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Giving the forgotten a voice
It's time for a change … time for something — different. For the most part, I've always been one to follow the rules, do what everyone says and keep to myself. However, in the past few years I have decided that enough is enough. Especially since I was given the chance to follow my dream and put my writing skills to use.It's really easy to get influenced by others and have your writing influenced, but the true test, in my opinion, is being able to withstand the corruption and the negative influences that too often surround reporters and journalists. It seems so easy to just report and go along with the topics which aren't going to anger anyone. It's easy to avoid the topics people don't want to hear about and it's even easier to make sure everyone is happy. Then again, if you stop and think about it, you can't make everyone happy. There will always be someone who doesn't agree with what you write, doesn't believe in what you say and usually, it's the group that has the loudest voice you will hear from whether it be good or bad. There will be those to voice their opinions and try to squash the different. Those are the ones who believe every topic should be catered to them because they are the driving and powerful force. To that I say, you're wrong. Of course, it's better to make the larger group happy and have less problems or negative comments, but then again I have to wonder; what about those few, the small group whom people forget about. What about those who feel their ways are never touched upon and the things they find important are never given any light? What about those people?Maybe I'm partial because I have always been one of those people and maybe, I just see a different picture. There are plenty of people out there willing to talk about the accepted, well received and the "common" topics of everyday life and business. Are those the only topics worth telling about? Isn't there more to life than just the commonalities? There are so many issues which used to be considered taboo and were hidden away, but somehow society became accepting of those issues. There was a time being a single mother was a shameful fate; being a woman with a dream and want to pursue education was not allowed; people with mental issues and deformities were shunned, ignored and sometimes punished. The list could go on and on about what has become acceptable, but there will always be those who believe their way of thinking is the only right way. Well to you I say, in journalism there is no right or wrong way of thinking and every topic deserves attention. Just as society has changed in what it accepts, so should writing change in the topics it addresses.I never started writing to please people. I've never written an article to make the majority happy. I simply write the facts in a way anyone can understand, and I approach topics, in my opinion not touched upon enough. I am striving to reach those people who feel they have nobody. I want to report on the causes that are important, but too often overlooked. I have no interest in making the powerful more powerful and I have no desire to bring them down. However, I do have the desire to shed light on things that may never be touched upon and bring attention to things that have been overlooked for too long. I want to bring a different perspective to the ways of society. I have been given the opportunity to experience things others may not have the chance to ever experience. I have been given an inside look to things other people may never be able to see or even understand, and I don't plan on wasting that. I know I may not be able to bring everyone with me and make them see what I see or view things the way I view them, but I can offer my thoughts and opinions in hopes of reaching those who may never be reached. I understand there will be those who will remain stuck in their ways. They will never appreciate the words I write and frown upon the topics I choose, but that's okay. When I chose my career — my dream — there are some things I never expected. I never expected to get rich because I know newspapers just are not the platform they once were and will most likely never be again. I never expected to be able to make everyone happy and I never expected to make a huge name for myself. Honestly, I have already done a lot more than I expected to do. However, I did expect to be a journalist people could trust. Someone that people would know to touch upon the issues that others were afraid to touch upon. Someone to do their best to let others know they are not alone and their stories do matter. When I have people read my articles and columns I want them to be able to believe what I say, trust what I say and know I am someone just like them. I am nobody special and my words are no more important than theirs. Everyone deserves to tell their story and have their issues addressed, just maybe I can be the one to help them get there. During the past two and a half years I have written my fair share of "common" articles. I have touched upon personal issues some have questioned and have tried to shed light on worthy causes that are hardly ever heard of. All the topics I have ever touched upon do not come from what others will enjoy or what will go over well. When it comes to writing my column I base them off of my own life, my issues and my own experiences. After all there is no truer form than what we know and what we feel. I have questioned sometimes if I want to share some of the personal stories, but then again I realize if I was feeling the way I was then there is bound to be someone else out there feeling the same way I do. I reiterate, if I can get through to one person and let them know they are not alone then it's worth it. It's worth sharing my pain, it's worth having others cast judgement and it's worth others complaining. I have been asked a few times now to not write about what I write about and to that I say no. There will not be a censor to my voice and to the voice of those who are overlooked. Answer me this, what makes politics and religion more important than the pain we each deal with in life? Why is that those issues deserve to be put into print, but the others don't? I argue so strongly to continue to write what I write for one reason: I know that it is serving a purpose. I have questioned what I share, but it always seems that it's when I share the personal that I receive the most response. I know that I have served the purpose I set out to do, I have received the confirmation that I needed. That confirmation does not come from the powerful or the wealthy; it comes from those that have by chance read my column and found a light at the end of the tunnel. It's in those who have felt like they were not alone because of my column and from those who have found a way to go on because they saw I had made it through somehow. They are the reason I fight so strongly to share my column and they are the reason I will continue to write what I write. It's not about sharing my business with everyone, it's simply about making people feel they are understood and not alone. After all, isn't that what everyone wants...Contact Staff Writer Amanda Moreno at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at email@example.com


