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18 Jan 2018 09:29
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[Update August 26 12:30 pm. Berryessa News has produced a Youtube video using an aerial drone. The Trefethen winery is the subject. A historic winery building, vintage 1886, was badly damaged. Thanks to Youtube, you can see the video here. Trefethen is one of the hardest-hit. Buy a bottle of their wine!]
[Update August 25 11:30 am. USA Today has a nice story with additional details. KPCC in Pasadena ran a 30 minute segment that included Elizabeth Weise, the USA Today reporter for that story. Wines and Vines has a story with additional industry-specific details. Finally, kudos to Siduri's Adam Lee (@SiduriWines) for relentlessly promoting this: Help our Napa friends out. #buyanapabottletonight http://t.co/sJvDXV9MCs.]
[Update August 24 6:45 pm. Forum for wineries needing assistance and those able to offer assistance.]
[Update August 24 6:30 pm. The Red Cross has opened a second shelter in Napa. Patch has the details.]
[Update August 24 6:20 pm. W. Blake Gray has an article on wine-searcher.com that contains additional details.]
There was a 6.0 magnitude earthquake near Napa at 3:20 am Pacific Daylight Time on August 24. This article is to provide information about the Napa quake from local perspective. Latest report at 2:30 pm says 120 people were injured, three seriously.
How You Can Help
I always recommend donating to the local chapter of the American Red Cross. In this case, it's the Napa Valley Chapter. Also, of course, buy some Napa wine.
The Official Word on the Napa Quake
First, damage seems to be limited to the southern Napa Valley southeast to Vallejo. The U.S. Geologic Survey maintains a crowdsourced "did you feel it?" map on their website. Here's what it looked like around 1o am:
USGS also has a traditional seismic activity map:
Damage to Wineries and Wine-Related Businesses
To add insult to injury, a statue of Bacchus toppled at Ceja Vineyards:
The wine library at Scholium took a hit:
Barrels as pick-up-sticks at Matthiasson:
Most wineries that reported collapsed barrel racks also noted that the barrels were pretty much intact. In a few cases, bungs popped out so there was some loss.
This photo from the Silver Oak Winery has gone viral.
Retailers were hit hard:
[portfolio_slideshow include="3718,3717,3708″]
Napa's "newest wine bar, Cadet" estimates losses between $15,000 and $20,000 from wine inventory.
Damage to Houses and Office Buildings
Damage to houses and office buildings was extensive, especially in downtown Napa. (If you're not familiar with the area, the city of Napa is actually not the center of wine activity in the Napa Valley. That honor goes to the nearby city of St. Helena.)
But Some People Found a Silver Lining
At least one skateboarder found a use for a buckled street:

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to the Colorado Emergency medical and Trauma Services web portal.
Once logged in, you will have access to grant applications, your EMTS profile,
trauma designation forms, ambulance trip reporting and other tools
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Pam's Journal for September 2006
The steam train isn't running
at the moment, we didn't find out why. The town council were allowing
caravans to park there. It was quite a funny place. You had the old railway
station which is now private property, the steam engine plus carriages
dotted around the place in various states of disarray, caravans parked
amongst all this, then in the middle of it all a huge truck and crane
loading the wind turbine blades. We did like Ravenshoe, it is a lovely
little town. It was now getting quite late and it was and hour and a half
drive so we made tracks home.


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Kingman is a dynamic community with a robust growth rate.
The links below will detail the latest information on our community.
A 2017 business tax climate study ranks Arizona 21st in the nation, with California lagging far behind at 48th. Arizona has enacted favorable tax rates on a range of industries, many suitable for Kingman.
Renewable energy projects may qualify for a 10% investment tax credit from the State of Arizona. There's also up to a 75% reduction in property taxes for equipment, factories, and headquarters.
The film industry receives multiple tax exemptions, credits, and incentives.
There are no inventory taxes on warehousing. Add Kingman as your new distribution hub and add
dollars to your bottom line.
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The Three Stages of Culture Shock
Not only writers who relocate to other countries sometimes, but everybody else may be interested in the phenomenon of culture shock.
Snake Wine | photo: Frank Fox (cc-by-sa)
Most of us writers living abroad know the feeling of culture shock, even if many people only recognise the negative aspects. Naturally, since the word "shock" already implies a negative context. But culture shock also comes in positive shades that trigger enthusiasm and a certain blindness for reality.
So, what is culture shock all about?
Blue Hour in Saigon I | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
The Three Stages of Culture Shock
Culture shock comes in three distinct stages that I want to name love, hate and acceptance. Stage one and two differ greatly from each other and the switch from one to the other can be fast and brutal. The last stage arrives gradually and often takes a lifetime.
Bun Cha Ha Noi | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Most of us relocate out of our own, free will and decision. We are writers after all and therefore relatively free. For managers who supervise the startup of their company's Southeast Asia headquarter, the whole procedure may be different. I have met people who hated Vietnam from the minute they left the airport. And I have met people who arrived and felt at home, with a love for the land and the people that never left them until the end.
For most of us the three stages count though, so let's stick with that model a little bit.
More Impressions of Phu Quoc and Ganh Dau Beach | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Love - The Initial Euphoria
This feeling is so beautiful and yet so dangerous. I remember when I arrived in Hong Kong years ago - my first visit to Asia and all the colourful clutter, the many lights, the new food to experience, the pretty girls and the interesting culture as a whole. I went to Shenzhen where I made new friends and for two months I was caught up in a wonderful dream. For two months I studied Mandarin and instead of taking the metro from school to my hostel, I decided to walk for two hours almost every day, collecting my dinner from dodgy roadside stalls, practising my newly acquired language proficiency and generally enjoying the situation.
O Sole Mekong | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Walking through the streets and experiencing the daily life of the people is like walking on a cloud of unicorn wool with the famous pink glasses on your nose. It is amazing!
Bolobolobolo - Pineapples in China | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
There are holes in the streets of Shenzhen that are a danger to humanity and I found it charming. There are span-high steel spikes jutting out of the concrete - remnants of some rebar construction stuff that was supposed to hold a lamp post or something in place. I found it actually nice that people are supposed to take care of themselves opposite to being spoiled by an insane catalogue of laws that is so prevalent in Austria. Workers fixed something in the sewage system and since they planned to come back tomorrow anyway, they didn't bother to close the lid right in the middle of the sidewalk, endangering everybody - and I found it amusing...
Saigon Square | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
However, by the end of the first 6 weeks, slowly the second stage began to take hold.
Fake Sakura | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Hate - Everything is Bad
I have to admit, this stage was far less intense for me than it may be for many others, because just when the denial stage began to settle in, I returned back to Austria for a summer. Let's talk about the stage first and then about my own experience.
Usually the initial euphoria when everything is awesome one day turns around in exactly the opposite. Reality kicks in and you see that the lovely, colourful wall along the street smells of piss because people don't bother to seek out a public toilet. You realise that the pretty girls are just after you because they believe you have a fat wallet. You see that the busy construction site for the new skyscraper doesn't show much progress and that little progress you can see is because there are three times as many workers as back home.
The same counts for the restaurant where they employ three times as much staff as there would be back home and nonetheless service is slow because each one thinks your table is the job of another one. The noise and the pollution begin to annoy you and the language barrier is actually a blessing because people don't understand you when you are cussing at them like a sailor.
Yaowarat Street in Bangkoks Chinatown | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
This stage is especially arduous when you work in a local company. People don't think about the fact that they might bother you when they have a durian for lunch and they leave it out on their desk so get it to room temperature when it is the most delicious. (I have no problem with durians but others have.) In Vietnam it is mostly the traffic that is the most annoying thing for expats and during the second stage it is a serious problem.
Ham Nghi Street | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
But that's not the only issue - every culture has its very own code of conduct. While in Austria staring at people is not really nice and may get you into trouble, most people just find it slightly annoying. In China and Vietnam it is perfectly normal to stare at something that sparks your interest. In Japan however it is considered as a very rude breach of privacy.
When we lived in the Japanese quarter in Saigon's District 1, we encountered many Japanese people who apparently did not decide by themselves to relocate to Saigon, but rather have been relocated by their company to act as project supervisors or something. One evening as we came back from dinner, we encountered a man jumping like Rumpelstiltskin in our alley, cussing in a mix of English and Japanese and even spitting in random directions before he bolted into the entrance of his place.
Beer and Snacks | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
His place was opposite of a local com tam kitchen and the woman who owns that place had been casually watching him. The man, obviously being under the influence of culture shock level two - and probably a bad day at work on top of that - totally lost his mind when he encountered this blatant breach of etiquette. That was the last straw and he flipped.
Phu Quoc Airport | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
What also settles in is a general homesickness that makes you feel a bit miserable about everything. This stage is the greatest test for every expat in history. Decisions to stay in the country for longer are put to the test and many, if not most relationships that began in the stage of euphoria end in a thunderclap.
It doesn't help that in districts with less foreigners living there, everybody stares at you as if you were the Eiffel Tower walking around on light blue stilts.
Dinh Cau | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
For myself it began quite early after 6 weeks. I still found the colours lovely and the ladies pretty, but I began to see through all of it. The fake efficiency of daily work, the inequality on the streets, the blatant showing off of wealth... But yes, mainly the lack of efficiency and discreet thinking was what painted a glorious picture of my country of origin in my mind.
Yes, I make this one confession: Back then I began to believe that WE are better than YOU.
Duong Dong Night Market | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Fortunately this process came to a halt at the perfect moment when I returned from China to Austria. The moment at the airport in Munich was the first time in two months that I got a meal served from a really rude person. I was like "What the hell, I am you freaking CUSTOMER!" and the whole construct collapsed in the following two weeks.
Dinh Cau Night Market, Peanuts | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
I had the whole summer to think about the differences between China and Europe. I came to the understanding that both worlds are great and crappy at the same time, just different from each other. A valuable lesson that made me start the second journey to the Far East in a totally different mindset.
A lesson by the way that everybody should learn and understand.
Wise Words of Wisdom | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Acceptance and Adaption
The third stage of culture shock slowly sets in and you often can't even detect it at first. You cast off your shoes before you enter a temple without wasting even one moment of thought on the action. You start calculating in Vietnamese Dong instead of Euro and Mi Quang are a dish you casually order when you are hungry.
Fairy Stream Mui Ne | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
When you travel to Thailand, you don't compare the country to Austria, you nonchalantly compare it to Vietnam and you may even find the Thai people tall and a bit stocky - while you yourself are even taller and stockier than most in all of Asia, but you are used to the sight of Vietnamese people. You don't haggle on the market because you want to or because it's fun. You haggle because you know how much the item is worth and that's what you pay. And, the probably most important thing - you slowly get the ability to see through the people.
Let's face it - on stage one of culture shock if a person smiles at you, you think "Amazing, these people are all sooo friendly!".
On stage two of culture shock if a person smiles at you, you immediately suspect that the little rat probably can smell your wallet.
On stage three however, you just smile back and continue with your own business as you would do it at home.
People by the roadside in Phan Thiet | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Some people say that this process can even go too far. Years ago I have read an article about the same topic, written by a guy who relocated to India. Somehow he adapted so far that he started bobbing his head, a form of body language widely used in India to signalise different levels of agreement. Apparently his boss told him to immediately cut that nonsense or he would replace him by another worker. I suppose the boss was on his second level of culture shock and immensely annoyed by people bobbing their heads.
White Dunes Mui Ne | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
Adaption is a continuous process and largely depends on your personality and your environment. Some people may have a harder time than others, who are closer to a certain culture in the first place.
Hue - Dragon Boats on the Perfume River | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
The greatest benefit of adapting is, you gradually get to tell the difference between culture and nonsense. For example being late and littering are both equally frowned upon in Austria. In Vietnam, people are late often, just because it does not matter too much in their culture and it does not shed a bad light on their personality. So don't judge people for being late, at least not too much.
Littering is also widely practised, but it is not a cultural thing, but rather sheer thoughtlessness that doesn't need to be accepted.
The picturesque Dai Beach on Phu Quoc Island | photo: (cc-by-sa) Frank Fox
And Now?
What this all means is that you should be careful what you do during the first two stages of your culture shock, because you may be under the influence of strong emotions that impede your ability of making good decisions.
About the third stage however - it is totally up to you. To say it in the tone of the article: If you like to bob your head, just go for it.
More Things To Do
|One Day Mekong Delta Tour
I got invited to join a one day private tour into the Mekong Delta. It was a very nice and informative tour and I enjoyed it a lot.
|Phu Quoc Water Sports
Holidays on a tropical island would be odd without the opportunity to do sports. Water sports. Here is a selection of stuff that you can try on Phu Quoc.
|Shopping on Phu Quoc
You can get some really interesting products from Phu Quoc, mainly pepper, pearls and fish sauce. There are other things too, just check out the variety of shopping opportunities on the island.
|Phu Quoc Fishing Tours
Join a fishing tour for a relaxed afternoon and a hearty meal.
|Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is the pearl island of Vietnam and developing as fast as any other prime tourist location in Southeast Asia.
|Getting Around On Phu Quoc Island
There are several methods to be mobile on Phu Quoc Island. Just check out our description and pick what you prefer.
|Phu Quoc National Park & Jungle Trails
One great way to experience the pristine wilderness of Phu Quoc Island is a walk along the jungle trails near Ganh Dau up at the northwestern tip.


