text:
Quick Links
A-Z Index | School of Medicine Quick Links
Find a Health Care Provider | Contact Us | Maps and Parking
Do pregnant women have worse surgical outcomes than their non-pregnant counterparts?
Surgical Outcomes and Applied Research (SOAR) is an ongoing collaboration between the Department of Surgery and the Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science (ACCORDS). The goal of this collaboration is to facilitate the development of outcomes research by Department of Surgery faculty, including active efforts to secure grant funding for surgical outcomes research. This was begun as a two-year initiative starting in 2012, with support from the Department of Surgery.
The core mission of ACCORDS (Adult and Child Center for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science; formerly known as the Colorado Health Outcomes Program, or COHO) is to conduct and evaluate interventions that improve population health and the overall quality of healthcare. ACCORDS conducts health services research, which is a multidisciplinary field that examines the quality, accessibility, delivery, costs, and outcomes of healthcare services. The intention of the research is defined most effectively as to manage, finance, and deliver high-quality healthcare; reduce medical errors; and improve patient safety.
ACCORDS has a history of conducting studies in surgical outcomes under the direction of Drs. Henderson and Hammermeister. It served as the statistical coordinating center of the VA NSQIP from 2002-2008, and for the American College of Surgeons NSQIP from 2005-2010, with ongoing studies utilizing these databases.
© The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.


text:
In 13 years of Good Friday walks, this year's tops them all for weather conditions.
"We have walked in light rain and snow flurries," said Our Lady of Mercy church youth leader Anita Van Zile, "however, this year's snowstorm tops the list for the worse weather."
She walked from Harrison Lake State Park into Fayette with nearly 20 church members—mostly from the youth group—just as Friday's snowstorm unleashed its fury.
"We average about 30 participants annually, but one year had close to 60 people," Van Zile said. "In good weather, we have had baby strollers with toddlers, and also some senior citizens. Bad weather definitely reduces the numbers."
Van Zile was aware of a Good Friday walk tradition in Carey, Ohio, and she wanted to bring it closer to home. The first year, in 1996, the Fayette Community Walk for Life started at the home of Jane and Bob Momyer and covered seven miles on the way into town. She cut it down to five miles by moving the start to the south shelter house at Harrison Lake.
A lenten lunch is eaten at Willie and Lucy Rodriguez's home on the way into town, with food donated by parishioners.
Along the way, walkers take turns carrying a large cross made by Ron Eisel from trees in his woods.
Jerry Van Zile drove in front of the walkers Friday for safety in the snowstorm and Dorothy McDowell took her usual place at the back of the pack. Members of the church youth group help organize the annual event, Van Zile said, giving them exposure to working with the church.
"The walk is a sign of our respect for life and to recognize that life is a gift from God," Van Zile said. "We invite others to walk with us, carry the weight of the wood and take time for reflection while doing so. The day is intended to share in friendships, for reflection and to make Good Friday something special."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
With Thursday's news that the Houston Dynamo snagged Honduran international Carlo Costly — who's tabbed as Honduras' replacement for Catrachos icon Carlos Pavón — the writers at MLSsoccer.com decided to compile a list of the five best Hondurans ever to don an MLS kit.
Like everything, the picks are open to discussion, so feel free to join the conversation below.
1. Amado Guevara
Honduras' captain and all-time caps leader is the definition of a midfield maestro. Smart, cunning and with the ability to strike at a moment's notice — just like his nickname "El Lobo" (The Wolf) implies – Guevara spent the majority of his MLS career orchestrating memorable moments for the MetroStars and Red Bulls from 2003-06.
The midfielder shined the most in 2004, taking home the MLS MVP award, the MLS Golden Boot, an MLS Best XI selection and was named the MLS All-Star MVP. Guevara found his way to Toronto a couple of seasons later before rejoining Motagua in his native country.
2. Alex Pineda Chacón
All it took was one season for Pineda Chacón to carve his name in Major League Soccer lore. In 2001, in his first season in MLS, a relatively unheralded Pineda Chacón came off the Miami Fusion's bench to score two goals in his first MLS appearance and didn't look back.
He went on to score 19 goals and tallied nine assists in a talent-packed Fusion side en route to a scoring title, an MLS Best XI selection and the MLS MVP award. Miami were contracted the following season, and Pineda Chacón never reached those heights again in stints at New England, LA and Columbus.
3. Ramón Núñez
Long before becoming the next promising attacker for English Championship side Leeds United, the 25-year-old was the next promising attacker for Dallas. Drafted sixth overall in 2004 by the Burn, Núñez hit MLS as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.
Blessed with speed, agility, vision and touch, Núñez, who can play at either forward or midfield, didn't get on the field until late in his rookie season. But once he did, the starting spot immediately became his. He went on to tally 14 goals and nine assists in 67 starts at Dallas before stints at Chivas USA, Olimpia (twice) and a brief run in Mexico.
4. Marvin Chávez
Faster than a speeding bullet, "The Son of the Wind" has become a crucial component for FC Dallas this year. Without Colombian playmaker David Ferreira to lead the team's offense, FCD have relied on Chávez, who is second on the team in both goals and assists (four of each).
The 27-year-old joined Dallas on loan in 2009 and was a vital cog in their run to the MLS Cup last season. If FCD plan on reaching the same heights this season — plus further glory in the CONCACAF Champions League — Chávez will have to stay on top of his game, running swiftly through, around and past defenders.
5. Carlos Pavón
Although the legendary Honduran striker had a brief and unsuccessful spell with the LA Galaxy in 2007 — three goals in 18 appearances — no list of greatest Honduran players to don an MLS kit would be complete without his name on it.
The all-time leader in goals for los Catrachos with 56, Pavón cemented his place as a national hero when he hit the goal against El Salvador that qualified Honduras to the 2010 World Cup, the nation's first appearance in the international tournament since 1982.
At age 37 and after a lengthy career mostly carved out in Mexico, Pavón is now playing his trade with the club that gave him his first pro start, Real España, and plans to retire at the end of this year.


text:
APpx : DOWNLOAD
Top 10 Best Insurance Companies In The World In 2015
1. Berkshire Hathaway Insurance
2. China life Insurance
3. Allianz Insurance
4. American International Group (AIG)
5. Ping An insurance
6. MetLife
Insurance company is way of risk management through hedging the loss or damage of any uncertain situation by paying some amount to company. In recent era the Insurance companies are emerging and become any integral part of life of any individual or corporation which covers any of loss by offering different specialized plans to its customers. Insurance companies provides exclusive policies including automotive, property, tangible or intangible goods, health and life insurance with respect to time, money or premium becoming efficient and effective respondents to change which enables risk. There are numerous insurance companies serving the customers worldwide making it difficult for any person or business firm to choose the best one. Here we listed top ten best insurance companies in the world below for you.
Installing .XAP files on your phone using an SD card
Some mobile operators offer apps in the form of a .XAP file on an SD card. If you've got a .XAP file on an SD card, here's how to install it on your phone. Tip
If you're running Windows Phone 8.1 and your phone supports an SD card, you can install apps directly to your SD card instead of your phone's internal storage. These apps will show up in the App list just like your other apps and games. To install apps and games from your phone's SD card
Insert an SD card that contains one or more .XAP files into your phone.
In the App list, tap Store Store Tile.
Tap More More icon, then tap Install local apps. (If you're running an earlier version of Windows Phone, look for the SD card option instead.) Note
If you've just inserted the SD card or added the .XAP files, you might need to wait a few minutes before you can access your SD card from the Store.
Select the apps you want, then tap Install.
Installed apps appear in the App list. Depending on the specific app or game, you'll be able to use them as follows:
Free apps and games can be used immediately.
Paid apps and games that have a trial will be available as a trial version that you can purchase later.
Paid apps and games without a trial must be purchased before you can use them.


text:
KHL Scores 11/23-12/4
Vasily Koshechkin kicks off the update right with a 32 save shutout in a 1-0 Togliatti win over Riga.
Alexei Glukhov was -1 in Mytischi's 2-1 loss to Novgorod.
Ilya Solarev was -1 in Astana's 4-2 win over Voskresensk.
Dimitri Kazionov was scoreless in Kazan's 5-1 loss to St. Petersburg.
Albert Vishnyakov was scoreless in Novokuznetsk's 3-2 shootout loss to Cherepovets.
Anton But scored his 7th goal of the season and was +1 in CSKA's 5-3 win over Novosibirsk.
Vasily Koshechkin allowed 4 goals on 33 shots in Togliatti's 4-2 loss to Yaroslavl.
Alexei Glukhov was scoreless in Mytischi's 3-2 win over KHK MVD.
Dimitri Kazionov had an assist and was +2 in Kazan's 7-0 win over Cherepovets.
Anton But had an assist and was +1 in CSKA's 6-2 loss to Khabarovsk.
Vasily Koshechkin allowed 1 goal on 32 shots in Togliatti's 2-0 loss to St. Petersburg.
Dimitri Kazionov had 4 penalty minutes in Kazan's 1-0 win over Yaroslavl.
Anton But had an assist and was +1 in CSKA's 3-2 win over Novokuznetsk.
Vasily Koshechkin recorded a 26 save shutout in Togliatti's 2-0 win over Cherepovets.
Dimitri Kazionov scored his 6th goal of the season and was +1 in Kazan's 4-3 win over Novgorod.
Ilya Solarev was scoreless in Astana's 5-2 win over Omsk.
Alexei Glukhov was -1 in Mytischi's 1-0 loss to KHK MVD.
Anton But had an assist and was +2 in CSKA's 5-1 win over Voskresensk.
Vasily Koshechkin allowed 1 goal on 21 shots in Togliatti's 3-1 win over Chekhov.
Albert Vishnyakov was scoreless in Novokuznetsk's 3-1 win over Cherepovets.
Obviously the big takeaway from this update is the re-emergence of overage prospect Vasily Koshechkin. The 6'6" netminder is now 7-9-1 on the season, with a 2.03 GAA, 4 shutouts, and a .918 save percentage. He is tied for third in the KHL in shoutouts behind Robert Esche and Stanislav Galimov.
- 1731 reads
- Printer-friendly version


