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Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:22:30 — 75.5MB)
It's a double-dose of photodramatic discussion, disputation, and dissention on this week's episode of the the Cinefantastique Podcast, as Dan Persons, Steve Biodrowski, and Lawrence French take on romantic vampires, macho werewolves, and elemental airbenders. Does THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE deliver? Can the post-production 3-D conversion process add depth to M. Night Shyamalan's live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon's THE LAST AIRBENDER? Plus: an interview with director Nimrod Antal about his work on the upcoming PREDATORS, and other news from the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, all delivered with lightning rounds of rapier wit and incisive analysis.


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Donations to the Canadian Red Cross provide relief for those affected in the form of emergency food, clothing, shelter, personal services, and other necessities to help assist with recovery and resiliency. read more
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subset: commoncrawl


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Elbow Arthroscopy Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in sports that require repetitive throwing motions or lifting overhead? If so, you may be at risk of developing an elbow injury. Elbow arthroscopy is an important surgical technique designed to treat an extensive array of elbow injuries in a minimally invasive way with limited soft tissue damage. Elbow surgeon, Dr. Nikhil Verma performs elbow arthroscopy for patients in Chicago who have sustained an elbow injury that requires surgery. Contact Dr. Verma's team today!
An Overview on Elbow Arthroscopy as a Minimally Invasive
Elbow Surgery
Elbow arthroscopy has been used for many years to inspect, diagnose and repair elbow injuries and degenerative conditions within the joint. This minimally invasive elbow surgery requires Dr. Nikhil Verma, orthopedic elbow surgeon serving the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area, to insert a small camera into the joint and use special surgical instruments to repair the damage. The camera, otherwise known as an arthroscope, allows Dr. Verma to inspect the damaged area and reach a definite diagnosis. Once the elbow injury is diagnosed, Dr. Verma will use special surgical instruments placed into the joint to repair damaged tendons and cartilage and remove any loose bodies.
Elbow arthroscopy allows a patient to recover more quickly with less post-operative pain and complications in most cases. Generally performed on an out-patient basis under general anesthesia, this elbow surgery technique is highly effective at treating a number of elbow injuries that did not respond well to non-operative measures such as rest, ice and physical therapy.
Arthroscopic elbow surgery is used to treat a variety of elbow injuries, including:
- Ligament and/or tendon tears
- Elbow arthritis
- Loose bodies
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Are you a candidate for elbow arthroscopy?
There are two ways to initiate a consultation with Dr. Verma:
You can provide current X-rays and/or MRIs for a clinical case review with Dr. Verma ($250).
You can schedule an office consultation with Dr.
Recovery and Rehabilitation after Elbow Arthroscopy
Recovery from elbow arthroscopy is much quicker than an open surgery technique, but certain rehabilitation protocols must be followed so the elbow joint has time to fully recover. It is very important to follow all rehabilitation guidelines provided by Dr. Verma and his team following elbow surgery.
Many patients will experience elbow discomfort and swelling up to a week after the procedure. Dr. Verma typically recommends patients apply ice packs to the affected elbow to minimize pain and swelling. Pain medications may be prescribed and patients are expected to follow dosage guidelines at all times.
Physical therapy is generally started immediately following elbow arthroscopy since motion recovery is key to a full and successful recovery. Dr. Verma will provide a physical therapy program to all patients to help strengthen the elbow joint and surrounding structures.
Post-Op Instructions for Elbow Arthroscopy
For additional resources on elbow arthroscopy as a minimally invasive elbow surgery, please contact the office of Dr. Nikhil Verma, Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area elbow surgeon.


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Page One
Faces of Racism: By KAREN POJMANN Pacific News Service
OWERRI, Nigeria—All summer long I've been a celebrity. Schoolboys clamor to greet me. Housewives invite me to their homes. Teenage girls scoop up and kiss my children. Burly security guards open doors for me. Thin roadside hawkers, confidently balancing on their heads baskets of eggs or consumer electronics, cluster excitedly around my car window. Everyone smiles, waves, shouts, "Oyibo! (Foreigner!) Welcome!"
I'm not famous; I'm white. Better yet: American. This isn't my country; it's my husband's. But in most parts of it, the red carpet so eagerly unrolled for me is swiftly jerked out from under his feet.
My husband, Osy, is Igbo. And obviously so, with the round face, broad nose, stocky, muscular body and Southeastern accent that distinguish Igbos from Nigeria's other major ethnic groups.
It's been said that the Igbos are the Jews of Africa. Like Jews, they were victims of a genocide attempt in a mid-20th century war (Biafran War, 1967-1970). They are deeply loyal, markedly religious, and famousl y hard working—and thus characterized as money-grubbing. They are marginalized and persecuted by fellow citizens, including the Yorba and Hausa/Fulani, who have dominated the mostly dictatorial government since Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, gained independence from Britain 44 years ago.
What has surprised me, as a white (non-Jewish) middle-class American, is the overt nature of the discrimination. In the few weeks we've been in Nigeria, Osy has been denied access to public buildings, harassed by police and given shabby service at businesses, even as I've been granted boundless hospitality.
Complicating matters: We aren't here for fun and aren't free to leave. Ours is a U.S. State Department-mandated, involuntary summer vacation. The U.S. imm igration system is requiring Osy, who entered the U.S. legally and has lived in California for eight years—gainfully employed, happily married, paying taxes, raising children—to apply for a new U.S. visa in Nigeria. In addition to a giant financial burden, the visa quest entails a tremendous amount of hoop jumping, made trickier by the mistreatment Osy gets.
It started early in the trip. After a maddening experience at the San Francisco airport, during which we learned that Osy needed a "direct airside transit visa" to sit in Heathrow during the layover—but can't get one without a U.S. green card—Osy flew on an African airline and met us in Lagos. Sans baggage. When Osy's brother and nephew took us to the Lagos airport to retrieve the luggage days later, the Nigerian airport security guard refused to let the men into the building, even after seeing Osy's baggage claim tickets, which bore Osy's distinctly Igbo name.
It was then that I spoke up and discovered the three magic words: "He's with me." The g uard stepped aside for all of us and said, "Welcome to Nigeria."
The scenario repeated at the uncannily Emerald City-like front gate to the Japanese Embassy, where Osy had to collect, as a U.S. visa requirement, a preordered police clearance for the fiv e years he lived years in Japan. The Nigerian guards denied him entry and shouted: "This is not a post office!" So I whipped out my passport, Old West style, and said, "He's with me." We were in. "Welcome to Nigeria." The police report, vital to Osy's vis a application, was waiting and would have collected dust there, had Osy gone alone. We snapped it up.
This is how our trip has gone. Like an A-lister clubbing in Manhattan, I can get past all the bouncers. I just flash my pasty-white skin or my enchante d U.S. passport, and I'm past the velvet ropes with my previously rejected posse. It has worked for getting a parking space, entering the U.S. consulate, requesting medical forms and ordering breakfast.
Only once did hostility toward Igbos outweigh hosp itality toward foreigners. We were returning to Lagos from a beach near the Benin Republic border with Osy's brother Martin and our combined seven children, ages 4 to 8. Armed border guards and customs agents stopped the van literally a dozen times and th en, seeing me riding shotgun, quickly waved us on with a "Welcome to Nigeria." But at the last roadblock, a Nigerian police officer demanded to see Martin's license, confirmed aloud that Martin was from the Igbo region, and said he'd have to pay a fine fo r driving with an Anambra state license in Lagos. Then the officer climbed in the van, ordered Martin to drive, and extorted a "bribe."
After that, we left Lagos and headed east to Igboland, where Osy is regularly congratulated for snagging a young, childbearing foreigner; I'm still popular. Here, Southeastern-state governors convene to nominate an Igbo presidential candidate for Nigeria. Local rebels meet secretly to plan for a sovereign nation of seceding Southeastern states: a new Biafra. And I wait with my family for notice of Osy's visa interview so that all of us, Igbo and oyibo alike, can go home to San Francisco.
Karen Pojmann is a Bay Area freelance writer who is currently living in Nigeria.›e


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Working on multiple projects simultaneously sometimes means that I miss important news—in this case, the announcement that On Demand Books has made an agreement with Books-A-Million to install two Espresso Book Machines in its stores (press release here). The first location of Portland, Maine, has been revealed, but the second is still up in the air—Richmond, please? Given the typical stock of a Books-A-Million, I feel like the introduction of the EBM will automatically increase the number of actual books in the store by 100%.
Don't know what the Espresso Book Machine is? Hop on over to an article I wrote about a year ago for the Neworld Review, here.