text: Masterchef Cooks Up Image 0 By David Smith on June 24, 2011 Uncategorized Reddit Gordon Ramsay's Masterchef beefs up the crowd queuing to enter TV competition An eagle-eyed viewer of chef Gordon Ramsay's Masterchef TV competition noticed that the numbers of would-be TV cooks eagerly awaiting entry had been 'cooked up' and posted up the image on Reddit. Unfortunately for who ever had done the duplication, the people they chose happened to be particularly noticeable, such as a woman wearing a bright orange coat. Looking at the few people duplicated ironically it seems to be more of a design issue, a matter of visual taste, rather than an attempt to "cook the books." Share. Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email


text:
Procurement is defined as the act of acquiring, buying goods, services or works from an external source.
The Procurement Team is responsible for managing the process of the purchase of goods, works and services required to enable Staffordshire Police to deliver services to the local community. This can range from procuring amongst many other things, stationery items, uniform and vehicles - through to services which are commissioned to support victims and witnesses of crime.
We are committed to ensuring that all goods and services are procured effectively, efficiently and competitively. Staffordshire Police aim to conduct all procurement activities fairly and transparently.
All purchases made on behalf of the OPCC (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) are governed by Staffordshire Police Financial Regulations, EU Procurement Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.
Contract Standing Orders are intended to promote good purchasing practice, public accountability and deter corruption. Following these rules remains the best possible defence against allegations that a purchase has been made incorrectly or even fraudulently. The rules detail the minimum requirements and procedures appropriate for the acquisition and disposal of all goods, services and works undertaken on behalf of the OPCC, in whose name all contracts are let.
The Procurement Team is also responsible for promoting and ensuring best practice procurement in accordance with EU Procurement Directives, UK Regulation, organisational policy and value for money principals for all non-pay expenditure in support of operational policing.
The department cover two areas of business, contractual and transactional. The contractual covers the tendering process, evaluating either the quotations or tenders, and managing the tender process ultimately selecting the supplier that satisfies best value criteria. The transactional area covers the processing within the contract such as the raising of purchase orders, ensuring delivery and goods receipting.
If you are interested in supplying Staffordshire Police, please complete our Procurement Enquiries form.


