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January 21, 2016: portraits at Long Branch Park in Alexandria, VA
Andrey and I met in Alexandria, VA last Saturday for some personal and professional portraits. We started with some shots of Andrey walking his dog. Misha is a very well-trained Alaskan Klee Kai, a breed I'd never seen previously. Long Branch Park was a little windy but not too cold for mid-January.
After the boardwalk, we found a nice grassy area next to a hill. It was fun watching Misha goof off and eat up Andrey's attention. I gotta say that I couldn't be more pleased with the performance of my 200mm. That beast can blur out a background like nobody's business.
We drove to the top of a nearby parking garage for some shots of Andrey's Mercedes AMG GT. On our way, I saw a few guys give us nods of approval and thumbs up. I can see why; it's a sweet car.
We ended the session with some headshots for Andrey to use at work. The conference room in his apartment building was a perfect setting.
Thanks again, Andrey! It was a pleasure meeting you.


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Choose to Look in the Mirror
Authored by Cathy Sankey, Speaker, Presenter, President/Founder See.Believe.Do.
Are you looking to make transformational change to your high school? It can be daunting given the number of key stakeholders and the enormity of the work in this age of accountability.
The key is looking in the mirror rather than out the window.
Certainly a number of factors exist "out the window" that can affect learning in our schools. These include unfunded mandates, fluctuating economic support for education, drug and alcohol student addiction, rising student mental health concerns, and district and building initiative overload for staff, to name a few.
These factors and others are contributing to stagnant or minimally improving graduation rates in individual schools. And although the high school graduation rate nationally is improving, minority groups such as those of blacks and Latinos are still lagging significantly behind. According to the Washington Post, the national graduation rate in 2016 was 84% overall. For black students, the rate was 76% and for Hispanics, 79%.
Another significant question for us to consider is whether the high school diplomas students are earning are truly reflective of students who are college and career-ready.
The good news is that a number of factors exist in every building that high school administrators can change by "looking in the mirror." By working to change what we can change, we can positively affect student learning and help to change our students' lives for the better.
Transformational change of our high schools is not a choice; it is a requirement of being an instructional leader. We based the transformative change of our high school on the Professional Learning Community (PLC) research from the work of Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker. In addition, we incorporated other researchers who put student learning at the forefront of their research, such as John Hattie and Robert Marzano.
The following areas are the ones on which we focused in our school improvement work and those that can bring about the greatest improvement of student learning data.
1. Curriculum: Have you aligned your curriculum to your state's mandated graduation tests? Are your teachers teaching it? How do you know? Providing collaboration time for your teachers to determine and teach standards and benchmarks in the same scope and sequence and to develop common assessments, common intervention and common enrichment will assure ALL students are learning the intended curriculum.
2. Grades: Are you leading grading practice research and implementation with your staff? Is an A an A in every class? Are your grades reflective of learning or behavior? Do your teachers allow re-dos and retakes? Have you led discussions on effective homework with your staff? Do your teachers still give zeroes? Grading practices of your staff truly do affect student learning and determine whether your school is a school of hope or failure.
3. Assessment: What is the quality of assessments that your teachers give? Are they reliable and valid? Do your teachers focus as much on assessments for learning as they do on assessments of learning? Do they model the types of questions that students will see on state-mandated tests and on the ACT/SAT? Do your teachers utilize diagnostic, formative and summative assessments? Do they adjust and make instructional decisions based on data? Do you routinely and systemically monitor student learning based on your classroom assessments? Do you, your team, and your staff know the name of every student who is unsuccessful and provide intervention for them systemically?
4. Master Schedule: Is your master schedule based on the needs of the adults in the building or on student learning data? Does it provide collaboration time for staff and intervention time for students? Are your best teachers with all students or with only your "best" students? Do you make teaching decisions based on student data and success or on what teachers want to teach? Are there unnecessary sacred cows in your master schedule based on adult habits and entitlement of years of experience that are barriers to establishing a master schedule that supports student learning?
5. Instruction: Are you and your staff committed to improving instruction every day? Do your teachers provide specific and ongoing formative feedback each day during class to students? Do they incorporate strategies to determine whether student learning has occurred during class and then adjust their instruction? Do your teachers include student choice and voice in their instructional strategies? Do your teachers evaluate the effectiveness of their instruction based on student learning data? Do teachers engage in a variety of best instructional practices in order to ensure learning?
6. Intervention: Do teachers plan for intervention as part of the instructional planning and implementation process? Do they collaborate with same-subject team members on effective intervention based on student assessment data? Do they allow re-dos and retakes? Is time or learning the constant in each classroom? Do you have teacher intervention, teacher team intervention and systemic building intervention based on a pyramid of intervention? Have you instituted student privileges for those students who achieve established levels in academics, behavior and attendance?
7. Data: Do your teachers, teacher-teams and administrative team regularly analyze student learning data? Do you analyze student data at least every 4.5 weeks by grade level, individual student names, individual teacher names, and same-subject teacher teams? Is every staff member committed to setting SMART goals in order to improve student learning? Do you have specific building SMART goals to improve student learning? Is your classroom and building data transparent?
8. Learning culture and climate: Do the students in your building receive messages of hope and encouragement for their learning? Do they know that you are a building focused on learning? Are they involved in monitoring and ensuring their own learning? Do your staff members understand that the purpose of teaching is learning and work to monitor and ensure student learning? Do you collaborate with your parents and inform them of all of the building work on ensuring student learning? Are they active participants in the learning process? Do you align all of your building practices, meetings, and goals to student learning?
To be a transformative leader, you must be a learning leader and a leader of learners. If you commit to learning about learning, you can lead transformational change. We did, and became a National Model PLC at Work School and a National Blue Ribbon School. In doing so, not only was our school transformed, but so were our students' lives.
You, too, can do this work. Just look in the mirror.
Balingit, Mariah. (2017, Dec. 4). U.S high school graduation rates rise to new high. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2017/12/04/u-s-high-school-graduation-rates-rise-to-new-high/
DuFour, Richard & Fullan, Michael. (2013). Cultures Built to Last: Systemic PLCs at Work. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.
Hattie, John. (2012). Visible Learning for Teachers. New York, NY: Routledge.
Marzano, Robert. (2007). The Art and Science of Teaching. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

subset: commoncrawl


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Loyalties run deep in the Kardashian clan.
You may recall how last December, s*** went down between Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna shortly after they had a baby together.
The couple made no secrets about their split when they publicly fought about it via social media. Blac went so far as to leave their house at Christmastime with their newborn, Dream, and her son, King Cairo.
In a sneak peek from this weekend's episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, we see Kim arrive at Rob's house shortly after the latter incident.
Kim says that she'd 'always been super cool' with Blac but that her motives were 'hurtful.' She goes so far as to say: "I've always felt like them as a couple just isn't that healthy and I think they know that too… It's so clear what this relationship is and that they're just not meant to be with each other."


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Bill limits FCC's ownership rules control
Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) and Sens. Bryon Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) late Tuesday night introduced a bill that would limit the FCC's ability to scrap some media ownership rules.
The bill would require the FCC to look at any transaction in which crossownership rules are involved. For example, when Tribune bought Times Mirror last year, a loophole in FCC rules allowed the commission to not look at the license transfers until they came up for renewal, allowing Tribune to own TV stations and newspapers in the same markets without facing FCC review. Under Hollings' bill, the FCC would have to look at the transfers when one company acquired another company with cross-ownership interests. Companies would have to come into compliance with the commission's rules within six months or when the broadcast licenses came up for renewal, whichever came first.
The Newspaper Association of America strongly opposes Hollings' bill. "There is no reasoned basis for the government to make it harder for newspapers to compete against the plethora of media available in print, over the air and via the Internet in every city and town in the country," said NAA President John Sturm in a statement.
The bill also would require the FCC to report to the House and Senate Commerce Committees any possible changes the agency might make in media ownership rules and explain the public interest reason for making the change. Once the report was filed, the FCC wouldn't be able to make an official change for 18 months. - Paige Albiniak


