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"As far back as I could remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."
The Movie:
Martin Scorsese had already directed at least two great movie classics (Mean Streets and Taxi Driver) and one bona fide masterpiece (Raging Bull) as well as many others with strong artistic merits beforehand, but his 1990 gangster opus Goodfellas is to date still his best film and arguably second only to The Godfather as the greatest crime movie in American cinema. Scorsese's pictures have never made huge box office, but with a track record of quality like that, his films will live on for generations.
Based on the true story of gangster-turned-federal-witness Henry Hill, the movie provides a thorough overview of the history of American organized crime from a street-level perspective. These characters aren't grand high-ranking Mafiosos living luxurious, operatic lives and pulling the strings that will shape American history. The Godfather films had that angle covered well enough. Goodfellas is about the working stiff gangsters on the street, the men who provide the muscle and keep day-to-day operations running, stealing and unloading merchandise, bumping off troublemakers, and eventually working their way up to bolder heists. The picture begins in the 1950s, depicting the romanticism of crime that lured in young boys like Henry (the tough men in flashy suits raking in money hand over fist and burning through it just as quickly), and ends with the cocaine-fueled paranoia of the 1980s that eventually caused Henry to burn out and roll over on his former family.
The genius of the picture is all in Scorsese's filmmaking. The script is brilliantly structured and edited, but it's Scorsese's flashy directorial pyrotechnics that keep the story on track as it weaves through decades of plot developments and dozens of important characters. Everything about the film feels totally authentic down to the last period detail, and Scorsese plows through the narrative with a sense of burning immediacy. He uses filmmaking techniques that would cripple other movies and reworks them to make them his own. He gives us not one but two streams of voiceover narration from competing characters, each one crucial to providing perspective to the events. He routinely freeze-frames the action to allow the narration to fill in details, a device that would seem cheap if it weren't done so exactly right that the story really feels like it couldn't be told any other way.
And has any other director ever used period music as well as Scorsese? There are usually two competing schools when it comes to choosing classic songs for movie soundtracks. You've got the likes of Quentin Tarantino who picks songs because they sound cool and the rhythm propels his scenes to the right pace, or you've got the likes of P.T. Anderson and Richard Kelly who over-analyze the literal meaning of the lyrics and try to fit them to the content of their scenes. But Scorsese really drills down to the emotional truth of the songs, regardless of what the lyrics are saying or how incongruous the tempo fits to the action of the scene. Who would think to use Donovan crooning "Atlantis" as two thugs beat a man to death, or just a single line of Muddy Waters' blues classic "Mannish Boy" segueing into George Harrison's fizzy "What is Life" during a frantic, drugged-out race across town while avoiding police helicopters? And yet every song is perfectly placed and could not possibly work any better.
Goodfellas is an astounding movie. It has a hugely ambitious, engrossing story told with power, urgency, and no small amount of dark humor. Martin Scorsese's stylish direction always works in the service of that story, not just to show off. It's one of the best American films of the past few decades and only gets better the more times you watch it.
The HD DVD:
Goodfellas debuts on the HD DVD format courtesy of Warner Home Video. HD DVD discs are only playable in a compatible HD DVD player. They will not function in a standard DVD player (unless the disc specifically contains an optional DVD layer for Standard Definition playback) or in a Blu-Ray player.
Please note that the star rating scales for video and audio are relative to other High Definition disc content, not to traditional DVD.
The Goodfellas HD DVD is encoded on disc in High Definition 1080p format using VC-1 compression. The movie's theatrical 1.85:1 aspect ratio has been slightly opened up to fill a 16:9 frame, with negligible impact to the composition. Since HD is natively 16:9 in shape, the HD DVD format does not require anamorphic enhancement as used on DVD.
Of all the movies released thus far on the HD DVD format, Goodfellas shows the least difference over its comparable DVD version. The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD released in 2004 had a pretty good transfer for that format, but the movie's photographic style doesn't offer a whole lot of latitude for further improvement. Much of the film is dark and drab, without razor sharp imagery. Selected scenes, more so in the second half of the film than the first, are very detailed and benefit from the High Definition format, yet in direct comparison the DVD holds its own pretty well. Both discs have a scratch on the source elements at 1hr. 16min.
The Goodfellas HD DVD is not flagged with an Image Constraint Token and will play in full High Definition quality over an HD DVD player's analog Component Video outputs.
The photo images used in this article were taken from the DVD edition for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to demonstrate HD DVD picture quality.
The movie's soundtrack is encoded in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 format, which offers higher bit rates than available with traditional Dolby Digital audio found on DVD.
The movie doesn't have a very showy sound mix, and the DD+ track sounds about the same as the regular Dolby Digital track on the DVD. Dialogue is very prominent, perhaps a bit too much so, but is reproduced clearly and intelligibly. The period songs offer some stereo dimensionality to the front soundstage, but the movie has little to no surround activity or deep bass. Gunshots have a little kick when needed, but many of the other sound effects are a bit thin. This is a satisfactory soundtrack that probably won't knock anyone's socks off.
Subs & Dubs:
Optional subtitles – English, English captions for the hearing impaired, French, or Spanish.
Alternate language tracks - French or Spanish Dolby 2.0.
The disc automatically opens with a lengthy HD DVD promo that can fortunately be skipped but is a nuisance. All of the bonus features on this HD DVD title are recycled from the DVD edition and are presented in Standard Definition video with MPEG2 compression. Future releases may offer more advanced features. The interactive menus have a handy feature that allows you to view a still from each of the supplements before you watch and provides the running time. The menus are accompanied by annoying clicking sound effects for every selection that can be turned off if you desire (and I recommend it).
All of the supplements from the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD appear to have carried over.
Final Thoughts:
Goodfellas is a fantastic movie, and for that reason alone the HD DVD merits a high recommendation. The picture and sound quality are decent, and the selection of bonus features is pretty good, though honestly this disc is only a marginal improvement over the 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. Those who already own that version may not necessarily need to upgrade, but anyone who doesn't own a copy of this movie really ought to.
Related Articles:
HD DVD Review Index
Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD Player
Toshiba HD DVD Product Introduction Event


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Asian markets fell Friday as political wrangling continued to stall approval of the U.S. government's $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector, dashing hopes of a quick recovery.
The fate of the Wall Street bailout remained unclear as a White House meeting with confrontational officials ended without an agreement and some participants said talks had hit a major snag. A person close to presidential candidate John McCain said "there is no deal" — a sentiment echoed by sources close to some Democrats involved in the negotiations.
U.S. stock market futures fell on this new development. In addition, news that JPMorgan Chase is expected to buy the deposits of Washington Mutual in a government-brokered bailout has also emerged.
The U.S. dollar weakened against the yen and Swiss franc , two currencies associated with stability, as a bipartisan deal to get what is called the Troubled Assets Relief Program turned into a law may have to wait until at least the weekend. Crude oil futures edged lower on worries over the outlook of demand.
The Nikkei 225 Average finished down 0.9 percent to its lowest close in eight days amid growing worry about the fate of a U.S. financial system bailout plan as talks stalled. Financial services firm CSK Holdings tumbled more than 9 percent after saying it would post an annual loss, hurt by the turmoil in global credit markets, while shipping firms slid again on a further fall in a key freight index.
Seoul shares closed 1.7 percent lower after a U.S. financial sector rescue plan stalled, sending exporters and banking shares down. Financials fell across the board, with Shinhan Financial Group and Woori Finance Holdings down sharply. Major exporters were also hit as the financial sector uncertainty fanned worries about the broader economy, with Samsung Electronics shedding 2.4 percent.
Australian shares fell 0.5 percent in a rocky session. Financial stocks such as investment bank Macquarie Group and miner BHP Billiton turned lower as nervous investors waited for U.S. Congress decisions on the rescue package.
Hong Kong shares dropped 1.3 percent with Ping An Insurancebattered by rumors about trouble atFortis, in which it holds a 5 percent stake. Shares in China's second-biggest insurer, dived 9.7 percent on talk that Fortis sought help from a rival bank to shore up its liquidity.
Chinese stocks fell 0.2 percent as investors took profits before next week's long national holiday. The Shanghai Composite Index had gained 3.6 percent on Thursday. Continued turmoil in the U.S. financial system with the failure of Washington Mutual added to the cautious mood among investors.
Singapore's Straits Times Index moved 1.4 percent lower. Shares of market heavyweight Singtel fell to its lowest level in 18 months, weighed down by brokerage downgrades.