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I'd skirted Redcliffe Castle and the Village. I'd need supplies soon and my weapons sharpened and looking forward to seeing the wise cracking drunken smith Owen in Redcliffe Village. Whom had helped me tremendously during the civil war and fighting the blight. His prices had been fair. I hoped his daughter Valena was doing well since I'd rescued her. Most likely she was back being Isolde's maid, better her than me I thought.
I could still hear 'TEAGAN' being screeched into my ears from Lady Isolde's whiny voice. That woman was something else and I couldn't help but feel that her and Teagan had been having an affair and I wondered if Connor was actually Teagan's son not Eamon's. Recent events made me wonder. Personally, I couldn't stand the woman and her treatment of Alistair as a little boy. I'd been here less than three months ago and it seemed ages ago. Fighting the war band that had broken from the main horde which had split off to attack Redcliffe.
I was approaching Ostagar coming north by northwest. I could see the Tower of Ishal in the distance. Not a sound, eerily quiet, no wildlife, no Chasind, no Elves had settled here yet but I knew they would soon. Thus my trip, before they arrived. This was my only opportunity without having to answer questions on why I was here. The landscape around the old military fortress still blackened by the blight with black ash, blackened rocks and fires still burned in the area. The acrid smell still in the air from the darkspawn and the battles fought here.
I decided to leave my horse on the outskirts of the old fortress. I tied his reins loosely to some bushes in case he was attacked. He could break free and run if he had too. He didn't hesitate to chomp on the soft grasses at his hooves. I'd watered him at a small stream not far from here. Actually I was in the same area in which we'd ran into Calian's bodyguard whom had been taken prisoner by Calian's enemies. I'd tried to save him and he was the one who gave me the tip to go back to Ostagar and thank the Maker that I did. Or else we might not have won the Landsmeet. A chill went up my spine at that thought. The bridge was still out so I'd gone below and down into the creek bed with the horse to fill my canteens and to allow the horse to drink.
I removed my bedroll, and several leather bags which held my supplies. Taking out a small camp shovel I buried my items in a hole behind a large boulder not far from the horse. Then I spent a few hours placing rocks on the top of the mound to make it look like a cairn. Taking care to be as quiet as possible. I had no idea what I'd find here. I made sure I had plenty of various bombs in my packs. I was on my own here without Thor to alert me, just my warden sense to tingle as a warning in case of danger.
I sat down next to the horse and wiped the sweat from my brow. I held my hair off the back of my neck to cool off. I took several pieces of jerky out of my pack on my waist and grabbing my canteen – enjoying my small light lunch. If one could call jerky a lunch. As I chewed my meager meal I thought back to the battle fought here and compared them to my return from the bodyguard's tip.
There had to be tunnels under this mass military fortress. The horde had surrounded Calian and his men. When my war party had come back the second time, we'd found tunnels in the Tower of Ishal where the darkspawn had broken through. I was of a mind that these tunnels led deep in the Kocari Wilds and possibly even further south than this. Duncan's journal also made it clear that many more tunnels were also near Gwaren. King Maric and Duncan had come out from the deep roads near Gwaren. I had to find a map of these tunnels as possible and have them resealed it could be disastrous for Ferelden if I didn't. The Shaparete in Orzammar surely had this recorded.
As I sat, I also contemplated the words of the powerful mage Gaxkang, whom we'd killed in the back streets of Denerim and his prideful words that eyes from on high were on me and he didn't intend to be a footnote to my now famous history, then he had attacked me and my party. That battle was one I wasn't sure we'd survive without Wynne and Morrigan. I'd never seen anything like Gaxkang's abilities. A mage who could transform into an Arcane Horror and revert back to a Revenant and he had zeroed in on Wynne and Morrigan. I remembered Morrigan commenting a few slashes were going to leave scars. All of us had been badly injured. I remember thinking we're all going to die here and what happens to Ferelden if we do? Thank the 'Maker' for lyrium potions to keep Wynne and Morrigan on their feet. Alistair had taken a beating trying to hold the powerful mage while I battled him from behind. My sneak hidden abilities really didn't work on Gaxkang, I wasn't strong enough and my ability hadn't developed enough at the time; but, my Warden blood abilities helped me help Alistair to keep him cornered while Wynne and Morrigan battled him with magic. I had to constantly jump in front of Wynne to protect her. If Wynne went down we all went down. Once we finally killed him all of us slumped to the floor in pain and agony until Wynne healed herself enough to help the rest of us. This was the only time Morrigan didn't mouth off to Wynne and her Circle taught magic. I chuckled to myself at the memory.
He'd said a signal was generated from this place. This had always puzzled me. What kind of signal? From whom/who and for what purpose? Had he meant the Archdemon or something else? Was this signal magical in nature? If so, then I had no way to find this unless a mage happened by who might pick up on it. If this is the case then why didn't Wynne or Morrigan say something? This is what I was here to find out. I desperately wanted a clue, if I could one.
I was also interested in seeing how far Flemeth and the Chasind's territory went into the unknown forest south of Ferelden; however, that was a trip far into the future. I didn't have the time to go that far or deep into those dangerous woods. One thing I knew for certain the horde and the Archdemon had risen from that forest. The trick was going to be to find exactly where the great dragon had arisen from. Was this the signal that Gaxkang was referring too? I was also curious if Lanaya would have any knowledge or insight into this. Her clan had known the darkspawn had reached the surface – they'd lost members of their clan to battling darkspawn and werewolves. Elven lore was more ancient than Trevinter's. Keepers were very guarded on what information they shared, yet I did intend to ask her the next time I saw her. I figured Lanaya wouldn't tell me flat-out but I'd beat she would point me in the right direction nonetheless.
I finished my meager meal and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and closed my skin of water attaching my canteen to my waist bag. I rummaged around in one of my bags pulling my journal, thumbing through the pages until I found the chapters I'd written on Ostagar to review them. I had to go to the tower and of course out to where Cailan had been killed on the main battlefield. The entrance to those tunnels had to be here.
I knew from reading Duncan's journal that King Maric's party had come out of the Deep Roads through tunnels near Gwaren, very close to where Loghain had defeated Orlais Chevaliers with his charge and his archers, whom my mother was one. Even though I was west of Gwaren I was confident that tunnels or an entrance to the Deep Roads had to be under this old military fortress and I had to find them. Oghren had told me dwarven history confirmed that the dwarves had been the main training partners of Tevinter back before and after the blights had started. The dwarven empire ran for untold miles underground in every possible direction and Oghren had also confirmed there were many places to reach the surface along these trade routes and many had been forgotten. I'll also have to check the library with the Shaperate on my next trip to Orzammar.
I stood up, patted the horse to reassure him. I hoped I was back by nightfall to untie him and water him again, then make a small camp on the outskirts of Ostagar, then head for Redcliffe Village on the morrow. I couldn't build a fire to tip-off anyone I was in the area, so I would also have jerky for my dinner. I hoped my growling stomach didn't give me away to less desirable in the area.
I took Starfang and Blight Blooded out of their sheaves on my back and with a flick of my wrists activated the Grandmaster silverite, frost and fire runes to name just a few within my swords. I cast myself in stealth and walked toward the opening in the gate of Ostagar. Silence. I stood quietly as my gazed took in the sights around me. All of the skeletons of friend and foe whose remains had long since been plucked clean littered the ground. What would the blight riddled remains of darkspawn do to birds? I'd never seen blight infected birds before, it had to affect them. I had to be careful of wolves and maybe hidden war bands of darkspawn. I lightly stepped forward being careful of twigs underneath my feet.
It was so eerily silent. Not even crows about. This unnerved me somewhat. No crickets, frogs, bees…nothing. A shudder ran through me. A shroud of death and mist lingered over the ground even though the sun was high in the sky. I looked over to my right and ahead of me was the entrance to the chamber room where Cailan held his war council and just beyond the exact spot where I'd first meet Alistair and had my joining ceremony into the Grey Wardens within the temple area of this old military fortress. It was all so clear in my mind's eye. I stood there reliving all of these events. Is this the real reason I was here? I'd been second guessing my decisions during the civil war and the blight, now that everything was over and done with. Wynne had once told me my decisions would cause ripples just as my actions in Orlais had caused ripples and so had Christian's. All of which still echoed to this day. Loghain's death bothered me the worst. Something, something, still plagued me over Loghain's death. I should have made him a Warden like Riordan wanted me to do. His death the worst on my soul.
On our return trip we'd battled darkspawn all over this place. Many tables were still overturned. I could clearly see in my mind's eye Cailan and Loghain arguing over Cailan's battle plans of Cailan not fighting. Loghain with his limited knowledge had given Cailan sound advice believing that Cailan might die without issue. Franny and I were the only two people left in all of Ferelden who really knew the truth.
Looking back I realized why Father and Mother wanted me to survive not just for them and Fergus but for Cailan and his son, to see justice done. Yet, had I made the right choice in executing Loghain? Loghain had seen his daughter clearly for what she was. Loghain being her father and mentor all of these years dealing with the Theirin bloodline. Loghain had known them better than anyone. Their secrets, their desires, yet Loghain hadn't known about Maric and Cailan's private smuggling deal with Celene. My father wasn't here any longer to ask questions on the particulars of the matter. Fergus and I were now on our own wading through that murky quagmire. At least with Dwarven politics it was all out in the open for the most part. Totally different rules when dealing with Celene and Ferelden's courts to my way of thinking. Many decision I had made had been for Alistair -his desires when I went against my first choices, and now here I was second guessing myself and my decisions.
I had walked through the one chamber and now stood at the entrance to the temple where I'd first meet Alistair. My mind going back to his wise-crack to the mage he'd smarted off too. Then turning to speak with me. Knowing what I know now, would I have made a different choice in our relationship? Alistair had been the first person to bring a smile to my face after the death of my parents. I'd fallen in love with him on the spot. My eyes traveled to the very location as my memories resurfaced and my mind traveled back in time.
One thing we hadn't done when here for Cailan's papers was to destroy the darkspawn relics that were left. We'd carried out many yet more remained for Owen to smelt into scrap metal. I turned around and headed to my left and went down the stone paved ramp where the quartermaster of Cailan's army had held his store and his forge. The darkspawn once they had taken over Ostagar had redecorated in their macabre style. I looked around for an old torch, spying one on the ground behind the darkspawn forge. I picked it up and was delighted to see it was still soaked in oil. I laid the torch on the old forge and rooted around in my waist packs for flint and steel. I laid out twigs I'd gathered on the forge and stroke flint to steel and with patience got a fire going in the forge and relighted the torch. I was giving my presence away but I didn't really care. I replaced Blight Blooded back in my sheath on my back and with the torch in my left hand and Starfang in my right I set fire to the forge and all of the darkspawn macabre I could find. The wind wasn't blowing, so I wasn't to worried.
Yes, I wanted it all to burn, just like the destruction of my life that had taken place here. The future I should have had died here in this place. I continued on toward Cailan's old tent or what was left of it and once again my memories took a trip down memory lane, of Cailan holding me within the confines of his tent. While we'd been alone, he'd kissed my forehead promising me he'd make Howe pay for killing my parents and restore my home to Fergus and I once he was done here. Reassuring me in private – calming my fears, yet he couldn't break my father's oath in making me a Grey Warden. I was Duncan's to command. If the Arch Demon hadn't arisen he would have stepped in and tried to stop Duncan from recruiting me or so he'd said.
I had been Cailan's personal bodyguard and spymaster. Loghain had to have known by what he'd said to me when I'd arrived in Ostagar. Cailan had ordered me to stay home in Highever and help my father and brother prepare the King's troops. If I hadn't been needed at Highever I would have already been at Ostagar with Cailan and never been caught in the massacre; but, he had commanded me to remain at Highever to heal over my broken heart regarding Christian.
I'd been totally unprepared for Cailan's gentleness toward me given our history. Me getting on my knees before him and swearing my duty in regards to his son in Orlais when he had called Ferelden's Grand Cleric and Duncan to witness my oath. I'd been shaken to my core that he'd learned the truth of his son and that he didn't hate me for withholding that knowledge from him. He'd gently kissed me instead and told me he'd make it right.
I marched across the massive bridge connecting the rest of Ostagar with the Tower of Ishal and screamed my rage as I held the torch setting fire to all things Darkspawn. I set fires burning everything – everywhere that was Darkspawn craft. Here on this bridge where we'd found Cailan's body I finally screamed it all out – my rage over all of it. Which I hadn't been able to do with my war party before. I screamed my rage and fury out over: Cailan, Loghain, Anora, Howe, and especially Alistair and Christian. Men whose decisions had set my life on this course. I burned everything in my wake. It was a cleansing, not just to wipe out the Darkspawn macabre and remaining bodies. Which I'd known nobody would obey Alistair's order to burn the remains of darkspawn here; so here I was. This was also a cleansing of my own soul. For my own losses, my anger, my rage which had been held inside me all of these months.
I continued on going over and up the ramp to the Tower of Ishal setting everything on fire that I came too. I opened the heavy ironbark doors and headed back to the rooms which held the tunnel going down that had been broken open by darkspawn from underneath. Soon, I would climb down that ladder again to see what I could find and burn all things Darkspawn before I left. I was actually headed to the barred door leading up to the tower to see if it would open for me this time. What secrets were left there and why wouldn't it open before? Had the Archdemon been there all along when we'd been here the second time. "What say you Urthemiel?" He was unusually quiet within my mind for the time being.
