text:
Author: furiosity
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: JKR owns. I only play. You do not sue.
Chapter Summary: Wherein almost everyone stands, Pansy is still a prefect, Ginny asks no awkward questions, but Harry does.
Concrit: Always welcome and appreciated.
Chapter 2 - To Kill a Memory
Had Scrimgeour really said First Class?
Draco's legs felt like blocks of frozen wood as he made his way towards the High Table.
"Congratulations," Scrimgeour said, extending his hand.
"Sir, I-- there must've been a mistake," Draco said after a moment's hesitation as he shook the Minister's hand. Better to sort it out now than be humiliated later, when they realised their error. "I was informed that I would be receiving the Order of Merlin--"
"--Second Class, yes, yes. That was what we'd originally felt was proper, considering your family history. But we changed our minds. You are not your family, my boy."
"Right," mumbled Draco as a swarthy Ministry wizard pinned the medal to his chest. He barely felt anything. For all the times he'd had daydreams about being honoured in front of the whole school -- ever since he'd been a first-year -- the real thing was somewhat numbing and even a little unpleasant. Having all those eyes on him made him feel too exposed. Be careful what you wish for, indeed.
You are not your family. What was that supposed to mean? Draco was still a Malfoy, Order of Merlin or not. He had no intention of renouncing his family name for any of this. After turning around, he glanced at Potter, who was looking at him. Why was Potter looking at him?
"It's a good thing we're not on opposing sides, then." Potter was too close, and Draco shifted slightly backwards. The movement was too quick, and the room tilted a bit.
"Huh?" Potter looked surprised, as though jolted out of sleep. "I forgot what we were talking about."
"Winning." Draco's vision spun, and he felt his mouth watering quickly. Too quickly. He was going to throw up any minute now.
He saw something move in his peripheral vision -- Potter's wand. Just as quickly as it had come, the nausea abated.
"Not a bad charm, is it?" Potter asked, setting his wand aside. "Lupin taught it to me. Said my dad invented it. All the benefits of being drunk with none of the drawbacks."
Draco snorted. "My dad would disapprove," he heard himself say, and promptly felt ridiculous. His father was none of Potter's business.
Potter was still looking at him. Draco forced a grin and headed back to the Slytherin table. Not your family. That was a rubbish reason for the Ministry to change their minds.
"Well done, Draco!" Daphne gushed when he got back to the Slytherin table and took his seat beside Millicent.
Draco glanced down at his chest and saw the medal shining there, its glint somehow warmer for the ribbon's scarlet colour. "I always said I'd go far," he said distractedly.
Pansy was sitting with her arms crossed, looking everywhere but at Draco, and nibbling at her lower lip. Draco would've given anything to see what was going on in her mind now. It had been one thing when he'd been Draco Malfoy, disgrace to the pure-blood cause. Now that he was Draco Malfoy, Order of Merlin, First Class, with the next blood war far in the future, Pansy was doubtlessly kicking herself.
Draco forced himself to pay attention to Scrimgeour, who just now seemed to be completing another long-winded speech.
"…for outstanding courage in the face of insurmountable odds, nothing but an Order of Merlin, First Class, would suffice as an honour. Would Neville Longbottom please come up to the podium."
Draco watched as Potter clapped Longbottom on the back and said something. Longbottom stood up and started walking, looking dazed. He still didn't look like a man of outstanding courage, but Draco had seen him fight. It would be a cold day in hell when Draco faced off against Neville Longbottom without a small army at his back.
No sooner had Longbottom shuffled, red-faced, back to the Gryffindor table, that Scrimgeour spoke again.
"Last but not least, we have another Order of Merlin, First Class recipient among us today." The Minister took a deep breath, and Draco mentally prepared himself for what would undoubtedly be the longest speech yet. Not that it would be wholly undeserved, but honestly, there was only so much of these things one could stomach. Scrimgeour cleared his throat. "There is nothing I could say that you all don't already know. There are no words that can convey the depth of gratitude the wizarding community feels for the sacrifices that have been made to make our world safe again. Would Harry Potter come up to the podium, please."
The Gryffindors roared as one. A second later, the Hufflepuffs joined in, as did the Ravenclaws. Several younger Slytherins began to cheer as well. Draco paid them no heed. He was eighteen, and he would not behave like an overly excitable toddler. Slowly, he got to his feet and watched Potter walk up to the High Table amid the cacophony. He looked very small despite his height.
Draco felt movement next to him, and then Millicent was standing beside him, her cheeks a bit pink.
"You looked like a prat, standing all by yourself," she said without looking at him.
Draco smirked and turned back to look at the front of the Great Hall. "Now we both look like prats," he muttered.
"Guess again."
Draco glanced around and saw that most of the second, third and fourth year Slytherins were on their feet. Some others were rising, too, and people from the other houses seemed to be noticing.
When Potter shook the Minister's hand, it seemed like everyone but a select few were standing, in solemn silence uncharacteristic of the very young.
The Minister and Potter held a brief whispered conversation, but Draco couldn't make out any of it. Potter looked cross, and the Minister's smile seemed to be wearing at the edges. So Potter had not made his peace with the Ministry. The last of the Ministry wizards pinned the Order of Merlin to Potter's chest, and then Potter walked off towards the Gryffindor table without looking back. Draco could barely see him moving through the crowd.
Then there was a break in ranks, and Draco saw him, shoulders hunched and head bowed. Not your typical war hero. Potter looked even more downtrodden than Longbottom had. What was wrong with him? A better question: what was wrong with Draco? Since when did he dedicate so much time to thinking about what was going on with Potter?
Since that night.
"Shut up," Draco told himself.
"I didn't say anything," Millicent replied, her eyebrow rising.
"Wasn't talking to you," muttered Draco, feeling warmth in his cheeks. "You think they'll let us go now? I'm so tired, I think I'll sleep until Friday."
Millicent shrugged. She didn't need to answer; the Ministry delegation disappeared quickly and without fanfare. McGonagall told the first-years to stay and wait for Madam Pomfrey to take them to the hospital wing. The rest of the students were instructed to proceed to their dormitories. It was business as usual, except none of them knew what would happen tomorrow. Maybe without Sorting, the Board of Governors would just close the school or something.
"Pansy," Draco called as the Slytherins started to leave.
She turned around and gave him a suspicious -- but hopeful -- look. "Yes?"
"You know the new password, don't you?"
"Of course I do. I am still a prefect," she said, tilting her chin slightly upwards and making a great show of not looking at Draco's Order of Merlin.
"Good," Draco said, smiling at her. "Then you can take care of our year, can't you? I've got to do something."
"Certainly," Pansy said. Her shoulders looked stiff as she turned around and walked off, snapping at a second-year who got in her way.
"I'll see you later," Draco said to Millicent, and hurried towards the Gryffindor table. He still didn't understand the real reason for the Order of Merlin, First Class, but he now strongly suspected that Potter might have had something to do with it. And Draco would hate to be any more indebted to Potter than he already was.
Potter and Ginny had fallen behind the other Gryffindors; it looked like they were arguing. Potter said something, shook his head, and tore the Order of Merlin from his robes. He stuffed it into his pocket, ribbon and all. He really was mental, wasn't he?
"Hey, Potter," Draco called.
Potter stopped and turned around. Had his eyes lit up or was the flickering candlelight playing tricks on Draco's vision?
"I need to ask you something," Draco said when he caught up with the two of them.
"Did you have anything to do with this?" Draco asked, tapping his own Order of Merlin.
Potter's features darkened, but he hid his eyes. "I--"
"It was me," Ginny said, stepping between them. "Not Harry."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "You?"
"He was going to refuse it, you know. Right here in front of the whole school."
"You're mental," Draco said to Potter.
Ginny snorted. "That's what I said. The last thing everyone needs right now is to see that their hero is at odds with their government."
"I'm not a hero," Potter mumbled. "I didn't do it for them."
"Nobody cares who you did it for," Ginny said with an exasperated shake of her head. "The point is, it looks bad for the Ministry."
"Well, I accepted the bloody thing," Potter said. He was still looking down.
Ginny turned to Draco. "I told him to accept it only if they gave you one, too."
Draco pursed his lips. "What do you care?" The irony of all this was making him want to laugh, but these two wouldn't understand if he did.
"You tried to save Ron. You deserve something for that."
Draco rolled his eyes. "'Tried' is the key word, Weasley. I don't have to remind you that my ill-fated attempt blew my cover and made me useless--"
"You were never useless," Potter snapped.
Draco's heart leapt into his throat at the bright flash of Potter's eyes. He'd forgotten Potter could do that to him. He'd been so caught up in wanting to find out about the Order of Merlin that he'd forgotten his resolution to stay the hell away from Potter. This was why he needed to.
"I don't want you to think I'm some hero," Draco said slowly. "Because I'm not. Let me tell you something. I could have saved him, you know. If I'd stayed behind and fought Macnair instead of running, Weasley could've escaped in the commotion. But I chose my own life."
Potter looked down at his feet again. "Don't you think I know that?"
"And I would do it again," said Draco. "I wouldn't hesitate."
"Yeah, we know that, too," said Ginny. "He wasn't your brother."
"Or your friend. But you tried to save him anyway," Potter said, looking up at Draco again. "That's what matters."
"Almost doesn't count," said Draco softly. "Weasley's dead."
Potter swallowed and looked away. Ginny tried to take his hand but he shook her off. Draco really should not have felt any gratification at seeing that. He would tell himself that he hadn't.
"Ginny, I'd like to talk to Malfoy alone," Potter said. He was studying the High Table, where McGonagall was glaring in their direction.
"No, I should go," Draco said through mild panic. "We should leave anyway, so Pomfrey can take the first-years up to--"
"It won't take long," said Potter. "We can just talk in the Entrance Hall."
That was a public place. It should be all right. Maybe on the way there, Draco could come up with a non-suspicious way of making sure that Potter stayed away from him. That would make things easier. How could he piss Potter off enough to make him hate Draco again? Words wouldn't do it. What would?
The three of them walked out into the Entrance Hall, where Ginny gave Potter a quick hug and then hurried up the marble staircase. A few Hufflepuffs were milling about the north dungeon entrance.
Potter turned to Draco and opened his mouth to speak, then promptly shut it again. He looked nervous.
"If you're expecting me to thank you, we'll be here for the rest of our lives," Draco said, trying to sound as snide as possible.
He wasn't about to thank Potter; somewhere in the Ministry, there were people who thought Draco hadn't deserved that Order of Merlin, First Class. It would not do to allow anyone else to find out that Draco's honour had been contingent on Potter's demands. Making sure of that was going to take work, so Draco had nothing to be grateful for.
"I'm not expecting you to do anything," said Potter quickly. "I just. I wondered."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You wondered."
"Yeah. Uh." Potter's tongue darted out to the corner of his mouth and disappeared again.
"You ever wonder what it would be like to have it off with a bloke?"
Draco winced. He must've been drunker than he thought he was if he'd allowed his unusual tendencies to somehow become obvious. To Potter, of all people. He looked aside. "What does that have to do with anything? You're not making any sense."
"I know." There was a faint flush playing across Potter's face. "I just wondered about it suddenly. Probably the Firewhisky talking."
Draco breathed a little easier. "Never thought I'd say this, but I think I prefer talking to you, and not to Firewhisky--"
"I want to kiss you."
Well, fuck.
Draco walled off the memory, fighting his ever-rising panic, and forced his mind to construct a sentence. "You're going to have to tell me what you wondered about if you expect me to satisfy your curiosity."
"You remember that time you slept in the guest bedroom?"
Draco's heartbeat sped up even more and he had to struggle to keep his calm expression. "Do you mean the fifty-seventh time or the eighty-first?"
Potter gave a short laugh. "Back in June, when we got drunk--"
"Oh, the ninety-eighth. Yes, of course I remember. It was a much warmer night than the ninety-seventh, if you ask me." Despite his success at keeping a level voice and a straight face, Draco's panic was starting to overwhelm him. He wanted to run, but if he did, Potter would know.
"You know what I'm talking about."
Unfortunately. "You mean the night I passed out on the drawing room floor and then woke up naked. Don't you."
Potter's eyes were steady on Draco's now, almost hypnotising. "Yes."
Five more minutes of this, and Draco would do something stupid. "You're not planning to blackmail me with that, are you?" His voice broke slightly.
Potter frowned. "No. I just wondered if maybe you have since then remembered what happened after you passed out."
Draco assumed his best puzzled expression. "Something happened after I passed out?"
"Er, no. Of course not."
Potter was hiding his eyes again, and Draco suddenly found it easier to breathe. Why was it so difficult to lie to people when they were looking at you? Life was unfair.
"I should go," said Draco cheerfully. "I promised Pansy I would, uh, listen to the story of her trip to Venice."
"Yeah," said Potter, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I should go and find Ginny. I'll see you later."
He ran up the staircase without looking back. Draco stared after him.
"Do it."
Draco couldn't believe he'd just said that. Potter, apparently, couldn't believe it either. He was still sitting far too close for comfort, but he looked slightly sobered. Draco didn't think he'd ever felt so humiliated in his life.
Then Potter leaned in and kissed him. There was instant, liquid heat in Draco's lower belly. There was the aftertaste of Firewhisky and the smell of new sweat. There was a wet tongue sliding across Draco's lower lip and a hand cupping his face. There was a soft moan that was almost a sigh.
"Why, you look like you've seen a ghost!" said a voice in Draco's ear.
Draco jumped aside, and glared at the Fat Friar, who was smiling broadly at him.
"Shouldn't you be down in the dungeons, scaring the pants off Hufflepuffs?" complained Draco.
The ghost's grin grew even wider. "I'd rather be up here, scaring the pants off Slytherins!" With a hearty chuckle, he floated away, towards the Hufflepuffs at the other end of the Hall.
"Bloody ghosts," muttered Draco, and hurried down into the Slytherin dungeon.
Once in his dormitory, he quickly changed into his pyjamas and climbed into bed, then cast an Imperturbable Charm on the green curtains around him. Nott and Zabini were both still in the common room, and Draco didn't want to wake up with an ink moustache or boils on his arse. They would do it out of sheer spite, and then blame the Bloody Baron. Unfortunately for them, Draco had invented that particular excuse, back when Flint had publicly dressed him down for not catching the Snitch in second year. It hadn't been Draco's fault that Potter--
Why did everything come back to Potter?
And now he knew that Potter hadn't forgotten about that night. A part of him was absurdly gratified that Potter hadn't, but another part of him -- the sanest one, clearly -- wished that Potter would've forgotten.
Draco had tried so hard to forget. He'd kept the memory in a Pensieve the whole time he'd been at Malfoy Manor after the war's end. The only reason he'd put it back in his mind was that he hadn't dared risk his mother stumbling upon it. He'd had no way of getting rid of the memory, not without permanent damage to Father's Pensieve, which still held some old memories in the false bottom of the bowl.
Memories were apparently more difficult to destroy than Dark Lords.
And now he was stuck here until Christmas, with this fucking memory and Potter's fucking green eyes and Draco was fucked.