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名探偵コナン Season 10
The son of a world famous mystery writer, Jimmy Kudo, has achieved his own notoriety by assisting the local police as a student detective. He has always been able to solve the most difficult of criminal cases using his wits and power of reason.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Mystery
Networks: YTV
Status: Returning Series
Episode: 930 Episodes
Duration: 25 min
Quality: HD
Rating: 6.2
Season : 0
Season : 1

subset: commoncrawl


text: Download the Wonderful Hand Tatto collection on Android App. A delightful and colorful collections of more than 50 latest henna designs and tattoos.During special occasions, people prefer this type of henna to be decorated in their hands and feet.The important guidelines, which helps you to get the best color and long lasting techniques. It is a kind of art work,and one can involve with a great pleasure.Allergic reactions to henna are very rare, and it is safe to use and the result is gorgeous. Downlaod Tatto App


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Made from Timothy Hay and fresh ground vegetables, this unique rabbit food formula helps reduce digestive upsets common to small pets. It contains NO Read More
Freight charges apply
Nature's Promise Premium Rabbit FoodMade from Timothy Hay and fresh ground vegetables, this unique rabbit food formula helps reduce digestive upsets common to small pets. It contains NO soy nor wheat ingredients. You can be assured your pet is getting a balanced, nutritious diet with an aroma and taste it will love.
- Brand: ZuPreem
- Type: Feed
- Form: Pellets
- Size: 5 lb,10 lb
Reviews (3)
"GMO rabbit food"
The original recipe of Zupreem rabbit food was excellent, however they added Timothy Hay company and it is now all GMO. My rabbit would not eat this and I don't blame her. Corn and soy are both the products of GMO. My rabbit deserves better. I wish Zupreem would go back to it's original ingredients.
"Corn is the #2 ingredient"
They spout that they use no soy or wheat like they care for your animal, then you look at the ingredients list, and the 2nd and 3rd ingredients is corn, you evil people! Corn is even worse, plus it's genetically modified in the United States (unless it's organic, which this is not), which means that the corn kernels were scientifically fused with insecticide, so much so that the Environmental Protection Agency registered corn AS an insecticide.
"Excellent Rabbit Food"
I had been feeding my rabbits Oxbow Timothy Complete for years. Then they changed the recipe and my rabbits wouldn't hardly eat it. Once Zupreem put out this Nature's Promise Rabbit Food I started feeding them it. They love it! If they're happy then I'm happy! Zupreem Rocks!
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VOGUE: Staples cheerleaders step out in style
Five senior members of the Staples High School cheerleading team have long-awaited their turn to walk the runway in the squad's annual tradition of the Varsity Vogue Fashion Show and Auction. They got that opportunity Friday night before a large crowd at the 17th annual event hosted by Mitchells of Westport.
"Since freshman year, when we were in our uniforms handing out raffle tickets we always looked up to the older girls who got to be in Mitchells clothing and all dolled up," said Annie Raifaisen, 17, one of the three Staples cheerleading captains.
The 15 male athletes from the school's football and basketball teams at Varsity Vogue didn't share the same eagerness to model, but they enjoyed the event nonetheless.
"I don't think we look forward to it. It's something fun to do. It's interesting," said Nick Ward, 18, from the football team's offensive line. He walked the runway twice even though a recent training injury added a bulky rehabilitation boot to his trendy spring outfit.
Junior cheerleaders escorted the athletes on the runway, and underclassmen cheerleaders walked through the crowd with trays of appetizers.
The audience of about 300 people probably noticed an extra spring in the step of the cheerleaders. This year, and for the first time ever, they placed second at their league championship and second at the state competition, according to head cheerleading coach Avery Watson.
There were other firsts for the Varsity Vogue event. For the first time in the event's history, organizers invited the young cheerleaders from the Westport Police Athletic League squad to attend and perform a famous cheer, "Rock Steady," for the crowd along with the Staples cheerleaders.
"We got to perform in front of a lot of people. It was cool to have the experience because they've been practicing the cheer longer. It was cool to see how they did it," said Nicole Hackett, 10, a member of the PAL squad.
"They look up to them (the high school cheerleaders) and we want the cheerleading program to grow, said Sherri Raifaisen, who served as event co-chairwoman with Kara Yass.
The PAL cheerleading program is one of the beneficiaries of the fashion show and auction proceeds each year, as is St. Vincent's Cancer Center -- on behalf of the host, the Mitchell family -- as well as the Staples varsity cheerleading program and Staples athletic facilities.
"It's our biggest, most important fundraiser of the year," Watson said.
New to the experience this year was Zach Wallace, 16, a sophomore and the first male on the Staples cheerleading squad since 2001. "I wanted to be part of the team because I just moved here from Arkansas last summer and thought it would be a great way to make friends and a great way to contribute to Staples," Wallace said.
Annie Raifaisen, Sherri's daughter, said the event is not just a glamorous night out. The cheerleaders learn valuable organizational skills.
"The entire year is spent helping our moms put together the whole fashion show. We never realized how much went into putting it on, how much effort goes into this one night. We got to see it firsthand," Annie Raifaisen said. She helped with the schedule for models' clothes fitting and had other duties besides modeling for the event itself.


