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The life of royalty seems like it would be pretty boring. Day in and day out, you're busy meeting diplomats, posing for pictures and desperately trying to avoid ending up in the tabloids. But there are plenty of super-powered royals running around that prove juggling super heroics and royal duties is no easy task. There are also just as many who have turned their backs on their royal traditions in order to better protect humanity.
RELATED: 15 Superheroes You Forget Are Aliens
Be it kings of war-torn alien planets or princes of small European countries, there are plenty of superhero (and supervillain) characters out there with royal backgrounds, some being descended from royalty, while others flat-out are members of royal families. With that in mind, here are 15 superheroes who are members of royalty.
Batman's specialized team of misfit heroes known as the Outsiders has had its fair share of interesting members, but only one bonafide prince: Geo-Force. Prince Brion Markov, better known by his alter ego Geo-Force, first appeared in "The Brave and the Bold" #200, featuring a story by Mike W. Barr and pencils from Dave Gibbons, as a member of the Outsiders, using his powerful control over the Earth to battle the forces of evil. While Geo-Force stays busy with his heroics, he splits his time as a member of the royal family of the small European country of Markovia.
While little is known of Markovia, the country is primarily ruled by King Markov, with Geo-Force preferring to spend his time in the United States. Markovia has undergone attempted coups, Nazi occupation, vampire attacks, and war with the bordering Republic of Jalib, but remains ruled by Markov's royal family. While Geo-Force's family uses authoritarian means of keeping control over the country, Geo-Force has distanced himself from his family, opting to focus on helping others with his powers.
There's complicated and then there's "Royal Asgardian Family" complicated. Whether it's a son attempting to murder his father or a brother turning his brother into a frog, the royal family of the mythical realm known as Asgard manages to stay busy. And with a father that occasionally lapses into jealous madness and a brother that will take any opportunity to ruin his life, poor Thor is the one who has to deal with it all.
First appearing in "Journey Into Mystery" #83, with a story from Stan Lee and art from Jack Kirby, Thor Odinson has battled away his across the Marvel galaxy innumerable times, taking on all manner of comers with his trusty hammer Mjolnir and with a hearty cry of "Have at thee!" While the likes of the Avengers and the God Squad have counted Thor as a member, it isn't just superheroics that keeps the musclebound Asgardian occupied; as a member of the royal family of Asgard, Thor clashes with his father Odin and trades blows with his trickster half-brother Loki, all while ensuring that the occupants of Asgard can live out their days in peace. While Thor often prefers using his fists instead of his words, the Odinson has stepped up the plate and helped his revered father to look after the realm.
Starfire definitely doesn't fit the mold of your standard princess; in fact, this orange skinned, energy blasting alien is anything but normal. But despite her unusual appearance and complicated royal lineage, the alien known as Starfire remains chipper, strong willed, and downright weird.
Born Koriand'r, Starfire, first appearing in a story written by the legendary Marv Wolfman with pencils provided by the equally infamous George Perez in "DC Comics Presents" #26, is the crown princess of the planet Tamaran, a peaceful planet found in the Vegan system. A capable warrior, Starfire would rather spend her time fighting alongside her friends then engaging in stuffy diplomatic meetings. Starfire's flippancy towards her princess duties has drawn the ire of her older sister Komand'r, also known as Blackfire, leading to the sisters clashing over the throne. While Starfire remains loyal to her home planet and royal family, Starfire doesn't see a life of leisure in her future; rather, she's happiest when she has the chance to fight for those she cares for.
Since he first appeared in "The Incredible Hulk" #1 (written by Stan Lee with pencils from Jack Kirby), Bruce Banner, better known as his alter ego The Hulk, has proven to be both a help and a hinderance to the people of Earth. Thus, after one too many city destroying rampages, the decision was made by The Illuminati, composed of some of the most brilliant minds in the Marvel Universe (including Iron Man and Mr. Fantastic), to launch the Jade Giant into space.
While the grand plan was to have Hulk land on a peaceful planet to live out his days, a wayward wormhole ended up transporting the Hulk to the Sakaar, where the brutal Red King oversaw gladiatorial combat, where warriors fought and died for the King's amusement. With the help of his warbound, Hulk eventually bests the Red King in one-on-one combat, becoming the new king of Sakaar. Joined by his pursuer turned queen, Caiera, Hulk vowed to rule as a just king, but an unexpected explosion of the warp core in the ship that brought him to Sakaar would lead to the destruction of Sakaar, the death of Caiera, and a newfound rage for Hulk. Though Hulk's rule as king was short lived, the Jade Giant never forgot his time on Sakaar.
Ororo Munroe, better known by her alias Storm, was born to a tribal princess from Kenya, but never had a chance to enjoy the life of royalty, as her childhood was spent fending for herself in the slums of Harlem and Cairo. With her strong will, keen mind and determination, Storm was able to rise through the ranks of the X-Men and become a respected leader in the Mutant community, but her role as queen of Wakanda was uncharted territory for the tough as nails mutant.
First appearing in "Giant Size X-Men" #1, with a story from Len Wein and pencils provided by Dave Cockrum, it wasn't until much later in her tenure as a member of the X-Men that she tied the knot with T'Challa, better known as the Black Panther. The two longtime heroes ruled Wakanda together, and even temporarily joined the Fantastic Four together. While Storm managed to juggle her time with the X-Men with her duties as Queen, unfortunately, the marriage was not to last, as Black Panther would later annul the marriage. While Storm and Black Panther have remained civil, it seems as though the marriage is done for good. While Storm's time as queen of Wakanda was short lived, Storm has managed to stay busy with her duties as a senior X-Man.
Even with a family that counts a space pirate for a father and a murderous mutant messiah for a brother, Gabriel Summers, a.k.a. Vulcan, still manages to be the black sheep. But despite his murder-happy ways, the super-powered Vulcan is still the only Summers family member who can lay claim to being a bonafide space emperor.
First introduced in "X-Men: Deadly Genesis" #1, with a story from Ed Brubaker and pencils provided by Trevor Hairsine, Vulcan was a member of Professor Xavier's long-forgotten second X-Men team, believed killed by the living island Krakoa in an attempt to rescue the original X-Men squad. Turns out, Vulcan not only lived, but after being jettisoned into space with the rest of Krakoa, he returned very, very upset. Using his energy absorption powers, Vulcan managed to not only run through the X-Men, but would eventually assume the throne of the mighty Shi'ar empire. Vulcan would rule as a cruel, manipulative emperor, preferring violence to diplomacy. Last X-Fans heard, Vulcan was dead, seemingly killed by Black Bolt, but Vulcan's fate remains up in the air. It is possible that the lost Summers brother may one day return to rule the bloodthirsty Shi'ar Empire once more.
Black Bolt gives a whole new meaning to "silent but deadly." Blackagar Boltagan, the stoic king of the reclusive Inhumans, is a man of few words, but even with the power to move mountains with just his voice, he tends to let his actions speak for him. First appearing in the classic "Fantastic Four" #45, with story by Stan Lee and pencils by Jack Kirby, Black Bolt has served faithfully as the leader of the genetically altered race of superhumans known as the inhumans, protecting his people as they live out their days in the city of Antillan on the blue area of the moon.
Together with the Inhuman Royal Family, including the likes of the martial artist Karnak and the king's mad brother Maximus, Black Bolt has proven to be both an ally and a hinderance to Earth, working with teams such as the Fantastic Four and the Avengers, while also clashing with heroes such as the X-Men on occasion. Preferring to let his wife and queen Medusa speak for him, Black Bolt isn't scared to let loose with a word or two from his sonically enhanced voice if it means protecting his people.
While King Black Bolt is the face of the Inhuman Royal Family, Queen Medusa is the voice. Making her first appearance in "Fantastic Four" #36, with story by Stan Lee and art by Jack Kirby, Medusalith Amaquelin initially crossed paths as the amnesiac Madam Medusa, a member of the Wizard's Frightful Member. Her tenure on the team was short lived, as Medusa would go on to regain her memory and would once again take her place as the Queen of the Inhumans. With the ability to control her fiery red hair using a psionic field of sorts, Medusa makes for an imposing Queen, but the outspoken woman prefers a kind approach to battle.
But Medusa is not satisfied simply playing the role of Black Bolt's mouthpiece. Medusa serves as a member of A-Force, has briefly joined the Fantastic Four (then known as the Future Foundation), lead peace talks with the Kree, and has even assumed the throne when Black Bolt briefly died. While Medusa is no stranger to the battlefield, the Queen prefers to spend time with the Inhuman Royal Family, leading her subjects with her husband and overseeing the future of her race.
Since first appearing in "Marvel Preview" #4, written by Steve Englehart with pencils provided by Steve Gan, Peter Quill, better known as Star-Lord, has journeyed across the Marvel universe, battling galaxy threatening foes, before going on to lead the ragtag band of galactic misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. While Star-Lord would rather spend his time fighting alongside the likes of Rocket Raccoon and Drax, his royal lineage keeps coming back to mess with his life.
Star-Lord, son of King J'son, is considered the prince of the Spartax planetary system, a title that he despises. Star-Lord's ruthless father J'son controlled his empire through murder and intimidation, before ultimately having his corrupt ways exposed by Star-Lord and his fellow Guardians, leading to the entire Spartax empire turning against their own time king. Star-Lord would eventually ascend to the throne, briefly becoming the new king of Spartax, but the widespread destruction of Spartax under Quill's watch would lead to accusations that the roguish outlaw was an unfit leader. Quill would later abdicate his throne, resuming his duties as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but Star-Lord won't be able to outrun his royal background forever.
While normal princesses would be satisfied whiling away their time flirting with would-be suitors or learning the ins and outs of ballroom dancing, Princess Diana of Themyscira is anything but "normal." Daughter of Queen Hipployta, leader of the ancient society of all-female Amazons that inhabit Paradise Island, Wonder Woman uses her strength, tact and guile to rule the battlefield and lead her people.
First appearing in "All Star Comics" #8, written by William Moulton Marston with art provided by Harry G. Peter, Wonder Woman was formed from the soil of the isle of Themyscira, with life given to her by the breath of Athena. Mystically imbued with superhuman strength, speed, and reflexes, Wonder Woman struck off to the world of men to fight for truth and justice. She would eventually count herself as a founding member of the prestigious Justice League of America, all while finding time to undertake her own adventures. While Diana has occasionally butted heads with her Queen mother, she will always remain true to her Amazonian subjects.
Ever since his first appearance in "The Marvel Family" #1, with a story from Otto Binder and art from C.C. Beck, the man known as Black Adam has built a legacy on cruel and cunning. After overthrowing the cruel dictator Asim Muhunnad, Teth-Adam, better known a Black Adam, assumed control over the Middle Eastern country of Kahndaq, dubbing himself its King. While his legendary battles with Captain Marvel have cemented his reputation for cruelty and cunning, the people of Kahndaq see him as a kind leader who will do anything for the country.
Ruling from the capital city of Shiruta (named after Black Adam's deceased first wife), Black Adam is fiercely protective of his country, both from the inside and out, favoring the usage of draconian laws such as public executions to keep the people of Khandaq in line. At one time, Black Adam ruled the country with the help of his beloved Queen Isis, with the assistance of her younger brother Osiris, but Isis would later fall victim to acid rain brought on by the Four Horsemen, while Osiris would be devoured by the alligator man Sobek. In his ensuing rage, Black Adam nearly destroyed the neighboring country of Bialya single handedly, but not before being stopped by the JSA. A brilliant tactician with unmatched power, Black Adam will do anything to protect his home country.
Namor the Sub-Mariner is a not known for his friendly disposition. The serious seafarer has managed to butt heads with just about everyone in the Marvel U, and while he hasn't gotten much better at making friends after all this time, there is one thing Namor does, and he does well: rule the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.
First appearing in the first ever Marvel comic, the aptly titled "Marvel Comics" #1, with a story from Ben Thompson and art provided by Frank Paul, Namor, the son of a human sea captain and the princess of Atlantis, has been slugging it out with nefarious sorts since World War II. He's been a member of more superhero teams then he can count, but Namor does not seek out the spotlight with his superheroics. The glum water breather prefers to spend his time ruling the kingdom of Atlantis, working to ensure that Atlantis stays as far removed from the squabbles of the world of the land dwellers as possible. Many would label Namor's approach to ruling his kingdom as "isolationist," but Namor will always put the safety and security of his people before anything else.
There are rags to riches stories, and then there is the life of Dr. Doom. Born to humble Gypsy travelers in the small European nation of Latveria, Victor Von Doom would rise to mercilessly rule Latveria with an iron fist (literally.) First appearing in "Fantastic Four" #5, written by the legendary Stan Lee and penciled by the unmatched Jack Kirby, Dr. Doom uses his keen scientific mind and mastery over the mystic arts to wage war against his longtime rival, Mr. Fantastic (a.k.a Reed Richards) and the rest of the Fantastic Four.
When Dr. Doom isn't busy blasting buildings into space or teaming with Dr. Strange to battle the devil himself, he finds time to lord over his home country, calling the shots from his castle in the nation's capital of Doomstadt. Doom has faced numerous coups, but he always manages to win back his throne. Doom holds absolute power over Latveria, inventing holidays (such as the constantly changing Doom's Day, which is held on a day of Doom's choice whenever Doom feels like it) and naming towns after himself (with names such as Doomwood, Doomsburg, and Doomsdale). A merciless and cruel monarch, Doom still takes his role as the king of Latveria deadly serious.
Batman may run a multi-million dollar company and Superman may cover the news as a reporter, but there's only one certified King on the JLA roster: Aquaman. Born Arthur Curry, Aquaman rules beneath the watery depths, protecting the ancient kingdom of Atlantis from dangers both inside and out. First debuting in "More Fun Comics" #73, written by Mort Weisinger with pencils from Paul Norris, Aquaman has found himself the butt of jokes for decades, but his keen tactical mind and variety of Atlantean super powers makes this King no punchline.
Ruling over Atlantis with his wife and queen Mera, Aquaman has faced coups, attempts to destroy Atlantis and all manner of troubles in his long tenure as king. Aquaman is known to his subjects as a thoughtful and level-headed king, preferring to avoid battle when possible. Aquaman would rather focus on altruistic and diplomatic issues, spending his time improving Atlantis's relations with the surface world. But Aquaman is no pushover: when push comes to shove, Aquaman will do whatever he has to to protect his kingdom.
While many superheroes struggle to hold part-time jobs, Black Panther manages to juggle heroics with ruling over an entire country. King T'Challa, as he is known to the African nation of Wakanda, is the latest in a long line of rulers bearing the Black Panther title. First introduced in "Fantastic Four" #52, created by, you guessed it, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, T'Challa serves as the valiant protector and ruler of the highly advanced nation of Wakanda, relying upon his razor sharp mind, highly tuned reflexes and acrobatic skills to battle all manner of foes.
Black Panther stays busy protecting his people and ruling his country, but he still finds time to join the likes of the Avengers. T'Challa is highly protective of his people and of his home country's largest resource, the highly sought after metal, Vibranium. Wakanda has seen civil wars, raids from neighboring countries and attempted destruction, but Black Panther always manages to keep his home country safe and his subjects happy.
Are there any other comic book members of royalty we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments!