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Thu 20 October 2016
11 mins
Damon Young is a philosopher and author, so you know he's really thought about his approach to screen free time. He's also written three fabulous children's books: My Nanna is a Ninja, My Pop is a Pirate and My Sister is a Superhero. He talks to reporter Cinnamon Nippard about how he manages screens in his family home.
More Screen Free Challenge features
Why colouring in is a timeless activity for the whole family
How do you create moments of peace with your kids Kylie Johnson is an artist and mother who has created a beautiful book for adults and children to colour in…
5 mins
How different is childhood today, and what impact is technology having on our kids?
Jean Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego University and the author of iGen, Why today's super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy and…
18 mins
Is it time to have a family digital detox?
How much time do you and your kids spend on screens? Perhaps you're ready for a bit of screen-free time If that's the case Dr Kristy Goodwin has some great…
11 mins
Mum, I'm bored! How to explain to kids why that's a good thing
You'd be forgiven for wondeirng how we parented smartphones. It can seem like the only reason we can keep everyone on time, relatively clean, and mostly alive is because of…
16 mins
A small Aussie business making great off-screen activities for kids
Want an easy way to have some screen free time Tiger Tribe is a small Mum and Dad business that designs beautiful and fun craft gifts for kids. They take…
13 mins
Why your screen time matters too
We may want our kids to get off their screens, but are we providing them the example to follow? Leading digital parenting expert and children's technology researcher, Dr Kristy Goodwin…
15 mins
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Back in June, Paul from hlportal.de suggested in an e-mail that I do a comic based on the new HDR lighting effects. Here it is, finally.
After doing the comic, I booted up Day Of Defeat: Source, thinking, you know, maybe I should actually check out firsthand the HDR I had just mocked. Since it's a little hard to detect changes in lighting while the German Wehrmacht are flanking you, I started a server and ran around on my own for a bit. First, I thought I'd try it without turning HDR on. Checked out the map for a few minutes, looked at everything, tried out some guns. Then, I opened the options panel to turn HDR on. Uh, wait. It WAS on. It had been on the whole time.
The HDR effects, contrary to my comic's suggestions, are incredibly subtle. Once you notice them, they become a bit more obvious, but all in all, if you weren't looking for them you probably wouldn't see them.
Now, I'm not sure why you'd have them on in a multiplayer game like DoD, since the slightest slow-down or distraction will get you riddled with bullets by other players who don't have their own HDR turned on. You're not gonna get blinded like the cops in the comic, but your framerates may suffer a bit if you don't have a fast enough rig, and moving from darkness to light or vice-versa does give you a very realistic moment of adjustment, and while it's remarkable how well they captured it in HDR, it's not the sort of thing a substandard player like myself needs to worsen his already awful chances of survival in multiplay.
But in a single-player game, especially one with already gorgeous graphics like Half-Life 2? I would definitely have HDR on. I honestly cannot wait to see Lost Coast at this point, and I really hope they somehow go back and add HDR to Half-Life 2 itself. It's the kind of thing you may not really notice until you turn it off, at which point you'll miss it. It's just really neat.
Back to DoD: Source. Holy cow, that is a mind-blowing amount of fun. I joined a server because I wanted to try out the German MG42 on something other than flowerpots. About ten minutes later, I realized it was four hours later. It was a little hard to get into at first, what with the realistic weapon recoil that caused me to perforate a lot of clouds but few opponents, but once I adjusted it was just a ridiculous amount of fun. The maps are brilliantly designed, with lots of choke-points, cover, great sniping positions, and most importantly, ways to flank those sniping positions. There are some players who are good enough to just run willy-nilly through the maps, killing everyone in sight, but for the most part, players were working together, covering each other, and slowly advancing on the capture points during some hellish close-quarter firefights. Great game.


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New images of the N94 Apple Prototype have appeared on Macpost, which by all accounts are near-identical to the existing iPhone 4.
Recent evidence pointing to a metallic chassis for the iPhone 5 would seem to indicate that these photos are of the rumored "iPhone 4S" – the low cost mid-level smartphone aimed at Asia's emerging markets.
The images of the N94 device are labelled "Engineering Verification Test 1" and dated March 3rd, 2011. The photos include the front screen and assembly, including the digitizer panel and LCD.
Images of the redesigned iPhone 5 have yet to surface.


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RSMI Top 10 Restaurant Brand Rankings Welcomes New Contenders/
The Q4 2013 Restaurant Social Media Index (RSMI) data is officially in, and, as usual, there are quite a few notable brands that have shifted in the rankings. Back in Q3, we reported that Chipotle stole the throne from Taco Bell in the Overall Top 250 list, and that still remains. But two restaurant brands finally made their way into the Top 10, kicking off Sonic and Jimmy John's. Check out the full Top 10 list below.
How It Works
The RSMI, owned by digital agency DigitalCoCo, is a social media index with domain expertise that tracks three main elements — influence, sentiment and engagement — across 17 social platforms. Currently, the Index tracks more than 56 million U.S. social restaurant consumers in more than 212,000 locations. Aside from the Overall Top 250, the RSMI filters data into four specific categories each quarter. For Top Mobile Brands, we filter mobile social transactions and look at how mobile interactions impact brand engagement. Top Social Sentiment focuses on consumer sentiment toward brands, and is based on our more than 147,000 key industry terms revolving around food, service and overall brand. Location-Based Activity analyzes social ROI through density, frequency, return & refer, and sentiment from a location-based action. And finally, for Top Social Engagement, we analyze unsolicited engagement and peripheral engagement with extended conversations. Read More for the Full List


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Stephen Nelson, lead pastor
"Jesus is the subject, I am a verb. I'm here to awaken the passion inside the hearts of others, then watch them shine."
Pastor Stephen lives to see people's lives transformed by awakening the God dream inside of them so that they live & serve according to their passions. His personal philosophy of teaching and preaching is "no man has the right to take the Word of God and make it boring."
Stephen holds a B.A. in Pastoral Ministry and Bible from Mid-America Christian University, and continues his education and training through The Be Bold Academy, the Healthy Growing Churches Network and various other avenues. Stephen's ordination and licensing is through the Church of God (Anderson). Since 1998, he has served in full-time Pastoral Ministry roles in churches in Tulsa, OK, Coral Springs, FL, and Hot Springs, AR.
He and Shelly married in 1990. They love to spend quality time with their three boys in a variety of ways including sports, gardening, video games, and trips to the beach.
Lexi Rubin, The mix(Campus ministry)
"The Mix" is the new name of our college campus crew – "everyone can find a place to belong in the Mix"! Lexi is a Psychology Major at Northwestern State University (NSU), where she is involved in student government and Phi Mu. At Awaken, Lexi contributes greatly to our weekly Bible Study Circles, and volunteers in AKA Club (Children's Ministry).
Lexi says she loves Awaken because of the environment of love, which gives college students a home away from home. Lexi is already gathering a team of college students to be the difference on campus, and is even kicking off a ministry focused Instagram page - @Awaken_theMix .
Shelly NelsoN, Ninja Ops and AKA Club
Shelly is wife to Pastor Steve, mother to Christian, Jericho and Nile, and our "behind the scenes" team leader. She and her team handle the website, graphic arts, video editing and production, audio/visual, etc. She is also our interim AKA Club team leader and tries to lead all of Awaken's children in a discovery of their own, personal relationship with Jesus.
Shelly is focused on supporting her husband, family and church in any way she can, as long as she isn't the center of attention. One of her passions for Awaken Church is making certain that we are a "special needs friendly" place. Shelly and Stephen have an autistic child and this experience has helped them see more clearly the challenges and issues faced by families with special needs children. Her goal is to make sure every family feels they can attend church and that Awaken has support for them in place when they attend.
ZACH GEORGE, worship arts
Zach George is from Natchitoches, Louisiana. He graduated from Lakeview High School in Campti, La in 2014 and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La as well as Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. He's been in ministry since he was young, when he started playing on the worship team at his home church, Family Worship Center in Black Lake, Louisiana.
Since then he's been the worship leader/pastor and Calvary Assembly of God in Fairview, Louisiana, and Dallas Christian Assembly in Plano, Texas. He currently works at Walmart in Natichitoches and leads worship for Awaken Church! Fun fact, he's really into reading fantasy and scifi books, as well as studying apologetics and the scriptures.