I came to the last chamber, the one with the staircase which led to the final floor and to gain entrance to the Tower of Ishal. I took a deep breath and turned the knob. There was no magical glow as before blocking my entrance. I took the stairs to the next floor. I burned everything here and took the few supplies from each floor that I found. I finally came to the last staircase. I was shocked to discover a lone darkspawn badly wounded. I grinned at it while it screeched at me. I lit the wall scone behind me dropping the torch in my hand and withdrew Blight Blooded. I walked to the darkspawn, it didn't stop screeching at me and I looked it right in the eyes as I dual swiped it's neck and beheaded the creature. I walked back to the wall scone and retrieved the torch and set fire to it's body. I inhaled deeply of Darkspawn stench with satisfaction in doing my hard-earned job. I sheathed Blight Blooded and took up the torch once more and headed up into the tower burning everything as I went.
Finally I stood on the last step with the final door to the tower before me. I took a deep breath and started to reach out to open the door…instead it opened of it's own accord. I was being invited inside. A chill went through me. Someone was here? Who? I throw the torch down and grasped Blight Blooded back into my left hand and with both of my swords held firmly within my palms I stepped through the door and into the chamber. My eyes opened wide in shock at who I was seeing and a chill of dread swept over me. Fear flooded my whole body. I shook, I couldn't help it. I was facing my certain death as the most fearsome well-known apostate mage turned to face me, standing within the massive hole and rubble that had once been one of the walls of this circular tower, and one I didn't remember seeing as my body was struck with numerous arrows the last time I was in this chamber and I'd passed out from my injuries.
Before me stood Flemeth herself.
I stared at her in shock, this wasn't the Flemeth I remembered as the old hag at her hut in the Kocari Wilds. She was still an older woman yet her former beauty and glory was on full display. Her long silver hair done up with horns which sprouted from her head. Flemeth had horns like a Qunari. How? Or was it a battle headdress of some sort or did she actually have horns? Her battle armor was magnificent in black, purples, and deep burgundy. Made of leather I'd never seen before. Her boots…well I was pea green with envy in regards to her boots with heavy metal knee guards going up her long slender thighs. She also wore a deep royal purple mantle. Her battle gloves made of mithra, which was a metal I'd only read about and never thought to see in my lifetime. They shimmered with deadly finger talons covering her knuckles and long slender fingers. She looked as deadly as I knew her to be. I know she was peeved at me for killing her dragon form. OH MAKER!
She stood looking at me then she threw her head back and laughed strong of voice. "So child, you've returned. Did you honestly think I'd be dead?" She turned to me and I stood stock still not knowing if she meant me harm. I truly didn't know what to expect.
Flemeth walked toward me with swaying hips. I could see the legends were true of her beauty and her fame. A battle maiden and siren walked toward me. I took a battle stance for she had every reason to kill me. I taken Morrigan's side in their feud. Silly, silly me. I hadn't wanted to get involved yet I needed Morrigan to battle the blight, I'd had no recourse.
She stopped a few feet from me.
"You have nothing to fear child. Come let us talk."
I lowered my swords. Still weary of her. I stepped forward to meet her and converse with her. Finally I slide my swords back in their sheaths.
I examined the rubble of the wall behind her with my eyes, and I could clearly see the outline of the dragon's body which had flown into the wall to retrieve Alistair and me. I turned to her speaking. "Your broke through the wall to rescue us."
"Yes, I did. Most impressive is it not."
I nodded yes, still very much afraid for my life.
"Yet, you didn't return my grimoire or my Morrigan to me."
"You still got what you wanted in the end, your grandson within Morrigan's womb, fathered by my beloved."
Flemeth cocked her head. "Touche. Clever child, I've always liked you and your family. It was I who saw too it they held Highever after my destruction of the place."
"So the legends are true on that account."
"I was betrayed by my husband Cormac when he sold be back to Conobar and you're family was worthy, honest, and noble. There are a few bad apples in your line but not many. Your ancestor served me well while I lived there."
I just nodded.
"This is why you won't take my life now because I did help you succeed in your ultimate desire. Your grandson which Morrigan now carries with the soul of an Old God."
"How did you figure it out?"
"I didn't, not fully, until just now and partly when Morrigan came to me that night at Redcliffe with your plan. I did not return your grimoire because I felt you knew those spells by heart and didn't really care if Morrigan knew them or not. She'd need them to protect your grandson."
"What else child have you concluded." Her eyes watched me closely for any falsehood.
"You made us battle you in your dragon form to prepare me for my battle with Urthemiel which I alone was going to battle in the fade and you knew this."
"Yes, you needed the experience and my friend of whom you killed was willing to offer herself up in sacrifice to prepare you for battle as long as I rear her offspring and got her offspring to safety."
"So you're not really a dragon and you raise dragons, interesting."
"I'm many things Bellavalia Ella Nora Cousland and just like you I have my own secrets which I've kept hidden for centuries. Unfortunately for you, your secrets will not last that long. However, you will try your utmost to keep them hidden." She throw her head back and laughed heartily.
"Will I've keep them hidden for the time being for the sake of Ferelden, and you knew Alistair was going to set me aside before it happened."
"Not from magic my dear, from experience: all men betray, they always have for glory, power, and fame and especially the love of the wrong woman for them."
"It was a lesson I needed to learn and one you planned on teaching me and Morrigan."
"You'd already learned you're lesson in Orlais or am I mistaken? Apparently once wasn't enough for you, repeating nearly the same mistakes with Alistair, you find yourself in the same mess as before while in Orlais. Yet, you've still learned what to do about your mistakes and to think more clearly on what to do about them. It was for Morrigan and she isn't done learning those particular lessons either. It will be a long time until she has her own life to live."
"Alistair will go back on his word to find her."
"Yes, he will," she calmly answered me.
"Will Alistair find her?"
"No he will not, he'll be busy with other threats for us all."
My eyes narrowed, "what threats?"
Flemeth chuckled, "you're destiny isn't here in Ferelden, Bellavalia Cousland, it's elsewhere."
"So you know my future, are you willing to share? You have the gift of foresight, do you not?"
"I have many gifts and talents when it serves my purposes and I can't share, your destiny is what you will make of it, your choices are yours alone from here on out, choose wisely dear girl."
"Yet, you saved me when it was my destiny to die in this very room."
"Ferelden and Urthemiel needed you to live and I gained permission for you to live, so you could fulfill your purpose."
"Which came with a price?"
"Yes, your price was Alistair's full devotion."
"Do I still serve your purposes and whom did you gain permission?"
"My, my, full of questions my dear." She laughed wickedly. Yet she did answer me.
"Yes, you still have a purpose which will echo into eternity, as from whom, will I'm afraid that is not for you to know child."
"Because of your grandson."
"Urthemiel desires that you not be harmed. He is the other half of your soul and you're the other half of his. You can be killed, make no mistake, his power will only be affected slightly if you die, his power is drawn from a different fount but you are tied together."
"So, I'm still a pawn in all of this?"
"All of us are pawns to some degree and we must each choose to fight or die. You my child have always chosen to fight, you always will."
"Is his destiny and my own intertwined still?"
"I'm truly unsure at this point."
"You need to make haste child and be sure you are on the North Road between Highever and Amaranthine within two weeks."
"Because Alistair's life depends on you being there."
"Is he still important to you?"
"Isn't he to you," she countered. I didn't respond.
"The Theirin bloodline must be preserved at all cost."
"Alistair Theirin will soon learn the reason why, and if he desires to tell you, then he will."
"You won't tell me?"
"It's not my story to tell child, it's the deity that I serve and why the Theirin bloodline had to be saved." Flemeth glanced at my belly. "Which you know something about."
I didn't acknowledge her inquiry regarding my children instead saying, "I thought you a deity. I actually thought you Andraste."
Flemeth cackled with laughter. She slapped her thigh in amusement. "I like that people think that I am, it truly serves my purposes. Make no mistake my powers do come from a deity and I am possessed by her, and she is powerful, these are things Thedas will learn in the future. I fight on her behalf, for she was betrayed just like me and she came to me offering me her power if I would fight for her – to wipe her enemies off the face of Thedas. One battle is over and done with, your fight to save Ferelden, the next one begins, which you won't have a part of. Your King will, and I promise you he will be safe."
"Go Bellavalia, your destiny awaits, and don't worry about the darkspawn I'll take care of them." She handed me a scroll.
"What's this?"
"A map of the tunnels under this fortress and all of the tunnels of the deep roads into the Kocari Wilds."
"Why are you helping me?"
"You're correct those tunnels do need to be resealed. You need to reach Gwaren and set that place to rights before Lanaya's clan begins their move to Ostagar, clearing the way for them and to seal the darkspawn inside the deep roads. It's imperative that this gets done and very soon. Ferelden and Orlais can't be bothered with roaming bands of Darkspawn. Which is your job to clear the remnant out of Ferelden."
"Thank you for my life and it will be as you say Asha'bellanar." I sheathed my swords and I bowed to her.
"Thank you Bellavalia Cousland for my grandson's."
She watched me leave. When I left the Tower of Ishal I heard a screech and watched as a massive purple dragon flew from the tower burning all that was left of the darkspawn which remained at Ostagar and their filth. Flemeth swept the entire complex in one circular pass burning the remains of the darkspawn and their filth. Then she flew north leaving me standing watching in awe as she swiftly flew out of sight.
I took a deep breath and started the long walk back to my horse. I finally reached him and he hadn't left one patch of grass under his hooves. I grabbed my shovel out of my saddle bag and got busy retrieving my supplies. I mounted my horse and headed back for the small clearing, which was only an hour away.
I led the horse down into the creek bed and allowed him to drink his fill. I secured him, taking his saddle off and brushed him down. Then I gathered wood and built a small fire. Fires were still burning off in the distance where Flemeth and I both had cleaned the remains of the Darkspawn.
Well at least I could fry up some smoked pork that Frannie had given me and a few eggs for dinner, so I wouldn't starve this night at least. As I was fixing my dinner and gathering water I heard footsteps approach.
I took the daggers hidden within my leggings into my hands as I filled the water bucket.
"Low in the camp, my lady."
I knew that voice. It was one of Lanaya's hunters. Before turning, I replaced my daggers in their hidden slots within my leathers just at my thighs.
I motioned the elves forward.
"Come, you are welcome to join my fire for the night."
"Thank you my lady."
I watched as a small hunting party of elves approached.
"Please make yourselves at home."
They placed hares down and took off their gear.
"Please, make use of the fire, cook your dinner." I watched as they gathered more wood and water. They unrolled their bedrolls and took out their cooking supplies. They shared their bread and cheese with me and also made a wonderful fragrant tea. It was delicious.
They asked me if I was the one burning the fires and the dead darkspawn at Ostagar. I told them I was, it had to be done. I asked after their clan and what news they had. We caught each other up to date regarding the local news and to my surprise the elves informed me Lothering was on it's way to being rebuilt. I was shocked.
Lanaya and her clan would soon arrive at Ostagar which was to be their new home. She'd seen the fires and sent her hunters to investigate. My ring she had given me glowed on my hand. The head hunter smiled at me, noticing my ring.
"Keeper Lanaya knew you to be in the area and she sent us to make sure you weren't in any danger. Sleep commander when you're ready, we'll guard you through the night and accompany you to the outskirts of Gwaren."
"Thank you, I'd appreciate the company." I yawned.
"I'm sorry, I'm tired it seems."
"Sleep commander, rest, all is well."
I thanked them, wrote in my journal which was now a required duty of me as the Warden Commander of Ferelden. I couldn't keep my eyes open a minute longer and I soon snuggled down and was lost to my dreams as the elves spun tales around the camp fire. I dreamed of Alistair, and Christian for some reason. My dreams later became of darkspawn terrorizing villages and I wasn't there to save the people. I tossed and turned in my sleep being restless.
Urthemiel walked into my dreams. "My lady, you must rest, you're exhausted, your children need you too. Be at peace my lady."
"It was you at Ostagar when my war party returned for Cailan's papers?" I asked him with my mind.
He didn't answer me for a time. "Yes, in my tainted form. I was watching and studying you, how you fought. I was directing my various war parties and keeping track of your progress. I was the signal."
"I thought so, you're whom Gaxkang mentioned."
"Yes, he knew through magic the horde approached."
With a wave of his hand I was at peace and slept soundly.
When I awake the next morning was to find the elves had already cooked breakfast and were just waiting on me. I was beyond embarrassed. I ate a quick meal of mush, fruit, and toasted bread with cheese and tea. Very filling actually. Their cook filled my plate full and they'd also saddled my horse and gotten him ready feeding him his bag of grain.
Ashna winked at me. "The Keeper told us what to do. She is still worried over your condition and she was fussing at us to see all of this done. She also sends her thanks in preparing Ostagar for her. She will ritually clean the entire fortress, and for you not to worry. We'll also seal the tunnels Asha'bellanar told you of. Keeper Lanaya already had plans to do this and we'll also seal the ones near Gwaren and we'll send you updated maps to the Vigil of the area."
"Ah well now, that will be most appreciated."
The ring on my hand glowed with warmth.
"I'll see you soon Commander Cousland, I've sent my hunters to see you safe." Lanaya talked with me through my mind. I heard Urthemiel chuckle. Powerful magic indeed.
"Thank you, Keeper Lanaya."
"You carry heirs of the elves within your womb, we'll see you safe to Gwaren."
I nodded, mounted my horse and got on with our travels, once we packed up camp.
I talked my Elven companions in allowing me to enter Redcliffe Village on my own. Being unsure of how the villagers would react to my escort. Owen was happy to see me and informed me his daughter was indeed back in service to Lady Isolde. He was as drunk as ever. Owen sharpened my weapons for me and was most impressed with Starfang and Blight Blooded, wanting to know where I obtained them. Of course I told him I found them along my journey of fighting the blight which wasn't exactly the truth nor lie. He also informed me Bann Teagan was at the castle and the new pub had a new name. Which was now called "The Grey Warden's Rest." In honesty I thought it a horrible name. Like I'd died or something. I made no comment however except to say it was a nice gesture on the Grey Warden's behalf. I stocked up on the few supplies that he had that I needed. And sold him a few things I'd found at Ostagar.
Stopping by for a pint at the pub I very nearly never got away from the crowd. I knew my Elven escort would get antsy if I didn't show up soon.
"I was just sending a search party in to rescue you Commander." Said Ashna.
"It was close Ashna let me tell you."
His eyes creased with concern.
"I'm joking."
"Oh," he said. He smiled shyly at me. He was handsome in the way of elves.
"They wanted me to stay and drink."
"I see." he said.
We continued on our way. Thankfully, taking deer paths known to very few humans and nearly all the Elves. I knew we'd camp tonight with Lanaya's clan before I continued on my journey to Gwaren.


