text:
If your luck is anything like ours, you didn't win Warren Buffet's billion dollars and your NCAA bracket is busted! March Madness lost it's luster quickly this year in our house with the Mercer upset over Duke. (You marry the man AND his teams. Go Blue Devils!) Luckily, our local boys from UConn are keeping us tuned in, even if there's no chance we'll win the office pool.
Here's a treat for the basketball fans in your life. These chocolate-dipped Oreos will keep the Madness going during the Final Four games this weekend.
Final Foureos
You'll need:
- Oreos
- Orange Melting Chocolate
- Black Cookie Icing
Begin by melting the orange chocolate either in the microwave or with a double boiler – in my world that's a bowl over a pot of shallow simmering water, because I lack both a double boiler and a microwave – improvise people. When the chocolate is completely melted, dunk the Oreos one at a time, flipping to coat both sides. Then lift the Oreo with a fork and gently tap it to smooth out the top and remove any clumps. Carefully place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Chill the dipped Oreos in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate is completely set. Using the black cookie icing (the tip on this particular brand was too large, so I transferred some to a sandwich bag and snipped a tiny hole at the bottom) draw 2 straight lines in a cross, then two curved lines on each side of the cross. This is a great time to recruit help from anyone sneaking cookies from the freezer – thanks Tev! It's best to let the cookies set on the counter overnight to prevent the icing from smudging. I packaged this batch in individual bags for a March Madness fundraiser at work.


text:
HP7: Wicked Epicness.
I watched the last installation of the Harry Potter saga. It. Was. Awesome.
Look, I've never read the books and I have enjoyed the movies, but I'm not a Potter fanatic. I heard a lot about this movie, and I thought it was cool. It was pretty epic and a nice conclusion to the series.
It actually made me want to read the books. I'm so curious to know what happens afterwards. Damn you, Rowling. To be honest, I would've made some changes to the plot, but I can see why things played out the way they did.
Check out some of the cool movie posters for the flick:
HP7: Part One!
A few weeks ago I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Oh. My. Goodness.
I have to start by saying that I haven't read the books, so all I have to go by are the previous movies. Wow. This movie was definitely different than the other movies. The general tone and attitude of the movie felt more mature and guided the audience thought the restlessness and yearning that some of the characters felt. I almost felt like I lost a sense of time.It's funny, it's slightly frightening, it's sad, it's great. So needless to say, I enjoyed the movie and I know the next movie will have plenty of bang and resolution where everything magically falls into place.
Who will win? Harry or Voldemort?! Find out July 2011 when the second installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows premieres. Can't wait!
I found some really great movie posters for this film. Check 'em out:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We had previously reported about the Class Action Lawsuit that has been filed against IGE on behalf of all WoW players. I just wanted to follow up with a link to their website where you can keep up to date on what is happening:
Archive for October, 2007
IGE Class Action Lawsuit siteThursday, October 4th, 2007
CNN.com Cheating ArticleTuesday, October 2nd, 2007
While this article focuses mainly on cheating, it also looks at the impact of RMT as well. It is an interesting read, and being on CNN, further shows that video gaming, and all that comes with it, is becoming more and more mainstream.
Here are some of the highlights of the article:
- Many video game valuables can be sold for real money
- Some players use exploits, known as cheats, to get advantage
- Six-thousand pieces of gold can sell for $420 in "World of Warcraft"
- Intel, other companies, working on ways to root out cheaters
We have also updated our Google Adsense RMT Blacklist, so be sure to update your filters!


text:
Fossil Hunters Out Now On PC/ Heather De Lellis
From Kickstarter, to Ubisoft Indie Series and now to Steam - Reptoid Games' fossil digging game Fossil Hunters is out now on PC (Steam, itchio, and Crytivo).
#FossilHunters is officially available for sale for PC and Mac on @steam_games, @crytivo, and @itchio! Please check it out, tell your friends, play it, stream it, tweet it! 🦕🦖⛏💀https://t.co/zfJATFUgVc pic.twitter.com/mViUCQAyQx— Reptoid Games (@ReptoidGames) February 13, 2018
Fossil Hunters is also planned for PS4, Xbox One, and Switch - but we'll have to wait a bit longer for that. Congrats to the team at Reptoid Games!


text:
Ep. 12: Kautilya's Legacy/
How can cities protect their heritage when growing rapidly? Why is India deporting 40,000 refugees? How should we think of the trajectory of India's foreign policy? All of this in the twelveth episode of the Pragati Podcast where Pavan Srinath and Hamsini Hariharan sit down for a fortnightly catch up. In the second half, Hamsini and Aparna Pande, a scholar at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC, look at the roots of India's foreign policy.
You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcast App on Android: https://goo.gl/tGYdU1 or iOS: https://goo.gl/sZSTU5
You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/


