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I rescued a few small pieces of ebony from becoming parts of cutting boards and decided to make them into something I will use for the rest of my life - a veneer hammer. Hammer veneering is one of the oldest and most effective methods for adhering veneer to a substrate with hot animal protein glue. The hammer works more like a squeegee than an actual hammer. Here's a good video if you're interested in seeing the process.
I started out with a piece of African Blackwood that was 4" wide by 6" tall. I marked a center point on the edge and then set my compass to mark out a half circle spanning the entire width of the piece. I then marked a center line down both the length and width of the piece. At that intersection I again set my compass and drew a half circle. After that I marked two more half circles that would flow and nicely connect the half circle on the top and bottom. Then I marked out a 1" mortise a half inch down from the central point on the front and back of the piece and chopped it out. It helps to prevent splitting by chopping out the mortise now instead of after shaping the head.
I used a frame saw with a thin blade to shape the head but a scroll saw, band saw, or even fret saw can easily do the job. I used half round rasps and files to clean up to the lines I drew out previously. I used a 1/4" thick piece of brass I bought from a local industrial supply company - 3/4" wide by 1' long for about $5 - for the tip. I used a hacksaw to cut it to length - 4 1/2" (you want the brass to extend past the edges of the hammer head so you can get into corners when veneering), creating a slight angle at each end. Then using a file I brought the edge to a rather sharp radius - this is the point that will make contact with the veneer. I used a crosscut saw to cut a slot into the mouth of the hammer to receive the blank, then used a fret saw to remove the waste in between each saw kerf. Chisels and rifflers cleaned up after that. I then sawed a tenon in the end of my piece of Gaboon Ebony (12" long, 1 1/2" thick & wide) leaving a 1/4" shoulder all the way around.
I had seen an antique French scraper handle in the book "The Art of Fine Tools" by Sandor Nagyszalanczy and wanted to copy it for this hammer. I really enjoyed the proportions and I like the idea of working with an old design. It's a pretty simple shape to turn but feels really nice in the hand. I had to make a few modifications. First, to account for the tenon at the top of the handle I needed something to transition in to the skinny neck to mimic the scraper. I made a simple cove that I think works well. Second, I made my handle a little thicker to account for the extreme pressure that will be focused around the neck of the handle during the process of hammer veneering. I then made an ebony wedge from an offcut, cut a slot in the tenon, and assembled the joint with Old Brown Glue, driving the wedge home for a very tight fit. I then used rasps and files to gently slope the front of the hammer head and glued the brass in place.
A flush cut saw and card scraper made short work of the protruding tenon & wedge. I sanded everything up to 800 grit and burnished with 0000 steel wool. This is how the hammer looked after that process.
At this point the hammer was ready for finish. I decided to French Polish everything, more for fun than anything else. Here is my French Polishing kit (in France it is called "vernis au tampon" meaning "polish with a pad"):
- Squeeze bottle of 180 proof alcohol marked with an "A".
- 4h pumice. This gets put inside 2 layers of cheese cloth so it can be lightly dusted onto the workpiece.
- Salt shaker filled with non-drying mineral oil.
- Pore filling pad inside a large mouthed jar. I like these jars because they're easy to get your hands in and out of. I mark the top of this jar "Ponce".
- Super Nikco burnishing compound from France.
- Polishing pad inside another large mouthed jar. I mark this jar "Vernis".
- Freshly made dewaxed blonde shellac. Patrice Lejeune recommends a 1:4 ratio shellac to alcohol and I have found that to be perfect. I use a digital food scale set to grams to measure out my shellac and alcohol. This makes it very easy to keep everything consistent. In this bottle is 20 grams shellac and 80 grams of alcohol strained through a very fine automotive paint strainer. I mix the shellac in a separate mason jar and then strain it into this squeeze bottle marked with an "S".
- Kraft paper. When I'm polishing I cover my bench or table with kraft paper for a clean surface.
The first step of French Polish is called pore filling. In the second photo you can see my materials gathered and ready to go to pore fill. Instead of re-writing the book on French Polish, I will link to the best video about French Polish on the internet, by Patrice Lejeune of Antique Refinishers & The American School of French Marquetry. Patrice can explain much better than I ever could.
In the next photo set I show a couple examples of pad construction. One for pore filling & one for polishing. Really you should find what works best for you. The basics are muslin, linen, shredded cheesecloth, and wool. I like to iron out the muslin and linen before using.
After pore filling I hold the hammer up to a natural light source and check the reflectivity. If you look closely you can see the head reflecting the cactus from about 7 meters away.
After pore filling a couple times with a day in between each session I waited another day and started the polish. The polishing does not take very long at all but yields an incredibly deep, reflective finish.
Thanks for taking a look, next time I will have some nice photos of the finished hammer.


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The American Center in Alexandria is a gorgeous building, a huge historic house that would have fit nicely in antebellum South Carolina. It's not a consulate, but some consular services can be performed there. There's a screening/media room, library, computer lab, and lots of space for folks to come for programs. There are local folks reading and studying all over the place, it's very cozy. Someone assumes I work there and asks if there are any books on archaeology.
But no, I've been asked to talk about social media and outreach in your work. Now, anyone who follows me on Twitter would know that perhaps I'm not the guy you want talking about this. Or who knows, maybe you do? I'm violently allergic to webcocks. My knee-jerk answer to the question of "How can you use Twitter to market your product?" is to say "DON'T."
And that talk was good. It was informative. But it was the cart before the horse. These folks were some more people who wanted the four-years-in-two-hours film production how-to (see "Lies!: Cairo/Alexandria Day 3B"). I wasn't expecting to do curriculum consultation, but these people were SO FREAKING NICE and here we are in Egypt and oh what the heck (I'd love to do a full-on curriculum consultation, look at the structure and flow and everything—drop me a line, we'll talk rates, I can actually come knowing that this is what I'm actually there for...)
I had them show their work so I could get a sense of where they were coming from and it was immediately clear. They had been making college PSAs, little stupid college journalism things pantomiming "news" features, and they couldn't put their finger on why it was emotionally bankrupt! So I came up with an evil little assignment for them to do... I sent them back to the Corniche to revisit the subject of pedestrian safety and law enforcement failures, but with some brutal constraints that I whipped up just to force the students to abandon video journalism tropes, to try to go for emotional and lyrical. And with the understanding that we were leaving the city the next day.
For those of you who've ever had my weird assignments with tons of ridiculous rules... this one was even crazier. I had these students shoot exactly two things, their impression of the space on the Corniche focusing on how it feels, and someone's personal recollection of crossing it. No music permitted, no visible mics, no interviewing, no narration, no transitions other than cuts, no effects. And a couple other things I made up on the spot, but it was getting really late and I can't remember what they were. Then I gave them my email address, and we headed to the hotel.
The good news is that the embassy gets good rates for guests at the Alexandria Four Seasons. The bad news is that I was conscious enough to experience it for about an hour. I signed up for one hour of internet access (85 pounds WTF WTF WTF) to check in with Jen and Caspar, and then went to get some dinner (a tad early at 11pm).
I submit to you, dear reader, that I was very tired and perhaps not making the best decisions of my life. I decided to go to the food court of the shopping mall.
Upon leaving the Four Seasons, I walked around the block, away from the Mediterranean, to an enormous mall. All lit up, teeming with humanity, families and children, harmless teenagers playing the field in the middle of the night. Feels like New Jersey.
The mall was... a mall. Mid-range quality stuff. No stores I recognized. Interesting: no anchor stores at all. There were maybe a dozen equivalents of the Hallmark store, another dozen Gap knockoffs. One hilarious lingerie store called something like "Sassy Woman." I wanted to go in and get something, but thought better of it. The promenades around the stores were mostly empty, so I checked the glowing map, all marked up in English and Arabic. You are here... prayer room... women's prayer room... ah! Food court, all the way down.
I descended escalator after escalator as the hum of crowds for louder until... FOOD COURT. There were two western-looking schwarma stands next to each other, the rest was US franchise standard. Pizza Hut, KFC, Sbarro, McDonalds, Burger King. I ordered a schwarma and the kid looked shocked that anyone had come to his corner of hell. It was pretty tasty.
But yeah yeah, you know the drill, "everything's the same yet so different," or "oh my gawd American pseudoculture has permeated everything." Whatever. I people watched for a bit and had a serious, SERIOUS what-the-hell moment. I stood up and walked around the jam-packed seating area to confirm my terrifying hunch.
Every single person in the food court was eating pizza.

subset: commoncrawl


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Vegan Slow Cooker Chili
Day 340.
We love our Vegetarian Crockpot Chili but today I'm going to do the unthinkable and change it up to make it vegan and whole foods-friendly. This is a definite family favorite, and messing with it could lead to rebellion. I'm using the Lentil and Rice Ground Beef Substitute for the first time in this recipe. I'm also now exclusively soaking dry beans instead of using canned. I was half-way there with the tomatoes, using two large chopped tomatoes and one 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes this go-around. I highly recommend making chili a day ahead of time as the spices get extra delicious after sitting for an extra day. And, the best part of making up a big batch of chili? The wide variety of uses for leftovers: Vegetarian Crockpot Chili Leftovers Recipes.
Vegan Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
- 4 cups black beans
- 4 cups diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 2 cups Lentil and Rice Ground Beef Substitute
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon (1 cube) chipotle pepper seasoning (optional, for extra heat)
Grease or spray a 4-quart crock. Add all ingredients to crock. I chose to leave the "beef" frozen on top so it doesn't get mushy. I also mix all the spices together before-hand and pour them over the "beef."
Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours (recommended) or HIGH for 4-6 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight, reheat and serve.
The Results
I was a little worried about how the "beef" would hold up to that much liquid (it's softer than the store-bought beef substitutes), but the overall texture of the chili is perfect. I think the taste was even more delicious than the last time we made it. The kids and husband all loved it. The kids had their chili with lots of crackers and cheese (it's a little spicy for them otherwise). I sometimes leave the chipotle pepper seasoning out and add cayenne pepper to the adult portions.
Love this recipe? Pin it, please!