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We Don't Want Your Business and Here's Why
We recently had an experience that doesn't happen all the time – we decided not to submit a proposal in response to an RFP that we received. Sounds crazy to turn down the opportunity for work but it really isn't. We (and I'm sure others) do it more than you might think, though not often. Deciding which opportunities are right for your company is one of the most important things you can learn to do in business. Indiscriminately chasing every lead or potential client isn't a smart idea; sometimes it means you lose money on the job or that you're trying to deliver services outside of your true area of expertise. Understanding what your criteria are for working with particular clients is just as important as understanding their needs. Only then can you hope to achieve a truly successful business relationship for both parties. I covered this topic in part in a column last year: True Partnerships are a Must for Successful Staffing Providers.


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Lumber Liquidators Provides Agenda For Business Update Conference Call
Mar 10, 2015
TOANO, Va., March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in North America, today announced an agenda for its business update conference call to be held on March 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call will be accompanied by a slide presentation that will be available by approximately 7:00 a.m. on the morning of the call. The topics to be discussed will include:
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- Sales Mix and Laminate Sourcing
- First Quarter 2015 Outlook
- "Why We Believe Our Liquidity Is Adequate for the Foreseeable Future"
- Next Steps
- Marketing the Value Proposition
- Focusing on the Customer
The conference may be accessed by dialing (877) 407-9039 or (201) 689-8470. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends through March 19, 2015 and may be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 and entering pin number 13603624. The live conference call and replay can also be accessed via audio webcast at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.lumberliquidators.com. The slide presentation will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.
About Lumber Liquidators
With more than 350 locations, Lumber Liquidators is North America's largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring. The Company features more than 400 top quality flooring varieties, including solid and engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate and vinyl plank. Additionally, Lumber Liquidators provides a wide selection of flooring enhancements and accessories to complement, install and maintain your new floor. Every location is staffed with flooring experts who can provide advice and useful information about Lumber Liquidators' low priced product, much of which is in stock and ready for delivery.
With premier brands including Bellawood and Morning Star Bamboo, Lumber Liquidators' flooring is often featured on popular television shows such as HGTV's Dream Home and This Old House. For more information, please visit www.LumberLiquidators.com or call 1.800.HARDWOOD.
Lumber Liquidators aims to be the industry leader in sustainability. For more information, please visit www.LumberLiquidators.com/Sustainability. Learn more about our corporate giving program at LayItForward.LumberLiquidators.com. You can also follow the Company on Facebook and Twitter.
For further information contact:
Lumber Liquidators Investor Relations
Ashleigh McDermott
Tel: 757.566.7512
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130529/NY21644LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumber-liquidators-provides-agenda-for-business-update-conference-call-300047868.html
SOURCE Lumber Liquidators