text:
Yum Brands admits it. A huge dust-up over chickens in China is killing sales.
In its fourth-quarter report, Yum Brands flagged the bad news right up top: "Adverse publicity regarding poultry supply continues to significantly impact China KFC sales."
The adverse publicity stems from media reports that their China KFC operations have been serving up fryers laced with far more antibiotics and hormones than they should have, prompting calls for a boycott by Chinese diners and an investigation by China's food inspectors.
This is serious stuff. For over two decades Yum Brands has relied heavily on China to grow its fast-food business, calling it the greatest restaurant opportunity of the 21 century. Of their three main brands, KFC has done best, first opening in China in 1987. They now have over 4,200 restaurants in 800 cities. But KFC China same-store sales fell 6% last quarter, dropping hardest in the last two weeks of the year.
The company also warned it's likely to take a while to pull out of this downward spiral. It's having such a devastating impact on the bottom line that Yum Brands CEO David Novak warned "We no longer expect to achieve EPS growth in 2013." That leaves it stuck at $3.25, or less, for the year, a big letdown for investors who had been counting on Yum Brands to deliver its earlier outlook of about 10% EPS growth this year.
This produced a big sell-off Tuesday and a flood of downgrades. Yum Brands shares fell more than 6% at the open to $59.68 -- a 52-week low.
So how long does it take to convince the world's biggest poultry market that KFC fowl is just fine? Yum Brands is guessing about a year.
Skeptics on Wall Street, bracing for a 25% first-quarter drop in KFC China same-store sales, aren't yet ready to venture and estimate.
According to David Tarantino at Robert W. Baird & Co.: "We are stepping to the sidelines on YUM amid the highly uncertain near-term outlook for China … While optimistic that YUM is taking appropriate actions to stem the same-store traffic declines, we hesitate to assume that these initiatives will lead to a quick recovery."
Tarqantino knocked his recommendation on the stock down to neutral from outperform.
Meanwhile analysts at Deutsche Bank Markets Research questioned whether Yum's updated guidance is sufficiently "kitchen-sinked."
"Our quick review of the model suggests that in order for YUM to achieve the new implied EPS guidance of ~$3.09, China comps need to improve to approx. negative low double-digits in 2Q, negative mid single-digits in 3Q, and up mid single-digits in 4Q (all else being equal)."
-- Jim Jelter
Follow Jim Jelter on Twitter @jjelter
Follow The Tell blog on Twitter @thetellblog


text:
The House Republican budget plan will be particularly harmful to Hispanic Americans, Texas Rep. Charlie Gonzalez said Wednesday — increasing their health care costs and slashing initiatives important to Latinos.
Congressional photo
Rep. Charlie Gonzalez
In a conference call organized by the Democratic National Committee, the San Antonio Democrat said the budget plan authored by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would "end Medicare as we know it" and raise health costs for poor and elderly Americans.
Gonzalez, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, agreed with Republicans who say that deficit reduction is a key policy priority. But he strongly disagreed with their means of cutting the deficit, asserting that two-thirds of the GOP's spending cuts "come from programs that benefit low income and moderate income families."
"We can achieve the goals that everyone wishes to reach without disproportionately hurting those in our society that are the most vulnerable," Gonzalez said.
"We can do what we need to do to continue to get this country back on the move, balance our budget and reduce our national debt. But we don't have to do it on the backs of those individuals that are the most vulnerable in our society and are simply trying to move forward, better their lives, and are trying to make a greater contribution than they are making at the present time."
Gonzalez's conference call was part of the spin game being played by both parties during the two-week congressional spring recess.


text:
Recruitment, Retention & Expansion
Albuquerque works to build and grow businesses with the city.
The City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department works with Albuquerque Economic Development Inc., a private, nonprofit organization, to recruit business and industry to Albuquerque.
EDD also works with the New Mexico Department of Economic Development, the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership and the regional Metro New Mexico Development Alliance.
The EDD has worked on such major relocation projects as The Gap Corporate Shared Services, TempurPedic, Sennheiser and SUMCO.
Albuquerque Economic Development Inc. can prepare both general and customized information for economic-based companies considering a location in the Albuquerque metro area. Information on properties, incentives, labor force, utilities, transportation, taxes and quality of life are available.
The National Association of Office & Industrial Properties publishes a directory of the state and certain cities, which includes economic and demographic information, descriptions, highlights and commercial property listings.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments publishes a Regional Atlas with detailed information about the Albuquerque Metro Area, which includes Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties.
Retention and Expansion
EDD helps existing companies with expansion. Examples include: CVI Laser, Emcore, Ktech, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Array Technologies, and Bueno Foods.


text:
A new study released last week by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and the California Safe Schools Coalition (CSSC) examines the impact of LGBTQ-inclusive curricula on school climate. The results confirm that not only do inclusive curricula foster a safer environment, but the effect is amplified if the messages are supportive as opposed to "neutral/mixed" or not supportive. Not only did LGBTQ students feel safer, but they also performed better academically and felt more connected to the school, their teachers, and their future.
Inclusive lessons had a slightly different impact. In physical education classes, for example, "neutral/mixed" inclusion of LGBTQ lessons still had a negative impact on students' perceptions of safety, but when there were supportive lessons, it had the most significant positive impact. Conversely, in Health and Sexuality courses, any inclusion of LGBTQ issues/people had a positive effect on school climate (click to see full size):
The study also confirmed the huge impact that gay-straight alliances (GSAs) can have. Students who benefited the most from inclusive curricula were members of their school's GSA, including higher GPAs and a stronger sense of school belonging. Unsurprisingly, LGBTQ students with neither inclusive curricula nor a GSA had the most negative perceptions of school safety.
None of these results are new. GLSEN similarly found a significant positive impact from inclusive curricula, and the Family Acceptance Project found that GSAs mitigate depression and even help improve college academic performance. These results are important as hate groups like the Family Research Council continue to attack California's FAIR Education Act with old debunked scare tactics, attempting to deprive LGBT youth of the opportunity to learn about their own identities and feel safe in school.


text:
About this time, our attention is starting focus on what will be served on Christmas Day and how we want to lay out the table.
Beautiful china, special linen napkins and of course a simple but elegant centerpiece:
Look how beautiful, simple and creative:
I think the most beautiful table settings are those that use fresh greenery:
This arrangement is pretty, but where will you put the food?:
Some people are so creative:
Sandra Lee never disappoints when making an original table setting:
Do you dress up your table? I do, but when it is time to bring out the food I always remove the centerpiece and replace it with food. The centerpiece is taken off and put aside. I figure for anyone to be able to leave the centerpieces on the table during dinner, they must have a butler serving them on the side!
If you need help decorating your home, contact me today.


