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* by Akiva at Mystical Paths
We have an amazingly powerful post below. The Breslev Tzadik of Meah Shearim, HaRav HaChossid HaTzadik Rav Shalom Arush, shlita, personally handed us a shiur (a Torah lesson) on CD with specific instructions to publish this on the Internet immediately. Rav Arush, shlita is well known in Israel and the Jewish world for his books the Garden of Emunah, the Garden of Yearing, and the Garden of Peace, as well as having published over 100 special Torah lessons for life.
In this shiur, he discusses the urgent threat to Klal Yisroel, to all the Jewish people, as well as the personal attacks which he suffered in the past few weeks. This is a professional quality CD production. The Rav walked into the recording studio to make sure it was worth listening to, and could be heard.
Format: MP3, 1 hour, Hebrew (We have a synopsis/partial translation below, as well as download links.)
Direct MP3 Download: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14
Subscribe via Your iPod/iTunes:
This is a free translation in synopsis form from a quick listen of the shiur. We'll be adding to it as we can get through the whole thing.
Part 1
We are now in a situation where there is no way out. Now Hashem has put us in a wonderful situation, where we have no solution, no worldly path, no way except tefilah (prayer) and emunah (faith). And yet, the whole world is ignoring the situation.
It's time to wake up! No other power is going to help except tefilah (prayer) and emunah (faith). Our power is tefilah (prayer), it's the power of our father, of Avraham, of Yitzchok, of Yaakov.
Part 2
Lately many bad things have been happing to the Jewish people and I'm (personally) having much pain. What's going on with Bnei Yisroel (the Children of Israel)?
Last week I went with a group of talmidin (students) to the kever of a tzadik (the holy resting place of a righteous sage) and there was an Arab there. He mocked us, he caused us trouble and in the end he threw us out! Yesterday a talmid of mine was at the kever of a tzadik to pray and got beaten up by Arabs very badly. He was lucky to be able to get away! I was trying to figure out what is going here, two times bad things have happened.
Now let's look at Bnei Yisroel and their situation. Hashem took us, just a few shepherds, made us into a nation, and gave us Eretz Yisroel (the Land of Israel). Do you know what Eretz Yisroel used to be? All mud and swaps, it was a mess! And Hashem in His kindness made everything wonderful. Don't think for even one second that we just by chance got Eretz Yisroel. Hashem built Eretz Yisroel for a few people who just fought. Hashem did many miracles for us, so many and so big it's beyond our understanding.
Hashem has taken us from nothing and made us into something and the same for Eretz Yisroel. The miracles Hashem did for us and does for us are unbelievable! I myself was one of 3 soldiers who asked the general how can such great things be happening (in the Yom Kippur War). Arabs by the thousands are throwing their guns away and cowering from us! They had fear of what? Of death! They were so scared! The Lubavicher Rebbe said at the time of the Yom Kipper war, in the Sinai Hashem fought for us, all we did is go down the road of success! And the 6 Day War was just a complete miracle.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe had 100% complete Ruach HaKodesh (holy insight). He said about the Sinai, not to give it back, telling the government of the past not to do so.
Part 3
Any piece of Eretz Yisroel conquered is a miracle! You think you just received it, but Hashem made miracles beyond understanding. Could a person do such a thing (as we saw in battle?) Veterens from that war tell continuous stories of miracles. I myself jumped into a group of over 1,000 Egyptian soldiers. They dropped their guns and surrenederd on the spot! How many could I have possibly killed? I saw with my own eyes how Hashem fights for us.
When Hashem wanted, He fought for us. We do nothing, it's all Hashem. Now Hashem isn't fighting for us. What happened? The Lubavitcher Rebbe said the second you give a piece of land (of Eretz Yisroel) that blood was spilled on, everythign will change. People will fear the Arabs. AND, from then on everything HAS changed, people fear the Arabs! Hashem himself gave us the Sinai and Gush Katif!
Arabs blow up buses, shoot people, it's all bad. Soldiers and policemen tell me Arabs walk up to them and ask, "what can you do to me?" They fear the Arabs, they are very scared, freaked out! Real soldiers, police, Jews are scared to do anything, to move!
Hashem stopped everything to wake us up and let us know it's not us doing anything, it's all Him! There is so much bad in this world, we have to wake up, open our eyes! But...many don't want too. They are happy with their life. People forgot Hashem. We forgot Hashem! We got further way, we abused Him!
So what will be? Hashem get's angry, He hides His face from us. If you're going to manage without Me, please go do so. All they have is their desires, it's all they care about after they went after their eyes. And they upset Me and they angered Me, so now I will anger them with this prophecy coming true.
Track 4
Listen, this is clear prophecy. Not only did they go serve some idol or crazy avodah zarah (idol worship), not only did they find a god better than Hashem, they forgot Me and Made Me Hidden. They upset Me with all their garbage. I'll show them, I'll send a nation of No Name to wake them up. I'll upset them, I'll show them there is a Creator in the world...
(G-d willing, more to come.)
(Photos: HaRav Shalom Arush, shlita, preparing a wedding, photo by yeshiva photographer, and the road leading into Meah Shearim - Jerusalem today, with one of many heavy guard stations positioned all over roads within Jerusalem today! By Akiva)
Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.


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Since we talked about 草莓 (cǎoméi) strawberries last week, perhaps it's a good idea to run through the other fruits, so you know what's in the dessert you ordered, or how to order at a fruit stall 🙂 香蕉 (xiāngjiāo) banana 苹果 (píngguǒ) apple 橙子 (chéngzi) orange 橘子 (júzi) mandarin 芒果 (mángguǒ) mango 菠萝 (bōluó)…
水果 (shuǐguǒ) Fruits
1 April, 201631 March, 2016by fundarin chinesein learn chineseNo Comments
草莓 (cǎoméi) Strawberries
26 March, 201626 March, 2016by fundarin chinesein learn chineseNo Comments
Sorry we're a bit late this week, we were having a little 休息 (something we'll teach in a later lesson!) We saw something interesting in the news lately, and thought we'd talk a little bit about it. We're sure you've seen strawberries before, called 草莓 (cǎoméi) in Chinese, but have you seen white ones? 草莓…foodfruits
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subset: commoncrawl


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Trevor Watts | July 02, 2012
PremierThe Honourable Campbell Newman
Premier urges electricity customers to shop around
Premier Campbell Newman is urging Queenslanders to follow his family's decision to vote with their feet for a better deal on electricity.
Mr Newman said his family will be changing electricity providers after Origin Energy announced increases to unregulated Tariff 11.
"I'm disgusted that Origin has let Queenslanders down by these outrageous price increases," Mr Newman said.
"I'll be looking to change my family's provider and I hope fellow Queenslanders will follow suit.
"LNP MPs will provide information packs to help customers to move away from Origin."
Mr Newman said Origin customers should contact other electricity suppliers for a better deal and seriously consider moving their accounts.
He said the Government is very disappointed that Origin has clearly broken with the former practice of capping the price of unregulated supply at the price set by the Queensland Competition Authority.
The Government is also considering other measures to protect consumers, including:
The Government will also investigate penalising Origin by withholding funds allocated to compensate the company for freezing Tariff 11.
"Quite frankly I hope Queenslanders send the clear message to whichever provider they use that this behaviour is just not good enough."
Other South-east Queensland electricity providers include:
AGL Sales Pty Ltd1300 721 245www.agl.com.au
Click Energy1800 775 929www.clickenergy.com.au
Dodo Power and Gas13 36 36connectto.dodo.com/electricity/
Lumo Energy1300 11 5866www.lumoenergy.com.au
Momentum Energy1300 662 778www.momentumenergy.com.au
Powerdirect Pty Ltd1300 307 966www.powerdirect.com.au
QEnergy1300 44 85 35www.qenergy.com.au
Sanctuary Energy1800 109 099www.sanctuaryenergy.com.au
TRUenergy Pty Ltd133 466www.truenergy.com.au
March 13, 2018
March 05, 2018
Trevor Watts
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A second entry for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge theme blur from Michelle W:
This week, share a photo that's a blur. You could keep your camera out of focus to achieve a blurry photo, or take a photo of something in motion. Or go in a different direction — capture an image of an experience that would otherwise be a blur, or of something in a state of flux.
I first saw this Baile Folklorico group perform 2 years ago for Cinco de Mayo, and again last month for a community performance the week before — and in honor of — Cesar Chavez Day (March 31st).
The day is a commemorative holiday that celebrates the legacy of civil rights and labor movement activist Cesar Chavez, and to promote community service.
From Wikipedia…Baile folklórico, literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish, is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics – pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed. Each region in Mexico, the Southwestern United States and Central American countries is known for a handful of locally characteristic dances.
Dancer costumes depend on the region represented, and mostly reflect traditional Spanish influence, but denims and western style shirts representative of the Southwest United States are also worn.
The bright colors of the dresses, and matching ribbons braided into the hair were a treat to see…
According to the Wikipedia article, "in the folk dances of Northern Mexico, men generally wear black Pants with Galas on each side of the leg, accented with a red tie and belt and a black wide-brimmed hat".
There are no blurs on the photo of the two young girls below, but they were just too adorable and I am including in this post.
Did you know that March 31st was Cesar Chavez Day? Are there Baile Folklorico dance groups in your region of the United States (or Mexico / Central America)?