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- I love that Justin and I went and bought discounted sparklers at the TNT store for our sparkler reception exit! I'm so excited about this! :) It will look amazing in pictures!
Things I LOVE Thursday
12 comments :
my bf HATES taking pics! half our pics are me smiling like a freak and him with an annoyed or fake smile hahah oh men...ReplyDelete
50 cent cones?! sign me up!!
on .50 cents?! why didn't i know this!! and that bathing suit is ADORABLE!ReplyDelete
cute beach bag!!!ReplyDelete
Those are definitely wonderful things to love!!! I'm loving the pink caddy and so cool that you get the help brides with makeup!! And 48 days..whoa!!!!!!ReplyDelete
Loooove your beach finds!! SO cute!ReplyDelete
And this makes me want a pink car sooo badly hahaha!
Also, make sure your wedding venue allows sparklers! My brother and sister in law had sparklers for their send off and then they found out they weren't allowed to light the sparklers! It was such a bummer!
Very cute! I love the beach items you bought!ReplyDelete
ohhh my gosh now you have me wanting to run to target and mcdonalds! that is such a cute bag :) congrats on your engagement and soon to be wedding! you lucky little thing :)ReplyDelete
Thanks guys! :)ReplyDelete
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Tools & Workwear
We pride ourselves on stocking quality tools and workwear which play an essential role in making your job easier, faster and safer.
Tools and Workwear
If you need building tools and workwear for your next construction project, then look no further. Our online shop stocks everything you might need, from site equipment, power tools and storage, to PPE and workwear.
Builder's Tools for Sale
Whether you require access equipment, such as ladders and working platforms, tool boxes and organisers, landscaping tools, or bricklaying and plastering tools, you can find all the building equipment you need under one roof.
Are you planning some small DIY jobs for your home but need some equipment? Take a look at our large range of hand tools, such as spirit levels, tape measures, hammers, screwdrivers and chisels.
Here at Travis Perkins, we understand that quality tools and workwear are essential for any trade to make your projects easier, faster and safer. We pride ourselves on stocking leading brands that you can rely on to get the job done.
Personal Protective Equipment
Our range of workwear, PPE and accessories will keep you protected in every work environment. We stock rain suits to protect you against the elements when working outdoors, and safety footwear with ankle support and steel toe caps if you're on a construction site.
Take a look at our range of professional, high-quality tools and workwear today. With our fast delivery service or the option to click & collect from your nearest branch, you can be sure to receive your building tools and equipment quickly.


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Happy Friday everyone!! Its almost Turkey Day so before the family rolls in (or you roll out) check out these super fun finds from Etsy!! Flowers are always one of my favorite aspects about a wedding, however, doing a fun spin on them will make your day even more unique!! And isn't that what every bride wants?!
I definitely see this being for more of a FuNkY bride...just think of the endless possibilities of PaPeR!!
Or maybe you are looking for something really elegant and something that will last for YEARS?!
And maybe even a little something funky for those bridesmaids! Now I have seen these as decorations...but just think how cute and fun these would be walking down the isle?!?
I will see you guys next week for an extra special post that I am just so excited about!!!


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Dala Horse Travel Mug
Dala Horse Travel Mug
Keep your coffee warm in this fun Scandinavian mug in black and white. This updated Dala horse is a fun new interpretation of the unofficial symbol of Swedish. Represent with this eco-friendly and useful cup!
Mug is dishwasher, microwave, and most importantly, food safe.
Each item has been thoughtfully designed and fired by hand to optimize the durability and lifespan of the images adhered.
Double walled porcelain with silicon lid.
Size: 5 3/4 inches, 11 oz.
Add To Cart


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People say If your child hits his head, keep him awake. The reality of this is if someone is monitoring your child they can safely fall asleep. the facts Did you ever get conked on the head as a child, only to find that your mum's top priority was keeping you awake?
You didn't black out, it didn't really hurt, you weren't seeing double, there was not a drop of blood, but your mother was adamant that you stay as alert as a night – shift worker. Even to this day, many adults think that when a child (or anyone) gets any kind of bump on the head, allowing him to fall asleep is extremely dangerous to the brain. But if the head injury is not serious, usually it's okay to let your child go to sleep, especially if he is still taking regular naps and is used to getting that midday rest, or if it's bedtime.
"Head trauma," "head injury," and "blow to the head " all sound very scary and painful — and they can be serious depending on the nature of the injuries sustained. But those are also phrases used to describe more minor thumps and bumps. Your child gets clocked on the head with a toy truck. He gets smacked by an errant rubber ball. He slips in his plastic swimming pool. Even when we take precautions, these kinds of things can happen. When does a bump on the head signal a more serious condition, such as a concussion or a head injury that requires a doctor ' s intervention without delay? If any of the following conditions apply, contact your doctor immediately. Your child may be perfectly fine, but these symptoms might indicate a more serious head injury:
Once again, use your parental common sense. Consider how he got hurt (what caused the injury; how great the impact was; if he fell a great distance onto a hard surface or fell onto soft ground; got hit by a heavy, hard object or by a soft one, and so on) and observe your child closely. If he is his normal, lively self, then he ' s probably okay. Most childhood bumps on the head are just that.People also think that If your child didn't black out after a fall, it's not serious. The reality of this situation is after a fall, your child can lose consciousness so briefly that you may not even notice. It's possible to lose consciousness for seconds — such a short span of time that as an observer, you may not even notice. Any loss of consciousness due to a blow to the head indicates an interruption in normal brain function. Therefore, a child should always be checked by a doctor, even if the injury seemed minor and the loss of consciousnesses was momentary.
What if your child did not lose consciousness? It's still possible that they may still have sustained a concussion, an injury to the brain that disrupts its normal functions. (A concussion is considered a " closed " head injury, meaning that nothing has penetrated the skull and there is no open wound. When there is no blood, we may be tempted to think there is no serious injury.) During a concussion, the brain literally gets jostled around in the skull, potentially causing bruising of the brain as well as nerve and blood vessel damage. Though that sounds horrendous, most concussions — which are more prevalent among older kids doing contact sports — are not serious. Though brain function is disrupted, the brain isn't necessarily damaged. Concussions are often graded into three levels:
Most concussions are mild. However, if your child has any of the symptoms listed after a head injury, or if you're dealing with a child under six months of age — no matter how minor it may have seemed at the time — contact your doctor.
We may think of concussions as an injury that happens to school – age (often helmet – less) skateboarders, cyclists, soccer players, and other athletes; but babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can get them, too.


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Get In Tune To Be Your Best/
We here at Four Star Motorsports can get your car tuned up in a variety of ways.
Want a simple, easy plug and play option? We offer the COBB Accessport that comes pre-programmed with "Off The Shelf" maps that match up to what work you have done to your car.
For those looking for a more specific tune, we offer both EcuTek full ECU tuning and COBB Accesstuner Pro tuning. These services are done in house on our AWD dyno to get a specific tune that is custom made for your car. This gets the most out of your engine to match up with your needs, be it rally, time attack or simple street use.


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10 Cars That Are Banned And You Can't Drive
This isn't just another list of cars you've seen but can't buy in the U.S. (lookin at you, Skyline)
The cars on the list are relatively obscure, how many have you heard of? For some of them, it's obvious why they aren't available here. The narration in the video is also hilarious. The narrator, who signs off at the end of the vides as "Son of a Mitch" drops some great one-liners and puns that make this video actually entertaining as well as informational.A good example is the 1992 Smart Crossblade, which is a tiny ride carrying an appropriately menacing name. It's actually built more like a golf cart than a car.
The list of cars range from amphibious Duck Boat-style rides to sleek corner carvers. There's even a Chevrolet on the list, although it's one of those cross-brand projects that isn't up to the safety standards here in the US.
We won't spoil the whole list for you, so just sit back and watch as Top 10 Trends and Son of a Mitch take us through this list in the most entertaining way possible.


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As soon as the sun peeks out from behind the horizon, Enzo is already up and running down one of Genova's cobbled streets towards the sea docks. Teresa, the kind middle-aged lady who sells fresh fruits and vegetables down the street, salutes little Enzo and gives him one of her ripest peaches. With one hand tightly holding onto the soft, melting peach and the other –– keeping his beret from flying away back up the street, Enzo skips on with his beaming smile and sparkling eyes.
He finds his favorite spot –– the rocks –– from where he can gaze undisturbed onto the vastness and beauty of the Mediterranean sea and the bustling life of the seaport beneath him. Enzo watches his father, one of the city's ship engineers, walk down the long decks and converse with the ship constructors and sailors. The magnificent ship is almost complete. This gigantic structure, built by the hands of many men, is about to leave the shores and sail away into foreign lands and waters. Enzo longs that one day he too will be able to help his father and will construct the largest ship ever to grace the waters of the Mediterranean.
Enzo will be available in my hyena store Thursday, November 13th, at 7 p.m. EST.
Thank you so much for visiting!