subset: commoncrawl


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Worker Visas Intensify Debate on Immigration
Friday, May 25, 2007
In a sleek, spartan office overlooking Tysons Corner, three young men in shirt sleeves hunch over computer screens. Paul Murphy is designing a site for golf tournaments. Pranay Gujjeti is creating an image-editing program. Darren Gibney is producing a commercial for fire alarms.
These foreign-born software engineers -- from Northern Ireland, India and Ireland -- are legal immigrants, spending several years in the United States on special work visas. They say they thrive on the exposure to America's cutting-edge technology and competitive culture. Their boss at Virtual Atlantic Inc., Austin Farshi, says they bring an eager attitude and exceptional talent.
But as the emotionally charged issue of immigration consumes the U.S. Senate and the nation this month, skilled foreign professionals are almost as contentious a part of the restructuring debate as impoverished illegal immigrants who sneak across the Mexican border to harvest crops or hang drywall.
In many ways, the proposed legislation favors high-skilled immigrants and the industries that employ them. It would increase the ceiling on new H-1B professional visas, which allow one- to six-year stays, from 65,000 to 115,000 a year. More important, it would shift the historic emphasis in U.S. immigration law from family-reunification to educational and skill levels in determining who is eligible for permanent residency.
Companies that rely on skilled foreign workers say they desperately need more of them, but opponents see their proliferation as an invisible blight on the economy. They argue that the H-1B visa program displaces tens of thousands of U.S.-born professionals, depresses wages and exploits programmers from other countries.
"This is a cheap labor program, a 20th-century version of importing cheap tomato pickers," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies. Older American professionals seeking decent salaries and benefits, he said, are being "squeezed out" of high-tech fields by young immigrants who are "willing to sleep on the floor and work 18 hours a day because they get something else: a shot at living in the United States."
In a study released last week, the center found that "very few" H-1B workers could be called highly skilled. It also found that wages for such workers were on average $12,000 below their U.S.-born counterparts and that employers often said the "prevailing" wage in a variety of skilled fields -- which the law says all H1-B visa holders must be paid -- was significantly lower than it actually was.
Groups representing U.S. workers in several industries say they have suffered from the H-1B phenomenon, especially electrical engineers and computer programmers. John Bauman, president of a Connecticut professional workers rights group, said many members once held skilled jobs in the state's huge insurance industry but were gradually laid off and replaced by low-cost foreigners.
"Our co-founder once earned more than $100,000 with an insurance firm. Now he's driving an 18-wheeler," Bauman said.
Critics of skilled labor visas say high-tech firms in particular use a variety of tricks to replace domestic workers with foreigners and pay them less than the law allows. One such practice is to use subcontracting firms to sponsor their visas so the actual employers are not subject to the same legal restrictions. Another is to hire foreign students, who are exempt from visa ceilings if they have a graduate degree from a U.S. institution.
"If someone gets a master's degree in basket weaving from a fourth-rate diploma mill, should that be a fast track to immigration?" demanded John Miano, a software industry analyst affiliated with Krikorian's organization. "Where do you draw the line?"
Somewhat surprisingly to the bill's supporters in Congress and the White House, advocates of skilled immigrants and the high-tech field have heaped criticism instead of praise on the proposal. They say that the higher visa ceiling is still too low and that the new rules would make it more cumbersome for companies to hire foreign workers, removing their ability to select individual workers to sponsor for visas.


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Bullseye Glass Company is the original fusing glass supplier for artists, offering a sophisticated range of glass styles, plus tools, education, and events. The Bullseye web presence is similarly diverse, split between a main site for news and education, and an online store. Both sites predate me, but since joining the company I've been in charge of the visuals for fresh content and promotional campaigns, extending into email marketing.
One of my goals for the Bullseye brand is to bring in a warmer photographic style, showing artists and their inspiring creations in natural spaces. A great example of this is from one of our seasonal online sales, inviting subscribers to click through to our store. In addition to sourcing the photos, I built the templates within MailChimp for our email series.
Another campaign focused on a set of truly unique set of glass sheets. Here, the Bullseye brand is reserved, allowing the raw material to shine. Resulting sales more than doubled from the summer Glascadia campaign.


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Undoubtedly, the demand for the best laptop backpack for travel has increased steadily for the past few years.
The reason is really simple.
A laptop is an important device that plays a big part in our daily life nowadays. Some use it for business purpose, some use as an entertainment center, some use it as both. And the best thing is that we can bring it along with us anytime, anywhere.
Personally, I find the traditional or common laptop case is not that comfortable. So one day I finally decided to change and buy a new laptop bag for myself.
Unfortunately, I blindly bought the first one without any researching, and the result was not pleasing.
But after that, with the knowledge that I had, I could identify what is the best one that is worth buying.
And trust me, the feeling when you choose and use a good backpack is just great!
Because of my experience, I know that choosing for yourself one that suits your needs can be confusing and sometimes time-consuming as well because they usually come in a different size, shapes, and prices.
Worry not! That's why I'm here with you. Below is a comparison chart of the best laptop bags that will provide you all the basic but essential information you need to make an excellent choice for your next laptop backpacks.
Top 10 Best Laptop Bags In 2019
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Top 5 Favorite and Best Laptop Backpacks Reviews
New Oxford Swiss Backpack 15/17 Inch Laptop Men and Women Brand Travel:
The first bag I'm going to talk about in this series is the backPack Of All Trades from Amazon (see a good deal).
This bag is one of the most popular laptop bags at the moment. It will keep your laptop in place while on the move, the backpack has a padded sleeve for laptop holds up to 17-inches laptop.
Additionally, it has a very well-padded iPad/tablet pocket as well.
Another good thing about this backpack is that it's designed with ultra padded mesh with an Air Flow System that will make you and your back feel the coolness throughout your whole trip.
And the padded ergonomic shoulder straps of this bag to help a lot when it comes to bringing you enjoyable experience too.
But not only that, but this wonderful bag also has multiple compartments inside and accessories pockets on the outside, which means you won't have a single worry about what to bring with you and what not.
That's the reason why this backpack is slowly becoming one of the best products in the industry and I'm sure that you don't want to miss the chance to own one of the best backpacks in 2018-2019!
- The bag is fully washable and waterproof
- Key chain holder, cell phone pocket, and slot pockets
- Air cusion belt rain and made by polyester
- Imported quality and business model
- Cover:NoBackpacks
TUMI – Voyageur Ursula T-Pass Laptop Backpack – 15 Inch Computer Bag:
The second one in this series is the Under TUMI – Voyageur Bag (see a good deal).
This product was brought to you by Under TUMI has many different colors and designs so you can still rock it with your outfits and carry your laptop with ease at the same time.
The backpack was designed to fit with a more casual style like school or even traveling so if you want to have a change in your daily life then this is definitely one of the best backpacks that you should consider.
What impressed me the most in this product is that: Under Armour Storm products are treated with a DWR (Durable Water Resistant) finish which repels and offers breath-ability at the same time, and it definitely lives up to its name by providing all-weather protection which helps your laptop and belongings stay dry when the weather turns worse.
It has one little downside though: the backpack is quite small and it only fits the laptop up to 15″ in size.
So if your laptop is bigger than that, you shouldn't risk buying this one because it will only do harm to your backpack and your laptop.
But if you have no problem with the capacity of the backpack and your laptop is not bigger than the limit of the backpack then go for it, I'm sure that you will be satisfied with what this backpack has to offer.
- Double-zip entry to T-Pass laptop
- Double-zip entry to main compartment
- Laptop compartment (15"); tablet pocket; 3 media pockets
- TUMI tracer; card pocket; pen pocket; key leash
- Water-resistant no waterproof
TUMI – Voyageur Carson Laptop Backpack – 15 Inch Computer Bag for Women:
Moving onto the next part of this series, I'd like to talk about the TUMI Voyageur Bag (see a good deal).
The TUMI Voyageur Bag is a well-designed product with great material and a neat design that will fit most occasions in your daily life.
It has an adjustable and well-padded shoulder strap that guaranteed bring you the most enjoyable experience ever.
It also has a stylish color contrast embossed lining and interior zipped organization pocket which helps you arrange your stuff much easier.
Your belongings aside, with this backpack you can slide your 17″ laptop inside with ease and still have so much room to work with.
But what makes this product one of the best is not because of its look or space inside but because of how much work the designer had put into creating this backpack with a high-tech shock absorber system for the ultimate protection of your laptop.
And with a water-resistance material on the outside, what are you waiting for?
- Double zip for main compartment and for front I-zip
- Side zip pocket for water bottle and leather handle to carry
- Multiple pockets one for laptop and another for tablet
- Stylish and made with high quality nylon
- Monogrammable detachable leather
- No USB Port for mobile charge or to plug headphone
Professional Business Backpack Bag with USB Charging Port Slim Lightweight Laptop Bag Water Resistant:
The next one in this series is The Trek Bag (see a good deal) from TERSE.
The TERSE Bag features padded back panel and contoured shoulder straps for a comfortable fit.
And with stylish gray color and simple yet cool design, you can look good while maintaining a good posture at the same time.
This backpack can fit laptop up to 17″ in size with power accessories and few other cables if you need to.
With smartly designed pockets, this backpack will not only provide you enough space to store things but also help you access your everyday essentials like mobile phone, business card, pens, etc with ease.
All the pockets are securely zipped and this backpack even has a special padded section that protects your laptop from potential scratches or damages, giving you a peace-of-mind when you're traveling or running around attending your classes/meeting.
- Laptop backpack made of water repellent & tear resistant oxford fabric
- 2 Big compartments, Front and back back for laptop and front for small devices like tablets
- The front portion have some small pockets that help you put your small thing such as pen, wallet, charge bank, Ipad etc
- External USB charging port with built-in charging cable
- Fitable only for less than 16 inch devices
Kenneth Cole Reaction Sophie Silky Nylon 15.6″ (RFID) Laptop Backpack:
And the last but not least in this "the best" series is the Kenneth Cole Reaction Sophie Bag.
Lightweight but stylish, the Kenneth Cole reaction Sophie can carry your 15.6″ laptop with you anytime, anywhere without you worrying about it.
Generous shoulder padding and back panel lets you carry the backpack even when it's fully packed without shedding a single sweat.
The Kenneth Cole reaction Sophie also has tailored compartments for every necessary gaming hardware you need to bring with you like keyboard, mouse, adapters, cables,… and even a dedicated hanging hook for headsets so you don't have to leave anything behind the next time you go to any LAN party or gaming event.
The internal is smartly designed ensures everything is easily accessible and organized as well.
Don't let the lightweight feeling get to you, this bag can carry up to 30kg so you literally can bring every gaming hardware and belongings you owned with you.
With the help of ballistic nylon construction, this backpack will keep your essential goods dry and safe.
You definitely don't want to miss out the chance to own one of the best laptop bags on the market right now!
- Radio frequency to identification (RFID) Blocking technology
- shielding fabric that helps to block Radio Waves Being Transmitted From U.S.
- Passports And Certain Credit and Debit Cards
- accommodates most tablets
- Stylish with sleek nylon exterior with beautiful gold zips
- Tear-resistant, Not waterproof or water-resistance
How to Pick Up the Best Laptop Backpack that You Need:
So, hopefully, by now, you've had a better idea about the best products on the market at the moment. But before you consider buying anything on the list above, I have to be honest: picking the right one for you is not that easy.
There are still many factors go into choosing a fitting bag. In order to help you make your decision much much easier, I will share with you some tips and my personal experience when it comes to choosing the best backpack for laptop.
Keep these things in mind and you will stay happy and satisfied using your new backpack for years to come.
Does It Fit Your Laptop?
Well, its main purpose is to carry your laptop after all. Even though that fact is really obvious but you must have seen people put their laptop in an oversized bag or even damage their bag because the size does not fit. Remember, the best one for you should perfectly fit your laptop.
So if you don't want to put yourself in that kind of situations, you should take time choosing the right size for your laptop. It's really easy, you just have to measure your laptop by its diagonal screen or even do a simple search on the internet to find out about your laptop size.
And if you haven't noticed it yet, I've already put a "Laptop Fit" column on the chart so you can see what is the suitable backpack that is not only with the best quality that everybody loves but also fit your precious laptop.
Do You Need to Carry Other Things beside Your Laptop with You?
If you just want to buy one that can carry your laptop with a few cables, a cheaper one is more than enough for you. But if you are a person that wants to bring everything with you once you go out: pens, notebooks, iPod.
Other important things that you need then you need to consider buying one with extra slots and specially-designed-compartments.
And we can't talk about products with multi-compartment designs without mentioning Swissgear and High Sierra, two of the most experienced manufacturers in the industry.
Is it Convenient to Carry Around?
When you have to walk a long distance to get to your destination, you will definitely see the benefits of choosing the best laptop bag for you. You need to find those which have padded shoulder straps that will not only reduce the tension in your back and shoulders.
But also helps you maintain a good posture. In case it's not enough and you're looking for one with shoulder straps with reinforced padding and extra layers of foam to enjoy your trip to its fullest then The North Face and Ogio are your go-to brands!
Will It Keep Your Laptop Safe and Secure?
Nobody wants a broken laptop, ever. So if you don't want your laptop to be broken when carrying it around, you must see if the bag has any specific protection for your device if the worst situation happens.
Foam padding or compressed air is ideal protection that you should look out for when choosing the best bag for you because they will keep your laptop safe from hard impacts.
Is it Water-Proof?
Travelling makes yourself vulnerable to bad weather conditions, and have something spilled or even drop your bag in one of the puddles after the rain is not something you want to happen but sometimes you can't help it.
So the next time you decide to buy one, make sure it is water-proof to prevent any damages to your laptop and belongings inside as well.
Does it Look Stylish?
After considering all the important factors, now you can look for the best backpack that meets your needs AND looks good as well.
You might want to go for the best-looking one that suits your taste but in my personal experience, you should consider the environment that you're in as well.
For example, if you're still in school then you definitely can go for a stylish yet useful Jansport bag to impress your friend.
But think again if you're a grown-up that has a job in finance. Trust me, the last thing you want to do is show up on the first day of your job with a colorful rucksack. That's definitely a big no-no. So keep that in mind.
Your move towards best laptop backpack to buy.
I hope with my tips, you can choose the best one for yourself. If you haven't found anything that suits your taste then feel free to check out all the reviews that I got on my site. And I hope with my reviews, you can have a better idea of the best products on the market at the moment.
What kind of backpack would you choose?
Now that you have read about my best notebook bag reviews. Have you decided which is the best one for you yet? If you're still feeling confused at this very moment, let me give you some personal experience of mine when it comes to choosing the best bag for myself and my buddy – my favorite notebook:
Quality over style
The first thing you must keep in mind is quality. It might have the best color, design in the whole world and you love it very much but still, its main purpose should be helping us bring our laptop around without any troubles.
I've made a few mistakes here and there too, I bought my first laptop rucksack 4 years ago when I enrolled in my university. I love its cool design and it's also black, which is my favorite color but unfortunately, it was torn apart 3 months later. So remember, quality first – style comes after.
Go for products from well-known brands
The next thing that you must keep in mind is: always buy products from well-known brands. There are a bunch of top backpack brands out there for you to choose from so don't buy any product from some cheap brands that probably save you some money but will totally ruin your experience.
Read some other people reviews on the product
Another easy tip that I got for you is: you should read carefully the reviews that you can find on the Internet. This should not only give you the general ideas on how the backpack performs in real life but also what you should expect when buying the product and whether if it's the right one for you.
Or maybe you can check out some best backpack reviews for more information about your favorite product!
Still, Haven't Found A Suitable Backpack For You?
If that was the case then we have some good news for you! I recently sat down and reviewed 2017's best business backpacks, best rolling backpacks and some for school as well! (You can check out all backpack buying guides here)
The results came out really great, I was able to find a lot of good products on the market right now and decided to write some reviews just for you guys!
If you want to find out more then click on the link above and I will see you on the other side!
You must be thinking "Why I have to put so much time into choosing a laptop rucksack?". Choosing the best one for you might be time-consuming, I know the struggle, but it's definitely worth it in the end.
A good quality one can last a really long time so consider it as a long-term investment when you decide to buy it.
That's all I have for you today with the subject of the best notebook rucksack out there and how you can choose one for yourself that is not only good looking but also suit your needs.
I believe with the information above, you now know which is the best laptop bag for travel that you can enjoy using for years to come.