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|Jackson GD, Meekan MG, Wotherspoon S and Jackson CH (2008) Distributions of young cephalopods in the tropical waters of Western Australia over two consecutive summers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 65: 140-147. [1]
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|Januar HI, Chasanah E, Tapiolas DM, Motti CA, Liptrot CH, Wright AD (2015) Influence of anthropogenic pressures on the bioactivity potential of sponges and soft corals in the coral reef environment. Squalen Bulletin of Marine & Fisheries Postharvest & Biotechnology 10(2): 51-59 [1]
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|Jarrold MD, Humphrey C, McCormick MI, Munday PL (2017) Diel CO2 cycles reduce severity of behavioural abnormalities in coral reef fish under ocean acidification. Scientific Reports 7: 10153 [1]
|Jeffries KM, Hinch SG, Gale MK, Clark TD, Lotto AG, Casselman MT, Li S, Rechisky EL, Porter AD, Welch DW, Miller KM (2014) Immune response genes and pathogen presence predict migration survival in wild salmon smolts. Molecular Ecology 23(23): 5803-5815 [1]
|Jiang J and Wolanski EJ (1998) Vertical mixing by internal waves breaking at the lutocline, Jiaojiang River estuary, China. Journal of Coastal Research. 14(4): 1426-1431. [1]
|Jin YK, Lundgren P, Lutz A, Raina JB, Howells EJ, Paley AS, Willis BL, van Oppen MJH (2016) Genetic markers for antioxidant capacity in a reef-building coral. Science Advances 2(5): e1500842 [1]
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|Jirka G and Uijttewaal W (2004) Shallow Flows. A.A. Balkema Publishers. 684 p. [1]
|Johansson C, Bellwood DR and Depczynski M (2010) Sea urchins, macroalgae and coral reef decline: a functional evaluation of an intact reef system, Ningaloo, Western Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 414: 65-74. [1]
|Johansson C, Bellwood DR and Depczynski M (2012) The importance of live coral for small-sized herbivorous reef fishes in physically challenging environments. Marine and Freshwater Research. 63: 672-679. [1]
|Johansson C, Stowar MJ and Cappo MC (2008) The use of stereo BRUVS for measuring fish size. Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre and Australian Institute of Marine Science. 20 p. [1]
|Johansson CL, Bellwood DR, Depczynski M, Hoey AS (2013)The distribution of the sea urchin Echinometra mathaei (de Blainville) and its predators on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: The implications for top-down control in an intact reef system. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 442: 39-46 [1]
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|John DM, Hawkins SJ and Price JH (1992) Plant-animal interactions in the marine benthos. Systematics Association & Clarendon Press. 570 p. [1]
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text: What silly things would happen if you trusted a hobo! This is a random silly funny quiz and it is just random cause I got bored so I made this. hope you enjoy! ogail59 published on May 31, 201431 responses 16 4.3★ / 5 Questions in vertical order HAI!! HAI!! hello Ok first question would you trust a hobo? Yea! Well no.. but I guess I have to on this quiz! Ok the world is under attack and the hobo.. well that's the only guy you can trust and omg he was useless weapons... ok which one you pick potato derpy face Paper sword God dam it... you kind of saved the world but....now its time... the things he gives you isn't always free... and hes says now you must get me a gum drop from the mountain you say 'but I just saved the world for you!!' but oh well now you have to get a gumdrop which gumdrop do you pick? Pink! Green One that had a x on it! if you picked the x now the worlds in trouble again!! and now its with potato jeff...what do you do? Derpy face!! taco idk Ok now you killed him.. now for some questions what do you do when the army is out and you are confused ask why there here just stare .-. taco!! Ok if you asked why or stared they are now shoting at freaky looking gumball monsters that say pink fluffy gay unicorns dancing on gay rainbows!! what do you use? my mouth! yess My hands Ok now... its all up to the awnsers to do its job what did you say about this? Its good.. Its horrible.. Ok bye! Baii!! bye


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The Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA) of 1966 is one of our most unique immigration programs helping immigrants earn green cards.
Like many immigration programs, the Cuban Adjustment Act was created in response to our political policies. Back in 1966, the U.S. was furious at the Cuban government. As a result, the Cuban Adjustment Act was passed to help Cubans fleeing their country due to political dissension.
How The Cuban Adjustment Act Differs From Other Deportation Defense And Permanent Residency Programs
Last month, I was reminded about its uniqueness at a hearing in immigration court.
Hired as an immigration lawyer in San Diego to defend an immigrant from Cuba, I was surprised – and disappointed – when government counsel did not understand how my client would soon be entitled to adjustment of status under CAA.
The immigration judge, sensing the government's confusion, decided to adjourn the hearing a few weeks so the government attorney could catch up on the law. Over and over again, government attorneys in Southern California are baffled when I raise CAA as a form of relief for my Cuban immigrant clients.
Actually, after more than two decades as an immigration attorney, it is quite easy to understand government counsel's surprise when they first learn about CAA.
Most immigration programs are super strict, causing clients to struggle to find a legitimate reason to remain in the United States.
The Cuban Adjustment Act is vastly different. It is not nearly as strict as most immigration programs. CAA cases, if done correctly, should be moving to the green card stage within one year of the Cuban immigrant's arrival in the United States.
As some commentators have noted, most undocumented immigrants run from the law. Cuban immigrants run to the law.
What Is The Cuban Adjustment Act?
Under the Cuban Adjustment Act, Cuban immigrants may apply to become lawful permanent residents if they have been present in the U.S. for at least one year after they were admitted or paroled into the country.
For this reason, the Cuban Adjustment Act has often been called the "one year and a day" rule.
The law's reach is broad. It applies to Cuban immigrants who have not recently lived on the island, who have gained legal status in a third country, and who were not born in Cuba.
The admission and parole requirements are also relatively simple. Such leniency has drawn the criticism of community leaders from other ethnic groups and nationalities.
In 1995, after talks with the Cuban government, the Clinton Adminstration decided to modify the 1996 law slightly. Before the discussions, the U.S. would admit all Cubans, even those found at sea. After the discussions, it was agreed the U.S. would stop admitting people found at sea.
Now if a Cuban is caught by immigration agents at sea between the two nations (with "wet feet"), they will be sent back home or to a third country.
If Cuban immigrants make it to our shores (with "dry feet"), they will be lawfully admitted or paroled into the U. S. This is known as the "wet foot, dry foot" policy.
After a year's time – a year and a day, to be exact – Cuban immigrants become eligible to seek permanent residence.
The dual concepts – wet foot, dry foot – a year and a day – constitute the legacy of the Cuban Adjustment Act.
In essence, the only restrictions at the one year point are matters such as past criminal convictions or immigration fraud violations.
Cuban Immigrants And Deportation Hearings
Like my client, many Cuban immigrants are stopped at a U.S. border post.
Trying to get into the U.S., they inform the immigration agents that they are fleeing Cuba. The U.S. government allows them entry as Cuban asylees.
Immigration officers refer them to immigration court. They are placed in deportation and removal proceedings.
When they appear before an immigration judge, like other immigrants, they have to explain why they are entitled to remain in the U.S.
Cuban immigrants, though their cases may begin with an asylum claim, are allowed to become permanent residents under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
This is where government attorneys get confused. If they have not heard about the Cuban Adjustment Act, they treat the case as a regular asylum case. They do not understand why, after only living here one year, Cuban immigrants are allowed to become permanent residents.
In addition, the Cuban Adjustment Act provides relaxed green card requirements for the spouses and children of Cuban immigrants who meet certain qualifications. This includes stepchildren, children born out of wedlock, and adopted children.
Until last year the immigration judge had the power to hold green card hearings for Cuban immigrants. The Board of Immigration Appeals' ruling in Matter of Martinez-Montalvo, 24 I&N Dec. 778 (BIA 2009), changed this policy.
Now immigration judges have no authority over the adjustment of status (I-485) applications. Instead, Cuban immigrants have to file their green cards paperwork with the US Citizenship and Services Office.
This new procedure seems a step backward.
As an immigration deportation trial attorney, I must now ask the immigration court to delay the case. Meanwhile I file my client's documents at the USCIS office. Until USCIS finally makes a decision, the immigration judge has to keep the case open.
Sometimes it takes 2, 3, 4 years for the final green card decision to be made.
This is a waste of the immigration court's time.
Yet, even with this inconvenience, the Cuban Adjustment Act remains one of our nation's most special immigration programs for green cards and permanent residence.
Unlike CAA critics, I do not think Cuban immigrants should be singled with cries of unfairness. Rather, I'd prefer for our government simplify the entire visa petition process and hasten the permanent residency process.
By Carlos Batara, Immigration Law, Policy, And Politics


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uTrust Sense Temperature Tracker
uTrust Sense Temperature Tracker is a compact datalogging NFC smart sensor that tracks and stores temperature readings.
What do vaccines, blood, flowers, and fish have in common?This datalogger. It's a dream come true for pharmaceutical and cold chain monitoring.
What Does It Do
As a compact smart sensor for the Internet of Things (IoT), Identiv's uTrust Sense Temperature Tracker empowers businesses by providing a low-cost, self-adhesive temperature monitoring solution for virtually anything. The data can be read locally by your mobile device or uploaded to the cloud for analytics and remediation.