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Apple is adding new gestures to the Mac that lets you do things like jiggle you mouse cursor to make it larger. The idea being able to jiggle our mouse to find our cursor, so making it temporarily larger will make it easier to find. I can see myself liking that now that I'm over 40. El Capitan includes improvements for running apps in full screen mode, and also offers a split view for working with two app windows in full screen mode at the same time.
Safari can now "Pin" sites in the toolbar, kind of like little bookmarks, by just dragging them to the left. You can even see what tabs have audio playing in the background and mute them from within Safari.
Spotlight in El Capitan will dig deep into not just the computer but into the web. You can even type out a though for searching, as an example, "show me pictures from June last year when I was in Indianapolis" and it finds it!
While there was no exact release date, there will be a free upgrade coming this fall. No announcement telling us what Macs will support the software.


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Is it feasible to full jungle early game, instead of going lanes??
Asking mostly for pub games and without a full team or strategy.
Basically, just a yes or no question, no IFs.
Played LoL for the past 2 years or so, and it seems that jungling is (still) taboo in Dota 2.


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Loving her might just be the death of him.
Available July 13th
Serena has a problem, and after four previous visits to the Wiccan Haus, she'd expected things to get easier. But on the mermaid's fifth visit, Kaleb walks in and everything in her life becomes complicated. Never has she wanted to mate with a human man before. But can she love a man who has a chip on his shoulder a league long when it comes to mermaids? Can she deal with her own issues all while keeping her true self secret from the man she loves?
And will loving him prove deadly?
This time, the staff have more than healing on their agenda. Can the siblings, Myron, and Rekkus prove to these two lovers that things aren't always how they appear on the surface? Or will Kaleb's demise be found in his Siren's Serenade?
Welcome back to the Wiccan Haus.
They had come to the cliffs looking over the ocean. The moonlight lit a runway across the rippling waters below. He couldn't look at her, didn't want to see her laugh—or worse, decide he was crazy. "I was rescuing a friend from the waters off the coast of Alaska. That area isn't kind on the best of days, and this was a rocky sea kind of day. A fishing vessel made a distress call. The ship was taking on water and they had abandoned ship as it sank. We had a man in the water so numb he couldn't get into the ring, and my buddy Jim jumped in to help. We brought up the man and I lowered the wire to bring Jim up. Just then a huge wave took the 'copter within feet of the water. Jim reached out to grab my hand, when a woman swam up beside him…and then he was gone under the water, staring up at me for a second before I lost him completely."
Serena laughed. "That's ridiculous."
Kaleb gritted his teeth so hard he was sure he'd crack a tooth.
"Mermaids don't live in Alaska. It's too cold."
"Excuse me?"
"Why would any mermaid want to live in those waters? It's cold enough here."
Kaleb shook his head to clear it, turned to look at her because no one in all the time he was going through this had reacted like this. "Let me get this straight: you aren't arguing with me that mermaids exist, just that they don't live in the Bering Sea?"
"Well, I suppose they could live there, but I can't imagine wanting to. I mean there…" She stopped, her mouth forming an "O."
"You were saying?"
"Nothing. I just don't think you're any crazier than anyone else here on the island."
Now it was his turn to laugh. "You're not very reassuring."


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Kelly Loveless, Award-Winning Photographer in Bountiful Utah, Davis County.
Although my husband (then finance) and I had been engaged for a year before our wedding, we waited until 3 weeks before our wedding to find a photographer! Our wedding coordinator suggested Kelly, we called him and he was more than happy to help us- even on such short notice! Kelly did great work, he really listened to the ideas we had for some wedding shots, and brought a lot of his own ideas! What I really liked was how he paid close attention to details. We got amazing pictures of not only our selves and our guests, but he captured the center pieces, decor, and special touches that made our weddings special. Even after we received our wedding photos Kelly called to ensure that we were happy with our pictures, and when we had a problem with accessing one of the disks he was more than happy to correct the problem and get us a remedied version in a timely manner and free of charge. Kelly is all about making the consumer happy, and I would highly recommend him to anyone. We will certainly be using Kelly again for our future photographer!He's wedding portrait studio is in Bountiful Utah
Kelly was awesome to work with! On my Bridals I got to see my pictures within hours on my very own app and the wedding just a couple days later! He is so quick to get everything back to you and he was so great to work with. Highly recommend!
All I have to say is wow wow wow! So INCREDIBLY amazing and talented! I would recommend this vendor to anyone! He is very fast at getting the pictures back to you, and the quality of the pictures is UNBELIEVABLY EXCELLENT! I never imagined our pictures could look so nice! I loved working with this vendor. because not only is he fast and efficient …. but also very nice and patient! Not to mention he is very inexpensive!
Thanks so much for helping capture the memories of Leslie, and Jason Chan's wedding. You did an amazing job with their engagement, bridal, and reception pictures. (also the Temple!) It was so neat to see the video slide show you put together for them as well. Thanks for doing such an "amazing, and awesome" job!
I met Kelly at a bridal show. He was a great fit for our ceremony and reception. He arrived early and got so many shots of all the parts of the pre-ceremony/ceremony that I missed (I wasting ready in the dressing room). I was glad to have him as part of my vendor team. Just days after the wedding, he provided us with a great app that had a selection of our photos. It was nice to be able to sneak a quick peak before we got all of them back. He provided the rest of the photos to us very quickly. I'm very pleased with the results. I forgot my shot list, but he took care of many of them. Thanks Kelly for your great work!
Kelly was so great to work with! He provided beautiful pictures along with making sure I looked perfect for every picture. He took my bridal at the state capital and he saw every place as an opportunity to make a great shot. There was one place that he said the light was just right. He was so excited and made me feel like a movie star and a model! He went above and beyond what I had expected! Portrait wedding studio is in bountiful Utah, Davis County


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What Maudy did next…
I don't really understand why some people think that ones school days are the best days of one's life. You're an angst ridden, emotional ball of hormones and zits trying to make decisions about what on earth you're going to do for the next four thousand years or so you're going to be on the planet, coping with the petty politics of the playground, hormones, alcohol, freedoms and lacks of them, sex, all that all of the above entail. Not the best days at all.
I know people that peaked in high school. They're the ones who've been friends with exactly the same group of people since school, they marry each other, their kids all go to the same schools they went to and they live in the same suburbs that they've always lived in. And they still all call each other by their high school nicknames. I look back on my time in high school, shudder and continue to look forward to – well, everything really.
I suspect I haven't reached my peak yet – I look back over my life, and high school was the aforementioned ball of hormones and zits. Couldn't/wouldn't and in the end didn't work out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, drifted through high school crossing off potential careers (didn't want to be a secretary, or a hair dresser or a nurse (human *or* animal), didn't want to be a teacher either…) Didn't want to work in retail or be a waitress for ever, although I had a red hot crack at both of those careers through my twenties. Way back in the dark ages, I went to my ten year high school reunion. There were maybe three people whom I would have liked to have caught up with – but of course, they didn't show; and I realised there were a lot of reasons I didn't keep in touch with anyone from high school. I wasn't married, I had no children, I wasn't gay. I just wasn't married; and I was between unsuitable boyfriends at the time. This apparently was quite difficult for people to understand. But crappy jobs and unsuitable boyfriends pretty much summed up my twenties. Certainly wouldn't consider that decade the pinnacle of my existence.
My thirties were an experience I could possibly have done without. I had to be a grown up after I lost my father, even more when my relationship changed with the other members of my family as a result. And while I still had a crappy job and a string of unsuitable boyfriends; my job was mostly crappy because I didn't like it as much. The unsuitable boyfriends were just that – unsuitable. But my thirties weren't all crap – I met the right bloke in the middle of them, finally went back to university in my thirties (went to more 21st in my thirties than I ever did in my twenties) had my first kid in my thirties… But I still didn't feel like I'd reached my peak.
I'm swiftly reaching the end of my forties (oh how unseemly fast that demographic change is coming up on me) and crikey, this has been a cracking decade. I think I've achieved more in the last ten years than I have in any other decade I've wandered aimlessly through. I've had a second kid, finished and graduated from university, leapt off a cliff into the unknown and left a secure job after 18 years and fell into the job I actually do want to do for the rest of my life. I've become a person I'd happily have a drink with if I met me. And while I have my ups and downs, I am content with my lot. But have I reached my peak?
Man, I hope not. I come from a relatively long lived bunch, and seriously, peaking in my fifties? What on earth will I do for the next forty years? Go into a genteel decline?
Not long ago, I found my angst-ridden teenage journals, including the ones from around the time of my Epic Birthday Crisis when I turned 25. Man, that was epic. I did not deal well with turning 25. But being the inveterate list-writer that I am, I wrote a list. Weirdly, I appear to have crossed everything off. I've got an awesome job, I finished uni, finally did meet a decent bloke, had a couple of kids (I planned one – a girl. We all know how that panned out…) Technically I am published (couple of conference papers, couple of attempts at blogging with a few readers who don't actually know me). I've bought and sold a house, and bought another one. I think that's a reasonable set of goals for a 25 year old to have. I achieved most of them by the time I turned 40 and
Now, though – I'm almost double that. And I'm *still* not dealing with it as badly as I did turning 25. I suspect it's because 50 is such a ridiculous number that belongs to totally mature people who wear crimplene slacks and have easy-care perms and shop un-ironically at Burdines and I am certainly not that on the inside or the outside. I'm not about to take on statement hair or statement glasses, and I'm pretty sure you can't get crimplene slacks in a 34″ leg. I still have a month or so up my sleeve, so it's not out of the question that I do go off the rails. However, in the mean time, I reckon I need a list for the next 25 years. Not a bucket list. Just a list for the next 25 years. Whadderyou reckon?