text:
My friend who studies Graphic Design at Chelsea and I went around Peckham to record for her art project. Her aim was to talk to homeless people in Peckham. It was a last minute collaboration and so I wanted to make sure we still could approach it from a thoughtful perspective even though we hadn't had a huge amount of time to plan. A simple decision was made to not visually record our interviewees but just the audio, with a bit of filming of the area.
It was an interesting experience with some negative sides to it too. We met a man who was very happy to share some of his stories, and I could see he had a guitar so asked if he would like to play some music to which he said yes. We were sitting and having a coffee with him but the shop owners eventually told us all to leave as we were scaring the customers. This then exacerbated the situation with the man becoming quite angry. He apologised but we decided to leave the interview there. Luckily we recorded it as the shop owner really didn't handle the situation in the right way and I felt the man was demonised because he was homeless. I definitely felt bad as if we hadn't approached him it is very likely this negative situation wouldn't have occurred.
Prior to that we had interesting conversation with the man, a few choice stories he decided to tell which I purposefully didn't want him to elaborate on, but there were some genuine moments too.

subset: commoncrawl


text: We are open! The construction on Wednesday had us worried about how it would impact Memorial Day weekend and had me feeling a little bit like the mayor from Jaws, but we were fully operational by Thursday! We are open regular hours all weekend and until 5 on Monday. Regular hours (10-6) resume on Tuesday the 28th.


text:
Miami-Dade County
Sponsored By
Super Bowl To Cost Miami-Dade Over $10 Million, So FarHosting a big event can prove to be costly, but what about one of the biggest and most popular events in the world?
Wawa Opens Three Miami-Dade Stores, Combining Philly Traditions With Local FavoritesThink of it as a little piece of Philadelphia that is popping up in Miami-Dade.
Planned Parenthood Offering Healthcare For Transgender Patients In South FloridaSouth Florida Planned Parenthood health centers will begin offering gender affirming hormone therapy for transgender patients.
Severe Weather Brings Violent Wind, Leaves Thousands In Miami-Dade Without PowerParts of Miami have endured two straight days of intense wind, pounding rain and lightning.
Teachers In Florida Could Soon Begin Arming Themselves, But Probably Not In Miami-Dade Or Broward CountyTeachers around Florida could soon be seen on the firing range, getting certified to pack a pistol at school after the legislature approved a plan to allow teachers to volunteer to carry a gun.
Royal Caribbean Making $300 Million Upgrade To Port Miami HeadquartersRoyal Caribbean is looking to change the Miami skyline.
Former Hurricanes Running Back Mark Walton Arrested For Third Time In Three MonthsFor the third time in less than three months a former University of Miami football player has been arrested.
Venezuela's First Lady Visits With Miami-Dade Mayor, Officials; Receives Key To The CountyFabiana Rosales was all smiles as she met local elected officials at Miami-Dade County Hall.
Man Dies After Vehicle Ends Up Submerged In Miami-Dade CanalAuthorities are investigating the death of a man whose vehicle ended up in a canal in Northwest Miami-Dade early Wednesday morning.
Former Hurricanes Lineman Demetrius Jackson Running In Primary For Miami-Dade District SeatAfter returning to the Legislature in November, state Rep. James Bush, D-Miami, appears headed toward facing a primary challenge as he seeks re-election in 2020.
Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho Announces Program Promoting Student InnovationHigh school juniors and seniors across Miami-Dade County are being called upon to deliver fresh ideas and innovation to solve some of the world's biggest problems.
Facing South Florida: Miami's Aggressive Needle Exchange ProgramMiami has one of the more aggressive and successful needle exchange programs in the country.
Teen Taken Into Custody After Leading Police On Two-County Chase In Stolen CarMiami-Dade police officers took a 19-year-old into custody Saturday who is accused of leading law enforcement officers on a two county chase.
Miami Historic Preservation Board Votes Against Plan To Redevelop Historic Coconut Grove PlayhouseA major decision was made this week about the future of the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse.
Miami-Dade Mayor Warns Of Sea Level Rise Impact On County Owned PropertyTroubling information from Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez about the possible impact of sea level rise to county owned property.