How Does It Work
The tracker contains a precise temperature sensor, digital storage, flexible battery, and near field communication (NFC) tech. It communicates with local devices using a mobile device or industrial equipment app. The current temperature status and complete logged history can be reviewed locally or uploaded to the cloud.
Who Needs It
- Supply chain industry (i.e., traceability and cold chain monitoring for perishable foods, flowers, and more)
- Healthcare and pharmaceutical (i.e., equipment and medications)
- Government applications
- Smart packaging
New Product Innovation Award
Frost & Sullivan has awarded Identiv's smart sensor solution for cold chain applications its "New Product Innovation Award" in North America. Visit Frost & Sullivan to Learn More »
Identiv's next-generation uTrust Sense Temperature Tracker solution won "Best New Product" in the 11th Annual RFID Journal Awards during RFID Journal LIVE! 2017. Read the Full Release »
Cloud and Mobile App Features
Optional cloud-based services include label management and configuration, record collection and storage, analytics and remediation, and record integrity checks. The Android-based app available on Google Play features tag activation and setup, online/offline option, and local analytics.
Product Collateral for uTrust Sense Temperature Tracker
Contact Sales
The Identiv Sales Team is here to answer your questions and get you what you need. Please give us as much information as possible and we'll route you to the right team member.
This form is not for product support!
If you are in need of product support, please fill out our Identiv Product Support form.


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What Childhood Would Be Like If Co-Parenting Didn't Exist
Holding your co-parenting to a consistently high standard can be draining. And when life doesn't cooperate and stresses begin to mount, backsliding into conflict-laden patterns can be all too easy.
Course-correcting out of negativity ruts, however, is never so simple. No parent objectively believes that conflict is more important than their children's health and happiness. But emotions are anything but objective, so sometimes parents will need to get creative to break free of the hold that negativity has on their co-parenting.
One exercise that parents can engage in is imagining what their kid's childhood would be like if co-parenting didn't exist. Ask, how would childhood change if parents completely abandoned all attempt to work together to raise their kids in a loving environment, regardless of relationship status?
Parent-Child Relationships
One facet of childhood that would be deeply affected by a lack of co-parenting is a child's relationship with his or her parents. Parents must work together after a split to foster strong relationships between both parents and their children. If parenting time is not split 50/50, this practice in co-parenting becomes even more vital.
Without co-parenting, if conflict is allowed to run rampant, a child's relationship with one, if not both, of their parents will suffer. Where co-parenting places the focus on children, a lack of co-parenting creates a tit-for-tat atmosphere that fosters negative behavior such as bad-mouthing and disrespect.
Letting Kids Be Kids
Hoping for a completely stress-free childhood may be unrealistic. Homework, music competitions, and friendship drama are just a few examples of stresses that pop up during childhood. But co-parenting is a commitment to keeping a child's life free from the stress of parental conflict.
Without that commitment, children's worries would revolve around the strain between their parents. Rather than focus on common childhood concerns like school plays, book reports, and sleepovers, children's focus would be uneasily placed on the turmoil that's much closer to home.
Beyond worrying about their parents' relationship, children are sometimes used as messengers when co-parenting breaks down. Instead of being protected from parental concerns, children are thrown into the middle as reluctant go-betweens. Without co-parenting, children may be forced to contend with issues and situations that are best left to adults.
Learning By Example
We first learn about people and the world from our families. We look to our parents for our initial lessons in behavior and communication. Through positive co-parenting, children can learn that respect and cooperation are prized and non-negotiable, a lesson they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Children will learn a much different lesson without co-parenting, when cooperation may be replaced by ungenerous bargaining and respect by disdain. Children may have to look elsewhere to learn about healthy family dynamics. Without a readily available, healthy example from their parents, children may even grow up believing that the unhealthy dynamics of parenting conflict are not only normal, but to be expected.
Committing to positive and productive communication is a daily task that can be far from easy. But going through exercises such as this one can help reinvigorate your dedication to healthy co-parenting. It may take time and considerable effort to keep your co-parenting on point, but imagining the alternative reveals why those efforts are vital for the entire family.


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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Im not sure why? because in doing so I make myself vulnerable, this is always a risk, but one I am prepared to take if it will resonate with someone else.
I wrote this in the waiting room of the courts.
" The face of injustice rages red with fury. The feelings of misunderstanding surge through me tumultuously leaving me gasping helplessly with frustration and unvented anger; not only at myself but toward the whole universe.
Unanswered questions race through my mind, I find myself silently screaming till my throat is raw and hoarse, my fists are clenched, my nails embedded in the soft flesh of my palms as though the physical pain I self-inflict will outweigh the inner pain I feel inside.
"You've take and taken so much - what more do you want?" my brain yells, "what more do I have to give?"
It's not fair, when is it my turn to receive? I don't believe anymore that the God the good christians talk about, the God I believed in for so long is really interested in giving to me; I conclude.
I resolve.......I will take, however I must, to get what I want, need, to survive because no one is going to give me anything without a price tag attached and I have paid far too much already.
Yet, in taking without paying the price I inevitably pay in humiliation and shame. But, I am aquatinted with these feelings, they have shrouded me over the years, clinging to me more closely than my own skin. I allow these feelings to fall over me all over again. They are familiar, I feel comfortable with them, like a pair of worn old slippers. This feeling of being deprived and robbed. Always the victim!
I sit in room three waiting for my name to be called out. I am surrounded by petty crime, faces contorted with fear, shame, rage, and guilt.
My crime, theft. Miniscule in relation to what has been stolen from me. My dignity, my self-worth, my self-confidence, my youth, my virginity, my passion, my home, my parents, my family.........
Yet, not one of those incidents have stood trial, not one of those people who so recklessly stole from me have been held accountable and now I find myself at the mercy of the court.
I roar loudly in the pit of my gut at the fucking injustice of this universe".
I think we are all guilty in some way or another of stealing, whether it be an actual thing, as mine was, or of someone's time. We steal and rob others of their self- worth and self-confidence when we speak words that are destructive and critical. We steal and rob from ourselves daily when we berate ourselves when we give a little of ourselves away bit by bit just to be loved.
When we were little many of us stole, a sweet from a shop or a few pennies from our mothers purse, I know I did. At the time is gave me a sense of achievement, power in the knowing that I had got away with it. For some, this leads onto a life of crime, the more they steal, the more they get away with and the more empowered they feel. It becomes addictive, the adrenalin of the steal is like a drug and they seek bigger plunders to pillage until they get caught.
I got caught, I stole a hair color from a shop, I knew I shouldn't have and this was years and years ago.
My mentality was all wrong, I felt deprived, always taken from and never given too. It is no excuse for my action though, however my belief system edged me on, it was inevitable.
It was during a time that I was struggling with severe depression and I felt awful about myself. I thought that if I looked good I would feel better about who I was. This was the lie, I needed to change my perception, my beliefs from "I am not deserving" to "I am deserving"
Having had soooo much taken from me as a child I continuously felt robbed and really started to feel that it was time I took matters into my own hands and took, besides no one was giving it to me.
This is certainly something I am not proud of, and loath to share, but I needed to go through the self-inflicted trauma of it, the prosecution, take my fine, pay my debt and take a real hard look at me and resolve to change the picture.
It takes courage to face our demons, our fears, to face the shame and kick humiliation out the door.
In seeking the light, I exposed the darkness and it no longer had a hold over me.
Stealing is something that never crosses my mind now, I don't feel deprived, because I have learnt, or rather I am learning to give to myself and not wait for others to give to me. This is my responsibility, my challenge, to seek new ways daily of spoiling myself, meeting my needs, in creative and good healthy ways.
I hope that in sharing this, despite the risk of putting myself on the line here, it has helped at least one person to face themselves with truth.
Love Melanie xx
4 comments:
Another brave post, MelanieReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 15, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Melanie - I believe that you have learnt the lesson. While there are no excuses for stealing from someone else albeit it stuff or time, even the courts recognise extenuating circumstances. Lose the guilt that you feel - to be really free. If you drag that into tommorrow, you are responsible for the pain. You outed yourself, and put yourself on the line for everyone to see. THAT took a LOT of GUTS to do! With understanding.....ReplyDelete
- Sarah AnnSeptember 16, 2010 at 2:15 PM
I appreciate the courage it must have taken to share this. You made a mistake, but you faced the consequences and are the better for having learned a lesson. This is honorable. Not everyone has the ability to do that. I takes great strength to be able to look squarely at the shame and guilt of your past and wrestle it into the shape of something else, something positive and meaningful. I appreciate this because I have done it myself. The person who commented before was correct; it's time to let go of any residual shame or guilt. You've already paid your debt; holding onto those feelings only keeps you indebted.ReplyDelete
Melanie, I can only reiterate what has already been stated above. You are so incredibly courageous to share this. There is not a person among us that has not been guilty of theft..as you've put it..of an item, another person's time, someone's dignity or self-woth, etc. We are ALL guilty, at one time or another, whether we admit it or not. Those who may look on you with self-righteous indignation may want to take a closer look at themselves.ReplyDelete


text:
A few hours ago, an Android 4.3 system dump was leaked for the Nexus 4. The Android 4.3 has many minor changes and one of them is the updated Google Play Store.
In the Android 4.3, the Google Play Store version 4.2.3 can be found. The latest Play Store currently used by Google is 4.1.10.