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The weather right now is like that last person at a party who won't stop talking to you even though you have already starting clearing the glasses. Go away, winter, it was nice while it lasted, but I'm done!
Suzanne may need a short story intervention, but I appreciate her reading all the crummy collections for Library Chicken so I don't have to.
We put together a little reading list of YA westerns you might be interested in.
I actually get asked variations on this question a lot: How do you help an unschooler write a high school transcript for a college with a traditional bent?
Our riddled of the week is one of my favorites: The Wild Robot, a middle grades novel that's part survival story, part meditation on the meaning of being alive.
Colin Kaepernick has (rightly) gotten a lot of press for his political activism, but he is definitely not the first Black athlete to use his position to take a political stand. This is an interesting look at another act of protest in 1969 — and the response to it, which will sound a little too familiar.
Oh, man, how am I just finding out about this exhibit? I would have loved to see it in person, but the pictures are pretty fabulous.
I think I will be buying all the books on the short list for this year's Cook Prize, starting with The Hidden Life of a Toad.
This was hard to read (we loved A Series of Unfortunate Events), but it asks a really good question: Where is the #metoo fighting back against racism?
There's a lot of great writing about Black Panther out there, but this piece is one of my favorites. (Spoilers, though, so go see it before you read it.)
Even though A Wrinkle in Time did not hit my sweet spot, I have continued my L'Engle readathon quite happily. You will be glad to know that I did finally make it to An Acceptable Time, the last book in the Time quintet, which stars Meg's daughter Polly and Zachary Gray, whom Polly meets in A House Like a Lotus and Vicky meets in The Moon by Night. (That Zachary gets around.) I moved on to The Small Rain (one of my favorites), about the pianist Katherine Forrester, who is moody and unlikable but to whom I relate maybe a little much) and to A Severed Wasp, which brings back Dave from The Young Unicorns and Katherine (now in her 70s and on the verge of retirement). After that, I travel back in time to Ilsa, which I scored a copy of at a library sale many years ago before the internet was a Thing. I don't love Ilsa, which is darker and grittier than much of L'Engle's other work, but I can't skip a book, and I have to read Ilsa before I can jump ahead to A Winter's Love because its main character is married to a descendant of Ilsa's Henry Porcher. (Mimi, from A Severed Wasp, shows up here as a boarding school friend of the main character's daughter — she's also related to the Reniers, who show up in some of the Polly stories.)
I'm also planning classes for fall, and since we're diving into the Enlightenment, that means I get to reread Gulliver's Travels (I am reading this one with my son, and he's finding it hilarious) and Newton's Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
Did you know Case Histories is a series? I feel like Suzanne told me this, but I must have gone off and immediately forgotten because I discovered it on Amazon and am thoroughly enjoying it. I loved the book — it remains my best-ever spontaneous airport bookshop purchase — and the series is a nice adaptation. (Plus it stars Jason Isaacs, which is pretty much always going to be Very Okay with me.)
My daughter's doing a current events class, and it's making me realize that we haven't spent much time on modern geography. (We can map Mesopotamia and every part of Odysseus's journey, but the modern world — not so much.) I picked up a copy of Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics, thinking it would help. I don't know if it's actually helped us make sense of the map as thoroughly as I might have hoped, but it has definitely got us thinking about how geography influences everything — and maybe that's ultimately as important as being able to find the capital of Vietnam.


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Roda Corfu: Below the mountain of Pantokrator lies the picturesque fishing settlement of Roda, just 20 km north of Corfu town. Over the years, the village has grown in size offering plenty of modern amenities, restaurants and lively bars. Visitors will surely enjoy this cosmopolitan village where tradition and modern life exist in perfect harmony. Roda is popular for its intense nightlife and the romantic atmosphere. The beautiful sandy shore which is actually a natural continuation of Arachavi, stretches for a couple of km with plenty of umbrellas and sunbeds. Water sports facilities are also available. Those interested in short excursions,should visit the tourist resorts of Arachavi, Kassiopi and Sidari, located only a short distance from Roda.
Welcome to Sidari, the picturesque and beautiful Greek village on the North West part of Corfu. The distance of Corfu town and the airport it's about 45 km and the drive time you need to get there, its about 45 minutes. It used to be a small fishing village when in the early 80's it became a popular tourist destination. Every year from than it was growing bigger and bigger. Today it is a large commercial resort that can offer accommodation to 17.000 holiday makers!Of the approximate 285 villages on this large and diverse island, Sidari is unique with plenty of clubs, music bars and pubs, that offering a great nightlife! What make Sidari different and unique are the several little bays with small beaches around the area of Sidari and Peroulades.
the highest peak on the island (914 metres), Pantokrator, rises in the middle of the north-eastern part of the island and shapes the character of the entire region. More than 60 settlements have grown up here with a population of about 6000 people, on the flanks of the mountain for the most part, but also beside its shores. The sheer eastern slopes, covered with olive groves and looking out towards the mainland opposite and the Albanian coastline, drop sharply to the sea, forming a series of little coves and beaches, a mainly rocky coastline with picturesque headlands and peninsulas. The coastal road which leads into the Mount sets off from town, heads north, and runs right round the coastline, almost encircling the whole region, before turning south and returning via an inland route. Numerous side roads lead off to the left, to climb up the slopes of Pantokrator towards picturesque abandoned villages with panoramic views.
or Anacharavi, according to one tradition was in ancient times named Ivi. In 32 BC the Romans destroyed the settlement and slaughtered all its young people. After this event, it was called 'Unlucky Ivi' ('Ahari Ivi' in Greek). Located between Roda and Almiros, today it is the capital of the Municipality of Thinali, and was developed into a large tourist resort with numerous hotels, restaurants and bars. You can find almost anything you need in Acharavi.
covers 400 stremmata (100 acres) and it provides a home for fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and many rare birds ( 96 different species have been spotted here). It is an important biotope and it is protected by law.
it is a long, beautiful sandy beach, with crystal clear water, unspoilt scenery which remains as it was years ago and a lovely view over the Albanian mountain range. As the area is not touristy (yet!) you will find very good fish tavernas in good prices. In the spot known as Ammokoulouma, the burial ground of a farming community of the Hellenistic Period has been discovered and is being excavated.
is situated about 25 kilometres from Corfu town, linked to it by one of the widest and best laid-out roads on the island. Consisting of two impressive headlands and six coves, the area's unique combination of lush vegetation, precipitous cliffs and sandy beaches has established it as a top-class resort. The northern promontory belongs to the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was founded in 1225. The building we see today is of a later date and houses a museum of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. Alipa Bay, apart from being the site of a naval base, has a small marina where visiting yachts and local fishing boats anchor. In the immediate surroundings of Paleokastritsa you will find some of the island's biggest hotels, best restaurants and liveliest bars. Special note should be taken of the wonderfully clear, deep sea of the area, a favourite spot for scuba diving and harpoon fishing.
a Venetian village with roots in ancient times, with stone-built mansions and many churches, Old Perithia is the most impressive example of a traditional Corfiot inland village. The village was once the capital of the Municipality of Kassopaion and was extremely wealthy – its fields stretched as far as the settlement known today as New Perithia. It owes its inland position not only to the fear of pirate attacks but also to the effort to avoid the mosquitoes which thrived in the fever belt close to the sea.
is another abandoned village, located on the southern flanks of Pantokrator. As in the case of Old Perithia, it was founded as a refuge from pirate raids, and abandoned when the coastline became safe.
a huge sandy beach on the bay of the same name, with crystal-clear, cold water ('Pagi' in Greek means ice!). The afternoon wind, the 'maestros', makes it a favourite venue for fans of windsurfing. At the southern end of the beach, just where the road runs out, a footpath leads after a walk of about fifteen minutes through wonderful olive groves, to the picturesque 'Fisherman's Taverna'.
an exceptionally pretty locations lying on the closest point to Albania, with a number of tavernas and restaurants. They are reached by way of a road which turns right at Sinies (Elaiourgia). The Kerasia pebble beach is absolutely impressive as the green of the hills almost melts into the blue of the sea. Agios Stefanos beach is also nice.
a peninsula which affords a fantastic view towards Agios Georgios Bay and over the open sea. From here you can see the island of Karavi (literally means 'Ship' in Greek) which has been the inspiration for many myths and legends. According to Pliny, it was the petrified ship of the Phaeceans, while in the surrounding villages they speak of the historical queen Pamphlagona, who ruled the city of the same name. It was said that her husband went away to fight a foreign queen, with whom he fell in love, and they fled together on his boat. The deceived Pamphlagona invoked Saint Nicholas, who punished her unfaithful husband by turning his ship to stone.
A.M.:0829E60000119701 - ©Copyright 2019 Corfu Taxi Transfer - Developed by George Tzortzis