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What do I do with the 60,000 thoughts I have in a day?
Thoughts are poppin' up faster than I have time to type them. What am I having for lunch? Am I hungry? What's going on tomorrow? Where would I squeeze that in? What's the weather like outside? The job of the mind is the generate thoughts and I have A LOT of them! If I follow these string of words everywhere they lead me, I'd be all over the place!
As a psychotherapist with a developing mindfulness practice, I am continuously wrestling with the need to come back to the here and now, because my mind is everywhere but here.
Here are some habits I've picked up along the way to help bring me back to now... I'd touch and sniff most flowers that happen upon my path, or listen in on the crinkling sound of a leaf against my shoe. I'd be curious about the aroma of yummy goodness coming out of a Thai restaurant. I'd come back to noticing my breath, which I thankfully carry around unconsciously, all the time. I'd take a moment to observe what's happening outside of me and how that's affecting what's happening inside of me, and vice versa. All the while, I'd take note of my mind drifting off and invite my mind to come back to this moment that I don't want to miss.
How do you come back to the present? I'd love to hear!


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Want to know more? Call (516) 373-2436 to speak with a friendly team member from The Junkluggers of Nassau and Queens.
Save Your Back & The Planet
You definitely can appreciate not having to lift your old freezer and dragging it to the curb on garbage day yourself. But the planet will also appreciate you choosing The Junkluggers of Nassau and Queens for your freezer removal services in Nassau and Queens because we always do what we can to ensure every bit of junk and old appliance we pick up is donated or recycled.
We will get in contact with local donation centers to see if they'll accept unwanted freezers in good, workable condition. If they do let us donate it on your behalf, you get the tax-deductible receipt! If not, we will then contact local recycling centers to break it down and reuse as much of its materials as possible. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and reinvent the way people think about junk removal!
Call (516) 373-2436 today to schedule your freezer removal service from our pros.


text: SAN DIEGO AUTUMN brings sunny days at the beach in October & a very pleasant 76 degrees. With El Nino predicted to arrive this winter, the water temp is still 72 degrees. Coming down the road to the beach in Pacific Beach, the ocean view makes my heart sing. There is a pile of flip flops left at the ramp by people walking or surfing. The wave sets are rolling in this morning & there are lots of surfers. I walk to look at the shorebirds & the Marbled Godwits chatter at each other. I find some sand art created by the tide that looks like a Phoenix Rising. The sand art bird even has 3 toes on each bird foot! I can't stay away from the beach today so I return before sunset, but this time I'm in La Jolla. One pelican sits in the amber light on the bluffs & a squadron of pelicans flies home over the green gazebo. The high tide waves break up against the golden bluffs & the sky in the distance casts an interesting light. I take a photo of the coast there near Shell Beach & it looks like an oil painting. The sun sets. We all sigh. Life is lovely at the beach.