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CPFSJ is a collaborative 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization (IRS tax identification number 68-0475602) representing neighborhood groups, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, public and private health, and law enforcement agencies. CPFSJ manages six Family Resource Centers in Lodi, Stockton (DCII, VILLA, CHATEAU, CUFF) and TRACY. Our Neighborhood Family Resource Centers are located in the highest need areas across San Joaquin County and offers a large variety of collaborative services.
We strive to assist families to achieve the following outcomes through various programs :
nurtured children and homes free from violence and neglect
Youth that are ready to learn when they enter school and are able to pursue education and employment programs and opportunities as they grow
healthy children services with access to appropriate healthcare
economic self-sufficiency
Community programs that keep communities safe and secure which allow for local businesses to invest
We work towards advanced public and private partnerships, agency collaborations, policies and programs that produce positive results for families. Our three-tiered approach is fundamental in achieving these goals:
Stabilize families by helping to resolve immediate crises
Engage families in meeting their own goals through a successful multi-disciplinary team approach called the
Family Success Team
Involve families that have successfully met their needs in the first or second tier in building nurturing and thriving neighborhoods and communities
Our Programs
Employment and Training
In 2016 CPFSJ launched the San Joaquin Bridge Academy in collaboration with the Human Services Agency as part of the Cal Fresh SNAP (Food Stamp) Employment and Training program.
Strategic Goals
1. Increase job placement, retention, and wages
2. Increase CalFresh E&T participation across a dynamic mix of people, communities and cultures
3. Increase employability by removing barriers to employment
4. Increase skills attainment and credentialing
5. Lead an efficient and effective customer focused E&T program
The Bridge Academy is based on a model launched in Fresno in 2010. Its mission is to support transition families of San Joaquin from public assistance to self-reliance. It's aimed principally at families who are recipients of CalFresh (food stamp) benefits. The 18-month program, which is entirely voluntary, recognizes the importance of family support services in creating major life changes. With help from a career and family navigator, adults participating in the program get help with career training, finding a job, and building essential life skills like household budgeting. Children are matched with mentors and tutors to help ensure that they're healthy, going to school, and learning at grade level. The program connects and integrates a network of services so that families in need know how to use them to create a better life.
More than 80% of participating families gain employment or significantly increase their incomes, and more than 30% achieve full self-reliance after only 18 months with these community programs. And taxpayers see a return of more than 5 to 1 for every taxpayer dollar invested.
Youth Program
Youth Case Management & Youth Group
Youth Work (PYJI)
CPFSJ Provides wraparound case management youth services for youth at risk of gang involvement, youth who are struggling academically, foster youth, youth on probation or youth who need extra help and developing their capacity and self awareness. CPFSJ utilizes the Teen Empowerment model to facilitate interactive youth groups. We partner with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health's Friday Night Live program and work extensively with our local school districts and non profit partners. If you know of a youth who would benefit from our Youth Program, please reach out to Lindsay Lopez, at email@example.com.
The Positive Youth Justice Initiative is working with communities across California to transform juvenile justice practice and policy into a more just, effective system that is aligned with the developmental needs of young people. In San Joaquin County, the Positive Youth Justice Initiative (PYJI) is a collaboration with San Joaquin County Probation Department and Community Based Organizations. CPFSJ provides case management to youth referred by Probation with the goal to reduce violence, crime and recidivism in the most at risk youth. We operate this program presently out of 3 sites. Lodi, South Stockton and Lord's Gym City Center. For more information contact firstname.lastname@example.com or email@example.com
Youth Work (RECONNECT)
Reconnect is Probation run "day-reporting" center that partner's with SJCOED to provide high school curriculum to the students who are matriculating back into daily population after being released from camp or juvenile hall. The youth SIC who runs groups out there 2x week and provides mentoring and support for the youth and their families, in addition to attending all orientations that are held when a family first comes to the school to learn about guidelines and expectations to finishing the program. The program itself is 60 school days long and a youth is assigned an additional probation officer while at the school, who is permitted to violate them if they do not follow the protocols set forth in the orientation. (example: random drug testing, adhering to school policy, dress code, fighting and or a negative attitude towards staff or other students.)
California realignment of the criminal justice system (AB109) went into effect in October 2011, and San Joaquin County became responsible for the rehabilitation of criminals convicted of felonies the state classifies as "non-violent," "non-sexual" and "non-serious."
CPFSJ has partnered for the last five years with SJC Probation to provide a holistic family centered programming to AB109 participants. When participants are engaged in positive activities and provided the skills and resources to find employment, develop strong communication and family skills they are less likely to re-offend. Over the past four years San Joaquin County has seen a significant drop in recidivism rates for participants engaged in the A109 realignment program.
In 2017 CPFSJ Partnered with San Joaquin County Human Services Agency and San Joaquin Country Probation to pilot a Cal-Fresh Employment and Training Program using the Bridge Academy Model. The 18-month program, which is entirely voluntary for AB109 Participants who are also receiving Cal-Fresh, recognizes the importance family community programs creating major life changes. With help from a career and family navigator, adults participating in the community program get help with career training, finding a job, and building essential life skills. To learn more about our AB109 E&T program or to enroll please contact Program Supervisor Amethyst Ware at firstname.lastname@example.com.
VITA is our IRS-certified program wherein CPFSJ completes income taxes for mid-low income families. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
Lat year CPFSJ completed over 2,000 tax returns, returning over $4M to the San Joaquin County. This community resource program helps mid-low income families avoid the predatory lending practices of some tax services. Further CPFSJ is working in partnership with BVAA Compass to provide financial literacy classes for participants in VITA.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
CPFSJ partners with HSA of San Joaquin County to support CalWORKs recipients at community Schools. This pilot project is located at Taylor Leadership Academy as well as Roosevelt Elementary. Our Service Integration Coordinators (SIC) at both schools works with families to provide in-depth case management. The SICs work to limit the barriers that exist for self sufficiency.
You'll also find the staff at the community schools with resources and hosting parenting classes, homework club, and book fairs. CPFSJ works hard to be active in these community schools to be the resource center, advocate and refuge for families.


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Rhythms India is live!
You are listening to Rhythmsindia!
This is very exciting. We have just created a new website and app, Rhythmsindia, which streams non stop Indian music. Its available 24/7 and has a varied mix from North to South, a little something for everyone!
The app is available on both iOS and android. Its a nice, simple, user friendly app but dont take our word for it, download it yourself and let us know what you think.
To visit the website click here
The android app can now be downloaded at google play store.
Enjoy, and remember to give us feedback.


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Lillian Moore Bradshaw blazed a 38-year path in Dallas that cleared a management path for women in city government.
In 1946, she was one of the first married women hired at the Dallas Public Library, where she was the first female director 16 years later. She was the first woman to lead a major U.S. library. And she capped off her decades of public service as an assistant city manager/liaison when Dallas played host to the 1984 Republican National Convention.
Mrs. Bradshaw, 95, died Tuesday of natural causes at an Avalon Residential Care Home in Dallas.
Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Restland Funeral Home's Memorial Chapel.
"She managed probably the greatest expansion in library service in the history of Dallas," said former City Manager George Schrader. "She developed a library plan. She was a giant in her profession."
Under Mrs. Bradshaw's direction, Dallas built 18 of the city's 25 branch libraries, which she said should be tailored to serve individual neighborhoods.
Although she retired in 1984, Mrs. Bradshaw's vision for the Dallas library system is still viable and in place, said Laurie Evans, the library's current director.
Mrs. Bradshaw hired other women who followed in her success, including Ms. Evans and Mary Suhm, Dallas' current city manager.
The two women recently visited Mrs. Bradshaw for lunch at her retirement home.
"She had this booming voice," Ms. Evans said. "We walked in and all the other residents were eating, and she made them stop.
"She said: 'You see these two women? They were my hires and they run the city.' "
Mrs. Bradshaw was strategic, charming and energetic, Ms. Suhm said.
"She was very good at standing by her values without being a martyr to those values," Ms. Suhm said. "She was very good about recognizing battles and how to fight them."
Being the first woman to lead a department for the city was not embraced by all. When she officially was named the library's director, one high-ranking city official told her that she didn't need to attend the monthly department head meeting.
"I found out where and when that meeting was, and for the next 22 years ... I never missed it unless I was out of town," Mrs. Bradshaw said in 2000. "And I think I had something to add."
Mr. Schrader added: "She liked to be considered a force and an outspoken member of the management team, but she did it very becomingly.
"I used to tease her that I worked for her."
Mrs. Bradshaw eventually chaired a task force for Mr. Schrader to examine opportunities and obstacles women faced in Dallas government.
She was born in Hagerstown, Md., but spent her early childhood in Frederick, Md. Her mother was a schoolteacher and her father was a railroad conductor. He would bring Mrs. Bradshaw and her younger sister books from the Washington, D.C. library.
The young Mrs. Bradshaw developed a taste for nonfiction and quickly found her way around the Frederick public library.
"I discovered they were keeping the gift books in the basement," she said in 2000. "Books that had been given to the library but hadn't been cataloged. ... I could sit there surrounded by books of all kinds."
Mrs. Bradshaw was the first family member to attend college and received her bachelor's degree from Western Maryland College in Westminster, Md., and her graduate degree from Drexel University School of Library Sciences in Philadelphia.
She started her career at the library in Utica, N.Y., and met her future husband, William "Brad" Bradshaw, in Baltimore, where she worked at the public library.
After the war, the couple married and settled in South Dallas. Mr. Bradshaw joined the fire department, where he became a battalion chief. He died in 1979.
The Dallas library, which at the time considered married women unqualified, hired her during the post-World War II labor shortage.
She worked her way up, and in 1958 was named assistant director. In 1961, when the director resigned, she was named interim library director.
Her honors included Librarian of the Year by the Texas Library Association in 1961 and serving as president of the American Library Association in 1970.
The fourth-floor gallery at the J. Erik Jonsson central library is named in her honor.
Mrs. Bradshaw delayed her retirement to oversee preparations for the 1984 GOP convention.
Even in retirement, she stayed active. She served on a task force to reorganize the municipal court system, as well as boards of civic, philanthropic, educational and artistic organizations. Her work included helping former Dallas County Judge Dave Fox raise money for the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
Mrs. Bradshaw's many assignments across city government show the breadth of her ability, Ms. Suhm said.
"That was a time when you didn't trade departmental assignments around very much," Ms. Suhm said. "If she had been born in another time, she would have been one of these women who want to be a city manager."
Mrs. Bradshaw leaves no immediate survivors.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young St., Dallas 75201.


