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Every so often I see a blog post that makes me want to shout out "Amen!" (Sometimes I do, which invariably startles the wife.) The oddly-eponymed "ERP" over at ER Stories put one such up the other day, on the topic of Demerol and migraines.
I too stopped using Demerol for migraines a few years back. That's not quite accurate: I never used Demerol for migraines. In my training, we avoided Demerol assiduously in favor of other, better analgesics. When I came to community practice, I was surprised to find Demerol as the "standard" med for pain, in particular for headaches. The frequent patients in our community were pretty habituated to this drug, and it caused no end of headaches for me when I started saying "no" to the Demerol request for patients with headaches. Fortunately, I was not alone, as a number of other new docs in our group had come out of training with a similar perspective, and we successfully lobbied to have Demerol removed from the ER formulary for exactly the same reasons that ERP cites.
There are a few main knocks against Demerol. One is the "toxic metabolite" argument, which, while true, is a pretty hypothetical concern. The big problem, in our eyes, was that Demerol is a powerful agonist (activator) of serotonin in a manner which is disproportionate to its analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which is responsible for a variety of functions, among them a general sense of pleasure or well-being (very broadly put). Demerol also stimulates the dopamine and norepinephrine systems in a similar manner. The neuropharmacologic effects of Demerol are actually not dissimilar from those of cocaine. Conversely, Demerol has been shown to be no more effective for pain relief (actually, less effective) than other pain relievers such as morphine.
All of which is to say that Demerol may or may not relieve your pain, but it will reliably make you high. And if I give you a dose which does relieve your pain, it will make you much more high than a comparable dose of morphine would have.
Which is why it is an enticing but terrible drug for migraines. (I should say, for "migraines," since a large proportion of the "migraine" headaches that present to our ER are actually not migrainous, but the term "migraine" has entered the popular vernacular as meaning any severe, recurrent headache. So it's practically impossible to convince someone that their headaches are myofascial and not a migraine; I don't even really try any more. (But I digress.)) When someone comes in with a severe headache, and they receive Demerol, they often in short order report that they "feel great" and are ready to go home, happy and grateful. But the meds wear off, and glory be, here they are back in the ER 24 hours later with the same damn headache!
Worse, there is a powerful psychological association developed between the "rush" you get with IV Demerol and the pain relief. I've experimented with equianalgesic doses of oral and IV Demerol. IV hits the blood-brain barrier much faster and all at once with an almost-audible "rush" and the euphoria which results is dramatic and intense. However, orally, the med gets absorbed and distributed much more gradually. Absent the "rush," I've seen some patients on the threshold of respiratory arrest from narcotics insist they were still in terrible pain.
The problem is that they were not looking for pain relief, they were (perhaps subconsciously) looking for the rush. When I started in the community, there were legions of patients who insisted that "only Demerol" worked for them. Interestingly, when our ER and several other ERs in our area all started to move away of Demerol for headaches, there was a period of transition, when we often had to deal with angry or unhappy patients who insisted that they simply needed Demerol. Eventually, though, it seemed that the patients in our area had been weaned off of that drug, and now the frequency of patients with recurrent or intractable headaches seems far lower than it was before.
My interpretation of this is that the population of patients who had become addicted (iatrogenically addicted, I might add) to Demerol had been successfully detoxed, and thus were no longer (or more infrequently) presenting to the ER seeking their meds. This is an anecdotal impression: I wish I could compare the frequency of headache as chief complaint in our ER over the past decade, but I am not sure I can get that data.
I would like to point out that while it's easy to deride some of these people as "addicts" or "seekers," there were physicians on the other end of those needles which created the addictions in the first place. It is easy to "make them happy" and get them out of the ER, but I believe it is a great disservice to patients to create or perpetuate the addiction which drives them to the ER again and again. It's harder to say no, but in the long run, it can in some cases be better for everyone involved.
There's no standard template, but for headaches in my ER, my current practice is: a sumatriptan (such as imitrex) if the headache actually sounds like a true migraine, with toradol, reglan, IV fluids, and, if necessary, oral narcotics. Dilaudid works well, but is, IMHO, simply "Demerol-lite." If someone absolutely cannot take an oral med, Dilaudid is a tolerable alternative, but is not ideal and I avoid it if I can.
Seems to work OK. I don't get nearly as many complaints any more, which is a positive indicator, I think!
06 October 2008
Riding that train
Every so often I see a blog post that makes me want to shout out "Amen!" (Sometimes I do, which invariably startles the wife.) The oddly-eponymed "ERP" over at ER Stories put one such up the other day, on the topic of Demerol and migraines.
Posted by shadowfax at 6:20 AM
9 comments:
Thanks, dood, for a good medical post. :) I wasn't aware why people got so HIGHHHHHHHHHHH from demerol.ReplyDelete
I've always assumed ERP stood for ER Physician, but who knows. Shadowfax sounds like people doing secretarial duties in a haunted office or something.
I've found that the vast majority of true migraneurs that I treat improve with Reglan, Toradol, Benadryl, and fluids alone. I rarely if ever give sumatriptans, and my standard discussion with a migraine chief complaint is that narcotics don't actually treat the root cause of migraines... therefore I don't use them. Of course I give in occasionally.ReplyDelete
As a complete aside, I saw my first true cluster headache last week. 100% oxygen by facemask for 20 minutes and the patient went from head buried in pillow with tears to pain free and walking out the door. Very cool.
As a chronic migraineur since 1/01 (nearly 8 years without a second of pain free time, unfortunately) and a chronic clusterhead (for 5 years) as well as a nurse (neonatal, for over 3 years), I agree wholeheartedly with your post.ReplyDelete
Some things used in our university ER for migraine: fluids, reglan, toradol, benadryl, DHE (definitely need reglan first for this - or something comparable), and occasionally I've heard of a few other things being given such as solumedrol, depacon (or depakote if can't be given IV), even haldol. While I've had the chronic migraine for nearly 8 years, I can count on one hand the number of times I've gone to the ER for it, and that was only when having severe neurologic deficits creep up (vertigo, vision loss, memory loss, confusion) or in one or two cases a SEVERE attack that I could not manage with home meds. Those who deal with true chronic migraine or severe episodic migraine are often treated at headache centers or by specialists who have armed them with a good armada at home: DHE, Triptans, and other things - to use in the case that prevents fail. Pain medication really is not the best treatment because, as Branson Page says, it just covers the pain instead of working on the attack itself. Many people say, "Well such and such pain med cured my migraine!" - Unfortunately they don't realize that if the migraine (or whatever type of headache being labeled "migraine") is gone when the pain meds wear off, it is because the migraine has run its course, and not because the pain medication aborted it...
I actually spent a few months working in headache research at a well-known headache center, and was a trainee member of the American Headache Society for a time, and I hate to say this but any of the times I went to the ER for headache (which, as I said were VERY few - especially given the nature of my headaches!), I told them that I worked in these areas - hoping to distinguish myself from the "migraine" patient - aka drug seeker, or otherwise non true-migraine/headache patient. I've only been treated poorly in the ER a couple of times, and those occasions were not at the university hospital, connected to the headache center. Additionally, I did my nursing honors project on creating a nursing student curriculum on migraine and headaches, including pathophysiology, nursing management, and pharmacology - all to be done in just 1 teaching session each, but just much more informative, up-to-date, accurate, and thorough than the nursing education I had seen on the topic, but without taking more time than a single class each.