text:
Why You Should Never Lay A Hand On Someone Else's Child: Woman Caught Beatin On An Asian Kid.. Gets A Flying Karate Kick & Sent Runnin Home Cryin!
Woman gets a beatin from family after layin hands on their child
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Publisher Larry Tobin's Ups n Downs column in the Oct. 14, 2008, Tomahawk Leader:
Last week's presidential candidate debates raised a point that's been bugging me for a long time. Barak Obama, in response to a question, stated that the American people "have a right" to affordable health care.
Excuse me, but the only things the American people have a
right to, according to the U.S. Constitution, are possibilities!
The Constitution doesn't guarantee you happiness. It guarantees you the right to pursue it. So long as it doesn't interfere with anyone else's rights, you may attempt to do whatever satisfies you. There are no guarantees that you may achieve your goal other than that you have the right to try.
The Second Amendment doesn't guarantee you a gun. It merely grants you the opportunity to purchase one of your own.
You don't have the right to own a home, but you do have the opportunity, however you may provide it for yourself.
That's the great thing about this country of ours. Nowhere else in the world do you have those opportunities. Neither does any place else in the world provide you with guaranteed physical amenities or services.
The problem is, the Democrats always seem to want to redefine the Constitution to make opportunities into government sponsoreship or government assurances of home ownership (whether we can afford it or not), good health, good education (whether we care to learn or not), a job (whether we wish to work or not), and happiness (whether we make our own effort or not).
I believe the proper way is to follow the true meaning of the Constitution. That means doing things for ourselves with as little interference from the government as possible. It's up to us, individually, to do whatever we can to take advantage of the plentiful opportunities available to us.
First and foremost, that means take advantage of the educational opportunities at hand. LEARN, people! The schools are there. Make sure your kids respond to their chances for an education. We demand a lot from our teachers and we have a right to in many respects. But they can only do so much. If the kids refuse to participate in the learning process and the parents refuse to assist the teachers, those opportunities are lost. That pretty much puts a lot of future chances in the tank.
If we don't take advantage of our opportunities we have no one to blame but ourselves.
But that doesn't mean anything to the Democrats. So what if we don't do for ourselves, their mantra is "let big government do it for you." I'm sorry, but I can't subscribe to that.
I'm not a big Mike Huckabee fan, but he made a statement at the Republican convention that impressed me. He said, "I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to wait for the government to make me rich."
I have news for those who are waiting for the government to make them rich or anything else. It isn't going to happen! What have you ever seen the government get involved with in your life that hasn't made it worse?
. . .
I wonder if you knew this: The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge covers 20-million acres. The area that people want access to drill oil in is a mere 2,000 acres. That's an area the size of the Los Angeles International Airport. Drilling for oil there would not destroy the Arctic!
So many people are concerned that we'll be destroying wildlife habitat if we drill for oil in the Arctic or anywhere else. Yet, I just did some traveling in Wyoming and had the opportunity to visit with the editor of the Sheridan Press.
Interestingly, while the national economy is in the tank at the moment, Wyoming is booming due to their oil, gas, and coal industries. The state has no sales tax, no income tax, and the state budget has a multi-billion dollar surplus.
If you live there and your children maintain a certain grade point in high school, they can go to any state college or university free. That's an endowed program that doesn't have to be supported by tax dollars every year.
But does all this mining affect wildlife? I saw more antelope than I've ever seen in my life there. They were like grasshoppers! A herd of 50 or more were within a few feet of a Sheridan subdivision. I saw them walking around gas and oil wells and within a short distance of men working on those wells.
I believe we are capable of doing anything we set our minds to and that includes retrieving gas, oil and coal, as well as using nuclear energy, without harming ourselves or the environment. This is not the 19th Century, people. We've gained the knowledge and technology enabling us to do incredible things to benefit ourselves and the world.
By the way, I also saw huge wind energy projects going up all across southern Minnesota and some in South Dakota. Yet, when people want to erect them in Wisconsin, they get blocked because they're ugly or may harm birds.
I admit, they aren't the most pleasurable things to look at, but we do need the energy. And I doubt they'd kill as many birds as what fly into my dining room windows every year.
. . .
Finally, does anyone ever wonder just what American Indians think of the current illegal immigration issue? Think about it….
Ups n Downs
Forum for General Topics not covered by other areas.
1 post • Page 1 of 1
- Administrator
- Posts: 679
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2001 1:01 am
- Contact:
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Return to "General Discussion"
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests


text:
I have a website that I am building with a .mov file using quicktime.
The code that I have found from quicktime is as follows...
Here's the kicker...
Code: Select all
<object data="videos/training.mov" width="320" height="416"
<param name="src" value="videos/training.mov" />
<param name="autoplay" value="false" />
<param name="controller" value="true" />
<embed src="videos/training.mov" width="320" height="416"
autoplay="false" controller="true"
pluginspage="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/" />
DOCTYPE is Transitional. When I check the page with http://validator.w3.org/ I get the following error
Code: Select all
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
there is no attribute "src"
<embed src="videos/training.mov" width="320" height="416"
You have used the attribute named above in your document, but the document type you are using does not support that attribute for this element. This error is often caused by incorrect use of the "Strict" document type with a document that uses frames (e.g. you must use the "Transitional" document type to get the "target" attribute), or by using vendor proprietary extensions such as "marginheight" (this is usually fixed by using CSS to achieve the desired effect instead).
It's saying that I need to use the "Transitional" document type which is what I am using.
Any suggestions on how to change this? I've tried to look for html/xhtml conversions, but I haven't found anything uesful yet.


text:
LCC's Broadway and Beyond; Bell Tower dedication; YPLC social
Broadway at LCC is tonight
The Lenoir Community College presentation of Broadway and Beyond will be at 7:30 p.m. today in the Waller Building Auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with pre-concert entertainment by Timothy Maddox of the LCC Music faculty. The show is produced and directed by LCC Music Program Chair Carolyn Crossland. She and Rick Vernon will co-host the event.
Among the entertainers will be Kinston Dance Academy presenting a swing routine to �Sing! Sing! Sing!� One of the most famous songs of the Big Band Era, it was made famous by the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Teacher/choreographer Angela Patton and Kinston Dance Academy owner and choreographer Jan McKenrick choreographed the number. The routine will be a part of the 20th anniversary celebration for the studio at its spring production on May 3.
For information, contact Crossland at 252-527-6223, ext. 919, or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Public invited to bell dedication service
Members of First Presbyterian Church invite the community to join their worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday for a special dedication of the Bell Tower. The final bells recently were installed due to the efforts of Fran Parker and a fundraising campaign in honor of her late husband, Dr. Sam Parker.
The bells were cast by the Petit and Fritsen Bell Foundry, The Royal Dutch Bell Founder, kin Aarle-Rixtel, Holland, under the direction of Harry Van Bergen of the Cleveland, Ohio, company by the same name. The bells weigh from 150 to 550 pounds.
The congregation hopes that when the bells toll, they will be a blessing for the entire community and a daily reminder of God�s love.
The church is at 2101 N. Herritage St. For information, call 252-522-1921.
Kinston leaders to address YPLC
Two of Kinston�s top ranking officials are also two of the youngest in the state at their jobs. While Mayor BJ Murphy and City Manager Tony Sears often share insight on what�s going on in the city, they will take part in a discussion April 25 hosted by the Young Professionals of Lenoir County.
The two will share their keys for success as Young Professionals and talk about some special projects in the works that will directly benefit local Young Professionals. The social will start at 5 p.m. in the main dining room of the Kinston Country Club. YPLC members will receive a complimentary drink ticket. There also will be a cash bar. Entry and food during the social is free.
Young Professionals, an extension of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, is a professional society open to men and women ages 21 to 40. For more information, contact Ashley Pierce at email@example.com or Justin Hill at email@example.com.


text:
At SLU I was a tour guide for admissions, participated in intramural sports--broomball and basketball-- was an active member of Circle K, a peer tutor in Spanish, and worked in the Spanish writing center. I also participated in St. Lawrence's study abroad program in Spain (2007-2008).
I chose SLU because of its strong language department and its rich study abroad programs. When I came to St. Lawrence I knew that I wanted to major in Spanish and participate in the St. Lawrence program in Madrid; I was also attracted to the university because of its great education program which allows students to complete a semester of student teaching and graduate as a certified 7-12 teacher even before they enter a graduate program. I speak Spanish fluently and am proficient in German at the beginning level.


text:
2012: Resolve to Stay Inspired
Posted by
Becky |
View all posts by Becky
3 Comments »
Ugh. I'm old enough to know I'm never going to stick to any hard and fast resolutions, like losing weight or giving up vices, so I'm not going to sit here and tell you how to clean your closet or reorganize your shoes. However, one thing that keeps me inspired to complete some projects around the house is an ant infestation.
Another thing is looking at beautiful pictures of other peoples' much more clean and organized homes. So here are a few from Flickr. Thanks to everyone who continues to add their pictures to our Fresh New Spaces Group. Whenever I want a nice little escape from whatever I'm working on, I head over there to get my creative juices flowing.
Love this clean white kitchen from Flickr member aindizain. My kitchen island has NEVER looked so good, but maybe after admiring this picture I will make it look like this.
As for the bedroom, it is NOT that hard to make up your bed everyday. If you find that it is, consider sleeping European-style, with only a bottom sheet and duvet with cover. Rooms like this make me want to get out that weird vacuum cleaner attachment and get those bunnies underneath the bed. Image from Flickr member Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc.
Of course, an entryway is the spot where your interior will make it's first impression, so I like to look at this one with the cool map for inspiration. Posted by Flickr member photo.OP.
Finally, thank you to Danielle over at The Style Files for continuing to collect some of the most beautiful images out there! This living room will help you resolve to have more fun with your décor this year.
If you make one rezzie this year, resolve to stay inspired. When you feel that inspiration waning, seek some out.


text:
Reviewed by Shanae J. (age 11)
I like this book because it has to do with becoming a princess and what it is like to be a princess. I think this book is very interesting because you will learn the responsibility of becoming a princess. My favorite part was when she got a note from the admirer. This book is a New York Times Best-Seller.
I recommend this book to ten-year-old girls through the ages of fifteen-years-old. The reason I recommend this book to those ages is because younger kids would not understand the meaning of this book.