text:
- Conscientious detail oriented, articulate IT Policy/Technical Writer, and Trainer with over 12+ years of experience in writing and creating systems and application software and hardware end user documentation solutions including user manuals, online help, simulation and training guides, tutorials, white papers, reports, e - learning curriculum, operations, and maintenance (O&M) manuals, proposals, policies & procedures, and leading teams in large enterprise application projects.
- Experienced in handling complex evaluations of data concerning Government and Private enterprise. Applies initiative and intuition in making sound recommendation; utilizes analytical insight to ascertain validity and impact of business data.
- Recognized for commitment to quality, initiative, and customer satisfaction.
Graphics/Authoring Tools: MS Project, MS Office, MS Visio, MS Power BI, Google Docs/Slides, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Frame Maker
Technologies/Skills &Tools: Adobe Captivate, SnagIt, Adobe RoboHelp, MadCap Flare, Author IT
Analysis/Modeling Tools: HP Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), Rational Requisite Pro, JIRA, Confluence
Methodologies/Frameworks/Compliances: SDLC, CMMI, Project Management, Six Sigma, Data Flow Diagrams/Process Modeling, Use Cases, Agile/Scrum, Waterfalls, Information Mapping, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), PCI-DSS, HIPAA, IT security best practices.
Databases: Oracle, SQLBase, Access
Confidential, Washington, DC
Sr. Technical Writer / Business AnalystResponsibilities:
- Work with internal teams to develop, edit, and maintain security documentation for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, guides, system security plans and training materials on the DoED process, operation procedures and best practices
- Defines customer requirements for large and complex documentation projects by gathering input from a broad set of sources including direct input from customers, software development, quality assurance, design documents, and by using pre-released software.
- Defines and drives the content strategy for technical documentation. This includes assessing, recommending, and implementing documentation tools/solutions based on needs assessments and anticipated future documentation requirements.
- Writes and maintains requirements documents and provides requirements support throughout the project lifecycle. Helps identify conflicts and inconsistencies in requirements and functions as feature requirements change and evolve.
- Provides domain-specific expertise and leadership, and perspective to cross-organization projects, programs, and activities.
- Reviews system requirements and specifications for the purpose of translating the information into product reference guides.
- Contributes to the development and execution of Documentation work packages on small to large projects and initiatives to support project and business objectives.
- Consults with SME's to analyze business needs and perform extensive GAP analysis on the project as there are numerous "As-Is" and "To-Be" conditions.
- Leverage agile development process to design SharePoint resources. Build and maintain sites, forms, lists and workflows to improve business process.
- Identify candidate business processes which leverages SharePoint tools to enhance day-to-day office functions using workflows, Info Path forms and CorasWorks.
- Collaborate with developer teams, using data visualization tools, and using the Tableau platform to create business intelligence visuals.
- Create visuals for Controls and Compliance team mapping government regulations to internal policies, standards, and processes to be used in presentations.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, Oracle 10g, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Baltimore, MD
Sr. Technical writerResponsibilities:
- Developed and edited technical product requirements for software releases, defining and documenting business process impacts as well as systems used in support of operations.
- Documented software requirements, quality assurance testing procedures, and metadata Project Coordinator for client implementation.
- Worked with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across the organization and at all levels of management to obtain information necessary to document security policy and procedures.
- Developed communications materials for publications, internet, strategic initiatives, user manuals, training materials, installation guides, white papers, and reports.
- Reviewed documents for technical accuracy in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
- Draft migration/relaunch plan for the SharePoint 2010 environment including governance, infrastructure, requirements, timeline and test plans.
- Assisted in maintaining and updating the SharePoint platform.
- Assisted project leads with creating documentation, reports, and presentations to increase transparency into the agile process. In addition, supports the Agile team with eliciting requirements related directly to business need and transforming requirements into user stories and high-level functional designs.
- Developed gap analysis of current state and future state utilizing Microsoft Visio, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Established coherent procedures to implement the training process by leveraging various approaches and eliminating as awkward and siloed set of processes.
- Provided learning strategy and implementation support for DHS operations. Lead the design and development process for large-scale training solution for both internal and external clients.
- Collaborated with content SME, technical writers, and trainers to support training products, generating a 50% percent increase in overall training materials.
- Designed custom-eLearning courses tailored to client needs using reality-based scenarios, interactives and simulations.
- Used MadCap Flare to update over 100 Runbooks instructions for creating runbooks, and runbooks template to conform to the new standards.
- Developed new Frame Maker style guide for new security interface, designed MadCap Flare single-sourcing solution, and selected software tools to match writing staff needs.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, Oracle 10g, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Washington, DC
Sr. Technical Writer/Business AnalystResponsibilities:
- Assisted in the development of Information System categorization using appropriate standards and NIST guidelines to ensure compliance.
- Performed Federal Information Security Management Act Audit review using NIST 800-18 and industry best security practices.
- Maintained and reviewed information security system documentations including but not limited to System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action & Milestone (POA&M).
- Reviewed and evaluated current Federal client documentation including, but not limited to Security Plans, Risk Assessments, System-Level Controls Appendices, Application-Level Controls Appendices, and Security Categorizations.
- Developed the framework for operations documentation including templates for key operations documentation, e.g. SOPs, Runbooks.
- Wrote, developed, edited, and maintained security documentation for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, guides, security plans, training materials, operation procedures and best practices.
- Wrote, edited, and maintained policies and procedures, technical reports, online content, end-user software and hardware manuals, operator manuals, training guides, tutorials, online help, context-sensitive help, technical specifications, installation guides, usability and regression testing of software applications. Ensured all documentation met Federal government Sections 508 Accessibility rules.
- Developed, produced, and maintained quality technical documents in accordance with standard software development life cycle methodologies.
- Worked closely with Project Managers, Network Engineers, and Graphic Artists to produce deliverables, including project documentation, project plans, operating procedures, concept of operations manuals, Technical Manuals, diagrams, standards guide, and statistical spreadsheets.
- Responsible for all software documentation development efforts but not limited to procedure, program documentation, web content - FAQs, user guides, "self-help" support resources, training materials, technical documentation - white papers, system documentation, user manuals, process and system flows.
- Responsible for monthly quality assurance audits for all of the company's IT projects executed for the USDA.
- Responsible for writing, training, and implementing CMM Level 3 for the USDA Finance and Accounting services, technical services organization (TSO).
- Provided critical support compliance analysis and testing for IT Governance and their COBIT initiatives effectively raising compliance standards throughout IT.
- Facilitated, monitored documented the progress of Systems and Application Hardware, and Software changes to the Customer's environment, through the ITIL Change Management process.
- Documented all pertinent end user identification information, including name, department, contact information, and nature of problem or issue in Help Desk database (HP Peregrine ITIL tool).
- Wrote and maintained application support documentation - through troubleshooting processing and use of model, descriptions of error codes and prescribed course of action, a model logic walk through, and design documentation.
- Created product reference guides, installation guides, and five major help systems, with RoboHelp and MadCap Flare.
- Used MadCap Flare and Adobe Frame Maker to in corporate updates to existing documentation as needed to make corrections or update stale content. Managed all reviews and communications with stakeholders directly.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Washington, DC
Sr. Technical WriterResponsibilities:
- Developed test plans and mapped them back to requirements for traceability reporting. Analyzed the testing results and traceability reports to develop checklists and evaluate production readiness.
- Responsible for creating Software Requirements document, Software Design document, Software Test Plan document, Operations & Maintenance document, and Service Level Agreements documents. Created and updated documents in support of Systems Assurance as part of the Enterprise Project Life Cycle (EPLC) process.
- Developed a variety of technical and project related documentation including technical manuals, user guides, as well as project management life cycle and software development life cycle artifacts. Ensured all documentation met Federal government Sections 508 Accessibility rules.
- Consulted with business unit management and personnel to identify and document business needs and objectives, current operational procedures, problems, input and output requirements, data scope, usage, formatting, and security requirements.
- Produced weekly status report, inputs for monthly operations review, and set yearly team goals. Wrote yearly performance reviews.
- Proofed/edited external facing marketing documentation (both public and confidential, e.g. competitive analysis data, product overviews, product roadmaps, application-specific presentations, blogs, newsletters) prior to required legal department review. Managed documentation review cycles via SharePoint for all of NIH, hence streamlining process.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Baltimore, MD
Sr. Technical WriterResponsibilities:
- Responsible for the preparation, review, revision, and maintenance of technical documents for both internal and external audits, including software and systems engineering, system operations, and testing.
- Wrote and edited technical documentation for all of the project's hardware and software to include installation, configuration, and how-to documentation, including policies, technical drawings, flowcharts, etc and procedures.
- Converted word to PDF and moved into SharePoint space. Updated department SharePoint site with reporting views of medical charts status to provide transparency.
- Developed outlines and drafts for review and approval by technical specialists and project management ensuring that final documents met applicable contract requirements and regulations.
- Researched and gathered technical, background information for inclusion in project documentation and deliverables.
- Defined proper templates for program documents, and overall document approval process, by representing Data Management function during regular audits by Quality Assurance.
- Acquired subject knowledge by interviewing product developers, observing performance of production methods, referring to technical specifications, blueprints, engineering illustrations, and trade journals. Oversaw preparation of illustrative materials, selecting drawings, sketches, diagrams and charts. Conducted quality review of materials.
- Facilitated the development, coordination, documentation and training of new processes, identified process gaps, and maintained process changes to accommodate new product integration throughout the organization. Met regularly with management at all levels to coordinate activities.
- Responsible for the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) practices including process and procedure development, deployment, management, measurement and governance of Incident Management, Request Management, and CMDB. Knowledge and Service Level Management.
- Produced ITIL Incident, Problem, and Change Management Processes, obtained customer sign off, aligned client legacy processes with HCL Gold Standard processes. Validated numerous client Six Sigma findings aligned to and ITIL methodologies.
- Chair process workshops and produce deliverables for the ITAM regulatory project (Governance and Policies work stream). Deliverables include: Request Asset Standards, Release Management, Asset End-of-Life, and Full Architectural life cycle.
- Documented and validated entry/exit criteria for internal and external process relationships.
- Provided documentation support to IT systems including troubleshooting and maintenance of Mainframe systems.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Washington, DC
Sr. Technical WriterResponsibilities:
- Worked on developing improvements for SOX process which included standardized workbooks, enhanced test scripts, walk through documentations and SharePoint development
- Reduced SOX deficiencies each year through effective monitoring, reporting and documentation to ensure compliance with SOX Act.
- Compiled, edited, and authored software and hardware Technical and Maintenance documents including data sheets, hardware data modules, user manuals, application notes, product briefs, programmer's guides, software development guides, technical reference guides, and white papers, while meeting production deadlines.
- Performed gap analysis of technologies across multiple print facility locations to standardize processes while maintaining the best of class offerings for the business.
- Documented and maintained policies and procedures in SharePoint for Contact Center employees and trainers in the Learning & Development department.
- Maintained the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), Test Data Matrix (TDM) and Status Reports related to the project.
- Wrote clear technical documentation with technical writing standards and industry style guides, while employing appropriate grammar and writing style. Used designated style guides (Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed.), the Microsoft Manual of Style, and the ODT Documentation Standards and used the established templates.
- Created written technical requirements documentation for numerous Information Technology Departments within CSC. Coordinated the review and approval process for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) Policies and Standards, Guidance documents and Work Instructions documentation.
- Writing and editing system requirements, test scripts, work instructions, configuration guides, and other technical documentation; incorporating all information into the required process definition documents, support policies, work instructions, User Documents, Training Guides, and other relevant documents.
- Collaborated with Subject Matter Experts (SME) to gather data for required documentation. Developed and managed On-Line Help systems using Adobe RoboHelp 8 to streamline end-user publications library. Maintained system and facilitated software integration of On-Line Help system.
- Created online help, end-user software manuals, and training guides and materials.
- Conducted usability and migration testing of software applications and documentation in collaboration with engineers.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.
Confidential, Washington, DC
Technical WriterResponsibilities:
- Wrote documentation associated with the project management life cycle, including original concept designs, requirements, use cases, specifications, gap analyses, and implementation plans, and release notes.
- Planned, built, and created comprehensive, clear, and easy-to-use self-service online help and functional information within the agreed timeframes.
- Wrote deployment documentation including detail steps to deploy custom IT solutions between development, integration, test and production environments.
- Reviewed and updated current information security documentation including, but not limited to, Process documents, System Security Plans, Disaster Recovery Plans, Configuration Management Plans, Risk Assessments, Security Controls Compliance Matrix, Application-Level Controls Appendices, Service Level Agreements, and Contingency Plans.
- As a member of the client-site Program Management Office, provided technical writing, asset management, and analytical support to a federal land management agency. Developed, wrote and supported staff with the preparation of a wide variety of business documentation, including senior-level client communications, business practices, whitepapers, analysis papers, and presentations.
- Met with Federal Government clients and site personnel to perform information gathering for C&A security documentation creation and interviews.
- Maintained the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), Test Data Matrix (TDM) and Status Reports related to the project.
Tools: Microsoft Word/Excel, MS Office Suite, MS SharePoint, MS Visio, MS Power BI, RoboHelp, Adobe Acrobat.