text:
a/n: ugh, all my ships for this show have been royally fucked over by the writers. whatever. the fans can write their stories better than they ever could. just needed to vent about how pissed i am at this show. the ending to dair, my beautiful otp, made me miss this pairing—they're definitely endgame in my head. ah, how i miss the first two seasons. i know this won't happen on the show, because apparently the writers hate me, but humor me. sigh. story title from heartbeat by the fray.
a flame in the heart of night
Nate's never believed that his life is already mapped out for him by the big guy upstairs.
He doesn't believe his father was meant to hide out in the Dominican Republic for three years because he didn't want to be charged with possession and embezzlement, or that his family was meant to fall apart, or that his relationships with Blair and Serena were destined to crash and burn.
I love you, Nate Archibald. You're my soulmate, my forever and always, Blair would say, smile stretched wide.
Through thick and thin, this is fate, giving us a chance at being together, Serena would whisper underneath her sheets.
No, that's a bunch of bullshit, he decides.
Whatever happens, it's all on you. His family falls apart because his dad's a dick and his mom doesn't have the courage to stand up to him. His relationships with Blair and Serena fall apart because both girls can't find enough space in their hearts to put him in, too overcrowded with their feelings for Chuck and Dan.
He doesn't blame them, he really doesn't. He just doesn't think it's right to blame some unknown deity for your misery or happiness—you hold the reigns of your life, you control your outcome.
Fate, destiny, soulmates, etc. It's all the same to him—utter crap.
He can't help but believe in those theories when he finds himself standing in Starbucks on his lunch break, behind a strangely familiar blonde head with the scent of lilac and vanilla reminding him of better days.
He watches her through guarded eyes, scrutinizing every detail of her appearance in order to find some semblance to the girl that wreaked havoc on the Upper East Side two years earlier.
With her blonde waves framing her face, nose scrunched up in concentration as she pours the desired amount of sugar into her black coffee—fancy caffeinated beverages are so 2007—Nate can't really say he finds one.
"Why'd you come back?"
"Not to stay," she answers quickly, and he can't deny the way his shoulders slump a bit at her harried reaction—she obviously doesn't want to be here. "I just came to help my dad sort through some things, y'know, since he and Lily got divorced."
"No. Went back to who you were before...everything." He looks at her carefully, analyzing the way her posture straightens and lips purse just slightly. "You're the Jenny I first met, the one who was my friend."
The unspoken words loom in the air between them—the one I could've fallen for.
She breaks the tension with an easy smile. "Yeah, well, I'm glad I can finally say the main focus of my life isn't building hierarchies and backstabbing all the people around me," her eyebrow creases and her fingers inch closer to his absentmindedly, "I'm really sorry about everything I did to hurt you, Nate. You were the one person that I never—you always protected me...and I'm just so sorry."
He stops her by raising his palm. "It's in the past. No use worrying about it." She nods, and he notices the line of worry that's still painfully prominent on her forehead. "How's London?"
"It's...great. It made me wake up, made me realize I can't be childish, I can't make the same mistakes. And I won't. That girl that came in between you and Serena, that sent those pictures to Gossip Girl, that slept with Chuck..." she exhales deeply, and his knuckles tighten under the table, "I wish I could say that wasn't me. But it was, I own up to it. I had to go through the lies and manipulation to realize how much I did not want to be a part of that."
He sighs. "Be careful, it's way too easy to get roped back in."
She sips her coffee, and he can see her smile behind her cup. "Same old Nate, always looking out for me," she says wistfully, reminiscent of the days when she was the only one who held his trust.
"Looks like some things never change."
The way he says it makes her believe it's a promise he'd never break.
"Trust me, Jen. You won't win. This is Modern Warfare 3. It's top of the line."
She scoffs. "Hey, I used to play shooter games with Dan all the time!"
"Yeah, and Dan sucks. There's no way."
She holds out her hand. "Care to make a wager?"
He shakes it.
"Tell me again why I agreed to this?" he asks, exasperatedly running his fingers through his hair as he surveys the utter lack of luggage laying in the bed of their rented truck; two duffel bags. Nate's sure Blair would've pulled her hair out with the limited amount of carry-ons.
"Because, golden boy," Jenny rolls her eyes, slender arms reaching back to tie her messy waves into a ponytail. Nate refuses to acknowledge how stunning she looks with her face free of makeup, clothes free of designer thread. She raises an eyebrow at him, as if she knows exactly what he's thinking, but before he can make a liable excuse as to why he's staring at her like a twelve-year old boy who just saw a Playboy for the first time, she continues, "a road trip is essential to grant any person's true sense of self-fulfillment. And besides, we made a bet."
He scowls at her and she raises her hands up in defense.
"Hey, don't be mad because I made Call of Duty my bitch."
He sighs, unable to keep a chuckle from slipping past his lips. "I'm fine in New York, Jen. Oh, hold on a second."
His phone vibrates in his pocket, and before he can respond with a definitive yes to Dan's inquiry about whether to get a haircut or not, his iPhone is snatched from his fingers and thrown into the nearest trash bin. He looks to Jenny with wild eyes, scanning his brain for the most appropriate way to murder her without leaving evidence. He's about to steal her phone to call Chuck for help in his plan, but she takes it out of her duffel bag and tosses it, right alongside his.
"Are you out of your mind?"
Jenny's face shows no remorse, shows nothing but a smile that is too knowing and too triumphant for him to be comfortable with.
"Nothing but you, me, the radio, and the road." At his remaining hesitance, Jenny takes his hand in hers, looking at him with as much sincerity as she can muster. "Trust me."
Nate thinks of how complicated life is; Serena, Blair, Chuck, Gossip Girl, the never-ending drama, of how amazing it'd be to escape that, if only for a short while.
He groans. "I'll drive."
She giggles, grinning so widely that her eyes shine and he's reminded of masquerade balls, entrusted conversations, and improv fashion shows. As he gets into the driver's seat, with Jenny already quietly munching away at Doritos as she flips through stations, he can't help but think that he'd throw away a million phones if it meant seeing her smile like that.
It's not a complete disaster.
Okay, yeah, they probably argue more than they breathe in the week-span of their crucial voyage to places unknown—Jenny's words, not his—but in all, they manage to get to Nashville and back without too many scratches ("Really, Jen? A pebble? What the hell are you doing wearing flip flops anyway?") and on better terms than when they left.
When they're not yelling at each other—"How the fuck are we in Nebraska?" "Ugh, road trips are stupid." "What are you, nine? Come up with a better adjective!"—or ignoring each other to the extent that their silence is absolutely deafening—"I can't believe you said Batman was stupid."—it actually goes exactly as Jenny thought it would.
Her legs hang out the window, and she sighs happily as the midnight breeze hits her skin. The Red Hot Chili Peppers play through the speakers, and she can't help but bob her head along to the rhythm of the song when she notices Nate's fingers drumming against the steering wheel.
"Nate?" she asks meekly.
He rolls his eyes—this is not unfamiliar to him. Besides, he swore the grumbling he'd heard earlier wasn't in the chorus of Under the Bridge. His eyes scan the stretch of road through the windshield, and he can't help but blanch when he sees a run-down neon sign that reads 24 Hour Diner.
Jenny smacks his arm. "Self-fulfillment, honey."
He sticks his tongue out at her as he pulls into the diner and tries not to look for hidden subtext in the way her lips curved upwards when she called him honey.
She orders pancakes with a side of eggs and ignores Nate when he grimaces. He asks for a glass of Sprite and flicks Jenny's ear when she rolls her eyes.
"Who says breakfast is just for when the sun's up?"
He slides into the seat across from her. "Only everyone in the history of ever."
The waitress comes by with Nate's drink and sets it down in front of him. Nate thanks her and she gives both of them a smile that wrinkles the corners of her eyes.
"Lovely couple," she states.
He opens his mouth to protest, likely to spin a story about family friends or school trips, but Jenny just grins at the older woman and twines her fingers through Nate's.
"Thank you."
When she goes behind the counter once more, Nate looks to her with confusion swimming in the depths of his eyes. She shrugs her shoulders and takes a sip of his Sprite.
"It's just easier. It's not like we're ever going to see her again," she assures, before mischief gleams in her eyes. "Unless," she creeps closer to him above the table until his vision is clouded with nothing but Jenny Humphrey, "you don't think she's Gossip Girl, do you?"
He turns to the woman, busy whisking the pancake batter in a clear bowl, then back to Jenny. "Not unless that bitch has an Aunt Jemima fetish."
She giggles and sits back, abruptly pulling her hand out of his. He clears his throat and tries not to think of her scarlet-tinged cheeks as cute.
"Uh, I'm sorry. I think we've played that card long enough."
He smirks. "Let's agree to disagree."
She looks at him questioningly underneath her eyelashes, and all he can do to not kiss her right then and there is to take a sip of his Sprite, eyes telling her everything he's willing himself not to say.
Before she can say anything, the waitress comes around and sets Jenny's food in front of her, and the way Nate's stomach roars betrays his earlier words.
"Do you want me to set you up another plate, dear?" she asks kindly.
"That's okay," Jenny says, moving her plate towards the middle of their table. "We'll share."
There's a moment where they can't do anything but stare at each other, both silently daring the other to do something that'll bring the line they've been teetering over since she was a freshman at Constance and he was a junior at St. Jude's to full front and center.
Nate stabs at her eggs and plops them into his mouth. His eyes practically roll backwards as he chews. "God bless this diner. The probability of infectious disease is almost worth it."
"Okay, so this isn't as bad as I thought it would be," he relents, pouring hot sauce over his half of her eggs so he won't see the smug grin that he's sure graces her features.
"And...you're right. I do feel more fulfilled."
"And...when we get back to New York, you're definitely watching The Dark Knight. I simply cannot be entangled with someone who doesn't think Bruce Wayne is all that is right with the world."
She laughs so hard she snorts and Nate can't help but join her, hands clutching at his stomach from the force of his laughter. He sits back and sighs, doesn't mention how he hasn't laughed so hard in years.
"So we're entangled now?" she asks, eyebrow raised.
He gives her an easy smile. "Haven't we always been?"
Somewhere between Manhattan and Nashville, he falls.
"Okay, the Joker was awesome. But I'm still not feelin' it."
"Seriously? Friendship over!"
Thing is, he still has Lola—Charlotte—to deal with.
Frankly, it's a little hard to remember that he even has a girlfriend, because he's swamped at work, busy helping Blair try to locate Serena, and receiving text messages from Jenny that help lighten the burden that weighs so heavily on his shoulders nowadays.
So when he comes into the little cafe that he's supposed to meet her in thirty-three minutes late, he's not surprised when she greets his smile with a scowl. He quietly sighs and takes a seat, preparing himself for the outburst that's sure to come.
"You're late."
"I was busy," Nate answers, a little irritatingly, because hello, it's not so easy trying to keep a company running smoothly while searching the deepest crevices of the world for one of his best friends while trying to bury the very existent feelings he has for a girl he thought he'd never see again. So yeah, right reserved.
"Too busy gallivanting the states with Jenny Humphrey to spend actual time with your girlfriend?" Nate catches the uncannily predatory glint in her eyes that reminds him of almost every girl from the Upper East Side and his eyes absentmindedly narrow. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"It was...spur of the moment," he says with a one-shouldered shrug.
Yeah, he's half-assing the conversation when he should be apologizing profusely because the fact remains that they are still in a relationship, but Lola is starting to become a lot like the Charlotte Rhodes she was born to be and not like the girl he was so drawn to because of her devil-may-care attitude.
"She's bad news, Nate," LolaCharlotte whispers.
He gives her a warning glance. "Don't go there."
She gapes. "How can you sit here, unwilling to work through any problems that we have, but still be able to defend her? Am I wrong, did Jenny not try to sabotage your relationship with Serena a couple of years ago?" Nate exhales deeply and reminds himself to be patient with her. Her next words are their defining moment—he knows where this road is headed. "I am not willing to let her do the same with us."
He pinches the bridge of his nose and ponders.
First, she turns into everything she said she never wanted to be—concocting a plan to end Lily (Bass, van der Woodsen, Humphrey—take your pick) with Ivy kind of goes against her earlier words. Second, the lies always seem to be piling up with her—her actual identity, where she was, the fact that she's his ex-girlfriend's sister slash cousin. Third, she has the nerve to talk badly about Jenny, the only person who keeps him from tearing his hair out in frustration at what his life has become?
Three strikes, you're out.
Nate sighs. "Trust me, you don't have to worry about Jenny coming between us." She's about to smile at him, and it's enough for him to almost be repentant. Almost. He stands and looks at the wall behind her so he won't see her face fall. "You did that all by yourself."
He breathes a humorless laugh. "No. You're just like every other girl I've dated; scheming, malicious, and vain," he seethes, and the hurt in her eyes does nothing but fuel his words. It's not like he's wrong. "I thought you were different. That's why I liked you. You were nice, and pure, and good. You—"
The following words die in his throat. You reminded me of Jenny, he doesn't say.
"I can't see you anymore."
He walks out of the cafe and doesn't look back.
"Dude, what's going on with you and my sister?"
Nate laughs. "You'll see."
"I want you to have this."
He hands her an envelope with her name and old address scribbled on the front, and she can't help the remorse that settles in the pit of her stomach when she's rewarded with the image of Nate scolding her and running after Vanessa.
"Why are you showing this to me now?"
"Because," he whispers, and her mind flushes with the memory of them on the sidewalk and his hands all over her body, "you're the person you were when I wrote that. You're back to being the person I wanted you to be when you got the chance to read it."
"Nate, I can't." Her fingers clutch the envelope tighter, and he pulls her chin up with his index finger. His eyebrows furrow when he notices her eyes becoming glassier by the second and he runs the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks.
"What do you mean, you can't?"
"I can't—when I went to Hudson, I left all this behind. Left the wealth, left the schemes, left you. You still have so much drama, and Serena and Blair hate me, I just don't—"
She's cut off by his lips crashing against hers. Her response is immediate; she wraps her arms around his neck and pulls herself closer against him. He relishes in the feeling of having her once more, but his moment of glory is cut short when she pulls away, shaking her head as tears flood her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she snivels, turning around and heading towards the door.
"So what was the road trip then? Did that mean nothing to you?" he calls. "What about everything we've been through, Jenny? Is it really so easy to walk away from it all?" Her hand is clutching the doorknob so tightly he can see her knuckles turn white. "Stop pretending you don't love me. Because I don't know about you, but I'm done. I'm done ignoring my feelings for you!"
She closes the door behind her without looking back.
His jaw clenches and he punches the wall next to him and ignores his welting knuckles. He falls to the floor and stares at the door, hoping against all odds that she'll walk through the threshold. Nate sniffles and swats angrily at his cheeks.
He's never cried over a girl.
"You have a visitor, Mr. Archibald."
"Yeah, thanks Jane," he tells his assistant absentmindedly, loosening his tie before turning the door handle, preparing to sit and sulk for the remainder of the day.
He's not in his office for two seconds before lips are against his.
His nostrils detect vanilla and lilac, and his hands fly to her familiar waist, clutching her to him so tightly that he's sure there's not an inch of space between their bodies.
She hushes him with a finger to his lips.
"I was supposed to be here for a week, that's it. You weren't supposed to run into me. We sure as hell weren't supposed to go to Nashville. But when I saw you...it's like I never left," she breathes a laugh, and he really hopes she can't feel the thundering of his heart beneath her palm. "Damn you, Nate Archibald, and your uncanny ability to make me fall for you all over again."
He smiles cheekily, shrugging a shoulder. "What can I say, it's a talent." She giggles and he drops a kiss to her shoulder. Oh boy, the way things turned out. He was positive he'd never even hear of Jenny Humphrey after her drama-ridden departure, and here she was, just two short years later, the epitome of everything he's ever wanted. "Jen, do you think that running into you—was that fate?"
She laughs. "No. That was just pure luck."
He looks at her like he's found the sun.
yeah, a bit rushed, but too many feels to care.
reviews are love.