Continue reading


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Laser pointer pleads guilty
A 34-year-old man charged with knowingly aiming a laser-pointer beam at a medical helicopter during a Boardman landing has pleaded guilty as charged.
Travis D. Krzysztofiak, of Boardman, entered his plea Monday in Cleveland before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher A. Boyko, who will sentence him at 2 p.m. May 6.
A federal grand jury indicted Krzysztofiak last July on a felony charge of pointing the laser at a helicopter as it approached Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley, 6505 Market St., about 9:30 p.m. June 15, 2013.
The pilot told Boardman police someone on or near Sciota Avenue, which is two blocks north of the hospital grounds, deliberately shone a silver laser light into the aircraft's cockpit.
Such lasers are dangerous because they disrupt pilots' vision, which is what happened in this case, said David M. Toepfer, the Youngstown-based assistant U.S. attorney prosecuting the case.
The laser caused the pilot to change the helicopter's approach path, but the craft eventually landed at the hospital that night, Toepfer added.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Boardman police.
"We appreciate the work of the law-enforcement community and courts on this case," said Lisa Aurilio, the hospital's chief nursing officer and vice president of patient services. "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our patients, as well as the dedicated men and women of our transport team, who put their lives on the line for them each and every day."
The available sentencing range for this federal crime is from probation to five years in prison, with a fine up to $250,000.
Krzysztofiak could not be reached to comment on why he pointed the laser at the helicopter and whether he was aware of the federal law against such conduct.
The law Krzysztofiak violated took effect in February 2012.
The enactment of that law followed a skyrocketing number of reported laser pointings at aircraft.
The nationwide number of such incidents reported to the Federal Aviation Administration nearly doubled from 1,527 in 2009 to 2,826 in 2010 and soared to a record 3,591 in 2011.
When the law was newly enacted, David J. Hickton, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, vowed to "rigorously investigate and prosecute" violators in his jurisdiction.
"Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots, who are trying to fly safely to their destinations, and oftentimes with hundreds of passengers aboard," Hickton said.
"Irresponsible or malicious use of these devices can threaten the lives of flight crews, passengers and even those on the ground," he added.
Krzysztofiak's prior criminal record includes pleading no contest and being found guilty of misuse of a credit card in March 2002 in Mahoning County Area Court in Boardman, where he was given a 180-day jail term, half of it suspended, placed on a year's probation and fined $100 and court costs.
In June 2006, Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court put him on two years' probation and fined him $5,000, suspending all but $500 of it, after he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.
In February 2007, Judge Evans sent him to prison for 14 months for violating his probation.
In December 2010, Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of common pleas court sentenced him to two years' probation after he pleaded guilty to permitting drug abuse at his Sciota Avenue residence.
Judge Sweeney gave him an early termination of his probation in February 2012.
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Should you oversample compliers if budget is limited and you are concerned take-up is low?
This page in:
My colleague Bilal Zia recently released a working paper (joint with Emmanuel Hakizimfura and Douglas Randall) that reports on an experiment conducted with 200 Savings and Credit Cooperative Associations (SACCOs) in Rwanda. The experiment aimed to test two different approaches to decentralizing financial education delivery, and finds improvements are greater when Saccos get to choose which staff should be trained rather than when they are told to send the manager, a loan officer, and a board member.
One point of the paper that I thought might be of broader interest to our readers concerns the issue of what to do when you only have enough budget to survey a sample of a program's beneficiaries, and you are concerned about getting enough compliers.
The problem
The experiment randomized 65 Saccos to get training where they could select who they send (autonomous selection), 65 Saccos to get training of specific people in the organization (fixed selection), and then 70 Saccos to be the control. Treated Saccos would then try to implement this training by training members.
Each of the Saccos has an average of 5,500 members. So the 130 treated Saccos have around 715,000 members, and the 70 control Saccos 385,000. The authors are interested in measuring outcomes at the member level, and have budget to survey 4,000 out of the 1,100,000 members, or 20 members per Sacco.
The authors were concerned that the take-up rate might be low for this financial education training offered by the Sacco, so were worried that if they just randomly sampled 20 out of the 5,500 members from a Sacco, by chance they could end up with very few people who had actually completed training. They did not have a baseline survey, and did not know the take-up rate until they went to the field for their first follow-up survey.
What did they do?
For both treatment and control Saccos, the authors got a roster of all community members. For the control Saccos they simply randomly chose 20 respondents to interview. For the treated Saccos, they matched these rosters to the attendance sheets for the financial education training sessions, and then, for each Sacco, randomly selected 10 trained members and 10 untrained members per Sacco. The actual attendance rate was 21-23%, so this meant they over-sampled compliers relative to non-compliers. In their analysis, they then weight the data using the probability of being selected.
Is this optimal?
The approach used by the authors will yield correct estimates, but does not maximize power. Let C(i) be the number of compliers in strata i, SC(i) the standard deviation of the outcome for compliers, N(i) be the number of non-compliers in strata i, SN(i) the standard deviation of the outcome for non-compliers, and n be the total number of units to be sampled from strata i. Then the optimal number of units to sample from the compliers is:
Now they do not know in advance the standard deviation of the outcomes, and so if we assume that the standard deviations are equal in the two groups, then this reduces to proportional allocation – i.e. if 23% of members in a Sacco took up financial education training, then 23% of the sample of 20, or 5 people, should come from the compliers, and the remaining 15 should be non-compliers. Proportional sampling within strata then has the advantage of making the overall sample self-weighting.
Note that in their case there is an additional level of sampling stratification, which is at the level of the Sacco. This will mean that the optimal proportion of the sample of 20 that should be compliers will then vary across Saccos – Saccos with higher take-up rates will have more trained members interviewed, while those with lower take-up rates will have fewer members interviewed.
So why might you want to oversample compliers?
The formula above suggests that the best thing to do is stratify on compliance, but then sample in proportion to the take-up rate. However, it does give one possible reason to oversample compliers – if you think the treatment will increase the variation in outcomes among those treated, then you will want to sample relatively more compliers.
In discussing this with Bilal, he mentioned a more practical reason: because they did not know the take-up rate in a community until they arrived at a Sacco, the field team had to match the attendance list to the Sacco roster, and then draw the sample. The simple rule of randomly choose 10 trained and 10 untrained to interview then involved much less enumerator calculation and possible discretion than having different sampling fractions in every community that had to be calculated on the spot.
Two other reasons you might want to oversample compliers can come about if compliance is really low:
- You might be interested in doing take-up regressions to help understand what characteristics are associated with take-up, and so want to make sure you have sufficient numbers of compliers to compare the non-compliers to.
- You might be concerned that take-up rates are so low that you may need to fall back on alternative non-experimental methods that focus on the impact on compliers, as in this other financial education evaluation.
- I've talked here about over-sampling compliers, but of course you may also want to over-sample non-compliers if take-up rates are very high and yet you want to say something about who doesn't take up a program, or if non-compliance increases variance.
- Another example of over-sampling compliers comes up in the Miracle of Microfinance paper – they take a two-step procedure to deal with low take-up concerns. First, they conduct a census and identify characteristics associated with take-up. They then restrict their population of interest to a subset of households that have higher take-up – those who had lived in the area at least 3 years, and that had a women aged 18 to 55. They then note "Spandana borrowers identified in the census were oversampled because we believed that heterogeneity in treatment effects would introduce more variance in outcomes among Spandana borrowers than among nonborrowers, and that oversampling borrowers would therefore give higher power. The results ... weight the observation to account for this oversampling so that the results are representative of the population as a whole". However, they do not report how much oversampling took place, or how they decided how much more variance they thought might occur.
Join the Conversation
Hi there, beginner with sampling methods here and not an economist...can you please explain why they didn't just use the attendance sheets as the sampling frame and randomly select from trained members? Is the answer "Because that wouldn't preserve the original random assignment?"
Hi JP,
You are correct, what is randomly assigned is the Offer of training, not whether or not people decide to take it. So the authors need to compare a random sample of those offered training (the treatment group) to a random sample of those not offered training (the control group). Comparing the means for these two groups gives what is called the intention-to-treat effect. If you divide this by the proportion of those offered training who actually received it, you can also recover what is called the treatment effect on the treated - the effect of actually receiving training for those who take it up when offered. But both require surveying not only those who attend the training, but also those who are offered training but don't attend.
Hi David, if your primary goal was to determine an ATT for a cluster-randomized trial, would you then use the sampling method used in the Miracles of Microfinance (quoted above), where you predict take-up and thereby sample only individuals with a high probability of take-up in each of your control and treatment villages (to reduce cost/increase power) and then use an IV approach to determine the effect within this sample, with random assignment to treatment village as the IV?
This is the approach they use, and can be appropriate in some settings. There are three scenarios:
1) You have baseline data for everyone, but only budget to survey a subset at follow-up - then the above approach can be used to help choose who to survey.
2) You have baseline data for a sample, but then think the proportion who take-up will be low, so would like to have a different sample for follow-up. You can then use your baseline sample and take-up data to predict take-up, and then a screening questionnaire to select into the follow-up sample. This is effectively what they did. The big issue here is making sure you only use time-invariant characteristics to predict take-up (since you won't have baseline data for some people you want to survey); and a big concern that people might migrate out of (or into) your village, so that those you survey only at follow-up might lead to bias if the treatment affects migration.