text:
Doubling-down on defense isn't going to win the War on Terror. Yesterday's scare in Times Square shows just how hopeless that strategy is — if a cooler can be a threat, not even the NYPD will be able to stop them all.
Yet the uptick in home-turf terror plots — with last Saturday's bomb attempt just the latest — has many screaming for us to fund an infinite range of new security steps.
Faisal Shahzad hadn't even been charged before the rear-mirror scrutiny began. How did he slip past security and board a flight to Dubai before finally being nabbed, just minutes before take-off? How did he get US citizenship?
After truck bombs at the World Trade Center in '93 and in Oklahoma City (not to mention the airstrikes on 9/11), how can someone so easily drive into Manhattan and park a smoking car bomb smack in the heart of Times Square?
Fair questions, all. Answering them, and bolstering security accordingly, is a must — but not enough. As long as suicidal terrorists walk the planet, nothing can guarantee safety.
Have we forgotten our post-9/11 vow — to eradicate the cancer at its root?
Not to cut off tentacles, but to snuff out the terrorists' core dream (a worldwide caliphate) — by wiping out all those who spread it. To defeat their strategy (to use terror tactics against a war-averse West) — by obliterating everyone who employs it. Would-be future disciples will get the hint.
Alas, President Obama and too many other Americans now shun offense, thinking the problem's largely been solved, or can be solved on the cheap.
Rather than attack worldwide jihad full-throttle, we seek more and better defenses: High-tech databases, protocols and tracking systems to flag suspects among us. Security cameras on every corner. More alert bureaucrats (good luck, there).
Even everyday citizens are relied on to say something if they see something — which brings its own problems, as false threats shut down city blocks.
The financial tab for mushrooming homeland security, already well into the billions since 9/11, grows more astronomical by the day. Now Sen. Chuck Schumer wants Washington to buy New York a "Ring of Steel" surveillance network.
Meanwhile, "temporary" infringements on our freedoms, from shoe-removals to warrantless wiretaps, start to seem permanent, even under the civil-liberties-obsessed Obama team. Most dangerous, we keep hoping our "luck" — Shahzad's faulty detonator — will hold out.
This is delusional. What happened to taking the fight to the enemy?
True, we've deposed the Taliban, walloped al Qaeda and dispatched Saddam. Drones are doing wonders in Pakistan. Crack special-ops and other US forces are no doubt making bad guys squirm the world over.
But Obama's plan for Iraq and Afghanistan? Run away — ASAP. For Iran, the world's No. 1 state sponsor of terror? Scold it (politely) as it goes nuclear.
In Pakistan, where Shahzad apparently trained, militant Islamists fester. North Waziristan is Martyrdom U for jihadi-wannabes, some of whom (like Shahzad) no doubt aspire to try out their new skills well outside the region.
Hezbollah terrorists are piling up long-range missiles. Yemen, the base of the radical cleric who inspired the Fort Hood jihadi and the Christmas Day bomber, is a new al Qaeda stronghold. Somalia, too, is crawling with Islamists.
Neither Osama's boys nor the Taliban are completely defunct. National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair told the Senate a few months back that the bin Laden gang retains both "its intent to attack the homeland, preferably with a large-scale operation," and its "capability to recruit, train and deploy operatives." And it's spawned numerous offshoots.
Let's face it: We've got to step up our offense. Shahzad's car bomb, though a dud, was nonetheless downright scary. Times Square is as much a symbol of New York — and America — as were the Twin Towers.
And while his bomb wouldn't have caused 9/11-level carnage, it surely would have dealt a huge psychological blow, along with considerable physical damage and loss of life. Does anyone really believe more security cameras can stop attacks like this — each and every time?
True, a successful plot might get the nation angry enough to respond more aggressively. But we shouldn't have to suffer a disaster in Times Square, or the like, before we act — 9/11 should have done the trick.
If we truly want to put an end to these repeated close calls, America needs to hasten the demise not just of al Qaeda and its offspring, but of Iran's mad-mullah machine, Hezbollah, the Taliban — and every last jihadist in every last cave.
Yes, this is a difficult, long-term job. But that's all the more reason to get more serious now.
The longer we allow terror to survive, the more likely — eventually — we won't.


text:
Fast Ronald - Friend or Foe [Unsigned Hype]
From the album " Since Knee High "
Filmed by @MotionFamily
Produced by @djburnone and @5PMG
Follow Fast Ronald on twitter @FastRonaldTX
Visit fastronald.com to download " Since Knee High " free
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Issues for Congress
Description: Report that discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a free trade agreement that includes nations on both sides of the Pacific. Topics include similar trade partnerships, the importance of Asia to U.S. trade and security interests, and U.S. participation in the TPP.
Date: November 21, 2012
Creator: Fergusson, Ian F.; Cooper, William H.; Jurenas, Remy & Williams, Brock R.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Report