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1. Plant-based: Straw, pine needles, cottonseed hulls, tree bark, shredded tree leaves
Best for: All gardens
Don't forget: Sprinkle a nitrogen source, such as agricultural cornmeal, on the surface before mulching so that the mulch doesn't rob the soil of the nutrient as it breaks down.
2. Mineral-based: Coarse sand, greensand, ground granite, lava rock, oyster shells
Best for: Mediterranean natives such as rosemary, sage, thyme and winter savory
Don't forget: Add more of this type of mulch after a heavy rain and during the winter.
Tina Marie Wilcox has been the head herb gardener at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas, since 1984. She also writes Yarb Tales, a weekly column for the Ozark Folk Center ( www.ozarkfolkcenter.com ).
Click here for the main article, Green Patch: Mulching Tips .

subset: commoncrawl


text: WASHINGTON — A week ago the U.S. interception of the Egyptian airliner carrying the four Palestinian hijackers of the Achille Lauro cruise ship appeared to be a stunning success for the United States in its war on international terrorism. But if the military maneuver was a triumph, its diplomatic consequences have proved less than triumphant. The Italian government, one of America's most loyal friends in Europe, has fallen. Egypt, a linchpin of U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East and second-largest recipient of U.S. aid, is furious at the United States, and its moderate government has been shaken. U.S. relations with its other moderate Arab allies have been seriously strained.


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Meaningful Measurement of Nursing in the Ambulatory Patient Care Environment
- Rachel Start, MSN, RN, NE-BC
- Ann Marie Matlock, DNP, RN, NE-BC
- Peg Mastal, PhD, MSN, RN
How do you quantify ambulatory care nurse value with metrics?
What Nurse-Sensitive Indicators (NSIs) are you using in ambulatory care?
As patients and families in ambulatory care settings often need care coordination, transition management, health promotion, and access to community resources, the role of the RN as a leader in this setting is increasingly vital. How do you quantify the impact of the ambulatory care RN role on patient care and outcomes?
In spring 2013, the AAACN Board of Directors commissioned a task force to identify and define nurse-sensitive indicators specific to the ambulatory care setting. Nurse-sensitive indicators (NSIs) articulate the value of nursing's contributions by measuring elements of patient care and patient outcomes that are directly affected by nursing practice.
The task force created the evidence-based Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicator Industry Report: Meaningful Measurement of Nursing in the Ambulatory Patient Care Environment. This landmark document explores:
- The evidence behind NSIs in ambulatory care.
- Existing NSIs with recommended changes for more meaningful use in ambulatory care.
- 13 newly proposed measures that uniquely reflect the role of the RN in the ambulatory care setting.
Readers are able to use the Industry Report as a stepping stone to enhance quality reporting and benchmarking to drive nursing excellence in ambulatory care settings. The Industry Report is available to everyone and a complimentary copy can be downloaded below.
NSI Task Force members represented all geographic regions and a broad range of ambulatory care settings, as well as development experts from the Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes (CALNOC) and the Press Ganey National Database for Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI)/Press Ganey, Inc.
NSI Industry Report Table of Contents
- Section 1: Overview of Information Affecting Quality Measurement in Ambulatory Care Nursing
- Section 2: Review of Existent Endorsed Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicator Measures
- Section 3: AAACN NSI Task Force Proposed Indicators for Development and Endorsement: Existent Health Care Measures Adapted and Recommended as Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicator Measures
- Section 4: AAACN NSI Task Force Proposed Indicators for Development and Endorsement: Original Measures Recommended as Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicator Measures
- Section 5: Current Exemplars in Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicator Measurement
- Section 6: Glossary of Definitions and Supportive Statements
- Section 7: References and Additional Readings
More resources and information
- AAACN/CALNOC Call For Participants in Nurse-Sensitive Measurement Development
- Access the FREE Archived Webinar - Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicators: State of the Industry. Recorded Monday, June 20, 2016. 1.0 contact hour.
- Role of the Registered Nurse in Ambulatory Care Position Statement
- Press Release
- CALNOC Ambulatory Service Lines and Measures
- From Nursing EconomicS - Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicators Series:
- Capturing the Role of Nursing in Ambulatory Care – The Case for Meaningful Nurse-Sensitive Measurement
- Reaching for the Tipping Point in Measuring Nurse-Sensitive Quality in the Ambulatory Surgical and Procedure Environments
- Starting with Low-Hanging Fruit: Proposing the Adaptation Of Health Care Measures to the Role of the Nurse in Ambulatory Care
- Patient Engagement as a Nurse-Sensitive Indicator In Ambulatory Care
- Registered Nurses Make a Difference with Ambulatory Care Nurse-Sensitive Indicators
- Nursing Leader Describes Positive Impact of Ambulatory Care Nurses - The increasingly vital role of ambulatory care nurses in health care today is the focus of this interview with Rachel E. Start, MSN, RN, Director of Ambulatory Care Nursing at Rush Oak Park Hospital.
Download the free Report
This report is freely available to any AAACN member, and/or an AAACN account holder. If you do not have an AAACN account, you will be prompted to create one when you click the button below. There is no cost for creating an account.


