring, and scholarship programs for disadvantaged youth.
Katrina Wu is an eminent domain and real estate litigation attorney focusing on eminent domain, inverse condemnation, regulatory takings, and valuation matters. Ms. Wu also assists clients with land use, environmental, and landlord/tenant-related matters. She has worked on some of the largest public works projects for some of the largest public agencies in California, defending environmental documents, assisting with the precondemnation and acquisition process, drafting pleadings and motions, propounding and responding to discovery, and assisting with trial preparation. Ms. Wu is a regular contributor on news, events, and policies affecting endangered species issues in California and throughout the United States on the Firm's Eminent Domain blog.
I love being able to solve the many problems and issues that our client's face. It is very satisfying to know that I am making a difference one person, one business or one project at a time.
I really enjoy working on pro bono cases for individuals in the community who cannot afford legal services. The court and legal system can be very intimidating, especially for someone with limited means. Using my legal skills to help someone in need is one of the most fulfilling uses of my time. I also volunteer with my local Women in Transportation Seminar Chapter, serving as the Scholarship Chair. As an attorney who works on many transportation projects, it is a wonderful experience to help advance women in the transportation field.
Mr. Santiago focuses his practice on infrastructure development, procurement and construction law. He helps public-sector clients on large-scale transportation, transit and multi-modal infrastructure projects using innovative procurement, financing and delivery methods – including public-private partnerships (P3s).
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FRANKIE is a 12-year-old draft cross who has spent his life doing a little bit of everything. Frankie can jump, do dressage, and is a trail riding pro. He competed a bit before coming to Endeavor, and took his owner's two young daughters for rides as well. With his sweet nature and willing attitude, it's no surprise that Frankie took to program right away. Give those giant ears of his a good scratch, and you'll have a friend for life!
GOLIATH is a 17-year-old liver chestnut pony. He helped many young riders succeed in the show ring during his last career, and even visited a grocery store to help sell Girl Scout cookies (we're betting the Thin Mints were his favorite)! His experience with children has made him a fantastic mount for independent riders, as well as our hippotherapy clients.
Harrison Ford
"FORD" is a 10-year-old Shetland pony who was born into a semi-feral herd run by New Bolton Veterinary School. This multi-talented pony helped teach vet students basic equine and veterinary skills before learning how to drive a carriage and be ridden. He even dabbled in some (small) jumping! He is loving program and is working on becoming our traveling ambassador pony.
JOEY, aka "Rabin" is an 18-year-old Hanoverian Warmblood gelding who competed in Hunters and Jumpers before landing at Endeavor. He is sweet, gentle, playful and has an eye for the ladies (especially Maple). At 17.1 hands high, he is one of the tallest members of our herd, but we're pretty sure he'd love to climb into your pocket if he'd fit.
KODA is a 14-year-old draft cross who came from an equine rescue that found him in a kill lot. This sweet boy is loving his new life in therapeutic horsemanship, and is a natural at his job. Koda is affected by Horner's Syndrome, a non-life-threatening combination of symptoms that arises when a group of nerves known as the sympathetic trunk is damaged. This is why you may see Koda sweating only on his left side, or may have noticed that he's usually wearing his sun-shield fly mask for extra eye protection!
KOKO is an 18-year-old quarter horse pony. Koko had never done therapeutic horsemanship before Endeavor, but he took to it like a champion! He is great for riders learning to go off-lead because he is patient, kind, and listens very well. His riders like to give him affectionate nicknames like Mr. Kokonut Tree.
MAPLE is an 8-year-old Belgian Draft mare who was born at Lockehaven Farm in New Hampshire. This gentle giant competed in trail classes and horsemanship as a filly, and she loves to swim. Endeavor is only the second home Maple has ever known, but she has settled in beautifully with the help of her best friend, Pearl.
PEARL is a 17-year-old Arabian who was born in Vermont as "WB Pearlie Mae." Pearl is sweet, sensitive, and smart, and she prefers spending time with her friends to alone time. She has competed in Endurance, and also hails from Lockehaven Farm in New Hampshire, where she lived with her best friend, Maple, for many years.
PELUSA (which means "fluff" in Spanish) is a 22-year-old Argentine Thoroughbred mare who had an extensive career as a polo pony before joining our herd at Endeavor. She led polo players to many victories before sharing her skills with new riders and teaching them how to play the sport. She is a patient, polite and wise ruler of the herd, and gets along with everyone!