text:
Carnon Visit
My recollection of the last time I visited here in Carnon is a little spotty. I seem to remember something about fresh croissants every day.
That, and the scenery and the excellent food and, let's not forget the wine. My memory of the trip is a string of highlights all tied together. I've been thinking about it lately because I'll be heading back in a few months.
I have no agenda other than to get reacquainted with the customs of that region which, as I recall, are quite reasonable. I'll be taking a lot of pictures, of course.
Morning Sunlight
I took a photo out the window of my office on a recent morning. Sometimes the light coming across the field is so amazing I can't help myself.
I'm usually too busy to take a photo. Or I might rationalize that I've seen it before so why bother. But some mornings I can't help myself. In this case, the sun shone through a mist that was just above the ground.
I need to take more simple images like this. Concentrating so much on landscapes and cityscapes, I tend to lose track of the simple things that are just as compelling, if not more so.
Tropic Winter
I took this on that windy January weekend in Tampa Bay. Contrary to popular belief, we do get a little winter weather down here. A little.
When it gets cold in Florida, we complain about it. Basically, we feel entitled to good weather all the time. When it's not, we get our noses out of joint. Nevermind it's fifty degrees warmer than up north, we just can't afford those fancy coats Y'all have. That's not true, I have one in my closet, somewhere.
Anyway, we had a chilly January. We didn't get frost or anything, but we did have to put on shoes and long pants. That sucks. But now it's February and its back to sandals and shorts. See how I say that like it's the most normal thing in the world? So, for the time being, I have nothing to complain about.
Elevator Bank
Why do we call it a bank of elevators? My guess is that at one time, only banks had lifts. Rest assured, this is no bank.
Royal Caribbean ships have elevator banks that are functional, stylish and serve as a showcase for hanging art. No two banks are the same which is not only refreshing but helpful. Helpful, in that, on some of the larger ships, it's easy to get disoriented. Having distinct elevator banks helps with getting your bearings. I can't tell you how many times I forgot whether I was at the front or back of the boat. Unless you're up top or by a window, it's almost irrelevant, but knowing which direction to walk for a meal is an acquired skill.
Also, each night the crew replaces a floor tile in each elevator with the name of the day. So not only do you know which part of the ship you're on, you're reminded the day of the week. Little orientation hist never hurt anyone. Anyway, if memory serves me, this was at the back of the Oasis of the Seas, or was it the front?
Oscar's Swells
This simple image is a long (one second) exposure from the side of a ship. These are swells from hurricane Oscar that was over a thousand miles away.
The captain took us south to avoid the worst of it, but for about two days we saw some impressive swells, more massive than these. Even the largest cruise ship in the world will rock in these conditions. The swells hitting the side of the boat sounded exactly like waves crashing on the shore. It was relaxing, and for two nights we slept with the balcony door open so we could hear the soothing sounds.
To make a one-second exposure in daylight, I set the aperture to f40. That's a tiny aperture, maybe the smallest I've ever used. An F-stop higher than 20 does not have a lot of practical uses, but long exposures are one. One second is long enough to make an in-camera motion blur effect without resorting to photoshop tricks.
Maybe this is a dull image without a central subject. It's more texture or pattern than a photo. Even so, it reminds me of the gentle sounds the waves made all through the night.
I imagine the dream world is a mirror; we exist there as fully as we do here. In my waking state, I have only the vaguest remembrance of dreams. A glimpse quickly forgotten.
The secret to dreams is knowing they're dreams; easier said than done. If I knew I was dreaming, would it be a dream? Is the world of dreams a country with arbitrary borders and strange laws? Or is it the other way around?
There is a veil between the two worlds; sometimes the veil is lifted, and we see through to the other side. We are left with the feeling of something familiar, yet forgotten. The only thing lucid is whatever side of the veil we're on. And sometimes even that is subjective.
Urban Symmetry
This image was taken in central Barcelona from the rooftop of the Grand Central Hotel. At first glance, you'll notice symmetry in the picture. That's because I've mirrored the image, and then painstakingly altered it so that the equality is incomplete. In effect, I've taken something that was perfectly reflected and added randomness.
There are plenty of mirrored artifacts, but depending on how you look at it, it might play tricks on you. Our brains quickly suspect its a mirror, and then our eyes begin looking for proof. Depending on where in the image you look, it may not confirm your first impression.
The photo is an exercise in abstraction and deception. It's a time-consuming exercise to produce, but it's fun at the same time. My purpose is to hint at one thing while throwing you off the trail and forcing you to figure it out. I hope you don't mind a little harmless deception in the name of fun.
Key Biscayne Layers
This image was a bit of a project to create. I stood on the South Pointe Pier facing Key Biscayne in South Beach. I took three pictures, each focused on a different point. The first was the railing, the next was the jetty and finally Key Biscayne off in the distance.
I combined the images into a composite using a technique known as focus stacking. After that, I kept working on it until ending up with an abstract rendering that is neither real or imagined; it's somewhere in-between.
I could say something smart about layers, like how they are metaphors for something, but not today. The result is the product of a study in technique and abstraction. I had an idea when I took the shots, and I practiced various methods to get the image I wanted. Perhaps that's the best way to describe it.
That Evening in Venice
Because I did not set the shutter speed correctly this image came out looking double exposed and blurry, like an impressionistic painting. This is not something I intended but looking at it now it feels a little like my memory of that evening in Venice.
In my short visit I experienced sights, sounds and feelings. The more I go back to look at the photos the more my memories are formed. But it's totally subjective and what I remember is unique to me alone.
There is much in life I don't remember because I never took the time to. If we don't think about something it may not make an impression and is soon forgotten. However when we do, we build memories from our impressions.
Memories are like paintings, they are renderings, not true recordings. In the case of art, impressions are more important than fact.
The sounds of the oars in the water, the chatter of the gondoliers, the lights of the overhead windows and the evening shadows across the buildings; all of these combine into an impression that is so perfectly preserved with a simple camera mistake.
Departure from Normal
Manipulating scenes like this is a departure from normal, it's not real so our minds are free to play a little; we each read into it something different.
When in Vancouver I will often pass through this station. I can never get enough photos in and around trains. Among other things they are studies in leading lines.
I sat at the end so I could look back as we pulled away.
I've created a mirror effect, which for me is a metaphor for a choice between two paths, one direction or the other. When we are children we have so much in common; as we mature we diverge in different ways depending on a million things.
We choose one path or another every single day, and often we spend time wondering if we made the right choice. Sometimes we make difficult choices and then wonder about them later. Life is setup in a way that forces us to make decisions; we have no choice but to make choices. Not choosing is still a choice. Maybe the lesson is not so much the decision but how we deal with it after the fact.
This image brings all that to mind, probably because I spend more time than I should thinking about decisions I've made. This is my metaphor for rushing through life's stations, making choices, looking back yet trying not to look back.
Vancouver Terminal
This image is based on the Vancouver terminal, or YVR as its also known. Each time I travel here I am intrigued by the construction. The architects created an exoskeleton with which they hung the functional necessities of the terminal. The form and function are indistinguishable from one another. I've noticed this elsewhere and it represents an evolution in how we build.
In the software industry we employ patterns to do basic tasks. Patterns are the analogs of load-bearing structures used in construction. Software has always drawn parallels from construction, and soon I believe it will occur the other direction.
We are evolving into beings that live as much in software as brick and mortar. The trend is accelerating and the boundaries between virtual and physical are becoming more tenuous each day.
The Matrix struck a chord because it explored merging of physical and software realities. I believe we are on some of the same trajectories proposed in the movie. In another generation virtual reality will be as commonplace as a cell phones are now.
When I see physical structures I think of their corollaries in software. Likewise when I build software I borrow construction techniques and terminology. Now opposite is beginning to occur with construction rendering which is an offshoot of 3D printing. We have begun to build physical structures with software as seen on this YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUdnrtnjT5Q We are now on the verge of yet another revolution in combining software and construction. The merging between software, virtual reality and construction and manufacturing are all but disappearing before our eyes.
Impression of the Glow
This is an impression of the glow of the clouds. It represents a combination of old and new styles. I gravitate towards pictorialism, meaning that I take liberties to convey a feeling or idea. This is an example of that. I'm more interested in an impression than the actual event.
I've taken a lot of Florida photos over the years and I have collection that I printed and framed several years back. I used to take those to art shows and sell them but then I got too busy and took a break. However I just did another show and what surprised me was that that folks still enjoy those scenes.
I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise. Since then my own preferences and style have changed and I've moved on to different themes. Yet what I came to realize is that images that are old to me are still fresh to others.
So my idea is to begin printing the newer images as well. I'd be curious to see if they have the same appeal as some of my earlier works. But in the end, I'm not sure how much that really matters. I think that as long as I continue to evolve as a photographer, what people think should not be my main concern.
At the Waters Edge
I took this in front of a beach restaurant last Sunday. We like coming here because we can eat at the waters edge and stare out to sea. We arrived for a late lunch that turned into an early dinner and then decided we might as well stay for sunset. Sometimes its best to go with the flow, especially on a weekend.
Staring out to sea is like staring at a fire. It's something that speaks to our subconscious. Once you start it's hard to stop, like a long hot shower.
This is my interpretation of the scene that evening. By that I mean I imagined the girl on the beach was soaking in the sun and that it was rejuvenating her. I removed people because in my mind this is not about a busy beach. In this story she is alone with her thoughts.
A lot of people come here from all over to escape the cold and soak up the sun. Our heroine is surely one of these people.
I am glad to see the reaction of others because it reminds me of how fortunate I am. I spend a lot of time on photography and that takes me to the waters edge. I try not to take it for granted.
I just read that the Gulf of Mexico will be warmer than usual this summer, that the water temperature has remained high this winter. That's good for the visitors here now; however in summer we'll have more storms and the scene will look very different. Regardless, I'll probably come back to capture someone else staring at the sea. The weather may change but our need to sit at the waters edge will not.
Skyline Reimagined
This is a symmetrical image of a skyline reimagined. It's an abstract treatment of a nighttime urban scene. There is careful work lining things up and I made several mistakes on an earlier attempt. On a cell phone you'd never notice but blown up on the wall everything needs to be exact.
Making kaleidoscopic images out of everyday scenes is like a meditation for me. It's taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. It makes me think of the mesmerizing power of patterns. Why is it that are we drawn to symmetrical patterns in art, nature and religious iconography?
I think they resonate with something deep inside of us. Archetypical patterns represent something sublime and beyond the everyday experiences. I wonder if this is one way to communicate on a higher level, in patterns and symmetric complexity. Is it possible that an alien race communicates in symmetric patterns of light and color?
Given the size of the universe is not out of the question. The universe is so big that our galaxy is but a grain of sand. And so perhaps another civilization does communicate in patterns of light, sound, color, ...the possibilities are endless.
It's a thought experiment and in the end its fun to consider ideas like this. It can be just as fun as making patterns out of a cityscape photo.
Central Foyer
This is the central foyer of the Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas. I took this early one morning which is the only time that no people are present. The central column is about eight stories high and is serviced by elevators and stairwells. In the evening this is augmented with a colorful lighting display. I found this perspective through a glass portal at the very top.
At the very bottom is a bar, the next up is a Starbucks, then a champagne bar and so on up the levels. There are game rooms, libraries, areas for lounging, each level is unique. Often we would lean against the banister and watch the band playing music below or perhaps watch a demonstration on cake making. Certainly there are things to do outside, but on an Alaskan cruise there is plenty to do indoors as well.
This is a small ship by todays standards but it's a sister of the first ship I ever saw, the Jewel of the Seas. I was and still am amazed that this type of space and architecture can exist on an ocean-going vessel. Yet to the truly big ships this is unremarkable. I'm a simple man, and to me, this is really really big. Getting on a bigger ship seems like maybe going to the mall with a hotel that floats. The sea is almost incidental.
Anyway, my impression of these ships is one of awe, how they build them is way beyond my ability to comprehend.
Long Exposure at Bradenton Beach
This is another long exposure at Bradenton Beach. In fact the exposure was over a minute and a half and in that time people walked in and out of the frame, only they don't show up. However this one person just stayed in place the entire time and so she was the only one that showed up. If I recall there was with a small child running in the water, splashing and generally having a good time while this lady watched. Interesting how that turned out, eh?
Long exposures are a slice of time that give us a four dimensional view of the world. When you compress time into an image this is one version of what it looks like. It brings up all kinds of interesting ideas. Imagine if you could step into a different dimension where time moves at a slower rate. Then imagine that you could look back into this dimension. Maybe this is what you'd see. Kind of like being an Ent from the Lord of The Rings and watching hobbits.
This is just one way to apply a little abstraction to the world and put it in a different perspective. Sometimes we use angles, or height or light to see things a little differently. In this case I'm using time. For me its just another way to change the perspective of a scene.
Space Between
Today is a holiday. Its a day to unwind and put a little space between me and the real world.
When I Was Young
When I was young I remember playing late into the evening during the summer. The days were long and it gave my friends and I an opportunity to stay out late, it was a good feeling. It's strange because I never really thought about it until recently. I suppose this image reminds me of that just a little. I took this at dusk and the children were squeezing every last minute of fun out of the day, like I did when I was their age.
We lose that when we grow up, but at times we can glimpse portions of it. I get that magical sense sometimes when I go on vacation. I have no responsibilities and the evenings are for having fun. Maybe we all need to play a little more. Maybe play connects us with something important we've lost.
In the meantime I keep taking pictures of people and scenes at dusk and sometimes it reminds me of long lost memories. And then I think the only way to get those back is to go on vacation. And then I never get anything done. But pretty sure I'm happy in that world.
Popcorn Clouds
A couple of mornings ago I came to this park to take pictures. It's only a few minutes drive so its convenient for me to get here and back before breakfast. Lord knows I can't miss breakfast.
Now for whatever reason, we get these amazing popcorn-like clouds coming out of the east. They glide in from the middle of Florida over the land and then stop abruptly at the coast. So if I were to turn around and face west towards the Gulf of Mexico the sky would be cloudless. I think that's strange and it drives me nuts. I would love to take pictures of these clouds over the beach but they're never there, they're hovering inland. I have no idea why that happens but I do notice it quite a lot.
From my home office I have a window that looks east and I can see these clouds during the day. I'd rather be out taking photos of them than working so I was pretty happy that I came this morning; just as I was about to leave I noticed them. All good things come to those who wait. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Oasis of the Mind
This is another image from Egmont Key near Tampa. I like to describe it as a deserted island because that's what it is. You can take a ferry here but there are only two scheduled trips a day. Once you get here there are no concessions, only a lighthouse, a dock, and miles of empty beaches. I walked the whole length of it a few weeks ago and it was, I must admit, a little therapeutic.
Switching gears for a second, last night I watched a show on cable about people that move to Alaska. It basically followed them as they hunted for a house and during that they would describe why they wanted to re-locate. Invariably people wanted to get back to a simpler way of life.
I think there's something to that, as we live complicated lives we foster a desire to return to something more meaningful. For me that means walking a deserted beach once in a while with nothing but the sound of the wind, the waves and the gulls to contend with.
I think peace is a state of mind. Maybe the trick is to find that deserted beach in my mind and go there for a few minutes each day. I'd also like to go to Alaska or a deserted island but sometimes the oasis in my mind might be a little more accessible.
Pure and Simple
These surf kites at the midpoint of the Sunshine Skyway in Tampa and can be seen for miles away whenever there's a breeze. Once in a while I'll pull off the highway to watch. The main impression I get is of the contrast of these colorful canopies moving against the sky. They are mesmerizing to watch and this is a simplification of that scene as it appears in my minds eye.
The wind here changes direction from one day to the next and depending on that the surfers alternate from one side of the causeway to the other. The spectacle of the scene is so compelling it's a wonder there aren't accidents as drivers crane their heads to get a look.
In my way of thinking, I'm always trying to simplify things. I work and live in a complex world and what helps is if I can simplify the complexity a bit. I do this by removing things that I feel are unnecessary to the central core or subject of a thing. In this case, the subject is little colorful kites in a big sky, so to convey that I needed to remove as many distractions as possible. I think this might not be a bad philosophy to live by. In fact it's called de-cluttering, and now there are de-clutter coaches you can hire to help with de-cluttering you life. We'll, I'm no guru or coach, but I do like to get to the essence of a thing, and in this case, it's all about the kites.
Pure and simple.
Heron and the Bridge
It seems whenever I'm taking photos near the water here in Florida, herons are never too far away. They're skittish to be sure so you can't just walk up to them and expect to get a picture. Having a telephoto lens helps a lot, with this shot I was back a ways and still able bring the bird up close. I'm not a wildlife photographer, but once in a while if the opportunity presents itself I'll go for it. Real wildlife photographers have a lot of patience, and work long and hard to get a good image. In this case I positioned myself so the heron was framed by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and fired away.
While I was here a couple of serious or "real" wildlife photographers walked up. They had big heavy long lenses and tripods that looked like something I'd expect to see on an African safari. They were here taking photos of the birds including this one. They had serious looks on their faces to go with the equipment they were carrying. Anyway, I got my shot, nodded to them and left the bird in their expert care.
Even today, a couple of weeks after I took this shot, I was by the water again and another Heron landed right in front of me. Again I tried to work him into the shot from a good distance so as not to spook him. Not always do the shots work, but it never hurts to try. When I take photos I try to keep my eyes open for any happy coincidence that might happen. Sometimes it helps to add another element to the story, sometimes it might even become the main subject. Anyway, in this case it just seemed to work, thanks to buddy bird here.