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Michael Brown Show, Marco Rubio, April 18, 2013
Station: KHOW, 630 AM
Show: Michael Brown Show
Guests: Rubio
Link: http://www.khow.com/cc-common/podcast/single_page.html?more_page=2&podcast=michaelbrown&selected_podcast=MB_4-18_Hour_3_FAIR_Broadcast_with_Rubio_1366329830_1867.mp3
Date: April 18, 2013
Topics: Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Gang of Eight, Senator Michael Bennet, Senator Schumer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Security, Pathway to Citizenship, Congressional Hearings, Judiciary Committee, Joint Economic Committee, Amendments, Majority Leader Senator Harry Ried (D-NV), E-verify, Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, Family Unification, Merit Based, Green Card, HB1 Visas, Skills Based Legislation
HOST MICHAEL BROWN: So you had a press conference today.
U.S. SENATOR (R-FL) MARCO RUBIO: Yes.
BROWN: I have a question.
RUBIO: Yes, sir.
BROWN: We have Obamacare and now this, the immigration bill. We seem to have this habit in Congress of dropping bills, people don't know what's in it, they haven't read them, —
RUBIO: Right
BROWN: Are we going to have hearings?
RUBIO: Absolutely. First of all, the difference between Obamacare and this bill and many other bills, for example, is that they're cut in secret by a group of people, and then they're brought right to the floor, and then you're given a few hours to consider it, maybe a few days, maybe, if you're lucky, a couple weeks. This bill is going to go through a long process. I mean, we just introduced it. There's going to be hearings on it tomorrow, there are going to be hearing next week. An additional committee – the Joint Economic Committee is going to have hearings on it, as well, in May. In fact, the Judiciary committee won't even start considering amendments to the bill – the committee, until next month. And then beyond that, obviously, it's got to get through the whole amendment process in the committee. When it emerges from there, it's going to the floor and go through that amendatory process. In the meantime, weeks and weeks will go by. It's already posted online, on my — and I encourage people to go on our website, marcorubio.com, and read it. And I look for their input. I don't — I'm sure there's things that we can improve in it, and I look forward to hearing how to do that.
BROWN: So I just want to make sure. And I don't doubt you, but I just want to make sure I understand that this bill will go through a normal legislative process, will have hearings, will have witnesses, will have full-blown public discussion of this bill.
RUBIO: That's what I've been assured. Obviously, one of the principles that I outlined when I came out – I outlined my own principles on this issue back in January. And one of those principles is that this issue be considered through the regular legislative process, not rushed to the floor for a quick vote on something people don't understand. And that's one of the things that they've agreed to do, and I hope they keep their word on it. Beyond that, I would remind people, the House will also have something to say —
BROWN: Right.
RUBIO: This is not – I mean, we won't—I don't even anticipate this issue being on the floor of the Senate for weeks, for multiple weeks.
BROWN: Has Senator Ried given you his word that he'll go through the full process.
RUBIO: He has. That is what he has told me, up to this point. And that is what we would expect. I think it will fail if it's not done that way. And quite frankly, I will not be able to support a product that I feel my colleagues have not had the opportunity to have significant input on. Even if they end up not supporting it, I think, all 92 other Senators have an interest in this issue and deserve to have an input. And quite frankly, I think they can make it better.
BROWN: Do you trust Harry Ried to do that?
RUBIO: Listen, it – ultimately, I don't know Harry Ried that well. I've only been in the Senate for two years. All I can tell you is that I don't think this bill will succeed if it's not part of a deliberative process. I think if this is an issue that you try and rush to the floor, it will fail. And quite frankly, it will be impossible for me to support an effort that I don't think my colleagues have had a fair opportunity to have input on. I've been consistent on that that principle and continue to be, and that's why I'm encouraging other committees, not just Judiciary, to hold hearings. And we've already gotten another committee to agree to a hearing, that Joint Economic Committee which includes members of the House will have hearings in May, as well.
BROWN: One of the problems that we – that I perceive, that we've had in the Department of Homeland Security. I was on the transition team that created the behemoth, and I regret having done that. But, one of the problems that we've had within DHS, is the way it now works, is there any guarantee that you can give that Immigration and Custom Enforcement will actually be consulted, and actually be a part of the process, and they will be allowed to honestly testify about what they think needs to be done?
RUBIO: That's what I hope we can ensure that this testimony happens
- [We should be strongly unified in getting that]
- [We should be meeting with these folks and getting input in how to improve the process]
- [Legitimate Point: Enforcement hands tied – this admin is making it difficult for them]
BROWN: Okay, so if —you just raised an excellent point. If they say that they have their hands tied, so to speak, in enforcement, why are we not focusing on enforcement right not and decouple the amnesty or the provisional, or whatever you want to call it, — Why don't we decouple those and deal with the border security first
- [Couple reasons, by identifying and freezing status, we actually help enforcement efforts and limited resources because they will be able to concentrate on criminals, gangbangers, etc.]
- [Bill mandates E-verify, universal entry and exit movement – creates a program whereby if DHS doesn't' achieve 90% apprehension rate, 100% awareness…. Control the issue… then control goes to border state governors to finish the job…. ]
BROWN: Sorry to interrupt, but what I read is, it's 90% in high risk or high enforcement problem area –
- [6 of 9 border sectors have majority of problems]
- [High risk sectors could change…. The whole border needs to be]
- [Napolitano won't be there in 3.5 years]
BROWN: If part of the belief is she won't be here in 3.5 years, there's no question that the Democrats use immigration as a political issue – they use it as a wedge issue, to drive a wedge between Republicans and Democrat. How does this not drive a wedge between voters and Republicans.
- In terms of the —
BROWN: Just the whole issue! I mean, are we not playing right into the hands of Democrats?' It's all about electoral politics.
RUBIO: It's not for me.
BROWN: Well, you just said, "Janet Napolitano will be gone in three-and-a-half years."
- [No, no]
- [My point being — is people keep saying, "she won't enforce the law. How can we trust her?"]
- [And my point is – well, she's only – even in the best case scenario for her, she'll only be there for three more years – obama won't be president forever]
- [On the political point, I would just say, if we're motivated by politics, if Republicans are doing this because they think they're going to win more Hispanic votes, that's not the reason to do it]
- [The reason, quite frankly, why I want to do this, is I think what we have right now is bad for the country ]
- [And I want to see us fix it.]
- [And otherwise, if nothing happens The status quo was even worse]
- [What we have now is we don't know who these folks are, the law is not being enforced, our legal immigration system is based on the 19th century, not the 21st]
- [I'm trying to fix it in the best way possible]
- [The Democrats are going to raise this issue, and we need to have input. We must have an alternative that is better than they're offering]
BROWN: Can you just tell the folks in Colorado, what border security means to you.
- [Means we control it. We have sovereignty of the border]
- [Look, are you going to stop 100-% of the people every single day, every year]
- [People used to get past the Berlin wall]
- [It's the national security component of it… I don't support landscaper or maid coming across the border illegally]
- [But what should keep us up at night is that a border where people can be trafficked, weapons and drugs, ]
BROWN: Sorry to interrupt. But so if I agree 100% — It's first and foremost a national security issue. So if that's the case, why are we giving DHS, who has fumbled around now since 2003. I was there the day it stood up, It has done nothing to improve border security! So if it's a freaking national security issue, why aren't we holding their feet to the fire, and say seal it up! Why aren't they doing it?
- [They are! We should! They hold hearings on it. How do you do that ultimately, unless you can pass a law.]
- [Need to pass a law that requires them to do it, or they lose control.]
BROWN: So, why aren't we doing that first, and focusing on the other people who are here secondarily?
- [That was my original position. Let's put security first and then let's legalize the folks that are here.]
- [The problem is, What do we do with them in the meantime? In the meantime, while we're waiting to finish the security part, you've got millions of people running around working on documents that aren't theirs, not paying taxes, we don't know who they are.]
- [We have to freeze that problem in place, to make sure it doesn't get any worse]
BROWN: But it's been that way since 1976. The people here just swirling around
- [If its 1 or 2 million, that's okay]
- [But it's many more than that, and we don't know how many! That's the fundamental problem here – we don't know!]
BROWN: You see, but that argues for securing it first. Before doing anything else.
- [Right. ]
- [Well the point is what do we do with the people who are here. Ignore? Game of cat and mouse – if we catch them, they have to leave, but if we don't catch them. They get to stay? ]
BROWN: Part of this bill, at the way I read it, at least what was put out today, is that if they've been deported they can actually come back and apply again
- [That's not true]
- [The only exception we made were those who were deported for non-criminal reasons and who have been separated from their children]
- [Quite frankly, I wasn't a huge fan of that provision, but decided, let's be on the side of family reunification.]
BROWN: Do you see this as being family based? Or skills based legislation?
- [We changed that]
- [That's one of the best approaches to this bill that I'm really in favor of
- Modernize the system away from family-based ]
BROWN: So for H1B visas? Or, I mean, are we going to do it for high skill, or low skill?
- [Even the green card program becomes more based on skill and merit than it is based on family]
- [We get rid of the diversity lottery]
- [We get rid of the brother and sister category]
- [They can claim their spouse and their children]
- [Where we prioritize the merit based immigration where the people who have skills, job [offers and opportunities to contribute economically]
BROWN: Why was ICE kicked out of the hearing today?
- [I didn't kick them out, I think that was a mistake]
- [Chris Crane was kicked out… I think he shouldn't have been. I met with him Monday, I look forward to meeting with him again]
- [he's a law enforcement officer, he should have been respected, and not treated like someone who has done something that was wrong]
BROWN: Thank you. Thank you
- [That was unfortunate]
- [I hope we'll hear from him]
- [Because Chris' complaint is a legitimate one]
- [And that is they are not being allowed by this administration to enforce the law]
- [In fact, they are actively involved in a lawsuit and I hope they're successful at that,]
- [And I hope that we can have significant input on how to improve the system]
BROWN: Your staff thinks I work for them. They're trying to signal me to shut up.
RUBIO: Well, we've got another show
BROWN: But I'm not going to shut up until you shut up, so…
RUBIO: All right
BROWN: Senator, good to see you
RUBIO: Thank you, Mike, I appreciate it
BROWN: You bet. Take care