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We employ 'Junior Jam' teachers to deliver weekly iMedia sessions. these have been designed so that schools can experience a range of specially designed lessons that have cross curricula benefits and utilise Apple iPads. Not only does this mean that the children are taught be skilled computing experts but also that iPads and any other equipment is provided by Junior Jam for the sessions. The sessions they are delivering this term are:
|KS 1 My First Song and My Song
This is an introduction to basic song writing skills using the Apps 'Star Composer' and 'GarageBand'. Children will work initially as a class creating a class song before moving into pairs or small groups to create a short composition using a variety of instruments and sounds available within the Apps.This is an introduction to basic song writing skills using the 'GarageBand' App. Tempo will be addressed, both in relation to musical genre and how it affects the feel and impact of a song. Musical and rhythmical patterns will be developed and students will appraise each other's work with a view to implementing changes and improving their compositions.
Key Learning outcomes: Understanding Song Structure, Tempo, Rhythm, Melodic Patterns and Evaluation Skills
Understanding Tempo, Rhythm, Melodic Patterns and Evaluation Skills.
|KS 2 Mt First Band and Dance Music
Participants will begin by listening to a variety of popular dance music styles and analysing key elements that distinguish one genre from another. These findings will then be applied when pupils create a short composition in their chosen genre. Elements such as dynamics and pitch will be explored and applied to compositions. The concept of the 'Audio Spectrum' will be introduced and participants will begin to use stereo-panning and level controls to improve their music's balance and texture.
Pupils will learn about a selection of different styles of popular music from the past 60 years and be tasked with creating their own versions using the App 'GarageBand'. Children will learn how to recognise different instruments and sounds associated with different genres.
Key Learning outcomes: Understanding Genre, Song Structure, Dynamics, Instrumentation, Pitch and Texture


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Alice breathed out. She was so glad. She did not know that the weight on her shoulders had been so heavy. There was still very much work to do for them. They had to find everyone that had been involved in the plans of the two psychopaths and also people who had been victims of them. The most important thing right now though, was locking them up, so they would not be able to cause any more damage to anyone. They were thrown into a cell in the Tower of London together. Maybe Jack the Ripper would kill the Heart Queen someday, who knew?
A crowd had appeared around Alice, everyone had listened but when they saw Jack the Ripper, they were scared. Most of them hurried away, not letting him see their faces. Then the Heart Queen came in sight. Kill that girl now, I have finally found her. she screamed. Nobody moved. The Heart Queen and Jack the Ripper were handcuffed. The police told Jack the Ripper We hear you want all the power you trash! Did you really think you would get away like this? The Queen pulled on the handcuffes, but it was hopeless. You misfits, let me go, who gave you the right to lock me up? You will regret that Alice, the moment I escape my prison. They were dragged to the police cars to be brought to the Tower of London.


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China Blue HD. Format War Central also reports 8 new manufacturers have signed up to join the CHDA backing the format. That plus a claimed 3-1 sales advantage have the CHDA calling the format war "a game no one played" thanks to Blu-ray's high prices and licensing fees. It's still unlikely China's son of HD DVD could affect that high definition movie marketplace anywhere else, but it will be interesting to see if the country's manufacturers choose that path and upgrade their existing DVD equipment instead of replacing it to produce the even cheaper Blu-ray players we'd hoped for.
[Via Format War Central]


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Make It Lash: My Mascara Routine./
Are you as obsessed with your lashes as I am? I think I have a problem when it comes to big, bold lashes. I am constantly buying more mascara, want to FINALLY know how to get falsies on correctly, and even tried eyelash extensions about a month ago (a story I HAVE to share soon). I need help. To keep my obsession in check and to share with you, I have decided to start another new series that I am calling 'Make It Lash'. I need to talk about lashes on a regular basis and I think you will benefit too.
Before I get onto new discoveries, I want to tell you about my current favorite mascara routine. It's an odd one, but it is working really well for me. It is actually a three step process that involves two products and about two minutes. The two products: COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara "Clump Crusher" and Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara "Star".
Step One
I apply one layer of Clump Crusher as a base coat. I do this rather quickly as it is only a base coat.
Step Two
I slowly apply Star mascara to my upper and lower lashes, being careful to use each side of the brush to get deep into the base of my lashes and then extending them at the tips.
Step Three
I carefully apply Clump Crusher as a top coat to deepen the color and plump up the volume. Using this last and as a hearty third coat ensures that I get the look I want with no clumps.
COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara sells for about $6.99 at drugstores and Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara sells for $28.00 at Sephora.
Do you have a mascara routine?


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Originally published September 2008 / Revised April 2013
Most Canadian jurisdictions have legislation to prevent apologies for adverse events from being used in court proceedings.
When an adverse event occurs and, after the patient's immediate clinical needs are met, healthcare providers must fulfill their ethical and legal obligations to disclose the facts of the adverse event to the patient. The disclosure of adverse events to patients is an integral part of patient care.
In the context of the disclosure discussion, the physician may need to decide whether it is prudent and appropriate to apologize. Many physicians are concerned that by offering a patient an apology for an adverse event they will expose themselves to liability.
To date, 8 Canadian provinces and one territory (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut) have adopted "apology legislation". The Uniform Law Conference of Canada and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) have both encouraged all provinces and territories to enact apology legislation.
One of the objectives of apology legislation is to reduce the concerns about the legal implications of making an apology. The protection afforded by the apology legislation is substantially similar from province to province. It typically provides that an apology:
The protection extends both to legal proceedings before courts and proceedings before tribunals or quasi-judicial bodies, such as regulatory authority (College) disciplinary committees or coroners' inquests.
An apology is generally defined in the statutes as encompassing an expression of sympathy and regret and a statement that one is sorry, or any other words or actions indicating contrition or commiseration, whether or not the words or actions admit or imply an admission of fault.
Physicians practising in a jurisdiction in which apology legislation has been enacted, have statutory protection that any apology they make to a patient cannot be used against them in subsequent court proceedings as evidence to establish fault or liability. The CMPA believes similar protection would extend to the use of apologies before a College or any other tribunal.
Physicians practising in a jurisdiction in which apology legislation is not in place, should be aware that the fact that an apology was made and any admission of fault that might have been made during an apology could be admissible in legal or College proceedings related to the adverse event.
The CMPA believes expressions of regret ("I'm sorry this has happened") will be appreciated by all patients. An apology may sometimes include an acknowledgement of responsibility if such responsibility has been determined. At the post-analysis disclosure stage, after the analysis of the adverse event is complete and it is clear that a healthcare provider or healthcare organization is responsible for, or has contributed to, the harm from an adverse event, it is appropriate to acknowledge that responsibility and to apologize. Physicians are not responsible to apologize on behalf of another healthcare provider or an organization. Where a hospital or institution is responsible in part or fully for what has happened, the leadership/administration should decide on the appropriate action to take on behalf of the organization.
Whether or not a physician practises in a jurisdiction with apology legislation, it is important to avoid the use of words that express or imply legal responsibility, such as negligence, liable, fault or failed to meet the standard of care. Legal responsibility is not always clear, and it is the courts and Colleges that are mandated to make such complex determinations.
Given the complexities associated with apologies, members are encouraged to contact the CMPA for advice prior to making an apology to a patient that includes an acknowledgement of responsibility.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this learning material is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific professional medical or legal advice, nor to constitute a "standard of care" for Canadian healthcare professionals. The use of CMPA learning resources is subject to the foregoing as well as the CMPA's Terms of Use.


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Montanaro to Meet with Families and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities/
By Gina Macris
Rhode Islanders with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their family members will have a chance to speak with Maria Montanaro, director of the state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Wednesday, April 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Buttonwoods Community Center, 3027 West Shore Rd., Warwick.
The session will be the third such community meeting for Montanaro, who was appointed to the position by Governor Gina Raimondo in January, 2015.
Montanaro is expected to take questions from the audience and to discuss reforms underway in the division of developmental disabilities, one of the state agencies under federal oversight until Jan. 1, 2024, in connection with the way it delivers daytime supports to adults receiving its services.
The division is gearing up for a shift from group home residential care to shared living arrangements with individual families throughout the state. The move, intended to add 300 adults to shared living arrangements by June 30, 2017, would free up millions of dollars that would be reinvested in supported employment services and other integrated activities as required by a 2014 statewide consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.
There are now roughly 1300 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in group homes in Rhode Island. At the end of March, there were 288 individuals in shared living arrangements, an increase of 10 during that month, according to the most recent figures publicly available.
For directions to the Buttonwoods Community Center, click here.