text:
Don't see your question? Visit our help section.
Get access to great in-store deals and local pick-up
Sign up for our email deals newsletter!
Backbreaker is the full-on 11VS. 11, high-impact pro football that outruns, outhits, and flat-out dominates the games of the past. It's a new generation of football for a new generation of fans.
Rated 5.0 out of 10 by Game Informer.


text:
Ikhlas Ahwal
Ever since childhood, I suffer from severe obesity , I weighed 85 kilos and 165 cm long.
I followed lot of diets... I lost 20 kilos, but with the passing time where I got married and had children, I gained more weight until I reached 170 kilos.
Recently, after I had high blood pressure I referred back to the BSC who advised me to undergo a "Gastric Bypass" surgery as the best solution.
Five months ago, I entered the hospital and did the surgery.
Today, I feel much better because I have lost 68 kilos so far and the symptoms for the high blood pressure have started to disappear; thanks God...
Here I advise all those who suffer from severe obesity to undergo the surgery to get rid of all the pain and illnesses that are caused by it.
Ikhlas Al-Ahwal


text:
Another day, another weapon. This as i know is going to get in game. My coolest work for now.
Hotlink to pic: http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=4202736
Discuss Determinance modifications here!
Moderator: Archa
Post Reply
4 posts • Page 1 of 1
I'm the moderator of the best Mode7 forum ever. Ok?
Re: YANZOR
If omroth would add 2 trails for a staff i could make soem cool ones, and if he would add cloth script to weapons too i could make some really really cool stuff.
Omroth, this is up to you Very Happy
Omroth, this is up to you Very Happy
Post Reply
4 posts • Page 1 of 1