3) You don't have baseline data, and are deciding who to survey for follow-up - but you have data from the program admin records on taker-uppers, and can use that to see that e.g. compliers are more likely to be female and aged 25-40, and so then have a screening questionniare which oversamples these individuals. Again the concerns are about migration and other ways you miss people.


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Irresponsible dog ownership is nothing less than a plague. That statement may sound a little extreme, but think for a moment. What is the main reason dogs end up in shelters? Irresponsible ownership. Why do you hate your neighbor's dog? Irresponsible ownership. Why are dogs not allowed in the park or on the beach? Irresponsible ownership. Many other limitations, fears, stereotypes, and laws are in place because of irresponsible owners, and every dog owner is affected by them in some way, big or small. As dog owners, we need to do our part to care for our animals while also being considerate of others. The following few posts will discuss how we, owners, can make the world a better place for dogs, other owners, and non-owners alike. Today, we begin with the greatest issue amongst irresponsible owners: failure to provide appropriate and reliable training.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Becoming Responsible- Reliable and Appropriate Training
Monday, July 18, 2011
Should You Breed Your Dog?-- A Flowchart
I didn't make this flowchart. I found it somewhere in the bowels of the internet. It sums up responsible breeding very nicely, I feel.
Edit: This post had a sudden splurge in popularity, so now may be a good time to ask if anyone knows the original creator of this image. I'd like to credit them, if possible.
Edit: This post had a sudden splurge in popularity, so now may be a good time to ask if anyone knows the original creator of this image. I'd like to credit them, if possible.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Comprehensive Corgi Guide- A Resource for New and Future Owners
Last updated: January 9, 2018
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CTRL+F the number to skip to that section.
01. A Brief History- Touches upon the origin of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
02. The Tail of Two Corgis- Describes the general differences between the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis
03. So I Heard You Like Herding- A discussion on how the Corgi's historical purpose affects its attitudes, personality, and habits
03a. General temperament and expected behavior
03b. Keeping the Corgi happy and fulfilled
03a. General temperament and expected behavior
03b. Keeping the Corgi happy and fulfilled
04. A Short Dog's Shortcomings- Describes the health issues one should be prepared to deal with in a Corgi
05. A Hairy Situation- Shedding and grooming are briefly described
06. Final Rebarks- Closing this massive document
06a. A note about "blue merle Pembrokes"
06a. A note about "blue merle Pembrokes"
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Identifying a Reputable Breeder, v.3
This post is targeted toward the average dog owner looking to buy a new companion and to provide a quick, easy reference guide on what questions to ask when buying a new puppy. It also provides the kinds of answers that suggest the breeder in question cares about the health of her dogs and believes she is responsible for the lives she brings into the world. The specifics are geared toward Americans, but the same basic principles apply elsewhere.
You'll find the best breeders by going to the breed club's website, finding their member directory, and calling or emailing them. Few good breeders have a website, and even fewer have good websites. Good breeders don't have a special license or certificate. You will have to talk to them to figure out if they're worth getting a dog from. Visiting dog shows or dog events is an excellent way to find good breeders, meet dogs, and find out about the breed. Not every reputable breeder will be listed on the club websites, but the only other place to reliably find them is at dog shows and events. Of course, not every breeder on the club website or at dog events will be reputable or responsible, so it's important to find out as much as you can about their breeding practices.
You'll find the best breeders by going to the breed club's website, finding their member directory, and calling or emailing them. Few good breeders have a website, and even fewer have good websites. Good breeders don't have a special license or certificate. You will have to talk to them to figure out if they're worth getting a dog from. Visiting dog shows or dog events is an excellent way to find good breeders, meet dogs, and find out about the breed. Not every reputable breeder will be listed on the club websites, but the only other place to reliably find them is at dog shows and events. Of course, not every breeder on the club website or at dog events will be reputable or responsible, so it's important to find out as much as you can about their breeding practices.
This has been modified significantly since its first posting to be more in-depth and understandable. Remember, these questions should be brought up in natural conversation with the breeder, not presented as a list or ultimatum. Your breeder is, ideally, someone who will act as a resource for the life of your dog. The breeder is interviewing you to see if you are a good home for one of the puppies as much as you are interviewing the breeder to determine the quality of the animals.
1. having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role.
2. being the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it.
1. having a good reputation.
1. Why do you breed your dogs?
What's best is an answer showing attentiveness towards the overall health and quality of the breed. Breeding for performance, work, sport, or show prospects is one of the most legitimate answers you can receive. You're probably thinking, "But I don't want a show or working dog." I Don't Want a Show Dog, I Just Want a Pet, a blog post by Joanna Kimball, is worth reading if you're not convinced that quality matters. Even breeding healthy, stable companions is a great reason to breed provided the dogs are proven in some way (more on that later). Answers along the lines of, "she needed to be a mother", "to experience the miracle of life", "they have the sweetest personalities", "I wanted another [insert parent dog's name here]", or any candy-coated or poorly thought answer is not what you want to hear and certainly not a reason you want to buy a dog. Those candy-coated reasons are selfish and short-sighted; those breeders aren't providing you with anything you can't find at a shelter and they're not taking the time to produce the best puppies they can. They don't offer the predictability of health, temperament, or behavior that a responsible breeder does and they don't offer the knowledge and experience you should demand when purchasing a companion.
2. Do you work, show, or do sports with your dogs?
This question goes hand-in-hand with the one above. These "extracurricular" dog activities are a way to evaluate the structure, behavior, temperament, and ability of the dogs being used for breeding. Dog showing is not just a beauty contest; it's a valuable venue to determine if the dog is a good representative of the breed and if the dog has good structure. If the breeder in question shows his or her dogs, ask them what they value in the ring. You are seeking a show breeder who breeds for excellence in construction and physical soundness. Someone who breeds for a nice coat, a pretty face, color, or appearance in general may be breeding beautiful dogs, but the overall health of the dog and the quality of the breed suffers. Physically demanding sports such as agility, sledding, or weight-pulling also demand a physically sound dog. You will want to discuss what traits the breeder breeds for in finding a prospect for any sports and ask how successful the dogs are. Knowing when and why past dogs have retired is a good follow-up question too. A poorly constructed dog is not going to do well and will suffer from injuries early in life as a result. Discuss the temperament bred for in the ring or on the field and determine if it's right for you. If the breeder is breeding to make good companions and isn't showing or working them in the traditional sense, ask what that breeder is doing to prove her dogs. Dogs active in therapy programs like Therapy Dog International and Pet Partners, or puppies that have become active service dogs for the impaired or disabled, are excellent ways to evaluate companionship and temperament. It is not enough for the breeder to say their dogs can be service dogs or make great companions; there has to be proof. Take nothing at face value. Ask for references of placed service dogs or the facility they visit for therapy work. Simple temperament testing of the puppies or breeding stock is not sufficient.
3. How many times are your dogs bred?
Unless the bitch is producing excellent puppies, there is usually little reason to breed beyond two or three times. For further discussion on this topic, please see "Overbreeding". You may want to ask "What age do you stop breeding?" as a follow up just for information's sake. Age seven is generally the latest a bitch should be bred. Similarly, ask when the breeder begins breeding! Two years is the absolute earliest a bitch or dog should be bred because that is the earliest a dog can have all of its health clearances.
4. Will I be able to meet the parents? or How many breeding pairs do you have?
Many times, especially when buying online or through something like Craisglist or the newspaper, you will encounter a "puppy broker". These brokers are not the breeder, though they often pretend to be. These dogs usually come from puppy mills or careless breeders looking to make a quick profit. If you are unable to see the dam, just walk away. You should always be able to meet the dam. The sire is usually not owned by the breeder. A good breeder knows the best mate for her bitch is usually not in her own backyard. To complement temperament or structure, the breeder researches and finds the best dog to breed with. That dog usually is owned by someone else in another state or even another country. Breeding pairs are usually a large red flag because they mean the bitches are being bred more than two or three times—to the same dog, no less. Unless the pair produces astounding puppies every pregnancy, there is no excuse for this. An outside stud should be sought to bring in new genes and improve a breeder's lines, and the stud is not found without many hours of research. There are few cases where breeding pairs are acceptable and used by ethical breeders. Beware any number greater than zero.
5. What are common ailments in the breed?
Any breeder will be able to tell you this information fully and completely. In addition to this, you will want to ask the breeder about incidences of such ailments in her breeding stock, previous litters, and the lines of the dogs in general. If she can't provide it immediately, she should be able to do so without complaint or difficulty. Ask about ailments that cannot be genetically tested for, also, such as arthritis, cancers, or skeletal problems. Again, the breeder should willingly and easily provide this information. Allergies, digestive problems, autoimmune disorders, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, cancers, tumors, ear infections, bad teeth, organ dysfunction, and many other health problems do not have a genetic test, but smart breeding can help reduce these problems.