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Your guide to our hot yoga basics class
Whether you're a practiced yogi or a complete novice, this Hot Yoga Basics class is the perfect fundamental yoga practice. Let our lovely Clapham teachers guide you through those need-to-know postures, exploring breath and alignment. Develop strength and flexibility, and build your confidence in the yoga room. This class is for all levels.
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text: Beefburger Dog Toy (12 ratings) Novelty toy for your pooch with a squeak £4.75 Quantity: at £4.75 each Add To Basket A colourful, plush toy to provide hours of amusement for your pooch Looks just like a delicious burger! A squeak with every bite! These soft, cute and cuddly toys are designed for your dog to both snuggle with and play with. Made from plush textured polyester fabricColourful and fun Silk printed & embroidered designComes complete with squeakerSize: Small - Diameter 10cm /4''


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Reduced labor protection, fewer restrictions for companies and lower taxes for businesses boosted Taiwan's overall score on economic freedom for a fourth straight year, according to the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom.
The 2013 index, released by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, showed that Taiwan's overall score rose 0.8 points to 75.2 points from the previous year.
Graded on a scale from 0 to 100, the overall score is computed by averaging scores of 10 sub-indices.
Despite its rising score, Taiwan saw its ranking among the 177 countries reviewed fall to 20th place from 18th place last year. It placed fifth among 41 Asia-Pacific nations.
The average score of all countries surveyed increased to 59.6 from 59.5 last year, with Hong Kong remaining the freest economy in the world, followed by Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
South Korea was ranked 34th in the world, while China was ranked 136th and described as "unfree."
According to the index, higher economic freedom can bring higher income growth, more entrepreneurial activities and greater job creation.
The index is compiled from several indicators, including freedom from corruption, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom and government spending.
This year's report showed that Taiwan's labor freedom score rose from 46.6 points to 53.3 points. However, this increase means Taiwan has a relatively lower minimum wage and lower severance pay, and business owners can adjust employees' working hours or fire them more freely.
Taiwan's business freedom score, which rises as restrictions for starting, operating and closing businesses ease, rose 5.8 points to 94.3 points from a year ago because of ongoing simplification of registration procedures, the report said.
"Bankruptcy proceedings in Taiwan are fairly easy and straightforward," the index said, adding that to start a company is also convenient and requires only a small amount of capital.
Taiwan's score for freedom from corruption increased 3 points to 61 points this year.
"[However,] despite some progress, corruption continues to be a cause for concern," the report said.
The score for fiscal freedom, which rises as the average tax rate drops, was up 0.1 points to 80.5 points for Taiwan this year. Taiwan's average tax rate was reduced to 7.9 percent of total domestic income after the corporate tax rate was cut from 20 percent to 17 percent in 2010, according to the index.
Increased government spending played the most significant role in dragging down the overall score by dropping 7.4 points to 84.9 points, while the amount of government spending increased to 22.4 percent of GDP this year, the report said.
"The budget balance has fallen into deficit, and public debt is about 40 percent of GDP," the report said.
Taiwan's score for monetary freedom, which rises when inflation is lower and government price controls are rarer, decreased 0.2 points to 82.9 points, a reflection of rising inflation and increasing government intervention on prices.


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Warmth could give way to storms that might slow Christmas travel
Get out and enjoy the above normal temperatures the next few days because two wintry systems are headed this way later this week.
Tuesday's highs will vary greatly across the region. People should expect highs in the mid-30s across north-central Missouri and in the upper 40s to near 50 across west central Missouri and east central Kansas, according to the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill, Mo.
In Kansas City, highs could be in the upper 40s with sunny conditions and winds from 6 to 11 mph.
Lows are expected be in the middle 30s Tuesday night. Warm temperatures are expected to continue Wednesday and Thursdays with highs in the upper 50s to near 60.
But the weather will change Thursday afternoon and evening as a strong cold front pushes southeastward across the region, according to the National Weather Service.
Expect colder temperatures and the slight chance for some very little freezing rain or light snow Thursday night into Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
A second storm system could move across the region, possibly bringing wintry precipitation Saturday through Sunday.
The National Weather Service says it's too early to know the type and amount of precipitation the area could receive. However, the potential exists for wintry weather to affect holiday travel in the region this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.


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CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Butler head soccer coach Adam Hunter recorded his 200th win for the Grizzly program on Saturday as No. 12 Butler shut out non-conference foe Otero (CO) 4-0 on the Laramie County Community College campus.
Butler (3-2-0 overall) led only 1-0 at half, but scored three goals – including two from freshman forward Elise Leidersten – to pull away from the Rattlers for its third straight win.
The Grizzlies struggled to get going offensively in the opening half, but broke through on the scoreboard in the 29th minute when freshman Sadie Samenus scored on an open net opportunity. Melonie Baca played the ball upfield to the 18-yard box where sophomore Paige Achey and Otero keeper Jordyn Elliott both raced after the ball. Elliott kicked the ball off of a turning Achey, then rolled to Samenus for an easy attempt on goal from the penalty arc.
Leidersten opened the scoring for Butler in the second half with two goals within five minutes of each other, getting the first goal in the 51st minute. Madison Edwards was able to save a ball near the end line, booting it to an open Liedersten for a one-touch kick into the net from outside the 6-yard box.
In the 56th minute, Tessa Irvine slotted a pass to Leidersten, who then ran 10 yards into the box and put a shot past Elliott into the left side of the goal.
Butler added its final goal in the 74th minute when freshman Sandra Thiman headed in a free kick from Alyssa Knaak.
Butler outshot Otero by an 18-4 count and had 10 shots on goal. The Grizzlies also had a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.
The Grizzlies will take on second-ranked Laramie County (1-2-0) on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CDT. The Golden Eagles defeated Otero on Friday by a 4-0 count, getting two goals in each half. Grizzly keeper Bethany Reeves picked up her third win of the season.
NOTES: Butler improved to 3-1-0 all-time against Otero, but the Grizzlies picked up their first win over the Rattlers on a neutral field. The shutout was Butler's first against Otero in the series... Leidersten now has scored two or more goals in three straight games, becoming the first Grizzly to accomplish the feat since Lauren Allen did it twice during the 2016 season. Leidersten scored consecutive hat tricks against Rose State, Okla., and Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa before netting two goals Saturday... Out of Hunter's 200 wins, Butler has shut out the opponent 130 times. Hunter is 239-81-11 in 15 years of coaching, having gone 39-32-3 in Dodge City (2001-2005).


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Saturday, September 22, 2012
2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition Videos
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Posted on Saturday, September 22, 2012
The UP Pep Squad for three straight years have claimed victory to the recently concluded UAAP Cheerdance competition. This latest win by the UP Pep Squad adds to its total seven wins tying with University of Santo Tomas. If you have missed the routines here you go!
UP Pep Squad
Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion
UE Pep Squad
UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe
NU Pep Squad
FEU Cheering Squad
DLSU Animo Squad
This post was written by: Mark Ferdinand Tayag
Makoy is a Senior Software Engineer based in Singapore. He enjoys cooking, swimming, running and taking photos. Makoy started blogging way back 1998 during his College years. Aside from his personal blog, he maintains a music blog, an entertainment blog, making money online blog and a photo blog. A certified Filipino blogger that wants to dominate the blogosphere.
Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.


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The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology offers externships to fourth-year medical students. We offer electives in obstetrics/labor and delivery, gynecology, high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic oncology and combined obstetrics and gynecology.
All electives are four weeks in duration and have a maximum of one to three students per rotation. Students are encouraged to attend conferences for the teams to which they are assigned, as well as the general Wednesday morning conferences for the Department.
Applicants from LCME-accredited medical schools are given preference in filling externship positions. Students must be in good standing with their home school and must have completed all third-year course requirements and be eligible to start their fourth year at their respective medical schools by the time they begin their externship
Obstetrics/Labor & Delivery
This rotation emphasizes clinical care and patient contact. The chief resident and the generalist OB/GYN faculty supervise the students. Students participate in the evaluation and management of laboring patients, as well as postpartum patients. Along with the obstetrics team, students attend the obstetrics clinics and assist in prenatal care. Night call in labor and delivery is optional.
This rotation emphasizes clinical care and patient contact, as well as fundamentals in gynecologic surgery. Students join the residency program's gynecology team in caring for gynecologic patients, evaluating clinic patients, and assisting in surgery. They participate in the evaluation and management of gynecologic patients in both the hospital and the outpatient clinic, and they assist in surgical procedures and perform morning and evening rounds. An upper-level resident and faculty generalist supervise each student. Night call is optional.
We recommend reading any of the following texts: Droegemuellers' Comprehensive Gynecology; Copeland's Textbook of Gynecology; or Te Linde's Operative Gynecology.
High-Risk Obstetrics
This rotation emphasizes high-risk obstetric clinical care, patient contact, prenatal diagnosis, and ultrasound. Students participate in the evaluation, care, and management of high-risk antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum patients. They see patients in the maternal-fetal medicine office, outpatient clinic, and labor and delivery unit. The maternal-fetal medicine resident and the MFM faculty supervise the students. Night call in labor and delivery is optional.
Gynecologic Oncology
This rotation, available in selected months, emphasizes clinical care and patient contact, as well as fundamentals in gynecologic oncology surgery. Students participate in the evaluation and management of gynecologic oncology patients in a private office setting, in the outpatient clinic, and in the hospital. An upper-level resident and a faculty gynecologic oncologist supervise each student. Students participate in surgical procedures and perform morning and evening rounds. They also take part in an outpatient oncology clinic with an upper-level resident and perform weekend morning rounds with a resident and attending physician. Night call is optional.
We recommend reading any of the following texts: Berek and Hacker, Practical Gynecologic Oncology; Morrow and Townsend, Synopsis of Gynecologic Oncology; Hoskins, Perez, and Young, Principles and Practice of Gynecologic Oncology; or Disaia and Creasman, Clinical Gynecologic Oncology.
Combined Obstetrics & Gynecology
This program combines two weeks in each service.
Nemika MeelyMedical Education firstname.lastname@example.com


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Lost 2 cars in 1 incident Saturday, so I just looked at an 05 Mazda6 GT wagon. Immediately clear was that it needs a LF wheel bearing. It was so loud that I couldn't hear anything else so I don't know if there are any other issues with the 204,000 mile car. It looks like these need to be pressed? Are there any other suspension/steering/brake issues that are common that I need to check for since I couldn't hear anything besides the crazy loud bearing groan?
04 Volvo V70 T5 MT
00 Odyssey EX (just totaled)
01 Outback LL Bean (just totaled)
06 Mazda5 Touring 5MT (gifted to my Mother-in-Law)
91 Celica (my first...and last...Toyota)
96 Ram 1500 5.2L (heavy and slow to brake and steer - no wonder she's gone)
97 Accord EX wagon (replaced by V70 T5)
93 Subaru Legacy L (replaced by Mazda5)
90 CRX 5MT (Happy Trails)
90 T-Bird SC 5MT (RIP)
84 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z clone (RIP)
68 Plymouth Barracuda notchback Slant Six (RIP)