With regards to the cluster headaches, I again agree with Branson Page that using 100% O2 with nonrebreather mask for 15-20 minutes, especially if given at the beginning of the attack really works for a number of sufferers. Although most CH'ers probably don't present to ER at the beginning of the attack! Tho with the nature of cluster headache, likely by the time they are seen in the ER, the former attack may have ended and a new one begun. Complex thing, that. Some people are looking for an abortive for a particularly gruesome, long-lasting attack, whereas others are looking for something that will halt an endless stream of attack after attack, often for days/weeks - but this is better handled by a neurologist. O2, if done properly, truly does work for likely a majority of cluster sufferers, and those of us who suffer try to get others with CH to at least TRY oxygen. It really is a wonderful thing when it works! Those diagnosed with cluster headache often know that pain medications really do not touch CH pain, although some disagree.
I'll stop my rambling now! I haven't actually read ERP's post yet, but I intend to. I know my post here may be taken with a rolling of eyes, as I am both a chronic migraineur and CH'er, despite being a nurse, but I DO understand issues on both sides of the table, and I have always been on a platform that the ER is NOT the place to go to for headache management except in rare circumstances. Coincidentally, I worked in the ER (as a patient registrar, before becoming a nurse) the same summer I worked in headache research as I was paid for the ER job, but not the research position, which I was doing to gain experience to apply for medical school. Recently I learned in one of Scalpel's older posts, he referenced discussions with me in a post basically bashing the concept of admitting migraine and headache sufferers to the hospital for inpatient therapy. I know the stigma, and the drain, but I attempt to speak from some place of middle ground. I had intended to go to medical school with the goal of becoming a headache neurologist, but when hospital stays/medical issues became too much of a burden, I had to give up the idea of going to med school. Fortunately, I was able to still have a career in health care by becoming a nurse, and while I never imagined I'd end up working as a neonatal nurse, it has been a great career for me. Eventually I'd like to end up working as a nurse practitioner in pediatric neurology, if at all possible. We'll see where it takes me!
As for me, I haven't been to an ER for headache since probably 2005. I have had to go for other things (injuries, both times, I believe), and I was always nervous about how coincidentally also being a headache patient would affect my treatment. I've always been a quiet, low-maintenance patient really, so I guess that's helped - for the most part, I've always received excellent treatment in ERs (for headache or other things). In May, I finally had a bilateral occipital and right supraorbital nerve stimulator implanted in an attempt to treat neuritis/the headache conditions. Unfortunately, it had to come out last month due to MSSA infection, and have been out of work on IV antibiotics, but will be returning to my job on Monday. Also unfortunately, I will be out of work again - but for the fortunate replacement of the nerve stimulator, as it was the first thing in nearly 8 years that has TRULY helped. I am grateful for that!
All this (apologize for the rambling personal disclosure) to say that I agree - demerol is NOT the drug of choice for headache or migraine. And I would have to state that I think opioids are rarely a good treatment option for headaches/migraine at all, though I know we'll never stop people from requesting them/physicians from giving them, and sometimes they are deemed necessary, when all else fails, I suppose. But I think the vast majority tend to respond to other methods of truly attacking the migraine, as opposed to covering the pain.
Oh and one last thing, demerol is one of the few things considered safe to give during pregnancy to treat a bad migraine. Although compazine is also used during pregnancy, and may be more of a benefit to attacking the true source of the migraine.
Take care,
Carrie :)
Interesting post. Explains my feeling when given demerol (for perfed appendix with peritonitis) that I still had lots of pain, but I didn't mind because it was... over there somewhere.ReplyDelete
I like maxeran (reglan) for migraine, but I have had a few patients get EPS on me, and my rate is not so far improved by benadryl. Toradol... hmmm.
Although I will surely never be in your ER I have to say thank you for this. As I said over at erstories, I would much rather be offered medication that doesn't make me high if it's an option. That pain + altered status thing is just way too scary.ReplyDelete
- Anonymous10/09/2008 2:09 PM
I have suffered from debilitating migraines for the last 8 years or so. A few migraines have led me to seek help from my local ER, especially in the beginning when I did not know what was wrong. The pain comes on so fast and the vomitting follows almost immediately. All without warning and the serious ones do not end without IV medication and fluids.ReplyDelete
Thankfully not all of them are this severe and most I can tackle at home. Triptans worked for a few years but suddenly never did again and caused severe cardiac side effects.
I was given demerol the first time but it never worked again after that and in subsequent doses the pain returned quickly. Unfortunately it is the only thing my Family Physician uses in his office.
I have had terrible reactions when reglan is given with toradol (even with benadry and ativan given as well) and prefer another anti-nausea medication, like zofran. All these drugs barely make a dent in the pain and vomitting. I am lucky that my doctor has priviledges at the hospital nearest my home, and that the ER docs & nurses there know my situation and history, they having been the ones to diagnose me all those years ago, and that they know the only things that have ever halted the pain and vomitting in its tracks are fluids, morphine and zofran. (and no, never once gotten a high from these drugs. Sleep finally comes when the pain subsides or due to shear exhaustion, but no high)
I was once told by a cardiologist that morphine acts on the blood vessels in some way and that is why it works so well for migraines. Don't know if it is true but am thankful for it the few times I have needed it.
I know some, if not all, of the ER bloggers are probably rolling their eyes as they read my story and I can understand they have had too many drug seekers come through and most probably have never had this type of excrutiating head pain. You really don't care what they give you as long as they help you. Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences, Elle.
Thank you for posting such a detailed explaination about why ERs moved away from demerol, and what it does in your body and to your head.ReplyDelete
I have made periodic visits to the ER, sometimes as frequently as once a month, for severe diagnosed migraines with vomiting until 2004. I hope to never return to the ER with a migraine. I unfortunately do not respond very well to triptains, and this causes my migraines to be unbelievable to some doctors. But at the point where I go to the ER all I care about is finding some relief to either break the current cycle or a way to stop vomiting and sleep through as much of the current migraine as I can.
Hopefully you share your knowledge of alternative treatments with other ER docs.
- Anonymous11/14/2008 12:25 PM
Good post. I still remember a pain management lecture during 2nd year med school where the anesthesiologist said to us, "If there's only one thing you remember from my lecture, let it be this: demerol is bad. Never use it!"ReplyDelete
To this day, those were the only wise words I remember from his lecture. In fact, I don't remember ever working in a hospital where demerol was on the formulary...then again I've only worked in academic centers, never in a community ER yet.
Take control of your health, first identify the problem with professional lab tests online, then start feeling better with high quality natural health remedies and nutritional supplements.ReplyDelete