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Eureka Hospitals
In Eureka we currently have one hospital and accute care centers. HospitalsCenter.com has complied reports on the following hospitals in Eureka, Illinois. Choose one of the hospital listings within Eureka for more information on the medical services, patient reprots and hospital ratings at each center as well as phone numbers, contact information and directions to the hospital.
- Advocate Eureka Hospital
101 S Major St
Eureka, IL 61530
This facility is a not for profit privately operated entity run critical access hospital
- Illinois Hospitals


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We are getting into the Holiday spirit each day! Today we "spray painted" snow flakes. We used spray bottles to spray paint into snow flakes and then removed them to see that the snow flakes had left their mark on our papers! This activity helped us with building fine motor strength, creativity, and following directions.
Later we had a little fun with Holiday Dress-Up!


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CAPTUREBOX is our new multichannel ingest solution for professional studio environments. It supports SD, HD and UHD signal input via IP or SDI and enables you to record multiple channels at the same time.
It essentially consists of two applications, the CAPTUREBOX client application for scheduling/control and the IngestServer that handles all the actual recording jobs.
CAPTUREBOX offers a customizable user interface that is easy to use and supports multiple languages. It enables you to control your complete ingest workflow and provides multiple recording modes. You can e.g. directly start a crash recording by pressing a single button or create scheduled recording jobs that will automatically be processed at a specific time in the future.
CAPTUREBOX offers real-time IP-based previews for all configured channels and supports Edit-While-Ingest as well as Split-While-Ingest. During recordings you can easily add descriptive metadata to the files you are ingesting. In addition CAPTUREBOX can be controlled by external applications via Advanced Media Protocol (AMP) or REST interface.
It supports standard broadcast file formats and each channel can simultaneously be recorded in multiple file formats by using XML-based presets. To ensure consistently high performance CAPTUREBOX takes advantage of techniques like local file buffer and write-through mode. For quality assurance purposes it supports failover recordings and allows you to configure master and backup ingest.


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Internet Access
On-Campus Internet Connectivity
Gogebic Community College offers approximately 185 student workstations with internet connectivity. These machines are dedicated to assist students with homework, research or just keeping in touch with family and friends.
Gogebic Community College offers wireless internet access throughout the campus to enrolled students for use with personal devices.
Campus Suites
Gogebic Community College provides wireless connectivity in the common spaces of the residence hall. Each room is hard wired with Ethernet jacks that may be activated by calling Charter Communications and purchasing a monthly service plan.


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"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" was released 50 years ago this week. The film is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece today (AFI ranked it No. 39 in its 10th anniversary Top 100 in 2007), but in February 1964, Times film editor Philip K. Scheuer didn't find much to like. I'm partial to the deadpan of the subheadline: "Kubrick's 'Satire' Tells All About End of World, Ha Ha." But this is a great line too:
"… a publicist at Columbia, which is distributing the picture, assured me it would be my 'cup of tea.' After suffering through two screenings of 'Dr. Strangelove,' I would sooner drink hemlock."
Scheuer issues no spoiler alerts while giving away the ending and laments that "[a]ll members of our armed forces are pictured as either utterly unscrupulous or just plain stupid."
And then he makes a point that is rather jarring to a reader in today's era of the antihero.
"Is all this necessary? I submit that, as with '[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad,] Mad World,' villains are not funny per se — especially when there are no good guys around to offset them."


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I love blue herons, but other kinds of birds interest me as well. I am interested in the birds I see before me and I am trying to learn their names. So many of the birds, such as the crow and wild goose, have become cliches in poetry. It is hard to write about them. But less common birds and their habits are excellent fodder for poetry.
the slate-backed junco—
a little bit of storm cloud
hopping around my yard
Previously appeared in Nisqually Delta Review, Winter/Spring, 2007.
On a night like this,
not even the owls
have anything to say.
Previously appeared in Haiku Harvest, Spring/Summer, 2006.
low tide,
ducks and yachts
coast into the marina
Previously appeared in Clouds Peak, Fall, 2006.
Traffic radio,
"Wild turkeys in the road."
Rush hour, country style.
Previously appeared in 'Wandering the County,' Honorable Mention, Lighthouse Poetry Contest, 2006.
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With the popularity of texting becoming so prevalent in our society today English professors, linguists and high school teachers are concerned the English language will never recuperate from the shortened spelling scourge bastardizing our language nation wide.
"So r u cmg ovr?" is hardly a sentence, its blasphemy to our established English language. If this trend continues our youth will not know how to write a "normal" sentence." Said one concerned high school English teacher.
Here are some more examples from Wikipedia:
Are you going to the pub tonight? (33 characters)
ru goin pub 2nyt? (15 characters - less than 1/2 the amount of original characters)
Hi mate. Are you okay? I am sorry that I forgot to call you last night. Why don't we go and see a film tomorrow? (120 characters)
hi m8 r u k? sry 4gt 2 cal u lst nyt. Y dnt we go c flm 2moz? (59 characters - less than 1/2 the amount of original characters)
In the movie Blade Runner there was a fictitious language called, city speak, it was a high bred of Spanish English and street slang. The language is indecipherable to regular English speaking people. To the street people and low income citizens it's a barrier between the haves and the have nots. A code if you will.
A study done in the 80's revealed a sub culture language called, crib talk, it was practiced by gang members drug dealers and users, example, hizo o d pznat, translates to, "put a hit on the pipe." Studies were done by a Yale University group that observed 30 minute conversations between ghetto residents and the scientists couldn't understand a word.
So where's Texting heading us? LOL, IMHO, SYL, LMFAO should give you a clue as to the direction we're headed. Conversations will be more stenographer based than traditional sentence/paragraph status quo.


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According to a former White House chief of staff, the GOP's current dysfunctional state — that finds them unable to agree on a new Speaker of the House and watching outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson become their top 2016 presidential contenders — can be laid at the feet of Sarah Palin.
Writing for the Washington Post, former Obama administration chief of staff William M. Daley, said Republicans are reaping what they sowed when they fell under the spell of the former Alaskan governor during her vice presidential run in 2008.
Calling the current GOP primary "carnival-like," Daley said the party had a chance to right itself after Palin's "blatant lack of competence and preparedness" became apparent and contributed to the collapse of the McCain campaign.
"What's critical is that substantive, serious Republican leaders either wouldn't or couldn't declare, before or after the election: 'This is not what our party stands for. We can and must do better,'" Daley wrote.
"Once McCain put Palin on the ticket, Republican 'grown-ups,' who presumably knew better, had to bite their tongues. But after the election, when they were free to speak their minds, they either remained quiet or abetted the dumbing-down of the party," he continued. "They stood by as Donald Trump and others noisily pushed claims that Obama was born in Kenya. And they gladly rode the Tea Party tiger to sweeping victories in 2010 and 2014."
According to Daley the Republican's have become captives to candidates like Trump, who is thriving in a system that is built upon "opportunistic soundbites above seriousness, preparedness and intellectual heft."
Daley notes that while all of the GOP's ills can't be blamed on Palin, she set the stage for a batch of "nonsense-spewing, hard-right candidates" who followed her and damaged the Republican brand.
The former presidential adviser drew a direct "Tea Party" line from Palin to Missouri's Todd Akin — saying "the female body" could prevent pregnancy that was the result of a "a legitimate rape" — to the surging presidential candidacies of Trump and Carson.
"Now that tiger is devouring the GOP establishment," Daley wrote. "Party elders had hoped new presidential debate rules would give them greater control. But they are watching helplessly as Trump leads the pack and House Republicans engage in fratricide."