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As I've mentioned in previous posts I've really been trying adopt a paperless lifestyle. My Fujitsu Scansnap scanner and software like Hazel are sure making that easier.
I feel I've become very efficient at dealing with the paper that comes into my house, and whenever I get an email receipt I print to PDF and file it away.
Many of my financial institutions have asked my if I want to be paperless. I've always said yes and, when I select that option, the stop sending me paper statements. I feel good about saving the trees, but there is a downfall: I don't have copies of these statements for myself. Sure, they're available online, but I've found I'm too lazy to undergo this process:
- Go to my bank's Web site
- Type in my username and password
- Navigate to the "documents" page
- Download the statement
- Repeat steps 1-4 for every IRA, student loan, college savings plan, mortgage, and car loan
In the end, just the process of logging in to all these sites was a chore, and I was finding myself wishing they just came in the mail so I could stick them in the scanner and be done with it.
I wanted to find some way to automate this process, at least simplify the whole ordeal of logging into 6-7 websites. I thought this might be a good job for Keyboard Maestro.
Keyboard Maestro is something I'd been aware of for quite a while, but I never had a good understanding of what it actually did. In my limited understanding it was a way to create keyboard shortcuts. While I like keyboard shortcuts, I have a really tough time remembering most of them and the idea of adding more didn't sound very appealing.
What I didn't understand is that Keyboard Maestro is a tool to create macros. Typing, clicking, opening programs and files, appending text, etc etc. You can string together multiple combinations of these things makes it a very powerful tool to automate repetitive tasks.
Of course, it wouldn't be a good idea to display all of my passwords to my financial institutions in a program like Keyboard Maestro, so I thought it would be helpful to add 1Password to the recipe. I've mentioned 1Password before, but, if you're not familiar with it, this is a great utility for managing your passwords. It allows you to use secure passwords (such as yas^hjr$@ds7) and access them with a master password.
The last ingredient is Alfred. Alfred is a program launcher and so much more. I feel an app like this, or something comparable (like Launchbar or Quicksilver), is indispensable.
The cool thing is, Alfred and 1Password work very well together. If you're logged into 1Password you can do things like this:
- Click the keyboard shortcut to open Alfred - in my case, command-space
- Start typing the name of a website, eg) wellsfargo
- Select the search result for 1Password: Wells Fargo - the one you want is usually the first result and you simply have to hit enter to select it.
- Sit back while Alfred and 1Password open your browser window, navigate to the website, enter your username and password, and log into the site.
So, putting these things together, I created a Keyboard Maestro workflow that looks like this:
To initiate it, I first make sure I'm logged into 1Password and then I like to open a clean browser window. Then I press the trigger hot key I assigned to this macro, control-option-command-B (B is for bank).
Keyboard Maestro starts with the first step, which is typing the control-space keys. This is my keyboard trigger to open up Alfred. On step two the text "wellsfargo" is pasted into Alfred. It is assumed that the top result will be the 1Password "open up and log into wellsfargo.com" action, so the macro will press the enter key to select it. Then, as described above, 1Password will log me into the wellsfargo.com.
This may seem like a lot of work to log into a website, but the fact that it scales well becomes very helpful. By simply copy-and-pasting these four steps 6-7 times I can change the text in step two to all of my other financial institutions: "wells fargo dealership services", "prudential.com", "ING Direct", "student loan servicing center", etc., etc,.
I created a little pause in step 4 to give give Alfred / 1Password time to log in. The macro doesn't wait for a page to load before moving on to the next step, so I wanted to make sure it had time to load the site, enter login credentials, and hit "submit" before proceeding.
So, now I set up a monthly reminder to download my bank statements. When it pops up, I log into 1Password and hit my keyboard trigger, then sit back and watch while I'm logged into six or seven websites. When It's done I click each tab, manually download my statement, and let hazel sort them into their appropriate folders by kind and date.
Is it perfect? No, sometimes a page doesn't load fast enough and I don't get logged in. However, in this case, all I need to do is click the 1Password extension in my browser and it logs me in.
Could this be better? Maybe. I originally created a much more involved macro that was customized for each site. It would search the page for the text, right-click it, choose "save as", navigate the finder to the appropriate folder, etc. It required a lot of precision and it also required the sites to not change their layouts. It was kind of like tumbling dominoes: Everything had to be perfect, and if one thing went wrong everything from that point onward wouldn't work.
Some might still argue that this is too much work for what you get out of it. However, it's keeping me from putting off the task of downloading bank statements like it used to. Plus, it's nerdy, which is always a good thing.


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ThermalRid — Tennesse's First Bed Bug Specialty Company
ThermalRid was established in 2010 as the first, bed bug specialty company in Tennessee. We know bed bugs are the hardest pests to get rid of, which is why we specialize in innovative and effective ways to eliminate bed bugs once and for all. ThermalRid is a family-owned, solution-minded company.
We have seen first-hand how traumatic bed bug infestations can be on a person mentally, emotionally, and physically, and we are honored to have the opportunity to serve the local community and return our clients to normalcy by getting rid of these pests.
Whether you are experiencing bed bugs at a residence, commercial location or even in your vehicle, we have a solution for you.
We pride ourselves on our one-day bed bug treatment, which is highly effective and efficient. Please call us today at 615-671-7900 to learn about our process and how we can help you.
Charter #5234


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Autumn Care of Shallotte is pleased to offer a series of professional resources and educational health topics from local businesses and organizations.
Join us every 3rd Thursday at 10AM to learn helpful "tips" while you "sip" on our freshly brewed coffee and light refreshments.
RSVP to: Tessie Parrish @ 910-880-4937 or email email@example.com


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Three years ago, William Sheane turned down a place at King's College London to study maths and management. Instead, Sheane, originally from Oxford, "threw in" an application to the University of Sydney. "I was over the UK student lifestyle of getting smashed," he says. "I'd spent five years working in bars, beaches and diving centres. I thought it was a really good opportunity to go abroad, keep doing what I wanted, but also have a more serious side to my life. I thought I'd see what happened."
Now, at 26, with a degree in economics behind him and an honours degree - equivalent to a year of research and a thesis - on the way, he has no regrets. At least, none that come to mind as he walks to class after a quick surf, something he does almost every day.
Natasha Krichefski, 22, from London, is spending a year at the University of New South Wales as part of her Edinburgh University undergraduate music degree. "A masters out here has great appeal," she says. "I'm seriously considering music therapy at the University of Western Sydney, although an equivalent course is also offered in London."
In the first semester of 2006, there were 1,801 UK students like Sheane and Krichefski on undergraduate, postgraduate or exchange programmes in Australian universities. This is peanuts compared with the numbers of students from China (40,292), Malaysia (24,952) and Singapore (20,714). But Australian universities are paying more attention than might be expected to their UK student numbers.
Several of them believe that in two years' time, when the cap on English tuition fees - currently at £3,000 - is likely to be lifted by the government, more of our students will head "down under".
Living costs are, after all, much cheaper in Australia than in the UK. If fees at some English universities stretch to £5,000 or more from 2009, Australian fees for international students will seem comparable. For example, at the University of Wollongong, a bachelor of arts costs an international student Aus$16,500 (£6,863) a year.
Christine Cox, head of the international office at the University of New South Wales, says: "People are saying that once the cap has been lifted on UK tuition fees - if it is - we might see a growth in the number of undergraduates. We are looking closely at this. The UK student market is fairly recent for us. Our roots are in south-east Asian student recruitment."
Charles Tyler, from the University of Sydney's international office, agrees. "We are predicting a possible increase in UK undergraduates if the UK introduces higher fees. But we are still getting our name on the map in the UK. We expect to see a gradual increase, perhaps as the differential between the cost of a UK education and an Australian one decreases.
"Among factors limiting any sudden increase will, of course, be the cost of international travel and the savings on accommodation for students based at home. The luxury of relocating to Australia for a degree will still be only for a few, but a few more than before the cap is lifted - if it is lifted."
Less cautious are the educational agents whose business it is to recruit UK students to Australian campuses. Charlotte Hurst, manager of Study Overseas, which recruits for four Australian universities and seven colleges from a base in the UK, says: "Student mobility is increasing worldwide; information is more widely and readily available through the internet and direct contact with Australian academics at education fairs in the UK.
"When the current cap is lifted, we are likely to see an exponential increase in the number of UK students considering Australia as a study destination. If fees rise to £5,000 or £7,000 or more, Australia becomes a more economical option for parents who are comparing the cost of different types of university education."
Michael Shattock, visiting professor at the Institute of Education, is not convinced. He says we should not assume that the cap will be lifted and points out that Australian university fees still tend to be higher than the US ivy league.
"The beneficiaries of any increase in UK students going to Australian universities will be Melbourne and Sydney," he says, "because they are the brand leaders for UK students, but it's important to realise that fees are quite high in Oz."
Australian universities certainly hope their predictions will come true, though. They are keen to diversify their pool of international students, particularly from countries other than China. Prospective Chinese students may be put off if they hear that they make up 30% of the students on campus.
Recruiting Asian students has become more difficult. Students from India and China are increasingly studying in their home countries. Countries that were once consumers are becoming exporters of education and attracting their own international students. For now, though, numbers from China remain strong, at 40,292, up from 38,619 last year.
But when you add to the mix that the Australian government has reduced funding for universities, it is easy to see why UK students - paying higher fees than the locals - are an attractive prospect.
While a rise in UK students could be wishful thinking for universities, the same cannot be said for the technical and further education colleges. These institutions, known as Tafes, have had a 22.7% growth in enrolments from UK students since last March; some 1,184 signed up this year. The most popular courses are designed to alleviate Australia's skills shortages in areas such as hairdressing, building studies and IT. Some, including hairdressing, even give permanent residency on completion.
Trudy Sharpe, a 32-year-old from Lincolnshire, is studying to become a hairdresser at a Tafe on the Gold Coast. She is undecided about whether she is going to emigrate permanently, but says she knows people "who believe permanent residency leads to a better future for their children and better prospects".
If this trend continues, what will it mean for UK higher and further education? "The effect of more UK students going abroad is unknown," says David Pilsbury, chief executive of the Worldwide Universities Network. "The positive effects might include further increasing the diversity of UK campuses and more informal ambassadors for the UK overseas. Much depends on the quality of the students who leave and whether they return. If some of the best leave and then return, they will bring welcome international perspectives. If they do not return, then the UK faces a bleak future."