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NCAA/EA Split Not Enough for "Exploited" Students
NCAA/EA Split Not Enough for "Exploited" Students
Lawyers representing students suing the NCAA say the organization is "ducking its responsibilities."
One of the more surprising developments to come out of the gaming industry recently is the announcement that National College Athletic Assocation, or NCAA, has decided not to renew its long running licensing deal with Electronic Arts. Citing the "current business climate and costs of litigation," the organization opted to let the license lapse. The future, in turn, will see more college sports titles from EA, but lacking the NCAA trademark and the brand power it brings with it. This split may be unfortunate for EA but for some it represents progress in the right direction.
For instance, there are more than a few inferring that the "costs of litigation" mentioned by the NCAA are likely referring to lawsuits brought against the organization by players unhappy with the group profiting from their likenesses without permission. For those involved in the case, this move by the NCAA is a sign that their efforts are working. "It's apparent to us that the NCAA's decision to end its long and hugely profitable relationship with EA is tied directly to the pressure our litigation is bringing [to] bear," commented Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman, a legal firm behind one of the lawsuits against the NCAA.
Even if the NCAA is starting to sweat, however, its actions don't amount to victory in Berman's eyes. "This announcement makes plain that the NCAA is attempting to mitigate the damage by ducking its responsibilities." In other words, the NCAA dropped the licensing deal hoping to get out of the bills it will have to pay if suits like those being pushed by Hagens Berman are successful. According to Berman, such evasions aren't going to cut it. "The cabal between the NCAA and EA has exploited student athletes for years, using their images in video games without compensation," said Berman. "While we are heartened they've stopped the practice, we believe they owe those student athletes a great deal more than their implied promise to stop stealing their images."
Source: Hagens Berman
The NCAA using loopholes to exploit athletes? And giving them practically nothing? *gasp*
Next you'll say EA is bad to its customers! What a world we would live in if that was true! /sarcasm
Did anyone really expect college sports to be on the up and up? Anyone who has a casual glance at college sports would see a lot of legal loop holes and exploitation.
Don't college athletes sign contracts explicitly stating that the NCAA and their colleges can use their names/likenesses to promote and merchandise the sport for profit, and in exchange the students get scholarships?
The scholarship bit is kind of a lie. A brutal lie. True scholarships are so few and far between you'd be likely to end up sharing your scholarship with your team in certain divisions.
The reason being is that sure a scholarship is 10,000$, but they don't tell you its a shared scholarship. Bigger teams, bigger sports mean you get paid what amounts to spare change. You'd be giving away your money to incoming freshmen.
Even then, scholarships are so easy to lose on a whim that you aren't guaranteed to be at the school for more than a single year.
Its not really that simple. Sports and scholarships are so full of caveats its hard to not be offended at these practices. Its been known the NCAA exploits athletes to the point people jokingly call them slaves. Honestly, how could anyone blame them when college sports is far from amateur, and earning so much money under the guise its in the same boat as little leagues?
This reminds me that I should watch the Crack Baby episode of Southpark again.
I'm not really sure how much of a proverbial leg to stand on the players have here, if they're suing for having their likeness' used. Last NCAA football game I played (and, granted, it's been a good 4 years) had about 6 different player models, and they didn't look like any player I'd ever seen. And I follow college football religiously.
About the closest I've noticed is that, say, your team has a black starting QB, the nameless QB of the team will be black and share the same number. Still, looks nothing like the real person. Maybe it's different if you're playing Florida during the Tebow era, but I've never noticed a recognizable player.
It's not so much the visual likenesses they are suing for so much as it is the skill likenesses. It's largely established that the player ratings are set to resemble the skillsets of players on the actual teams, and when you combine it with the numbers and classes, it's pretty obvious that 97 overall #2 redshirt sophomore Texas A&M QB is supposed to be Johnny Manziel, for example.
Jesus christ. Yanks will sue over anything eh?
"how dare they use my likeness" get over yourself
The hypocrisy is even deeper when poor athletes get in trouble for taking money (not scholarships) to play at a school. The schools make billions on them and that's okay but if a student wants to make the money that he's responsible for bringing in and the student is considered evil.
Also, while the NCAA has the right to use their likenesses and such to promote the sport, I don't think that they have the right to sell their likenesses.
Well blimey tea and crumpets mate, you'd really be ok with an organization selling your likeness and getting nothing in return?
I'm not a big fan of the NCAA and how it treats it's athletes. When you look at just how much money some of these star athletes bring in for their school it's just obscene. Take Tim Tebow for instance. Tebow brought in millions on top of millions of dollars for the University of Florida. During his time there they went from being the number 19th overall earning University to the third behind Texas and Notre Dame. What did Tim get for all the millions upon millions of dollars he was responsible for bring in and still brings in? He got a scholarship that is valued around a bit under 20,000 yearly and had he accepted so much as a free meal over that scholarship he would have likely been severely punished.
When I was in college I became friends with a somewhat well known football player who now plays pro ball and there were times I had to give him money just so he could take his girlfriend to dinner or a to a movie. He was dedicating close to every waking hour to the University and he was getting fuck all in return.
Compare that 20,000 scholarship to the money professional athletes make from their likeness. A third string player who has never stepped on the field during a game in the NFL makes a bare minimum of 355,000 dollars. On top of that they also get a small piece of things like Madden games and jersey sales as well as being free to seek out any endorsements they may be able to sign on for.
The fact is that the NCAA is royally screwing it's players and making billions of dollars while giving them peanuts in return and at the same time prohibiting them from making any other benefits on their own, financial or otherwise. It's pure exploitation. Meanwhile the NFL and NBA are complicit in all this as they use the college ranks as a minor league. College sports at their highest level exist as an example of corruption in it's purest form.
And with that said I need to go write a check for my Notre Dame football season tickets this year. . . . . . . .
Dogs and cats living together!
...But yeah, this was pretty easy to ferret out on face value.
I'm sort of curious what country you come from where this isn't a thing, because it's not any first world nation.
I mean, given the use of "yank" here, I would guess you're British or Australian, but neither country would give you any leg to stand on.
Anyway, the point is: this isn't a "yank" thing and you might want to check to make sure you're not throwing stones from glass houses.
Since most will never go pro, maybe it's a solid life lesson for when they hit the real job market and 99% of employers will pay them a shite wage and then expect them to give 2000% so the company can have another record breaking year.
Nah, it's kinda crap. Just wanted to make a comment on exploitation being the American Way.
The NCAA is an evil fucked up orginization, we all know this and its not really big news.
What makes me mad is that even if any lawsuit actually works the NCAA wont give a fuck because their profits are so god damn obscene that they wont even notice whatever fine they need to pay. Then they'll go back to exploitin students and punihshin them for darin to try and make a buck off of their skills (because that's the NCAA's job).
I say, you made me guffaw enough to almost spill my tea. Right good. Carry on.
Fucking hell, I didn't know there was many cases of underpaid athletes at this level but apparently there is an entire monopoly on it worth billions :/
I don't know why these athletes are bitchin, its not like they won't make million if they get into the NFL. Are they gonna bitch when they are on the cover of Madden?
We can't all be rock stars, buddy. I don't know squat about American Football, but I think it's safe to say that not all of these students are going to get the chance to get into the NFL. You also seem to be under the false impression that it doesn't matter if people are making money off you illegitimately as long as you're famous and 'making millions' or whatever.
Exactly what third world country sweatshop are you from, then? Are you really okay with knowing that someone is making millions and millions of dollars off your likeness, that YOU should be earning, without giving anything close to proper compensation to you?
And how many athletes really do? very few.
One of the biggest things from people who work with sports scholarships tell you that all these good athletes are wasting their time because the majority of them won't like what they get and they will be used and abused then dumped after one year.
Sports scholarships are not guaranteed in America. You can lose it just by being injured, even if its the coach's fault.
So you get 99.99% of them with huge debt and wasted time just to make the NCAA more billions. If we only cared about the 1%, no scholarship would exist because those kids could be big super stars and therefore "don't need it."
Yes, the two percent of college players who will make it into the NFL might do pretty well. Sucks for the other ninety-eight percent, I suppose... all that effort and what do they get out of it?
College sports are a racket anyway, as far as I'm concerned, and I'd love to see them lose all their undeserved prestige and have colleges go back to being learning environments. The future of humankind will never be altered by a Bowl game.
hey, did anyone else notice that Lawyer's name? Steve Berman? any long-time Eminem fan should. i'm wondering if it's the same guy.
NCAA and most schools are non-profit. The money they receive goes into the schools and programs of the NCAA. That is thousands of other scholarships besides football, including academic, and money for other sports that do not make a profit.
How many scholarships, sports programs, academic programs, or university resources would be lost without this money?
To say the NCAA is making "billions" is an outright lie.
But would also be a lie to say to say that college athletes are properly compensated.
There are companies that are wrongly making money off these athletes.
There is no easy solution in this. The bylaws of the NCAA were draft before college sports became a billion dollar industry, to keep a fair and mostly uncorrupted system for recruiting, training, and playing of the sports. For the most part these bylaws have worked.
NCAA is making progress, transitioning from Bowl games to Playoffs in 2014, so sponsors have less influence on the picking of teams.
I believe in time they will start releasing more money to players than just scholarships, but it has to be done correctly.
If by my likeness you mean a player model of roughly similar skin tone named "RB 08" id be fine with it. Its not like their likeness is being used in a donkey show. These guys are getting a free education worth tens of thousands. Im sure there is some exploitation there but every big organisation exploits its work force. No one was forced to accept a scholarship. They could always pay to go to college like the majority of their peers.
And most americans would lose their minds were they to try crumpets. They're the king of sundries.
Free education?
That's a lie. You aren't guaranteed for more than a year, and most of the time you are sharing your scholarship with your team.
10,000$ scholarship? a team of 4 turns that into 2,500 per person. A football team of 20 turns that into 500$ per person. Its a common tactic to cut down on costs. Not only that, but any injury can get you kicked off the team and lose your money.
And to boot, once its gone it is gone.
Actual athletic scholarships are only for the incredibly lucky few to get free rides, the 99% get jack shit. You'd have be lucky enough to win the lottery to get a free ride, even luckier to get into the NFL.
All the same its financial assistance, they are not forced to take it, most people play sport for "free". Theyre getting money towards their education to do something they would probably do in their own time anyway. I actually pay money to take part in the sports i enjoy, i find it hard to see these guys as hard done to.
But when I was playing as Jordan Jefferson (LSU alum here) I was capable of throwing the ball to someone other than the first read and not tucking and running. Those skills are entirely fictional!