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4 smart ideas to sell your stuff offline...and 1 really dumb one (with free printable cheat sheet)
Whatever you reasons are for selling offline, we are here to share our 4 smart ideas for selling your stuff offline...and one really dumb one.
There are several reasons why you may choose to sell you stuff offline instead of online.
Maybe you have a huge amount of items to sell and don't want to deal with managing 100's of online sales. Perhaps the items, like furniture and antiques, are difficult to pack and ship. Or maybe the seller isn't comfortable with the technology of selling online.
1: Consider COnsignment Shops
Contacting local consignment shops about selling your items is a great option, but there are some drawbacks.
Consignment shops generally are interested in good-condition furniture, antiques, and home décor. Always call the shop before hauling your items there to see if they are accepting new product. Sending pictures ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you enter into a contract with the consignment shop, they will handle the set-up, pricing and (usually) the remnants. You will receive your payment from them anywhere from 90-120 days.
Some drawbacks you may want to consider:
2: Think about Yard or garage sales
If you have a lot of items (of varied quality) to sell, having a yard sale may be right for you. The biggest benefit of a yard sale is that you keep 100% of the profits.
There are a couple key points to having a successful yard sale:
On the downside, yard sales can be a tremendous amount of set-up and tear-down work. Be ready to haggle: negotiating is part of the yard-sale culture. Be sure you have an "exit strategy" to discard or donate items that don't sell.
Related Articles:
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
including free printable game plan
3: HOw about an estate sale
If you have an entire house (and garage, attic and/or basement) of things to sell, running your own weekend-long estate sale is an option.
Just like yard sales, it is vitally important to advertise as much as possible. The more traffic you have at your sale, the better your chances of selling things are.
Items should be displayed in an easy-to-shop way and clearly priced. Be ready to help customers haul their purchases out of the house.
Estate sales generally follow a structured price-reduction schedule (e.g. full price Friday and Saturday afternoon, 25% off Saturday night, 50%-75% on Sunday.). Be sure your customers are aware of how your sale is running to avoid problems.
4: Try contacting Jeweler or certified appraiser
Don't assume jewelry, fine collectibles and gold/silver are fakes or junk! You could literally be throwing money in the garbage.
Research reputable jewelers or certified personal property appraisers in your area and have them review the items. They may be able to connect you with buyers for valuable items.
Any fee you pay to an appraiser is worth saving you the heartache of accidentally throwing away a treasure.
Related Articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
includes free printable checklist
Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
with Dream Garage Planner
The dumb idea? pawning your valuables
The one advantage of selling your valuables to a pawn shop is that you get cash quickly. However, you pay for that desperation.
Chances are that an item you sell to a pawn shop will only get you 25% of the item's value. You are far better off selling your items anywhere else. Don't let reality TV shows give you the idea that you'll make a great profit at a pawn shop.
Remember, if you sell your item to a pawn shop, they have the right to sell your item.
You are ready to sell your stuff offline!
Selling your stuff offline can be a great idea if you have a large number of things to sell in a relatively short time frame.
Consigning, yard sales, and estate sales are a fair amount of work for you, but you'll see cash in-hand fairly quickly.
Be sure to have a reputable jeweler or certified appraiser review items before throwing them out.
Related Articles:
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You
with Declutter +Downsize Game Plan
Post-Organizing: Detox + Declutter Your Home After the Holidays
Hey There!


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What Turns up on a Bad guy Background Check – Sample Background News
Exactly what to expect from online criminal records
There are lots of online internet site that offer you the opportunity to do criminal background examinations however it's often difficult to exercise what it is that you will in fact get from the records without very first joining the website. Wouldn't it excel if you could see some example reports from the web site prior to you subscribed?
On the internet background checks typically aren't ideal. They don't assure that the info in their data source is right neither can you sensibly expect that each piece of information concerning every individual is available.
The amount of info made available varies from state to state and also authority to authority but on the whole, based on my encounter, there is a great chance that you will have the ability to find some details on the individual that you are having a look at. I have actually managed to learn a bunch of information about a lot of the people I have actually hunted for. A few of it was very appealing I could tell you.
What does a criminal background check are composed of
When you look for background about a person online you get a whole lot more than merely their criminal record. Even if they do not have a criminal history you may figure out a great deal of various other interesting aspects of them. Right here is a list of some of things that you might be able to discover:
Name as well as deal with, take care of history, e-mail addresses, family members as well as partners, neighbors, apprehension warrants, civil filings, characteristic possession, state criminal documents check, community check.
Utilizing example background examination reports to find out exactly what to expect
You could get a far better concept of just what is consisted of in a criminal background check by considering sample records from the general public records data source website that you are considering making use of. Sample records don't provide you any sort of information concerning real individuals yet they can assist you to recognize the type of details you may have the ability to find out.
Test records typically aren't easy to locate but I've made it very easy for you to look at some examples prior this page to you join a background check internet site. I've privately copied a few of the example reports from the general public documents site that I have actually been making use of recently. You could examine them right here: Offender Background Checks example reports.


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I developed this quiz with members of my personal learning network (found at end of post) to get students thinking about their digital footprint. The quiz was created at the request of high school students I spoke with who thought the creation of a such a quiz could lead to a smart conversation about ways students can update their digital footprint so that it is one that leads to college and career success.
Via Nik Peachey


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Reduce the risk of valuable and sensitive information loss being mishandled, stolen or accidentally lost.
Reduce the risk of valuable and sensitive information loss being mishandled, stolen or accidentally lost.
Take control of the flow and distribution of your sensitive information on desktop, mobile or in the Cloud.
that tell the story
Our relationship with Janusnet has been one marked by fast, on-point and in-depth support not only in their product range, but also those at the integration points. Almost every conversation has resulted in valuable information and input that ensured the best possible outcome.
I am most impressed that Janusnet is able to resolve issues for us so quickly.
National Government Agency
The best performing product and vendor we've worked with.
National Government Agency
Thank you for all your help in getting this fantastic software product up and running on our classified networks.
US Defence Contractor
We are proceeding with the implementation of Janusseal. I'm particularly impressed with the engineering of the product. The add-in is very robust, and the configuration via GPO is both flexible and convenient. If there are changes, we don't have to repackage and redeploy the client – I wish all our applications could be configured this way!
How to better manage email flow and data management without needing to code a custom Exchange...
This whitepaper authored by Salinger Privacy explores the following:-
Data classification is an important privacy enhancing technology as it helps organisations prevent...
Smart mobile devices are now ubiquitous in the workplace, and many employees are bringing their own (...


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Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
The process of building a PC consists of several major phases. One of the most important is installing the mainboard into the system case. However, once the mainboard is in the case, it is rather difficult to access it to install components on the board. For that reason most PC assemblers first set up the mainboard with critical components before they put the mainboard into the case.
In this chapter well do exactly that. Well start by installing the CPU into the mainboard, then attach the heatsink and fan, and finally, insert the RAM modules.
Home - Table Of Contents - Contact Us
How to Build Your Own PC (http://www.PCGuide.com/byop/) on PCGuide.com
Version 1.0 - Version Date: May 4, 2005
Adapted with permission from a work created by Charlie Palmer.
PCGuide.com Version © Copyright 2005 Charles M. Kozierok. All Rights Reserved.
Not responsible for any loss resulting from the use of this site.


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This is probably the coolest display of a mudslide I've seen in a long time. They say that a flood or mudslide can move at a speed of up to 12 mph. The really cool thing is that when it first reaches the road the mud and water look like they are moving very slow. When it covers the entire road however, it appears to pick up speed and power! Most footage of floods and mudslides are after the fact.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
We often tend to forget the awesome power and destructive force our world can provide!
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I don't think I did myself any disservice by reading Lesley Kagen's"Good Graces," the followup novel to "Whistling in the Dark," without having read the first book. That said, reading the sequel piqued my interest in learning what happened to the narrator in that first novel, set a year prior to "Good Graces." But the book can stand alone.
"'Whistling in the Dark' concluded with the girls (Sally and Troo O'Malley) having survived a summer spent dealing with their father's sudden death, their mother's remarriage and hospitalization, and their near escape from a child predator. 'Good Graces' deals with the aftermath of those traumas, and presents a slew of new ones," the author writes in press materials.
"Good Graces," told from the earnest viewpoint of 11-year-old Sally O'Malley, puts the reader smack dab in the middle of the heat-soaked summer of 1960 in Milwaukee. It's drawn out, sleepy and slow, with moments of glittering summertime fun interspersed with moments of dogged boredom, as told from a child's perspective.
Kagen knows from where she speaks - she was born in Milwaukee and spent her early years in a working class neighborhood, "much like the one where 'Whistling in the Dark' and 'Good Graces' are set," she writes on the book's website. She describes "Good Graces" as "a literary novel with a dash of mystery."
Sally and her stubborn, colorful sister Margaret, better known as Troo, age 10, are inseparable – not just because they like hanging out together, but because Sally made a promise to her father on his deathbed that she would watch over Troo.
Sally, for all her gifts (including being intuitive, smart, compassionate and unfailingly kind to older neighbors, a friend with Down Syndrome, and a couple who are grieving the loss of their daughter) is beleaguered by anxiety. She has trouble quieting her mind in the daytime and sleeping at night because of flashbacks of what happened to her the previous summer. (In "Whistling in the Dark," she was attacked by a male camp counselor/serial killer).
In Sally's favor is the fact that her mother's boyfriend – who also happens to be her biological father – is one of the local detectives and treats Sally with respect, loving kindness and kid gloves. Her mother seems to be more concerned with getting her second marriage annulled so she can start on her third than on what's going on in her daughters' lives.
Sally is still mourning the sudden death of her father from injuries sustained in a car accident, her mother's recent hospitalization (for reasons that aren't made clear) and, of course, her ordeal with child molester/murderer Bobby Brophy the summer before.
Sally's summer is filled with reading Nancy Drew books to an ailing neighbor, writing her "charitable" story for her return to Catholic school in the fall, trying to spend time with her hemophiliac boyfriend Henry, and trailing Troo all over the neighborhood.
But things are not exactly so picture perfect as they seem in this close neighborhood. There are a string of "cat" burglaries, a juvenile delinquent named "Greasy Al" is on the loose, and a kid who goes missing.
Sally and Troo find themselves at the heart of the action in a climax and denouement I can only describe as too quickly past and too neatly summed up. (I won't give away the only somewhat fast-moving part of the book).
"Good Graces" is worth a read. On my own personal star scale I give it 3 out of 5. Sally's voice is unique and endearing. The author goes a long way to create this urban sticky hot Wisconsin atmosphere in a town that smells like chocolate chip cookies all the time (thanks to the local cookie factory). The slow pacing overall but hurried rush of a climax for me was a drawback.
I've somehow read a lot of books told from a child's viewpoint in the past few months (This book, "Room" by Emma Donaghue, and "The Girl Who Would Speak For the Dead," by Paul Elwork, among them. All three were narrated by sort of darkly humorous kids). It's a clever device, but I think I'm ready for some more adult books now. (NO, not those kind of adult books!).
Visit the Kagen's website to read the prologue and hear an audio excerpt, as well as learn more about the book.
Want to win it?
If you would like to "win" my just slightly used (read by me) new hardcover review copy of the book, simply comment on this post with your email address. If you're selected as winner (at random, of course), I'll contact you to find out where to mail the book. If no one comments or otherwise claims the book it will be donated to the Pottstown Regional Public Library.
About the author:
"Having a crappy childhood is just about the best thing that can happen to a writer. I use the traumas I experienced as a kid as fuel for my writing. I could create a bonfire," the author writes.
"Telling a story through the eyes of a young narrator isn't too different from telling it in an adult voice. Sure, the language of children is less developed, their perceptions can be skewed, but we share something important. An emotional core. The kid in me whats to connect with the kid in my readers so we can get down to the nitty-gritty of life – our emotions – without the armor of adulthood getting in the way."