text:
Arts & Culture
Theater Picks, April 3: '4000 Miles' from PlayMakers
Amy Herzog's highly praised 2011 play, "4000 Miles," is PlayMakers Repertory Company's last main stage production of the season. This Pulitzer Prize finalist brings together 21-year-old Leo and his 91-year-old grandmother, Vera, after Leo shows up at 3 a.m. on her doorstep. Both are drifting in their own ways and both find a prickly but increasingly needed bonding over memories and regrets. 7:30 p.m. Apr. 3-4, 7-11 and 14-18; 2 p.m. Apr. 5, 12 and 19. $15-$62. 919-962-7529 or playmakersrep.org.
Other highlights
▪ Duke University's Department of Theater Studies offers Lucy Prebble's "Enron," a modern morality play about the company's infamous financial scandals, directed by Duke alum, Talya Klein. Details at theaterstudies.duke.edu.


text:
The Springs
Logan and I have lived here for almost a year - just over 10 months, to be exact - and one of our best friends lives in Colorado Springs, and yet I've never been down there (or up, as Luke likes to say, even though it's south). For our anniversary, Logan and I headed down to celebrate with the Insane Inflatable 5k and a day spent hanging out with Luke.
This was one of those rare perfect weekends. It's been a while since I've laughed so hard or so freely (grad school finals week is killer, y'all) and it's so refreshing to hang out with someone who just gets you. Luke is one of those people who makes the best dad-jokes at the best times and sings every other word and knows his beer and can also be super serious and loving - he's one of the best friends we've had and I know we're going to take advantage of every free weekend he has before he moves off to Montana for his graduate studies.
Colorado Springs was a treat, we explored Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City and got ice cream and beers and listened to Coloring Book and planned future hikes and adventures. It was such a good weekend it was almost impossible to go back into work on Monday.
Emilie, we missed you this time.