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LONDON — An American drone strike in Pakistan's tribal belt late Thursday killed a senior militant commander wanted by the United States who was implicated in a long-running kidnapping drama involving an American soldier, Pakistani officials and militant commanders said on Friday.
The commander, Sangeen Zadran, was a leading figure in the Haqqani network, a pro-Taliban group that uses Pakistan to mount high-profile attacks against Western and Afghan targets inside Afghanistan. In August 2011, the United States placed Mr. Zadran on its list of global terrorists.
But Mr. Zadran also played a prominent role in the capture of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, an American soldier who disappeared from his post in eastern Afghanistan in 2009 and has been held by the Haqqani network ever since.
Mr. Zadran appeared in a video alongside Sergeant Bergdahl in 2010 and was thought to have been his captor for some time. It is unclear, however, whether the American soldier was under Mr. Zadran's control at the time of the commander's death, or what impact the killing would have on the years of efforts to secure Sergeant Bergdahl's release.
The drone attack occurred late Thursday night in Ghulam Khan, an area bordering Afghanistan in North Waziristan, the main hub of Qaeda and Taliban militancy in Pakistan's tribal belt. Mr. Zadran was the Taliban's shadow governor for Paktika, the neighboring Afghan province and the location of Sergeant Bergdahl's disappearance.
According to local residents reached by telephone, militants announced Mr. Zadran's death via loudspeaker across Miram Shah, the main town in North Waziristan — the first such mark of public recognition for a drone victim since the C.I.A.-led campaign started in 2004, and a mark of the seniority of the slain commander.
"He was the most influential commander in the area," said a senior Pakistani official who agreed to discuss Mr. Zadran on the condition of anonymity. "The Americans had been after him for a long time."
Mr. Zadran's funeral, which took place several hours later, was attended by about 2,000 people, local residents said. Before his death, accounts of Mr. Zadran's recent marriage had coursed through militant circles in North Waziristan.
A senior Taliban commander said Mr. Zadran's death was a major blow. He had been a close friend of Hakimullah Mehsud, the fugitive Pakistani Taliban leader, and sat on militant councils that coordinated between the Taliban and the Haqqani network.
"He also used to advise us on operational and organizational matters," said the commander, speaking by phone on the condition of anonymity.
Also killed in the strike, Pakistani officials said, were two Jordanian militants they identified as Mohammad Abu Bilal al-Khorasani and Abu Dogan al-Khorasani, and three other people. Seven other people, all locals, were wounded in the strike.
The death of a senior Haqqani commander in the tribal belt is an embarrassment to the Pakistani military, which has for years fended off American accusations that it has tacitly permitted the militant group to use Pakistan's tribal regions as a base for attacks inside Afghanistan.
In Pakistan, the drone strikes draw little public sympathy, and opposition to them has become a staple of local politics and grievances against the United States.
Within hours of Thursday's attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement of condemnation. The strike "set dangerous precedents" in relations between the United States and Pakistan, it warned.
In a Twitter posting, Imran Khan, a leading opposition politician, said he would take up the drone strike with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday during a long-awaited multiparty conference to devise a national strategy against Islamist militancy.
But the persistent ambiguity toward Islamist militancy in Pakistan came into sharp focus on the streets of Islamabad on Friday, where hundreds of jihadi sympathizers rallied outside the Parliament building.
The rally was led by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Although the United States has offered a $10 million reward for help in bringing Mr. Saeed to justice, he moves freely through Pakistan, usually with the goal of drumming up sentiment against archrival India.
Recent clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops along their border in the disputed territory of Kashmir have been the most serious in over a decade. On Friday, Mr. Saeed publicly warned Mr. Sharif against adopting a conciliatory posture toward Pakistan's old enemy.
"Kashmir is our jugular vein," he said. "India is strangling us. It is now a matter of life and death."
The rate of American drone strikes in Pakistan has dropped in recent months, and in a visit to Pakistan in August, Secretary of State John Kerry hinted that the campaign could end entirely.
"The program will end as we have eliminated most of the threat and continue to eliminate it," Mr. Kerry said at the time. "I think the president has a very real time line, and we hope it's going to be very, very soon."
Since Sergeant Bergdahl disappeared from his post, his captors have released at least five hostage videos, and his fate has become entangled in negotiations among the United States, the Taliban and the Afghan government.
His captors have variously demanded large sums of money and the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned in New York for the attempted killing of American officials in Afghanistan. More recently, Sergeant Bergdahl's case has become caught up in efforts to kick-start peace talks between the Afghan Taliban and the Kabul government.


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There's a big day looming in your future! You've made a commitment to each other and now you're ready to get married. Your search for some answers and someone who can perform your ceremony has brought you to my site.
who am i?
That's a great question!
It seems a little odd to be writing 'about me' when the focus of what I do is all about you! It's your wedding day and I want it to be everything you've hoped for. Of course, knowing a little bit about me will help when it comes to making it all about you.
Through my involvement with Toastmasters International, I have worked to develop a comfortable presentation style that will in no way take the focus from you. Listening is a key skill emphasized by Toastmasters and it's a skill that can be a key to understanding what you are looking for in a ceremony.
Being a marriage commissioner has been a personal goal for a number of years. The Province of Alberta appoints a certain number of marriage commissioners within a community based on demand. I had to wait for a while, but when an opening finally materialized, I submitted my application. The interview process, including conducting a sample wedding ceremony, was both challenging and fun. The phone call a few weeks later confirming my appointment was a thrill to receive.
Now I want to dedicate myself to helping you create the ceremony you envision.
My wife, Lynda, and I tied the knot 36 years ago in a ceremony of our choosing with vows we wrote for each other. To this day it remains a special memory for each of us. Ensuring such an experience for you is my goal in serving as your marriage commissioner.
I believe it is vital that your wedding ceremony conforms to your wishes and reflects the tone that you desire. From solemn to casual, we will work together to ensure it is a heartfelt ceremony that you will cherish forever.


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Schedule a Free Estimate Online
or Call 973-635-7900
Estimator: Angel Lugo
Scope of work: Interior Painting
Location: Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Timeline: 5 days
The owners of this Berkeley Heights, NJ home wanted the walls, ceiling, and trim of the entire first floor of their home painted. The tile ceilings of the hallway and bedroom were removed and new sheetrock ceiling was installed. The entire project was completed in only five days.
Interior painting is a great way to improve the look of your home. For this particular project the homeowners wanted to freshen up their home's walls as well as install a new ceiling, and repaint the trim that had been scratched up by the family dog. The first step in this project was to thoroughly inspect all surfaces.
Once the walls and trim have been thoroughly inspected any imperfections are fixed before painting begins. The walls are carefully sanded and smoothed, any cracks or divots are spackled over.
There were also severe water stains on the ceiling which our team at Monk's would be able to remedy during the interior painting process.
While our team was on the job the homeowners also asked us to remove the tile ceiling from their hallway and bedroom and replace it with a regular sheetrock ceiling.
Once the walls were smoothed and spackled our team was able to apply a coat of primer.
As always, our team is diligent in protecting your home as we work.
The bathroom of this Berkeley Heights, NJ was also treated to a full interior paint job. Over years the steam of a shower will cause the paint in any bathroom to begin to bubble and peel.
Our interior painting process always consists of two thorough coats for the walls and one coat for the trim.
The new sheetrock ceilings our team installed after removing the existing tile ones look great with a fresh coat of paint.
Remember the scratched up window trim? After careful sanding and painting by our team the area is looking as good as new!
In only five days our team at Monk's transformed the interior of this Berkeley Heights home's first floor with a fresh paint job and new sheetrock ceilings.
Another great project completed by our team at Monk's!
To see more interior painting projects by our team at Monk's check out our interior painting gallery.
If you would like to see other projects by our team at Monk's check out this custom built in unit, this living room remodel, or this dustless floor refinishing.
If you are considering an interior painting project for your home we would like the opportunity to tell you why we think we are the best interior painting contractor in Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922.
Schedule a Free Estimate Online
or Call 973-635-7900


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The Sony Alpha SLT-A55 VL Digital SLR Camera offers up some fantastic features. 10 frames per second photos, HD video capture & GPS to name just a few. Check out this video to see it unboxed & a tour of the product.
HD Video Footage & Full Review Videos are now on my channel.
Manufacturer website: http://www.sony.co.uk/


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Oil & Gas
For the past 12 years, SAAM SMIT Towage has been working in the Mexico offshore arena, consistently providing assistance to Pemex' operations through 11 tugboat service contracts. Our proven track record has resulted in the steady renewal of contracts with Pemex.
Of the 11 tugboats under contract, six are active as support tugs for tanker loading (static towing) at either Single Point Mooring buoys or at FPSO's. Four are primarily active in rig moves, but will also assist tankers when not engaged in rig moves. The 11th tug serves as a replacement vessel when tugs go into dry dock for maintenance (approx. 200 days/year) and also works on the spot market when not required for other purposes. The flexibility of having an additional tug allows us to continually provide service without interruption and respond quickly should our customers require extra assistance. This has in the past been a reason for direct contract awards to SST Mexico.
SAAM SMIT Towage Brazil provides dedicated services to Petrobras' Oil Terminal in Angra dos Reis and in Suape with 4x 45 TBP tugs and 2x 50 TBP tugs respectively , all equipped with Fifi and oil spill response capabilities. Furthermore SST Brasil also provides 4 ASD Tugs with FIFI 1 at the Petrobras´ LNG Terminal in Salvador. Both operations require highly trained crew and fulfill to the highest Safety and Environmental standards in the Oil and Gas industry demanded by Petrobras.
SAAM SMIT Towage Canada provides terminal and escort services to crude oil, product and chemical tankers arriving and departing British Columbia waters. Our tug escort and assist services provide safe passage to tankers transiting these confined, environmentally sensitive Canadian and US waterways. SAAM SMIT Towage meets and exceeds the highly regulated standards demanded within this region with seven purpose built tugs stationed in Vancouver providing reliable docking and undocking services at the terminals and tethered escort service for the 90 nautical mile transit to open sea.
SAAM SMIT Towage is an experienced provider of marine services to LNG terminals. We currently operate at the Altamira LNG Terminal in Mexico as well as the Petrobras Terminal in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Our parent and affiliated companies have operating experience at an additional 22 LNG terminals. We have proven to be able to meet the reliability and safety requirements demanded in the LNG trade.