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That all depends on how you go about it...
Let's do a quick comparison and look at some of the alternatives.
Last time I checked, if you decided to buy one of our competitors software packages, like the well-known yellow ones you so often see advertised on the TV, you could be paying upwards of $500, never mind additional lessons that you may need to take to fill the gaps.
Next, if you decided to take a language class, you'd be looking at paying at least $300 - $400 a semester, and that doesn't include the cost of textbooks and time away from the things you really want to be doing. Not to mention how little personal time you get in a classroom setting...
Alternatively, you might consider hiring a local or online private tutor, but at the bare minimum you would be paying close to $50 an hour. Sure, it's smart to get one-on-one attention but it will end up being very expensive and there is no guarantee their method of teaching is going to work for you. Who knows, maybe they focus on a learning style that doesn't gel with the way you grasp language. Plus, you can't repeat a lesson without paying them again.
Maybe you've considered enrolling in a college or university course. No doubt, you've probably already seen that tuition could cost you anywhere between $1,500 to $2,000 on the low end, and let's face it, that means you're going to be busy trying to get to classes, wading through heavy text-books, and juggling with more than you need in order to speak and understand a language.
And finally, maybe you've thought about simply diving in at the deep end and trying to learn through complete immersion in a foreign country. You know, booking a flight, paying for accommodation and flying by the seat of your pants.
Truth is you don't need to spend a huge amount of money, or years behind a desk to become proficient at daily conversation. Rocket Spanish provides a simple, quick, and affordable means of achieving mastery at Spanish, while allowing you to continue doing what you want. It's that flexible.
So how much is it worth to you, to save all that money and time?
With Rocket Spanish, it works out to be less than $1 per hour of tuition, that's unbeatable value in anyone's book.
As soon as you have ordered you will be directed to the Rocket Spanish members' area where you can access all the tools you need to truly master Spanish.
Remember, your access is 24/7 and is yours for life, including any and all course upgrades... so, once you have it you can come back to it at any time.
Today, with every order, you will get a ton of extra audio and vocab in the form of our Survival Kits.
These tailor-made Survival Kit lessons are specially designed to be fun, flexible and easy to use. No boring vocabulary lists or heavy phrasebooks for you!
Your Survival Kit is made up of targeted Rocket Spanish Vocab Sessions with interactive audio that focus on essential Spanish words and phrases and their pronunciation. You can use them anywhere, anytime. You can use them online, download them to your computer, or even transfer them to your smart phone or tablet.
The Survival Kits sell everyday on our website for $49.95, but we're including it absolutely FREE when you buy today from this page.
That's right: this is my personal guarantee to you. Here's exactly how it works.
Look, I'm a regular person like you. And I know that it can be difficult to trust people you come across online, especially when we've made some pretty big statements here today.
I've told you that a lot of common methods to learn Spanish are one-dimensional and not based on the key language acquisition methods that the pro's use. And I've told you that I've got a system that, if you dedicate 20 minutes a day to, and do what I say, then you're going to master Spanish no matter what your age or ability.
Jason Oxenham: Rocket Languages Co-founder and CEO
Without having to attend classes
Without having to go through some old school text book
Without having to look at pictures of apples over and over again.
Before you know it you're going to be able to have actual conversations in Spanish.
You will be able to speak like a native, to natives, and have them slapping you on the back and saying that you're the one person that understands them.
I want to make it an absolute no-brainer for you today, here's what I'm going to do, simply order the course, enter your credit card or PayPal information, and you'll have 60 full days to try this out before you decide if it's for you.
You can decide in those 60 days whether you have the time and the motivation to learn Spanish... If at any point in the next 60 days you don't feel like the system lived up to what I said here, or if you don't think that you personally have time to go through the program, simply contact my customer services team, let them know, and they will issue you with a prompt and courteous refund...
No Questions. No Hassles. Just contact us at [email protected]. It's that simple.
Jason Oxenham
CEO and Co-founder
Rocket Languages Ltd
Hola, my name is Mark Waddell and I live in New Zealand with my partner from Chile.
When I met her last year, she already spoke English well, but I noticed that there were a lot of English idioms that she didn't understand at all. She would look at me blankly when I used to banter with her in 'double entendres' and I used to be the only one not laughing when a Chilean group would get together for a BBQ.
With us both being very busy in our jobs, the Spanish I was picking up was slow and full of slang, so, in January, I decided to go searching for a Spanish Language Program on the Internet.
I was really impressed by the service that Mauricio provided and I have to admit that with so much on offer on the internet I was skeptical at first. I tend to like learning something formally and so I though the style offered in Rocket Spanish would not suit me. I was so wrong!
The lessons are so informal and relaxed that it is easy to pick up one or two words quickly and within a few weeks you realize that you are starting to understand the structure of the sentence in Spanish. After that you can get into the formal stuff that Rocket Spanish also offers as part of its package. The language games are cool too!
I now can quickly get the general understanding of what people are saying in Spanish. I really didn't think that it would happen so quickly. I would highly recommend Rocket Spanish to anyone, because it offers so many ways to learn and it has a great online support. I am very happy that I went with the online option, because I could pick it up and put it down in my own time and not feel as though I was falling behind.
Once, years ago, I joined a group to learn French, but felt as though I was the worst and slowest so I missed a session; well that was it then. I never went back and kissed goodbye to about $150. The experience stopped me from believing that I could learn another language. My girlfriend has been the impetus I needed to want to learn and Rocket Spanish has been the device to make it so. I now have another few hundred million people on the planet that I feel confident to converse with and that is an amazing gift.
Expect to learn quickly and without the stress of failure with the Rocket Spanish course.
I find myself dipping into and English- Spanish dictionary daily now to pick up new words.
Hasta luego!
Mark Waddel— Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand
Is any payment I make secure?
Yes, we use ClickBank to process our payments. ClickBank has been around since 1998 and processed billions of dollars in payments.
I don't have a good internet connection. Do you ship Rocket Spanish?
We sure do. Each Level of Rocket Spanish has a corresponding 20CD set. Just contact customer support for more info.
I don't have a credit card or PayPal
We have other payment options here
How do you compare to competitors?
Most competitors take only one angle with their learning approach. Where the Rocket Express Learning System® is different is that we don't force a square peg into a round hole, we have specifically provided for a variety of learning styles.
We recommend that you try the free trials of competing products and see what works for you.
What devices will Rocket Spanish work on?
Rocket Spanish will work on a range of devices;
We recommend Chrome for the best functionality. However, the course will work on Firefox, Edge, Safari and Internet Explorer.
Android devices, including tablets and smartphones, via the app
iOS devices, including tablets and smartphones, via the app
*All reviews have been submitted by authentic and current Rocket Languages customers.
Reviews have not been edited in any way. Click here to see all customer reviews
Check out the FAQs
Our customer support team is available via live chat and phone from 11am to 7pm Sunday to Thursday PST.
You can email us at any time: [email protected]