text:
Imagine a world where human beings and nature's beings consult with each other and share their unique wisdom about how to live in harmony... where we become allies for beings in nature and they become allies for us.
And, imagine learning from both our ancestors and descendants how to perform ceremonies for healing ourselves and the planet...
What a beautiful and powerful connection with all of life we would have — one that brings us into the role of co-creator, and out of our illusion of dominance over other living things.
If we learn to look at the Earth — a.k.a. "Middle World" — through the eyes of a shaman, we can start to make these imaginings a reality...
We can begin to sense the unseen forces that help the Earth and its animals, trees, plants, and insects adapt and survive — capabilities from which we can learn to do the same.
We also discover that a true, healing relationship with Nature is one of reciprocity.
This takes time and reflection...The ancient shaman would journey, or move into his "spirit self," to talk with different species, to learn from them AND to enable them to learn from us.
You can communicate with nature as well — by learning how to speak to the trees in the park, the mountains on the horizon, and the stars in the night sky.
Yet, this connection is far more profound than simply establishing mutual respect, expressing affection, and sharing wisdom. It requires us to listen deeply... so deeply that we can sense the natural world's compassion for us, for where we are in our evolution — a "young" species in the unfolding drama of life on earth.
With newfound humility and empathy, we can then establish reciprocal relationships with nature's beings in a way that allows us to find the forgiveness inside of ourselves for how we've treated the environment and other life forms...
In the process, we shift our overall relationship with the Earth, heightening our awareness of nature's cycles and unique knowledge, and fostering a more sustainable future — designed using the wisdom of all life forms — for us and the planet.
In this brand-new live video training with renowned shamanism teacher Sandra Ingerman, you'll have the opportunity to discover and practice the skills you need to build a strong, ongoing, reciprocal relationship with nature...
... one that will not only expand and enrich your life, but will also help rejuvenate the power of shamanic work, strengthening it for our own healing and that of the environment.
You'll also learn about the importance of gratitude — a foundational element of reciprocity, and one of the most powerful practices taught by shamanic cultures around the world.
By embodying gratitude, we can stay grounded, centered, and focused no matter how challenging life becomes.
Sandra has taught workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods for over 30 years. She's recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture that address the needs of our times.
In Shamanic Journeying With the Spirits of Nature, you'll discover practices and ceremonies that will help you to learn and honor the language of Nature — a language that teaches us how to survive.
You'll discover that by communicating with multiple species, you can gain wisdom to help you adapt to the changes in your life and to make the lifestyle shifts needed. You'll learn to honor and respect every being in nature, as well as how to design ceremonies to be performed in service to the Earth.
You'll learn how the Earth's elements, animals, insects, plants, and trees perceive the changes we're going through — and what they can teach us about adaptation and compassion.
They have so much to share with us about how to live a good life and what we need to do to help heal the planet. They are in touch with how to use the internal senses, which are our true guides in life.
A deeper connection with the natural world can help you open up to your natural powers of clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsentience, as you slow down, focus, and allow yourself to connect with its powerful unseen energies.
By reflecting upon and journeying to nature beings — such as the dragonfly, which has adapted and survived for ages, and the Earth's grounding stones and crystals — you'll also learn to make lifestyle changes that can bring positive changes for all beings in the web of life.
AND, you'll expand your limited perceptions, learn to let go of judgement, raise your consciousness, and, at the same time, experience the joy inherent in a deep and precious relationship with the beautiful and wise natural world.
You'll also learn how to become a vessel for carrying new teaching stories for a better future, which can emerge from your connection with other species and life forms —and how to include children in this important work.
This is one of the most basic courses Sandra has taught in several decades — yet, it's vitally important work for both the seasoned shamanism practitioner and the novice. While the material may be foundational, Sandra explains that it's also one of the most complex courses she's ever taught, as our relationship with the Earth can be fraught with our shame and fear around how we have treated the environment and its inhabitants.
Shamanic Journeying With the Spirits of Nature will be a powerful healing journey for those who have the willingness and courage to walk through the many emotions that are part of healing ourselves and the Earth...
The path of shamanism is all about deepening relationships. It teaches us that we must deepen our relationship with ourselves and take time for reflection.
With Sandra's expert guidance, you'll learn through shamanic practices, ceremony, and spending time in nature, how to deepen your relationship with the unseen forces that guide us, including our ancestors. You'll learn the language of Nature, and how you can help in the healing of the planet and ourselves.
So much of our suffering comes from our separation from Source, each other, and the natural world. By discovering and establishing lasting, reciprocal relationships with the nature spirits of the Middle World, we can start to find the healing we seek.
So you can better connect with Sandra and her teachings, all of her sessions will be streamed on video. This video connection will be easy to use and will enhance the impact of Sandra's teachings. Or, you can easily connect via audio, either through the internet or your phone.
Course sessions are on Tuesdays at 5:00pm Pacific.
In this 7-week transformational intensive, Sandra will guide you through the fundamental spiritual skills and competencies you'll need to successfully establish and deepen reciprocal, healing relationships with nature's beings and the unseen forces that guide them — and us — to help heal all of the web of life.
This course will feature teachings, experiential guided journeys, and ceremonies with Sandra. Each session will build harmoniously upon the previous ones so you'll develop a complete holistic understanding of the practices, tools, and principles you'll need to learn to see Nature through the eyes of a shaman, and move into your "spirit self," to talk with different species, learn from them, and enable them to learn from us.
It can break our heart to watch the beings we love pass away, and working with ceremony can provide a powerful way to honor both humans and nature beings that have transitioned.
This first week, you'll learn burial ceremonies for people and nature beings to send life forms home to Source in joyful and beautiful ways. This will include ceremonies you can do to honor those who have died through illness and environmental catastrophes. You'll also discover the importance of cultivating an honorable closure with people it is no longer healthy to remain connected to.
You'll also learn how to fill yourself up with the beauty of life... when you open your eyes to the beauty in the world around you, you can bring it into your inner life.
In this module, you'll discover:
Many of us have forgotten that we're interconnected and interdependent, yet this is constantly being reflected back to us by our environment...
Life forms that have been around for thousands, even millions, of years are adapting to the changes in the environment. Science captures these animals to do testing, but shamans move into their "spirit self" to talk with different species to learn from them and have them learn from us — revealing that we do not need to capture species and run experiments to learn about their amazing powers of regeneration and adaptation.
This week, you'll journey to an animal that you'd like to establish a reciprocal relationship with to learn its ways of adaptation during times of change and to start to learn its language, including insights into its ability to communicate telepathically — and how you have this capability as well.
In this module, you'll:
Plants and trees are important teachers for us, programmed with powerful medicine to heal and nurture us. And in many shamanic cultures, it's widely understood that by sitting with a tree for long periods of time, the tree will teach you all you need to learn about the practice of shamanism.
We have to learn the language of the plants to learn their "programs," yet, in our way of doing things, we program the food and substances we use before learning about their program and what they have to share.
In this module, you'll:
Crystals and stones have been used by shamans for divination and healing for millennia. Yet, for us to use precious materials from the Earth for these purposes, we must first learn their essential properties and teaching gifts. For example, rocks and stones, which are strong, still, and silent, can teach us ways of living a life focused on the present.
Crystals are being mined in ways that disrespect the Earth and their sacredness. Through journeying, you will learn how we can use them in ethical ways, how we can learn from a favorite gem or crystal, how they contribute to the web of life, and how we can use them for healing.
You'll also learn simple methods for working with crystals, including how to use them to incubate dreams, stop nightmares, perform a cleansing on another's energetic field, send healing energies long distance, and gain divining information.
In this module, you'll discover:
Humans are a relatively new species, yet, we often feel dominant over life. In reality, however, we're all woven together in deep relationship with other life forms.
And, whether we're aware of it or not, nature is always in a reciprocal relationship with us. We may experience ourselves talking to the beings in nature, but rarely do we experience them communicating with us — in their own vibrational language. When we can imagine this new reality — this telepathic connection — we step into a truly mutual and cooperative relationship.
This week, you'll discover how working with the elements teaches you how to enter into the flow of life... and how they can teach you about cleansing, death, and rebirth. You'll journey to the ancient beings in the Middle World — Earth, which is 4.6 billion years old; Air, the first living being to inhabit the planet; the Water of the ancient seas, and our younger Fire beings, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and galaxies.
In this module, you'll:
There is powerful wisdom in communicating with a species that has been here since the beginning of time. They hold a wealth of advice for us on how to move our lives to a place of health and balance.
In this module, you'll journey back in time to a species of creature now extinct, and to an ancient creature still alive today. For example, dragonflies are known to be one of the oldest living beings on Earth, but they still live today, unchanged. Looking to these types of species, we can discover how we live in them, and what we need to know for our future.
In this module, you'll:
The process of death and rebirth is sometimes hard for us to embrace... We cling to the familiar and grieve the beautiful beings that pass and we have shared this Earth with. Yet, with death, there are new energies to be born that can manifest into amazing new species of animals, plants, trees, insects, and microorganisms.
This last week together, you'll learn more healing with spiritual light — connecting the light of the galaxies, stars, moon, and planets. And, you'll learn about nature's cycles, and how we can be more of a light in the world. We'll also explore how to transform the toxins in our medications, food, water, air, and everything else we take in, as we learn to work with liquid light.
In this module, you'll:
In addition to Sandra's transformative 7-week virtual course, you'll receive these powerful training sessions with leading visionaries and teachers. These bonus sessions complement the course and promise to take your understanding and practice to an even deeper level.
This foundational recording was created to give full instructions into shamanic journeying to talk a little bit about the practice and to help you find your own doorway into the invisible realms, give you suggestions that can deepen your work, and talk about some of the finer points of journeying that might help you fine-tune your own practice. You'll also receive a Drumming Track for Journeying to assist you with your practice of journeying.
NOTE: Please listen to this bonus teaching before attending the first course session so you can just dive right into the journeying work and really make the best use of your time in class with Sandra.
The greatest contribution of the ancient shamans to our medicine and healing today is the understanding that in the course of any life we are liable to suffer soul loss — the loss of parts of our vital energy and identity — and that in order to be whole and well, we must find the means of soul recovery. Shamans journey to find lost soul parts and bring them where they belong. Dreams can show us where soul has gone, and offer paths by which it can be reached and encouraged to come home.
In this important dialogue between Sandra and Robert Moss, we'll learn why "anyone who dreams is a little bit shaman" and how we can help each other to become the shamans of our own souls and the healers of our own lives.
Robert Moss is the creator of Active Dreaming, an original synthesis of modern dreamwork and shamanism. Born in Australia, he survived three near-death experiences in childhood. He leads popular seminars all over the world, including a 3-year training for teachers of Active Dreaming. A former lecturer in ancient history at the Australian National University, he's a bestselling novelist, poet, journalist, and independent scholar. He's written a dozen books on dreaming, shamanism, and imagination and has presented several popular Shift Network courses.
Cecile Carson will speak with Sandra about her research of how people today are bridging shamanism into the work they do. For example some of the people Cecile has written about and highlighted are a high school cook, a mall Santa Claus, a theater director, and a neurobiology grad student working in an animal lab. They'll talk about how shamanism can emerge in everyday circumstances.
Cecile Carson, MD, has been doing a series of interviews for a forthcoming book that looks at shamanic practitioners who integrate shamanism into Western culture in interesting and unusual ways — ways that open our hearts and minds to what's possible for spirits' healing in our troubled world. She's an internist also trained in psychiatry, who for 30 years focused much of her work on helping people deal with life-threatening illness such as HIV and cancer. Recognizing that illness often requires soul-level work, she expanded her focus to spiritual coaching and healing. She's been practicing and teaching shamanism for the past 25 years, both nationally and internationally. She's also a founding board member of the Society of Shamanic Practice and editor of the anthology Spirited Medicine: Shamanism in Contemporary Healthcare.
In this special video dialogue with Sandra and Renee from the IAM Winter Solstice Symposium, Sandra guides you into a journey to meet a helping spirit who will volunteer to join you for the coming year. In this guided journey, you'll ask a helping spirit the questions: What kind of power do you carry? May I carry your power? How do I carry your power? The Winter Solstice Celebration is an opportunity to embrace renowned Wisdom Keepers in an up-close and personal fashion.
Renee Baribeau is The Practical Shaman, a Wind Whistler, and Hay House Author. Renee is the "go-to" Soul Coach for innovative change-makers and dynamic spiritual keynote speaker. She injects humor and practical wisdom into her dynamic, inspirational Wind Work® workshops. Renee helps individuals at a point of transformation in their lives. She helps them find their enlightened way of life and guides them towards their true purpose through the wind's knowledge.
Sandra is truly gifted to facilitate an online course. Shamanism was made completely available to me with this course, not only did online access make it possible, but her method and knowledge showed me that shamanism is truly for every person. Not just for the so called chosen, nor are drugs and hallucinations required at all! Thank you Sandra, it's redirected my life completely towards my true purpose.
— Shar-la, New South Wales, Australia
I would highly recommend this class.. Sandra is a Blessing. Through all the different journeys, layers of my life were finally acknowledged and let go. Truly life changing.
— Leslie Styhl, Diamondhead, Mississippi
I dance, move, chant, and sing during journeys and this was the first time I felt actively supported in doing so. I didn't feel like an outlier or worse. I discovered from Sandra's singing that what I thought was gibberish trying to be words is actually my song — I cherish this learning.
— Bethana Sullivan, Nova Scotia, Canada
I feel confident in journeying on my own and will do so often in ceremony alone and with close friends. I love my alters and am so pleased to meet the hidden realms and folk. Thank you dearly.
— Tina Lindeken, Redway, California
Sandra Ingerman is a great teacher. I had decided I needed to get back on my spiritual path this year and to find this virtual class with Sandra was unbelievably perfect. I wasn't sure it would work again for me, especially in this venue, but I had really good experiences here. My awesome spirit helpers were right there for me. It feels so good to get on the path again. This works for me. It feels right. It's a comfort. Thank you for making this virtual class available. I'm looking forward to the next one.
— Joyce, Oakhurst, California
I recommend this course because it's so beautiful. I could have access to a magical world of spirits, nature, power, and healing. I love the journeys with Sandra. I learned the dimension of intuition and trust. I learned ways to enter in Upper, Middle and Lower World, to listen to the messages from my Spirit Guides. I have created my secret garden, my sanctuary and my altars. I am grateful for all gifts, insights, and beauty of shamanism.
— Daniela, Luxembourg
I really loved the course. Sandra is such a great teacher, her lessons are clear and filled with contagious passion. She created a beautiful loving sacred space for our community to share experiences and grow together... I feel very blessed for the opportunity to have participated in this course.
— Anna, Italy
Deeply humble, compassionate, and wise instructor who functions far beyond the trite and facile of too much of the New Age.. I was skeptical at first and was completely won over.
— Sandra, Canada
Anyone who's looking for a lamp in the dark, a trustworthy guide to hold the space for the great work to happen, a heart to see while you rediscover your own deep connection to Source and Truth... this course is for you.
— Jill Moody, Victoria, Australia
Sandra has a level of mastery in her knowledge of shamanism, journeying, and teaching. She guided all of us with such love, passion, and support and tailored the teachings so everyone whether new or more experienced could learn this practice. She's an extraordinary woman who fully lives and expresses her destiny which is to teach others these profoundly deep and life-changing practices... I cannot truly express the experiences I've had other than I'm filled with joy, deep gratitude, and creating my own destiny inspired by Sandra, her teachings, and my own desire to deepen my footprints on the Medicine Path.
— Natara Landrau, Placitas, New Mexico
This webcast exceeded my expectations. I didn't think I could have such a rich and deep experience while listening on the computer. That speaks to the great guidance from Sandra. I learned a lot from the Facebook community, all the wonderful sharing and support expressed by the group. I have taken a couple workshops with Sandra in the past, and this was just like being there with her.
— Susan Hnatiw, Colorado Springs, Colorado
This workshop was wonderful! No need to have read any of Sandra's books, you'll enjoy the wisdom and experience she brings to the material she presents. Sandra is so generous with information and insights, I now have so many things I can ponder and work on by myself after this course. And I am very grateful for the very concrete "invisible" community we have woven through this course, its support and goodwill is priceless.
— Nadia Fortin, Québec, Canada
Shamanic Journeying With the Spirits of Nature offers some of the most advanced online teachings currently available, in a thriving global community of learning and practice.
Join your fellow students and practitioners from around the world in the live interactive conference calls or our online community to support and learn from each other while you discover how to open your mind and expand your paradigm of reality.
This international community is at the leading edge of a global movement of people who are committed to manifesting a better world for all beings. This emerging planetary movement is rooted in an open heart and stands for the principles of mutual support, cooperation, harmony, and reverence for all of life.
Seven 90-Minute Class Sessions With Sandra Ingerman
Experience a rare opportunity to be mentored by and learn with shamanic teacher Sandra Ingerman — from the comfort of your own home. Each class session includes a live streaming video option and guides you to discover specific skills and abilities to lead you safely into the practices of shamanic journeying. Course sessions are on Tuesdays at 5:00pm Pacific.
Seven Video Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the video will be available for you to download or stream in high-quality format. You'll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can watch anytime and anywhere — on any connected device and at your convenience.
Seven Audio Recordings of Class Sessions
After each class, the audio will be available for you to download in high-quality MP3 format. You'll never have to worry about missing a session, and you can listen anytime and anywhere — on any connected device and at your convenience.
Seven PDF Transcripts of Class Sessions
In addition to the high-quality videos and MP3 audios, you'll also receive the entire class transcription in PDF format after each session is completed. You can then review, print, and highlight the most important insights and practices you were given.
Seven 30-minute Interactive Group Practice Sessions
With live class attendance, there will be a 30-minute optional interactive practice session directly following each class. You'll be placed in an intimate group with several other participants on the conference call to interact, share, and do additional practices with to help further integrate the weekly lessons. Practice sessions are available for live attendance only, not recorded for playback. If you're unable to attend the calls live, the online community group allows you to connect with each other and find alternative times to interact.
Interactive Exercises and Questions for Each Lesson
Between class sessions, you'll have the option of completing related exercises, practicing new tools, and answering questions to accelerate your learning and integrate each week's lesson.
Online Community
Our exclusive Facebook online community is the perfect place to continue your discovery process after each class. Here, you can continue the discussion about your course materials and interact with your fellow students to take your exploration to an even deeper level.
The Spirits of Nature Bonus Collection
We feel honored Sandra Ingerman has chosen to partner with The Shift Network to offer this exclusive LIVE online training. This is a rare opportunity to interact directly with a respected shamanic teacher who will help you live an empowered life through shamanic practices.
Through this powerful online format, you'll not only save time and money on workshop costs (plus travel, accommodations, and meals — which would cost thousands of dollars), you'll be able to benefit from Sandra's incredible teachings and exercises from the comfort of your home — and at your own pace!
If you're serious about living a life that's deeply connected to the Earth, cosmos, and the hearts all around you, then you owe it to yourself, your loved ones, and our world to take this one-of-a-kind training.
If you're ready to take the next step in evolving yourself, click the register button below to reserve your space now.
Sandra Ingerman is a profound and wise teacher. She's a rare jewel of a being and teacher. Don't wait a minute more. Learn from her!
— Judith Orloff, MD, Author of Second Sight
A shaman sees with the heart. Sandra Ingerman teaches from the heart. Sandra is a devoted teacher; deeply committed to teaching shamanism as a way to positively impact our lives and the future of our planet. Connected to the Spirit that lives in all things, Sandra holds a deep belief that if we can change ourselves, we can dream forward a new vision of our world.
— Damini Celebre, Author of Painting the Landscape of Your Soul
Ingerman is one of those great teachers who grabs you by the heart and makes you want to be a better person. Luckily, she also teaches you the methodology in which to engage in doing so and models that methodology powerfully by her own life and work.
— Cecile Carson, MD, Editor of Spirited Medicine: Shamanism in Contemporary Healthcare
The gifts of Sandra Ingerman's teaching and writing have inspired me to continue my own journey of becoming a shamanic healing companion. Her clarity and integrity have given me the courage to bring this healing to my hospitalized patients.
— Alan M. Davis, MD, PhD, President of the Society for Shamanic Practice
Sandra Ingerman, MA, is an award-winning author of 11 books, including Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self... Medicine for the Earth: How to Heal Personal and Environmental Toxins... Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of Shamanic Life... Speaking with Nature: Awakening to the Deep Wisdom of the Earth (co-authored with Llyn Roberts)... and her most recent release, The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life.
She is the presenter of several audio programs produced by Sounds True, and the creator of the Transmutation App. Sandra, a world-renowned teacher of shamanism, has been teaching for more than 30 years. She's taught workshops internationally on shamanic journeying, healing, and reversing environmental pollution using spiritual methods. Sandra is recognized for bridging ancient cross-cultural healing methods into our modern culture to address the needs of our times.
Sandra is devoted to teaching people how we can work together as a global community to bring about positive change for the planet. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with nature.
Sandra is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional mental health counselor. She's also a board-certified expert on traumatic stress. She was awarded the 2007 Peace Award from the Global Foundation for Integrative Medicine, and was chosen as one of the Top 10 Spiritual Leaders of 2013 by Spirituality & Health Magazine.
Q: What's a virtual course?
A: It's a great way to engage live and pre-recorded teachings and each other from the comfort of your home! All you need is a computer, mobile device, or telephone. If there's more than one person in your household taking the course, you'll each need your own connection. We use Zoom videoconferencing to make it just like an in-person event, where you can ask questions and deepen your exploration of the course themes.
There's no additional charge for connecting to Zoom with your computer or mobile device. Please note that dialing Zoom from your telephone is a toll call; your telephone service provider will charge you according to your existing long-distance calling plan. International access numbers are available.
"I've never seen a course so well put together ever..."
I had never participated before in an online course. The packaging, presentation, inclusion, and Facebook postings created a wonderful, safe cocoon within which to participate. I've never seen a course so well put together ever — not in all the years of taking college classes — and I had my doubts about doing an online course. The wealth of organization and ease of learning materials and support made this fun as well.
— Claudia F., Medford, Massachusetts
Q: Can I get benefit from the course if I miss the live classes?
A: Absolutely! You can download the recordings and transcripts of all course sessions from our online media archive, so you never need to worry about missing live calls. You can also engage the full community and leaders on our private online community group.
Q: Can you tell me about the private online community group?
A: We'll have a private online community group for all course participants on Facebook that will support you in making connections with others, sharing insights, engaging in discussions, and completing homework assignments that can supplement your transformational journey. You'll have the ability to share your experiences, projects, and growth throughout the course.
Q: Are there scholarships available for this training?
A: Yes, we always make a certain percentage of spaces available for partial scholarships, giving preference to those in developing countries or doing important but underpaid work to which they can apply the training material immediately. If you'd like to apply for a scholarship, please review our guidelines, which include a link to our online application form.
Q: What's your refund policy?
A: Your satisfaction with The Shift Network and this course is our highest priority! We offer a satisfaction guarantee so that you can sample the course risk-free. The deadline to receive a full refund is March 19, 2019. To request a refund, please click on this refund request form and submit your request. Your refund will be processed within five business days and we'll send you an email confirming your refund. However, we'd love to have a chance to address and resolve your concerns first. If there's something we can assist you with, please email us at email@example.com and we'll be happy to help! (No refund requests accepted after the above date or with scholarship awards.)
Q: How can I reach Customer Support?
A: Please visit our Customer Support Center, where you should be able to find the answer to your question or the solution to your problem. And if you can't, you can submit an online request form and we'll get right back to you.