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Tonight I'm featuring a great John McCutcheon tune titled, "Christmas In The Trenches."
This song probably gets some airplay but even so, it's worth hearing again. I think I first heard it performed by the Irish band "Aengus" years ago on NPR's World Cafe. (The entire Aengus CD, All On A Christmas Morning is Celtic music and is excellent by the way.)
The song tells the story of the World War One Christmas Truce between the warring German and British troops. The Christmas Truce is a true story apparently condensed down to one event (where by all accounts it appears the truce was more widespread). Nonetheless, enemy combatants dropped their weapons to gather and celebrate Christmas.
Beautiful song – beautiful story.
The McCutcheon video is followed by the History Channel's full story of the event. It's good as well — 44 minutes of time well spent.
Christmas In The Trenches by John McCutcheon
The History Channel's The Christmas Truce


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10 Famous Actors Hollywood Won't Cast Anymore
When you're at the top of your game, Hollywood must be an amazing place to be. But not so much when you'd fallen from A-list to D-list. Some of the biggest actors' careers have taken a nosedive. And these actors can't get cast anymore. Some unemployable actors sabotaged their own professional lives through bad decisions with the roles they took on. Then there are those actors who can't get a good role because they had a major meltdown. And then there are those famous actors Hollywood won't cast anymore because they're a nightmare to work with.
Here are some tips for other famous actors to help them avoid the pitfalls of these unpopular actors. First up, don't diss your previous projects. You're only going to annoy people in the industry. And earn a bad reputation. Listen up, Katherine Heigl. Oh, too late, sorry. On the subject of saying the wrong thing, it's never a good thing to go on a racist rant. If you're in the public eye, expect this to have a seriously negative effect on your career. You hear that, Mel Gibson? And an unconventional personal life might not sit great with getting leading roles in big success stories. Hugh Grant, you might want to take notes on that one.
Of course, some actors start off really strong with well-chosen projects. And then they choose a dud or two (or five) and their career takes a turn for the worse. If anyone proves how one movie can kill his or her career, it's Eddie Murphy. One word: "Norbit". Same goes for John Travolta. Two words: "Battleship Earth". And if you're doing well in romantic comedies with a broad appeal, perhaps don't go down an R-rated route. Cameron Diaz, perhaps you'll want to rethink your future roles.
Some actors' careers simply don't live up to the hype. You might get a big break in a huge franchise. But that does not equal automatic success afterward. Just speak to Taylor Lautner about that little nugget of wisdom. The "Twilight Saga" didn't act as quite the amazing springboard to a stellar career that everyone expected for Jacob. And "American Pie" could have actually held Seann William Scott back rather than propelled him onwards. One word: typecast.
To find out why Jessica Biel and Nicolas Cage also made our list, watch our video about 10 famous actors Hollywood won't cast anymore. And make sure you let us know whose career you think took the biggest nosedive in comments!


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Urban Partners' Paul Keller Explains Financial Woes To City Council
Burien City Council members were told in a cautiously optimistic "bottom-line" update Monday night (May 24) that residential units in the mostly vacant, six-story Town Square condominium/retail complex could be selling later this year.
"This city and community will see the project sold out sometime in the future," said Paul Keller (pictured, left), managing partner of Urban Partners, Burien's private developer for the Town Square project. "I don't think it will be years. I think it will be months."
Keller also announced that, in June, Urban Partners and Galaxy Theaters will present the council "with a proposal to move forward with a theater project." The idea of building a cinema in Town Square was initially discussed with lawmakers last November (read our previous coverage here).
This development, if built, would include a 10-screen multiplex cinema, with an additional stage for community theater and dance, on the Town Square parcel at SW 150th St. and 4th Ave. SW where the old city hall building is located.
"Working in this economy has been very, very challenging," Keller said. "And then when we lose the construction lender – that was frustrating." Nevertheless, "Urban is absolutely committed to this project."
Corus Bank of Chicago, through which Urban Partners obtained the construction loan to build the phase one complex in Town Square, was closed and its assets seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on Sept. 11.
Now the Urban Partners' construction loan is held by a joint venture of the FDIC and Starwood Capital Group – S.T. Residential.
"The FDIC entity does not lend itself to any quick resolution," Keller noted. "I have spent countless, countless hours in meetings in New York, in Chicago, in San Francisco, in Seattle trying to move that process forward."
"We have people waiting to close escrow and move into the building, but they're stymied." While Urban Partners waits on the FDIC process, the investment group continues to actively manage the condo/retail building.
"We have made four separate proposals to the FDIC to maintain our involvement with phase one," Keller continued. But "since the federal takeover of Corus, we are not in control of the timing or the outcome of events."
He said as recently as Monday afternoon, he was involved in an exchange of ideas that could help bring the parties to an agreement in the next 30 to 45 days "on our continuing involvement in phase one."
But, Keller cautioned, although he remains hopeful, there is no certainty at this time that a resolution will emerge from the current discussions. Even so, "I don't anticipate that an impasse will develop."
A factor that could help Urban Partners is that their construction loan is the only one of the 135 large commercial assets – ranging in value from more than $50 million to around $225 million – in the portfolio held by S.T. Residential for a property located in Washington state.
The $52 million, phase one condo/retail complex in Town Square, with 142 residential units and 20,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space, "was completed on time and on budget," Keller stated.
But phase two – construction of more condos in a separate complex just north of the existing building, which opened last June – "is on hold given the collapse of the housing market."
Development of a cinema in the meantime would "increase business downtown and benefit existing businesses," he predicted.
"Urban Partners is so proud to be part of Town Square," Keller told the council. "This development and our investments remain a very high priority … despite the severe economy."
- 'We Can Be Proud Of What We Did' – Town Square Developer Dan Rosenfeld
- Is Town Square's Urban Partners Becoming A 'Silent Partner' To Burien?
- What Is Urban Partners Planning To Do With Burien Town Square?
- Here's Why Burien Town Square Sits Vacant Less Than A Year After Opening
- 10-Screen Multiplex Theater May Be Built At Old City Hall Location
- Cinema Reps Make Their Pitch To Burien City Council
- Will Condo Prices Be Lowered Now That Burien Town Square's Lender's Assets Have Been Sold?
- Are Reports Of The Demise Of Burien's Town Square True? Take Our Poll
- Over 1,000 Witness Burien Town Square Grand Opening


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Tourism Ireland welcomes growth of +7.9% in overseas visitors
for January-February 2018
The latest figures from the CSO (Central Statistics Office) confirm that overseas visitor numbers increased by almost +8% in the first two months of 2018, around 84,700 additional overseas arrivals when compared with January-February 2017. The CSO confirms that arrivals from North America grew by +4.2%. Mainland Europe was up +17.6% on January-February last year, with particularly strong performances from Germany, Italy and Spain.Arrivals from Britain are up +4% for the first two months of 2018. However, this doesn't represent a turnaround in the long-term trend. The impact of Brexit on outbound travel from Britain still remains a concern. Looking to the upcoming summer season, the air and sea access picture is very positive – with increases in the number of airline seats from Britain, Mainland Europe, North American and long-haul markets and new ferry services coming on stream.
Tourism Ireland's campaigns are now in full swing around the world. Our aim is to grow overseas tourism revenue in 2018 by +5%, to €6 billion, for the island of Ireland.Click here to read our full statement.


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Neil Whitfield had an interesting post, I'm old-fashioned in my way…, dealing with the study of British history in Australia.
Like Neil, I grew up studying a fair bit of British and especially English history along with a slab of European. This has now been largely lost and, like Neil, I think that it's a pity. Yes, I know that the school curriculum is crowded and Governments want to push the study of thing's Australian, but the consequent loss of context does create difficulties. Among other things, it means that more has to be explained.
If you look at my post Patrick Desmond Fitzgerald Murray 1900-1967 you can see how the Murrays were an Imperial family. The post also refers to the University of New England as it was in the 1960s.
In all the frequent focus on institutions and processes, it is sometimes easy to forget that people with their own histories and ideas make history. The New England University College owed its existence to regional pressures and links. The precise form the new institution took was due to interaction between the ideas of the key founders and those of the early staff, all recruited to the area from outside.
Saturday Morning Musings - New England's Ogilvie dynasty looks at a very different family, one of New England's pastoral dynasties. With Edward Oglivie, you can see the tug between his Australian present and his and his father's love of Italy.
In a sense this is just a footnote. However, one issue in New England history is the divide within the squatting community between those who saw the North as primary focus and those to whom it may have been home, but whose real interest lay elsewhere.
Sunday Essay - church, state and social change in Australia explores aspects of New England's social history. The members of the Ursuline order who came to Armidale and founded the order in Australia had a very particular and European vision of the church and of education. This had a small but significant effect, first in Armidale and then beyond as the order spread.
In Train Reading - S H Roberts the Squatting Age in Australia, 1835-1847 I look at one of the pioneering histories of the early squatting period. This drew a rather nice companion piece from Janine Rizzeti, 'The Squatting Age in Australia 1835-1847′. Janine's blog, The Resident Judge of Port Phillip, is a very good blog for all those interested in Australian history.
One of Robert's strengths is his ability to set local colonial events in a British and European context. His description of the changes in the English and European wool industries that opened the door for the Australian industry is very good indeed.
I hope that I have made my point. Australian history at whatever level needs a broader historical context.