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Planning and Design
CAD Symbols
CAD symbols in 2D and 3D formats (including front, side, and top views) may be used in depictions by designers and architects. Visit the Specifications and Documentation page to download Viking product documents.
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This is Fourth of July Menopause Cat.
You can tell by the expression on her face that she may be going through some menopausal woes right now. But no matter, she's decked out and ready to celebrate the Fourth (and waves the flag during her hot flashes.)
Menopause Cat wants you to have a great Fourth too!
She says don't worry about too much Independence Day food or drink. Partake in a Yankee Doodle Fashion. Whoop it up!
And as you do, wave your glass and a flag to the sisters who came before us. They worked valiantly to get us the vote, birth control, education, jobs, athletic programs, financial equality, and better childcare and healthcare, among other reforms.
Thank you Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Jane Addams, Sojourner Truth, Gloria Steinem, Maria Mitchell, Juliette Gordon Lowe, Ida B. Wells, Wilma Rudolph,Clara Barton, Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Stanton, Rachel Carson,Harriet Beecher Stowe, Julia Ward Howe, Emma Hart Willard, and Lucy Stone, to name a few!
Photo: My mom, Nancy Kiehne, painted Menopause Cat after the painting below of daughter Laura. A friend of the family did Laura's portrait from a photo taken during the 1996 Olympics. Mom probably won't be too happy that I've turned her Olympic Cat into a Menopause Cat, but a blogger's got to do what she's got to do.


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A Short History of the Laggan Redshanks, 1569-1630, is the story of the Highland Scots, called Redshanks, which settled in east Donegal in the sixteenth century. The story has many interesting elements which include Clan Campbell and their dynamic leader, Gaelic sexual intrigues, English Machiavellian manoeuvres, Iníon Dubh, and the Redshanks themselves.
The Redshank settlement in the Laggan took place in the tumultuous years that were dominated by Elizabethan English attempts to bring Ulster firmly under the control of the Crown. The initial wave of Redshanks came to the Laggan with Iníon Dubh (Fionnuala Nic Dhónaill) after she married Aodh Mac Manus Ó Dónaill in 1569. The Redshanks were vital players in the affairs of those times and indeed it was their military skills that delayed the conquest of Ulster until the beginning of the next century. They remained in service of the O'Donnell clan until the Gaelic military collapse after the Battle of Kinsale in 1602.
After Kinsale they remained in the Laggan, but as the Plantation scheme was implemented, they had new lords, the Lennox Stewarts, and the Cunninghams of Ayrshire. The Laggan Redshanks were unique within the Gaelic world, because they were drawn from clan Campbell and their allies. The Campbell clan under the leadership of the fifth Earl of Argyll were early converts to the Reformed Faith. While part of the traditional Gaelic world, the Laggan Redshanks' Protestant faith allowed them to fit into the post Plantation Ulster Scots community in the Laggan.
Many of the Ulster settlers to Colonial America that became the Scots-Irish, were the descendants of the Redshanks from the Laggan. The Highland Scottish element in the Scots-Irish is a commonly overlooked aspect of the Ulster Migration. Even more descendants of the Laggan Redshanks migrated to New Brunswick and Ontario Canada in the nineteenth century.
The Highland Scottish settlement in the Laggan is an integral part of the shared traditions and links between Ulster and Scotland and an important, though little known, aspect of Ulster's long history. The book runs 79 pages in the Pdf and has a map of the Laggan and illustrations of the dress of the Redshanks in the late 1500s and early 1600s.
Link to purchase: A Short History of the Laggan Redshanks