SMOKEY, whose official name is "Blackburn Copper Max," (but who also goes by the affectionate name, "Meatball") is a 13-year-old dun Quarter Horse. Smokey worked in physical therapy sessions for many years before coming to Endeavor, and he has a strong love for children (and their toys). He loves to play and have fun, but is also a hard worker. You can recognize him by his long, flowing mane!
Zee is a horse with many names! Also known as "Princess Zee" and "Bryhyl Zephyr," she is a 13-year-old Norwegian Fjord mare who was born in Vermont. Zee loves working with children, and spent time at a farm in the Catskills before joining the herd at Endeavor. She is sweet, funny, and playful, and is sometimes referred to as "Miss Piggy" for the grunting sounds she makes when food or one of her friends is near.


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Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.
In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.
Product Details
|Bloomsbury USA
|Publication date:
|Sales rank:
|Product dimensions:
|5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
|Age Range:
|14 - 18 Years
About the Author
MEGAN MIRANDA is the author of Fracture and its upcoming companion Vengeance. She spends a great deal of time thinking about the "why" and "how" of things, which leads her to get carried away daydreaming about the "what-ifs." She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children.
www.meganmiranda.com www.facebook.com/MeganMirandaAuthor
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Characters: The whole story is told from Mallory's perspective. She remembers that she killed her boyfriend, but cannot recall why. The circumstances are fuzzy to her and she's blocked out most of what has happened to her. She is working through the pieces slowly as well as trying to move on with her life by attending a new school. Originality: This book, for me, brought out similar feelings as when I read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer books. The main characters has experienced something very traumatic and keeps having flashes or things that could have, or did happen...we aren't sure. She's paranoid, has anxiety and has a hard time trusting anybody. Writing: The story jumps back and forth from current day into her memories of the day she killed her boyfriend. So we slowly get snippets of that day throughout the story that will eventually lead up to piecing everything together. Plot: Mallory knows she stabbed her boyfriend, it's been cleared as self defense. But now his mother is stalking her and her parents decide to send her away to school to get out of the situation. But even in a new setting she is still trying to fit together all the pieces. And even worse, theirs a group of kids at the school that have it out for her, and the bodies are piling up. Krista's Rating: I love horror stories and this book was so much fun to read, I read it in one day and loved how we are just given the tiniest of a hint to what could have happened that night. Also mixed in with a whole new mystery of what is happening with this group at school. Total bonus there is a character named Krista! (I never get to see that) I did get a little confused with part of the plot line when it came to the girls at school and how it was exactly that it was Mallory that gets mixed up with them. (quite a coincidence after everything she's already been through) But even with my confusion I still highly enjoyed this thrill ride and it was dark, freaky and lots of blood.
Mallory's memories of the night she killed her boyfriend, Brian, are spotty at best. She knows it was in self-defense — everyone does — but that doesn't make things any easier. After Brian's mother begins to unravel and begins stalking Mallory, her parents decide to send her to a private school — her father's alma matter — far away from her home town. Desperate for a fresh start, Mallory settles into her new routine as the new girl no one knows. But then her secret gets out, and people start treating her differently. To make matters worse, she keeps having dreams that someone is in her room at night, and mysterious bruises in the shape of a handprint begin to form on her shoulder. When another classmate is murdered, Mallory can't help but wonder if someone is after her — or if maybe there's something seriously wrong with her. The majority of the story is set in Monroe, a fancy prep school in the middle of nowhere. The school is isolated and surrounded by woods which perfectly adds to the creepy atmosphere. All of the characters in the book are very strong. Mallory, the MC, is particularly interesting. She feels her life is completely out of control. We go on the journey with her as she tries to piece together the events of the night of Brian's death, and as she tries to figure out who is after her — or if maybe it's all her own doing. I loved Colleen, Mallory's best friend. She is everything a best friend should be: Loyal, supportive and funny. She's a major bright spot in Mallory's life, and after everything she's been through, she needs her. Reid, a childhood acquaintance of Mallory's, and a fellow student at Monroe, adds another interesting dynamic to the story. He's the only one Mallory feels she can trust at Monroe, but is that a good thing? I loved Ms. Miranda's first book, Fracture, and I was super-excited to read this one. I love her writing style, and the way she slowly unravels her clues. What I liked about this one was that she makes the reader feel just as lost as Mallory. We don't know anything before Mallory does, which makes the mystery that much more effective. There's a lot happening in this book, but the author handles it very well. It was never confusing, or overwhelming. My only problem with the book was the end. There was this huge climax and then all of the sudden it was over. I didn't feel like the resolution was fully fleshed out. To say more would give away the ending, and I don't want to do that. I just wanted a little more info on what happened to a couple of people. All in all Hysteria is the perfect mystery. It's the type of read you want to curl up with on a rainy day. It's easy to get caught up in the plot and to lose yourself in the twists and turns. Despite the ending that felt a little rushed, this book is definitely one worth reading, especially if you like a good mystery that will keep you on your toes. While I wasn't surprised at the outcome, it was still fun to unravel Mallory's story to get to the end result.