subset: commoncrawl


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Home > Other Stuff > News & Notes> Rakuten Selling Low-Price Solar Panels for Homes
News & Notes
Rakuten Selling Low-Price Solar Panels for HomesOct 23 (Tue ), 2012
Major Japanese Internet Shopping Website Launches Sale of Low-Price Solar Panels for Home Use
Rakuten Inc., one of Japan's major Internet shopping site operators, launched on July 17, 2012, a new service called "Rakuten Solar," where it sells home-use solar panels. The company partnered with solar panel system company Ecosystem Japan Co. to provide integrated services spanning from solar panel sales to installation without the use of intermediaries. It offers seven types of models that provide electricity ranging from 2.77 kilowatts (kW) to 3.33 kW, 3.88 kW, 4.44 kW, 4.99 kW, 5.55 kW, and 6.29kW.
Rakuten established a structure where it can provide low-cost systems without compromising in terms of quality by limiting the choice of lineup, buying in bulk, and dealing with a part of the service procedure on the website. It first started this service in the prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama, and now expands nationwide to except isolated islands and areas of heavy snowfall.
Source: JFS


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The fabulous Julie, of Letting The Days Roll By (who I was lucky enough to meet at our Bloggers' Crafting Weekend last November!), came up with a really clever idea for a blog hop, waaaaay back in September, to celebrate her up-coming birthday. She thought it would be fun to have a game of "Pass the Page", so asked for people to sign up and join in.
Three months later, here we are, at the end of our list... Everyone has had their starting-point picture (the previous person's page) and has created their own scrap page, using the photo as inspiration. It seems ages since I did mine....
Here's a full list of people who are participating (Helen of Beacon Crafts doesn't have a blog yet, so she is a Guest on my post today!) :
Lizzie: lizziemade (you're here now!)
I have heard rumours of a prize draw, for those who have managed to complete the whole "Hop", leaving a comment at each page, so it's worth doing the thing properly!
If you are following the Blog Hop, you should have arrived here from Lea's blog.
I made myself a "Scrapping Kit" from various papers and cardstock, which went with two die-cut circles that I had. Then I found this photo in my recent set from Photobox.
Concertina flower and crochet flowers - home-made, vintage buttons from my collection.


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All rights reserved.
Chandanadi Tailam is an Ayurvedic herbal Oil, especially for the head.
Its usage:
Directions of Use: Apply slightly warmed oil on head and scalp 1 hour before bathing.
Chandanadi Tailam Ingredients:
Coconut water,
Cow milk,
Black sesame oil,
Wild asparagus, Bacopa,
Aloe, Licorice, Coleus,
Vetiver, Indian gooseberry,
Indian sarsaparilla,
Teaweed, Sugarcane,
Cluster fig, Cuban laurel,
Sacred fig, Banyan,
Indian madder,
Giant potato,
Five flame bush,
Indian lotus, Indian crocus,
Blue water lily,
Wild Himalayan cherry,
Indian stinging nettle,
Sacrificial grass,
Wild sugarcane, Holostemma,
Golden gram, Vigna.
On click register, You accept Terms and Conditions (click to view)


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I know; let's make this Friday a Product Review Friday!
Ya'll have probably noticed that everyone on the Dr Dick Review Crew has taken a break from reviewing. The truth of the matter is we all seemed to hit our saturation point at once. I guess we all experienced a little burn out.
I know, some of you must be thinking, gee, I should have such a problem; burning out on sex toys. Let me tell ya; no one who has actually had to honestly review sex toys would make that comment. Because, despite the fun aspects of reviewing them the review process itself can, and often is, grueling.
So just about the time we were about to throw in the towel, we were approached by a new partner in our review effort, the good people who are responsible for The Romance Series videos.
As you know, we've reviewed educational videos in the past; so it wasn't much of a leap to include these excellent enrichment videos.
To explain what I'm talking about we have Dr Dick Review Crew member Jada to tell you all about the DVD she viewed.
Almost Heaven —— $29.95
My husband is a porn aficionado. He's been watching porn since he was a teenager. Frankly, I can't see how he can stomach the mind-numbing sameness of it all. For the most part, every thing I've tried to watch with him has been a disappointment.
Don't get me wrong; I love sex. I love stories about sex; I have a fantastic erotica library. I love depictions of sex; I thoroughly enjoy Dr Dick's The Erotic Mind podcasts and their accompanying slideshows of the artwork of his guest. But, for the most part, I do not like porn. I want to like porn; it's just that I rarely see anything I can like.
I'll admit it; I need a bit of a story line to get into the sex. I want the characters to be believable and I want the women in the movies to be more than one dimensional sex dolls. I don't know, is that too much to ask for?
When Dr Dick asked me if I would consider reviewing one of The Romance Series titles, I hesitated. I wanted to do it, because it would be something my husband and I could do together, but I didn't want to waste my time or his. I finally agreed and I stopped my Dr Dick's and picked up Almost Heaven.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the DVD housed in a very tasteful, yet erotic package. The DVD comes in a traditional plastic package, but this is sheathed in a cardboard carton that give is a much warmer presentation. The promotional imagery on the box is suggestive, but not overt. It's obvious that this presentation is geared to a female audience.
When I got home I tantalizing waved the package in my husband's face. I said, "Look what I scored." His eyes rolled up in his head and dismissed my find with a wave of his hand. I was crestfallen. He didn't mean to be mean; he just thinks porn for women means toning down the sex till it's soft-core pabulum.
I asked him to put aside his prejudice and watch it with me. He said he would.
Our date night arrived, we got comfortable in bed and I slipped the Almost Heaven DVD in the player. I hoped for the best.
Almost immediately my husband commented on the production values. The audio track was clear and balanced, and he didn't notice any background noise. Apparently this is a big bugaboo for pornophiles, like my husband. I was just happy that a bunch of fake boobs weren't jumping out at me from the screen.
It was easy for me to slip into the storyline. A pretty young woman, Angie, is told that she died the night before and is able to take only one memory with her into the afterlife. She chooses to remember her husband, Jake. But what memory of Jake should she choose? Another couple, Sara and Michael, helps Angie make the right choice. It's a sweet concept. In fact, it was like watching a mainstream movie, but getting to see all the sex, which would only implied in a Hollywood version.
There are four scenes in the movie. The music, lighting and camerawork are all topnotch. Each scene is a sexual vignette featuring a different couple, but all the scenes follow the story arc. And ya know what I liked most? Condoms were used throughout. Kudos to The Romance Series people for being considerate to their performers and respectful to their audience. Thank you!
I was totally impressed with how the sex was presented. Despite the romantic overlay, this is a full-on sex movie, mind you — oral, cowgirl, spooning, doggie, missionary, all very tastefully presented. The chemistry between the couples is palpable, there is lots of kissing and the sex is hot. I couldn't have asked for more. And I caught my husband adjusting his boner under the covers more than once.
My husband said Almost Heaven is not a porn movie for women, whatever that is; but it's a really great porn movie for couples. High praise coming from him.
If you're looking for a bit of romance and plot with your sex, this title is bound to please. It was just the thing to get our motors running for the sex we had after the movie. It was the perfect date night!
Full Review HERE!


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Avantikka is fine with all the extra calories, and insists we have walked them off pounding the pavements of Paris. Our 'Mission Goyard' was successful... if frightfully expensive. Just as we had agreed on what to pick from this historic store (1853) just off the Place Vendome , I heard a polite greeting in chaste Marathi. It was aapla Riteish Deshmukh, and his brand new missus, aapli Genelia. Both were still in honeymoon mode and were really sweet.... Riteish with his brolly, in particular. We chatted animatedly in Marathi for a good 15 minutes in that super snooty store. And just after Riteish said his 'namaskars', I asked Guillaume, who was assisting us whether he knew a Bollywood star had just left the place. He looked slightly blank but sportingly added, " Yes.... he looked familiar."
With Avantikka's Goyard under her arm, we decided to go for a coffee break to my favourite place - Cafe de la Paix. It was a good plan ( we love the elegant loo there). I was feeling like a Fat Duck ( the bird , not the restaurant), with all the foie gras we had been happily walloping with our Sancerre. But it was our Goyard moment.... so, we recklessly ordered more foie gras ( it is served in an exceptionally imaginative way here).
To make me feel less guilty, Avantikka suggested we walk back to the hotel - in Saint Germaine des Pres??? Not a chance! So, I am still feeling like a Fat Duck. By tonight, I shall be transformed into a ghar ki murgi.
All in a De's work.
Kal May Day hai.... dekha jayega....