text:
Finding inspiration in travel and nature, Belgian brand Baobab is known for producing deluxe candles and scent diffusers that reflect different regions of the world. Each candle tells a unique story through its name and fragrance - the ambergris-scented Masaai Spirit transports you to the sun-drenched plains of Africa, while the orange blossom-infused Coral Pearls captures the essence of the tropics. Committed to high quality craftsmanship and respect for the environment, the candles are hand poured into vases blown by skilled glassworkers. Incorporating tribal notes and intense colours, Baobab's refined candles make delightful gifts and soothing home accessories.more
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Cire Trudon Carmelite Candle (270g)
Alluding to the brand's long-time relationship with the Catholic church, the Carmelite candle by Cire Trudon reflects the rich scents of cloisters and convents. Presented in a hand-blow green glass vessel and adorned with an opulent gold-toned label fashion by ......more


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Read in English.
- 225gr Rye Flour
- 225gr Strong White Flour
- 1 pkt Yeast
- 25gr butter
- 250ml Water
- 50gr Parmesan cheese
- Egg-wash
- Sesame seeds
- Salt
1. I begin by combining the rye flour, white flour, dry yeast and salt. Make a well in the middle, and add the lukewarm water and the melted butter.
2. Combine all the ingredients until the dough starts to form and knead for 10 minutes until the dough is nice and smooth. Place in a clean and oiled bowl, and cover. Let the dough rise for about 90 minutes until it doubles in size.
3. Once done, knead again for about 10 minutes and then split the dough into roughly equal rolls. Then add the sesame seeds on top. Cover the rolls again with a clean tea towel and let them rise again for another hour. Before baking in a preheated 200C oven, brush the egg wash on top.
Recipe brought to you by mykitchenstories.com.mt


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Get inspired with our round-up of the freshest and most fabulous ideas for your 2018 nuptials
Go back-to-basics with your theme
2018 will see weddings stripped back, with a 'return to nature' feel heavily present. Colour palettes will be muted and beautiful: rich shades of darker pinks, purples and creams will be matched with pops of green foliage. Metallic details - such as tableware - will add a luxe finish. Celebrations will have an artistic feel, with every detail meaning something.
Image: Lilac Photography
It's all about the WILD bouquet
Gone are the days of structured floral arrangements. Rather, 2018 will see bouquets that are bigger and wilder than ever before, with over-flowing foliage and over-sized blooms adding to the wild, natural look.
Image: Hannah Duffy Photography
The arch becomes... More of a circle
Whilst floral arches have been popular for a few years now, 2018 will see them go full-circle - as in, literally! Making as gorgeous a place to swap your vows as it is somewhere for your guests to take their selfies, the flower circle is also easy-peasy to move from your ceremony to your reception space.
Hanging florals will be everywhere
Suspended flower and foliage displays will be all the rage over the next 12 months. Although they've been subtly edging their way into the bridal sub-conscious for a while now, 2018 is the year they'll really come into bloom.
Flowers: The Flower Appreciation Society
Meghan Markle will become the year's most-imitated bride
Much like the K-Middy effect of 2011 (she brought back lace sleeves, let's be honest), Meghan Markle's every bridal decision will be hugely influential in 2018. From how she wears her hair for her May nuptials to the elegant going-away outfit she picks for boarding her honeymoon flight, the world will have its eyes firmly fixed on the bride-to-be.
Glitter will be everywhere (naturally)
From your own make-up look to hiring a pop-up glitter bar for your guests to enjoy, the sparkly stuff is certainly having a moment RN.
Photography: Lucy Davenport; make-up: Louise Seymour
Brides will be wearing their flowers
Four words, people: over-the-shoulder bouquets!
Image: Rodarte
Wreaths will be all over the place
Okay, not literally - but they'll definitely be more wedding-present than they ever have before. Whilst they were once strictly the reserve of Christmas or, er, funerals, wreaths have had a thoroughly romantic makeover. Perfect for propping up in front of your sweetheart table, adorning aisle ends or simply decorating a blank wall, a pretty floral wreath is a fuss-free, foolproof way to add some extra cheer to your venue.
Wreath by Blush Floral Design
Couples will be increasingly asking for technology-related gifts
Whilst asking for honeymoon add-ons will continue to be popular, the experts at Prezola predict newlyweds will be just as keen to ask loved ones for techie presents: think drones, speakers and coffee machines.
Leather jackets will be your cover-up of choice
Whether handpainted with your names and wedding date or simply in a bridal shade of white, the wed-worthy jacket is super cool and can, of course, be worn after your wedding day, too.
By Monique Lhuillier; imagery: Greg Kessler for Kessler Studio
Heels are being swapped for trainers
And on the subject of rewearable bridal fashion: on to the trainer trend! Super-comfy (and sometimes customised) box-fresh bridal trainers have been popping up left, right and centre over recent months, and the trend is set to be big in 2018.
Trainers: I Am Florence
Iridescent decor will be huge
Pearly finishing touches will be dusting many parts of weddings: from oil-slick glassware to wedding gowns featuring iridescent embellishments.
Your wedding dress might just feature a black accent
Whether it's a collar, a bow, a belt - the 2018 runway shows were filled with bridal designs that featured subtle monochrome twists. Or actually, you might go for all-out black. Fabulous!
Dresses: Reem Acra (left) and Lazaro (right).
The wedding Snapchat filter will replace the wedding hashtag
No idea what we're talking about? Click here.
Neon lights will add something new to reception spaces
Replacing light-up letters or projected monograms, a neon sign (or three) will add a fun Club Tropicana feel to your party. They've shaken off the slightly shady feel of their past and are now achingly cool and directional.
Light available to hire from bagandbones.co.uk
Woodland set-ups will come indoors
Whilst log slices and cute pine cone place settings are, sure, a nice way to add a rustic woodland feel to any celebration, 2018 will see celebrations go big when it comes to woodland whimsy. The precise opposite of the bringing-the-indoors-out reception trend, potted trees, endless strings of fairylights and countless flickering tealights (not to mention clever scent layering) will all be used to create a truly unique woodland set-up.
Image: Shaun Taylor Photography
Handwritten details will continue to be hugely popular
Expect to see calligraphy decor everywhere, in increasingly clever guises: personalised wine glasses, palm leaves topped with perfectly written menus, intricately iced biscuit place-settings... Want to try it yourself? Make a start here.
Image: Mariola Zoladz; stationery: wild-woodpaper.co.uk
Forget big parties, it's all about intimate gatherings
Wedding will have a more 'exclusive' feel, with cash-strapped couples who still want to put on a fabulous party opting for a 'quality over quantity' guest-list policy.
Pops of millennial pink will be #onpoint
Show solidarity with your generation by adding a splash of baby pink into your wedding - whether an all-out declaration or something more subtle.
On the contrary, wonderland receptions will be HUGE
Literally and figuratively. A quick scroll through Instagram will show you the kind of thing we mean: 10-feet tall wedding cakes, ceilings covered in thouands of flowers, gowns featuring never-ending trains...
Meet the flower crown's edgier sister: the floral mohawk
The mohawk comprises - you guessed it - of wearing flowers down your hair, rather than crowning it. Edgy, fashion-forward and oh-so cool, it's the flower garland's edgier big sister.
Mohawk/flowers: Juliet Glaves; photography: Lucy Davenport
Your dancefloor should really be marble
Or at the very least, look like it might be marble: if you love the trend but your venue - gasp - doesn't come complete with its own marble-floored ballroom, create your own by using a decal (with your venue's permission, of course).
Flower or foliage-adorned bars will be huge
Installation floral displays are a great way to make your venue look instantly more sophisticated - if your budget won't stretch but you love the idea, consider hand-making paper flowers instead. (Although be warned: this will take a long time.)
Flowers: All For Love London
Metallic table details will be huge
From candlesticks and plates to vases and cutlery, decorations in shades of copper, bronzes and even rose gold will be hugely popular.
Image: Melissa Jill