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|23 Nov 2015
Disk 1 Unknown, Not Initialized - Samsung M3 Portable
I have a Samsung external hard disk drive.
It doesn't detect on Explorer.
System Specifications
OS: Windows 10 - 64 bit
Notebook Model Dell - Inspiron 14 - 5000 series (i7 processor intel)
External HD - Samsung M3 Portable - Model: HX-M101TCB/G - Capacity: 1 tb
Sometimes it appears on diskmgmt.msc, but sometimes does not.
Right now it's appearing as "Disk 1 - Unknown - Not Initialised"
I can see my hard disk under "Disk Drives" as "Samsung M3 Portable USB Device".
My external hd appears in "Devices and Printers" under "Devices".
But cannot be accessed.
It finds the HDD, but "Partition Recovery Wizard" is not able to recover it.
|My System Specs
|23 Nov 2015
Hi rafaelvidal,
Welcome to SevenForums,
1. Complete details of your Samsung M3. Model no: ?? Capacity ??
2. Screenshots: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums
3. No overlapping screenshots. In the Partition Wizard screenshot I can't see what is behind except that it is an MBR drive.
Please redo your post for the folks here to understand and help you. If you are not in the Americas please change the timezone (UserCP) so that we get to know whether you are sleeping or awake. :)
|My System Specs
|23 Nov 2015
Hi, jumanji, I'm glad to see you. I have seen you are very active on this kind of problem. *hopes have raised*
1- Samsung M3 Portable - Model: HX-M101TCB/G - Capacity: 1 tb
2- Screenshots of what?
3- Screenshot updated in #1post.
|My System Specs
|23 Nov 2015
Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
jumanji does this matter? From post #1
OS: Windows 10 - 64 bit
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
@rafael vidal, if your local time shown in your post is correct you can go to sleep. Layback Bear has three brain cells. Me, I am afraid have only one or none . Let me mull over your problem and see whether anything fires up my synaptic nerves.
Keep your external HDD under rest till then.
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
Shouldn't matter as long as the OP was able to access it on Windows 10 earlier. In any case better the OP clarifies it. 1. Whether it was performing on Windows 10 earlier and 2. Whether he could access other USB HDDs/pendrives on his Windows 10.
@rafael vidal, if your local time shown in your post is correct you can go to sleep. Layback Bear has three brain cells. Me, I am afraid have only one or none . Let me mull over your problem and see whether anything fires up my synaptic nerves.
Keep your external HDD under rest till then.
1. it was working earlier
2. other HDDs/pendrives are working on this Windows 10 system.
I was on my way to the bed, yes. Thank you for your kindness and attention.
God bless you.
PS: I can give you TeamViewer access if you want
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
OK, it is a great relief that your external drive is not being shown as a Bad Disk in Partition Wizard. ( That is what I wanted to see.)
My first thought is that the Interface electronics inside the enclosure - the SATA to USB bridge - must have failed.
Now install bootice - if your Windows is 64 bit, download the 64 bit version. It is just one single executable BOOTICEx64.exe when you extract that .rar file. You can download it on to a pendrive and extract it or extract it to the pendrive and run it from the pendrive.( At the moment I don't know whether it will run on Windows 10, but think it should. Try. No harm.)
Read this post Lost partitions! (Download link there.)
Run bootice clicking that .exe file. Check whether it can access your external drive. (Have that plugged in before you run bootice.) If it can access your external, post the second screenshot in that post showing sector 0 and and also the partition structure.
Don't worry if your external is not shown. It will be yet another confirmation of the failure of electronics inside. We shall then go to the next step in analysing the situation.
Make sure to safely remove the drive after this test to rest it.
Also tell me whether your external drive is still under warranty.
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
Bootice sees it, but can't do anything on it.
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
Ok, never mind.
We shall now go ahead and try to initialise the drive and see what happens. Not to worry. Initialisation only writes the MBR code in sector 0, brings the drive online and Windows writes the MBR code and unique ID in sector 0. It does not affect any of your data which starts at sector 2048.
What you will do now:
When you are asked to initialise in Windows Disk Management , initialise it as an MBR disk.
If initialisation goes through stop with it. Do not create a new volume and do not format.
If it fails to initialise and puts out an error message, post the screenshot of the error message.
After this close everything and safely remove your external drive.
I shall see your post my tomorrow morning, that is after another seven to eight hours from now and we shall continue.
|My System Specs
|24 Nov 2015
Not under warranty.
I'm more concerned about the data than the hard drive itself.
|My System Specs
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I have 3 baby shower requests to fulfill this month. Did I mention that I love making baby shower cookies? They make me very happy.
I went with jungle animals for order #1. I don't love the scale of the animals on the onesies, but it is difficult to make them much smaller.
Lots more baby cookies to come. I am thinking something nautical for the next round. Or maybe tiny vintage cars…


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ˈvēɡən/ (noun) is defined by Merriam Webster as "a person who does not eat any food that comes from animals and who often does not use animal products such as leather".
Back in 2007, I happened upon a book at the Denver Public Library written by Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman entitled, "SKINNY BITCH : A NO-NONSENSE, TOUGH-LOVE GUIDE FOR SAVVY GIRLS WHO WANT TO STOP EATING CRAP AND START LOOKING FABULOUS!" Intrigued by the catchy title and having an ardent desire to look fabulous, I picked it up. What was inside really opened my eyes.
I had a vague idea of what the word vegan meant but the details of a vegan lifestyle were sketchy for me at best. Barnouin and Freedman took me on a fast paced tutorial of life in the vegan lane.
They start out by giving all of the reasons you should become a vegan. Many of the reasons center around looking good and getting healthy. Other reasons are ethical. In any case, they inform, amuse and entertain in equal parts with wry observations and salty language (their description of diet soda is hilarious but sadly probably correct). Reading this book opened my eyes to a whole new way of eating. Up to this point I ate what I thought of as a "healthy diet" and avoided junk food as much as is humanly possible. I did, however, eat a lot of what Barnouin and Freedman refer to in their title as crap, that is, dairy products and meat.
To make a long story short, I became a vegan for two years. Although I am no longer a vegan, my eating habits have changed for the better because of this experience. It also gave me the experience of being on a "special diet". Well-meaning and often misinformed people say the craziest things when you try to explain why you are eating or not eating certain things.
Here are some of the things you need to know about a vegan diet. It is plant based food 24/7, no meat, poultry, fish or dairy products, period. You can shop for a vegan diet in a regular grocery store. There are lots of places in Denver to dine out and still eat a vegan meal. There are some pitfalls. Mainly vegan doesn't necessarily mean healthy and you need to make sure you are getting enough protein and all of your vitamins and minerals.
You are not eating meat, poultry or dairy products so what are you going to eat? Here's the list:
- Vegetables-5 or more servings per day
- Fruits-4 or more servings per day
- Legumes-3 or more servings per day
- Grains-3 or more servings per day
- Nuts or seeds-1 or more servings per day
Eight years ago when I started my vegan quest finding recipes and locating ingredients was challenging. Today, a search of the Denver Public Library titled "vegan" yielded 286 entries. You can shop at King Sooper's and Sunflower and locate traditionally vegan ingredients like seitan, tempeh, miso, tahini and nutritional yeast. The produce sections of both stores have grown exponentially in the last few years as well. Including 5 or more vegetable servings in your daily menu challenges you to try new things. In an upcoming blog I will talk more about finding recipes and preparing amazing dishes.
Watercourse Foods on 17th Avenue in Denver used to be one of the few places where vegans could dine out. They have been around since 1998 and are still going strong today. You can choose from mouthwatering entrees like Cauliflower Wings, Mac 'n' Cheese with Broccoli and Bacon Bits or a Street Taco Platter. The vegan dining out experience has expanded significantly in Denver in the recent past. Westword Magazine listed Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs and Sputnik as two non-vegan restaurants with outstanding vegan dishes. Native Foods, a fast casual vegan restaurant, is springing up all over Denver. They feature traditional (and not so traditional) comfort foods with a vegan twist. Everything is chef prepared daily. Chipotle has added organic, braised, tofu sofritas as a protein option on their menu. Suffice it to say, you have options if you want to eat out and still be a vegan.
You can be a vegan and consume a lot of empty calories. Yes, that's right, just because it is vegan doesn't necessarily mean it is good for you. Oreos, potato chips and Twizzlers are all vegan. Vegan cookies and frozen desserts are often loaded with fat, salt and sugar. Ingredients in restaurant dishes can provide nutrients and fiber but they can also be loaded with calories, fat and sodium. For example, the Sofritas burrito bowl with guacamole from Chipotle contains 740 kcal, 40.5 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, and 1735 mg of sodium. You get the idea. In order to be well fed, vegans need to follow the same guidelines as the rest of us. Intake of refined carbs, saturated fat and sodium should be limited. Consuming too many empty calories, vegan or not, causes weight gain. Eating a wide variety of whole foods and limiting the amount of highly processed food consumed is key. All of this sounds familiar, right?
Vegan diets are trendy right now. You could even say vegan diets are a food fad like juicing. Far from being a fad, eating vegan can increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This is a good thing. It can also be a little more difficult to get all of the protein and micronutrients you require to be healthy. Stay tuned for my future blog on vegan cooking. I've got some dishes that will knock your socks off!