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Unlike women, who experience a rapid drop in hormone levels at menopause, men experience a more gradual decrease of testosterone levels over time. The older the man, the more likely he is to experience below-normal testosterone levels. Men with testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL may experience some degree of low T symptoms. Your doctor can conduct a blood test and recommend treatment if needed. They can discuss the potential benefits and risks of testosterone medication, as well.
In Australia, where it is illegal for drug makers to advertise directly to consumers—as it is everywhere except the United States and New Zealand— Dr. Vitry told me via e-mail that the country's FDA-like regulatory body, Medicines Australia, fined Bayer a minuscule, but symbolic, 10,000 Australian dollars for breaching MA's code of conduct in its TRT disease-awareness campaign. Although Bayer implied that low testosterone was the most prevalent cause of the symptoms described, and that there was a high incidence of low T, Vitry said Medicines Australia didn't nail Bayer for illegal direct-to-consumer advertising because its campaign "did not encourage patients to seek a prescription for a specific testosterone product."
All NOS subtypes produce NO, but each may play a different biologic role in various tissues. nNOS and eNOS are considered constitutive forms because they share biochemical features: They are calcium-dependent, they require calmodulin and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate for catalytic activity, and they are competitively inhibited by arginine derivatives. nNOS is involved in the regulation of neurotransmission, and eNOS is involved in the regulation of blood flow.
There have been case reports of development of prostate cancer in patients during treatment with testosterone, including one case series of twenty patients (Gaylis et al 2005). It is not known whether this reflects an increase in incidence, as prostate cancer is very common and because the monitoring for cancer in patients treated with testosterone is greater. Randomized controlled trials of testosterone treatment have found a low incidence of prostate cancer and they do not provide evidence of a link between testosterone treatment and the development of prostate cancer (Rhoden and Morgentaler 2004). More large scale clinical trials of longer durations of testosterone replacement are required to confirm that testosterone treatment does not cause prostate cancer. Overall, it is not known whether testosterone treatment of aging males with hypogonadism increases the risk of prostate cancer, but monitoring for the condition is clearly vital. This should take the form of PSA blood test and rectal examination every three months for the first year of treatment and yearly thereafter (Nieschlag et al 2005). Age adjusted PSA reference ranges should be used to identify men who require further assessment. The concept of PSA velocity is also important and refers to the rate of increase in PSA per year. Patients with abnormal rectal examination suggestive of prostate cancer, PSA above the age specific reference range or a PSA velocity greater than 0.75 ng/ml/yr should be referred to a urologist for consideration of prostate biopsy.
NO is produced by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS). [13] NOS plays many roles, ranging from homeostasis to immune system regulation. To date, 3 subtypes have been identified: nNOS, iNOS, and eNOS, which are produced by the genes NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3, respectively. This nomenclature is derived from the sources of the original isolates: neuronal tissue (nNOS), immunoactivated macrophage cell lines (iNOS), and vascular endothelium (eNOS). The subtypes are not, however, limited to the tissues from which they were first isolated.
It is essential to discuss erectile dysfunction with your doctor, so any serious underlying causes can be excluded and treatment options can be discussed. Many men are embarrassed discussing this issue with their doctor, or even their partner. Open communication with your doctor, and in your relationship, is important for effectively managing this common problem.
There is increasing interest in the group of patients who fail to respond to treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors and have low serum testosterone levels. Evidence from placebo-controlled trials in this group of men shows that testosterone treatment added to PDE-5 inhibitors improves erectile function compared to PDE-5 inhibitors alone (Aversa et al 2003; Shabsigh et al 2004).
Some anti-aging physicians also use sublingual ( taken under the tongue) forms of non-bioidentical testosterone like oxandrolone. I took oxandrolone with a physician's guidance for about two weeks, and I got pimples and hair loss. I quit and was bummed that it didn't generate enough impact to write a blog post about it. I have continued to recommend bioidentical testosterone since.
Like other steroid hormones, testosterone is derived from cholesterol (see figure).[120] The first step in the biosynthesis involves the oxidative cleavage of the side-chain of cholesterol by cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc, CYP11A1), a mitochondrial cytochrome P450 oxidase with the loss of six carbon atoms to give pregnenolone. In the next step, two additional carbon atoms are removed by the CYP17A1 (17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase) enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum to yield a variety of C19 steroids.[121] In addition, the 3β-hydroxyl group is oxidized by 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to produce androstenedione. In the final and rate limiting step, the C17 keto group androstenedione is reduced by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to yield testosterone.
Rest and recovery is just as important as exercise, if not more so. Every time you do an intense workout, give yourself a minimum of 2 days to recuperate afterward, if not more. And don't mix exercise with sleep hacking. If you're exercising, get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Your body uses it to rebuild, and you can throw your hormones out of whack if you don't rest up properly. Here's a more in-depth guide to Bulletproof weight training, complete with sample workouts.
In one study, 9.6% reported 'occasional' erectile dysfunction, 8.9% reported erectile dysfunction occurring 'often', and 18.6% reported erectile dysfunction occurring 'all the time'. Of these, only 11.6% had received treatment.In another study, only 14.1% of men reported that they had received treatment, despite experiencing erectile dysfunction for longer than 12 months.
Although not proven, it is likely that erectile dysfunction can be prevented by good general health, paying particular attention to body weight, exercise, and cigarette smoking. For example, heart disease and diabetes are problems that can cause erectile dysfunction, and both are preventable through lifestyle changes such as sensible eating and regular exercise. Furthermore, early diagnosis and treatment of associated conditions like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol may prevent or delay erectile dysfunction, or stop the erectile dysfunction from getting more serious.
Testosterone may prove to be an effective treatment in female sexual arousal disorders,[52] and is available as a dermal patch. There is no FDA approved androgen preparation for the treatment of androgen insufficiency; however, it has been used off-label to treat low libido and sexual dysfunction in older women. Testosterone may be a treatment for postmenopausal women as long as they are effectively estrogenized.[52]
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Male hypogonadism becomes more common with increasing age and is currently an under-treated condition. The diagnosis of hypogonadism in the aging male requires a combination of symptoms and low serum testosterone levels. The currently available testosterone preparations can produce consistent physiological testosterone levels and provide for patient preference.