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SEO Writing – 4 Simple Steps to Master the Process
This article talks about how to SEO articles that we write.
SEO Writing – 4 Simple Steps to Master the Process
James Krawder is an internet marketing coach who aims to make money through affiliate marketing by promoting a coaching program.
Writing SEO articles and web content is something that you need to learn when doing business in the online arena. It is your best shot in capturing the attention of your potential clients and in convincing these people that you are somebody who knows your chosen niche inside out. It is also one of the most effective ways in pulling up your page ranking.
Here are some simple steps to learn the process:
1. Keyword research. Always start the process by researching for the best keywords to target in your articles. Doing this is relatively easy with the use of keyword suggestion tools particularly those that are offered by Google. List down those keywords or keyphrases that are very popular among your target audience and those that are closely related to the products and services that you sell.
However, keep in mind that the more competitive a keyword is, the more difficult it is for you to get your articles to appear on the top 10 search page results.
2. Choose your topics. You need to be very creative when choosing your topics. You need to think about your readers when doing this and you need to make sure that they will love the things that you are going to discuss. As much as possible, I would recommend that you relate your chosen keywords to the problems or goals of your target audience. It will also help if you offer tips list or how to guides that will help these people in solving problems or doing tasks.
3. Your readers should be your number one priority. Do not write and optimize your articles all at the same time. To make the process as simple as possible, I would recommend that you write for your readers first (you can write for search engines later). What you can do is anticipate all the learning needs of those people who will read your articles.
Do your best to ensure that you will be able to provide them with the exact information that they are looking for. These people must consider your articles as something useful and something that is worth their while. Make your articles easy to understand and engaging. This is to make sure that your audience will read your articles until the end.
4. Optimize your articles. Once you finish writing your articles, the next step is to make them search engine friendly. In able to do that, you must know the algorithms of search engines. These engines will index your articles and you have better chances of getting higher ranking if your articles contain just enough keywords and if you place them on certain locations where search spiders can easily see them.
The best places for your keywords would be on your title, first and last paragraphs (preferably within the first 90 characters), and on your article body. It will also help if you use words that are closely related to your chosen keywords or key phrases.
Related Articles
→ SEO Article Writing – 6 Simple Steps to do the Process Right
This article talks about the proper way of writing articles.
→ Article Writing Techniques – 6 Simple Steps to Succeed
This article talks about several article marketing and article writings tips that will help your article marketing campaigns.
→ 3 Simple Steps to Dramatically Improved Writing
How can you reach and transform your audience with your writing? Are you writing as an amateur, or as a professional? Learn three simple steps that will improve your writing and help you to move your audience.
→ Simple Steps on How to Write a Formal Letter
A formal letter is the best way to communicate with a company. You should use a letterhead as much as possible when you are writing a formal letter.
→ Simple Steps Lead To Successful Books
Like most first time authors, I figured that once the word was out that I'd written a book, the world would beat a path to my door wanting to buy it. I'll admit I gave little thought to marketing until the day my first printing of Handbook To A Happier Life was delivered.
Looking For More Information?
Make sure to explore other articles in the Article Writing category or contact us to suggest a website or a service to review.
Service Availability: Most of the services mentioned by this website are available in Australia. These include Victoria (Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, Shepparton-Mooroopna, Melton), NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Orange, Central Coast, Wagga Wagga), Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Thuringowa, Toowoomba), South Australia (Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Whyalla), Western Australia (Perth, Albany, Port Hedland, Broom, Karratha, Mandurah, Geraldton, Bunbury), Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine), Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) and Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston).


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Two Beach Dives at two different dive sites off West Maui. All Scuba gear is included on both dives. Dives are an average 25-35 feet of depth for approximately 40-50 minutes. ALL dives are PRIVATE and shuttle service is provided to those staying on West Maui.
COST : $149.00 (ALL scuba gear is included)
This is a savings of $29.00 !!