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Fill out the form below with the required information.
Premium Portugal Experience
Reference : PE-CT-PPT-01
Dear Visitor,
Contact Information
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Lisbon is going to awake your senses! Come to see what one of the most beautiful European cities have to offer. Following to Fatima, this tour will give you an unforgettable experience while you discover a friendly and welcoming people, traditional crafts, excellent gastronomy, traditions, aromas and flavors that define the west area of Portugal (north of Lisbon). In Evora you will have the opportunity to visit one of the quietest and traditional regions of Portugal, where nature is still preserved, and where we find a lot of local history and culture. The next destiny is Arrábida, with a tour of the spectacular and unique Natural Park where you will discover landscapes of breathtaking cliffs and dream beaches through interesting fishing villages. Finally you will be able to discover with us the magnificent town of Sintra and its surroundings. Secular history of the aristocracy and royalty in a memorable ride.
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from the airport to the hotel
Check-in at Sana Epic Lisboa Hotel
Dia 2: Lisbon's Heart
Visit to St. George's Castle and typical neighbourhoods
Visit to Belém and downtown
Visity to other monuments or extra time for shopping
Dia 3: West of Portugal
Visit to the Sanctuary of Fátima
Next stops: Batalha Monastery and Nazaré, Portugal's most famous fishing village
Visit to Óbidos, one of the most interesting walled settlements of Portugal
Dia 4: Alentejo and its beauties
Visit to Évora, a city classified as a World Heritage Site
Visit to an unique wine cellar in Reguengos de Monsaraz
Next stop: S. Pedro do Corval, known for its handmade pottery
Visit to Monsaraz and its castle
Dia 5: Arrábida Natural Park
Visit to Cape Espichel, place with stunning cliffs
Next stop: Sesimbra, a pitoresque fishing village
Time to visit a wine cellar and taste some regional wines
Visit to Arrábida Natural Park, Fort of "São Filipe" and the Castle of Palmela
Dia 6: Playground of the Aristocracy
Dia 7: Departure
Transfer to the airport
Program includes:
Program doesn't include:
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable
For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact PerfectXP directly.
LISBON: The Portuguese capital is rich in neighbourhoods, sights and landmarks that make it one of the most beautiful European capitals. The Belém's area was the starting point of the Portuguese Discoveries so it is rich in terms of historical and architectural heritage. Have the opportunity to taste the pastries of Belem, the most typical Portuguese cake, known worldwide. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Chiado area with many places of interest from the Santa Justa Lift (authorship School Gustav Eiffel), the ruins of the Carmo Convent and several terraces, especially A Brasileira, frequented by Fernando Pessoa.
FÁTIMA: The Fatima's Sanctuary is one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in the world. It was there that, in 1917, Jacinta Marto, Francisco Marto and Lucia de Jesus said to have witnessed six apparitions of Our Lady. At this site you can visit the Basilica, the Chapel of the Apparitions and the house of the shepherds.
BATALHA / NAZARÉ / ALCOBAÇA: In Alcobaça and Batalha you will have the opportunity to visit two monasteries classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Nazaré is Portugal's most famous fishing village. It was recently recognized in the surfing community by the phenomenon of giant wave.
ÓBIDOS: One of the most interesting walled villages of Portugal. Here you can taste the famous Ginja de Obidos, a characteristic liquor of the region. In this old place we find the gothic, renaissance and baroque, an extensive work of art resulting from the destruction and reconstruction of several centuries.
ÉVORA: City founded by the Roman people at Century II. The nature of this natural region contrasts with the monumental wealth of the city museum. Here we will visit the Square, Castle, Temple, Churches, Garden, etc.
REGUENGOS OF MONSARAZ: Is the second largest city in the district of Évora. Here we'll make a wine tasting and visit na unique winery that combines the latest technology with the method initiated by the Romans over 2000 years.
SÃO PEDRO DO CORVAL: This small, typical village of Alentejo has about 35 pottery, an art of great tradition in the region. We will have the opportunity to observe the development of pottery-making live (actually looks like a magic show, as the skill of the craftsmen). In this village we will also see a small but charming garden, the Main Church and several megalithic monuments.
MONSARAZ: Village with traces of prehistoric occupation that was captured from the Moors in the twelfth century. Throughout the ages has always had a very important role in keeping the river Guadiana. The scenic beauty of Monsaraz is stunning, from the top of the castle can be seen throughout the village with its quaint roofs of slate and a beautiful landscape of infinite horizon.
SESIMBRA: Picturesque fishing village where we'll visit the beaches, the characteristic Fishing Harbour and the Castle of Sesimbra known by the Moorish castle dating from the twelfth century. Here you can visit the Cellar / Museum House of José Maria da Fonseca known by Piriquita wines and Moscatel de Setúbal, where in addition to take contact with the winemaking process and its history, we have the opportunity to do a wine tasting.
ARRÁBIDA: The Natural Park of Arrábida is characteristic for its Mediterranean climate and flora. Still in the Park you'll visit the Convent of Our Lady of Arrábida (XVI century). As we left the National Park we have a chance to take a refreshing dip in the crystal waters of Praia da Figueirinha. Here we'll visit a factory of manufactured traditional tiles, very characteristic element of Portugal.
SINTRA: This village enchanted Kings and inspired poets. Find yourself surrounded by old houses that have been converted into small shops and bakeries, selling local produce and crafts. Visit the Palácio da Pena, a fascinating fairytale castle, located in one of the highest peaks of the Serra de Sintra. In this place you will live the most romantic and spectacular experience that you can have in Portugal. As we climbed the mountain you'll still be able to enjoy the features of the nineteenth century mansions (where they filmed "The Ninth Gate", directed by Roman Polanski with Johnny Depp in the lead role). In the Natural Park of Sintra there is a visit to Cabo da Roca (the most western point of Europe), pass at Guincho beach, place where were filmed a fight scene on the beach of the James Bond film, "In the service of his majesty" .
CASCAIS: Fishing and cosmopolitan city that has a beautiful bay, gateway to the Atlantic Ocean.


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Voyager Side Table Square - Gold Legs
Voyager Side Table Square - Gold Legs
From sideshow to show-stopper, our side tables will be a stunning modern accent to your space. Selecting from our wide array of artist's designs printed with a satin finish on birch wood, you'll take any room from zero to a hundred.
Square: 19" x 19" x 19" (H)
Round: 19" (diameter) x 19" (H)
Baltic birch table top with beveled edge
High quality print with satin finish
Steel legs available in black or gold


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First Look: 'Perk IQ' Offers Advanced Audience Targeting and Insights
Perk Inc., a Rewarded Engagement Platform that connects brands with consumers, is out with something new: Perk IQ, a built-in analytics solution.
Perk IQ is designed to provide brand and agency partners more advanced audience targeting and insights capabilities.
"Perk IQ enables advanced segmentation and audience targeting across Perk properties to help brands target consumers who fit specific audience segments," according to Perk. "It also measures campaign performance, advertising attribution, in-store visits, and advertising-driven purchase behavior."
We're told that Perk IQ allows all Perk platform brand advertisers to access custom research and analytics, including pre- and post-campaign studies.
"Some people question the efficacy of rewarded engagements and the results they drive for brands. Perk IQ proves the value with industry-leading data capabilities," says Ted Hastings, Perk's CEO. "Through our first-party data and the Perk Plastik debit card powered by Discover, our partners now have the ability to target and measure performance against a wide range of data points. Partners are able to obtain insights throughout the entire buyer's journey, including the ability to tie content and advertising engagement to in-store visits, brand lift, and purchase behavior."
Perk asserts that its Rewarded Engagement Platform brings together the interests of advertisers and consumers to deliver profound insights and actionable results. To learn more, click here.


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I am highly concerned about the damage we are doing to our planet. I find it alarming that we are reaching the point of no return and believe we need to resolve these issues, yesterday.
Commoditizing our waste is a great short-term solution to get the revenue to invest in these projects, but the long-term goal needs to be becoming waste-free and reducing climate pollution. We can no longer invest in fossil fuels and must stop the expansion of pipelines into our state, both because of the indirect harm they do to the earth and because of the public health catastrophe they are. Massachusetts must be completely independent of fossil fuels by 2050. With our need to improve infrastructure now, we have an opportunity to initiate innovative solutions at the start, that will carry us into the future. As a coastal city, rising water must direct our infrastructure plans and we should focus on blue-green design initiatives.
This is why I pledge to:
- Fight against expansion of pipelines into the state.
- Support commoditizing our waste through initiatives such as the carbon tax.
- Work on zoning reform to address smart growth beyond platinum lead certification.
- Fight food deserts and brown fields in our local communities with residents that are most directly impacted.