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Hi all, it's Nanette here and I am back with my mid month tutorial for Rhedd's Creative Spirit!
Hope you are working on your challenge for June entry if you haven't already linked up with us!
I wanted to alter a bottle and was torn between painting and adding texture to a bottle or one of the many gorgeous ways I have seen you all alter your bottles when I came across a bottle that with some simple cut outs from the Stampington Co. free paper from a magazine would be perfect. Well, at least to me!
Here are the collage pages (forgot about the tutorial oops!):
I cut out all the pieces for the bottle and to make the adorable little pixie. I assembled her and cut the purple flower to fit her face for her hair. I inked all the edges with Distress Ink Mowed Lawn. I then added a metal flower with a brad in the center to attach to the top. The bottle had some awesome shiny gold on it so I left it and worked with it. I want to fill it with some homemade bath salts in greens and gold for my bathroom shelf. Really easy and I plan on making a bigger version of the pixie as an art doll so keep an eye out here for that.
And the finished bottle:
Now show us your altered art/mixed media ( you can find the link at the start of this post ) and let us visit your blog and leave you some love and be inspired by YOU!
Thanks for stopping by for my first tutorial at Rhedd's, Nanette xx
Thanks for stopping by for my first tutorial at Rhedd's, Nanette xx


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SANTA CLARA (CBS / AP) — Chris Wondolowski set up the tying goal and scored the winner to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC on Wednesday night.
Wondolowski scored in the 81st minute, using his right knee at point-blank range to jam home Walter Martinez's flicked header off Marvin Chavez's corner kick. It was the fifth goal this year for Wondolowski, who tied the MLS single-season record with 27 last season.
The win ended a six-game winless streak for San Jose (3-3-5), which reached .500 for the first time in more than a month. Toronto (1-5-4) saw its victory drought extended to eight straight matches.
Earthquakes rookie Adam Jahn tied things up three minutes into the second half with his fourth goal of the season. Jahn beat Toronto goalkeeper Joseph Bendik with a left-footed strike from 10 yards, having been freed up when Wondolowski one-timed a quick throw-in from Dan Gargan.
Justin Braun put Toronto up 1-0 in the 14th minute with his fifth career goal against San Jose. Doneil Henry headed Darren O'Dea's long free kick and Braun, returning from a one-match absence due to a foot injury, wrapped a left-footed volley around his marker to beat San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch from 5 yards.
Toronto has allowed seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches this season, and this is the third straight match for Toronto in which a game-winner has been struck beyond the 80th minute.
San Jose, last season's Supporters' Shield winners with the league's best regular-season record, vaulted into a tie for fourth place in the congested Western Conference standings.
Wondolowski almost generated a pair of goals in the first half. His sixth-minute header to the far corner was barely turned aside by a superb, leaping save from Bendik.
In the 45th minute, Wondolowski fed a low cross from the end line to the top of Toronto's 6-yard box, but teammate Shea Salinas blasted his open shot over the crossbar.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)


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Talk:1079: United Shapes
Hooray, another comic that only Americans will get. Randall, some of us live in *other* parts of the world. Davidy22[talk] 13:47, 8 January 2013 (UTC)
Wait, so an American artist with a mostly-American audience is supposed to limit himself to cartoons that everyone can understand? And people say AMERICANS are the arrogant ones. 22.214.171.124 07:59, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
Could someone please explain the stereotypes? I'm American and I don't really see any jokes. As far as I can tell, he just picked images that fit in each state.
We still have to fix this thumbnail issue. --Dgbrt (talk) 16:49, 6 June 2013 (UTC)


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When standard manufacturing resource planning (MRP) tools are not powerful enough, production managers turn to more robust and more complicated, production planning and scheduling systems (aka "advanced planning & scheduling"). These best-of-breed planning systems use advanced mathematical models to better simulate the production environment. We wrote this buyer's guide to help buyers unravel the web of manufacturing planning and scheduling solutions.
Here's what we'll cover:
What Is Manufacturing Production Planning and Scheduling Software?
What Type of Buyer Are You?
Common Functionality
Benefits and Potential Issues
Market Trends to Understand
"Theory is closer to practice in theory than in practice" is a truism in complex manufacturing. Manufacturing resource planning software is used by manufacturers to allocate raw materials and plan production. MRP works well for manufacturers that have large runs or few products. However, the planning methodologies used by most MRP applications cannot handle the demands of large numbers of small runs of products, orders that change frequently or large numbers of make-to-order (MTO) or customized products. That's where manufacturing and planning scheduling software comes in.
Manufacturing scheduling software extends MRP in four important ways.
Manufacturing schedule software is best suited to operations that specialize in MTO or assemble to order (ATO) operations and in agile facilities. They are also useful for organizations that use a large number of components or have complex tasks. Finally, they are critical for firms that have a limited facility that is shared among different product lines that are competing for resources.
Inventory manager dashboard in Netsuite
The first step in evaluating production planning software is to determine what kind of buyer you are. Over 90 percent of buyers fall into one of these three groups:
Enterprise resource planning suite buyer. These buyers value the seamless integration of data and processes that comes from having one system for all functions. For example, they would prefer a full-suite system for estimating, work-in-progress management and accounting that can automatically turn an estimate into a budget for project management, and then match invoices to project status and allocate job costs. These buyers favor ERP software vendors like Oracle, SAP, Sage ERP or Microsoft Dynamics.
Departmental buyer. These buyers work in facilities that are shared by product lines from different vendors. They are balancing demands from different product managers and must schedule production and justify the schedule to peers and management.
Small manufacturer. Small organizations often have limited budgets and fewer IT resources to dedicate to software. In many cases, they may be deciding between a new system and a new piece of equipment. These buyers need cost-effective solutions that are easy to implement and use. They are seeking solutions that maximize the profitability of their plant or job shop.
Production planning and scheduling software is highly complex, and different vendors specialize in various areas of niche functionality. The following table, however, shows the core features of this software category:
|Finite capacity scheduling
|Complex algorithms allow you to forecast the completion of jobs based on limitations on resources, instead of scheduling jobs without regard to such constraints.
|Gantt charts
|Gantt charts display resource utilization.
|Live capacity planning
|Instead of determining the production schedule in advance, which can result in bottlenecks, you can adjust the schedule in real time as issues occur.
|Visual, drag-and-drop scheduling
|You can easily get a visual overview of the production scheduling. New work orders can be dragged and dropped into the schedule, which updates the overall production schedule.
|Multiple scheduling priorities
|You can assign different priority levels to individual jobs/orders when setting the production schedule.
|"What if" scenario modeling
|Manufacturing production planning and scheduling software supports forecasting via multiple "what-if" scenarios.
MRP systems, whether stand-alone or incorporated in an ERP system, offer distinct benefits over less formal systems. These include:
Better use of equipment. Manufacturing planning and scheduling systems increase company utilization of equipment. For example, the system can prioritize the use of the most expensive equipment to lower that equipment's cost per project or can prioritize the less expensive equipment to decrease costs across jobs.
Increased profitability. The combination of increasing utilization and prioritizing the more profitable jobs leads to increased profitability.
Identifying bottlenecks. Planning and scheduling systems can identify bottlenecks and their associated procedures or equipment, giving managers an opportunity to boost productivity even further by adding machines or updating methodologies.
One of the biggest issues that arrive from using production planning and scheduling systems is the tendency for managers to "tweak" the system's recommendations. This can lead to suboptimal results. If the planning and scheduling system continually gives information with which the manager disagrees, the assumptions must be re-examined or the manager should receive additional training.
While you evaluate production planning and scheduling systems, make sure you consider these market trends:
Convergence with MRP. As the power of desktop computing continues to grow, traditional MRP systems are adding advance planning functions to their toolkits. Planning algorithms that were once only found in high-end planning systems are now in more moderately priced MRP or ERP systems.
Direct interface with shop floor equipment. Some planning and scheduling systems can get utilization information from equipment, either directly or through the manufacturing execution system. This provides two advantages, the information is more current and it does not have to be entered by hand.
Increased employee satisfaction. Production planning systems can consider employee preferences when allocating resources to a job, allowing employees to work preferred hours or on preferred jobs.
Planning using data visualization. Traditional MRP systems produce reports and planning schedules. Manufacturing planning and scheduling systems do, too, but they are also beginning to offer other visualization tools, such as graphical comparisons of the results of different models.
Our service is simple and 100% free to customers like you because software vendors pay us when we connect them with quality leads. You save time and get great advice. Vendors get great referrals. It's a win for everyone!