It had its moments but not one of my favorites
Ive read fracture and vegence and loved both so i was excited to read hysteria. I tried to get into the story but it jumped all over and was confusing. Also i feel like it just ended and left ,any unaswered questions. You never really find out why she killed brian, you never find out what excactley happened with krista, taryn and bree. I just didnt enjoy this book.
Well, well, well. This was at least something a little different. Part mystery, part suspense, and part psychological thriller, I was captivated yet thoroughly confused by this story. So much so, I still can't figure out whether I loved it or hated it. I feel rather "meh" about it, actually. In the end, everything makes sense once you get the complete picture, but to get to that point you first have to survive a somewhat tiresome journey with a very exasperating protagonist who tends to run from the merest mention of confrontation. The main thing I did enjoy about Hysteria is that it is loaded with mystery and suspense. You don't know why Mallory killed Brian. This is only revealed near the end when everything comes together. The author did a magnificent job keeping the reader guessing as to whether Mallory is being haunted or whether she's just plain crazy. To complicate matters even more, add in three evil girls, a psychotic boy, a stalker, Mallory's parents' fear of her, and everyone at her new prep school keeping their distance from her, and you have a hotbed of creepiness and tension to see you through to the end of the book. It seems I've read quite a lot of books since the start of this year in which the characters and I struggle to form a connection. With that said, Hysteria is no exception. Mallory was such a depressing character I felt as though I was swathed in a dark cloud of doom while reading her story. On the bright side, that gloominess added to the atmosphere in the book. Nevertheless, I didn't feel anything for any of the characters, but what stood out for me was the close bond between Mallory and her best friend, Colleen. They have a friendship I envy, and that friendship is their saving grace for both of them when push literally comes to shove. I also felt good about how things turned out for Mallory and her mother when she needed her most. There's a little romance, but nothing to write home about. Of course, I was grateful that the romance formed only a miniscule part of the story. Apart from it being an entirely confusing read, my other issue with Hysteria is that it builds up the anticipation to the point where you're starting to lose patience; and once all the plot points starts forming the larger picture, the big reveal is rather anticlimactic and that was hugely disappointing for me because after all that build-up, I expected something spectacular. Thankfully this is a stand-alone and not the first in a series. It would've been a disaster if the author chose to drag it out even more. If you're new to mysteries and thrillers, this might be a book you'll enjoy. The writing is good and the suspense is riveting. Though Hysteria ended up disappointing me with its mediocre big reveal, it is still a book I'd recommend to readers of the YA genre, and I'll certainly read more of Megan Miranda's books.
I read this at school for free. Its better in novel form. I really liked this book i couldnt put it down. The suspense is amazing i was a little confused why did she stab him when he wasnt really hurting her he was just trying to get answers of why she was with his brother. Its weird how she kept getting those marks but who was actually doing it? Was it the spirt or was it brians mom or brother? Besides these questions i thoroughly enjoyed this book. She gets sent away because her parents are scared for her. But at monroe she meets reid. And then the preppy school boy gets murdered and put into her dorm room by the killer so they think she did it. Its really suspensful when jasons cousin and her friends killed him. Mallory found this out because they almost killed her best friend. I reccommend this to anyone.
Definite page turner
A must read!