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The morning sky comes alive with colors over the Queensboro Bridge spanning the East River in New York City on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A flock of starlings fly near an old windmill in front of the Shenandoah Heritage Market, Tuesday, January 20, 2015 in Harrisonburg, Va. (Photo by Jason Lenhart/AP Photo/The Daily News-Record)
A palette of pinks and blues paint the morning sky behind the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, February 3, 2015. (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)
A ferry crosses the river Mersey during sunrise in Liverpool, northern England January 20, 2015. (Photo by Phil Noble/Reuters)
England's Joe Root fields on the boundary as the sun sets during their One Day International (ODI) tri-series cricket match against Australia at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Tasmania January 23, 2015. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Reuters)
A general view shows the One Day International (ODI) tri-series cricket match between Australia and England in the field as the sun sets at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Tasmania January 23, 2015. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Reuters)
Family members are silhouetted along the beachfront during sunset in Atlantic City, New Jersey September 12, 2014. (Photo by Adrees Latif/Reuters)
Electricity pylons are seen at the side of Loch Fyne in Scotland January 21, 2015. (Photo by Russell Cheyne/Reuters)
A seagull flies over a Maltese flag at sunset in Valletta, Malta, January 28, 2015. (Photo by Darrin Zammit/Reuters)
French mounted police officers patrol on the beach during the "Quaduro" endurance race in Le Touquet January 31, 2015. (Photo by Pascal Rossignol/Reuters)
A gondolier rows a gondola in front of Giudecca island in the Venetian lagoon February 1, 2015. The sleek black gondolas that whisper through Venice bear the hallmarks of a tiny but proud group of artisans striving to keep alive the traditional building methods for the floating city's most recognizable symbol. (Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)
A man and a girl paddle in the Pacific Ocean at sunset in Santa Monica, California February 5, 2015. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)
A boat sails near a sailboat moored in the harbour of La Punta, against the backdrop of San Lorenzo island, in Callao, Peru February 7, 2015. (Photo by Mariana Bazo/Reuters)
The unmanned Falcon 9 rocket launched by SpaceX carrying NOAA's Deep Space Climate Observatory Satellite sits on launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida February 8, 2015. (Photo by Scott Audette/Reuters)
A boy carries bread on his head to sell in Kabul February 9, 2015. (Photo by Mohammad Ismail/Reuters)
Photo shows landscape of Halnaker windmill at Bosham Harbour, near Chichester on February 4, 2015 in Sussex, England. (Photo by iVistaphotography/Barcroft Media)
Havana is seen from the air January 19, 2015 in Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Stormy clouds over Perth Harbor in Australia. (Photo by Oliver Kay/Caters News)
A beautiful sunset over Perth Harbor in Australia. (Photo by Oliver Kay/Caters News)
In this November 4, 2014 photo, the sun begins to set over the "Cerro de Oro" dam in Tuxtepec, Oaxaca state, Mexico. (Photo by Felix Marquez/AP Photo)
A fishing boat anchors at the small fishing harbor of Timmendorf during sunset on the island of Poel in the Baltic Sea, Germany, Monday, January 19, 2015. (Photo by Jens Buettner/AP Photo/DPA)
Air Force One, with President Barack Obama aboard, taxis prior to leaving Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Friday, February 6, 2015. (Photo by Doug McSchooler/AP Photo)
A man overlooks he high waves in the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 during a heavy winter storm sweeping through the Middle East.(Photo by Oded Balilty/AP Photo)
The contrails of two airplanes fade in the sky as the rising sun adds a spectatcular color cast to the landscape in Hajdusamson, 232 kilometers east of Budapest, on 13 January 2015 morning. (Photo by Zsolt Czegledi/EPA)
A beautiful sunset over Perth Harbor in Australia. (Photo by Oliver Kay/Caters News)
A Beautiful sunset Over Perth Harbor in Australia. (Photo by Oliver Kay/Caters News)
The sun rises over the River Brue on the Somerset Levels as temperatures in parts of the south west drop below freezing, on January, 20, 2015. (Photo by Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Starlings fly in the sky of Rome at sunset on January 27, 2015. (Photo by Filippo Monteforte/AFP Photo)
Sunset on the banks of the lake Ypacarai on January 12, 2015 in San Bernardino, Paraguay. (Photo by Norberto Duarte/AFP Photo)
10 Feb 2015 12:42:00, post received 0 comments


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The holidays are approaching, and amidst all of the celebrations there are also a great deal of obstacles to navigate . . . Read more
Posts Tagged 'holidays'
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Okechukwu Solomon January 06, 2019 Technology EDIT
A top guider on Ponzi scheme, MMM has revealed why participants with huge investments have not been paid. The guider on condition of anonymity spoke with newsmen.
Responding to why many participants who have millions of naira are yet to be paid, he explained thus: "We are processing, but can't pay them now."
"We need money in the system and that is why the increase in interest is on the cards so some can decide to leave their funds.
"That said, participants that have between N50,000 and N300,000 or so are being paid on a daily basis, you can do your findings."
On the introduction of Bitcoin, for MMM operations, the guider stated that participants will start receiving more information on BitCoin when they log in.
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How I found Alice...by Michaela Morgan
Posted on 12th July 2017 in Guest Blogs
How I found Alice...by Michaela Morgan
I come from long ago from a world of black and white, and grey. Narrow streets and narrow lives. Very little kindness.
I went to the local primary school where we had class libraries. The books were in a folding metal contraption on wheels. They would be wheeled into the room, unlocked, unfolded and the books would be revealed.
You could take out a book but then you returned it at the end of the session, or maybe it was the end of the week, or maybe it was the end of the book. I can't be expected to remember everything can I?
Opened it was and into my hands came Alice in Wonderland and into the strange world of Alice I tumbled, never to entirely return. Alice's little golden key let me into a world of adventure and colour and strength and impossible possibilities. I loved her stalwart and stoical confidence as she quietly stood up for herself and continued in her journey. I loved the plays on words, the fun, the nonsense. But most of all I loved the verse in the story. I reread those verses. I still know most of them by heart. By heart.
Life went on and eventually I became a children's author. I became one who visits schools and attempts to answer questions. I am asked 'Which books do you remember from your childhood? Who was your favourite author?' And the answer came straight to my mouth and out it popped 'The Alice books... the poems of Lewis Carroll.'
I heard myself answer and learnt about myself as I answered. And I realised that the children's books I write are a combination of prose and verse. And the feelings in them, the incidents in them, the mood in them – has more than often been influenced by my early reading of Alice.
And then in my real world, in my real life, I took an Alice-like tumble. The ground disappeared and down I fell. No need to tell you what happened - but something that shook my world.
And who rescued me?
I found I had lost my focus. I could no longer write in any great length. I found it difficult to read. I ended up reading the same bits over and over again and failing to focus on new and full length fiction.
Poetry was a lifeline.
I could read the brief and the powerful.
Familiar books that I could re-read were a life line.
And so after a terrible lull when I wrote little or nothing. I turned to writing my responses to Alice – in poetry. Importantly, I involved other poets and writers. I reached out to them and they came up with the goods (such goods, such poets, such fortune to have contributions of this quality and originality!)
Thus Wonderland: Alice in Poetry was born.
Many of the generously contributing poets turned up to perform their poems at the launch. It launched the book and it relaunched my friendships. It relaunched me.
Wonderland: Alice in Poetry is a book of responses. Lewis Carroll took existing verses, well known to children of his time and he twisted them, shook them about and presented his own very different versions. We poets in Wonderland took Lewis Carroll's verses and we followed his model by responding to them in our own ways. We made those verses our own.
In turn, in classrooms, or at home, children may take our poems and those of Lewis Carroll - and the ones that started it all - and these children can join the chain of memories and words and ideas. They can make their own poems using Alice, her stories, the verses and our responses, as inspiration for their own original work.
It is as if Alice is a pass-the-parcel-gift that we can unwrap and enjoy in our own way. Whatever age we are, there is something for us. There is adventure, challenge, humour, craziness, wisdom, wonderful words and thoughts and dreams – and fun.
So together we fall into the world of Alice, together we find the little golden key, we let ourselves in and we're off in our own sort of Caucus Race. All begin running when and where they like, so it is not easy to know when the race is over but everybody has won, and all will have prizes ... Will you, won't you, will you, won't you, won't you join the dance?
You can learn more about Alice, read an extract and buy a copy of Wonderland: Alice in Poetry here.
Leave A Reply...
Previous Comments
"Thank you Michaela, that was a wonderful insight. So pleased that from the rabbit hole you emerged sparkling with golden light."
by Sue Hardy-Dawson on 12th July 2017