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Em and I are going to talk about some of things we love best - the beautiful Margaret River region and how important it is for families to spend time immersed in nature.
"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength." Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder.
We will also discuss the joys and challenges of writing and illustrating our first picture book together.


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Opening times
July – August 2019
Open 7 days a week: 10am – 5pm
September 2019 onwards
Tuesday – Sunday: 10am – 4.30pm (last admission)
Open on the following Mondays 10am – 4.30pm (last admission) during school and bank holidays:
- 28th October 2019
- 30th December 2019
- 17th February 2020
- 6th April 2020
- 13th April 2020
- 25th May 2020
- 27th July 2020
- 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st August 2020
Christmas 2019
Weston Museum will be closed from 23rd – 29th December 2019.
Charges – It's Free!*
*There is no entry charge to visit Weston Museum's permanent galleries and most temporary exhibitions. Some national travelling exhibitions may have a small entry fee. Charges for additional activities or events will be advertised on the individual event information.
In order to help keep the museum free entry, we encourage visitors who can to donate via one of our donation boxes.


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Editors Keys, the recording and editing equipment company based in Manchester will be moving to a new location based at The Royal Exchange Offices in St Anns Square.
The move to the grade II building is an exciting and interesting move for the local business who are happy to be moving their company to building with a wealth of history and character. Originally a cotton exchange building in the 18th century the royal exchange building was a main attraction for all traders to come and trade in textiles and cotton.


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This easy fitting women's shirt in light yellow has been upcycled with an embroidered green bird on the back and a different bird on each sleeve. The long hem has been split at the sides so it will easily tie up in front as pictured. The sleeves have been restyled to a flattering flare with elegant lace insets and the embroidered birds. The back is styled in a tunic length. This shirt is a beautiful lightweight polyester and cotton blend that sheds wrinkles and easily will fit from L to 2X size tall.
I love upcycling these comfortable shirts to give them a one if a kind fashionable fit and flair. Everyone should have multiples of these to wear over jeans or tights to extend their wardrobe. Don't miss out because these are like no other items you will find.
Women XL 2X yellow cotton and lace shirt embroidered back flare sleeves embroidered humming bird low hip tunic length split hem
Payments are expected at time of purchase. I do not begin work on custom orders until after payment is received.
My shop is located in Harris County Texas, so if you live in Texas expect to pay sales tax on your purchase.
I ship every day so if you order in the morning it will likely go out that day. Afternoons and weekends shipping is next business day.
Custom orders are shipped within 2-5 days after payment is received unless otherwise indicated in the order approval process.
Just contact me within: 14 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 30 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
All sales are final unless the item you receive is damaged . If that should happen please convo me immediately so that I can make things right. If you are unhappy with the item you received please contact me so we can discuss and find a solution.


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Kendra Leigh Baskett (ne Wilkinson; born June 12, 1985) is an American television personality, businesswoman, glamour model, and author. She is known for being one of Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends and for her role on the E! reality television series The Girls Next Door, on which her life in the Playboy Mansion was documented.
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Kendra Wilkinson Sex Tape Stills Wow I had to see it with my own eyes to believe it, but Kendra Wilkinson does in fact have a sex tape. I was a big fan of Kendras show on the E! , and I am absolutely shocked that this woman who comes off as an angel of virtue and obedient wife would ever. .


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CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Carrasco can't help but wonder what could have been last year.
Healthy and back in the Cleveland Indians rotation, at least he's picking up where he left off.
Carrasco, who missed Cleveland's run to the World Series last season with an injury, threw eight innings of three-hit ball Saturday night in a 7-0 victory over the White Sox, the Indians' second straight shutout over Chicago.
Carrasco (2-1) struck out eight and did not allow a runner to reach second base. Meanwhile, Chicago hasn't scored in 23 innings, including during a three-hitter from Cleveland's Corey Kluber in a 3-0 Indians win Friday night.
"That's what we're going to do, and that's what we were doing last year, too," Carrasco said. "We know what we have, so let's keep it going."
Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Brantley hit two-run home runs and Jose Ramirez added a solo shot as the Indians won their fifth straight game.
Encarnacion hit an 0-2 pitch to center field in the first inning for a 2-0 lead against Mike Pelfrey (0-1), who made his season debut in place of the injured James Shields.
In the seventh inning, Brantley drove a pitch from reliever Michael Ynoa into the Cleveland bullpen in right field to make it 6-0.
Pinch-hitting in the seventh inning, Jacob May got his first career hit in his 27th at-bat for the White Sox. May said it was like having a gorilla on his back.
"Now that he's gone, hopefully I can have a lot of success and help this team win," he said.
Cleveland's Carlos Santana scored Abraham Almonte on an RBI single to right field in the fifth inning. Francisco Lindor then scored Yan Gomes on a sacrifice fly for a 4-0 score.
Zach McAllister pitched a perfect ninth for Cleveland after manager Terry Francona lifted Carrasco after 106 pitches. The manager said he was cautious with the right-hander after Carrasco threw just 15 innings in spring training.
"He attacked the zone, he threw a real good breaking ball, and reached back and threw his fastball on challenges when he needed to," said Francona, who turned 58 on Saturday. "We had some anxiety because he didn't pitch that much (in the spring).
"He looks like he's not only starting to find his rhythm, but continue it and probably improve in some areas."
Tyler Saladino added two hits for the White Sox, who have been outscored 19-1 during a three-game skid.
"Try not to focus too much on the results and stay focused on the approaches and the results will take care of themselves," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Guys are wanting to get the big hit or drive the ball out of the ballpark instead of staying simple."
Jermaine Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP, was back in Chicago throwing out the first pitch.
He was in town from Southern California to promote his charity golf outing in June for the Fresh Start Caring for Kids Foundation.
Indians: Jason Kipnis, who played in his second game of the season after coming off the disabled list on Friday, will likely get a day off Sunday, Francona said. Kipnis had a right shoulder strain.
White Sox: OF Melky Cabrera was removed as a precautionary measure after hurting his left wrist against the fence, but the x-ray was negative and he was listed as day-to-day. ... RHP Zach Putnam left the game with an elbow injury in the seventh inning as he walked Santana, his first walk of the season on his 28th batter faced. The White Sox announced his status as day-to-day. ... The team recalled C Geovany Soto from the 10-day disabled list before the game. Soto was on the DL since April 13 with elbow inflammation. ... Outfielder Charlie Tilson was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Tilson is out because of a stress reaction in his right foot.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar (1-1, 3.57 ERA) will look to finish off the series sweep, looking for his second straight win.
White Sox: LHP Derek Holland (1-2, 4.32) will make his second Guaranteed Rate Field start as a member of the White Sox.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Shirley Buckland Obituary
Here is Shirley Buckland's obituary. Please accept Everhere's sincere condolences.
It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Shirley Buckland (Augusta, Western Australia), who passed away. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one.
Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Shirley Buckland to show support. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 23rd 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Hungary Anglican Church (47 Allnut Terrace, Augusta WA).