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Shutter Headboard
Turn basic shutters into a cute headboard. This easy DIY project will add style to your bedroom.
What You'll Need
- Two shutters
- Newspaper
- Spray primer
- Metallic spray paint (we used Krylon)
- Spray sealant
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Batting
- Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
- Staple gun and staples
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Fabric glue
- Wood screws
- Level
- Pencil
How to Make It
1. Lay shutters face-up on newspaper in a well-ventilated area. Spray with two coats of primer, allowing 2 hours of dry time between coats. Apply two coats of metallic paint, allowing 2 hours of dry time between coats. Apply two coats of sealant, allowing 2 hours of dry time between coats.
2. When painted shutters are completely dry, bring them inside and lay them on a flat surface. Measure the inside of each panel and cut fabric to fit each opening, adding 1/2 inch on all sides to accommodate batting.
3. Place an even amount of batting inside one shutter panel, enough to cover the entire area. Center a piece of fabric over the batting. Attach the fabric to the batting along the edges with hot glue. Once the fabric is attached, secure the corners and along the top with a staple gun.
4. Repeat Step 3 for the remaining panels, working left to right and top to bottom. If necessary, trim excess fabric so the edges are neat.
5. Cut ribbon to fit exactly inside each shutter insert along the top, bottom, and sides. Attach ribbon to all edges with fabric glue; let dry. Repeat for remaining panel inserts
6. Hang from wood screws. Measure 1 inch from the inside top edge of the first shutter, making sure screws are level. After the first shutter is hung, measure for the next screws so there is no space between the top and bottom shutters. When hung, the shutters should look like one large piece.


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22 - 24 May 2017, St. Louis
Trade show for commercial marine
TEUFELBERGER presents fiber ropes for commercial marine applications.
Contact: William Shakespeare +1 (508) 7304 524
Please find more about our products for commercial marine here.


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Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed that Saints stars Samu Manoa and Salesi Ma'afu will join his club at the end of the current campaign.
American forward Manoa has been handed a four-year deal, with Boudjellal claiming it is the first time he has offered a contract of such length.
It is the sign of Toulon's eagerness to acquire a player who has made 106 appearances for Saints since moving to the club from San Francisco Golden Gate in 2011.
Ma'afu has become a similarly important figure since switching to Northampton from Western Force in the summer of 2013, but he will be following his club-mate to the Top 14 giants.
"Samu Manoa is the first four-year contract that I have signed," said Boudjellal.
"For me, he will become the star of the Top 14. He is a rugby phenomenon, made for Mayol.
"He is a player we spotted a few months ago. We contacted him and his agent said he had been approached by all the clubs in the Top 14 and England and that the only offer he could take was that of Toulon."
Boudjellal, speaking after Toulon's win over Lyon on Saturday, was also full of praise for Ma'afu, labelling the Australian ace "one of the best props in the English league".
Toulon's spending spree will also see them recruit All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu and Clermont winger Napolioni Nalaga in the summer.


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I seem to be in a consuming mood! I'm catching up on some reading and I happened to fall on two enlightening reports on Indian consumers: Rabobank's The Indian Wine Industry Uncorked , and ResearchandMarkets, Wine Market Outlook in India. There is also a detailed article by Subhash Arora in Meininger's Wine Business International, dating back from March 2008.
Reading the three reports allows to draw a relatively precise profile of the Indian wine industry and its consumers. In 2008, the average national drinking per capita is 4,6ml – about a teaspoon. It is a huge progress considering that, 10 years ago, the wine industry was virtually non existent. The industry is controlled by three major players that detain 90% of the production. Indians are drinking mostly local wines and hardly any imported wines. What does it mean to international players? The Indian market is wide open for the adventurous and bold!


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It is easy to give a model an interpretation in terms of a probability ratio (PR). The PR of choosing alternative a instead of alternative b while holding all other attributes or conditions the same are
where and are the probabilities of choosing alternative a and b, respectively.
In Alternative-Specific and Individual-Specific Effects, a study for travel demand was considered. Summary statistics of that study are displayed again in Output 27.6.1 for the purpose of illustration.
Output 27.6.1: PROC BCHOICE Posterior Summary Statistics
The PR of choosing airplane as opposed to public transit (which is the reference category) simplifies to
This ratio indicates that the likelihood of choosing planes as means of travel is 0.15 times that of choosing public transit. Public transit is a lot more favorable than planes.
The PR of choosing a plane instead of an automobile is
You can derive the probabilities for any alternatives and any combinations of attributes, even imaginary ones, after you obtain the parameter estimates.
Although it is easy to obtain the point estimates, sometimes you might want to estimate other quantities, such as the standard deviations or various quantiles. If you are interested in making inference based on any quantities that are transformations of the random variables, you can do it either directly in PROC BCHOICE or by using the DATA step after you run the simulation.
Suppose you want to set the reference category as Plane so that you can directly compare the other two modes with it. You
can specify REF='PLANE' in the CLASS
statement and rerun the PROC BCHOICE simulation. You can also use the DATA step to calculate the quantities of interest.
The following DATA step uses the simulated values of
Mode_Auto and
Mode_Plane from the output data set
Bsamp to create a new series of posterior samples for
Auto_Plane, a new variable that is created to directly compare airplane with automobile:
data Transout; set Bsamp; Auto_Plane=Mode_Auto -Mode_Plane; run;
Then you can use some autocall macros to analyze the posterior samples of
Auto_Plane. For example, the %POSTSUM macro provides summary statistics, and the %POSTINT macro provides equal-tail and HPD intervals
as described in the section Autocall Macros for Postprocessing.
%postsum(data=Transout, var=Auto_Plane) %postint(data=Transout, var=Auto_Plane)
You can also generate some ODS graphs of those posterior samples for diagnostic purposes, as described in the section Regenerating Diagnostics Plots.


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Beware 3rd Party Toolbars
Beware 3rd Party Toolbars – They May Be Mining Bitcoins From Your Computer
You download a toolbar and the next thing you know, your computer is running slowly. What you don't realize is that most of your processing power is being used by a program you don't even realize you installed, called jh1d.exe, jhProtominer, or monitor.exe. So what's this malware doing? It's using the processing power of your computer, along with thousands of other unsuspecting computers, to solve encrypted Bitcoin transactions and earn Bitcoins, currently worth over $1,000 per coin.
Oddest of all, they spell this out in the fine print of the toolbar you downloaded. Basically what they're doing can be summed up like this: "We're going to eat up your processing power and make money that we aren't going to share with you while doing it."


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It's not that the Long Beach City Council doesn't like its "hometown boy," U. S. Rep. Daniel E. Lungren.
Council members like him just fine. And they support him. But not all of them endorse him.
Several Democrats on the council wanted that difference made perfectly clear on Tuesday, when Councilman Wallace Edgerton asked them to send a letter to his conservative Republican colleague, congratulating him on his recent nomination to become state treasurer.
After a lively debate, council members agreed.
"I have no problem sending a letter to Lungren saying he's a nice guy," Councilman Edd Tuttle said. But forget about endorsing him, continued Tuttle, a Democrat.