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Saint Peter Lieou
- Liu Wenyuan Petrus
- Baiduo
- Peter Liu Wenyuan
- 17 May
- 28 September as one of the Martyrs of China
Married lay man convert to Christianity. Catechist. Exiled to Mongolia for his faith in 1814. He was permitted to return from exile in 1827 and began working with Catholic missionaries. When the persecutions of the faith resumed, many Christians were imprisoned. Peter initially evaded arrest, but was caught ministering to prisoners, including his own sons. Martyr.
- strangled to death on 17 May 1834 at Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- "Saint Peter Lieou". CatholicSaints.Info. 23 September 2018. Web. 23 February 2019. <>


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Saturday, September 30, 2017
Five of Wands & the Earthworm...
The Wild Unknown Tarot. Earthworm The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Deck.
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Andrew Thornton is a professional fine artist, writer and jewelry designer who lives in small town Pennsylvania. His work can be seen in private collections around the globe. He is a regular contributor to books and magazines. Andrew is also the Creative Director of Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA.


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You are in: Display
Mary Macarthur, secretary of the National Federation of Women Workers, stood as Labour Party candidate in Stourbridge, Worcestershire at the General Election on 14 December, 1918.
The Representation of the People Act 1918 had enfranchised women over thirty years and the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 allowed women to stand for Parliament.
Macarthur was defeated, as were most anti-war candidates, and the election was a victory for the Coalition Government.
© London Metropolitan University | Terms & conditions


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If you like all of these great freebies and deals, make sure you sign up for my newsletter.
Have you gotten all of the Recyclebank points that are available right now? Go here to register or login first. You can get 25 points for checking out Before Sweater Weather Returns.
Make sure you check the sidebars, and earn points tab for other opportunities that you may be missing points from.
If you aren't a member yet, you can register here. You can check out one of my previous posts for more information on Recyclebank. It is a great way to get freebies, coupons, and more. You do not have to have recycling in your area to use Recyclebank.
Image Credit: Recyclebank


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Julia Bisby necesitaba un nuevo diseño de papelería y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 11 diseños de 6 diseñadores freelance.
Always Available Babysitters & Carers (AABC)
Hi Designers,
I am a nanny of ten years in Sydney, moving to the Gold Coast in August to start a nannying agency in QLD under a company that is already established in Sydney, Always Available Babysitters & Carers (AABC). I am keen to move on from the nannying world to actually use the B.Business I obtained at University!!!
The business is family owned by one lady in Sydney and I will be working with her to establish a branch of the agency in QLD where I will work from a home-office.
The company already has a logo and a website which is currently being set-up which is basic as the main stream of advertising will be the flyers and word of mouth. I will be hitting the concrete so to speak walking into every hotel/serviced apartment armed with flyers and a business cards in search for clients.
The target audience will initially be hotels and serviced apartments on the Gold Coast. I would like to explore broader markets including Brisbane, Noosa etc so not sure if actually identifying Gold Coast on the flyer is a good idea or not - perhaps it could state - servicing Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane areas??
I would like a flyer/brochure/pamphlet (whatever you want to call it!) to be in the foyers. They will need to be very professional, bold to attract attention of the hotel/apartment guests and either single/double sided or fold out - i'll leave that up to you. I would like the length to be 21cm and width 10cm so it can fit in the flyer holders at the hotels/apartments.
There are not many exsiting nanny agencies on the Gold Coast, though I did come across this one who does have a flyer in hotel/apartment foyers http://www.goldcoastbabysitters.com.au/. I don't think this looks very professional so this could give you a benchmark.
No real requirements here, I want the Designer to be as creative as they want (a bit like when I go to the hairdressers and they ask what I want done and I say; do what you like - you end up with a new and different haircut that you wouldn't have choosen yourself and of course love it!!!)
* Include exsiting logo
* to fit flyer 21cm length and 10cm width
* Professional childminding service for all ages
* 7 day service
* 24 hours a day contact
* contact Julia 0422 189 101
I have attached the mock website that is yet to go live which has a blurb on the business and its services and rates. I have also attached an old brochure which has been done in Coreldraw so you may not be able to open it, but to be honest it isn't that great, very, very basic which you can use as a benchmark.
Please add my mobile number only to the flyer (not Patricia and Wendy they are Sydney office): Julia 0422 189 101
I would also like to leverage from the flyer and create an advert/flyer for attracting nannies and design business cards, so if you are able to start thinking about this that would be fantastic and obviously you will be paid for the additonal work, but please do not be too concerned about this just yet.
I can't wait to see it! Thank you Designers!!!


text: Here's a preview from this Thursday's Parks and Recreation premiere that shows the recently relocated Ben Wyatt — Best Boyfriend in the World — introducing a very emotional Leslie to her political heroes, Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe. Yeah yeah, Leslie is a fictional character, but can you really tell me that watching this clip didn't make you so happy for her that you might have welled up a bit? Just me?