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HerPaperRoute Guide To Pinterest Marketing Course
Discover how to use Pinterest as a slick marketing tool to rapidly grow your business + blog with Chelsea Clarke from HerPaperRoute.com
You need a solid Pinterest marketing strategy for your business. Allow me to give you mine.
Discover how I use free online tools to send thousands of daily visitors to my blog, sales pages, and affiliate offers - on auto-pilot!
You will get to implement my step-by-step formula to designing viral Pinterest pins that get ranked high in search results.
- How To Develop A Professional Pinterest Strategy
- Pinterest SEO & How To Do Pin Keyword Research
- How To Create Viral Pins
- How To Rank In Pinterest's Topic Feeds
- Tailwind Training
Learn the process of setting up your pins for success with professional Pinterest marketing SEO techniques in this comprehensive Pinterest marketing course
Course Curriculum
StartWelcome (Important Bonuses Inside!)
Start6 Reasons Why Your Blog & Business Needs Pinterest (3:38)
StartHow To Get Pinterest Verified And Enable Rich Pins (1:52)
StartViral Pin Formula: How To Create Viral Pins (2:17)
StartHow To Design A Pin - Canva Demo (11:49)
StartPinterest Tools To Make Your Life Easier
StartPinterest SEO & Keyword Research (4:28)
StartUsing Group Boards To Skyrocket Traffic To Your Website
StartThe HerPaperRoute Pinterest Strategy
StartGroup Board Automation + Tailwind Demo (8:27)
StartUnderstanding Pinterest Analytics
StartHow To Have A Successful Promoted Pin Campaign
StartAffiliate Opportunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured Courses
Your Instructor
Hi, I'm Chelsea. I'm the founder of HerPaperRoute.com and BlogTips.com. I help aspiring and blossoming bloggers learn how to create and develop blogs into businesses.
I have been a professional Marketing Strategist, Designer and blogger for over 15 years. I've helped bloggers, small business owners and big companies develop their websites and grow their brand awareness. I know the ins and outs of what works and what doesn't – because I've road tested it all! I'm here to help you create & monetize your awesome blog and online business!


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In 2010, tax planning was particularly difficult because many provisions expired that year. These included the estate tax repeal in 2010, various tax rate structures, and various popular deductions and credits. Many taxpayers found it difficult to conduct proper year-end planning without knowing the rules for the following year. Many of those questions were eventually answered, but not until December 17, 2010 – just two weeks before year end. As this period coincided with the holiday season, few business days remained before 2011 to take any appropriate actions.
What was the result?
- Our elected leaders "kicked the can" down the road until 2012 for most of these provisions. No problems were solved – just put off for another day. And the problem was put off to a Presidential election year when the climate for cooperative action seems the least likely.
- The two-year fix failed to answer many tax policy questions that businesses ask. I have heard it said many times that business and the stock market hate uncertainty most of all. Whether they like the tax rules or not, they at least want to know what the rules are. How else can you properly make decisions without knowing the environment that impacts this decision?
- Many of the compromises were criticized by those both on the right and the left, saying that too many provisions were either given away prematurely or were extended without a careful consideration of whether they were even a good idea at all.
For example, consider the estate and gift tax story. Through 2009, the exemption from taxable estates or gifts had worked its way up to $3.5 million. Historically speaking, this was a rather generous deal. The problem with this plan was that the 2001 tax act brought a full repeal of the estate tax in 2010, with a return to a $1 million exemption in 2011. Think about that – $3.5 million estate exemption in 2009, full exemption in 2010, $1 million in 2011 – what sort of policy does this represent? The answer, of course, is no policy at all, but a ticking time bomb demanding repair. This problem, perhaps more than any other, forced lawmakers to enact the late 2010 tax changes.
While the $3.5 million exemption in 2009 was quite generous, it was replaced with a $5 million exemption (good news for taxpayers) for 2011 and 2012 only (bad news for taxpayers). Sound tax policy falls victim to expediency, and we are again in a short-term window of action. The result has been a rush to make significant estate planning transfers before 2012 expires. Estate planning attorneys and valuation professional report a huge flood of urgent work.
As we approach the mid-point of 2012, we find ourselves at the same railroad crossing, with the same train whistle blowing. Do we remember this intersection? The estate tax fix of 2010 is back again for another fix, the so-called "Bush rates" of 2001 are about to expire, and many popular business deductions rules are in jeopardy. While we watch the six-month slugfest of Obama vs. Romney, there appears to be little appetite in Washington to reach across the aisle to negotiate and formulate sound tax policy. Prognosticators generally agree that we should, once again, expect a last-minute bill, thrown together without due care, and without any eye to sound long-term tax policy.
What should we be doing? As a country –
- We need to come up with relatively permanent tax provisions, not ones that expire in ten years or less. Only then can taxpayers have full notice of the rules of the game, which allows them to formulate their multi-year actions thoughtfully, and know the effect of those decisions beyond the next biennial Congressional election. Also, it is probable that our habit of regularly renewed, short-term tax breaks have a very high fiscal cost, but we fool ourselves into overlooking the total bill by only pricing it a couple of years at a time.
- We need to enact necessary tax legislation well before it is to be effective. Only then have taxpayers been given proper notice of any rule changes. Also, we are less likely to end up with provisions that few in Congress have read and digested, and we would give commentators ample opportunity for analysis of the potential effects of such legislation. To the extent that any effects are unintended, we have time to take corrective action.
- We need to have the courage to follow the advice of our policy experts. Several times in recent years, groups were given directives to study the entire framework of our tax system, with an eye to the national deficit, economic recovery, the future of Medicare and Social Security, or some other fiscal policy issue. The most recent effort was the committee led by former Senator Alan Simpson and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. As was the case with this fiscal commission, history would suggest that this is a futile effort, despite the best of intentions, since we have not shown the fortitude to stand up and follow the careful recommendations that result. Why? Because the needed medicine doesn't always have a pleasant taste. In any discussion of a tax policy change, there are winners and losers. Here is where the losers organize and advertise, and in the end, nothing meaningful gets done.
Given the obstacles ahead that block our route to sound tax policy and our history of inaction in this area, it is hard to be optimistic. Even if we remove issues like the budget deficit from the discussion, taxpayers in this country still deserve the right to know the tax rules this year, next year, and five years from now. We need a more careful and thoughtful approach to national tax policy, and we need to make it a legislative priority. As well, effective tax practice is difficult in the current political climate. The ability of tax professionals to practice at a level their clients deserve is compromised by the inattentiveness to tax policy in the present and the future.


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Rolex Sky-Dweller Stainless Steel Black Dial 326934
The charismatic and highly-technical Rolex Sky-Dweller is the perfect combination of style and functionality, and this stunning unworn 326934 model is available to buy from Global Watch Shop now.
Product Details
The 326934 boasts a handsome 42mm stainless steel case with matching bracelet, while a white gold fluted bezel encircles an impressive black dial featuring clean white baton markers, a dual time zone display and an annual calendar. Additional features include an automatic movement, water resistance to a depth of up to 100m and Rolex's trademark Cyclops date magnifier, while the 326934 comes with original papers, box and the remainder of the manufacturer's warranty.
Next Day
Next day delivery through Global Watch Shop is free and carried out using a fully-insured courier service. A signature will be required upon delivery.


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Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse has announced the final squad that will be taking part in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
Senegal Final AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (Spal, Italy), Edouard Mendy (Reims, France).
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Moussa Wague (FC Barcelona, Spain), Pape Abdou Cisse (Olympiacos, Greece), Salif Sane (Schalke,Germany), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux,France), Lamine Gassama (Goztepe, Turkey), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England).
Midfielders: Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Santy Ngom (Nancy, France), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Keprin Diatta (Club Brugge, Belgium), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sidy Sarr (Lorient, France), Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey).
Forwards: Ismaila Sarr (Rennes, France), Keita Balde (Inter Milan, Italy), Mbye Niang (Rennes, France), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Mbaye Diagne (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sada Thioub (Nimes, France), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England).