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Step 1. Go the Command Room and accept the Field-Op.
Step 2. Go to the Plaza and walk to the ticket booth.
Step 3. Puzzle found! Guide your battery from the recharger to all the power up stations.
You've finished the Field-Op mission! Here's your medal!
With these medals, you can buy Elite Gear! Each item is worth a certain amount of medals.
Visit us next week for the new Field-Ops cheats!
—Cena12121, www.TeamClubPenguinCheats.blogspot.com


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If I had planned to speak for 13 hours when I took the Senate floor, I would've worn more comfortable shoes. I started my filibuster with the words, "I rise today to begin to filibuster John Brennan's nomination for the CIA. I will speak until I can no longer speak" — and I meant it.
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CEDAR FALLS — Interpreting Title IX is more gray than black and white for many college athletics departments.
Such is the case at Northern Iowa, where 57 percent of UNI's students are female, but more than 61 percent of UNI's student-athletes are male. That's usually a red flag for advocates of Title IX, a federal law which prohibits sex discrimination in schools — and athletics departments — that receive federal funding.
Title IX was designed to offer male and female student-athletes equal treatment and opportunities. According to the National Women's Law Center, equal opportunities are defined as "the percentages of male and female athletes are about the same as the percentages of male and female students at the school; that the school has a history and a continuing practice of expanding athletic opportunities for female students …" and "the school is fully meeting female athletes' interests and abilities."
Like most universities, UNI offers an interest survey to students to ensure it meets Title IX obligations. In 2005, UNI offered the survey to female students but only about 17 percent returned it. That puts the school in compliance but on shaky ground, UNI Athletics Director Troy Dannen said.
"Typically the way Northern Iowa has measured compliance is through a survey, and if you're meeting the interests of the students, then you're in compliance," Dannen said. "Really, you're not. It doesn't make you any more in compliance; it just means there's nobody on campus that really wants anything else from an opportunity standpoint.
"The true intent of Title IX was the proportionality, about plus or minus 5 percent."
Dannen planned to alter the school's Title IX makeup when he arrived on campus about a year ago. Some of those changes include managing roster sizes. The men's track and field team boasted more than 100 members during the 2008 fiscal year. Although the track program offered only the NCAA maximum in scholarships, the program's participants fit into the Title IX equation.
"Our men's track and field numbers have doubled in the last three years," Dannen said. "When you're out of equity compliance, a male sport can't be doubling its numbers. We have to manage those squad sizes."
UNI currently offers 18 sports, which includes indoor/outdoor track and cross country, although those sports fall under the track umbrella. Citing a $600,000 reduction in university aid next year, UNI will drop baseball after this spring, which will help the school's gender-equity numbers.
"(Title IX) didn't influence the decision on baseball other than because we're so far out of whack proportionally," Dannen said. "When the funding was going to be there, women's rugby has a place on campus. It's a strong program, and what I said when I was introduced, the intent was to grow the women's participation and given where we were headed financially before this big lop, we were headed on a path to be able to do that."
Excluding a likely reduction in men's track numbers next year, more than 56 percent of UNI's athletics scholarships will go to men.
"We're going to get those numbers back under control," Dannen said. "The proportionality looks not at scholarship dollars, although that is a component. It really looks at opportunity to participate."