My Thoughts: I absolutely loved Hysteria, I was really curious when I was going into reading this one I have heard a lot of great things about Megan Miranda's debut Fracture but, I haven't yet had a chance to read it but, I hoped that I would enjoy this one just as much and I definitely did. Hysteria is a great mix of psychological thriller and normal life, it gave me everything that I look for when I want to read a book. Mallory killed her somewhat boyfriend Brian, and ever since her life hasn't been the same. Everybody around her town whispers and stares when she is around and Brian's mom spends her days outside her house parked twenty feet away per restraining order. Brian is also the older brother of her former crush and lab partner Dylan, which only complicated things more. Mallory's parents decide to send her away to a boarding school Monroe for a fresh start, Mallory has heard about Monroe all her life through her father who went to high school there and loved it. As much as Mallory doesn't want to leave her best friend Colleen, her parents are acting distant and she wants to go somewhere where everyone doesn't know her secrets. But, as Mallory arrives at Monroe she finds out that the fresh start she is looking for isn't going to come easy, people still know what happened and she really can't escape. Mallory reconnects with the son of her father's high school roommate, she used to see him three or four times a year when their fathers got together until Reid's dad passed away. Unfortunately for Mallory no matter where she goes what she did haunts her nights, creating nightmares that may or may not be real. While I was reading this book I kept being reminded of the Mara Dyer books which I love and it only made me even more into reading the stuff. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole entire time I was reading, my heart was pounding and I was trying to figure out what was going on, most of the time being completely wrong. Mallory and Reid's romance was an interesting aspect because it gave the book a grounding aspect and it wasn't filled with only craziness and made it that much more enjoyable. Overall, Miranda has created an awesome and satisfying standalone and I really enjoyed her writing I definitely want to check out Fracture now because of reading this great book and I can't wait to see what Miranda comes up with next. If you are a fan of Michelle Hodkin and creepy thrillers then this book is right up your alley, check it out!
Mallory ends up killing her boyfriend in self-defense, but she cannot remember how things lead up to that incident or why she would go so far as to kill him. "I knew how I was supposed to feel when I was with him. Well, I knew what I was not supposed to feel. I wasn't supposed to feel anxious. Not tense, either. Or maybe I was. Maybe this was normal. I didn't know. So I let him whisper in my ear and put his hands on my hips. And I listened to him list the ways in which I was slowly killing him. None of which turned out to be the actual way that I killed him." -Megan Miranda, Hysteria So she gets shipped off to a private school called Monroe and tries to forge as normal of a life there as she can. Things however do not stay normal because she constantly feels a presence following her everywhere. And soon Mallory's roommate is killed using the same Mallory's knife, so naturally everyone thinks she did it. I did think it was strange that her parents sent her to a boarding school away from home. I kept wondering why they did not try and get her help, like a therapist or something. Hysteria was a quick absorbing read that I easily got into. The flashbacks that were scattered throughout the story were a nice glimpse into the night she was with her boyfriend. It was a good mystery that had me questioning everything and everyone, to see if I could figure things out myself. The ending I definitely did not see coming and when I think about it, I am still questioning the true motive behind it all. ** I received this book from Bloomsbury Children's Books in exchange for nothing, but my honest review. Thank you!**
It was okay.
Fantastic Everyone knows that Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian, and that it was done in self-defense. No one, including Mallory is sure what really happened though. With her parents' fear and the curiosity and contempt of the community beating at her incessantly, they have become the constant companions to her own anxiety. Mallory's parents ship her off to Monroe, which is a fancy prep school with the hope of giving her a fresh start. It is also the place where the currency fueling the social interactions are secrets. It doesn't take long before Mallory's secret is uncovered. It is then used against her. Someone wants Mallory dead and they also know exactly what happened between Mallory and Brian. Mallory needs to remember the details of that night because until she does, Mallory and everyone around her, is in grave danger. This is book that keeps the reader guessing until the very end as to what really happened between Mallory and Brian. Just as the reader thinks they have it figured out another clue is revealed that makes the reader start guessing all over again. The action is fast and moves the story along at a very fast pace. This book will also have readers wanting to check out this author's other books as this one is written very well. If you love suspense this is definitely the book to check out.