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Availability: check stock
$449.99 (Check price)
This Ottoman offers a transitional style with a three back over three cushion sofa design, four pyramid wooded legs across the front for cutting edge fashion, luxurious soft multi-colored chenille fabric, two-toned correlating toss pillows, deep seating "lounge" comfort, and reversible seat-cushions. Overall: 19 H x 44 W x 26 D Shape: Rectangle Overall Product Weight: 39lb.
Very happy with my Red Barrel Studio Oleary Plaza Ottoman was delivered on the date stated , the 2-3 delivery men were very helpful and removed all the packaging which I was very grateful for , then all the packageing was taken away . Very easy to deal with and their communication was excellent. Everything went very smoothly and delivery exactly as arranged. The rectangle ottoman I ordered is really lovely. It is very well made and very good value for money. It has to be the most comfortable rectangle ottoman I have ever owned. I would have no hesitation in recommending this store to my family and friends and I shall be returning in the not too distant future.
This rectangle ottoman for Living Room feels good and looks good as well. This is the best rectangle ottoman for Living Room Customer now have. Amazing gift! Customer was able to get this rectangle ottoman for Living Room on sale around New Year. Perfect gift for anyone! Great customer service as always! This rectangle ottoman for Living Room is perfect. Customer ordered it after buying the black in the store. Absolutely love it and get it. Implements in it all the time! Sounds expensive. Best of all, it's priced well below comparable rectangle ottoman for Living Room.
These Red Barrel Studio ' Furniture was my first purchase. When Customer saw it online it really sparked an interest. When Customer received it Customer was so excited by the beauty of it. So simple but very personal. Customer am very impressed with him. It could have done better to fit the elegance of the Red Barrel Studio ' Furniture. Customer bought this Red Barrel Studio ' Furniture as a New Year present for my daughter. It is as described online. Red Barrel Studio ' Furniture looks good even though Customer feel it is too expensive. Should come with better packaging for the price.
Customer have been watching this Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman for too long before deciding to buy. It is perfect. Customer bought this Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman last week and Customer love it !! I've had compliments Customer was wearing, right from when Customer was trying them out at the store! Looks good. I'm glad Customer bought this Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman. Customer feel like using it to work and social occasions. And of course, Customer love the Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman! A well designed function that does not add volume. 2 words: Customer needed a simple Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman, and found this at the top of the search. Customer can see why it is so popular. The Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman is PeRFeCt. Yes I'm screaming but this is a great Red Barrel Studio rectangle ottoman. If Customer ever need another color, Customer will buy happily. It also fits true to its size. Customer bought my usual as well as a size, and the usual fit perfectly.
Red Barrel Studio Oleary Plaza OttomanReview by Anonymous users
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$449.99 $221.99


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Certified. Moon Roof, 2nd & 3rd Row Window Shades (DISC), 6 Mo. Trial (Registration Required), 6 Speakers, 8.4" Touchscreen Display, Blind Spot & Cross Path Detection, For Details, Visit DriveUconnect.com, GPS Antenna Input, Integrated Voice Command w/Bluetooth, Nav-Capable! See Dealer for Details, ParkSense Rear Park Assist w/Stop, Quick Order Package 25L (DISC), Radio: Uconnect 3C w/8.4" Display, SafetyTec, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Uconnect Access.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Velvet
FCA US Certified Pre-Owned Details:
* Roadside Assistance
* Warranty Deductible: $100
* Includes First Day Rental, Car Rental Allowance, and Trip Interruption Benefits
* 125 Point Inspection
* Limited Warranty: 3 Month/3,000 Mile (whichever comes first) after new car warranty expires or from certified purchase date
* Transferable Warranty
* Powertrain Limited Warranty: 84 Month/100,000 Mile (whichever comes first) from original in-service date
* Vehicle History
* NACTOY 2017 North American Utility of the Year * 2017 KBB.com 10 Favorite New-for-2017 Cars * 2017 KBB.com 12 Best Family Cars * 2017 KBB.com Best Buy Awards
The team at Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram would like to welcome you to our dealership in Oak Park, where we're confident you'll find the vehicles you're looking for at a price you can afford. Come and check out our full selection of new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM vehicles, or get a great deal on a reliable pre-owned model.
New vehicle pricing includes all offers and incentives. Tax, Title and Tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at 248-398-8200 or by visiting us at the dealership.
**With approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the vehicle price with a 72 month term, 4.9% interest and 20% downpayment.
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Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming a driving force behind many different emerging technologies and experiences. Taking a step further, the emerging augmented reality (AR) tech opens up the field of teaching to many different possibilities with new techniques and tools. Recognising the impact that VR and AR technologies can have in the classroom, Lenovo has taken initiatives to pioneer VR and AR efforts in the classroom.
Lenovo initially flexed it's prowess in creating VR and AR experiences with their Star Wars Jedi Challenges. The approach allowed users to bring characters from Lucas Film's Star Wars universe into their living rooms. In merging reality with virtual impressions of fictional characters, Lenovo also realised the possibilities of bringing experiences to individuals without the need to physically be there.
In a similar sense, Lenovo's VR Classroom helps open up the classroom to many possibilities. While still in its infancy, VR and AR technology is pushing some of the more dated teaching techniques into the future. With VR, gone are days when teachers needed to extensively explain and illustrate theorised conditions or even environments. Instead, they can transport their students to the environment or even show them the conditions they are exploring.
The implementation of Lenovo's VR classroom with the Lenovo Mirage wtih Google Daydream allows students to have a more relatable learning experience. We've long known that children, and even adults, learn better through experience and tactile feedback. With VR, teachers can provide students with more experiential learning sessions to consolidate classroom and textbook learning.
Lenovo isn't just about providing tools without the ability to take care and store them in a classroom environment. In fact, the company has thought of everything from connection fidelity to storage. The company provides a commercial router which will allow the students to have an uninterrupted VR experience. Teachers can have peace of mind when it comes to storing the equipment with the Nuwco or Lapcabby Mobile Cart or Rolling Case which allows easy transport and storage.
While providing the tools is important, learning content is also important. Lenovo has collaborated with companies like Scholastic and Google Expeditions to bring lesson plans and content that would complement the curricula in schools.
Using VR in classrooms seems to be the future of learning. The new technology brings the outside into classrooms and even provides a new means of providing experiential learning opportunities to students to help augment their learning experiences.


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PRETORIA – Hyprop has taken issue with credit rating agency Moody's over a reduction in the ratings for the debt securities issued in terms of the listed specialist retail property fund's domestic medium-term note programme.
Moody's based the reduction in these ratings on its estimates of the increase in Hyprop's debt-to-asset ratio.
Hyprop reported yesterday that Moody's had lowered the issuer's rating from Baa3 to Ba1 with immediate effect and lowered the long-term national scale issuer rating to Aa3.za from Aa1.za while affirming the short-term national scale rating of Prime-1.za.
The fund said the main reason cited by Moody's for the decrease in the rating was its estimates that the debt-to-asset ratio, adjusted for the full consolidation of Hystead, had increased to 41 percent at end-June last year from 33.4 percent in the previous year, because of debt-funded acquisitions in Eastern Europe.
UK-based Hystead is the company that houses Hyprop's European investments. Hyprop said it had calculated its debt-to-asset ratio at 32.6 percent at end-June last year.
It said this calculation took into account its attributable share of the net assets of Hystead, the full Hystead debt guaranteed by Hyprop and the back-to-back security Hyprop held from PDI Investment Holdings in relation to the guarantees.
Moody's calculated this ratio at 38.6 percent when adjusted only for the Hystead gross debt guaranteed by Hyprop.
The credit rating agency further stated that Hyprop would rely on external financing to cover R5 billion of debt coming due in the next 18 months, including the debt that was guaranteed in favour of Hystead.
But Hyprop said Moody's estimate of the debt-to-asset ratio of 41 percent assumed that Hystead was fully consolidated into Hyprop.
Hyprop stressed that in terms of the Hystead shareholder arrangements, this was not permitted under International Financial Reporting Standards.
In addition, Hyprop said that in making this estimate Moody's disregarded the "in country debt" in Hystead for which there was no recourse to Hyprop and the portion of the Hystead debt guaranteed by PDI.
"Hyprop and Hystead have successfully refinanced their maturing debt with external bank finance in the past, and are confident of their ability to continue to do so.
"Hyprop management has engaged with banks on refinancing R3bn of the debt due in the next 18 months," it said. Hyprop said the manner in which it had funded Hystead remained appropriate in the context of managing exchange rate risks, reducing borrowing costs and utilising Hyprop's strong South African balance sheet to secure offshore funding.
Hyprop added its strategy in funding the expansion into Eastern Europe had been to raise the required funding via debt using the fund's South African balance sheet.
This was done, among other reasons, to match currencies between debt, assets and operating cash flow, thereby mitigating the group's exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates and to reduce borrowing costs.
Hyprop owns a 60 percent stake in Hystead, which owns a portfolio valued at €740 million (R11.51bn), with Hyprop's share valued at €444.4m at end-June last year. Hyprop in September reported that it had terminated plans to separately list Hystead.
Shares in Hyprop closed 5.30 percent lower on the JSE at R83.70 on Wednesday.