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Will Young's career began when a bartender walked out mid shift. Asked if he could step in, Will said "Sure. It couldn't be that hard."
He never forget his first order: A CC&7. "Which I had no clue how to make!
"The customer told me what it was and added, 'you should keep your day job.'"
Over 10 years later, there's no place he'd rather be than behind the bar.
Will's Cocktails


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"Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones, Anjin-san*. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don't give way to the seven, you're patient, then you'll soon understand all manner of things and be in harmony with Eternity."
— James Clavell, Shōgun
*Anjin-san, translates as Pilot, and was the name given to the principal character in the story.
The image of a lotus flower often associated with the idea of karma, is by Nevit Dilmen [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons


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Receiving new life in His name
God is recreating the world through Jesus, the incarnate Word who comes to shine His light into a dark earth, revealing the Father's glory. Those who receive him by believing in His name are made into God's children.
John 1:1-18
26 Jan 2014
Simon Murphy


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Postpartum & Major Depression: A Nutritional Approach
It's not just the winter blahs that can get you down when you have a hard time getting out of bed every morning or have no desire to engage in fun activities with your family or friends. It could be a much more serious problem involving clinical depression.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, over 21 million people experience some sort of major depressive disorder annually in the United States. That's pretty serious. Add to that the fact that women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression. We're talking about a deep issue that affects a significant portion of people we know. I have suffered from major depression twice in my life. I also worked on a psychiatric unit for three years as well as sold antidepressants for five years. I have felt and seen first hand the effects of what depression can do. It physically feels like you can not come up for air....like there is no light or solutions to release the darkness you feel. When caring for someone with depression, it can feel exhausting because little you say or do to be that light for someone can lift them out of immobility.
Postpartum depression is much more serious than just the baby blues that are commonly experienced after giving birth. The normal hormone imbalances, physical changes and overwhelming feelings of being a new mother to a newborn baby can have their ill effects. But, post partum depression is more intense than the usual symptoms. It's an exhausting time coupled with taking care of a newborn that seemingly cries non stop for your attention and to fill it's every need. Doctors estimate that between 10 and 15 percent of women experience post partum depression during what is supposed to be one of the happiest periods of their lives. "Supposed to be" is the residual feelings of PPD. Women that suffer from it feel GUILT that they aren't totally over the moon with the entire experience as they are "supposed" to be.
Of course, there are many treatments for the various forms of diagnosed depression, including therapy and medications. I've personally witnessed ECT (electric shock therapy) for patients, have been a part of hundreds of counseling sessions, as well as sold SSRI's, a form of antidepressant for many years which had me in many conversations regarding mood and depression options with psychiatrists. However, these measures don't always resolve the issues. In most cases, it takes a combination of both behavioral and medication methods to get relief. Most often the medications, require long term use and often have their own side effects that cause more problems, too. Specifically, weight gain as many medications that manipulate serotonin, may also increase carbohydrate cravings. After getting my holistic health certification, I learned that nutrition and "super foods" play a very important role in mental health. There are many foods that naturally balance one's levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Consequently, there are also many synthetic ingredients and chemicals added to our food supply that negatively affect our mood, brain function and cognitive function. I am not saying that food is the "cure all". But it certainly should be the first place we can start making changes for the better.
Shakeology®, while seen as the key to fitness and nutrition in many people's journeys to better health or weight loss, may also be an integral part of overcoming your problem with depression. Why? Because it's entire philosophy is based on dense, clean whole food nutrition and is loaded with natural ingredients that help lift depression and stabilize ones mood. The creator of Shakeology, Darin Olien's entire vision behind Shakeology was to bring the worlds 70 best nutritional super foods to your door in one easy meal. Here are a couple examples of what good nutrition can do:
FRUITS and VEGETABLES: Shakeology is the nutritional equivalent to five servings of whole food vegetables. In a recent study of close to 3,500 men and women published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, those who reported eating a diet rich in whole foods in the previous year were less likely to report feeling depressed than those who ate lots of desserts, fried foods, processed meats, refined grains and high-fat dairy products. Previous studies have shown that antioxidants in fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower risk of depression. Folate, a B vitamin found in beans, citrus and dark green vegetables like spinach, affects neurotransmitters that impact mood. It's possible that the protectiveness of the whole-food diet comes from a cumulative effect of these nutrients.
Eating dark chocolate (1.4 ounces of it, to be exact) every day for two weeks reduced stress hormones, including cortisol, in people who were highly stressed, a study done at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland recently found. Experts believe it could be thanks to the antioxidants in chocolate. The natural cacao in Shakeology's chocolate is as pure and non-processed as it gets.
There is no shame in taking anti-depressant medication or going for professional help through counseling. However, many people have found that they can ditch their medications and couch sessions entirely after making Shakeology® a part of their normal routines. Another theory is INFLAMMATION. There a many super foods in Shakeology that reduce inflammation. Bottom line---> you reduce inflammation, you may very well reduce the disease and/ or it's symptoms, as well. The 70 super foods is another variable that sets Shakeology aside from all the other shakes you fill find. It's the "medicinal super foods" that may help your body heal. Here is a great article tying reducing inflammation with reducing depression.
Elite Beachbody Coach Brigitte Linford openly shares her story about depression and how Shakeology® helped her break through to happiness. She says, "I have battled depression for the MAJORITY of my life! No exaggeration. There were times in my life I could not see a light at the end of tunnel. I was suicidal and I felt like giving up. But I clung to the idea that someday, somehow, my struggles would provide a way for me to help someone else.
You hear me talk about Shakeology®, and I think most people assume it is JUST a protein shake or JUST a weight loss shake. But it is so much more than that! It is the most nutrient dense thing you can give your body. And I am PASSIONATE about Shakeology® because it has changed everything for me.
Yes, I lost 30 lbs in four months by adding one shake a day to my exercise program. But more importantly, I am off anti-depressants for the first time in MY LIFE! I no longer have to take SEVERAL vitamins a day, I no longer HAVE to take a daily nap. I am able to be PRESENT for my kids instead of going on auto-pilot and tuning out! All I do is take one shake a day and I feel better than I have ever felt before in my life."
She's not the only one to have found a remedy with Shakeology®:
Rachel shared this testimony: "I was on depression meds for nine years and now have been off of them completely for nine months. AND, I just had a baby and NO POST PARTUM! WooHoo! Shakeology® is a nutritional game changer. It is amazing how much better you feel when you start feeding your body the right foods."
Bernadette had a similar experience: "I was on anxiety meds for some time, then stopped during my pregnancy. A few months after my daughter was born, I knew it was time to go back on them. I finally got more involved with Beachbody and healthy nutrition. My next step was to start Shakeology®. I am now weaning off the meds and can't wait to finish! I hate putting that stuff in my body!"
Phyllis commented: "I, too, am off of ALL of my meds for the first time since 1996! Shakeology® TRULY is a wonder product."
Samantha divulged: "I have been taking anti-depressants since I was 11 years old. Doctors have prescribed every pill there is throughout the years. It wasn't until I was drinking Shakeology® for six months that I was finally able to talk to my doctor and GET OFF OF THEM--COMPLETELY! Shakeology® has been a blessing for me. For those who I haven't shared this with, it's made me a better mother. Before Shakeology®, I was battling PPD over my clinical depression and was having a difficult time enjoying motherhood. I wasn't able to breastfeed or play with my kids. I just gave them toys to play with and sat. Since drinking Shakeology®, I was able to produce milk again and enjoyed feeding my daughter. And, I am much MORE involved with my children's lives."
Depression can be such an intolerable and misunderstood disease by society. Unlike other diseases that are measured by a blood or diagnostic test, depression is subjective and often dismissed as a "choice." It can be a debilitating life long struggle. It's even worse when it carries over and affects the lives of those you love the most. Is Shakeology® proven clinically to resolve depression issues? No. But, many people are living examples that the nutrition in it has enabled them to lead a lifestyle free from the symptoms that previously plagued them. Not only that, when you fuel your body well, you tend to have more energy, so you get out and do more and exercise is on of the most effective way to boost serotonin.
It could or could not be the combination of the super foods paired with really dense nutrition. Regardless, I truly believe that what we consistently put in our body MATTERS- not just for our physical health, but our mental, as well.
Live strong.
Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach
For a "Dear Doctor" letter to provide to your doctor on your next visit to find out if Shakeology may help you, contact me at email@example.com and I will send you a printable copy. Results may vary. Please consult your physician before beginning any supplement or meal replacement product, particularly if you have any unique or special needs or conditions, such as food allergies, dietary restrictions, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.


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All change—again
THE waterways museums at Gloucester and Stoke Bruerne are being re-named, which is to 'emphasise and strengthen their links with their local environment'.
The museum at Gloucester will now be known as Gloucester Waterways Museum and at Stoke Bruerne the museum will revert to its original name, the Canal Museum.
The waterways museum at Ellesmere Port already had its name changed, so will remain as the National Waterways Museum and will be 'focal point for telling the national story of the inland waterways'. The photograph above shows the museum at Gloucester. The one below at Stoke Bruerne.
Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust that is responsible for the operation of the three museums, explained:
"Over the past twelve months we have worked very closely with volunteers and a range of other partners at each museum site. Each museum is now operated as a partnership between museum staff and volunteers, and this has helped to bring about a new direction and focus for each location.
"The first step on this road is the change of name. As funding becomes available we will then start to re-focus the story and collection to celebrate the local heritage."


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Philadelphia Eagles' Marcus Johnson baptized in hotel pool with teammates by his side
Marcus Johnson, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, said he was baptized in a North Carolina swimming pool Thursday with the support of several of his teammates — and tweeted out a photo of the event.
"First time being Baptized! Corporate Worship is a beautiful thing!! Cleaned & Reborn in JESUS name!! #WholeHeartedly," Johnson tweeted Thursday.
Johnson was baptized in Charlotte at the hotel where the team was staying, according to CBS Sports. The Eagles beat the Carolina Panthers Thursday, with a score of 28-23.
Alongside Johnson during his baptism was quarterback Carson Wentz, tight end Zach Ertz, offensive guard Stefen Wisniewski, tight end Trey Burton, linebacker Jordan Hicks and backup quarterback Nick Foles, among others, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Chase Daniel, now a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, told ESPN in December 2016 when he was a backup quarterback for the Eagles that his team was "by far the most spiritual team I've been on."
Five teammates — linebackers Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks and Kamu Grugier-Hill, and wide receivers Paul Turner and David Watford — were baptized in the Philadelphia Eagles' recovery pool late last year, according to reports.