My Thoughts: When I first saw the cover I was a little freaked out. Then I read the synopsis and the cover sort of grew on me. It's weird... but there's something thoroughly awesomely creepy about the whole thing. Just like reading the book. It is a mess of confusion, there's no doubt, but it is worth it. I felt compassion for Mallory from the start. Her family is so distant, and it makes my heart break, especially knowing the struggle Mallory is facing INSIDE her head alone. They force her to go to the prep school, and she's basically alone there, even though she does have people she can talk to. I really liked the way Mallory interacted with her best friend Colleen and with Reid, the boy she knew before she transferred to the school. She keeps getting these strange feelings that overcome her, weird sensations that take over her mind and body. She doesn't know who to trust, or if she can even trust herself. As you're reading, you sometimes think you know what happened but then you doubt yourself. Especially when you're nearing the end. With all the tricks of the mind that Mallory has had, along with the realities coming to light, you just don't know what to think. The actual end, where we find out the truth, had moments of insanity but I was surprisingly pleased with it. Reading Hysteria was a ride and a half. Everything that Mallory goes through, real and imagined, is so completely thrilling and scary at the same time. There is so much going on, and not going on, that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. All in all, Megan Miranda can really create a story that is both chilling and pulls you in until you can't get enough. My Rating: Very Good
This book was very confusing. While some parts were suspensful, i just didn't follow what was going on. I never even understood if dylan was behind it all or someone else, and what about her relationship? Fracture was amazing, but this book just felt too rushed and missing important details.


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Blue Bottle Explains: Acidity
What does it mean when we say a coffee has acidity?
Dear Blue Bottle,
I've heard of coffees sometimes described as acidic. What does that mean? Is acidity in coffee a good thing?
Piqued Piquancy
If you've ever tasted a coffee and experienced a fresh brightness in your mouth—like biting into a green apple or sipping tart cherry juice—you've encountered acidity. As a roaster, I like the vibrant, "upper octave" notes that acidity adds to a blend, especially as it balances out a hefty body.
Most of us are accustomed to associating acidity with a certain flavor, but acidity can also be thought of more broadly as a sensation—also a type of mouthfeel—that different palates perceive in unique ways. It can range from delightful to downright distasteful.
Generally, while too much acidity makes the coffee taste sour, a balanced "brightness" (another word we use for acidity) adds dimension and clarity to the taste of the coffee.
How Regions Affect Acidity
Acidity is especially celebrated in single-origin coffees, where the brightness helps describe the coffee's personality. Depending on the environment in which it is grown, coffee will naturally produce certain levels of acidity. In the right amount, acidity gives coffee a pleasing complexity.
We expect a coffee grown in Colombia, for example, to be more balanced in both body and acidity, with flavor notes of milk chocolate and citrus. A coffee from Kenya will be denser and may mimic the acidic characteristics of lime and grapefruit. It will taste more acidic than coffees from Central or South America, which have different environmental influences.
How Roast Methods Affect Acidity
Roasting also affects the level of acidity you perceive in coffee. As a roaster, this is where I have the most fun and the biggest challenges.
Although roasting won't enhance the existing acidity in a coffee, a longer roast may "cook out" the perceived acids. It's similar to toasting a beautiful slice of sourdough bread: The darker you toast it, the more its naturally tang will be masked.
If it's a coffee we're using for a certain blend, then the coffee will be roasted to match the way that blend currently tastes. Classic blends—like Hayes Valley Espresso, Giant Steps, and Bella Donovan—have a characteristically heavy, syrupy body and lower acidity. Those coffees are roasted longer to increase the intensity of the caramelized sugar flavor.
On the other hand, a blend such as Mixtape Volume VI is lighter in body and has sprightly acidity. A coffee for Mixtape will be roasted more lightly—with intense heat for a shorter amount of time—to allow the acidity and sweetness to shine.
We roasters have more freedom when working with a single-origin offering, like Ethiopia Sidama Hunkute. In these cases, we roast the coffee in whatever way we feel best highlights the bean's inherent beauty. This usually involves a shorter roast with more intense heat, or additional heat adjustments throughout the roast. As a result, our single-origin coffees taste more acidic, nuanced, and layered in the cup.
Determining Your Personal Threshold for Acidity
Each person's palate is different and we all have different thresholds when it comes to acidity—not to mention temperature, sweetness, spiciness, and bitterness. And just to keep things interesting, those tastes also change as we get older. The world of coffee is an enchanting place for those who are curious and gutsy: You're the boss in deciding what you enjoy.