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If you're unaware of what an air source heat pump is then this post is going to help you to find out. What's more we're going to explain the benefits too, because air source heat pumps are a great way of heating your home.
An air source heat pump absorbs heat from outside air. The heat, once it's been captured by the heat pump is then used to heat underfloor heating systems, radiators, convectors and hot water.
How Does it Work?
Well, what it does is extract heat from the air outside, using methods not dissimilar from the way a fridge extracts heat from the inside. They do use electricity, so they have an impact on the environment. However, the extracted heat comes from the ground, and water or air is renewed naturally.
Should I Invest in This Type of Heating, is it Suitable For Me?
You will need to ask yourself some questions first to ascertain whether or not this is right for you.
Do you have somewhere where you can put it? - it's going to have to go outside, on a wall or on the ground.
Your home needs to be well insulated, is yours? - Your home needs to be draught proof as well as well insulated so this type of heating system works.
What type of heating do you have currently? - It needs to be replacing either coal or an electric heating system. If you've been using gas, then a heat pump may not be an ideal choice.
What type of heating will you use alongside your heat pump? An underfloor heating system is better than a radiator based system.
What are the advantages of a heat pump?
They can save you money and they're cheaper to run than both oil boilers or traditional electric heating. They save on carbon emissions and save on space as there are no storage requirements. They're safe too, as there are no emissions or combustion involved, and there is no need for a flue. They require very little maintenance and are cool in summer as well as warm in winter.
How much money will I save?
Naturally you'll still have to pay bills because it's powered by electricity. If you were having problems with your old heating system prior to this one, then you will see benefits in money saving with having a heat pump. The controls will help you to have power over what you're using, you can have a lower setting on the thermostat so you save on energy bills. When it's installed, you'll find out more from your installer on how to use it.
Hometech - Safe & Reliable Air Source Heat Pumps
If you like what you hear, then get in touch with us here at Hometech heating and plumbing, and we can talk you through what needs to be done in order to get your air source heat pump installed. We're here to help and all the members of our team are helpful, fully trained and knowledgeable on all aspects of heating and plumbing – get in touch today.


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Bellagio reflected/
After that last post, which was pretty long, I think my next few will be a bit shorter.
This is the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, just after sunrise one morning. I love the light at sunrise, and being able to enjoy a scene in complete solitude - especially in Las Vegas - is pretty fabulous. I will be in Las Vegas again soon, and will probably shoot this scene again since I have some other ideas for shots there. Shooting the same scene twice - sound familiar? Thanks for stopping by!
Well, I guess I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a Before & After here. I love HDR and when I compare the finished product with the straight-from-Photomatix result...there really is no comparison!


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If you are missing someone then its a right place for you. You can share your feeling through our I Miss You Status, I Missing You Quotes and Sayings. I miss u Status for WhatsApp, facebook and wechat apps. In this article we have compiled of Missing you so much quotes, missing close one, missing friends status or missing any who is nearest of your heart.
Short I Miss You Status and Missing u Quotes
1) I only miss you when I'm breathing. —Jason Derulo
2) I dropped a tear in the ocean. The day you find it is the day I will stop missing you. –Anonymous
3) I miss you. A little too much, a little too often, and a little bit more every day. —Anonymous
4) I miss you more than the sun misses the sky at night. —Anonymous
5) I miss you. I might not always show it, might not always tell people, but on the inside I miss you like crazy.
6) If I could plant a flower for every time I miss you, I could walk through my garden forever.
7) You have no idea how hard it is to force myself to stop thinking about you.I Miss You
8) They say that time heals all wounds but all it's done so far is give me more time to think about how much I miss you.
9) If ever I see you smile and know that it is not for me, that is when I will miss you the most.
10) Missing you a lot I thought you were standing beside me, I shouldn't have turned around.
11) I pretend to ignore you, but I really just miss you.
12) I die every day, every second without you, I Miss You.
13) I wanna write 'I miss you' on a rock and throw at your face so you know how much it hurts to miss you.
14) I miss those kisses and the way I used to sleep in your warm hug. I miss the way you made me eat breakfasts and I miss the way you made me laugh. I miss you." — Himmilicious
15) "If you wanna know how much I miss you, try to catch rain drops, the ones you catch is how much you miss me, & the other you miss is how much I miss you!"
16) "I try not to miss you, but in the end, I still do."
17) "I miss you… I don't know what else there is to say."
18) A day without you is always incomplete. I Miss You Dear.
19) "Miss you each day, everyday & all the time!"
20) "One day I caught myself smiling for no reason, then I realized I was thinking of you."I Miss You.
21) "When I see your smile, and I know it's not for me, that's when I'll miss you."
22) When I text you it means I'm MISSING you. When I don't it means I'm WAITING for you to miss me. If only you knew.
23) All I can do every time I miss you is to stare at your pictures and smile.
24) Rise up, wise up, say it loud. Soul, I will not lie to you. I'm all alone. I'm still missing you, missing you, missing you.
—Tegan Quin
25) I am waiting and hoping and wishing for the time, when we can be together again! I Miss You!
26) You are the sun in my day, the wind in my sky, the waves in my ocean and the beat in my heart… I Miss You…
27) I think of you with every waking moment of my life and dream of you with every dream that I have; I miss you.
— Kong Moua
28) You may not be here with me… But thoughts of you are always in my heart! I Miss You!
— Anonymous
29) Days go by so fast, not a day do I not think of you. Missing you is the hardest part of my days, my days without you..
— Jae
30) There is nothing i want more than to be with you… Missing You!
— Anonymous
31) "Move on," I hear a voice in my head say. My heart says something different though, like, "I miss you."
32) I am waiting the moment when we can be together! I Miss You
— Anonymous
33) Time goes by a lot slower when you miss the one you love. — —Unknown
34) Missing someone isn't about how long since you've seen them or the amount of time you've talked them. It's about that very moment when you're doing something and wishing they were right there with you. — —Unknown
35) Every moment spent with you… is forever fresh… forever new! I Miss You very much…
by Anonymous


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At Send a Cow, we value your support and we are committed to protecting your privacy. We want to help you understand how we use the information we hold about you and how you can get in touch with us about your preferences.
Please read the information below to find out more
Send a Cow
The Old Estate Yard
Newton St Loe
United Kingdom
01225 874222
We are registered as a Charity in England and Wales, and our registration number is: 299717
We are registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998, and our Data Protection Register number is: Z8087448
Any electronic communications will be made in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR)
We collect the personal information you provide us with as part of online purchases and donations, through donation forms, e-newsletter sign up's, registering for events, surveys and meetings with our staff. We also collect how you want to hear from us (your contact preferences)
The personal information we collect may include:
We also collect and hold information about the contact you make and activities you take part in with Send a Cow and this may consist of:
We collect personal information from you to enable us to administer your donations correctly, and to help us build a positive relationship by contacting you in a way that is personal and relevant to you. This also helps Send a Cow to be as efficient as possible in using its resources for marketing and other contact with supporters.
We use data you provide us with, in combination with the contact permissions you agree to at the time we collect your data. You can change your contact preferences at any time by contacting us.
There are some communications that we are required to send regardless of your contact preferences. These are essential communications, deemed necessary to fulfil our administrative obligations to you. This would include Direct Debit confirmations and advanced notices, thank you letters, Gift Aid confirmation letters and querying returned mail, incomplete cheques or bounced Direct Debit payments with you.
There may be occasions where we are required to collect your email and telephone number to complete an order on our website. In these cases we will always give you the option to opt in to other forms of marketing communication using your details.
Gift Aid
In order to claim Gift Aid on your donations from the HMRC, we need to hold records of your name and address, your tax status and donation details. Ensuring this information is accurate ensures that we claim Gift Aid correctly and can increase the value of the donations you give to us.
Financial Audit
We need to hold information about donations that you give to us to meet financial auditing requirements but also to help us understand how you support Send a Cow so that we can talk to you about fundraising and supporting our work in a way that is relevant to you.
Areas of Interest
We may hold information about your particular areas of interest so we can send information to you about those aspects of our work. For example if you tell us you have a particular link with Kenya, we may then contact you in the future about a new Kenya project we are setting up.
Address Information
We hold your address details so that, if we have your permission, we can post newsletters, appeals and other information to you. We will also hold your address information on our database so that if you request us to no longer contact you, we can keep a record to ensure we remove you from any mailings in the future.
All the information we keep is stored on a secure database held on a server in our UK office. If you donate from outside of the UK, your data will be stored on this system in the UK office and in line with European Data Protection Directives.
Depending on your relationship with Send a Cow, and the preferences you have indicated, data we hold may be used by us for the following purposes. You can read a full explanation of data purposes here
If you do not want Send a Cow to do research or profiling work in relation to your information, you can tell us here. To help you decide, the following explains how and why we do this work and in what circumstances.
Being targeted and appropriate in our fundraising is more cost effective for Send a Cow, helping us to support more farming families in Africa.
We may combine the information you have given us with other publicly available information and create a profile of your interests and preferences, where they are relevant to engaging with Send a Cow. We do this to help us determine whether and in what ways you might be interested in helping us. Examples might be:
Our Send a Cow fundraising staff carry out this work in house. Such research would be carried out where we have an opportunity to engage at a significant level or depth (so we do not research or profile the majority of our donors or other interested parties). Examples might be:
We also do this work to try to minimize any negative impact on your relationship with Send a Cow. Examples might be:
Where you are not already a Send a Cow supporter, we will provide this privacy notice to you at the first available opportunity after any engagement with you.
If you have any questions about our supporter research work or if you would like to tell us more about yourself and your interests in relation to Send a Cow please get in touch.
Send a Cow's trustees have a duty to ensure that there is no reputational or other risk to the organization in accepting a gift or other support. We may therefore need to carry out research which is necessary to ensure we comply with this duty. For more information on the type of information required and the circumstances when this might apply, you can visit this Charity Commission link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charities-due-diligence-checks-and-monitoring-end-use-of-funds and refer to Chapter 2, Tool 6: Know your donor
When we ask you for your personal information, we will let you know why we are asking and how we will use your data. We do this in a short information notice on all our printed and online forms and by directing you towards this notice. We will ask you for your consent to use any of the details you have provided. You can change how we use the information you have provided to us at any time by letting us know your preferences. Email email@example.com, log into your online account on this site or call us on 01225 874222
For example if you provide us with your telephone and email address by completing those details on a form, the information notice will explain how we will use those details to contact you if you provide them.
It is our policy not to sell, trade or rent your personal information to anyone. We do not disclose personal data other than to data processes carrying out work on our behalf under a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Any such companies are acting as approved data processors for Send a Cow, and we retain full responsibility for your personal data. Data processors will act only on our instructions.
Examples of these data processers might be a mailing house for sending out our Lifeline newsletter, our email distribution service (currently Campaign Monitor), telephone fundraising agencies working on our behalf (www.qtsfundraising.co.uk) or data analysis agencies.
We may occasionally transfer your personal information overseas. For example, our bulk email distributor, Campaign Monitor is based in the USA so we transfer email records to them for our monthly e-news and other updates. Their systems are in compliance with EU Data Protection directives.
We may disclose to third parties aggregate statistics regarding donations but these statistics do not include any personally identifying information. The information given includes: total number of donors, total amount of donations for specific periods of time, and referring websites. Aggregate information of this kind is used to improve our fundraising
We use a third-party financial institution to process our credit card transactions. They receive the credit card number and other personal information of our donors only to verify credit card numbers and to process credit card transactions in a secure environment.
Our on-line order processing system allows you to make safe donations and purchases. We use the latest encryption technology, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), to ensure that no one can read your information as it travels to our ordering system. Their encryption technology offers the highest level of security available on the Internet today. They have state-of-the-art firewalls and other security technology in place to insure the confidentiality of your transactions.
We will check your preferences with you every 24 months to ensure that you are still happy with the way that we contact you. You can make changes at any time by emailing us at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 01225 874222
We will keep information such as your name and address details and donation history on our database for financial auditing purposes and to ensure that we don't mail you in the future if you have asked to be removed from our mailing lists.
You can ask us if we are keeping any personal data about you and you can also request to receive a copy of that personal data – this is called a Subject Access Request.
To make a Subject Access Request you will need to provide adequate proof of identity such as a copy of your passport, birth certificate or driving licence before your request can be processed.
Please try to be as clear as possible about the information you are seeking.
Once we have received your Subject Access Request and proof of identity, you will receive a response from us within a month and you will be able to get copies of any information we hold on you. However, exemptions to disclosure may apply in some circumstances.
Subject Access Requests should be sent to:
Data Protection Officer
Send a Cow
The Old Estate Yard
Newton St Loe
At any time you may request that we delete or correct your personal information. If you wish to correct any information on you held by Send a Cow, simply contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Please note that repeated requests for a Subject Access Request could be subject to a small administrative charge to cover our costs.
Permanently removing your details means that we wont be able to guarantee not to contact you in the future as we will no longer hold a record of your request.
We regularly review our privacy practices and this notice, and may make changes from time to time. Any changes made will be posted to this page, and will apply from the time we post them. This privacy notice was last updated on 7th September 2017
We use cookies, small pieces of data stored inside a website browser, across our websites to improve their performance and to enhance your user experience. When you visit our websites, cookies allow us to collect some non-identifying basic information. This includes the total number of visitors, the pages viewed, and other anonymous information. We use this information to make your experience on our website as smooth as possible and to allow us to make any necessary improvements.
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These cookies are essential in order to enable you to move around the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the website. Without these cookies, services you have asked for, like shopping baskets or e-billing, cannot be provided.
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These cookies allow us to analyse how visitors use our websites and to monitor website and campaign performance so that we can provide a high quality experience and determine how effective our campaigns are. We may also use cookies at times to evaluate our ordering process and make it as customer friendly as possible.
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Our ordering system is set up to remember what you are purchasing for only one visit. For example, if you are purchasing several gifts, our system will keep track of what you are purchasing while you make your selections. To allow you to keep the items in your basket, we utilise temporary cookies to process your order.
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If you decide you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our information pages - How to disable cookies. However, please do be aware that some parts of the website will no longer function correctly if you disable cookies.