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Mixed Bases Mixed Color Bag
€40.00 – €60.00
Choose how many skeins you would like in your Surprise Bag and we will make you up mixed bases and mixed colors. The skeins we use are extras we have dyed for Club and Wholesale with some OOAKs (one of a kinds) which we dye when designing new colorways.
The bases will be one of the following:
75/25 4ply Fine Sock 75 SW Merino/25 Nylon – smooth, soft and a durable making it the perfect choice for all projects: socks, baby clothing, shawls, cardigans, and sweaters. The softness and drape is fab next to the skin and it works well knitted loose or tightly depending on your project – 100g -Yardage 460yrds (435m)
Singles 1ply SW Merino yarn is a fine, soft, dense and lofty once washed with an elegant sheen. It is perfect for adding a little extra to a project especially next to the skin items – sweaters, hats, cowls, shawls, scarves and baby items – 100g -Yardage 400yrds (366m)
Sport 3ply 100% SW Fine Merino with a sturdy twist – in-between Sock and DK it covers every project for a light but substantial garment. It takes dye beautifully and has structure and texture – 100g -Yardage 328yrds (300m)
DK Twist 100% SW Fine Merino is a gorgeous soft yarn with fab stitch definition – 120g -Yardage 251yrds (230m)
Aran 100% SW Merino – gorgeous and soft for a quick knit – 100g – Yardage 181yrds (166m)


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You Asked For It
Black-eyed peas and bacon belong together
A Charlotte reader writes: "At the South Beach Grill in Wrightsville Beach, we had an interesting appetizer: A small cast-iron pot of fried black-eyed peas with brown sugar bacon. Amazingly tasty."
I usually steer clear of recipe requests for out-of-town restaurants as it could open a Pandora's box, generating requests from all over. But this recipe comes from a tourist town that's popular with Charlotte readers, so I gave it a shot.
This recipe has a number of components, but if you follow the steps, it comes together nicely.
Once the peas are flash-fried, they have a lovely creaminess on the inside and a crispness on the outside. The sweet/salty/smoky bacon is the bomb. I could eat it by itself.
Since I like spicy food, I tossed the peas and bacon with a full teaspoon of the spice mix.
If you get a 15-ounce can of peas, you'll have almost enough to make the recipe again with the leftover bacon and spices. And since the oil will still be relatively clean, I say go for it.


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A month where sports go to die, February offers a meaningless array of spring training games and NFL free agency news. The only thing left to comfort sports fans in this cold and depressing month is the possibility that LeBron James might drop 50 points on the Knicks.
Yet with March comes a month devoted to school pride, bracketology and madness - March Madness. As the NCAA tournament gets into full swing, sports fans finally can have something to look forward to.
This past weekend fans saw the once 64-team field of the NCAA tournament cut down to its final four.
On Saturday, No. 1 ranked Connecticut beat No. 3 Missouri 82-75, despite the dark cloud of the alleged recruiting violation scandal. Meanwhile, No. 3 Villanova upset No. 1 Pittsburgh by two points with an exciting last-second shot by Scottie Reynolds to win 78-76.
On Sunday, college basketball powerhouse No. 1 North Carolina beat Blake Griffin and his No. 2 Oklahoma team by 12 points to advance to its record 18th Final Four appearance. Earlier that same day, No. 2 Michigan State upset the top ranked Louisville Cardinals 64-52 to extend their bid for a national championship.
Now all eyes turn, with brackets in hand, to next weekend's semifinal matchups of Connecticut against Michigan State and North Carolina against Villanova.
Next Saturday's Connecticut/Michigan State game will not only put two talented teams, but two national championship coaches against each other.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo started off this decade with a championship in 2000, while Connecticut's Jim Calhoun is looking for his third national title after winning in 1999 and 2004.
Despite Izzo's motivational skills, a slight edge must go to UConn, who is playing as hard as anyone in the nation, led by a talented group of players including 7-foot-3-inch Hasheem Thabeet and senior guard A. J. Price. The game should be close, especially since Michigan State practically has home court advantage playing in their home state - a rarity in the tournament. When the dust clears I see Connecticut coming out on top, but not by much.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have been favored most of the year with charismatic senior Tyler Hansbrough leading the charge. Hansbrough returned for his senior season specifically to win a national championship, and he along with guard Ty Lawson will make it very hard for Villanova in next Saturday's matchup.
One thing that Villanova does have going for them is that they're playing in a low-pressure environment, as people will most likely pick the top-seeded Tar Heels.
In the end, North Carolina will likely prove too much for Villanova and advance to their fifth national title game.
The Final Four will start this Saturday with Michigan State versus Connecticut at 6:07 p.m. and North Carolina versus Villanova on CBS at 8:47 p.m.


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I hardly recognized what it looked like
Not much sales-related activity today. In the morning there was the weekly new agents' meeting in the office, which lasted close to two hours. Worth it, though, as I found out some potentially useful approached when calling customers on the telephone. Best tip of all: do not say "how are you" after introducing yourself. Customers know that you don't really care, so using that line comes off as insincere. After the meeting I had to handle some non-work-related business matters, which took up a good chunk of the afternoon. Later on I went to a nearby community to meet a potential customer, unfortunately I wasn't able to make contact with him. He'll be available tomorrow, however.
Gym: Yep, I made it in. What a relief. Had a decent leg session, too. Horizontal leg presses: 4 x 8 x 360. Life Fitness seated leg curls: 4 x 8 x 185. Seated calf raises: 4 x 12 x 135. Precor leg extensions: 3 x 8 x 190.


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Sectional Sofas For Little Areas – Every person can set up a contemporary sectional sofa into any home, even if the home has just a minimal place. Which is due to the fact you are able to correct the condition of the sofa to match just about all your needs. These sofas comprise of independent modules which could be extra in any way you enjoy, enabling you to make them as large or as minimal as you want. The most helpful aspect of these sofas is they place all your chairs and sofas in 1 small place.
Modular sofas arrive in a lot of various types and materials, which permits you to choose microfiber, nylon, vinyl and leather. You can assemble one thing uncommon for a whole lot much less than it would price tag you when paying for specifically produced objects. It is also exceptionally straightforward to identify matching slipcovers for sectional sofas if anyone spills a drink on your home furniture.
Nonetheless, really do not come to feel you will have to preserve your sofa in a corner of the home, it'll seem equally superb in the centre in which it stands out. You may well also buy woven sectional sofa modules with identically lined backs that seem pretty modern in any locale.
In circumstance you chance to reside in a 1-roomed apartment with no bedroom, you can nevertheless get a sectional sofas for small areas when expected, that converts into a mattress. There are numerous other modules that will transform into a recliner seat or that can be produced into reclining chairs with the addition of a footstool. The footstools could also give more storage.
The purpose behind the growing level of popularity of sectional sofas is the amazing adaptability that they supply the purchaser. You can be your own home furniture designer with all of the freedom that indicates.
In circumstance your requirements modify and you drive more seating afterward it is only a small issue of fitting one more chair or two to your sofa. Of system, if you come to feel extravagant, it is also feasible to get a zero gravity seat to end matters off!


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Yoga isn't about making things fit us so we feel better. In fact, that actually creates a roller coaster. Regarding my classes, I have heard "I don't like it too hot, I don't like to sweat, it's too hard or challenging, too many people-too crowded, too noisy, too quiet, I have to have my mat here, or face this direction." Yoga should be less about "I have to have, I have to be or I like it like this." Our practice is about getting familiar with ourselves, our minds, and our habits, including the ways we habitually create our own discontent.
When the environment, the flow or pose creates "chaos" on your mat, it teaches you how you handle chaos both on your mat and off your mat. Ask yourself when you are uncomfortable, when things aren't just so, "Am I reactive? Do I judge, label, quit or flee? Does my mind take me out? Is there negative self-talk? Do I focus, breathe, tap into my power and stay? Do I resist or persist?" The inner work is done not by designing your perfect space or limiting it to only the poses you know and like. The true work happens when chaos happens and you build the awareness around how you handle it, your thoughts, your judgments, your labels, and perhaps realizing that you are creating your own discontent.
Instead of seeking comfort on your mat, try giving up your attachment to things having to be your way in order to feel comfortable, and create some comfort in discomfort. That is where growth lies. Because what we practice, we get good at, try cultivating strength and persistence, courage, patience and peace on your mat, and then all of those things you practice follow you off your mat into your daily life. Since how we handle chaos on our mat often reflects how we handle it in our lives, we can start practicing with awareness, setting an intention, cultivating our intention and committing to growth, breathing and moving on.
As we begin to expand our comfort zone and become less discontent, we increase our vitality, gain self-confidence and inner strength. And it might surprise you, but we also discover more joy!
I encourage you to return to your yoga practice, or perhaps just return with a fresh perspective, as a dedicated practitioner, letting go of your attachments to your definition of comfort, your judgments of like and dislike, can'ts and don'ts. Through practice and dedication to both your yoga practice and yoga lifestyle, you are continually growing- physically, mentally and spiritually. As my teacher Baron Baptiste says, "Realign. Recommit. Again. And again. And again."