text:
3D – Electroanatomical Mapping System of the Heart – EnSite Precision,
Chennai, June 2, 2017: The Madras Medical Mission (MMM), one of India's leading multi-speciality hospitals, today announced the introduction of 3D – Electroanatomical Mapping System of the Heart – EnSite Precision, a technology that can control and cure heart rhythm abnormalities with the highest levels of accuracy. By bringing in this futuristic technology to India, MMM hopes to take cardiac care in the country to the next level.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ulhas M. Pandurangi, Chief – Cardiac Electrophysiology & Pacing, Arrhythmia – Heart Failure Academy, The Madras Medical Mission said, "Ever since the Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology & Pacing was established at MMM around two decades back, we have been in the forefront of cardiac care in the region. This department was the first in the state of Tamil Nadu to acquire the 3D mapping system way back in 2009. And now, we have taken another giant leap with the introduction of 3D – Electroanatomical Mapping System of the Heart – EnSite Precision. This technology, which is the latest in Arrhythmia Therapy results in less radiation; is more accurate, safer and fast; and limits physician errors."
The EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system from St. Jude Medical (Minnesota, USA) offers the next-generation technology that allows for a high level of automation, flexibility and precision to help cardiologists to more effectively diagnose a wide range of arrhythmias.
The Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology & Pacing at MMM has already successfully treated four patients using the EnSite Precision technology.
Mr. Baaskaran Subramaniam (53) from Malayasia, who is among the first four patients to be successfully treated at MMM with the EnSite Precision technology, says, "I suffered from debilitating symptoms for several years. Being already aware of MMM's advancements in cardiac care, when Dr. Ulhas Pandurangi suggested using the EnSite Precision technology, I immediately gave my consent. This new technology is fast and effective for sure. I started feeling better right after the procedure and am recuperating very fast. Like me, I hope more patients will benefit from this revolutionary technology in cardiac care in the days to come."
The EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system is built on an open platform, allowing doctors to choose the diagnostic and ablation catheters which best meet the needs of their patients. The EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system also offers the choice of contact or noncontact mapping; compatibility with a wide range of diagnostic and ablation catheters; integration with most ablation generators and recording systems; integration with remote navigation systems and rotational angiography; and integration of magnetic and impedance data.
"Each patient is unique…and hence doctors need the precision that we can rely on. The EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system uniquely combines impedance and magnetics, as a result of which we can enhance navigation and model creation," adds Dr. Pandurangi.
The EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system is flexible and enhances workflow efficiency by allowing physicians to map heart chambers with any electrophysiology catheter and customize procedures to address the circumstances of each case.
For more details on treatment using the EnSite Precision technology, one may call The Madras Medical Mission (MMM) at +91 44 26568000.