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The Last Jedi
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While catching up recently with a friend who is much more active in fandom than I am, she mentioned Hamilton. "Oh, have you seen the show?" I asked. "It's incredible." She laughed and responded that she hadn't listened to a single song, but "it's on my Tumblr dashboard—every fandom mashes up with it, so it's like I know it."


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If perhaps typical building Black Gutters layouts are not fulfilling, you may need to think of constructing a custom house. A designer house comes from a well-planned design and Joyce Harris listed below are a few things to consider in planning the design.
The starting point is by using your preferences to identify the type of living spaces you would need. Select a conventional dining room or living room when your friends infrequently stay at your house. Alternatively, should you be a social person, building a big room that blends dining room and living room is going to be the best choice to have fun with your visitors February 8, 2016 at 4:57 pm.
Should you want your bedroom to be a sanctuary then a large Black Gutters master bedroom with a reading area is all you need, however if you utilize it just for relaxing through the night then a smaller comfortable sleeping area may better fit your style.
Weather conditions and elevation are a few important considerations which are crucial when crafting home plan for your home 2908.
These days, you could make a three dimensional display of your floor plan. With the use of a 3D visual, you can easily fix wrong placements to make your Black Gutters floor plan ready for construction.


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CVS Health chief executive officer Larry Merlo Thursday said he sees the coming healthcare company created by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase & Co. as more aspirational to what the pharmacy giant will actually accomplish after its merger with Aetna is complete.
Merlo this morning was the latest healthcare company CEO to field questions from industry analysts since the blockbuster announcement last week by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon that they want to create a health company for their more than 1 million workers.
Initially, the Amazon-Berkshire venture's focus will be on "technology solutions" that will provide U.S. employees and their families with "simplified, high-quality and transparent healthcare at a reasonable cost." Exactly what will be created remains a mystery with executives involved planning a search for a CEO as well as headquarters.
But Merlo seemed to indicate CVS Health's acquisition of Aetna for $69 billion would put them well ahead of anything Amazon and Berkshire may launch.
"What that group aspires to is what we're going to deliver as part of the CVS-Aetna combination," CVS Merlo said of the Amazon-Berkshire venture during a 70-minute conference call Thursday morning to discuss fourth quarter 2017 profits and the company's 2018 outlook.
"Think about the fact that we have the infrastructure," CVS Merlo said. "We have the assets, we certainly have the health care expertise resident in both companies and we've demonstrated that we can execute on goals and objectives."
In buying Aetna, Merlo has said he wants to create a platform "that is easier to use and less expensive for consumers." The combination of Aetna and CVS is expected to create a powerhouse that plays the role of both healthcare payer and medical provider.
CVS has more than 9,800 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics and a pharmacy benefit management company. Aetna, meanwhile is diversified health insurance company with more than 20 million enrollees in commercial health plans, Medicare and Medicaid products.
"We're chomping at the bit to get started," Merlo said of CVS and Aetna executives.
Merlo said CVS is open to partnering with whatever Amazon, Berkshire and JPMorgan create.
"We want this new CVS-Aetna combination to be an open source model," Merlo added. "As we build out these capabilities . . . we can make them broadly available in the market. So we're looking forward to partnering with all groups of individuals, including this new combination of Berkshire, JPMorgan and Amazon."