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PBR Schedule 2018 tickets
Professional Bull Riders tickets to all the USA events in 2018 are available at PrimeSport. The 2018 PBR schedule has been released. Find your preferred seats safely in advance. Find Chute seats. Get seats in the Shark Cage. Select Professional Bull Riders tickets may be instantly downloaded when you see an E-Ticket option.
|Venue, City, State
|Day, Date, Time
|Tickets On Sale
|Buy Tickets
|Professional Bull Riders schedule updates 2018-19
|see more tickets ..
More PBR Major events schedule in 2016 include The Last Cowboy Standing in Las Vegas, NV May 13th & 14th, 2016, and Jack Daniel's Music City Knock Out August 19th & 20th on the dirt in Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN.
Check the PBR schedule and get your tickets to the all the rodeo events. 2016 tickets and seating selection is limited.
How to buy your Professional Bull Riders tickets: Tickets to the highest level in Bull Riding are available at the local box office and when sold out, on the secondary market. Click "Buy Tickets" in the list and see all the seats available for the scheduled date. Scroll to the bottom for premium chute tickets. You will also find Suites, if available, at the bottom of the PBR ticket listing. Choose your preferred seats and order online, safe and secure. Ticketsnow delivers safely in advance of the event.
Plan a rodeo with a friend and receive your tickets in advance. See the greatest bull riders in the world live as they ride and hang on for a chance to ride in the Professional Bull Riders World Finals in Las Vegas.
Professional Bull Riders
Professional bull riding is the toughest job on dirt. It's one of the most exciting live events anywhere, especially in Las Vegas, NV, Arlington, TX, and more rodeo towns in the U.S.A. There's nothing like the exhilarating live excitement of Professional Bull Riders! Book your rodeo plans now and order your Professional Bull Riders tickets now!
2017 Professional Bull Riders history
The first two PBR events in 2017 were at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Friday evening, January 6, 2017 the first chute opened at 7:45 PM; The next contest was Saturday evening, January 7th, 2017 at 6:45 PM.
ORACLE Arena in Oakland, CA hosted the third event of the season Saturday evening January 7, 2017.


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Where to Begin to Teach Thankfulness?
This morning when I reached for my bible, I realized I had left it at my daughter's home when I visited her last weekend. My back up bible is an old one with most of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians falling out. It had been my mother-in-law's. Her favorite books are not only obvious due to the wear, but also her excessive underlining and notes in the margin.
Though fragile, I like reading the worn pages, knowing she once read, studied and meditated the same words, the same treasures.
Our family has developed the habit over the years of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day. I've heard multiple preachers encourage the practice, so I can't contribute the idea to any one person. The book of Proverbs lends itself well to regular study as there there thirty-one chapters: one for each day of the month. We read after breakfast before we start in on our school work. Weekends often derail us and we miss reading those days due to busy Saturdays and rushing out to church Sundays. Since our family now consists of all readers, everyone brings their own bible to the table and we read aloud, each person taking a verse. Today, I bring this worn-out, borrowed bible to the table.
I have to admit that reading the same book of the bible twelve times a year, year after year, can become.... hmmm.... dare I confess......boring?
Narrowing our study by looking for a key word or thought each month helps keep the practice alive. This is often how we actively teach attitudes like thankfulness in our home. We focus on one character quality per month, searching Proverbs daily for verses that teach us how to demonstrate and the benefits of that quality. We also look for verses that show the opposite of the character quality, paying close attention to what happens to the person who does not exhibit the quality.
We will search for verses on the theme of thankfulness for the month of November. We will also take notice of verses on greed as a greedy person is usually not a thankful person. By the end of the month, we will have created our own "Thankfulness Concordance" on the book of Proverbs. Grab your bible - whether worn out or brand new - and search for treasures to encourage thankfulness in your home.


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Refunds Policy as described by DHL
DHL will, upon the customer's request and subject to the restrictions described below, provide a credit or a refund of the premium paid by the customer for a DHL Express shipment that is delivered later than DHL's quoted delivery commitment. DHL's money-back guarantee ("the Guarantee") is subject to the following conditions:
A. The Guarantee only applies to the services
- DHL DOMESTIC EXPRESS 12:00, (each a "Service") and to shipments which comply fully with the restrictions which are described herein
B. The Guarantee applies to the premium over and above the customer's price for a standard end of day service (DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE, DHL IMPORT EXPRESS WORLDWIDE, or in the case of domestic shipments, DHL DOMESTIC EXPRESS) (the "Premium"). The Guarantee is exclusive of all other items, including, without limitation, fines, taxes or other charges or amounts (such as any fuel surcharge component), and transportation charges resulting from returned shipments.
C. In the case of multiple piece shipments, the Guarantee will apply to every piece in the shipment. If a late delivery occurs for any piece within the shipment, the credit or refund will be applicable to the entire shipment.
D. Customer must notify DHL of any claim for late delivery, in writing or by telephone, within 14 calendar days of the shipment date and provide DHL with the account number (if any), the waybill number, the date of shipment, and complete receiver information. Within 30 calendar days after customer so notifies DHL, DHL shall either:
- provide the customer with the credit or refund
- provide the customer with information explaining the reason that the shipment is not eligible for the Guarantee under the applicable limitations or exclusions, or
- provide the customer with evidence of timely delivery.
Customer may not permit any other party to notify claims on its behalf nor assign claims to any other party. Payment by DHL of the Premium to the customer shall constitute a full release of DHL's obligations for any delay under the Guarantee.
The Guarantee will not apply where late delivery or failure to deliver is due to circumstances beyond DHL's control, as set out in the DHL Terms and Conditions of Carriage and including customs delays, inaccurate or incomplete shipment information, delivery instructions or information (such as P.O. Box for receiver address, missing or inaccurate receiver telephone number), or receiver's request for delay, shipment diversion or nonstandard clearance services; or unavailability or refusal of the receiver to accept delivery or to pay duties and taxes against delivery if requested.
All other provisions of the DHL Terms and Conditions of Carriage apply. The Guarantee is subject to modification or cancellation by DHL at any time.
If a customer has an extremely time-sensitive shipment, the loss or delay of which may result in consequential damages, the customer must contact his own insurance agent or broker to insure against such risks, as DHL does not assume such liabilities. DHL does not provide and will not arrange such shipment insurance.
The Guarantee does not apply to:
- shipments linked to clinical trials where temperature sensitive packaging is being used;
- the extra charges applicable to any optional service sold with the shipment, e.g. packaging;
- temporary exports or imports;
- shipments with high value contents that require formal customs clearance;
- shipments with over-weight pieces (more than 70kg/ 150lbs) or with over-sized pieces (more than 120cm /48 inches), or with pallets; and/or
- shipments containing permitted Dangerous Goods.
Service Restrictions/Guidelines
A. The Services are available only from specified locations to specified post code destinations (or towns where no post codes are available).
B. The Services are not available for unacceptable shipments as defined in the DHL Terms and Conditions of Carriage or for shipments which do not meet any other restrictions on size, weight, commodity or value identified by DHL.
C. To establish whether a Service is available for a particular shipment, between a particular origin and destination, or in combination with a particular service option (such as Saturday Delivery), please consult DHL's website or contact DHL Customer Service and supply the following information: the pick-up address, the commodity being shipped, (if applicable) its value for customs purposes, the time and date the shipment is available to be picked-up, the exact destination, including post code, the shipment weight, the shipment dimensions, the number of pieces.
D. The shipper must specify the requested Service on the waybill and must tender the shipment to DHL by the time agreed with DHL.