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Strange animals and mysterious murders force the town of Greenville to confront its demons in Augustyn's debut novel.
A star turn in her high school talent show seems to transform Felicia Miller's life. But not long after the applause has died, she finds herself at Devil's Point, at the mercy of five boys in masks and black robes, who take their turns raping her and leave her unconscious in the woods. Saved by the local witch, Granny Dola, Felicia becomes a "werecat," with the ability to shape-shift into various felines. She transitions from a Maine coon to a saber-toothed tiger and avenges herself on the gang of five, led by "delinquent demigod" Wally Sutter. But big-cat sightings and dead teenagers become more than Councilwoman Mandee Madisson and her cronies at the Concrete Development Corporation can stand. With the same focus she utilizes to slash arts funding in schools, Mandee tries to snuff out the increasing "animal human conflict," which puts Felicia and her friends in further danger. Augustyn's action scenes are strong, full of guts and gore and, eventually, guns. Like Felicia, though, the book suffers an identity crisis. The narrator alternates between rapid-fire scenes reminiscent of slasher movies and a saccharine, "The show must go on!" sensibility—or, in this case, "The Halloween show will go on as planned." The first 20 pages could easily be taken for YA fiction, but the gang rape of the title character sends the book careening into NC-17 territory. When the attack first occurs, it's described in flashes of quick, oddly eroticized images. As it plays out in Felicia's memory, the brutal event and its aftermath are hard to believe. When, after the crime, she has an intimate moment with her dream boy, she thinks, "It sucks that those bastards did this to me." The narrator writes, "she was reeling from an olfactory gangbang," to describe the blossoming of her heightened, catlike sense of smell. Such an insensitive metaphor may alienate some readers.
An infelicitous tale of witchcraft.


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It became an anthem of survival in a city under siege: Dmitri Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony. One year into the brutal siege of Leningrad, that would leave more than a million Russians dead, a ragged orchestra of emaciated musicians cobbled together from the dwindling survivors, performed the piece in front of an equally bedraggled audience.
British journalist, Brian Moynahan tells the story of how music can lift an entire city in his new book, Leningrad: Siege and Symphony: The story of the great city terrorized by Stalin, Starved by Hitler, Immortalized by Shostakovich.


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Pincer toe nails./
Pincer Toe nails: You've seen them; did you know what they were and how they got that way? Or, did you dismiss them?
We think Hitomi's hypothesis is correct. Here is why (this is paraphrased from our blog post on subungal hematomas and our revolutionary thinking on why they occur and it seems to fit well with pincer nail formation as well).
… when the skin is pulled at a differential rate over the distal phalange (from gripping of the toes rather than downward pressing through the toe pad) there will be a net lifting response of the nail from its bed as the skin is drawn forward of the backward drawn phalange (there is a NET movement of skin forward thus lifting the nail from its bedding). For an at-home example of this, put your hand AND fingers flat on a table top. Now activate JUST your distal long finger flexors so that only the tip of the fingers are in contact with the table top (there will be a small lifting of the fingers). There should be minimal flexion of the distal fingers at this point. Note the spreading and flattening of the nail. Now, without letting the finger tip-skin contact point move at all from the table, go ahead and increase your long flexor tone/pull fairly aggressively. You are in essence trying to pull the finger backward into flexion while leaving the skin pad in the same place on the table. Feel the pressure building under the distal tip of the finger nail as the skin is RELATIVELY drawn forward.] This is fat pad and skin being drawn forward (relative to the phalange bone being drawn backward) into the apex of the nail. Could this be magnifying the curvature of the nail and not offsetting the "automatic curving and shrinkage" function of the nail ? We think it is quite possible.
We have more to say on this topic, the above is just an excerpt of our blog post. More here, in the link below


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Hello there Gorgeous and welcome to My V Matters! Yes, that V is for vagina, and vulva and vestibule too.*
If you are suffering from chronic vulvar or vaginal pain and want some buddies who get it, come hang out with us!
Does sex hurt? How about using tampons, having a PAP smear test or even wearing tights or jeans? We understand, honey, and we're here to tell you that you are not alone.
* * *
We are two women who have personally experienced v pain and want to write about our experiences in a way that is honest about how challenging it is while still being optimistic and hopeful. We write about the medical and science-y side of things, but also about holistic approaches to health and the emotional journey of learning to love yourself and value your body.
We believe that breaking the silence around this topic is a huge and necessary step towards both personal healing and the advancement of medical research and care.
Our home on the internet consists of a blog, currently written by Laura with occasional posts by Faith, and a resource page which has links to books, yoga DVDs, other patient blogs, and medical professionals who can help you on your way to a healthy body.
You can also check out our Facebook page and Twitter feed, @myVmatters. Feel free to reach out to us with questions of contributions!
And remember...
My v matters...and yours does too!
Over on the blog...
* Need a brush up on anatomy? We've got a new anatomy and terminology page in the works!
YatraYoni.com is a patient support website and does not intend to take the place of the relationship between patient and personal physician.


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25th August 2018, Runcorn Linnets FC v Maltby Main FC : 1-2 Sponsored by The Fore Golfers
Maltby Main added their name to an ever- growing list of Emirates FA Cup frustrations for Runcorn Linnets, as the Step 5 outfit from Yorkshire came to the MLS on Saturday and left with a place in the next round and a handsome prize money cheque.
It's been quite rare for teams to leave the MLS with a win, and even rarer that a team turns in a performance as impressive as Maltby did.
However, despite the fact that Main thoroughly deserved their win, it was very much an afternoon where if key moments had gone slightly differently, the result probably would have been different as well.
Ello was forced into one key change from the side that had ground out our first EVO- STIK West victory against Chasetown on Tuesday night. With Freddie Potter unavailable, Adam Gilchrist was given a chance at the spearheaded of the attack.
The early stages were dominated by Runcorn as they took the game to Maltby, the visitors unable to contain the pace of Kurt Sherlock and Paul Shanley or the movement of Kris Holt.
The Linnets took a deserved lead on 15 minutes with a well-worked goal. Aaron Morris played a ball into the feet of Gilchrist, who held the play up well and made a lay off to Shanley. The winger advanced with the ball, beating two men as he cut in from the left wing, and curled a cracking finish from 18 yards into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
With an early lead at home against a side from a league below the script from this point is often a case of a straightforward victory but Maltby hadn't read the script in full. Falling behind seemed to unshackle our guests, who started to create a glut of clear goalscoring opportunities.
Having already shot wide from six yards out at the far post and spurned a glorious chance when clean through on Dylan Forths goal, drawing a superb save from the Linnets stopper, the visitors saw a strike from outside the penalty area headed off the goal line by Louis Corrigan.
With the very last kick of the first half, Maltby got the equaliser and it was another frustratingly simple goal to concede. A long ball was flicked on from midfield into the path of the imposing centre forward Ross Duggan, who bludgeoned his way past a Linnets defender to fire across Forth and into the bottom corner.
This was the first of the key moments in the game that could have changed the outcome. Had the whistle blown five seconds earlier, the Linnets would have led at half time with both team talks being completely different.
The vast majority of the second half was a real struggle for the Linnets due to Maltby's physical threat from set pieces.
From a long throw, a free header was scrambled off the Linnets goal line and cleared away from danger and this was soon followed by a free kick on the right flank finding a free man at the far post to somehow head wide with the goal gaping.
Having spurned a number of gilt-edged chances to take the lead, Maltby should have been punished as Linnets created a glorious chance to retake the lead.
Aaron Morris returned a loose ball into the six-yard box, giving Gilchrist a free header and open goal from almost under the crossbar.
But Gilchrist appeared to be deceived by the flight of the ball, mistiming his run and making no connection with the ball.
That was critical moment number two.
With 20 minutes remaining, Maltby took the lead, but frustratingly from a wasted Linnets free kick.
We had already tried to play a short pass with a free kick which went nowhere, but the referee gave us a second bite of the cherry as he pulled it back for a moving ball.
Instead of loading the Maltby penalty box and swinging a cross in, we played another rushed short pass into the feet of Kurt Sherlock.
Sherlock was muscled off the ball and with Linnets caught out of position, play broke down the left wing with a cross finding Danny Frost on the far side of the Linnets box.
Frost still had plenty to do but pulled off a terrific half volley that flew into the top corner via the crossbar, giving Dylan Forth no chance.
Having taken the lead, Maltby's tactics changed to protect what they had.
Linnets struggled to create an opening as the Yorkshire outfit shut up shop.
Ello's team never throw in the towel and a very late rally almost salvaged a replay for the Linnets.
In injury time, a Kyle Hamid shot from outside the box drew a flying save from the goalkeeper, and from the resulting corner a huge scramble ensued with the penalty area flooded with bodies.
The ball fell perfectly for Linnets but the ensuing goal attempt wasn't caught on the full and Maltby's man on the goal line was able to force the ball clear to end Runcorn's interest in the FA Cup for another season.
There's no getting away from it. This was an extremely frustrating defeat.
On paper, the draw had been favourable, and having lead early against a side a league below ourselves, you feel this was a game that we should have been winning.
The FA Cup carries prestige, the opportunity for some media attention and most importantly the chance to earn significant funds for the club.
One positive is that the Linnets have only 48 hours to dwell on this result. Bank Holiday Monday brings another EVO-STIK West fixture, when we travel to Prescot Cables to take on their groundshare tenants Skelmersdale United.
Kick off at Volair Park is at 3pm.
Runcorn Linnets: Dylan Forth, Louis Corrigan, Aaron Morris, Peter Wylie, Michael Simpson, Ronnie McCarthy, Kristian Holt, Kyle Hamid, Adam Gilchrist, Paul Shanley, Kurt Sherlock. Subs: Kieran Nolan, Declan Gallagher. Not used: Robert Evans, Danny O'Brien.
Attendance: 256.
NB. The views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Runcorn Linnets FC or its Board.
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text:
In The School of The Holy Spirit/
"In The School of The Holy Spirit teaches tools for discerning the work of the Holy Spirit: Who he is, how he speaks, what he prompts us to do, etc. and gives examples of how the Holy Spirit works and moves" - Maggie Vettel
In the School of The Holy Spirit will help you get to know the Sanctifier of your soul. It will lead you to be more attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in your life as you learn to love the third person of the Holy Trinity. Philippe explains the rewards of being attentive to the Holy Spirit and provides simple and concrete ways to grow in this inner sensitivity. In his clear and simple style, he illustrates his points with many examples from modern life.In the School of the Holy Spirit is a valuable aid in your own spiritual journey.
Click here if you are interested in purchasing a copy of In The School of The Holy Spirit.
Don't forget that if you purchase the book through amazon smile a portion of the proceeds will go to Saint Paul's Outreach!