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Diamond Explaining The Whole Fight Altercation With Princess (Princess Is Upset Because Diamond Has A Solo Deal?)
Jabo reports: "Diamond telling her side on why Princess was upset-took place right after the altercation at soulja"
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If Your CrackBerry Was Addictive Before...
A Blackberry, Palm Treo, or other PDA is useful for a lot more than e-mail.
Nab a hotel room at the last minute Orbitz's mobile service lists hotels in 20 U.S. cities that have vacancies for that very night. You can't book through a PDA, however. Instead, Orbitz lists its phone number, which you can call by pressing one button. Be aware that Orbitz is known to charge more than if you call the hotel directly, so it's also worth contacting the property. mobile.orbitz.com.
Get directions and more The downloadable application of Google Maps is nearly identical to the version you've already used on a desktop. You can search for an address or just the name of a road, town, or business and then view the location as a map or a satellite image. The point-to-point directions, doled out one turn at a time on a PDA screen, are easy to follow, and there's even a feature that reveals real-time traffic info. google.com/gmm, free.
Scope the scene at the airport Using FlightStats, type the three-letter code of the airport you're flying from or the beginning of the airport name. You'll get an instant response with an estimate of how long the airport's security line will be, based on data from the Transportation Security Administration. The service also tracks delays for airports and specific flights. mobile.flightstats.com, free.
Learn about changes in your itinerary Anyone who has booked a flight, package, or hotel through Orbitz can sign up to receive free instant alerts on a PDA about delays, cancellations, or other involuntary changes (mobile.orbitz.com). Many airlines have a similar alert service for flights.
Translate languages Beiks is the leader in foreign-language tools for mobile devices, selling downloadable dictionaries and phrase books for 26 languages. Some of the programs from Beiks will even pronounce words and phrases for you. beiks.com, from $8.
Check the weather forecast There are dozens of ways to get weather reports with a PDA, but the Weather Channel's service is the quickest and easiest. It gives extended forecasts for 98,000 locations around the globe and pulls up storm systems on radar maps that look as good as they would on a computer or the TV news. www.weather.com/mobile, free.
Find the perfect restaurant Zagat to Go contains the same restaurant, hotel, and nightlife reviews as those offered in its books and subscription-based online service. With one download, you get the scoop on where to eat, sleep, and hang out in 77 cities--including 41 in the U.S. Sign up for the the free two-week trial just before you head off on a vacation; that might be all you need. zagat.com, $30 per year.
Figure out what time it is--anywhere Of the many world-clock programs available for download, perhaps the best is the PalmaryClock. Available only for Palm Treo devices, it lets you point to any location on a map and instantly get the local time. A shaded area on the map shows where it's currently nighttime. palmarysoft.com, $15.
Transform from PDA to GPS To get the GPS capability on your PDA to work, you have to pay for a service such as Teleav. The monthly fee may very well be worth it. A satellite pinpoints your location, and when you plug in the address of where you want to go, turn-by-turn directions come from the PDA's speaker. Directions are available for drivers and walkers. The Biz Finder feature steers you to gas stations--it'll even search for the cheapest option, if you like--as well as to restaurants, hotels, and attractions. telenav.com, from $10 per month.
Unless noted, all of these services will work on PDAs with standard operating systems such as Palm OS or Windows Mobile. Bear in mind that you may need a few free megabytes of memory to download any of the applications.


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Assistance League of Los Altos is a nonprofit, nonsectarian volunteer organization that puts caring and commitment into action through community-based Philanthropic Programs. This chapter of the National Assistance League has been servicing our local area for over 50 years aiding children, seniors and those with medical emergencies.
We are located in the old Los Altos Firehouse at 169 State Street in Los Altos. This property contains our Chapter House as well as the Costume Bank which is one of our main fundraisers.


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Your sales team already has sales tools and services that they rely on to make them more efficient.
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Write an Android application
design an app which allows a waste management company to remotely monitor its sites and track Area manager movement as well as provide daily updates of recyclables and general waste generated at each site . we have approximately 100 clients on our books and need to offer this service to all of them . we also need to provide this service to owners of multiple sites an over view of their portfolio. this needs to link up to a website and each client should have a unique log in code to their profile viewed with on pc or device .
Dear Employer. I am an experienced full time(70+ hours per week) android developer. Please have a look at my profile: https://www.freelancer.com/u/octopus823.html I'll work on your project sincerely and finish them 更多
Greetings, Thanks for the opportunity. AIS Technolabs (Expert Mobile Application Developers) is a dedicate team with over 5 years' experience and a strong workforce of 112+ Professionals. Understanding: I h 更多
Dear sir, I've read your post and I'd like to participate in developing your project. I'm a senior iOS&Android expert. While I am certain there will be others who underbid me on this project, I can assure you sever 更多
Hi, I hope you are doing well, This is Kunal, we are running small setup of 110+ in-house developers and designers,who have developed more than 300 applications so far for our clients all around the world. We 更多
Hello, How are you? I had read your job description and many interest. I check all tech problem via google,and known that i can do this project well. This project match with my skill and experience, i have fu 更多
Hi Thanks for your valuable time. :-) Just reply with 'Yes' and We will come up with a. Detail project plan with our comments/queries. b. Best-feasible-real COST & TIMELINE Latest Apps : [login to view URL] 更多
Dear client, Thanks for your attention. I am android and iOS app, web server developer. I will like to work on your project and deliver the project. I have developed many applications involving various functionalit 更多
Hi, Dear I am Zhang. I am Senior Android Developer who has 6 years experience. I have made a lot of Android apps with high quality. [login to view URL] https://play 更多
Dear Client,Hope you doing well. I have gone through your requirement and as per my previous work experience i am ready to start work immediately on your project. yes i am very much expertise with HTML, CMS, 更多
Hello Sir, First of all, we would like to tell you how we will initialize the project with you Please have a look at our portfolio for Mobile App and Unity Game based projects: [login to view URL] 更多
Let's discuss more about project to finalize the proper scope with estimated cost and time so ping me over the freelancer chat.....I will share some demo as well for recent works if you want to check. You can also c 更多
Hello I am experience developer in iphone and android application please share your full requirement and we discuss more about the project and i also support to your idea and i share my experience . I have 5+ ye 更多
Greetings from Optime Technologies OPC Pvt Ltd!! We are a full-fledged mobile app consulting company providing support in entire mobile app life cycle. Our motto is to deliver only exceptionally robust and well 更多


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One of my clients had to let their dog go this week...he was a Westie who was a hard case...they rescued him...and he was full of emotional and physical baggage that he just couldn't let go. Without warning this week, he mauled the husband's hand...and they decided that he getting worse with age. They gave him a number of good years, and the kindest thing to do was to have him pts.
Please keep them in your thoughts.


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Charlie was a guiding light for me through the fog of so much music; through him I discovered (and still am) many wonderful sounds of the world. I valued highly his thoughts and opinions in articles, reviews and especially through his many memorable radio broadcasts, where he made me feel like a friend sharing his passion for music. He has left a huge void in the world of broadcasting.
God bless you Charlie and heartfelt condolences to your family.