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Director: Mark Hooper
Hosts: Rob & Rosa Richardson
As with all of our club standard First for Bridge holidays, this holiday uses duplimated boards during the bridge sessions, awards Masterpoints, provide hand records and are licensed by the English Bridge Union. This holiday is suitable for those who play regularly at club level.
The Valamar Meteor Hotel is beautifully situated right on the palm fringed, sea front promenade in pretty Makarska. They hotel is built sideways towards the coast which means every room has magnificent views overlooking the crystal-clear Adriatic in one direction, and the dramatic Biokovo Mountains in the other. It is the perfect place to just relax on your spacious balcony and enjoy the stunning scenery all around you.
Makarska is a charming, old Croatian town with cobbled streets and a main square that features a market, and a Franciscan monastery that dates back to 1614. It is also abundant with stylish cafes, bars and boutiques that overlook a colourful marina. There are cafes and bars in the direct vicinity of the Valamar Meteor Hotel and a flat 5 minute walk takes you into the old town itself. The bus station is approximately 190 metres from the hotel entrance making exploring easy thanks to its excellent transport links.
Makarska is also a great base from which to explore the Dalmatian Coast. Split, the capital of Dalmatia is an historic nucleus where much of its Roman structure still survives within its fortified walls. Trogir, another UNESCO world Heritage Site is influenced by the Greeks, Romans and Venetians and brimming with palaces, churches and towers. Not to be missed is a visit to Mostar, which has been greatly restored after the 1990 conflict, with its Turkish houses and the Old Bridge Stari Most spanning the deep valley of the Neretva River. And not forgetting Croatia is a country of 1244 islands so a boat trip to a neighbouring island is a must!
During your duplicate bridge holidays nothing is obligatory, you can play in as many or as few bridge sessions as you wish. Our bridge programmes will vary according to the length of your break and in addition to playing bridge, we will always endeavour to provide a minimum of two bridge seminars for breaks of 7 days or more.
All of our bridge holidays include bridge seminars with handouts in addition to a varied and interesting duplicate bridge programme. We use duplimated boards every evening to ensure fairness and consistency. Bridge hand records are provided, as well as bridge partners if needed.
Your duplicate bridge will usually be available twice daily, at 2.30pm and 7.45pm. The afternoon sessions usually finish between 4.45pm and 5pm, the evenings between 10.45pm - 11.15pm. The afternoons are normally given over to open pairs/teams. We endeavour to vary the evening sessions, with a balance between teams and pairs, with at least one Swiss style event during a two-week bridge break.
During all evening sessions, we utilise a duplimate machine, which means we are able to produce hand record sheets at the end of the session and when we have two or more sections, both can play the same hands. On our UK duplicate bridge breaks, provided numbers allow, we usually will lay on an "Early Bird" afternoon session on the day of arrival.
We don't forget you are on holiday, our bridge programmes allow time for relaxation plus giving you plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding area and relax.
View an example of a one week holiday >>
View an example of a 10 day holiday >>
View an example of a two week holiday >>
Twin/double side sea view share:
12 Oct 2019, 14 nights - £1299
12 Oct 2019, 7 nights - £950
19 Oct 2019, 7 nights - £920
Single occupancy supplement: £16 per night
Please note we have 30 single occupancy rooms available for this holiday. Our bridge room has the capacity for 20 tables maximum.
- Return flights from London to Split. Regional flights available at a supplement
- Return airport transfers from Split airport to Valamar Hotel Meteor
- Welcome cocktail
- 7 or 14 nights' accommodation on a half board basis
- Participation in the full bridge programme including seminars
- Masterpoints and prizes awarded
- Events as specified
Transfer time from Split airport to Makarska is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Valamar Meteor Hotel****
The Valamar Meteor Hotel has been a long established First for Bridge favourite hotel for many years. It has extremely welcoming with friendly staff, many who have worked at the hotel for a long time and are familiar with our bridge holidays. The location is superb - directly on the lovely sea front promenade, and just a short walk into the main square and old town of Makarska and its lovely marina.
All rooms have large furnished balconies and boast stunning side sea views across the horseshoe bay and crystal-clear Adriatic on one side, and the dramatic Biokovo Mountains on the other.
- Free WIFI
- Satellite colour TV
- Full bathroom with hairdryer & toiletries. Rooms have baths with shower attachments over them.
- Large, wide, furnished balcony with 2 chairs & table
- Ceiling to floor windows
- Safe deposit box - free of charge
- Mini-bar (stocked / with charge)
- Air conditioning/ heating
- Direct dial telephone
Dinner and breakfast is buffet style with a very good choice of local and international dishes and show cooking. There are many comfy lounge areas where you can sit and relax after bridge and enjoy a glass of local Dalmatian wine.
The hotel boasts an excellent, indoor spa with sauna, and a very good size indoor pool and gym for complimentary use. There is an outdoor pool and sunbeds and terraces in front of the hotel overlooking the beach.
Amenities in the hotel include an activity programme, table tennis, TV lounge, books, games, a kiosk and souvenir shop.


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Positive Thoughts and Prayers for Rachael
Dear friends,
Rachael has been a supporter of this blog going back to 2012. She was a strong advocate for justice for Trayvon Martin, and she has a sensitive heart that loves and desires equality for all.
Yesterday, Rachael contacted me. She has a health issue that placed her in the hospital and required surgery. There's a chance that she will be released from the hospital today, but she still has a road to go before being fully recovered.
I asked for, and received her approval to post this, and ask that you send positive thoughts her way and if you're a praying person, pray for her healing, strength, and encouragement. We love you, Rachael.
Posted on 09/03/2016, in Happiness and Kindness, Potpourri and tagged encouragement, prayer, Rachael, support. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.


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Squires Garden Centre-Washington
RH20 3BP Washington
West Sussex
Show phonenumber
Café, Free Parking, Delivery
Opening times can be hard to find sometimes, luckily the garden centre guide has all the details you're going to need to visit Squires Garden Centre Washington. The Washington Garden Centre in West Sussex is a part of the renowned Squires Garden Centre franchise - and when you walk through the store and plant area you'll definitely realise. Situated near the scenic surroundings of South Downs National Park, Washington Garden Centre is a real family experience. With indoor and outdoor plants, garden furniture, BBQs, shrubs, garden sundries and a restaurant to relax in, Squires Garden Centre Washington is the place to be for gardeners in West Sussex. find the opening hours, directions and customer reviews below.
Any questions for Squires Garden Centre-Washington? Fill in the contact form below and your question(s) will be send to Squires Garden Centre-Washington automatically.
Opening times Squires Garden Centre-Washington
- Monday:09:00 - 18:00
- Tuesday:09:00 - 18:00
- Wednesday:09:00 - 18:00
- Thursday:09:00 - 18:00
- Friday:09:00 - 18:00
- Saturday:09:00 - 18:00
- Sunday:10:30 - 16:30
Location Squires Garden Centre-Washington
Reviews Squires Garden Centre-Washington
Staff are friendly .So many plants and colours .Food in the cafe is always good. I give Squire's 9/10
Garden centre reviews
Do you want to write a review about Squires Garden Centre-Washington in Washington, West Sussex? Write a review and make a chance to win £25,-. Once you've written your review you will automatically be entered into the monthly prize draw to win £25,-. The more reviews you write the more times you enter the draw! So what are you waiting for, write your review about Squires Garden Centre-Washington today!
More about Squires Garden Centre-Washington
Squires Garden Centre-Washington is a garden centre you'll find at London Road Washington, West Sussex . You'll find an excellent range of plants within the garden centre, as well as many other gardening products. For more information on the range please refer to the website. Squires Garden Centre-Washington is one of the many garden centres in West Sussex .
Have questions about this garden centre in Washington? Check the opening times above and you can be sure that when you visit, you won't be left standing in front of a set of closed doors. Of course, you can also check out the website for more information. Perhaps you like a good old fashioned chat and would prefer to phone? Then dial the number for Squires Garden Centre-Washington: 01903 892006 and you'll be greeted by a friendly member of staff.
Nowadays, many people look for testimonials and reviews on products and stores before visiting or buying. A positive review is, of course, a great sign that you're going to have a brilliant experience at a garden centre. On the Garden Centre Guide, thousands of keen gardeners and loyal customers have written reviews about garden centres they've visited! Squires Garden Centre-Washington currently has an average rating of 4. You can read the reviews for this garden centre above, and if you're feeling opinionated, write one yourself. Have your say so that others can benefit from what your review!
It's also worth noting that when you write a review on the garden centre guide, you are automatically entered into our prize draw for a chance to win £25 in National Gardening Gift Vouchers! Just scroll back up to get started now.


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SMO News
Latest Articles
SmoPix listed on DMOZ directory
SmoPix subdomain of the Creative Arts is now listed on the DMOZ regional photography directory.
Creative Arts Word Search Page listed in DMOZ
The word search creator page on the Creative Arts is now listed on DMOZ.
Smopix domain moved
I recently let smopix.com expire because I didn't feel the need to maintain that domain.
Creative Arts featured on ColumbusArt.com
ColumbusArt.com has added a feature link to the Shawn Olson Creative Arts.
Creative Arts on DMOZ open directory
The Shawn Olson Creative Arts is finally categorized on the DMOZ open directory
Creative Arts becomes Amazon Associate
Shawn Olson Creative Arts seeks ways to improve online revenues by becoming an Amazon Associate.
Website Traffic Milestones
News snippets from various traffic milestones on my site.
Webonizer Goes Live
Information relating to the Webonizer Content Management System that I've been building for several years.
Creative Arts Markets
Articles detailing ways members can financially support the Creative Arts.
Word Search Tool Kit Upgrades
News regarding the updates made to the word search maker.


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- Open Evening 2019 10 September 2019
- Switzerland Trip 2019 17 July 2019
- Casper Comes to School 2 July 2019
- Northern Chamber Orchestra Running Order 1 July 2019
The EVOLVE Website
The EVOLVE website is now the only way for Salford City Council Childrens' Services staff to access web-based information relating to educational visits.
All educational visits should now be recorded on the EVOLVE web-based recording, reporting and monitoring system. This system has been designed to help streamline the educational visits planning process.
Local Authority approval is required for any educational visit which is adventurous, residential or foreign. An adventurous activity is one which has traditionally been regarded as an outdoor pursuit e.g. climbing; kayaking or mountain biking. All other educational visits are approved at a local level by the EVC and Establishment Head.
Please note that educational visits requiring Local Authority approval should be submitted at least four weeks prior to departure date. This is to allow the necessary checks to be made and remedial action taken where required.
Remember to submit your visits well in advance to give those approving them the time they need.
Should you require further assistance or support, or require access to this site or have forgotten your password please contact:
Sarah Cook - Educational Visits Coordinator - email@example.com
Please follow this link to access Evolve


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Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Season 3 • Episode 8
A Ft. Walton Beach military couple with high security standards is determined to find a house that meets their safety needs. But when their mission becomes more challenging than they expected, will they retreat in defeat or declare victory?
21 min||Premiered 02/01/2009


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A Taste of Cambridge
Earlier this week, The Dinner Series attended Taste of Cambridge, an event here in Cambridge Massachusetts where local restaurants assembled at the Charles Hotel to serve up selections from their menus; everything from 5-Alarm Jello Shots to Flatbread with Romesco Sauce. We had VIP tickets that gained us admission to a cocktail area where four local bars mixed up Grey Goose vodka cocktails. Tavern in the Square poured Watermelon Basil Coolers (Grey Goose Le Citron, watermelon purée, basil simple syrup, and sour mix) and Grendel's Den poured Royal Screws (a sugar cube, orange juice, orange bitters, champagne, and an orange twist).
See photos from the event on our Flickr. Below are some shots of our favorites.
Dinner Series