6. Are your dogs tested for genetic disease and how do the results fit into your program?
This is a point many bad breeders are catching on to and they are becoming increasingly skilled at lying to puppy buyers. There is a difference between a "health test" and what most refer to as "health testing". Demand that the breeder produce the OFA certificate showing "fair", "good", or "excellent" hips, the paperwork showing the results of a thorough OFA Eye Certification exam dated within the past year, and any additional certificates showing the results of genetic blood testing for breed-specific ailments. The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) has a list of recommended health evaluations and genetic screenings by breed. You can verify whether the breeder has tested her dogs for those tests on OFFA.org. Search for the dog by name, kennel name, or registration number. If the results aren't available there, the test most likely wasn't done as claimed or the dog didn't pass. If the breeder says the tests were passed and they're not listed on the website, you are being lied to. Do not purchase a dog with the promise that the breeder will produce the certificates at some later date. That, too, is a scam. It is not enough that the breeder had their dogs' hips X-rayed and examined by their personal veterinarian. It is not enough that the dog had basic bloodwork done before being bred. The sire, the dam, and other dogs in that dog's lineage should have verifiable genetic testing results, hip evaluations, and eye evaluations. Genetic tests and hip evaluations are good for the life of the dog. Eye evaluations are only good for a year. Elbow evaluations are common for large and giant dogs while knee evaluations are common for small dogs. Just doing tests and evaluations isn't enough, either. Ask what happens to dogs that get poor hip or elbow scores, are carriers for genetic disease, or have eye problems. The breeder has to remove an unsound dog from the breeding program in order to improve health. Carriers should be bred with clear dogs.
7. How long have your dogs lived and what have they died of?
A good breeder will be able to tell you not only information about their own dogs, but about other dogs in their lines. You should be able to have a good idea of the longevity of your animal and what diseases to look for later in life. A newer breeder may not be able to answer this for her own dogs, but should be able to obtain this information for you. Most breeders would delight in sharing this information; it's a red flag if the breeder seems put out or reluctant to provide it.
8. Do you sell your dogs on a contract? and What does the contract contain?
It's not unusual for a great quality dog to come with a contract. In fact, it's more unusual for a great quality dog to come without one. Ask for a copy of the contract for review before you make a commitment to buying a dog from that breeder so you know what is expected of both parties. The contract should definitely contain a takeback or buyback clause good for any point in the dog's life. The contract usually has information on the dog's registration, breeding rights, spay or neuter requirements, and perhaps other topics of importance to that breeder. The contract will usually contain information about a health guarantee, also.
9. Do you provide a genetic health guarantee?
The health guarantee should last at least two whole years, cover any genetic disease and, as stated above, be included in the contract. Genetic disease may not be apparent immediately and can take up to two years for symptoms to begin. Many backyard breeders and puppy mills allow for a short-term health guarantee of a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months if they're generous. Oftentimes, the guarantee is only good if the dog is seen by a veterinarian within a small time frame after receiving the puppy. The puppy should come to you vetted, healthy, free of worms, mites, or other parasites, and any possible problems made very clear. Thus, if the guarantee you've been given is short-term, that breeder is not being honest about the healthcare their dogs have received and is not confident that their breeding has produced healthy, sound dogs. Beware if the short-term health guarantee is reliant upon an initial vet exam.
10. If I can't keep the dog any more at any time for any reason, would you take it back?
This stipulation absolutely must be in the contract. A breeder that does this is a breeder that stands by her dogs and understands that she is responsible for the lives she brings into the world no matter how old, sick, or unwanted they may become. This gesture helps keep the dogs in a loving home and out of the shelter or rescue system. It provides security to puppy buyers that the dog they love will never experience the hardship of being homeless. It also removes the burden of rehoming the dog from the pet owner. The dog will go back to its breeder to be cared for and matched with another suitable home by an expert, if possible. The unexpected happens and nothing less than a lifetime takeback or buyback clause will fully protect the dog. If nothing else, the breeder you support should offer this service.
11. What happens to puppies that don't find homes?
Many breeders have wait lists before they even breed the dog. These lists aim to ensure there is a home for every puppy. If the breeder doesn't have enough homes lined up, under no circumstances should they sell the puppies to a store or broker or drop them off at the shelter. Puppies should stay with their breeder until the right home comes along, whether that's an extra week or a few extra years. No reputable breeder will compromise their ability to select a proper home for the dog. Backyard breeders or puppy mills may lower the cost of the dog and sell it to whoever has the money rather than to whoever would be the right home. Advertisements on craigslist, in the newspaper, or puppy websites like Puppyfind are from breeders with little concern beyond the money in the buyer's pocket. Those sorts of ads guarantee that the breeder is not producing quality animals and does not stand by her dogs. Individual breeder websites with Paypal links are an immediate sign that the breeder is only concerned with money. No respectable breeder will allow puppies to be paid for online, sight unseen.
12. Can you describe a day in the life of your dogs?
Ask related questions about the location of where the dogs eat, sleep, live, or anything else you can think of! Ideally, such information will be volunteered. You are looking for dogs that are living happy, healthy lives. A visit to the breeder's home is necessary to confirm the information that is portrayed, usually after lengthy conversation and before comitting to buying a dog from them. Never agree to pick up the puppy off-site. A breeder reluctant to let you see the living conditions of the dogs is hiding something.
13. Are your dogs registered? or Will my puppy have papers?
Contrary to popular belief, "papers" are not what determines whether the dog is quality or not. Registration is merely a tracking mechanism and is not an indicator of quality by itself. There are multiple registries in the US but only one of them is widely used by reputable and responsible breeders: the AKC, or American Kennel Club. The UKC, or United Kennel Club, is also fairly reputable. The difference between the organizations and the value of registration with each is beyond the scope of this article. Other registries exist but are merely puppy mill registries or registration bodies meant to deceive the buyer. Examples of these registries include the Continental Kennel Club (CKC/ConKC) or American Pet Registry Inc. (APRI). Sometimes, dogs will be registered with the Canadian Kennel Club, often called the CanKC to distinguish itself from the American and irreputable CKC. Always remember: AKC registration alone is not a mark of quality, but it can be a useful indicator. Most good breeders will sell a dog with limited registration, meaning the dog can be registered but puppies of that dog cannot. Full registration allows for breeding rights, but that is usually reserved for show or performance homes. Bad breeders will often sell full registration for extra money to anyone who has the cash.
14. What age do you let your puppies go?
For the average dog owner, the puppy should come home no sooner than 8 weeks. More and more literature suggests that puppies benefit from staying even later than that, as puppies learn vital skills about how to be a dog during their time with their mothers and siblings. Some breed clubs have even set a 10 or 12 week minimum age of release. In some states, it is illegal to sell a puppy before it reaches a certain age. At weeks 5-8, the puppy is learning valuable skills like bite inhibition, social rules, and how to speak dog. Removing a dog from its litter before 8 weeks can result in a mentally or emotionally stunted dog, and those problems may manifest as aggression as the dog grows older.
15. What socialization do you offer your puppies?
The effects of thorough and early exposure to many people, situations, and experiences have a profound and lasting effect on the dog throughout its lifetime. Socialization is vital in creating a solid, even-tempered dog. In fact, a lot of fear usually attributed to abuse most likely stems from lack of socialization. The breeder should be making huge efforts to socialize the pups according to what is demanded by a pet home and also what is required by her breeding goals. Most puppies should be raised indoors and exposed to literally everything that ever happens in a house. They should also get to go outside, meet new people, meet other animals and adult dogs, be exposed to nail trimmings and other grooming procedures, and maybe even be exposed to gun fire, agility equipment, or other circumstances they may encounter as pets, hunters, working dogs, or in other roles. A puppy litter that grows up without much exposure to the bustling world is going to be face developmental challenges, fearfulness, or anxiety that could have been easily and readily avoided. Homes seeking a companion should avoid litters reared mostly outside with little socialization opportunities.
The bare minimum a breeder can do to be responsible is breed healthy and stable dogs, be a knowledgeable resource and caretaker of the breed, and be there for their puppies or puppy buyers throughout the lifetime of the dog. If you can find a breeder who does these things, you have found someone worth talking to. The other points addressed define a truly remarkable breeder rather than a simply responsible one. Ideally, the breeder you want to support is someone who favorably answers all of the above questions.
The dialog between you and the breeder in question should not be limited to whether the breeder is any good or not. A breeder is a resource for the life of your dog and it's important that both of you are comfortable with one another and your ideologies. The following short list has been provided to facilitate further conversation.
- Tell them your situation (first dog ever, first dog living alone, want an adult, looking for a puppy) and ask if they have any dogs now or will have any in the future to suit you.
- Is there a particular vaccination schedule you recommend?
- What food do you feed?
- Have any of your puppies gone on to earn titles in sports?
- Do you recommend any training techniques?
- Any other questions that you, the new owner, may have about the breed, the breeder, dogs in general, or the breeder's dogs.
- Can you recommend any other breeders?
It's highly recommended that you visit the site and meet the mother before committing to purchasing a dog from that person. Be wary of a breeder not willing to let you visit. Prepare yourself to have the willpower to say no if something doesn't feel right when you go to pick your puppy up. You may be able to find information about their kennel on the internet, too, and see what other owners have to say about that breeder. Finally, you should avoid your puppy being shipped unless necessary. Meeting the breeder and seeing the dam and the condition of the home is something first-time buyers should do if at all possible.
If the breeder you are interviewing does not pan out, don't panic. Return to your breed's national or regional club website, search the breeder directory, and choose the next one on the list. Remember, not every breeder in the club will be reputable, but almost every available reputable breeder will be listed in the club--if not nationally, then locally. Never rush into getting a dog. The decision to get a dog from a reputable source is a great one worthy of great patience. Not only will you be purchasing a top-quality dog, you'll be gaining a resource for life: your breeder, who will be there to support you through every bump in the road if you so require it. Good luck in your search, be patient, and you will be able to enjoy a quality dog for many years to come.