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Welcome to www.getmyhealthpass.com (the "Website(s), referred to herein sometimes collectively as either the "Website" or "Website(s)"), owned and operated by MyHealthPass, a Texas company ("MyHealthPass", "we", "our", or "us"). This Website is intended for use only by residents of the United States. This Privacy Policy ("Policy") is intended to inform you about how MyHealthPass collects, uses and discloses information that you may provide to the Website, including your personally identifiable information ("PII"). Please be sure to read this entire Policy before using or submitting information to the Website. By using the Website, you agree to the terms of this Policy and consent to the collection and use of your information as described herein. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not use the Website.
1. How does the Website Work?
The Website offers various health-related information to anonymous browsers and users who voluntarily provide us with certain information, including PII (collectively "you" or "your") in connection with access. You do not have to provide any PII to us in order to use the Website, but you may voluntarily submit certain PII if, for instance, you wish to receive our newsletters or wish us to respond to a request. MyHealthPass may need to change this Policy and how we handle PII from time to time in order to address new issues, evolving technologies, changes on our sites, or business practices. MyHealthPass will post those changes so you will always know what information we gather and how we might use that information. Please refer back to this Policy regularly.
2. What type of PII does MyHealthPass collect from you and how do we use it?
As stated above, you may provide certain PII to MyHealthPass in order to have access to certain features on our Website(s). Such PII shall include basic biographical and contact information, e.g., your name, address and email address. We may also ask you for general statistical, non-PII about yourself and your interests. Unless you provide PII to MyHealthPass through the Website, we do not collect any PII from you. MyHealthPass may provide your PII to various entities who work on behalf of or with us. These entities may use your PII to help us fulfill your requests in connection with our Website(s) and to help us communicate with you about different resources offered as part of the Website(s). For example, we may transfer information collected at registration, including PII, to service providers and other third parties who assist us in running the Website, and/or third party vendors in order to execute transactions requested by you. We will require these entities to agree to treat your PII in accordance with this Policy.
MyHealthPass values your trust. MyHealthPass does not share any of your PII with any third parties for direct marketing or other related purposes, and only uses this information to service your opt-in requests, such as receiving our MyHealthPass newsletters, or for uses specified at the point of collection.
3. Under what circumstances may we release PII?
We may release your PII if we believe such release is necessary to comply with the law (e.g., a legal process or a statutory authorization), to apply or enforce our customer agreements, to protect our rights or property, to protect Website users from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of the Website, or if we reasonably believe that a danger to any person requires disclosure of such PII. You acknowledge that MyHealthPass is located in the United States of America ("U.S.") and processes and stores your information in the U.S., and that as a result, U.S. governments, courts or law enforcement or regulatory agencies may be able to obtain disclosure of your information through the laws of the U.S.
4. What other information does MyHealthPass collect?
We also collect anonymous and aggregate information from you about your preferences in navigating the Website by using cookies, action tags and other methods. Your Internet browser automatically transmits to the Website some of this anonymous information. Cookies are small text files that identify your computer. We may use cookies to, among other things, monitor Website usage, customize Website features, identify your computer's operating system and browser, and complete transactions. An action tag is a small, graphic image on a webpage that is designed to allow the website owner or a third party to monitor who is visiting a website by collecting certain information, such as the IP address of the computer to which the tag is sent, the URL of the webpage that the tag comes from and the time that such webpage was viewed. Tags may be associated with cookie information. We may also use such anonymous and aggregate information for promotional purposes. We may use plugins, such as Facebook or Twitter. Each plug-in is the responsibility of its provider and we have no control over the amount of information that the respective provider collects with the help of its own plugin, or how it uses that information. If you are not yet a customer of the provider or have not (yet) consented there to having your data collected and used, we recommend not clicking on these plugins. If, on the other hand, you are already a customer of the plugin provider, you should refer directly to the relevant provider for information on the kind and amount of personal data it collects and uses, and for what purpose. You should also refer to the relevant provider for information about the data they provide to third parties and the permitted uses of such information.
5. What information does MyHealthPass allow its advertising partners to collect?
Third-party cookies are used for targeting and retargeting of online advertising. Third-party cookies are also used for measurement and analysis of audience data including market research. MyHealthPass incorporates third-party cookies to collect usage data for the purposes of targeting advertising on MyHealthPass website and partner properties, and for retargeting advertising to visitors after they leave MyHealthPass properties as well. Should consumers want to opt-out of tracking with these third-party cookies or simply find more information about entities involved in online advertising, MyHealthPass encourages users to visit the Network Advertising Initiative ("NAI") website at http://www.networkadvertising.org/.
MyHealthPass incorporates additional third-party cookies for the purposes of market research, as we track audience data for measurement of demographic, geographic, and other similar attributes. These types of cookies cannot be individually opted-out; users that do not want to be tracked should use the "Private Browsing" and/or "Do Not Track" feature in their web browser. To learn more about cookies and how to specify your preferences, you can search for "cookie" in the "Help" portion of your browser.
6. What types of targeted ads might be shown as the result of third-party advertising tracking?
Ads appearing on our web sites may be delivered to you on behalf of MyHealthPass as well as any of our third party advertising companies. Information about your visits to our sites, such as the number of times you have viewed an ad, date/time at which the ads were shown, the advertisers' cookies, and the IP address of the computer you use (but not your address or other Personally Identifiable Information) is used to serve ads to you on our sites. We share web site usage information about visitors to our sites with these companies for the purposes of managing and targeting advertisements, measuring their effectiveness, and for market research analysis on our sites. For these purposes, we and the third-party advertising companies that we use may note some of the pages you visit on our sites.
7. What types of cookies might be used?
In order to track your use of our sites, "cookies" are employed. We may use two types of cookies - so-called "browser cookies" and "Flash cookies". Browser cookies (also called "HTTP cookies") are pieces of information that are sent by web sites and stored in your computer's hard drive, which provide you a service by allowing us to recognize your computer to save you from having to re-enter the same data every time you visit our web sites. They also allow us to learn how visitors use our web sites. This user data is aggregated for tracking purposes primarily by tallying pages viewed throughout our web sites and logging Internet Protocol ("IP") addresses, browser types, general geographic origin of access to our sites and similar aggregated usage data. Flash cookies (also called "Locally Stored Objects" or "LSOs") work in a similar manner to browser cookies and are also used to remember settings and preferences and to track usage. However, they relate to certain Flash content such as animations, quizzes, interactive features, and videos, are stored differently on your hard drive and are managed through a different interface than the one provided by your web browser. In general, Flash cookies are more persistent and can store more data than browser cookies.
8. I really don't want my page visits to be tracked at all. How do I disable tracking again?
As described above, in the course of serving advertisements to the site, our third-party advertisers may place or recognize a browser or Flash cookie on your hard drive. However, if you turn cookies off (whether browser or Flash cookies), you will not have access to some MyHealthPass features and services.
- If you do not want to receive browser cookies, you may set your browser to reject them.
- If you wish to disable or delete Flash cookies, you should consult the Help file for your Flash application.
- If you want to fully opt-out of all tracking, MyHealthPass recommends that you use the "Private Browsing" and/or "Do Not Track" features of your browser.
To learn more about cookies and how to specify your preferences, you can search for "cookie" in the "Help" portion of your browser.
9. Who stores the PII information we collect for our email newsletter?
MyHealthPass maintains a secure database, via our email database service provider and/or other email database service providers, in which we store the user information you may provide to us. We contract with other email database service providers in order to distribute our electronic newsletters. Therefore, if you opt in to receive our newsletter, your email address is shared with and housed on MyHealthPass' database(s) and/or other email service providers' database(s).
10. How do we store information and how long do we store it?
MyHealthPass takes steps consistent with commercially reasonable industry standards to secure any PII collected from you from loss, misuse, unauthorized access and destruction while under our control. Please note that despite our efforts to protect information provided to us, we cannot guarantee that such information will not be lost, disclosed or accessed by accidental circumstances or by the unauthorized acts of others. You should know and consider that no Internet transmission is ever completely secure or error-free. MyHealthPass stores the information you provide to us in an active database in perpetuity, subject to our discretion, unless you opt-out.
11. Does MyHealthPass provide links to other websites?
MyHealthPass may provide links to other websites or resources of possible interest to you. Because we have no control over such websites or resources, the collection and use of your PII and other information by such websites shall be subject to the policies and procedures of such websites and not this Privacy Policy. You should consult privacy policies for all other sites, as MyHealthPass has no control over information submitted to or collected by such third parties. MyHealthPass sometimes offers contests, sweepstakes, or promotions sponsored or co-sponsored by third parties. These third parties may obtain PII that visitors voluntarily submit to participate in the contest, sweepstakes, or promotion. MyHealthPass has no control over the third-party sponsor's use of this information. The Website will notify you at the time of requesting PII if third-party sponsors will be provided with such information.
12. What are our policies regarding children?
The Website is not intended for children under the age of thirteen (13). MyHealthPass does not knowingly collect PII from anyone in this age group.
13. Do we have a mechanism to address the removal, change of, or amendment to PII and complaints about the handling of information that we collect?
If you wish to remove, change or amend the PII that you have submitted to MyHealthPass, please send us an email requesting such removal, change or amendment to firstname.lastname@example.com. If you have questions or concerns about any of our information collection or handling practices, please contact us at email@example.com


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1967-71 AMC 4-Speed Gear Shift Lever Boot
Black rubber four speed shifter boot. This shifter boot does not have a casting line. The boor does not have the metal ring cast in the bottom but it is not needed(1971-74 Javelin 4-speed boots had metal). For 1967-71 AMC four speed models without a floor console. Does not fit 1971-74 AMC Javelin / AMX models.
Click To Enlarge
- Item #: 9199IN