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websein UG needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 120 designs submitted by 29 freelance designers.
inner cube
We are a new Christian Publisher in Germany. We will publish either Products regarding the Temples of Jerusalem, the Exodus and full-color easy-to-use Bible reference materials. It's our mission is to make Bible and Christian topics easy to understand and more interesting.
It gonna be mainly 40-70 years old Christian customer, which are using the internet on a daily base.
It's our mission is to make Bible and Christian topics easy to understand and more interesting.
We prefer a beautiful, clean and precious look and feel. we dont like the typical web 2.0 logo style...
we prefer reliability, in this case, less is more.
the logo should be timeless.
We are exited about your drafts... its up to your creativity, which color und shape to use.
its good to have some icon. please experiment with an cube or the inner of a cube.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Charlie Sheen just got something to take his mind off that really expensive watch Capri Anderson pilfered ... allegedly.
Charlie's people tell TMZ ... he plunked down a fortune yesterday for a Maybach that cost him north of $500,000.
When you make $2 million a week ... it really isn't that expensive.
Hope it doesn't end up on the wrong side of a cliff.
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In 2011 we won an award for Best New Community Project. Join genealogists worldwide (and our relatives and friends) who have found a simple way to make a big difference.
06 February 2012
We Have a Winner - or do we?
When I opened the envelope, the winning number was 136. I checked my list and found that the 136th person to join was 'Anonymous', and thus ineligible because he/she is impossible to identify or contact.
I wrote the remaining numbers on slips of paper, put them in a jar, shook it vigorously, and drew... no. 144. The 144th team member was Donna. I checked her lender page and found that she had not yet made a loan and was therefore not eligible for this prize.
Another dive into the jar produced no. 137 - Lynn from California. Unfortunately she had not made a loan either.
Back to the jar! This time I drew no. 143 - Lynne (with an e) - but again, no loan and thus not eligible. (Sigh)
By now I was getting exasperated. Another slip of paper - no. 141. To my consternation, this "team member" is actually the lender account 'GFF Aussie Social Events'.
What do you think? Can I pay the $25 Kiva card into that account and make a loan from there, or should I feel obliged to draw yet another number from the jar? In a couple of days I will make a decision based on your comments here.
16 comments:
As someone who has run many contests at GeneaBloggers with complex rules etc., I always create a list of "qualified" entrants before I draw. Also, try to use random.org to select your number: enter the range of numbers and click generate. I also take a screen capture of my computer screen with the winning number and the date/time in the lower corner so if anyone questions the "randomness" I can show them.Replies
Thanks for your advice. I had not heard of random.org. I realise now that I did not think this through properly before I started. Oh well - live and learn! :-)Delete
I see no reason why GFF Social Events cannot be the winner. One loan has been made under that name. The criteria were made clear at the start and I think you have spent enough time on it. More importantly let's not lose sight of the end aim which is to help others.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Helen. As you say, the end result is the same - another loan is made on Kiva. I just didn't want anyone to feel that they had been treated unfairly.Delete
I would go with GFF Social Events.ReplyDelete
If it's any consolation, been there, done that... and it's much worse when it's live on radio or at an outside broadcast.Replies
Thanks Chris. I think anyone who does anything via a live broadcast is very brave. :-)Delete
I agree that there should be no problem with you "giving" the prize to GFF Social Events. Thanks for the efforts!ReplyDelete
I would not have that it could be that complex but then Murphy always lurks in the background I've found. GFF Social Events was the winner - a real person operates that and can make a new loan which was the objective. Sounds like you have completed your mission!! Well done again Judy.ReplyDelete
GFF Social Events it is :)ReplyDelete
I'd also vote for GFF Social Events as the winner. I like Thomas's (geneabloggers) suggestions for future competitions as it might make the organiser's life a bit easier.ReplyDelete
Judy, you are doing a great job with this group!
GFF Social Events was the winner. I dont see the problem, it won!ReplyDelete
I agree - GFF was the winner and so is Kiva! MINT!ReplyDelete
I agree with all the above comments. 'GFF Aussie Social Events' was the winner and as the prize is ultimately going to Kiva, not to any individual person, I don't see why anyone would object!ReplyDelete
Thanks, folks. I appreciate the fact that so many of you responded. I have bought the Kiva card and sent it to GFF Aussie Social Events. When I have some free time later this week, I will log in to that Kiva account and choose a borrower. It will be a woman, because 'Meet the Team' profiles suggest that most of us would prefer that. I will also choose a Field Partner with very low delinquency and default rates, and at least a four star risk rating.ReplyDelete
I used the Kiva Card to make a loan to Ronaida in the Philippines so she can purchase more stock to sell in her general store. She is married with seven children, six of whom go to school. Ronaida wants to save enough money to send her children to college.ReplyDelete
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