text:
Thursday, April 18, 2013
My Chili
My Chili
2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey
1 or 2 large onions, chopped
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel, chopped
1 c. water
chili powder, to taste
salt & pepper to taste
pinch of oregano
cumin to taste
2 (16 oz) cans Ranch Style beans, lightly drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
Brown ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain. Add remaining ingredients, except beans. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in beans and continue cooking (covered) for 45 minutes.
Serve with grated cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text: Share: Comments Print April 25, 2009 at 7:26 PM Sounders FC vs. SJ Quakes game thread Posted by Jose Romero Jimmy McAlister receives the Golden Scarf for tonite, gets cheers from the Brougham End. 7:38- game on. 3rd min — Alvarez tries to bend it on free kick, misses wide left of Keller. 4th min — Sturgis beaten on attack by SJ, results in good scoring chance. 4th min — Yellow card on Convey SJ for hard hit on Montero. San Jose is the more attacking team in first few minutes. Campos beats Sturgis again with a run, 10th min. Sturgis needs to settle down and mark up. 12th min — Great ball fake and run by Ljungberg, to Evans, who centers and Montero has a shot from close range but it goes over the goal. Fredy's got to finish those. He hasn't been of late. 14th min – Near big mistake by SJ as they try to clear, and Cannon hits it off his defender in front of the goal but it goes out. 16th min — good chance for Seattle…Riley to the center for Zakuani, who whiffs on shot in front. Nice ball movement on that run as four guys got touches. 22nd min — Corner kick for Sounders FC looks like a botched job, but Alonso gets off a long shot that goes over the goal. 30th min — Alonso draws a yellow for a hard tackle in the open field on Corrales, cheap shove by Corrales after the play. Alonso has to be careful with the cautions. He has three now in the season. 25th min — Sturgis takes it away from Alvarez. Montero taking corners for Seattle,not Le Toux, who is not playing. Ljungberg makes nice turn in 28th min and somehow gets a shot off, but no goal. 35th min — Montero makes a run to the right side, centers it toward the goal and it hits side of the net. 37th min — Lots of jostling in front of the net before an SJ free kick, it's kind of funny. Looks like NBA players posting up down low fighting for position. Yellow on Garcia in 40th min for upending Ljungberg. Free kick coming… SJ can't clear it. Montero heads it to Hurtado, who kicks outside to Marshall, who heads toward Zakuani coming from the right side and the GOOOOALLLL!!!! 42nd min. 1-0 Seattle. 43rd – Zakuani great pass to Jaqua in the middle, he heads it right to the keeper. 45th — Great run down the left from Ljungberg gets a throw in, but Ljungberg beat four guys on his own. HALF Times columnist Steve Kelley want to make it clear that he called Steve Zakuani "magic" BEFORE the goa. Second half on. Keller makes a huge save off a corner and shot by SJ's Ryan Johnson. 49th min — Evans SCORES for Seattle when Jaqua gets a 2 on 1 with Evans on his right. Jaqua slows down, passes to Evans, Evans gathers, fires from just right of the PK dot and buries it. 2-0 Seattle. The offense is back. 55th min — GREAT tackle by Tyrone Marshall, the Minister of Defense back there, on Johnson. Funny moment in the press box as the PA man in the box just called out "Uh-oh," as it looked like a Sounders Fc player touched the ball with his hand. Everyone heard it and started laughing. 67th min — Le Toux enters the game, Zakuani out after a goal and an assist. What a game for the rookie. 28,838 at the match tonite. Another full lower deck of seats. Let me say that Sturgis has really settled into a nice game on defense after struggling early. Another save for Keller just now. 77th min — Cam Weaver from Seattle University is in for San Jose. 79th min — Hurtado is down and unable to get up momentarily, but rises on his own and walks off. Now Nyassi is in for Seattle in 80th, Montero gives applause to the crowd. Hurtado back in the field. 87th min — Levesque in, Ljungberg out for Sounders FC. Three minutes extra time. Now Alonso is down and the trainers are out. He's up and will walk to the sideline. Looks groggy. Comments


text: 'Twilight' Pillows, Erotic Party Games and a Pile of Cash: TheWrap's 2012 Holiday Gift Guide From the "Fifty Shades of Grey" board game to a truly scary bit of "Twilight" merchandise, TheWrap has all of your holiday shopping needs covered Tim Kenneally | December 6, 2012 @ 6:45 PM Last Updated: March 24, 2015 @ 12:06 AM 'Game of Thrones' Iron Throne Replica: Yes, at $30,000, it's an extravagance. But what better way to let the man in your life know that his home is his castle than this lifesize replica of the Iron Throne from HBO's "Game of Thrones"? Hopefully, he won't lose his head over the whole thing. The Beatles catalog on LP: For the Beatles fan who wants to listen to the Fab Four's songs the way they were intended to be heard. Includes the group's studio albums from 1962 to 1970, along with two collections of non-album tracks. The $319 set includes a book detailing the recording of each album. Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you a whole lot of nostalgia. 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Gathering' Lego Set: With Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" hitting big screens on Dec. 14, what Tolkien fanatic wouldn't enjoy acting out the adventures of Gandalf and his fellow Middle Earth denizens? Not included: A mini-fig PETA spokesman to issue press releases about alleged animal negligence during production. ($69.99) Bond 50 Blu-ray Collection: As the success of this year's "Skyfall" proved, the interest in super-suave secret agent James Bond is higher than ever. This 22-movie set includes all of the 007 films ranging from 1962's "Dr. No" to 2008's "Quantum of Solace." And with more than 130 hours of bonus features, this collection will leave the recipient both shaken and stirred with appreciation. ($299.99) BioLite CampStove: Even the most hardened survivalist enjoys the luxury of modern conveniences. Perfect for the "Doomsday Preppers" fan in your family, the BioLite CampStove burns sticks, pinecones, pellets and other biomass, boils a liter of water in less than five minutes -- and charges your smart phone and other accessories with its USB power output. ($129) 'Walking Dead' Videogame: Let's face it, being a compulsive gamer is a little like joining the ranks of the undead anyway. "The Walking Dead" videogame deluxe edition collects all five episodes of the game, plus "The Walking Dead Compendium One," which compiles the first 48 issues of the "Walking Dead" comic book. Scary-good. ($69.99) 'Harry Potter Page to Screen' Box Set: Chances are, you have a "Harry Potter" fan in your life. The limited-edition "Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey" collects seven previously unpublished books about the creation of the "Harry Potter" films, plus a replica of "The Monster Book of Monsters." Maybe there's a spell that can conjure the cash to pay for the thing.($1,000) Lightsaber Umbrella: Into everyone's life, a little rain must fall. Brave it in menacing style with this nifty "Star Wars"-related accessory, which is perfect for keeping dry in a downpour and, possibly, doing battle with a Sith lord. ($40) Bacon-Scented Shaving Cream: Sometimes, a man on the go doesn't have time to fit grooming and breakfast into his schedule. Combine the two with J&D's Bacon Shaving Cream, which combines the joy of bacon with the necessity of not looking like one of the "Duck Dynasty" dudes. Plus, it's guaranteed to make its user more attractive, because, seriously, who doesn't like bacon? ($14.99) Audeze LCD3 Headphones: The modern marketplace abounds with pricey headphones, and at $1,945, these certainly qualify. But you get a lot for the coin: In addition to the superior sound quality, these cans are manufactured with Zebra Wood earcups and lambskin-leather ear pads. It's like wearing a zoo on your head, just like that crazy dream you had that time after eating a burrito after midnight. 'Sons of Anarchy' Temporary Back Tattoo: Do your buddies want to live like Jax Teller -- without all the constant bloodshed and skulduggery? The "Sons of Anarchy" temporary back tattoo will allow them to show their allegiance to SAMCRO without all the icky sharp needles. ($16.95) The Edward Cullen Manllow: Half-man, half-pillow, totally creepy. But it's perfect for that Twi-hard niece of yours who wants to spend every night wrapped up in something that sort-of, kind-of looks like Robert Pattinson. Or you could just start a therapy fund for her; she's going to need it. ($15, via Etsy) Fifty Shades of Grey Party Game: Who doesn't think of E L James' S&M-tinged erotic literary trilogy when they think of the holidays? The Fifty Shades of Grey Party Game is billed as a "romantic, liberating party game that's designed to entertain, surprise and reveal how you see your friends and how they see you." A perfect gift for Grandma! ($29.95) Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection: With the new film "Hitchcock" and the recent HBO film "The Girl," the master of suspense is back in style. Treat your favorite Hitch fan to "Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection," which collects 15 of Hitchcock's films -- including "Psycho" and "The Birds" -- on Blu-ray, for a monster-size collection of high-definition goosebumps. ($299) "Elizabeth Taylor: A Shining Legacy on Film": Still trying to wash Lifetime's Elizabeth Taylor biopic "Liz & Dick" out of your brain? Cindy De La Hoz's book on the screen legend includes anecdotes from Taylor's films and plenty of pictures from the big-screen beauty's life. ($30) Fender Squier USB Stratocaster: Allows digital-age rockers to plug directly into devices and computers with its built-in mini-USB connector. And yes, it works with conventional amps too, for your neighbors' inconvenience. ($200) Logitech Washable Keyboard: Perfect for germaphobes, or for anyone who can't resist snacking during their Halo marathons. ($40) Johnny Cash: The Complete Columbia Album Collection: Weighing in at 63 discs, this exhaustive compendium runs the gamut of the Man in Black's Columbia years, from 1958's "The Fabulous Johnny Cash" to 1999's "Highwayman 2." There's also a 2-CD set of singles that weren't originally included on albums. Hotter than a burning ring of fire. ($330) 'Arrested Development' Pint Glasses: Because when the Bluths return for a fourth season on Netflix next year, what else are you and your pals going to toast your good fortune with? ($32) Show Comments