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Patta or Vishramgad (1396 meters) from mean sea level
Patta/Vishramgad fort is spread to almost 10 kilometers east to west and almost 7 kilometers north to south
Thus this fort is having a vast expanse hence many base villages
Base villages for Patta fort
1) Pattawadi, Taluka Akole dist Ahmednagar
2) Kokanwadi Taluka Akole dist Ahmednagar
3) Tirdhe, Taluka Sinnar Dist Nasik
4) Taaked ,Taluka Igatpuri dist Nasik
5) Ninvi-Girwadi Near Deolali camp Taluka and District Nasik
Patta /Vishramgad fort is located in Kalsubai range a mountain range which emerges from Sahyadris at Alang-Kulang and Madangad forts near Igatpuri and run east-west direction till Sinnar in Nasik District
Kalsubai the highest mountain in Maharashtra(1648 meters) is located in this mountain range hence this range is called as Kalsubai range
Patta fort is 4th mountain east of Kalsubai towards Deolali -Sinnar but geographically this fort is located in Akole Taluka of Ahmednagar
How to reach here
By ST bus,it is very inconvinient
From Akole ST bus stand,there is ony one bus around 4:30 pm to paach-pattewadi.You need to get down at a village nearby and walk around 4 kms to reach Pattawadi till evening,make an overnight stay in that village and climb Patta fort from here next day and come back
From Sinnar in Nasik,there are buses to Konambe village and from there,you need to walk till Tirdhe village and then by Traversing Avandh fort,you need to reach Patta fort in 4 hours through Dilli Darwaza(Shown in one photograph below)
From Bhandardara/Akole,there are few buses and jeeps to Ekdara village and from there you need to walk around 2 hours to reach Pattawadi and climb this fort
Thus if you want to trek this fort,you need to have your own vehicle and drive around 400 kms a day(From Pune/Mumbai).That is the only convinient way
History of Patta fort
Patta fort earlier belonged to Mughals but in year 1671,Moropant Pingle was on a mission of capturing forts in Nasik and Baglan range and thus in year 1672,Moropant Pingle was succesful to capture this fort
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during raid on Jalna in year 1679 rested for some time near Sangamner and unfortunately the Maratha army was siezed from all sides by Mughal army and Shivaji Maharaj was ill during that time. Bahirji Naik succesfully rescued Shivaji Maharaj and took him to Patta fort. Shivaji Maharaj stayed on this fort for around 1.5 months to recover from illness(After Rajgad and Raigad,Patta is the only fort where Shivaji Maharaj stayed for this much long time)
During Peshwa period,this fort was used as a hill station by royal families.Later during British rule,freedom fighters used this fort for their place of hiding hence it was destroyed and dismantled by britishers after year 1820.Now only few remains of palaces are seen
Following are photographs with description
|Vast expanse of Patta fort seen on the way
|The huge spread and traverse of Patta fort.From one end to other,it is almost 10 kms long
|On the way to Patta fort,A Plateau on the way.After walking 3 kms,you reach a plateau above Pattawadi village
|Cannons on way to Patta fort
|Reaching halfway fom Pattawadi village
|Approaching caves where Samadhi of Laxmangiri Maharaj is located
|Samadhi of Laxmangiri Maharaj at a cave on Patta fort
|Pattai devi temple
|Dilli Darwaza the route from Avandh fort via Tirdhe meets here
|Water tank on Patta fort.This water is supplied to Pattawadi village
|Remains of Palace on top
|Inside Palace
|The point from where cannons were fired from this fort
|Nearby Patta fort summit
|From Patta fort summit.A very very strong wind was blowing here and it was enough to blow away anybody
|Kokanwadi village seen below from Patta fort Summit
|Traverse of Patta fort towards Avandh
|Near Saptateerth on Patta fort
|Mahakaal mountain(1450 meters) near Ekdara the neighbour of Patta fort and Kalsubai(Not seen due to dense clouds and fog)
|Close view of Mahakaal Mountain and Bitandgad(Extreme right mountain) in the Sahyadris range
|Mhaiswalan ghat on road to Igatpuri
|Windmills on way to Taaked in Mhais-walan ghat
|Scene from Mhaiswalan ghat
|Taaked village near Igatpuri
|Sarvateerth at Taaked.There is one Jataayu temple and Ram temple in its surroundings.


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Advocacy Day 2016
Each year, ASLA advocates travel from across the country to Washington, DC to advocate for policy issues important to the landscape architecture profession. During their congressional visits, landscape architects strive to raise the visibility of the profession with legislators and key staff, and educate them on the many ways that landscape architects provide solutions to a myriad of problems facing our nation.
On May 18-21, VTASLA Chapter Trustee Ann Milovsoroff, President-Elect Jim Donovan, and President Hannah Loope traveled to Washington DC to participate in ASLA Advocacy Day. ASLA's Advocacy Day brings together Chapter representatives from across the country to meet with their members of Congress to urge support of legislation related and important to landscape architecture.
In addition, this year's legislation also draws focus to the design of resilient streets and the creation of transportation networks that include vegetation management. Currently, a House bill (H.R. 2606) threatens to completely remove funding for vegetation and green infrastructure from all future federally-funded transportation projects. Benefits of green infrastructure in major transportation projects include cost-effective and improved stormwater management and life extension of aging utilities (gray infrastructure), as well as improved water quality, groundwater recharge, and flood protection. Native vegetation in public rights-of-way promote pollinators that protect our food supply and diversify ecosystems. Green infrastructure projects also reduce construction and maintenance costs and boost local economies by creating jobs, and support small businesses by attracting development and increasing property values. All these benefits are at risk in the proposed bill by eliminating integrated vegetation management from the scope of future transportation projects.
The removal of green infrastructure will threaten the protection of Vermont's waterways and downstream neighbors, weaken our aging gray infrastructure, limit our economy in both job creation and tourism, and hurt small businesses– all which go against Vermont's values, culture, and way of life. We received ready assurances from the staff of Senator Sanders, Senator Leahy, and Representative Welch that they supported the Centennial Challenge funding efforts, and would not support any measure seeking to eliminate green infrastructure from transportation projects.
As in previous years, our Vermont congressional delegation was in complete agreement on all of ASLA's national agenda items. A big thank you to our Vermont members of Congress and their staff for supporting ASLA's efforts and taking the time to discuss these critical issues with us!
Follow the link to learn more about ASLA Advocacy Day.
Check out these great videos to help with your advocacy efforts!
Leveraging the Landscape to Manage Water from ASLA on Vimeo.
From Industrial Wasteland to Community Park from ASLA on Vimeo.


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Funding & Awards - UEC Attendance Award
The Urological Excellence Conference (UEC) Attendance Award is a reimbursement program providing financial assistance to Urology Nurses of Canada (UNC) members to attend the annual Urological Excellence Conference. Up to four awards of $500.00 are available to support nurses to attend the annual UEC.
Submission deadline: March 15, 2019


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I hope that at five months out, people will receive what I have to say better than they would have when I really wanted to write it. I realized, then, that people might view my words as in-the-moment grief, anger, or insanity, so I decided to wait until there was a little more time between me and November to write this post. After a recent conversation on a stillbirth forum, I realized that I am not the only person who needs to write this blog. I write this for me and for the people I am connected to through our common grief…
I think that our world, as a whole, does not understand the power of the spoken word. We speak empty words so often that they come effortlessly when tragedy strikes.
"Hi, how are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you?"
End of conversation
Are you really "fine?" Are you really "good?" Did you ask that question out of genuine concern? Did you expect a genuine answer? How would you respond if you got one?
Wait. I know. I've seen you shift uncomfortably and look for an escape when I stray from the script and say I'm still struggling or that it's been a rough week. That hurts, but what hurts even worse are the words that you normally say next. Maybe you've thought a little more about these words, but still not enough to realize how damaging they are. It may take you five or ten seconds to say them, but they stay with me much longer than that. The same is true for sympathy cards. Maybe you agonize for longer over what to write, but still the amount of time it took you to think and write them does not compare to the amount of time they will stay with me. At five months out, I still know who said and who wrote what words—not because I keep a list of them so I can stay angry, but because I can't un-hear or un-see them. And because, now more than ever, words mean something to me.
"Well, it was meant to be."
"He's in a better place."
"At least he'll never have to suffer. "
"It's a part of God's plan and you'll just have to learn to accept it."
"Everything happens for a reason."
"God just needed another angel."
"Maybe there would have been something wrong with him."
"Maybe he's being spared from something else."
"You can have other babies. Your sister did."
"God doesn't give us more than we can handle."
"You're being tested."
"Cheer up! It'll be okay."
Please believe me when I tell you that even spoken gently and kindly, those words hurt. Even if you truly believe those words, stop for a moment and think about the possibility that maybe I don't believe those words. Maybe I don't believe that God's plan involves death. Maybe I feel that I've been given more than I can handle. Maybe this loss has been so hard that I don't even want to think about having other babies. Even the two phrases above that I believe are true are not helpful in my time of grief. I know my son will never suffer and I know he's with Jesus, but those things do not ease my pain here and now.
The main reason the phrases above are so hurtful is that it feels like you're trying to say "It's really not so bad." But it is bad. It's awful. It's unthinkable. It's the most painful thing that's ever happened to me. In the early stages of grief, I remember saying to my mother, "I'm tired of people trying to cheer me up. I don't need a cheerleader right now. I need someone to crawl down into the cave I'm in just to be with me."
Don't get me wrong, I know you mean well. Most of the time, I keep my mouth shut and don't tell people that what they've said has hurt me because I'd rather get my feelings hurt than hurt someone else. I'm realizing now, though, that if I don't say something, the well-meaning words will be spoken to another grieving person somewhere down the road. That realization has helped me to find my voice (or fingers) and write this blog.
So think twice. Think three times before you say or write something to someone who is grieving, no matter what the loss. Blake and I have often joked about the blank space in cards and how people always feel like they need to fill it. If you're one of those people that like to fill blank space, here are a few ideas:
"I'm thinking about you."
"I can't imagine what you must be going through."
"This is so sad/awful/terrible."
"I'm praying for you."
"I'm sorry."
These phrases are also good to use as conversational substitutes to the earlier mentioned phrases.
In cards, though, when all else fails, just sign your name really big. 🙂