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Worm Care
In order for Red Wigglers to live in a comfortable environment there are few simple things to know:
What to feed your composting worms
In the beginning, feed your worms a small quantity once a week. If you see that they are not eating in the last feeding spot, stop adding food to the system because you are giving them more than they can process. Remember, the key is to be patient with your worms. Learn by observation. You will learn to understand what they need.
Don't forget that softer and smaller bits of food are easier and faster for the worms to process. For this reason, we recommend chopping the food that you give you worms. Blending is not necessary, but you will see a big increase in the speed that your worms will process your kitchen scraps.
Moisture Level
Red Wigglers like an environment of 75 to 85% moisture content, and will drown in too much water. Worms breathe through their skin and to do so, they need to be in a moist environment.
The bedding in your vermicompost system should always be as wet as a wrung sponge. In order to measure your moisture content, squeeze a fistful of your bedding material. You should be able to see a maximum of a couple of drops. More than 2 drops means that your composter bedding is too wet and you will need to add some dry bedding. Increase the air flow by fluffing up the bedding and by leaving the spigot open for few days. Often, the bedding will compact in the bottom tray if your system too wet. This will reduce the air flow, creating an anaerobic system and will likely produce an odour.
With composters such as the Vermihut Composter Bin, you shouldn't need to add any extra moisture as the vegetables and fruits that you feed your worms provide enough. Keeping the lid closed will ensure that evaporation will collect and return to the bedding, regulating the moisture.
If you're building your composter out of wood, be sure to check your bedding regularly because the wood is most likely going to "suck" the moisture out of your system. You may need to add moisture by spraying water on it. The problem is much more likely with any kind of "flow through" systems.
Temperature is one of the most important factors in having a functional vermicomposting system. The ideal temperature for composting worms is between 15 to 25 C. Even though Red Wigglers can live through extreme temperatures (5 to 30 C), don't expect your worms to do anything other than try to survive!
Composting worms should not be subjected to great or sudden temperatures changes. If you leave your composter outside in temperatures below 5 C or above 30 C, you will kill your worms. It is best to keep your compost bin in a location with ideal conditions and consistent temperatures all year round to encourage the overall health of your system- inside your house, living space, basement or garage.
It is also very important to not leave your composter bin in direct sunlight. The temperature will get too warm too fast and will kill your worms. If you have to leave your Red Wigglers outside in the summer, make sure to place them in a shady spot with good air flow to keep the system cool.
PH balance (acid vs alkaline)
Red Wigglers are not so particular in terms of PH, but you do need to make sure your bedding stays within 6 to 8 on the PH scale. That's why it is not recommended to add citrus to your bin, but regularly adding crushed egg shells is very beneficial.
The first sign of too much acidity will be the presence of small white worms. These are not baby Red Wigglers! To remedy this problem, the first step is to remove citrus from your composter. Add dry crushed egg shells and a bit of crushed oyster shell to your bin. If you're still not happy, you can use a PH strip test to check the PH level by mixing a bit of your bedding with some distilled water. Most of the time you will not have to go that far. In extreme cases you can add some lime (calcium carbonate, Ca CO3). When purchasing your lime, look for a Ca CO3 of at least 95%. The wrong type of lime could kill your worms.
As a basic rule, adding crushed egg shells regularly and avoiding citrus will create a balanced PH. Using peat moss as bedding can be a PH issue. For PH and ecological reasons, you are better off using coconut coir.
The bedding is where the worms live. It will also be a source of carbon in your bin. A lot of different materials can be used to create your bedding, the most popular source being paper. Even though today, most newspapers are printed with a soy base ink, make sure the paper you are using is not printed with chemicals.
Coconut coir and a mix of shredded cardboard or paper is our choice. It's important to get a mix that's going to hold moisture as well as let air flow through. Through experience, we have found using coconut coir to be the best way to keep your worms happy as this bedding holds the perfect amount of moisture and is easy to fluff up once in a while to create a maximum air flow.
If you are using sawdust, make sure to not use cedar, or any treated or painted wood. We also don't recommend using peat moss or saw dust because of the PH problems. (see PH Balance above)
especially love watermelon!
Composting worms are highly sensitive to light. They will always try to protect themselves against light by burying themselves deeper and deeper. This fact gives us an easy way to harvest them. (see Using Your Composter to learn more)
Composters such as the VermiHut Compost Bin are made of an opaque plastic material. The lids have a tight fit so no light will disturb your worms during their work. Minimal light coming into your bin creates the best environment for your worms.
You will quickly realize that composting worms dislike vibration. It's important to make sure your composter is placed in a safe spot, away from shocks and vibrations. At the most, you will need to access your bin twice a week, so a closet, the laundry room or your quiet basement would be perfect.
Most popular bedding materials:
- Shredded newspaper
- Shredded paper from your office
- Shredded cardboard
- Shredded paper towels
Other bedding materials:
- Coconut coir
- Shredded leaves (not treated)
- Chopped straw (not treated)
- Dried grass clippings (not treated)
- Manure (good source of carbon and nitrogen for your worms)
- Peat moss (not recommended for PH and ecological reasons)


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But even a tad fun.
And a whole lot of amazing.
And that is why my head is spinning and I am here typing.
Sometimes life gets going. Going in a certain direction. Other times it just stands still. And it drags. Or just is. Still at other times life starts moving, and I can tell something is up. I might not always know why or what or how come, but there's a feeling that something is going on.
That is what I write of today.
To do so, I need to finish a blogpost that I started a couple of weeks ago, and never got around to finishing, much less posting. It was a typical summer morning. Chip got up, showered and was saying his goodbyes for the day. The kids aren't always awake. At least not all of them. And sometimes some are eating breakfast and playing on the iPads and Chip and I have yet to get up. We're all over the place with our schedule in the summer. We like late nights {not normally as late as the one I am having right now!} and long mornings. We have very little on our agendas. Except to say goodbye and give Daddy hugs and kisses before he leaves for work.
This particular morning Chip was saying his goodbyes and as he did I could just begin to hear Teague start to fuss in his bedroom. He still sleeps in a crib {he just turned 3 and we love that he loves his crib and stays put in there!} and so someone has to come and get him out each morning. He got a bit louder just as Chip was putting his hand on the doorknob to leave, and I looked at Chip and said, "Go now so Teague won't have a meltdown saying goodbye". That's what Teague does.
He loves his daddy. He loves his dad a whole lot. With Chip's long hours at work in the summer, sometimes we don't see him a whole lot. So when Chip leaves, Teague cries. And throws a fit on the front step. Then Chip leaves and feels guilty. And I am left with a little guy doing limp body and fussing in the front step for several minutes some mornings. It makes me want to drink more coffee. That's what was ahead of us if Chip stuck around while I got Teague up, so instead Chip quickly left, and I went to go get Teague out of his bed. He started to fuss louder when I got him out. I gave him some morning hugs and kisses. But he just put on his best pouty face and started crying. "Do you want some orange juice, Teague?" "Do you want your little lamby and yellow blankie?" I started asking questions. "Calm down, mister...it's morning time and we get to have a fun day!" This is what I was saying to him as his crying started to get louder and louder. The other kids had joined my question party by this time and they were all using their "happy voices" wishing him a good morning and offering kisses and other ideas like toaster waffles.
Nothing was working.
I just held him for a minute longer. He kept on crying. I asked him to "use your words" and tell Mommy what's wrong. His crying finally got quieter, and he looked right at me and said, "I wanted to give Daddy a kiss."
My heart basically melted.
He had been listening to the other kids say their goodbyes, and he had no way of getting in on the hugs and kisses and send-off. I was happy to finally know that there actually was a "real problem" and my "real solution" was that we could call Daddy on his phone and say good morning and goodbye all at once. I took Teague to the kitchen to get my phone and I told him my plan. I dialed Chip and he answered. Which I typically don't like him to do if he's in a car. "What's up?" he asked. He never knows what to expect when I call him. I don't do it often, but there's always a 50/50 that it's a good or bad thing. I said, "Teague was just waking up when you left and he is so upset that he didn't get to hug you goodbye." I fully expected Chip to say, "Put him on and I'll talk to him for a minute." Instead, Chip said, "I'm on my way home."
I was more than a bit surprised. Chip has a lot on his plate in life and at work these days. Several minutes had gone by since he had left home, so this wasn't just a quick turn around at the end of the block. I set the phone down and Teague just about had another meltdown right then and there. I grabbed his little hand and said, "come outside on the front step...Mommy wants you to get a surprise!" Kids love surprises, but not so much when they are just coming off of a meltdown and the drama of crying for the first several minutes of their day.
We sat on the front step. Brock joined us. We looked at the sky. We listened to a couple of birds. We saw the grass. And flowers. It must have felt to Teague as though I was the biggest phony surprise thrower of all time. At one point I finally told him to be quiet and listen. I could hear Chip's car coming down the street. Teague was on my lap on the front step clueless that his morning wish was about to come true!
I think Teague was about to start crying all over again when I told him to look down the street as far as he could to see if he could see anything. Brock was starting to grin at this point. And a few seconds later Chip's vehicle pulled back into our driveway. "Daddy's home!! Daddy came back! It's Daddy!"
Teague was so excited. I am getting a knot in my throat right now even as I type it out, because it was a truly magical moment. My little clueless, upset two-year old {at that time} suddenly had his whole morning turned around. His little heartbroken request that he had finally spilled out to me when "he used his words" hadn't just been a cry of hurt and disgust that fell on deaf ears. Instead, his cry had been heard, and more than loud and clear, his heartbreak at not being able to say goodbye and give a hug had turned to complete and utter joy at the surprise return from Chip coming back to more than meet his need.
I actually caught part of the whole scene on one of our iPad cameras. I snapped the picture in this post of Teague and Daddy together for that brief couple of moments that morning too, and those smiles are the real deal! Teague's fussing was so quickly forgotten and his tiny arms wrapped so tight around his dad and the 'drama' of our morning up to that point all melted into a beautiful embrace. I was so happy for Teague.
I was so proud of Chip and my heart melted at just how big his heart is at times too. He chose to come home, when a simple hello on the phone would have salvaged a part of Teague's hurt. He went beyond what he needed to do and it blew me and Teague away. The whole scene has played over and over in my mind the past few weeks.
It is so late and I am so tired, and there is so much more to this story. The part about how that picture in my mind so parallels what God has been doing in my heart and life too. It's been unfolding for months. Years, I believe.
God has been up to something.
I've been in a place where the only way 'out' {like Teague in his crib} was going to happen when God chose to get me out. I needed my Father to pick me up and open a door. I was kicking and crying, and even though I could have had a toaster waffle or juice or any number of things to bring me happiness, all the while He had a plan to bring me more than that. He has been up to something for awhile now. And I couldn't see it, hear it, or have a clue what it was. Just as Teague had no clue Chip was already on his way home with a big hug and kiss waiting for him on arrival.
He could have settled for a quick phonecall and chat with Daddy. But Chip had a better idea. And even though it temporarily broke Teague's heart for me to not let him talk on the phone, or even tell him that Daddy was coming home, I knew it was going to be a wonderful and even better surprise in the end.
I knew it would be worth Teague's confusion as he waited on a front step without a clue. I knew it would be more than worth it for him to see that Chip drove back home just to see him! I knew it was going to make the tears of the morning literally disappear. His sorrow would be turned to joy, and it was! Teague's whole morning was made!
My heart has been so hurt for a long time for many different reasons. Some days I haven't had a clue as to how life has played out the way it has for us. But for some reason- as reason I still don't know or understand- in the past few weeks too many things have happened that make me literally see God's hand in life's details. It has been wonderful. It has been amazing at times. It has been fun even! My heart has felt happiness in the truest sense of the word. Our house sold. A new one just happened to fall into place for us. At just the right place. At just the perfect time.
Chip and I somehow managed to go out on a date together. It has been more than a year since we have done that. And we didn't just get a date. We took a whole day trip together. And nothing went 'wrong' the whole day. In spite of the downpour we got stuck in as we walked from Navy Pier in Chicago to Millenium Park. We laughed together. We enjoyed each other. We had actual conversations. About things other than kids or work. There has been so much going on in the past few weeks that my head is still spinning and we still have a move ahead of us this coming Tuesday. I should be overwhelmed. I should be freaking out. I should be asking myself how on earth is everything going to get done that needs to get done?!
Instead I am blogging. I am doing something I rarely get a chance to do anymore. I needed to write. I needed to come here and tell the world that God is amazing. Even when we can't see Him or feel Him or have a clue if He is even listening to our fussing and cries. I want to assure myself and whomever else reads here that He is. He is real. He gives life to dry bones. He longs to do good things in the hearts and lives of those who love Him. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is good and kind and fun even! He is a God who listens, who loves, who makes time for us, who knows better than we know ourselves just how to fill our lives with goodness and joy.
I don't know if Teague even remembers the day that Daddy came back. But one day, maybe one day when all the world has let him down or life is threatening to steal his joy, I want to remind him of this story. That really happened. That was so beautiful and pure and true that it will hopefully stir in his heart a little something that makes him want to be a better person and believe in goodness and Love again.
I have sometimes wondered. I have doubted far too many times in my life.
I am ashamed because I have known since I was about Teague's size that I love a God who is bigger and more powerful than any mind can comprehend. Yet still my trust has worn thin at times and I have wondered if my prayers have even been heard.
He has heard every one. He has a plan to meet every need. His plans are good. His ways are higher. I am humbled and honored to give all my praise to Jesus, my Lord. I don't know what lies just ahead in this next adventure in life. I am just so thankful that I never need to doubt or wonder if God is real. He is. And He is so Good. He is so Good to me.