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In the summer of 1995, I had my summer dream job. I got to be a counselor at the Steven's Ranch Girl Scout Camp set on the beautiful Brazos River. It paid almost nothing. We only got one hour a day of free time, but I loved it. At the beginning of the summer, we chose a new, pretend name. Our real names were off limits. Mine was Jude. There were these sweet girls that I got to traipse around in the woods with, and most of the other camp counselor had been recruited from overseas. So I made friends from all over the world. The closest friend I made was a girl from The Czech Republic.
Every other weekend, I would go home and see my family and my boyfriend James. James and I had been dating for one year at that point. We had already broken up twice, and our relationship was pretty juvenile. One day towards the end of the summer I got a package from James. He mailed me lots of letters, but this one was different. This one had a postcard that had a picture of a man flicking a scorpion off his cowboy boot. The postcard let me know that his family had just moved to Amarillo, Texas.
This was a little of a bummer, but I understood why he had moved. James's dad was waiting on a life saving liver transplant, and he wanted his family to be close to his other family that lived in Amarillo just in case he didn't receive a liver or died during surgery.
At the time I had no way of knowing that Amarillo would become my home. I couldn't even tell you where Amarillo was on a Texas map. I had never been there. Everywhere I had lived in Texas was around the Fort Worth area.
His news of moving didn't really affect much because I was spending the summer away at camp, and as soon as I got home, I was leaving for college. I had already been accepted to attend Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I guess the biggest impact would be that instead of being four hours away from visiting, I would be more like 8 hours away.
As school started, I moved into the dorm and began my classes. James was able to enroll at West Texas A&M University located only a few miles from Amarillo.
That semester was a pretty intense long distance relationship. We called whenever we could afford to buy long distance phone cards, we wrote letters almost daily, and we would make online chat room dates. We would pick a time, I would go to the college computer lab located in the library, meet on a chat room, and type messages to each other. Usually we could find a chat room that didn't have anyone in it.
All of these rudimentary forms of communication are now obsolete. Thanks technology for making me feel old.
Can I tell you that I loved the SFA University campus? It was set in the piney woods, and the trees were gorgeous. I loved every pine scented walk to class, even when it was in the rain. But the longer James and I spent apart, the more I realized how much I cared about him. I was extremely worried that he was going to lose his dad soon. His family had such a genuine bond and strong love for each other. I had never seen anyone love their parents so much. James was 6' 5" tall and his dad would frequently ask him to sit in his lap. It was a funny sight.
As my first semester came to a close, I began to think about transferring to West Texas A&M so that I could be near to James, especially with his dad so sick.
I decided to do it. I remember being very unsure that I was doing the right thing. I had so many people advise against it, including my parents and even the SFA student body president. I had gotten elected as a freshman class representative, and since I would be leaving during the middle of my term, I had to meet with the president. He was a senior, and he told me that I was making a mistake that he had seen lots of friends make. I tried to assure him that my circumstances were different and that the girl I was appointing to take my student government seat was going to do an excellent job.
Despite the naysayers against moving, I did it anyway. January of 1996, I moved into the dorms at WTAMU.
Although WTAMU is now my alma mater, I am just going to tell you that their campus was not pretty. I missed the trees. I missed the moisture in the air. I missed my friends, especially my best friend Cheryl.
I was very ill prepared for Amarillo. I never needed an umbrella to walk to class. I hadn't lived in a place that got actual piles of snow. My first week of class, I jumped in the shower and walked across campus with wet hair. When I arrived at my building, I went in the bathroom and realized I had literally ice cycles incasing my hair.
It was a shock.
After fall turned to spring, the first dust storm hit. James picked me up at the athletic building after class. I jumped in his suburban wiping dust particles out of my eyes and trying to brush my hair back down with my fingers. "This is ridiculous!" I said. James replied that he thought it was kind of cool, like another planet. I did not agree. He went out and bought me a potted tree to try and cheer me up.
As my life has continued to include this town of Amarillo. One day in 2007, I realized that I had lived in the city of Amarillo longer than I had ever lived in any other city. My longest record had been Burleson, Texas which I had lived in for 10 years total. From that point on, I knew I had to claim Amarillo as my home.
I took a leap of faith moving to Amarillo that cold January, one month shy of my 19th birthday. If I hadn't, I might not have found home.
Just like it took me a while to appreciate Amarillo, this song to a while to be written. Bob Dylan wrote part of it in 1973, and Ketch Secor of the band Old Crow Medicine Show finished it 40 years later.


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Worries abound that Standard & Poor's initial downgrade will lead to further relegations across the EU
Worldwide credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's decision to downgrade the ratings of nine countries within the Eurozone in January 2012 affected the entire world.
After the downgrade, some investors and market analysts voiced concerns regarding how this action will affect the longevity of Europe's economic outlook, while others believe that the ratings are largely meaningless and will not pose a threat to long-term recovery.
Factors in the downgrade According to Standard and Poor's, there were several reasons for the ratings downgrade. The agency believes that the entire eurozone economy has been weakened by the global recession and that there are no signs pointing to an imminent rebound. Adding to the agency's concerns is the perceived reluctance of governments to address the looming debts held by many of these nations. For example, French president, Nikolas Sarkozy, has been unwilling to take decisive measures, such as raising taxes and reducing spending, due to an upcoming election. Commenting on the downgrade, Sarkozy remarked that the action "changes nothing". Only four eurozone countries, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, have retained their AAA+ bond rating.
Ratings agencies such as Standard & Poor's, issue their ratings based on an overall view of the perceived economic worth of a country. A country that receives a AAA+ (the highest grade) rating is viewed as a strong investment, due to the expectation that the nation will be able and willing to repay its debts in a timely manner. The US suffered a similar ratings downgrade in the summer of 2011 when S&P took the view that its outstanding debt was a credit risk. A weak national economy is another risk factor that can lead to a ratings downgrade. If a country's GDP is stagnant, or worse, declining, ratings agencies have no basis to believe that lenders will be able to recoup their loaned funds quickly.


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The Lorain County Nightmares improved their record to 2-1 last night with a dominant 22-8 win over the visiting Cleveland Rams. State renown photographer Amanda K Rundle was on the scene and snapped these incredible shots. You can follow Amanda and her incredible work, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ak.run.1
We thank Amanda for her tireless efforts towards her craft!
1 Comment
I love my brothers #LCN #92


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Nothing and Everything
You knew.
You knew, but you didn't. You suspected something was off - you were somehow different from the others. You joked about being the milkman's daughter. They said you were crazy, and you learned not to trust your intuition. Self-doubt became your companion even as you grew older.
Then, you got the news.
And suddenly all the pieces came together.
I discovered my father was not my biological father the day after my mother died, a week shy of her 90th birthday. There were clues along the way that I missed, or ignored, but she was determined to take this story to her grave and she succeeded, at least with me. But everyone else knew; my father, my two brothers and one sister, my stepfather, my aunts, my childhood best friend, probably even the family dog knew but no one knew how to tell me the truth about my mother's secret. I was a love child. The product of a longstanding relationship with a man my mother loved but to whom she was not married. Scandal.
When my family finally confessed the truth, I was sitting on the living room floor of my mother's house in Arizona, but I swear that floor dropped 1000 feet from under me. I was dizzy. Disoriented. Confused. On some level I had always known, but this confirmation of the truth left me reeling. It's been over a year since the discovery, and I'm still dizzy. Disoriented. Confused. How can I be this old and suddenly be at a total loss for who I am?
So many NPE's (those who experience a Non Parental Event) do not make this discovery until they are in their 50's and older. We are children of a generation that kept such things hidden. We are members of a club that we never wanted to join and the secret hand-shakes we share are the commonalities known only to us: the things that others say. "It hasn't changed anything." "You are still the same person." "Your father is still your father."
Yes, and no.
Some of us discover new things about ourselves…new siblings, new ethnicities and heritage. And then there is the issue of Nature vs. Nurture. What talents might we have that come from fathers we never knew?
I discovered that my biological father was a painter and so I picked up a brush for the very first time in my life and found that I too have his artistic talent. I still look at my paintings with shock, amazed that this gift I never dreamt existed only now lives because my world was shattered.
I also look exactly like my biological father.
The nose that was a family anomaly is now explained, because it is his nose. My temperament, so different from those of the siblings I grew up with, is his temperament. It makes sense.
And nothing makes sense.
It's hard for me to believe that at my age I am questioning who I am, but I do. I still struggle with the betrayal of keeping such important piece of my being from me. I hate that I feel like a dirty little secret, a bastard. I cannot stop mourning never knowing the man who was my father, who loved me and passed on so many pieces of himself on through me. And it is hard to mourn not only the passing of my mother and my father, but to also mourn the loss of the man whom I thought was my father AS my father. It was too much to lose in one moment on the living room floor of a house in Arizona.
I have found that the only people who really understand this unique heartbreak are the ones who are also going through it themselves. Friends and family will try to understand, but it's incomprehensible to them. Be patient with them. Be patient with yourself. You are becoming who you were always meant to be. There will be growing pains, but we who also walk this strange path, will be right beside you.
Nothing has changed. Only everything.


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Everyday "Pop" Makeup with Pinch of Colour
Brooke Slade
For those days when you want to do a little more than a natural face, I've got you covered!
This is one of my more fun makeup looks. It features the skin, which is why I thought Pinch of Colour's products would be great to use for this look. I go for an "everyday pop" look when I've become bored with my natural everyday makeup. This is my go-to face for weekend, daytime activities i.e. brunch, shopping dates with girlfriends, street festivals, etc. It takes about 10-15 minutes start to finish and you don't need loads of products (just a good few)!
Also, there's a GIVEAWAY connected to this post! Details below!