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GreenwayNorth CurryTauntonSomerset, TA3 6NQTel: 01823 490505
When you call for a doctor's appointment, you will be asked whether your need is:
In order to help categorise your appointment, and ensure you see the most appropriate person, the receptionist may ask you if you can share the nature of the problem or issue. Please be assured that this information will be treated confidentially.
If you would like to know who your named Doctor is please ask reception when you next visit the surgery.
The Friends and Family test has recently been added to our website. it is your chance to provide feedback on your experience of the surgery.
The surgery will be closed for staff training on Thursday 3rd October from 1.00 pm until 4.30 pm.
Everyone welcome to join us! We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions. Please contact reception to find out how to participate.
Repeat Prescriptions
****** Flu Appointments now available for patients aged 65 and over *****
(Apologies to all our Chronic Disease patients aged under 65, the Manufacturers have informed us that deliveries will be in October)
Until further notice
Due to staff shortages
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Do you suffer with Chronic Pain? The link below is a film which aims to help you to seek alternatives to prescription opioids to help deal with your condition.
Wednesday 25th September 2019
Tuesday 17th December 2019
** There is lots of help and advice for Carers in the further information section - 1. Carers information**
This is a new initiative across Somerset whereby patients can make appointments at extended times (up until 8pm at night Monday-Friday and on Saturday mornings) at other practices across the local area. Practices working together to deliver extended access to appointments are listed on the poster below.
Appointment types will vary, some being face to face and some on the 'phone and there will be a mixture of pre-bookable and same day appointments available across the week. They may be with a doctor but could also be with another healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or a nurse. We are keen to balance the importance of continuity of care with convenient access for patients whilst ensuring that the service is safe.
To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times, this will help us to signpost you to the most appropriate option for your particular problem. By contacting us we can fully explain the process, ensure that the booking is appropriate (as we hope to be able to meet your needs by offering an appointment with your usual GP) and cover all the relevant information (and consent) that we need to before we book an appointment for you. For further information please click on the link below.
Would you like to have a say about the services provided by North Curry Health Centre and the local NHS Service?
We are seeking to increase the members of the Patient Reference Group within the registered patient list which we can contact on an ongoing basis. This would enable the Health Centre to survey the views and opinions of its patients and have a collated collective opinion available when representing its Patient List.
By providing your e-mail details we can add them to a contact list that will mean we can contact you via email every now and again to seek your views and opinions.
Sign Up Form
We are aware that, with increasing demand, some patients have been finding it difficult to get an appointment within an appropriate timescale, despite increasing the number of doctor and nurse hours within the practice.
An Urgent Appointment is something that really must be dealt with the same day because of its severity or risk to the patient.
An Acute Appointment is for a new problem or deterioration in an existing problem that really needs to be assessed and managed within 1-3 working days.
A Routine Appointment is for something where timescale is less important such as a medication review or review of a long term condition.
Routine appointments should be available for several months ahead, so that you can plan ahead and arrange a time that is most convenient for you. They will be available by telephone, but also available to book using the on-line access system. Urgent and Acute appointments should be made by telephone.
As one of our patient's you are able to book appointments on-line. Due to the complexity of nursing appointments, currently it is only possible to book blood test and blood pressure appointments.
If you wish to book appointments on-line, you will first need to register to access this service. This is a simple process and you will only be required to do this once. Please bring two proofs of ID to the practice, a drivers licence or passport, together with a utility bill, bank statement or other official proof of residence less than three months old to the reception desk. The receptionist will register you onto the on-line booking system and provide you with a PIN number. Once you have this information you will have access to on-line booking from home.
Appointments can also be cancelled using this facility.
Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more
Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page and complete the online form. Find out more
Please be aware that there has been a Emis update which has affected the Online services - this may affect your ability to order medication online as well as booking appointments. You will need to complete the form below and bring it to the surgery yourself along with two forms of ID - one of which must be photographic and the other with proof of address.
We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused you. This is a security measure implemented by EMIS and not North Curry health centre.
Registration form
New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more
Our patient facilities are located within ground floor level, with wide door access and toilet facilities for patients with wheelchairs or walking aides. We also have a wheelchair available for any patient who has difficulty in walking and ramp access into the building.
Somerset Dental Advice line: 0300 123 7691
Monday – Friday 8.30 am – 8.00 pm
Weekends and Bank Holidays 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
NHS Direct Advice Line: 111
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Week 4: Day 1
Read: 1 Samuel 8
Samuel appointed his two sons as leaders over Israel but, in a similar way to Eli's sons, they fail in their duties to the people. The Israelites are displeased and ask Samuel to give them a king.
Think about the reasons the people give for wanting a king. Are they good reasons?
How were the Israelites treating God at this point? How does God respond to them?
Read: Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Granting the Israelites, a king was a part of God's plan for them. But he wasn't going to give them 'a king like the other nations' as they had wanted. What did God require of the king of Israel?
Much like the Israelites at this point, we are sometimes liable to treat God as a vending machine. We demand of God what we want instead of asking for His guidance.
Read: Matthew 6:9-13
How do you think about God when asking Him for something? Do you demand it of Him like the Israelites or are you willing to submit to His will, as Jesus teaches, even if it means missing out on what you want?
Do you think God knows what is best for you? Do you think He has your best interests at heart?
· Thank God that His plan includes our salvation and redemption even though we are unworthy
· Ask God to help you each day to submit to His will, and to trust that He knows what is best for you


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Save Grandma's farm in Farm Frenzy 3 - American Pie, and harvest a new crop of fun!After a whirlwind adventure around the world, Scarlett returns home to save her grandmother's farm when the bank threatens to foreclose. Join Scarlett as she puts robots to work on her land. Farm Frenzy 3: American Pie promises a bumper crop of fun!Look after the animals at the farm. Sell the products at the market and earn a lot of money!Manage 90 levels of activities like spinning yarn, baking cakes and milking cows. Play with familiar animals, meet friendly neighbors, construct new types of buildings, and engineer exciting technology! With your help, Grandma's farm will be saved and robots will be working her land.
1 player american pie animals cows farm farm frenzy 3 scarlett


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Spanish fly is dangerous to use. The ingestion of Spanish fly can lead to a toxic overdose, with serious side effects ranging from severe abdominal pain and respiratory and heart problems to coma and even death.
Spanish fly is a substance derived from a beetle of the same name. These beetles are also known as blister beetles, since the poison they contain causes skin blisters to form in humans upon contact.
The principal irritant in Spanish fly, cantharidin, has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac because of the way it irritates the urethra on its way out of the body after digestion, causing men to develop an erection. Although historical examples of its use as an aphrodisiac exist, it is very dangerous to ingest Spanish fly in any quantity for any reason due to its toxic nature.
The ingestion of even small amounts of Spanish fly can lead to a toxic overdose, causing serious health problems and possibly death. In fact, rumors suggest that the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius might have died from an overdose of Spanish fly. Ingestion of Spanish fly can lead to severe abdominal pain, renal failure and convulsions, among other ailments. Spanish fly is illegal in most countries due to its toxic nature.