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Happy Tutorial Thursday Psycho Craftsters! Today I will be showing you how to make this "wearable art" anatomical heart pendant.
Here's what you'll need:
|Save & Print This
- Recycled Magazine Pages
- 1 Printed Anatomical Heart Graphic
- 1 Piece of Cardboard
- Mod Podge
- Paint Brush
- Scissors
- Sealing Tape
- Jewelry Pliers
- Permanent Marker
- 1 Jumpring
- Optional: Sparkle Nail Polish
- Optional: Hole Punching Tool
Step 1: Print and cut out the anatomical heart graphic.
Step 2: Grab a magazine page with a print of your choice. Please be creative with this choice! I only used a "normal background" because it was easier to see in the photographs. After you have chosen your magazine page, trace the outside of the heart around the desired area.
Step 3: Place the 2 hearts side by side. Take your permanent marker and try to mimic the dark lines of the printed heart. Don't worry! You don't have to be Salvador Dali! As long as you basically place the lines close to the right areas, it will resemble a human heart :)
Step 4 (optional): I wanted to give my heart a little Zazz, so I simply put a coat of sparkle nail polish on top.
Step 5: On the opposite side of the heart, take your paintbrush and smear a thick layer of mod podge on top. Then, flip it around and place it on top of the cardboard. Press down the edges and middle of the heart with some force. Make sure it is secure.
Step 6: Cut the heart out from the cardboard.
Step 7: Repeat step 5 for the cardboard side of the heart, except you will securing it onto another magazine page.
Step 8: Take your sealing tape and completely encase your heart with it. On both sides, of course. Next, cut the heart out again. A great tip for getting close to the edges ( if you enjoy playing with fire like me), burn around them with a lighter.
Step 9: Use a hole punching tool, seam ripper, or any tool of your choice to position a hole on the top of the heart. With this you will take your jewelry pliers to hoop the jumpring through the opening.
And Presto! Your Pendant is Born!
Place it on a Chain, Ribbon...Whatever your Heart Desires!


text: Honeybees follow a schedule based on temperatures and seasons. You can follow their lead and take care of them by following the beekeeping calendar. Find out when your bees will need bee feed, when the queen will start laying eggs, and what will occur as they prepare for winter. This calendar will vary slightly if you live in a severely cold or hot climate or at an elevation much higher or lower than 4,000 feet.


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The Underground — Issue #87
Everything you need to know about in this weekly series: An animated teaser to one of the biggest cult shows of all time, a trailer for an alien landing movie that actually looks great, a man visits Chernobyl and has an epiphany about delusion, and John Oliver once again takes on and exposes a big subject no one knows exists.
At Social Underground we go beyond the mainstream stuff and see what's underneath the surface. What should we get into, listen to, read, eat or watch? If there is something in our culture that needs attention that's our job: Show you the underground things that you need to know about: Books, music, television, movies, comedians, art, and whatever else we can find to get you into something you never knew about. That's The Underground.
1. The Animated Adventures of Firefly teases a TV show that will never come. Before Joss Whedon dipped his feet into the Avengers, he made great television shows. Arguably his best is Firefly. It's the one of the finest space westerns I have ever seen, and it's only 14 episodes. Fans begged and pleaded for more, and in in one of the most rare occassions at the time, they got a sequel film called Serenity (unlike now where it seems that everything is being revived. Full House? Stop it. Just stop it). That movie is one of the best sci-fi movies ever made. That isn't even hyperbole, that is the truth.
One animator decided he wanted to see more of the crew of Serenity, so he decided to make a one minute teaser trailer for an animated series. The sad thing is that there isn't a show. I wish some studios would get on the phone and bring it back as an animated series (or live-action!), but I seriously doubt it. Fox is really bad at dealing with television shows. Most TV shows on the channel lose viewers because they change when the shows air so many times that you give up. That, or they mix up the order of the episodes. Firefly's first aired episode was actually the second episode of the series, and its pilot episode — you know, the episode that introduces the characters, worlds, plot, and everything — was the series finale. So I started the series not knowing who anyone was, but stuck it out. Bang up job, Fox. Brooklyn Nine-Nine won best comedy? Might as well change up time slots after that to confuse everyone.
Anywho, check out this action packed trailer below that captures the entire tone of the show. After that, if you haven't seen the series, you can check it out on Netflix. Then go and watch Serenity. After that, you will feel a dark feeling in your chest. That's called grief.
2. Arrival gives us a more realistic look at an alien landing. After Independence Day: Resurgence completely sh*t the bed in the theaters, people were really starting to get sick of bad alien movies. Well, Edge of Tomorrow was great, but it was marketed extremely bad. This movie, however, looks absolutely amazing. I think it's partly because of the cast and crew behind it.
Premise: When multiple mysterious spacecrafts touch down across the globe, an elite team is put together to investigate, including language expert Louise Banks (Amy Adams), mathematician Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), and US Army Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker). Humankind teeters on the verge of global war as everyone scrambles for answers—and to find them, Banks, Donnelly, and Weber will take a chance that could threaten their lives, and, quite possibly, humanity.
What really catches my eye is the look of realism in the trailer. I give credit to director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners) for that. I also like how they're smart and releasing the movie during the holidays. They must've seen that this summer has been an absolutely dreadful dumpster fire for movies. It seems like every weekend was another disastrous failure from all the studios with few exceptions.
Have your first look at a guaranteed critical and commercial hit below (calling it!). If you don't get chills at least once during this trailer, you're an alien.
3. A man goes adventuring in Chernobyl and discovers our great delusion. I went into this thinking it would just be about Chernobyl for the whole time, but this guy really digs deep into the rocks in a philosophical and nihilistic way. Yes. Rocks.
He explains how workers that come in can only work there for 2 weeks at a time. Not because of the radiation, but because they start becoming weird. They start having strange thoughts if they stay any longer than the 2 weeks. This guy was there for only 4 days, and it seems he had a full-blown experience that really made him (and us) think. It all starts with rocks. Yes. Rocks.
What makes it really good is that he preaches what I have preached for so long: What's the meaning of life? What is the meaning to it all? Nothingness. We try to live beyond our years by doing so many things, but we all die. Animals all live with a finite number of days. We carve our names into trees, rocks, wet cement, walls, and so on because we see them as permanent. We look at mountains and know they move and change, but they were here long before us, and they will be here long after us. Embrace nihilism!
I guess you could say hanging out at Chernobyl for 4 days can really make your mind go places. Thankfully, that abandoned city took this guys mind somewhere very interesting. Watch this whole thing with your complete attention. It's quite existential.
4. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver takes on car loans. It seems that every Sunday on HBO delivers yet another crushing take down of a subject by John Oliver and crew. This past Sunday he went on to reveal all the sleezy bullsh*t that comes with getting a loan for a car. I've dealt with something similar a few years ago when I went to lease a car. Sure, it's not an auto loan like what's portrayed in my example, but they still try to screw you with the ticket price. When this guy sees my credit wasn't so good (it is now, baby!), they take that $159.99 a month and raised it to $419.99 a month. I obviously laughed in his face. Then he said they will work with me on the price, and then come back with $399.99 a month for that JEEP that wasn't first choice anyway. Luckily, my Dad was there to say "No, f*ck you."
What Oliver takes on is subprime car loans. Sound familiar? Yeah, they're LITERALLY just like subprime mortgages. These scumbags bring in people who have no/bad credit and can't afford a car to buy a car with a loan. You get to drive off in a new car! But then they totally screw you over, it gets repossessed, you have no car for work, you're in debt, and you want to burn down every car lot you see. It's a shock that this is still being allowed to happen, but then again, the housing crisis was allowed to happen because people were making money. Why stop making money? I mean, you will help destroy the economy along with the student loan bubble getting ready to burst, but screw it, let's pour more gas on the fire.
I'll let the master educate you on car loans before you make a mistake and go in there to deal with some A-hole named Big Bob. Oh yes, Big Bob. You're the douche that ruins all of my Detroit Tigers games during each commercial break. I'm on to you.
Anyway, get ready to laugh, feel bad, feel angry, and then laugh again with John Oliver.
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Jeff Sorensen is an author, writer and occasional comedian living in Detroit, Michigan. You can look for more of his work on The Huffington Post, UPROXX, BGR and by just looking up his name.
Contact: email@example.com


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