text:
What's inside? Here are the questions answered in today's reader mailbag, boiled down to five word summaries. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question.
1. Helping a rock bottom friend
2. Moving around the world
3. Easing a tax burden
4. Financial wedding propriety
5. Small claims court question
6. Deeply worried about parents' future
7. Credit report issues
8. Goals regardless of money
9. Haircuts
10. First time home buyer tips
The end of January and the month of February are usually a time filled with longing for me. I'm looking so forward to the start of spring that I can almost smell the new plant growth, hear the twitter of the birds, feel the warm sunlight on my skin, and taste the asparagus and mushrooms that I harvest.
It's also during this period that I tend to get very productive and write a lot of posts in advance, so that I can take days off in the spring to hunt for mushrooms in the woods and plant the garden, as well as days off in the summer to enjoy time with my family.
Q1: Helping a rock bottom friend
My long time best friend, Jim, has been struggling with some repeating problems which he can't seem to break out from. Jim regularly gets himself into heavy credit card debt and is often bailed out by his parents. His parents have not been the greatest example in this regard as they too have debt problems and have already declared bankruptcy. Jim seems to spend money in order to distract himself from other problems, and often spends student loan money as soon as it is released from the University he attends.
The second problem is school related. His mind seems set on becoming a doctor although he is struggling to keep up in school. He has already had to retake several of the required classes and continues to struggle with procrastination. His Professors are always willing to give him extra leeway and extensions on assignments. He talks about how he dreams of graduate school, but I don't see the actions required of him to get there, and I worry about how he will be able to handle the next level when he is struggling to get past basic courses now.
Jim is my best friend, I don't want to tell him he may need to explore other options because I'm the one he leans on for support and encouragement towards his goals. I've tried pointing him to resources such as this blog trying to get him to realize that he needs to snap out of this rut. I am so worried for his future if he's not able to turn this around soon, but don't know what to say or how to help him.
– Wes
The problem with situations like this one is that if you approach him with this, you've got some chance of triggering resentment and damaging the friendship. On the other hand, if you don't tell him, you'll sequester this feeling inside of you, and that won't have a good result, either.
The best approach in situations like this is to simply pat the person on the back and tell them sincerely that you're worried about them. Ask them if there's anything you can do to help them make it to where they want to go. If they say no, back off.
This, at the very least, makes it clear that you care, and you can have a clear conscience that you gave it a shot. It also might just open the floodgates.
Q2: Moving around the world
My family and I live in Melbourne, Australia. There is my husband and I both aged in our 30's, a son aged 4 and a daughter aged 2.
My husband has been on work trips to the USA a few times now; visiting San Diego, San Francisco and Austin. Since his last trip, he has decided we should move to the US, so he can take the next step in his career. While I would love the opportunity to move overseas, I am not sure this is a great idea. My husband likes to be challenged at work and becomes bored if there is not enough to keep him mentally stimulated.
We have no debt other than our mortgage. We owe $195K (all figures in AUD, and at the moment is almost on par with USD) and the house is worth about $290K – $300K. We would have to sell our house in order to afford the cost of immigrating. We also have $27K in a savings account, which is our emergency fund. I am the one who does the accounts, my husband is a spender in a BIG way. He was in debt when we got together (more than $10K) and he has also since then racked up his credit card to $3K, which I had to use most of our savings at the time to pay off. He likes his disposable income and does not really want to give it up…
He is currently on a good wage, approx $100K per annum plus 9% superannuation. If we were to move, the equivalent wage would be $70K – $90K USD, possibly up to $115K if we chose a major capital city (which we do not want to do). I am currently a SAHM, and I was not planning on going back to full time work until our little girl was in Primary (Elementary) School. I do have Business/Accounting qualifications which would help me I also think that we would nit be able to afford to buy the land we want and be able to
find a job if we did move.
We had planned on staying in our current house for another 3-5 years so we could continue to save and eventually have enough to buy a small acreage where we could have our own orchard, veggie patch, chickens etc and be more self sufficient.
My reservations on moving are that we would only be moving because we don't like the current town we live in (there is not a lot to do here for teenagers and they are often destructive; smashing windows, burning the play equipment – all in all not a place we want our own children to grow up) and because my husband is bored at work (this is his third job in the 10 years we have been together, and this is his second position within his current company). I do not think moving half way around the world for these reasons are good ones. I also don't think the amount of money we could get together is enough when moving so far away. I think a move like this would wipe out our dream of finally buying land and working it.
Am I being too negative? My husband believes it will all work out, but I am not comfortable with just going blindly forward not knowing as much as I can. We would only know one couple (if we moved to the same town as them), otherwise we would be completely on our own. We would not have a company helping us to move, we would have to pay for it all ourselves.
We have just found out that we have been accepted for the second round of the Green Card Lottery. This is $440 per person ($1760 for the four of us) to continue with the application. I don't think we should take it any further, but my husband says we should spend the money to see if we can at least get in. It seems like a lot of money to spend when I don't think I even want us to go.
So, do you think financially, we have enough to make such a major move? Should we spend the money on the green card application (knowing that if we do get it, it is only valid for us to enter the US in the year 2012, otherwise we have to re-apply)?
– Ellen
Financially, I think you're reasonably ready to make the move. It's not the finances of the move that worry me at all.
What worries me are statements like "He likes his disposable income and does not really want to give it up…" and "My husband likes to be challenged at work and becomes bored if there is not enough to keep him mentally stimulated." Those two things are a mix that would make me nervous about making radical life moves. A person who becomes bored when the environment isn't right at work doesn't mix well with a person who "must" have disposable income. That's a recipe for disaster down the road.
Basically, his spending habits demand a high-paying job, yet he gets bored at work (and thus his performance slips – anyone who is bored in the workplace isn't performing up to their ability). In this economy, the latter signals job risks and the former signals huge financial problems in the event of a job loss.
I would be nervous about making this move. If I did do it, I would insist on having a very healthy emergency fund that doesn't get touched to pay for the move.
Q3: Easing a tax burden
I'm 26 years old, work in advertising sales, and in 2011 will make anywhere from $320K – $360K (my overall compensation includes base, commission, and equity [my company was recently acquired]). I have roughly $120K in a savings account, and another $110K in a 401K and Rollover IRA. I own an investment property in Southern California and am going to buy a place to live in in my current city (top 2 most expensive in the US sadly).
Here's where it gets tricky. I have a 2 year old son from a previous relationship (his mom and I were never married). I pay roughly $1300 a month in child support unofficially, but since we never married, have not received any tax breaks for having a kid.
Being in this bracket is daunting, and I'm looking at paying over $100K in taxes if I don't improve my tax diversification strategy. I will max out my 401K this year and will most likely buy a home so that should help. I am also planning on putting at least $5K in my son's 529. What else can I do, all things considered, to help ease the tax burden?
– Alvin
For starters, unless you are buying a very expensive home and putting most of the cost of it on a mortgage, buying a home won't help much with the tax issue. To have a mortgage big enough to really provide tax assistance is a significant financial risk in itself.
Your best bet, honestly, is to start a business and sink a lot of that money into the business. This is the reason people often become silent partners in businesses – the business is a tax sink for them in the short term and ends up returning a lot to them further on down the road.
What that business is is up to you. I have a friend who owns a significant interest in a comic book shop and the only operations he's involved with is that he occasionally goes in there and browses through the wares just as a nostalgia thing.
Q4: Financial wedding propriety
I recently accepted the invitation to be the Maid of Honor at a close friend's wedding, which will take place in about a year. I am very excited about this, but on the financial side I am also very nervous. The wedding takes place in England (I live in California), so I know that I will already be spending a chunk of money on the plane ticket and lodging, which is ok because I have a Travel Account that I put money into monthly. I'm more concerned about the other expenses– My frugality matches my mediocre paycheck, so I live well within my means, so the idea of spending money on my bridesmaid dress, the Bachelorette Party, gifts to the bride and groom, and all the other unexpected expenses are not only outside of my budget but outside my personality!
My friend, the bride, makes significantly more that I do, and knows that I am on a tight budget. How should I approach the financial issue here? Would it be appropriate to ask her to pay for my dress, at least?
– Janine
I'd sit down with the bride and talk to her about what she wants or expects from the wedding. Ask her what you can do to make it great, with the obvious understanding that you don't earn a lot of money.
In your situation, I'd make it clear that you're willing to give your time above and beyond what might be expected but that financial concerns might be difficult.
I would actually be much more concerned about the cost of the lodging than the cost of the dress, as a dress can be resould to recoup some of the money. If the wedding is in England, isn't there someone you can stay with? I would approach savings from this angle. This way, if there is a housing opportunity for you, go over there a few days early and spend all of that extra time doing what you can to make the wedding go off perfectly. That's the best gift you could give them.
Q5: Small claims court question
Like many others, I constantly find myself in situations where I feel that I have wrongfully lost money– A dentist recently overcharged me for dental treatment ($800 over the agreed upon amount!) and refused to refund the money. A few months ago an auto parts company sold me a $500 part that turned out to be broken, and would not refund the money or exchange the part. A car rental company overcharged me by $450, and– you guessed it– refused to refund the money.
In cases like these, I've always written a letter to the company and filed a complaint with Better Business Bureau, but have rarely gained satisfactory results. And although I have avoided court (because I hate the reputation that Americans sue anyone who annoys them), I've decided that I can't afford these kinds of mistakes and have decided to take matters to Small Claims Court.
My question is about your ethical stance on suing companies or individuals that you feel have wrongfully taken your money. At what point do you think it's legitimate and/or ethical to sue?
– Jamie
It depends on the agreement between the buyer and the seller. Was there a written agreement between you and the dentist? Was there a written agreement between you and the rental agency? Was there a warranty on the car part, and did you have a dated receipt for the item?
If you have these things, then you are likely entitled to some compensation. If you do not, then, frankly, you didn't protect yourself as a consumer.
If you have clear proof that a company violated a written agreement with you, then you're justified in suing. Most lawsuits are missing one element or another of that statement, though – no clear proof or no written agreement.
Q6: Deeply worried about parents' future
My problem is that when I look down the road at my parents' financial situation, it is enough to cause an anxiety attack. In their mid-50s, they have over $100K in consumer debt. They make more than that annually, and their mortgage payment is less than $500 per month. Their cars are paid off, although barely running. They do have significant retirement savings and adequate life insurance, but I cannot imagine their spending habits changing. I believe that they could change their situation with drastic changes, but even after a series of wake up calls they haven't done so, which means it probably will not happen. Several years in a row they have had to borrow money to pay their tax bill from my grandparents, who never made even 1/4 of what they make in a year, and whose financial independence was and is hard-won through frugality. I myself gave them some money when I was in college at a time when they needed a cash infusion.
My husband and I are very responsible with our money, but our income is around 1/3 of my parents'. At no point do I intend to bail them out. Their choices are theirs, and they need to be accountable for them, not to mention that we simply cannot afford to help them while pursuing our own goals of retirement savings, paying off my student loans, 529 contributions for our two children, etc. At the same time, I know that the day will come when they will not be able to borrow from my grandparents anymore and will seek us out as lenders. (My siblings are in even less of a position to help them than I am.) This, coupled with worries about what would happen if they encountered a genuine emergency or had a devastating illness haunts me. Efforts to have honest conversations about these issues with them are usually cut off before anything meaningful can be said. I love them, and I know I will have a hard time watching them struggle, which they eventually will be doing unless they themselves make changes. Do you have any thoughts about how to make this situation easier? As an aside, I owe them a lot in that they provided an extremely loving home and all my necessities growing up, but they did not help me pay for college or with a down payment, so I don't think I will feel guilt about owing them anything when it comes to that.
– Katie
As I've said before in such situations, it comes down to the relationship between parent and child and the long-term expectations of that relationship. There is no cut-and-dried answer to how a child should handle the December of their parents' years.
If this is how you feel, you need to be prepared to simply say to them that you do not have the money to give to them when they come calling. Make that statement and stick to it.
The only reason guilt comes into the picture here is because you've not adequately resolved the situation in your own mind. You're still unsure, and no answer I can give can make you sure. Keep searching and figure out what you consider to be the best route.
Q7: Credit report issues
When I was in college, my mother issued me a credit card on one of her accounts to use in case of emergency. I rarely needed the card, and put no debt on it that I did not immediately repay to my mother. However, a few years later, my parents hit a very bumpy financial road. My mother lost her job, and my father had to downgrade to a lower salary. Their credit cards were mostly closed, including this account. However, there is now a very high balance on the card (around $15,000), as well as several months of non-payment, with non-payment still continuing today. Despite many calls to the credit card company, this card, debt, and problem continues to show up on one of my three credit reports (the other two agencies removed it after my mother made the request). I am now 25, married, with children, and the stain on my credit report continues to be a problem. Almost all our finances have to go in my husband's name, without even me as a co-applicant, because our interest rates increase with my bad credit report. My parents are very close to filing bankruptcy, so I know that they cannot afford to pay off this debt right now. I'm worried that this will continue to have a negative impact on my financial future, and am trying to decide what to do about this. My husband and I are financially capable of paying off the card ourselves, but I worry that we will never see that money back, and I'm not sure that it's worth $14,000 to clean up my credit report (or that my husband would be very happy about it). What do you think I should do?
– Mary
You need to continually harass that final reporting agency until the situation gets resolved. There's really no other route that you have to follow at this point if the account is closed.
You can request that the holder of the closed account remove your name, but they have absolutely no reason to do so and it would make their own position worse to do so, so they're very unlikely to make such a change.
Another option would be attempting to settle the debt by contacting them and discussing a smaller lump sum payment to make the debt go away.
If you cannot get your name removed and no one can afford to pay off the debt all at once (or settle it), the best thing that could happen with regards to your credit is that your parents never pay off this debt. Any payment to that account makes the debt current again, which means that the seven year "clock" that measures how long the debt will sit on your credit report restarts. From your perspective, your parents making a small payment on the account doesn't help at all.
Q8: Goals regardless of money
What would be your primary goals if money were not an issue? If you had enough money in the bank to take care of your family for a long time, what would you do with your time?
– Erin
I would still write, but it wouldn't be as focused and as often. I'd probably become a contributing writer on another blog or slow down the rate of The Simple Dollar, or I might start another lower-intensity site entirely.
I'd probably commit to some heavy level of volunteer work on a local basis. I'm not sure entirely what that would be since I've never actively considered such a situation. A degree in social work might help, considering I would be doing these things on a volunteer basis.
I'd fill my other hours with making sure my kids were in school and that they had a parent at home with them if they were ill or had other needs.
Q9: Haircuts
How often do you get your hair cut and why? I'm trying to find the right balance between appearances and frugality.
– Kevin
I cut my hair roughly every three months. I usually cut it very, very short, then just let it grow out evenly until it begins to itch the back of my neck, then I cut it again.
If I know I have something major coming up (like a wedding or something like that), I'll pay someone to cut it prior to the event. Otherwise, I just use clippers and trim the whole thing down pretty evenly myself. It's actually fairly simple to do with a mirror and a sink in front of you.
Of course, I do have the added advantage of working from home, which means I don't need to keep up a perfectly coiffed salesman's appearance.
Q10: First time home buyer tips
I have a question for you: If you could advise in regards to home buying, what should a first-time buyer know before buying a home? (Please tell me your must-know tips or books you recommend) I know you've done posts on this topic before, but with this economy, maybe your thoughts/ideas have changed.
– Adrianna
I could actually write a book on this topic, as the list of things that are worth knowing can go on and on.
I'll simply state that I asked this very question of a lot of people and that I read a lot of books during the months leading up to our own home purchase and that, believe it or not, the best all-around helpful book for answering our questions was Home Buying for Dummies by Eric Tyson, supplemented by some of the recommended additional reading from that book.
It answered, in simple terms, pretty much every question we had, and in the areas where we wanted to know more, the book made it clear where to go. That's pretty much all you can ask for a general topic like this.
Got any questions? Email them to me or leave them in the comments and I'll attempt to answer them in a future mailbag. However, I do receive hundreds of questions per week, so I may not necessarily be able to answer yours.