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After three months of laying uncomfortably sprawled upon a mattress as skinny as an emaciated cyclist post Tour de France, I am enjoying the lavish luxury that comes with laying upon a plush queen sized bed. Such grandeur, such prestige, such comfort. Who can honestly deny the joy of laying upon a bed large enough to contain all of ones limbs?
The day began like any other: Coffee, yoghurt, muesli, computer.
Matters were complicated as we were being thrown out of our warm cosy residence at the AMVJ hostel in Geleen. Not only did this result in the team being scattered across various spares beds throughout Belgium and Holland. It also highlighted to me that in a roundabout way, perhaps lady luck was no longer shitting upon me from a great height. I think she is back on my side.
Pavel, my newly acquired Czech team mate, and myself made our way to our new accommodation via a criterium race in Kleve, Germany.
After 2 hours of fast crit action, one coke, one pizza and one (or possibly more) pieces of chocolate we arrived at our new home for the next week and a half. We now found ourselves residing with the Australian super mechanic Mark 'Funky' Howard and his better half, Lindsay.
So that is how I have come to find myself laying upon an ever so comfortable bed ranting and raving and generally talking complete crap.
Anyone for some icing on that cake? Yeh? How bout a cherry on top too?
Oh you better believe they have a smoking quick wireless network. Why the bloody hell didn't we come here earlier? This IS living people.
Lindsay has equipped us with a map for a nice recovery ride through the forests with promise of a damn tasty hot chocolate near the end if we find our way correctly.
Time to make use of this beast of a bed and punch out some Zzzzz's


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FoxFitness needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 112 designs submitted by 36 freelance designers.
http://www.foxfitness.com (Redoing site so do not rely on any current logo or coloring).
This logo is for an in-home personal training and outdoor fitness boot camp style class. I'm a relatively new business and still in the startup phase, so sorry I can't offer more!
I'm serious about my work and challenge my clients, but also believe it's important to have fun and enjoy what I do. Currently, I am the only (young, female) employee and the face of the company.
I am really looking to expand my business by offering nutritional aspects such as grocery tours and am working on a book geared toward women and fitness.
Tagline for business = Get Foxy!
I most enjoy working with is women in their 30's - 50's with disposable income (higher income levels) such as professional women and stay at home moms that are serious about losing weight, toning up, or increasing their energy levels. They are fed up with their body and are serious about making a change and have the money to spend.
Although I target women, I do not want something too feminine in my logo design. I also target businesses and work with families and children too. I also attract more males in the boot camp than the in-home training.
I am looking for something simple but catchy for "Fox Fitness"
I like the idea of fox but have no specific ideas of how to incorporate one. BUT do be careful of anything that looks to similar to already popular logos such as Fox Racing or Fox TV.
A modern font that's easy to read would be preferable. Must be easy to read.
Preferable colors are red, black, and gray.
Something I can re-size to fit on a flier, t-shirt, my car, or a banner.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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It's that time again for "cleaning up" my database of recipes on my computer that I had wanted to share but hadn't for one reason or another. Usually I try to follow a theme for the week, but occasionally some recipes either don't fit into a particular category or I just haven't enough space to include them.
So as I sit on my porch on a warm, summer afternoon, I decided to share a few of these recipes that would be perfect for either a lunch or an evening meal.
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MANHATTAN - The last time Kansas State won a conference championship, Bill Snyder was still in his first tenure in Manhattan and nobody had any reason to believe the success would ever end.
After all, that 2003 season marked the sixth time in seven years that the Wildcats won at least 11 games. Snyder had built a program from national laughingstock to perennial contender, his teams seemingly always appearing in the Top 25 and usually in title consideration.
Well, they went 4-7 the following year.
Now in his second stint leading the program, Snyder isn't about to allow anybody on his team take last year's success for granted. Kansas State may have won another Big 12 title and played in the Fiesta Bowl, but the sagely coach has eyes only on the future.
"In all honesty, I walk out on the field and wonder how we're going to get better today. You hear me say it time and time again and I don't have any other thoughts," Snyder said. "Part of that is from a leadership role, everybody has to set an example and I need to set the example."
The Wildcats have followed it, toiling away in the summer heat this offseason with the same kind of focus as their 73-year-old coach. No breaks. No time to relax.
"I don't think they have collectively given me a particular reason to believe they have taken the upcoming season, or their performance, their preparation, for granted," Snyder said, "but you know, the best way to define that will be after we have been given a chance on the field."
That first chance comes tonight against defending FCS champion North Dakota State.
Here are five story lines to watch:
1. DOES SNYDER STILL HAVE IT? His intensity seemed to wane after Snyder won his first Big 12 title, part of the reason he retired a couple of seasons later. Now that he's returned the program to the top of the conference, does he still have the same passion to succeed? "The approach is not any different," he promised.
2. REPLACING QB KLEIN: The heir to Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein is juco transfer Jake Waters, who put together a record-setting season at Iowa Western Community College last season. Daniel Sams was impressive in mop-up duty last season, but the speedy sophomore essentially never threw a pass.
3. LEADERSHIP VOID: Without question, the two biggest leaders last season were Klein and linebacker Arthur Brown, a second-round draft pick. Who steps into those positions will be critical this season. Sams and Waters are natural choices given the position they play, but there's plenty of experience on both sides of the ball. Senior running back John Hubert and senior defensive back Ty Zimmerman already have begun to step into the leadership void.
"It's not easy. It's kind of difficult," Hubert said. "But I've been here for five years, I kind of know what to expect and what to do as far as stepping up and helping out the young guys."
4. COACHING TURNOVER: Snyder has grown accustomed to losing coaches to more high-profile positions, a byproduct of success. He lost two more this offseason when Joe Bob Clements left for a job with rival Oklahoma State and Michael Smith departed for Arkansas. Former defensive end Blake Seiler, who'd been a graduate assistant, takes over for Clements as the coach of his old position. Youngstown State assistant Andre Coleman, who played for Snyder in the 1990s, is back to replace Smith as the wide receivers coach.
"It's a dream come true to be a part of a program that's been so good to me, to be back in a place that has so many special memories in my football career," Coleman said.
5. STARTING FAST: The Wildcats open with games against North Dakota State, Louisiana and UMass, which means they should be 3-0 when they open league play at Texas on Sept. 21. That also means they could be unbeaten and coming off a bye when they visit league favorite Oklahoma State on Oct. 5, a match-up that should help to shape the Big 12 race.
Predicted order of finish in the Big 12: Sixth.
KANSAS STATE AT GLANCE2012 record
Preseason AP rank
Returning starters
8 offense, 2 defense
Plays KU...
Nov. 30 in Lawrence


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Glassy Sunhaters
Straight to you from the minds of professional skateboarder Mike Mo Capaldi and his brother Vince Capaldi, comes the brand Glassy Sunhaters Sunglasses. Launched in September of 2012 Glassy Sunhaters is a skateboarding based company that creates a variety of sunglasses featuring different colors, designs and prints with influences of skateboarding style. As a sunglasses brand inspired by skateboarding, Glassy Sunhaters features a professional skateboard team including some of the biggest names in skateboarding like Mike Mo Capaldi, Sean Malto, Stefan Janoski, Nyjah Huston and more and offers customized pro model sunglasses that will fit your eye protection needs. Whatever style of shades you are looking for Glassy Sunhaters has you covered with different types of frames, UV Protective lenses, and an array of color options. Whether you are looking for a stylish pair of shades to set off your summer outfit, or a cool looking pair of sunglasses to help protect your eyes while shredding the streets on your skateboard just like Mike Mo himself, Glassy sunglasses are the perfect choice. So next time you are getting ready to hit the streets on a sunny day, make sure you have your eyes covered and looking good with a pair of shades from Glassy Sunhaters.