text:
Practinioner Support Assistant - Childcare Scale 2
Lambeth Nursery Schools' Federation
Acting Executive Headteacher: Rachel Hedley
Holmewood, Maytree, Triangle, Effra and Ethelred Nursery Schoolswith Maytree, The Weir Link, Tree House, Effra and Ethelred Children's Centres
Maternity Cover - Fixed Term until 31st December 2019
Setting: Holmewood Nursery School
Post: Practitioner Support Assistant - Childcare Scale 2
Contract: Pro-rata, term-time only (39 weeks)
Hours: 35 hours per week - 10:15am - 6:15pm
Holmewood is an outstanding school in the Lambeth Nursery Schools' Federation with a large children's centre running from various sites, working to provide excellent early years education and support young children and their families. We are looking to fill the above post within our 2 year-old setting.
Are you:
● A highly committed, creative and reflective practitioner able to provide high quality education and care for young children
● Able to effectively support young children and their families from a diverse ethnic and social background
● Keen to work as part of a supportive, flexible and busy team
● Working in a nursery school/early years setting delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is essential.
Further information:
Visits to Holmewood Nursery School will take place on Thursday 7th March 2019 between 10:00am - 3:00pm . Please call Jacqueline Edwards to make an appointment on 020 8674 2186.
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 19th March 2019
Shortlisting Thursday 21st March 2019
Interviews to take place on: Tuesday 2nd April 2019
To obtain further information and a recruitment pack including a Job Description and Person Specification, please email firstname.lastname@example.com . You will be expected to complete an application form and attend an interview.
How to apply:
Please send your completed application form to email@example.com or post
Jacqueline Edwards,
Holmewood Nursery School,
66 Upper Tulse Hill,
Lambeth Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and external agencies to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service. Further information about the disclosure can be found at www.gov.uk/dbs. Applicants will be required to declare that they are not a disqualified person under the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009.
Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all.


text:
Episode 27 "A Second Chance at Satisfaction"
A new episode is out!
Click H-E-R-E to go listen to it.
In this Episode, recorded back in October (sorry for the wait, folks!) Matt and Phil discuss books, Phil talks about "The King in Yellow" by Robert W. Chambers (1895) as seen in the TV show True Detective. And because he'd like to discuss something they've both read, (and because Matt doesn't know how to read books without pictures…), Phil then brings up Brian Lee O'Malley's graphic novel Seconds, his first since the end of the Scott Pilgrim series. Seconds is the story of cooking, choices in love and life, careers in restaurants, and what could happen if you get more chances than you're supposed to have. Towards the end of the show, Matt and Phil discuss two cover versions of The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" – one by Devo, and one by Otis Redding. Bon Appetit!


text:
I can't believe it is just a week until the Fargo Marathon. Next Saturday morning I will be in Fargo, North Dakota to run the Fargo Marathon. Currently I have mixed feelings about what my goal will be for that race. The last few weeks I have been concentrating on adding speed to my running and it has worked great on runs up to 10 miles, but I have not been able to really see results on my longer training runs. Given that I did those runs on tired legs and not with a goal to run race speed it is probably not a surprise, but it would have been a great confidence boost. I certainly tried, but overall I had hoped to see more during my long training runs. [Read more…]
3 Marathons in 2 Weeks Recap
On Sunday I ran the Steamboat Marathon and completed my "home-made" challenge of running three marathons within a two week time span. It was a fun time and now looking back I realize how crazy it was even though I do not really see it that way. I guess it seems crazy if you look at it from a casual runner or non-runner perspective, but when talking to an ultra-runner she said I did what she does in training and moves things into a completely different perspective. After the first of the three marathons I was quite sore for three days and I hated myself briefly for doing this whole marathon thing, but then again I loved the idea of running another marathon soon. After the second marathon (of the three-peat) I was like "Bring it on" and now after it is done I am kind of missing something to look forward to next weekend. Believe it or not, but I checked a few times if there is a decent marathon event really close to where I am, but the closest one I found is about 5 hours driving distance away. Pretty weird that I even feel that way. I do not feel worn out or overly tired at this point – yes, I feel the effort and my legs have certainly felt better, but I took only one rest day after the 3rd marathon and I have been doing either my bootcamp style workout or went for a run every day this week. I do not want to lose too much fitness and this should do the trick. I might not necessarily head out for super-long long runs, but from here it should be fairly easy to ramp up my training for another marathon. [Read more…]
Colfax Marathon Race Recap
Finally – May 18th did arrive and it was time to run my first marathon in 2014. I got up at 2.45 AM and was on the road at around 3.30-ish AM. I wanted to park near the start/finish area and the early bird would catch the best parking spot. I knew they would be closing the roads in that area for the race and second I also expected them to block of access to some parking areas for runners because the Denver Zoo is right there as well and they had to keep parking open for Zoo visitors. Well, I got lucky and got in before that happened. In the end that meant walking of 5 minutes or less to and from the race. Score!!! [Read more…]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »


text:
December Book of the Month: Motherest
It's the early 1990s. Agnes is a new college student. She is caught between the wilderness of the college life and the broken home she's left behind. What she needs the most is her mother, who has vanished, and her brother, who left the family tragically a few years earlier. Agnes, like most girls her age, tries to navigate romance and female friendships and the intimacy and struggles they bring. This novel is a discovery of self, intimacy, motherhood, and home.
We had the honor of speaking with Motherest author Kristen Iskandrian about her amazing book - read on, Gems!
What was the hardest scene to write?
Writing about Simon, the details and circumstances of his suicide, was hard. The hospital scenes with Agnes were also hard. I wanted to make sure I captured these 'big' moments—death and life—with the specificity and tonal precision they deserved.
Did you always plan for Agnes's mother to come back in the end of the novel?
No. I surprised myself there, which is the best feeling while writing—the goal, really, though you can't ever plan it.
Did you edit anything out of the book which you loved? What was it?
We excised quite a bit of text, which was hard at first, but everything I really loved, stayed.
Which author/book was the biggest inspiration when writing Motherest?
I feel like all of the books by and about women that I've ever read, inspired and guided and informed my writing. Childhood favorites by L'Engle and Konigsburg and Alcott, books and letters by Plath and Woolf and de Beauvoir which I've read and re-read, short stories by Lydia Davis, novels by Elena Ferrante and Jenny Offill, and probably dozens of others that have all been mashed into my psyche.
You brilliantly captured the world of the 1990s. Why did you choose this decade for Motherest?
It was a formative decade for me, the one during which I left childhood and became an adult. It's still so vivid to me. I didn't want to fetishize it or wax nostalgic; I just wanted to reveal it in an intimate and personal way, through Agnes.
For those who want to explore more of the world of Motherest what would you recommend in terms of films, music, and/or books?
I made a Spotify playlist for my publisher; I think you can search for it under "Motherest playlist" or something. There are great books that were written in the 90s, of course, that weren't "set" in the 90s: Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel stands out as a very 90s book, although I believe the milieu may technically have been the late 80s? Eugenides's The Virgin Suicides came out in the 90s—I read it during college—but was set in the 70s. By the late 90s/early 2000s everyone was talking about Infinite Jest. More recently, Elif Batuman's The Idiot is set squarely in 1995. In terms of movies, I think of Singles, Pulp Fiction, Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Clerks, Clueless, Sex, Lies & Videotape, Fight Club, Trainspotting—so many.
If you could cast your book, which actors would you choose to play the characters?
So fun to think about but I honestly don't know. Anjelica Huston would be amazing as Agnes's mom.
Did you own pregnancy/parenting experience influence how you portrayed Agnes?
I'd say I tapped into the underbelly, if you will, of what were my own pregnancy fears and experiences. I could use those as a starting point and then grist them through my imagination, through Agnes's spirit. I spent a lot of time meditating on what it means to be a daughter and a mother.
Why did you choose the title Motherest for your work?
Originally, it was going to be Mother, Motherer, Motherest, to denote a kind of generational sense of mother. But it's such a mouthful, and kept tripping us up, so we went with the essential part of it, the superlative, the 'most mother,' which to me, is the crux of the whole story. I love that it's a made-up word that can evoke different things for everyone.
What are your top 10 favorite novels?
I don't play favorites, see the question above for a few that have meant a lot to me. In no particular order I'd add: The Portrait of a Lady, Madame Bovary, Grief is the Thing with Feathers, Lolita, Middlesex, The Trial, Beloved, Dead Souls, Pride and Prejudice, Things Fall Apart, Good Morning, Midnight; Disgrace, Geek Love, The Hour of the Star, and so many others.
What advice would you give to aspiring female writers?
Guard your writing time against the other things of your life—jobs, family, socializing, being online. Time management, especially once a project that you're desperate to finish is underway, is vital. Try to read more than you do pretty much anything else. Read books that challenge you and pay attention to your feelings as you read. Find the joy in what you're writing, so that you'll want to keep writing it.
As always, don't forget to email us, DM us, or comment for your thoughts on our Book of the Month picks. To join The Opal Book Club Book Bloggers community, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com Happy reading!