I hope you enjoyed my "Adopting a Dog" series! My next post is Corgi specific. Thanks for reading. If you have any more questions about identifying reputable breeders or why some practices are more responsible than others, do not hesitate to ask.
Where, Why, and How to Adopt a Dog
So, you presumably know what breed you are interested in, and what age would be the best fit for you. Now all that is left is to determine where, why, and how to go about adopting that new member of the family. There is one last question you need to ask yourself before you begin searching for your new canine pal: what do you expect from your dog? If companionship is all you desire, consider adopting your dog from a shelter or other rescue/re-homing situation. If you are seeking performance, optimal health, and/or strict adherence to breed standard in conformation or temperament, adopt from a reputable breeder. These are the only two acceptable avenues of obtaining a dog, no exceptions.
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The world of medicinal herbs, treatment of folk remedies
Description: more and more people in the modern world understand the benefits of treatment with natural means. We can confidently say that herbal medicines have a more mild effect, less toxic, Show full profile… than the synthetic, non-addictive and allergies, have no side adverse effects.
Excerpt from the book BORIS Greenblatt's
"DIAGNOSIS: or Treatment to live?"
Question: How cancer treatment can help "weed" and diet if not even the chemo? Show full…
Answer: Over the last 100 years medicine further and further departs from the principle that if the body gets all he needs from his environment, he will not suffer chronic illnesses (including cancer), and will quickly and easily recover from acute diseases. However, this principle is even more relevant today, when we all felt deficiency of nutrients in the abundance of food, as the soil has become very poor, and the process of industrial production of food removes food from our meagre quantity of essential nutrients. What is needed for our body (more precisely its anatomical and functional unit — cell) for a painless existence? We need 90 minerals,16 vitamins, 12 essential amino acids and 3 essential fatty acids. Note that among these substances, there is chemotherapy — it is our cells don't need!
Medicine intentionally sets a high barrier for the treatment of severe diseases. You want to convince that if the disease is severe, the treatment must be very expensive, difficult and dangerous. Not does it remind you approach a dishonest mechanic to inspect your car that understands that you absolutely do not understand the subject? He will put up an expensive bill, and even flood the bad oil, so you make haste back.
There are many examples, when the severity of illness and higher death rate is absolutely not correlated with the seriousness, complexity and toxicity of treatment. Take, for example, a huge number of deaths from scurvy, which is in the throes of dying hundreds of thousands of people in past centuries. The treatment was extremely simple: lemons and limes, i.e. vitamin C. once sailors began to take in sail boxes of citrus fruit, so once the mortality from scurvy, which used to be decimated to half the ship's crew, completely disappeared. CANCER IS primarily a CHRONIC disorder of metabolism of CELLS as a result of lack of nutrients, toxicity, stress, trauma, radiation, action of various pathogens, or a combination of these factors. If you restore normal cell metabolism (i.e. to compensate the deficiency of nutrients and eliminate other causal factors), the cancer process will cease and the immune system will cope with cancer.
That is why "grass" (which in effect includes all natural resources: minerals, herbal remedies, dietary Supplements) and diet (which compensates for the deficiency in the body of the most essential elements, but also limits the intake of toxins in the body) are simple in principle and inexpensive method of treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. And expensive, toxic and dangerous chemotherapy (and radiation therapy with surgery) — it's just a trick of unscrupulous "mechanics", which is the official medicine.


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From top to bottom: Henrietta(Gunslinger Girl), Rally Vincent(Gunsmith Cats), Asuna Elmarit(Gundam Ecole du Ciel), and Nono(Gunbuster II)
As I continue to look through my hordes of treasure from the last two ( I & II) Anime conventions (This is the very last time I spend this much money!!), I took some time to look at some manga that I've been meaning to read for quite some time and watched the 1st episode of Gunbuster 2(Diebuster).
With Gunbuster and Gunslinger Girl it was word of mouth that I took a chance getting those two, I have seen a little bit of the Gunslinger Girl Anime and thought it was good. Gunsmith Cats was an old favorite that I used to read single issues of, and with Gundam Ecole du Ciel, it's my first Gundam manga and got it because one of my favorite character designers, Haruhiko Mikimoto, wrote and illustrated the book.
Gunsmith Cats: Revised Edition 1
This edition of Gunsmith Cats is a giant size, over 450 pages, first compilation of the Gunsmith Manga. This book is heavy and thick full of action starring Rally Vincent and Minne-May Hopkins. Rally's the girl who graces the cover and is a top notch expert when it comes to guns, while Minnie-May knows what's up when it comes to explosives, both girls run a gun store in Chicago and are bounty hunters on the side.
A day in the life of the Rally and Minnie household.
This book is basically an introduction of the characters and their foray into bounty hunting. The stories range from deadly serious to hillarious, almost always with some fan service and then some!! From taking out old bounties who's escaped from prison for revenge, to locating Minnie's lost love, Bean's appearance, there'a lot to enjoy…so much in fact it's taking me a while to read the gigantic collection.
The collection's art is really spectacular and really detailed. Kenichi Sonoda spares nothing when it comes down to the details of the guns and awesome cars in the manga. I've read he painstakingly researches every gun that appears in the manga, and you could really tell with the multitude of guns that appear and the dialogue of the characters about their aformentioned weapons.
A Burglar's worst nightmare. Shot in the head & Bean.
I'm still going through the book and enjoying every minute of it, I'm on page 375. I really like that they put so much in these books, you get the beginning, middle, and end and no waiting time! For me that's another reason to make this book a keeper. A few years ago I would get the single issues of the series and I must have skipped quite a few because I really don't remember this much fan service in the series.
Some action in more ways than one.
Gunslinger Girl Vol.1
Gunslinger Girl is about three girls Henrietta(pictured above), Rico, and Triela who have been severely injured and have parts of their bodies replaced with cybernetic ones while erasing their past memories. The organization, Social Welfare Agency, gets the girls back on their tows and sends them out with a handler and gun to carry out deadly tasks in and around Italy.
Rico shows no mercy. The relationship btwn. Handler and Girl.
The handler, or Fratello as they call it, goes with their girl on assignments and more or less tutor's them in the ways of assasination. To all the girls their handler is very important and one of their top priorities is to protect them at all costs even if that means giving up their lives.
Most of the handlers are very nice to the girls especially Henrietta's, Giueseppe, who gives her presents and teaches her about astronomy. While Rico's is very strict and at times beats her for her mistakes, in turn Rico doesn't seem to be hurt emotionally by it and smiles and nods it off when asked about it by the other girls. Each of the girls have different relationships with their handlers with Henrietta being the most interesting one and innocent out of them all.
Henrietta kicking butt.
Gunslinger Girl is as much an action manga as it is a phsychological one. With the first volume the girls mostly do as their told without little or no question, it isn't until they are questioned by outsiders that they begin to think about their situations. It's a good manga and one that I'll be following up with.
Normal girls?
Gundam: Ecole du Ciel 1
Asuna Elmarit is a new training cadet at a federation base for mobile suit pilots that takes place in 0085 after the one year war. It seems the Zeon's not through with the Earth yet, and the Federation's beginning to look for more pilots. Asuna's not exactly the best, actually she's the worst cadet out of the bunch. So much so, it looks like she may not be able to advance forward in her training.
Asuna just can't cut it with anyone.
Asuna has help through her friends at the school and a fellow pilot, Shinn, who she likes. In fact Shinn begins to help and train her to become a better pilot. All the while there is a backstory going on involving the higher ups of the federation and their push to move the program forward to find pilots no matter the cost. This applies especially to Asuna, since the Federation knows her missing father was an important figure in Zeon, and may be a key asset in this new conflict with the Zeon.
The story's pretty good with Asuna struggling in her training and coming to terms with her past. Haruhiko Mikimoto who provides both the story and art, was the character designer for the original anime Macross series and Gundam 0080 which are both tops in my book. Mikimoto does a good job here with the character designs and the mechas. There's a lot of action throughout the first book and some really great pin up art scattered throughout. Another good mecha product by Mikimoto.
Training at the school featuring a GM.
Shinn giving a pep talk to the girls.
Gunbuster 2 (Diebuster)
The first time I watched FLCL I thought it had great music but the animation style looked very weird and crappy! After a while though I got used to the art style and watched the whole series and is one of my favorite anime's to this day. So when I heard that the director of FLCL, Kazuya Tsurumaki, and most of the staff were doing the sequel to Gunbuster, I had to check out the first episode.
Gunbuster 2, Diebuster, is about a young girl named Nono, who moves out from the country into the city for her dream of becoming a space pilot. She gets sidetracked working as a waitress at a bar and finding out it takes at least 15 years before you even see space let along be a pilot. She eventually runs into Lal'c, a space pilot who uses the mecha Buster, the dix-neuf. Lal'c tests Nono to see if she has what it takes, by placing a small object on her forehead and removing it. The object shatters and Nono's hope of becoming a pilot does as well.
Nono meeting Lal'c, a real space pilot.
Lal'c in the Dix-Neuf's cockpit. The Dix-Neuf & Lal'c.
After a monster appears Nono, who's been waiting outsided the space installation, shows some strength lifting off the monsters gigantic tail. The Dix Neuf appears along with Lal'c and a battle ensues on land and in space where Lal'c sees Nono's power.