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Meriva 500-SF - 60 caps by Thorne
Meriva 500-SF - 60 caps by Thorne
Servings Per Container: 30
Take 1-2 capsules two times daily or as recommended by your health-care practitioner
Serving Size: Two Capsules
Amount Per Serving
Curcumin Phytosome† ... 1g
(Curcuma longa extract (root) / Phosphatidylcholine complex from Sunflower)
Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, Calcium Citrate Laurate, Silicon Dioxide, Microcrystalline Cellulose.
†This product uses Indena S.p.A.'s curcumin phytosome (Meriva®). Meriva is a registered trademark of Indena S.p.A.
Meriva 500-SF is a unique, patented curcumin product. People throughout Asia have benefited from the healthful effects of curcumin for centuries. Curcumin is the orange pigment in turmeric (the primary ingredient in curry), and is a potent antioxidant that offers numerous health benefits, including supporting joint health and hepatic, GI, and cardiovascular function, by helping to maintain the body's normal inflammatory response through optimization of cytokine production.* Whether taken as a supplement or from food, curcumin is generally poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. In conjunction with Indena S.p.A., the worldwide experts in botanical extract technology, Thorne Research has uncovered the key to curcumin absorption – phytosome technology.
Meriva curcumin phytosome is a unique curcumin extract that is significantly better absorbed than other curcumin extracts.* Phytosomes are plant extracts bound to phospholipids (from sunflower oil in the case of Meriva 500-SF), essential components of human cells. Although the body does make phospholipids (such as phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine), phospholipids can also be obtained from food or nutritional supplements. When taken orally, phospholipids are very well absorbed. The scientists at Indena found a way to attach a curcumin extract to phospholipids obtained from sunflower oil for optimal absorption, resulting in Meriva 500-SF. With Meriva 500-SF, the body readily absorbs the phospholipid with the attached curcumin, which results in more curcumin reaching the body's cells that can benefit from it.*


text:
One of My Books Was Banned?
My goal was simple: Give away 1500 books - written under one of my pen names, Buster Blank - to elementary schools. Dozens of schools signed up for the giveaway, eleven were selected, and congratulatory emails were sent. Next stop? Happily delivering boxes of free books to schools that too often must scrape together funds in order to purchase library materials.
But wait, not so fast; something strange happened on the way to Littleton, Colorado. One of the winning schools, in the course of a week, shifted from accepting $850 worth of books to BANNING the book entirely from their campus. Even as I write these words I'm shaking my head.
You might assume the book is edgy, chock full of foul language, or rife with sexual innuendo. No, no, and no. Or perhaps you think the book encourages delinquent behavior. Nope. Ah, then the book must take a political side that would surely cause strife. Again, no.
The book has none of that. On the contrary, it ends up teaching an important, valuable lesson regarding social acceptance - something I thought all schools were hungry to impart to their students. And yet, this particular public school wants nothing to do with the story.
And what killed the book at this school? The title. The book is called Shaking Demons.
The school's instructional coach - who somehow wields decision-making power over the rest of the faculty - claimed, ". . . we are worried we would have some parent concerns due to the social/emotional concerns of students here as well as religious beliefs."
I'm confused. Religious beliefs? There are no satanic demons in the story. There's nary a single religious reference in the book. The so-called "demons" in the title essentially act as the main character's conscience, helping him to ultimately make a wise and thoughtful decision, teaching him - and the reader - to accept others and to be open to new people and ideas.
This isn't a rant against one school's choice. In fact, since posting my puzzled reaction on social media, I've received no fewer than six passionate offers from organizations to help me "fight this." I have no interest in that; there are many schools who not only have embraced the book, but have raved about its message and its impact on their students. I won't waste energy attempting to convince one teacher of the book's value when there are hundreds of other schools hungry for it.
The bigger issue, I believe, is the irrational frenzy to shield kids from anything which might be perceived as offensive. Personally, I detest that word and the suffocating use of it. We've reached a point where we cannot simply disagree with something; we must be offended by it. And if one person raises a hand to object to a book, or any other artistic expression, it's often labeled offensive. Ban it!
J.K. Rowling has indeed sold hundreds of millions of copies of her series about a boy wizard, but not without having to bear the cries of those who refuse to allow their children anywhere near it. A fantastic narrative, captivating characters, and your basic story of good triumphing over evil . . . but let's not expose Ashley to a - gulp - wizard. Heavens!
And now Shaking Demons is blacklisted. Never mind that it could very well be a story that resonates in a positive way with students.
It's sad. Although you'd think we're advancing toward a more enlightened, accepting, and open-minded society, I sometimes fear we're moving the other direction: over-sensitive, over-protective, and terrified of anyone quick to describe their position as outraged (another exhausted word).
Schools and educators who once bravely championed freedom of thought and expression are pressured to play it safe. I don't necessarily blame them; I sympathize with them. We live in an age of complaints and lawsuits, and sometimes it's just not worth the fight. Be careful, don't take any chances, lest a parent loudly protest.
I'm concerned that we're gradually eliminating one of the greatest assets a child can develop: the power of intellectually choosing for themselves. Instead of presenting a variety of ideas and positions, thereby encouraging a young person to hone their abilities to judge and discern, we'll feed them only a select menu of approved concepts. Perhaps it won't be long until books are sanitized for their protection, and can feature only rainbows, puppies, and unicorns.
Unless the horn on a unicorn is, of course, deemed demonic.
* * * * *
I'd love to know your thoughts. Perhaps you agree wholeheartedly with the school's decision. If so, I'd be interested to hear your opinion.


text: My hope is that this website can help you to learn more about us and can serve as an ongoing resource for you to answer questions or provide some clarity on who we are and what we do. As helpful as a website can be, however, talking person to person is always our preferred way of working together, so please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Dr. Doug Bolton, Principal, 847 831-0603


text: I had the privilege of working with some of the most talented youth in Vancouver, on behalf of the Vancouver edition of Baha'i Blog Studio Session . Here are some photos from our full recording day at Blue Light Studios. Many thanks to the youth and staff at Blue Light for offering their time and working so tirelessly with the utmost joy <3


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Has anyone else been following the Robert Durst media. Very strange and very true. HBO documentary series........ The Jinx. The feature film.... All Good Things. And all over the news at the moment. The director...... Andrew Jarecki hit a ****ing home run with the interview.
no but I will look into it.
If you have HBOGO.... you could watch all 6 episodes tonight. I would recommend avoiding the news about the story.... huge SPOILER ALERT !!
this is the architect who murdered people and confessed?
Izjar11 wrote:
this is the architect who murdered people and confessed?
An annoyed parent is seeking a lawyer to start a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft after his child spent $4,500 on microtransations in FIFA.
In Ultimate Team mode you can buy packs of players with either in-game money, or actual money. One parent found thousands of dollars worth of charges on his credit card and is angered that Microsoft has denied compensation.
Writing in a post on Medium, he says that he and his wife take the blame for not paying more attention, however he wants Microsoft to supply better parental controls. "If Microsoft wanted to spare thousands of parents from frustration, anger and sometimes, serious financial consequences then it could find a hundred ways to do it. It has just chosen not to."
I related news I learned the hard way (not $4500 hard but $50 hard) that on Sony even though my card was entered on my master account only, if a sub account tried to buy something while at a friends house that it would link to my card and let the sale go through. Sony wasn't the least bit interested in giving me a refund either. Ever since then, when I make purchases, I immediately follow up and delete my card information from the console. I also changed everyone's passwords and set every account to require a password before allowing any purchases just in case I one day slip on deleting that card information. Since I'm the only one that knows the passwords, nobody can buy anything without my knowledge again.
there needs to be better ways to only alone the owner of the account to process a payment.
I agree. What makes matters worse is even though they charged my account, they sent the "thankyou for your purchase" email to the sub account email. Had I not been checking my account online, I would have never known about it. That's just bad business practice if you ask me. I'd imagine at some point they like everyone else that's offered similar services with similar bad results (ie ITunes) will end up facing some rather public scrutiny and find themselves refunding a whole lot of people once the courts force their hands.
I can not believe how good this cake looks
Melbourne couple celebrates wedding with perfect life-size Nintendo cake
THIS wedding cake, well, takes the cake.
A happy Victorian couple celebrated their special day with a life-size Nintendo console cake over the weekend.
"No-one believed it was a cake until it was cut up and served to them," bride Vanessa Harding said.
"Everyone was poking and prodding at it wondering if it was real. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day."
Vanessa and her new husband Chris have been together over 10 years, and say that Nintendo was one of the first things they ever bonded over.
"We spent hours playing Tetris when we first started dating 10 years ago. But our favourite game would have to be Super Mario Bros. I first got the Nintendo NES when I was a kid and I still have it today.
"We've always had a little healthy competition between us, although I'm pretty sure I used to beat him in tetris more often than not."
The masterpiece was created by Cara Tonkin from Cara Mia Cakes in Geelong.
So, what is actually inside a life-size Nintendo cake?
"It's a chocolate cake, filled with a cookies and cream white chocolate ganache," Cara Mia Cake says on its Facebook page.
Amazing on the outside, even better on the inside — as all the guests at the Yarra Valley wedding will confirm, with every last piece being eaten.
"I think that's a first in wedding cake history, but we did keep the controllers and tetris game on top," Mrs Harding says.
© 2019 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY GHOSTS, CALL OF DUTY ADVANCED WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY INFINITE WARFARE, and the CALL OF DUTY WORLD LEAGUE Logo are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are property of their respective owners.


text: The Employee Free Choice Act has galvanized business lobbies like nothing else in recent years. After all, most issues–say, trade–pits one business lobby against another but few issues unite them. So it's interesting and notable to say the least that one of the most talked-about parts of business is staying out of the EFCA debate: the trade group representing private equity firms like the Carlyle Group and BlackRock. On one hand you would think that private equity firms would have a particularly big stake in fighting EFCA. After all, they often buy businesses under the assumption that they keep the unions out. The Service Employees International Union, for instance, fought the Carlyle Group's takeover of Manor Health Care, a chair of assisted living facilities. . It ultimately failed but it's still trying to organize the chain's workers. Dunkin Donuts is owned by a partnership of Bain Capital, Mitt Romney's old firm, the Carlyle Group and Thomas H. Lee Partners. But the main voice of private equity firms in Washington, the Private Equity Council, has stayed out of the fight and the answer would seem to be owing to the fact that unions provide so much capital to private equity. In fact, the Private Equity Council's own research shows in 2007 alone," the top 20 public pension funds, representing nearly 10 million retirees in states including California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, had a collective private equity investment of nearly $140 billion." This is a long way, of course, from getting Steve Schwarzman or Henry Kravis or David Rubenstein to support EFCA. But at least, as unions press forward with EFCA, they don't have private equity's trade group joining the rest of the business lobby.