text:
How much life insurance do you really need? That depends on many factors, one of which is your age. While you should feel secure knowing your life insurance policy will be there to protect your family over the years, it's important to periodically re-examine your insurance needs. The policy you purchased when your kids were born may not be the right coverage for you during retirement. Here's a look at different life stages and how they can impact your need for life insurance.
Life Insurance in Your 20s
So you've entered the "real world" — have your first job, a place of your own and are financially independent. In your 20s, life insurance may be the last thing on your mind. You probably know you'll need life insurance — someday. But one of the biggest misconceptions about life insurance is that you don't need it when you're young and single. Not true. You may want to buy a life insurance policy if you:
- have started a family
- tied the knot
- provide financial support to a parent and/or spouse
- have private debt, like student loans, car or mortgage
A life insurance policy can help cover debts, so co-signers or joint account holders won't be responsible should the worst happen. Life insurance is generally pretty inexpensive for young adults. Buying life insurance when you're young and healthy can ensure that you benefit from a lower premium.
Coverage in Your 30s
Now that you're in your 30s, you've probably experienced one, two or five "big" life changes. Whether you got married, started a family, landed a fancy new job or bought a house, these are all big changes and you'll want to make sure your life insurance is keeping up.
- New job: Starting a new career may not seem like something you need to consider when you're evaluating your life insurance needs, but often new jobs come with a salary change.
- Children: The need for life insurance increases with children because ensuring your family is taken care of is likely very important to you, should the worst happen. Life insurance can cover funeral costs and provide income to pay expenses after you're gone.
- Buying a home: As you've grown older, your priorities have likely changed. Perhaps you're ready to move from renting to buying your first home. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, in 2016, the median age for first-time homebuyers was 32. Buying a home is exciting, but can be a big expense. If something should happen, you'll want to be sure your family can stay in their home.
Life Insurance in Your 40s
As your career has become more established, your income has likely increased compared to what you were earning in your 20s and 30s. When your income grows, it's a good idea to look at your life insurance coverage to make sure it will provide protection that keeps pace with your lifestyle.
However, not all life changes call for increasing your life insurance. If you've paid off debts — car loan, mortgage, private loans — or your children have moved out, your life insurance coverage can likely be adjusted. You may be able to afford a permanent life insurance policy now. Certain types of life insurance policies build cash value over time that can be used as a form of supplemental retirement income.
Life Insurance Coverage After 50
As you get closer to retirement, your life insurance needs have likely changed. It's a good time to consider a daily living rider. With a daily living rider, you can choose to receive a portion of your policy's death benefit as a way to provide some financial support if you become chronically ill or are unable to perform two of five essential tasks of daily living — eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing and/or continence.¹
On the other hand, if you're debt-free, no longer working and your children are financially independent, you may be able to reduce your coverage.
We Can Help!
As your world changes, your life insurance needs will as well. Our life insurance calculator can help you determine how much coverage you may currently need. Schedule a SuperCheck with your Farm Bureau agent to ensure you have the right amount of coverage. We offer three types of life insurance: term life, whole life and universal life. Check with your Farm Bureau agent to see which type is right for you!
¹Life insurance and its riders can provide some financial protection in your later years, but should not be viewed as a replacement for long-term care or disability income insurance.


text:
Coming Soon
*New Clients Only. Free 30 days starts on first day of gym opening. Contact gym for more details. Cannot be combined with any other offers, trials, or promotions.
Schertz TX 78154
United States
Email: [email protected]
Url: https://burnbootcamp.com/cibolo-creek-tx
Programs and Services
Unlimited Camps:
With unlimited camps we meet the needs of your busy schedule Monday through Saturday! Don't worry about reserving a spot prior to your workout; we will always make room for you. Even better, our 45-minute unique daily sessions will have your workout flying by and you'll be on your way to feeling healthier and happier.
Complimentary Childwatch
Workout worry-free with our complimentary childwatch services at select camps. Our child care workers have been extensively vetted and with their experience in child care services, your child will enjoy Burn Boot Camp just as much as you do!
Focus Meetings:
We don't stop at just fitness. With optionally-mandatory Focus Meetings every three weeks, your trainer will know the ins and outs of your nutrition habits, mindset challenges and personal goals. Burn Boot camp is a Lifestyle Transformation Program that has YOU in mind.
Burn Kidz*:
Healthy living isn't just for you! Extend your health and wellness to your children by enrolling them in our Burn Kidz program. Using many of the same techniques used in our signature camps, get your kids up and moving.
Burn Elite*:
Is your middle school athlete in between seasons? Introduce them to our teen-focused burst and strength training sessions that will keep them on track during their off season.*Participating Locations Only


text:
[Look for the podcast play button below.]
Buckle your seat belts, because we're in for one hell of a ride. Coming up is a new edition of the Sex EDGE-U-cation show. And by now I'm sure you know this is the series that takes a look at the world of fetish sex, kink and alternative lifestyles and we do so with a remarkably talented people from all over the freakin' world, don't cha know.
My guest today is phone sex performer Tonya Jone Miller. She is an educator, sex positive activist and, of course, a self-identified sex worker. She's brilliant and kinky, and if that weren't enough, she's got a big, brassy sense of humor that'll knock you out.
Tonya and I discuss:
- Being an Aural Courtesan;
- Imagination and sex;
- Mutual satisfaction in her work;
- Verbalizing sex and eroticism for sexual health;
- On the road with rock bands;
- Acting school;
- Sexual triggers and taboos;
- Fantasy and reality;
- The "gateway drug" theory;
- Her gift of acceptance;
- Her woman clients;
- The infidelity question.
You'll find more about Tonya on her website HERE! Her FetLife page HERE! On her Facebook page HERE! And, by all means, do not miss her Twitter feed HERE!
Check out The Lick-A-Dee-Split Connection. That's Dr Dick's toll free podcast voicemail HOTLINE. Don't worry people; no one will personally answer the phone. Your message goes directly to voicemail.
Got a question or a comment? Wanna rant or rave? Or maybe you'd just like to talk dirty for a minute or two. Why not get it off your chest! Give Dr Dick a call at (866) 422-5680.
Look for all my podcasts on iTunes. You'll find me in the podcast section, obviously. Just search for Dr Dick Sex Advice. And don't forget to subscribe. I wouldn't want you to miss even one episode.
Today's podcast is bought to you by: Dr Dick's Stockroom.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download