I really liked the 1st episode of Diebuster because it's visually stunning, from the city's landscape to the characters themselves. There's a lot of ideas and characterizations brought over from FLCL which fits the story and it's main character. It kind of reminds of Big O, with the old fashioned designed mecha. Now that I've got sometime on my hands, I'll be sure to catch the entire series and maybe go back to the one that started it all.
The Dix-Neuf in action…kicking him where it counts.
Nono taking the montster out.


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Friday, February 1, 2013
Oh yea there's some game on this weekend:)
23 comments:
- Mariela said...
I'm glad that both of you are feeling better. I'm very impatient when it come to being sick.
The hubby and I aren't big sports fans but if there's nothing better to do than I guess we might watch the game.
- February 1, 2013 at 7:57 AM
- Vix said...
I'm so pleased you're both feeling better! Here's to a fantastic weekend full of fun, frolics, booze and laughs!
I love that dress, I love it all, you look gorgeous and ready to have a blast.
Ash is such a little biatch, but beautiful with it.
Tracy looks fantastic, it runs in the family!
love you! xxxxxxxxx
- February 1, 2013 at 8:40 AM
- Ivy Black said...
Glad to hear your both on the mend, and you do look ever so well.
Have the best weekend full of fun and colour and art.
- February 1, 2013 at 8:42 AM
- Cristi said...
That outfit is so cute! I love how the back of the dress perfectly frames you tush.;) And, mixing leopards is my kind of fashion circus! Also love that your lipstick matches your hair so well...totally fab as usual!!
Your sister looks like a fun gal, ready to have a good time in her pink and green!
The day is not going to go fast enough-can't wait for our art feast!
- February 1, 2013 at 9:10 AM
I'm glad to read that you and Chris are feeling better and you look smokin' hot in this super fantastic outfit!!! A leopard fur is always a perfect way to celebrate the weekend and the hat looks great on you!!
Your sister is stunning too with the hot pink trousers!!You both made my day!Sorry for the bird, your cat is a real hunter!
Love you more than fabulous leggings!!
- February 1, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Glad you're both feeling better!! I just came out of hibernation with the intestinal bug that has been going around. UGH
You look like an art exhibit in your fabulous paisley dress and leopard fur coat!!
Your sister is adorable!! I can see the family resemblence~~
Have fun at the art show!! This weekend is FOOTBALL at our house--our local team the RAVENS are in the SUPERBOWL!!
hugs and tummy rubs!!
- February 1, 2013 at 9:21 AM
Have a great time at your art event tonight Krista! IF this is what you're wearing you're going to steal the show!
That little jacket is just gorgeous, especially topped off with that hat. I love fur!
What a cute dress too. Like the hem on it that way. Very you!
- February 1, 2013 at 10:29 AM
- Trees said...
I love the hem of your dress, so cute and quirky. I'm glad you guys are both better, I always feel like our house is plauged when we are both sick! Tell us more about this art show!
- February 1, 2013 at 11:05 AM
- PinkCheetahVintage said...
Looking fantastic!!! Love that leopard jacket with the floral/paisley dress-- have fun at the art show :)
- February 1, 2013 at 12:18 PM
- Nat said...
Yay that you are both feeling better in time for the weekend! You are certainly looking chirpy and fabulous as ever :-)
Have a good one!
- February 1, 2013 at 2:45 PM
- Louise Mc said...
I love that hat and jacket, you can't beat a bit of faux fur. So glad you're feeling better, have a great weekend. X
- February 1, 2013 at 3:12 PM
- two squirrels said...
Yay you are feeling better!!!!! Good old chicken soup. Love your furry wee jacket sweet, just lovely with your fab hat.
Hope the weekend is filled with love and happiness.
Love V
- February 1, 2013 at 5:48 PM
- pastcaring said...
Good to hear that you and Chris are feeling much better and ready to get out and about and PLAY!
You certainly look ready to enjoy the weekend, that dress is beautiful, I love the pointed hemline, and of course the colours and print are gorgeous. Perfect with a bit of faux fur too!
Doesn't your sister look fabulous? I bet it would be really good fun to hang out with you two, LOTS of laughing, I think!
Tell me about killer cats, I have one of those...
Have a great weekend, love! xxxx
- February 2, 2013 at 3:31 AM
- Frocktasia said...
Great news that both of you are on the mend :)
Loving the faux-fur and paisley print fusion that you've got going, you're looking fab!
On the subject of killer cats, when we were visiting the animal shelter in Thailand, one of the little darlings came up and plonked a dead gecko at my feet, charming! I still gave him a good old cuddle though.
Lot's of love,
- February 2, 2013 at 1:55 PM
- Domenic Bartlett-Roylance said...
Holy crap you are endlessly cool. Can NEVER have too much pink.
xx Domenic
- February 2, 2013 at 6:23 PM
- Domenic Bartlett-Roylance said...
Holy crap you are endlessly cool. Can NEVER have too much pink.
xx Domenic
- February 2, 2013 at 6:23 PM
- Helga! said...
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah, you sexacious BINT!!! That is one hot bod and I wanna grope it! The little frock is heavenly, and shows off your deliciousness perfectly!
O, I can't bear it of my babies catch a bird, the little buggers. Peeps woke me up one night, mewling away, and I found her in my sewing/dressing room rolling around with a dead bird like a bloody little necrophiliac. UGH. I removed the poor carcass pronto, I can tell you.
Love you, darling, and SO wish I could touch your luciousness!!!
- February 2, 2013 at 7:37 PM
- CityScape Skybaby said...
Thank you for your lovely comment Krista, it was so nice to know you like receiving my comments even if they are always late! Glad to see you and Chris are out having fun again and that dress was a total bargain for $3. I know what you mean about cats killing things. I really adore cats but I grew up with a house cat so didn't have to see that side of things. Then we got Sasha and she was a killing machine when she was young, though not any more. It's the one thing that makes me not sure if I'll have cats in the future. xx
- February 3, 2013 at 12:56 AM
- Miss Simmonds Says said...
Your hair is looking super luscious at the moment. I adore cats but they are evil sometimes. I really like your jacket. You look wonderful my darling and I'm pleased you're feeling better too! Xxx
- February 3, 2013 at 11:08 AM
- Pull Your Socks Up! said...
Oh piss off stinky sickness!!!! Can't you see that Krista simply has not got time for you? She's got fabulousness oozing out of her pores and she's gotta spread the lurrrrrrrrrve, not the feckin' germs!!! I swear I think about you everyday when I see my pink sparkle necklace and bracelet - they are getting worn to death, they're so versatile (well, I wear them with everything so that means they versatile). Oh and now I'm a die hard Die Antwoord fan thanks to you and I sneak peeks of their smacking music vids when the kids aren't looking;). I found this today and love it. Have you seen it yet? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtUvq82WkDY&list=FLVElKYf9d6O40_R6UfJ48cA&index=1
Love D xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo
- February 4, 2013 at 7:16 PM
- Wendy said...
That dress is amazing... Seriously! And you're working it, too! Very pretty! :)
- February 5, 2013 at 5:17 AM
- Misfits Vintage said...
Ooh I love the pattern mixing - paisley and leopard is GORGEOUS! So sorry you've been sick! You'd never know it - you look so beautiful!
Sarah xxx
- February 7, 2013 at 2:32 AM
- Thick Threads said...
wow i love the jacket, again, so awesome, i love it with the dress, it looks amazing. The dress looks so good on you, I adore the prints and colors! And your sister looks very cute surrounded by pink and green :)
- February 7, 2013 at 6:10 AM


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CENTER FOR BIG BEND STUDIES. The Center for Big Bend Studies is a program of Sul Ross State University in Alpine. It is dedicated, through public programming, instruction, research, and publication, to enhancing public understanding of the cultural and historical development of the Big Bend, the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, and adjacent areas in New Mexico and along the Texas-Mexican border. The center was conceived in the 1970s, and planning began in 1982. An endowment to finance operations was initiated in 1983, and the board of regents of the University of Texas System gave final approval to implement its activities in February 1987. The center is managed by a director; Earl Elam assumed that responsibility in August 1987 and was succeeded by Robert Mallouf in 1995. The center, located on the campus of Sul Ross State University, publishes a newsletter and the annual Journal of Big Bend Studies. The management encourages the use of collections in the Archives of the Big Bend, the Museum of the Big Bend, and the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library, as well as other resources that relate to the culture and history of the region.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:Alpine Avalanche, January 27, 1983, November 6, 1986, February 26, 1987.
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All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 related to Copyright and "Fair Use" for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. The TSHA makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use and to comply with copyright law.
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The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.Handbook of Texas Online, Earl H. Elam, "CENTER FOR BIG BEND STUDIES," accessed June 20, 2019, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kbc50.
Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
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Mideast Egypt Police Beating
Egyptians hold pictures showing 28-year-old Khaled Said as they shout anti-police slogans during a demonstration in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday, June 13, 2010. The protesters were venting Egyptian anger over the death of 28-year-old Khaled Said in the port city of Alexandria on June 6. Relatives, at least one witness and human rights groups say police beat him to death and pictures of his bloody, disfigured face have been circulating on the Internet. The Egyptian government claims he choked to death on a joint as police were trying to arrest him. (AP Photo/Hossam Ali)


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