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You will be taken to another site to buy this product.
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We usually think of dehydration in Summer but in actuality Winter can cause dehydration much easier due to the dry air sucking moisture out of our bodies all day. This dehydration can cause an imbalance in the skin and it's pH levels, creating an imbalance between acidity and alkalinity. This means our skin is at risk and our protective shield needs help. Massage is a great way to rehydrate our skin and also reminds us to start taking care of ourselves again.
At my studio I use 100% organic oils by Lotus Touch. In both my Hot Stone and Aromatherapy massages I first use the dry brushing technique to exfoliate the skin to create rapid skin growth (detoxification) and to prepare the skin to more easily accept the nourishing oils. Here is a break down of my oil and the benefits of Lotus Touch ingredients.
Organic Flax Seed Oil - Contains appreciable amounts of essential fatty acids which are vital for healthy skin.
Organic Jojoba Oil - Light, highly penetrative oil. Good for all skin types. Non-comedogenic.
Organic Olive Oil - A moisturizing oil that is high in essential fatty acids.
Organic Shea Butter - Excellent for soothing, protecting and moisturizing the skin. Has properties known to regenerate cells and capillary circulation.
Unscented Coconut oil - medium-chain-lenght fatty acids, which raise the body's metabolism, and acts as a antiviral, anti fungal and antibacterial agent.
Sesame Oil - has and antioxidant called sesamol which effectively prevents the appearances of wrinkle's and fine lines.
Vitamin E & A - Essential nutrients and E is a natural preservative.
Lavender, Chamomile & Geranium - Calming and soothing oils
All of my massages use this nourishing oil and any massage can come with a dry brush session. Also, don't forget that dry brushing is a technique that can be used at home before bathing. Remember the brush strokes should go toward your heart and use a lotion or oil while you are still damp. And don't forget to drink lots of water!


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Everyone is clamoring for the No. 1 spot in the great gay Christian debate. For some, it isn't enough that people hold to a traditional, conservative, and biblical sexual ethic; they also want to emphasize that homosexual sexual expression is more egregious than other sexual sins and deserves greater judgment and eternal consequence.
Others insist that there are no scriptural mandates limiting homosexual sexual expression for believers. While most of us would never even question heterosexual sexual ethics, some seem fine with making special exceptions for the gay or lesbian person.
I find the arguments above exhausting. They are never-ending, one-dimensional, and somewhat pointless in the grand scheme of things. In the words of my 7-year-old, "That argument is so last year." Out of the mouths of babes.
None of this is rocket science. I am not a Bible scholar (though I greatly appreciate them and their role in my life and in this discussion), but I am a believer in the one true Christ and nothing gets more attention or time in my life than him. While "theologian" isn't in my title, I do take studying God's Word seriously and read it more than any other book. So, as others identify as Wesleyan Arminian Christians, Calvinist Christians, Anabaptist Christians, gay or ex-gay Christians, I have to admit I am just, simply, irrevocably, a Christian. I am not smart enough and don't have enough time to know how those other labels would fit or serve me or those to whom I have been called to minister.
Let's get to the point. According to John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoeverbelieves in him shall not perish, but have eternal life [emphasis mine]." It is this verse that the majority of end-zone ...1


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Gulf stock markets may have a firm tone Sunday, taking their cue from strong crude oil prices and upbeat global bourses, while Qatar's index may recover slightly after the emir said he was ready for talks to end the Gulf crisis.
On Friday, MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe rose 0.11 percent to a fresh high. Brent oil held near five-month highs to settle at $55.62 a barrel and posted its biggest weekly gain since late July.
On Friday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani said Qatar was ready to sit at the negotiating table to try to end a dispute with its Gulf Arab neighbours. It is not yet clear how Saudi Arabia and its neighbours will respond to this, but the comments could help to stabilise Qatar's stock market after it shed 3.1 percent last week to an April 2013 low.
"There is too much uncertainty around Qatar right now, and the full extent of how hard those companies have been hurt by this crisis is yet to be known," said a Paris-based fund manager.
Foreign funds sold Qatari equities aggressively last week as there was no sign of the political deadlock between Doha and four Arab states being resolved.
Source: Reuters