text:
Flowers & Plants
Most popular FlowersFlowers for OccasionsFlower VarietiesFuneral FlowersPlants
- Hampers & Gifts
- International
- Next Day Delivery
- Same Day Delivery
- Login / Register
- Contact Us
- Track Your Order
Let the love of your life know that you care with this delightful chocolate hamper, whether you're celebrating an anniversary or a new love chocolate is the universal elixir of romance.
All next-day courier delivered gifts are dispatched from our central production facility.
All international deliveries are passed to a relay network who then pass orders onto local florists.
Deliveries are normally made between 8am and 6pm by a florist local to the recipient address. However, during peak periods, deliveries may be made until 8pm.
In the rare event that a substitution is necessary when buying a gift, products of similar style and quality will be used, and the value of that substitution will always be of the same or higher value.
This item is temporarily sold out
To view your account click here OR Continue Shopping.


text:
is the 5th article in the series "Popular Risk management". The aim
of the series is to describe the main Risk management topics in simple, clear
and concise language.
Global Risk Consult is your local partner of choice http://www.globalriskconsult.com
send your comments to: firstname.lastname@example.com
Written by Boris Agranovich
Solvency II is a new framework developed by the European Commission which will update the existing outdated Solvency I regime.
The European Parliament approved the Solvency II framework directive on 22 April 2009 and it is now scheduled to come into force on 31 October 2012. Solvency II will result in one of the largest changes ever experienced by insurance industries across Europe and will change capital requirements for insurance companies. The change could be compared with the way Basel II changed capital requirements for banks.
This article describes the far reaching implications of the Solvency II programme implementation for both the investor community and policy holders.
Current regime.
The current solvency regime is outdated since it was created in the 70's with some small changes as from January 2004 (Solvency I). According to the Solvency I directive the required solvency margin is set to : Life: 4% of the reserve and 0,3% of risk capital. Non-life: percentage of premiums, namely 18% of the first 10 million and 16% of the remainder.
This situation does not reflect risk properly and in some cases current rules can actually conflict with best practices in risk management. For example a company that increases its non-life premiums with no changes in liabilities reduces its risk of insolvency, but its capital requirements would increase.
Why Solvency II ?
The main objective of (re)insurance regulation and supervision is adequate policyholder protection. Other objectives such as financial stability and fair and stable markets should also be taken into account but should not undermine that main objective.
The change in the required capital ratio for individual companies will depend on their own risk profile. Companies with lower risk will have significantly lower solvency requirements.
In particular, capital requirements will reflect the specific risk-profile of each (re)insurance undertaking. Insurers that manage their risks well - because they have rigorous policies, use appropriate risk-mitigation techniques, or diversify their activities - will be rewarded and allowed to hold less capital than under the current EU regime. On the other hand, poorly managed insurers, or insurers with a larger risk appetite, will be asked to hold more capital in order to ensure that policyholder claims will be met when they fall due.[1]
Solvency II adapted the same pillar structure as Basel II.
Pillar I determines future "target capital" and "safeguard capital" requirements and provides quantitative requirements.
Pillar II defines more qualitative requirements, the internal risk controls, and the role of supervisors.
Pillar III installs sound risk management by disclosure, and transparency requirements introducing control by the market and consumers.
Key market drivers:
current business environment requires quicker ROI, speed to market and
The future conditions will create a consistent view on solvency measures across all parties. The main measurements are:
MCR – Minimum Capital Requirement:
A level of capital below which ultimate supervisory action would be triggered
SCR – Solvency Capital Requirement
- Standard Formula
- Internal Models
A level of capital that enables an institution to absorb significant unforeseen losses. It also provides a reasonable assurance to policyholders.
Capital adequacy: pillar 2 and 3 assessment.
The starting point for the adequacy of the quantitative requirements in the (re)insurance sector is the solvency capital requirement. Therefore supervisory authorities may require more capital only under strictly defined exceptional circumstances following the Supervisory Review Process.
Lessons from Basel II:
The main lesson learned from the experience in the Basel II programme implementation is that the whole project is not just a risk modeling exercise; business should take a driving seat. The Programme Structure and Governance is one of the key areas to address, along with other crucial areas - definition of Technology Strategy, Data management, Pillar 2 and ERM implementation.
Differences between Solvency II and Basel II:
The main difference is the requirement that Solvency II models and risk management systems be truly integrated into the firm's business decision process. That will be assessed during supervisory visits and interviews and through documentation - i.e. do the Board and relevant committee papers and minutes clearly indicate that capital and risk considerations have been fully communicated and incorporated into decisions.
Consequences for supervisors and rating agencies.
Supervisors have the power to enforce additional capital requirements.
Supervision shall be based on a prospective and risk-oriented approach. Solvency II therefore adopts an economic risk-based approach which allows for a system that reflects the true risk profile of (re)insurance undertaking ... particular care has been taken to ensure that the new solvency regime is not too burdensome for small and medium-sized (re)insurance undertakings.[3]
Rating agencies are also actively involved, by focusing on the ability of insurance companies to quantify and manage risk. The rating analysis contains nine elements. Two of these – management and corporate strategy, and enterprise risk management (ERM) – have similarities with Solvency II Pillar 2. Four further elements; capitalisation, investments, liquidity and reserves, are more aligned with Pillar I.[4]
The view of industry associations.
One of the top priorities identified by both the CEA (European assurances commission) and CRO forums is valuation of insurance liabilities.In this area two main methods have been identified; Market value liabilities (MVL) -Definition: 'The value at which the liabilities could be transferred to a willing, rational, diversified counterparty in an arms' length transaction under normal business conditions (= no fire sale or 'large volume' discounts)'.
The MVL can be decomposed into two component parts:
1. The value of the Financial Components (FC)–incorporating 'best estimate' actuarial assumptions
2. The value of Non-Financial Components (NFC), that covers the uncertainty of those non-financial actuarial risks.
Each component should be valued using an appropriate cost of capital for all risk, not through the use of a common Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC).
The value of hedgeable risks should be determined by mark-to-market approaches, i.e. where market prices can be observed they should be used; this is conceptually identical to a best estimate plus market value margin (MVM) approach, except that in this case the observed market price already includes the MVM
•The value of non-hedgeable risks is determined by an appropriate mark-to-model approach:
For non-hedgeable insurance risks, liability values are determined as best estimate plus MVM based on a 'cost of capital' approach
Next steps:
Recently some insurers participated in Quantitative Impact Studies (QIS), the last one being QIS4. These studies are used to test the design and calibration of the future European Standard formula. Participation is voluntary and allows firms to obtain an early indication of work needed and influence the Solvency regime.
A key objective of QIS4 was to study the effect on the own-funds of insurance
undertakings and groups. The overall quality of response was high and most firms completed at least the main data input items in the spreadsheet.
The next year will present the next big milestone for insurers. Firms must be able to demonstrate that they satisfy the dry run entry criteria and have made significant progress towards meeting internal model requirements. Firms must also be in a position to articulate the results of their gap analysis and plans to action.
The EU Commission President José Manual Barroso said recently:
"Solvency II will help protect policy holders from bad practice. It will help shield our economies against a repeat of the disastrous excessive risk taking by financial institutions, including certain insurance operators, that has contributed to the global crisis."
The main benefits for stakeholders such as investors, customers/policyholders, supervisors are the following:
Insurers applying best practice will be further rewarded by investors, market participants and consumers.[5]
The firms which will take early actions can gain an advantage against competition and increase their shareholders value.
1. CEIOP. Solvency II directive.
Do you want to learn more about Risk management? Does your organisation require help in setting up and benchmarking of the Continuity Management framework?
Please click on the link below to directly discuss ways in which we can help you deliver your risk management requirements: Global Risk Consult is your local partner of choice http://www.globalriskconsult.com
Please send your
comments to: email@example.com
Written by Boris Agranovich
[1] See Solvency 2 directive Explanatory memorandum p2.
[2] Solvency II, Enterprise Wide Risk Management, Capgemini-Sungard.
[3] See Solvency 2 directive Explanatory memorandum p5.
[4] See Rob Jones – The Impact of Solvency II on the European Insurance market. Standard and Poor's
[5] See Solvency 2 directive Explanatory memorandum p2.


text:
Council sounds bell over potential cost of volunteer firefighters
A story in this newspaper about ballooning municipal costs under a proposed provincial law is prompting council to light a fire under Queen's Park.
Coun. Diane Deans, chair of the community and protective services committee, noted on Wednesday the "significant impacts" to the city if it's forced to pay volunteer firefighters for a minimum of three hours when they're on call.
Volunteer firefighters would also need to make the same pay as full-time firefighters under the proposed Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.
The city might have to pay $13.3 million more annually to make sure its 485 volunteer firefighters are properly compensated, if the law passes.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has raised concerns with the province about the impact of the proposed legislation. AMO is specifically asking for an exemption when it comes to volunteer firefighters.
In supporting AMO, council directed Mayor Jim Watson to send a letter to the province explaining the city's position.