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The Suppository Of Wisdom Takes Control
Posted by Big Gav in australia, global warming, suppository of wisdom
I had an unpleasant surprise today when ex-Prime Minister John "The Rodent" Howard walked past me during my lunch break - though due to a combination of despondency caused by the abysmal election result and the extremely hot early spring weather and resulting haze of bushfire smoke over central Sydney I was too lethargic to heckle him (plus it's not really the done thing - everyone else was ignoring him too).
I've taken to referring to our new PM as the "suppository of wisdom" as it was his most memorable line from the election campaign and I think it accurately describes the originating point of most of his opinions.
The composition of the new Parliament is pretty bizarre - the lower house is pretty much irrelevant with a LNP majority so the weird spectacle that coal baron / Chinese emissary / Titanic exhumer and would be dinosaur farmer Clive Palmer presents is much less of an issue than it would have been if there was still a hung Parliament (though the cross benches will obviously need reinforcement before Parliament sits again).
The Senate, on the other hand, still matters - however my hopes of the balance of power resting with the Greens and Independents were fulfilled, much to my dismay. While the last Parliament had a highly rational group of independents (plus Bob Katter - end even he is better than most of the Liberals) we've now got a weird grab bag of fringe Senators who I suspect will make the average right wing conspiracy theorist seem pretty normal (one of them literally is an open 9/11 skeptic, bless him). The chances of them keeping the carbon tax in place seem slim (introducing logging in all national parks, on the other hand, looks like a distinct possibility), though Nick Xenophon has surprised me by saying he favours retaining it. Perhaps the others will also surprise me and try to hold Tony over a barrel for the next 3 years in the hopes of having their pet projects supported in exchange for their votes.
The Senate is an orderly place where wise backsides sit on claret-coloured benches and tend to important legislative matters. The undignified antics of the House of Representatives are not welcome in democracy's great red room, where speeches are measured, voting orderly, and attitudes as pompous as practicable.
But thanks to the quirks of proportional representation, a terrible beauty has been born in the upper house this federal election. As of next year, it will be invaded by a bunch of unknown new senators who look to be about as governable as a barrelful of monkeys.
First and most honourable mention goes to Ricky Muir, a Victorian from the Australian Motoring Enthusiast party. Yesterday Muir came to national attention, not so much because he was elected to high office, but because a video of him emerged engaging in hand-to-hand combat using the unlikely (yet patriotic) weaponry of kangaroo poo
The video, entitled ''Family Fight in Australia'' (precipitously removed from Muir's YouTube channel on Sunday), appears to show the senator-elect on a camping trip, pelting pellets of marsupial faeces at his bearded brother.
Later, his brother retaliates and a man who looks a lot like Muir spits on him from atop a 4WD. The prankery continues when Muir creeps up on his brother from behind, beer in hand. In one assured movement, he pulls his brother's black tracksuit pants down to his ankles. It is some of the most magnificent bogan horseplay ever committed to film.
Muir went to ground on Monday but needn't have. Frankly we could do with more dackings in the senate.
And then there is Liberal Democrat senator-elect David Leyonhjelm, a complete unknown even to many of the people who voted for him. His name appeared first on the NSW Senate ballot paper and he seems to have been the unconscious choice of uninterested voters who just number the boxes in the order in which they appear. ''Looks like I'm going to be the senator for the donkeys!'' he said cheerfully on Sunday. And indeed, donkeys need leadership more than most.
Not to forget Wayne Dropulich, a West Australian from Australian Sports Party. He polled just 0.22 per cent of the initial vote, used to play grid iron and was surprised - alarmed, even - at his victory. He makes for a promising senatorial adornment, as do the Palmer United Party candidates and the Family First candidate.
Giles Parkinson at Renew Economy thinks that large scale wind development is going to get crunched for now (though with falling electricity demand its not likely any gas or coal fired generation will get built either) and that small scale solar PV is the only form of renewables likely to keep growing - Wind energy biggest loser as Abbott sweeps to power and Hunt says no new loans from CEFC – 'giant green hedge fund'.
Tony Abbott was swept to power on Saturday and declared the country to be under new management and "open for business." If it is true for any industries, it is certainly not the case for large-scale renewables.
The wind energy sector is probably the biggest and most immediate loser from this election result. It has been at a virtual standstill for months because utilities who write contracts, and the bankers who finance the projects, were mindful of a likely Coalition win, and yet another review of the large-scale renewable energy target (LRET)
That review will now take place, but will unlikely to be completed until the end of 2014, and the findings may not be known until early 2015. The Coalition certainly appears in no hurry, and unless the renewables industry can find a compromise, it will have to wait for the result. To make matters worse, the review may not be completed by the Climate Change Authority – which last year rejected the complaints of incumbent fossil fuel generators and the conservative state governments – because the Coalition now has the numbers to dump the CCA. ...
In fact, there is no doubt that the biggest investment in renewable energy over the coming 18 months will come from households and business owners, who have been the biggest investors in recent years and will continue to install rooftop solar PV to generate their own electricity, and reduce their bills.
The wildcard here is the role of the state governments, particularly in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, which are hostile to renewable energy and also have assets – generators and network operators – that they want to sell. ...
The traditional parties are losing their centralized control of domestic politics, in much the same way as the primacy of the base-load generators is being challenged in the electricity market. The vote for the mainstream parties has fallen from around 80 per cent in 2010 to just less than 75 per cent in 2013, tracking a similar fall in the use of coal-fired generators. Is there a link? Probably not.
But it is fascinating to see the influence of minor parties in some states – the huge voted for the Palmer United Party in Queensland and Tasmania, for the Greens in Victoria, the Liberal Democrats in NSW, and for Xenophon in South Australia, where he outpolled Labor in the Senate and nearly pipped the Coalition.
Abbott had promised stable government, but the Senate could turn out to be a circus. Abbott may find the variability of views and positions in the Senate as difficult to deal with as some of his colleagues, and the incumbent generators, have in getting their minds and their systems around variable renewables.