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Draws on the Indian Ayurvedic tradition which characterises the mind as having three gunas, or primary qualities: sattva (characterised by calmness, clarity and purity), rajas (energy and passion), and tamas (dullness and ignorance).
9780857844163 | Published: September 2016 | Green Books
Inside The Green Economy - Promises and PitfallsBy Thomas Fatheuer, Lili Fuhr and Barbara Unmuessig
This book puts the Green Economy to the test, its promises, consequences and blind spots.
- Can efficiency be a solution if it results in more consumption?
- Can we save nature by putting a price on the services it provides?
- Should we rely on technological solutions to save us?
9780857844156 | Published: July 2016 | Oekom
Contributions Towards a Sustainable World - In Dialogue with Klaus TopferEdited by Falk Schmidt and Nick Nuttall
Parks are key to the protection of nature and the to the conservation of cultural landscapes, but increasingly, they promote sustainable development.
9783865814791 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
9780857843876 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Future of Food - State of the Art, Challenges and Options for ActionBy Stephan Albrecht, Reiner Braun, Zoe Heuschkel, Francisco Marí and Julia Pippig
Sustainable Food Case studies from around the world
9783865814197 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
9780857843906 | Published: November 2013 | Oekom
The Nature of Sustainable Consumption and How To Achieve It - Results from the Focal Topic "From Knowledge to Action – New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption"Edited by Rico Defila, Antonietta Di Giulio and Ruth Kaufmann- Hayoz
The impact of need and consumer behaviour on sustainable consumption.
9783865813022 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
9780857843852 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Parks of the Future - Protected areas in Europe challenging regional and global changeBy Thomas Hammer, Ingo Mose, Dominik Siegrist and Norbert Weixlbaumer
There has been an unmistakable boom in parks in Europe since the 1990s. This richly illustrated book discusses what role parks may play in promoting sustainable development.
There has been an unmistakable boom in parks in Europe since the 1990s. This richly illustrated book discusses what role parks may play in promoting sustainable development.
9783865817655 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
The Politics of Sufficiency - Making It Easier To Live The Good LifeBy Uwe Schneidewind and Angelika Zahrnt
This book outlines a politics of sufficiency that will make it easier to live with fewer resources but with stronger relationships, enabling us to reduce the speed, complexity, clutter and commercialization currently blighting our lives.
9783865816900 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Poverty Reduction through Social Business? - Lessons Learnt from Grameen Joint Ventures in BangladeshBy Kerstin Maria Humberg
Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus and founder of Grameen Bank proposes a route out of poverty in this insightful work.
9783865812872 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Social Dimensions of Climate Change Adaptation in Coastal Regions - Findings from Transdisciplinary ResearchEdited by Grit Martinez, Hans-Joachim Meier and Peter Fröhle
9783865816825 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Soils in the Nexus - A Crucial Resource for Water, Energy and Food SecurityBy Jes Weigelt, Alexander Müller, Charlotte Beckh and Klaus Töpfer
Care of the soil is crucial if we are to ensure water, energy and food security for nine billion people by 2050.
9783865814319 | Published: April 2016 | Oekom
Learn how to design and nurture a beautiful space. Bring the energy of wild places into your garden while incorporating sustainable living and growing your own food.
9780857843135 | Published: March 2016 | Green Books
Living on One Acre or Less - How to produce all the fruit, veg, meat, fish and eggs your family needsBy Sally Morgan
This book will give you everything you need to set-up your own mini-farm, allowing you to live more self-sufficiently.
9780857843302 | Published: March 2016 | Green Books
Colin Tudge coined the expression "Enlightened Agriculture" to describe agriculture that is "expressly designed to provide everyone, everywhere, with food of the highest standard, nutritionally and gastronomically, without wrecking the rest of the world".
9780857841230 | Published: January 2016 | Green Books
Grow your own Wedding Flowers - How to grow and arrange your own flowers for all special occasionsBy Georgie Newbery
From jam-jar posies to elaborate displays, this lovely book explains how to grow and create beautiful arrangements and make your special day unique, without costing the earth.
9780857842534 | Published: November 2015 | Green Books
Farm Digesters - Anaerobic digesters produce clean renewable biogas, and reduce greenhouse emissions, water pollution and dependence on artificial fertilizersBy Jonathan Letcher
A no-nonsense guide to farm digesters, providing a wealth of useful information for anyone who wants to know more.
9780857842329 | Published: November 2015 | Green Books
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GIAJ Chairman's Statement released on December 16, 2010
"General insurance sincerely interacting with society in the spirit of mutual support -Challenge together with local communities-"
(Dec. 29, 2010)
1. Introduction
As for the domestic economy, kinds of negative environmental factors at home and abroad have also cast a shadow over it Above all, the Japanese yen has become stronger at a rapid pace in the foreign exchange markets since later in the year. Although this appreciation of the Japanese yen has come to a standstill following the actions taken by the government and the Bank of Japan in the foreign exchange and financial markets, financial deregulation in the U.S, and the G20 statement as well. However, the level has remained in a severe situation compared to the level which many exporting companies expect.
Moreover, people's anxiety over the progress of deflation in Japan and signs of deceleration of favorable overseas markets have made the economic outlook even more uncertain.
In addition, a resurgence of people's anxiety over the financial situation in Europe and growing strains in diplomatic affairs in Japan and neighboring countries have become a factor of instability for the global economy, and it is concerned that this might be a new "headwind" for the Japanese economy.
Against the background of these factors, it has been quite difficult for domestic corporations to draw a picture of perspectives for the future. This is symbolized by the fact that the percentage of university students graduating next spring who found work has registered a record-low level due to a significant reduction in corporations' hiring interests. With the advancement of an aging society with fewer children, there is growing concern that the vigor of the Japanese society as a whole will slow down due to decreasing chances for young people to forge the future of Japan.
We, the general insurance industry, consider it important to fulfill our mission to "support the stability of society and development of the economy" and to "provide the public with security and safety" as well, all the more because we are now in a difficult situation. Furthermore, our member companies and the GIAJ itself intend to make efforts to address various issues by reconfirming the purpose of their roles.
2. Specific measures and actions
Our major initiatives for the past three months and challenges for the future are as follows:
(1) Promotion of educational activities for consumers
Under the policy of "supporting the growth of the young and children who are major players in the future", we have actively promoted educational activities for the "young and children".
As for a "study course on general insurance for university students", we held a total of 156 courses as of the end of November this year as a result of having encouraged universities to provide it, which exceeds the last year's level. We recognize that this also reflects the increasing needs of universities and their students. In addition, with respect to a "series of study courses on general insurance" where university students can receive more systematic learning, we have so far received a favorable response from three more universities regarding the introduction of such study courses since the press interview in September this year.
With respect to a "lecture program on general insurance for high school students", which is a new initiative for this year, the number of high schools which have decided to introduce such programs has shown steady growth as a result of our consistent appeal to local educational boards.
As for the "Exploration for Disaster Prevention program for elementary school children", we have continued to encourage local fire-fighting groups of young people, mothers' groups for traffic safety, and other related groups so as to increase the number of participants in a map contest, and as a result of such efforts, we have received a record-high application of 1,607 maps from every prefecture just like last year.
In the "contest of advertisements which are beneficial to consumers" held by the "Japan Advertisers Association Inc", a radio advertisement by the GIAJ has won a silver prize. I believe that this prize-winning is a result of our efforts to "provide consumers with easy-to-understand information on general insurance".
It can be said that these results of our educational activities reflect consumers' higher interest in general insurance, and we intend to strengthen our initiatives focusing on local communities so that the general insurance industry can be more "consumer-friendly" for more people in the future.
(2) Strengthening of the GIAJ's capacity to respond to consultations and opinions from consumers
On October 1 this year, the "General Insurance ADR Support Center", which is an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) organization designated under the Insurance Business Law, started their operations. More than two months have passed since its inception, and the number of complaints and disputes which the center has been requested to resolve has significantly exceeded what we originally expected. I think that this shows consumers' high expectations towards the ADR system.
We, the GIAJ, will strive to further improve our business processes by activating a PDCA cycle based on consultations and complaints and by strengthening our capacity to resolve complaints and disputes from a neutral and fair standpoint, so that we can meet the expectations of consumers.
(3) Establishment of a new examination and educational system for general insurance solicitors
From October 2011, we will launch a new "general examination system for general insurance solicitors" by unifying the current "examination for general insurance solicitors (qualification renewal system)" and the "insurance product learning system". Under the current system, it depends on individual member companies how they treat their solicitors who have not passed or completed an examination or a training course. Under the new system, as an industry-wide rule, we will make the passing of the examination as a "precondition for insurance distribution". As we also continue a qualification renewal system, we believe that the quality of business processes of general insurance solicitors will be further improved accordingly.
With respect to the introduction of an "approval system for general insurance solicitors (tentative name)" where general insurance solicitors passing the new examination can aim to move up by themselves, we have been considering introducing it in cooperation with the Independent Insurance Agents of Japan, Inc.
We will make continuous efforts to enhance the quality of business processes of the general insurance industry as a whole, and to ensure the protection of consumers.
(4) Traffic safety, and disaster and crime prevention
The GIAJ sets October 7 as "Theft Prevention Day", and this year, we conducted activities to raise public awareness of automobile theft, car break-ins, and burglaries in all prefectures.
For this year, we distributed a leaflet appealing to the necessity of strengthening measures against automobile thefts at drive-through windows of hamburger franchises in five prefectures where automobile theft frequently occurs. The number of leaflets distributed through this initiative increased to 590,000, three times more than last year's, and we think that the effects of our appeals have been significantly improved by handing leaflets directly to drivers.
As for measures for traffic safety, and disaster and crime prevention, we have also conducted unique activities to raise public awareness in local communities taking into account their local characteristics. We will continue these initiatives in a steady manner in the future.
(5) Promotion of earthquake insurance on dwelling risks
With the objective of increasing the ownership of earthquake insurance policies on dwelling risks, we have made efforts to promote consumers' better understanding of the necessity of taking out such policy through public relations activities such as appearances on TV programs and press advertising especially in areas where the ownership rate is relatively low. We, the GIAJ, have long conducted these activities, and as a result, the number of contracts signed has been increasing for 15 consecutive years, and the number is now over 12 million contracts.
Earthquake insurance is essential for consumers to ensure stable life in our "country where earthquakes frequently occur". We will strive to further increase the ownership of earthquake insurance policies on dwelling risks, under the recognition that it is a social mission of the general insurance industry to increase the ownership.
(6) Contribution to the global community
We participated in the Annual Conference of the "IAIS (International Association of Insurance Supervisors)" held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this October, and participated in a panel discussion under the theme of "Financial Stability and Systemic Risk", thus contributing to the enhancement of the presence of the Japanese general insurance industry.
In addition, on December 14, we signed a cooperation memorandum with the Mongolian Insurers Association. We would like to take this opportunity to promote an exchange of views and information and personnel exchanges, thus deepening mutual understanding and cooperative relationships. We have so far concluded such cooperation memorandums with 10 insurance associations including the Mongolian Insurers Association this time.
We intend to actively work on such international advocacy and exchange of views and information in a similar way.
(7) Donation of fire engines and ambulances
From the viewpoint of the general insurance industry's social mission to contribute to safe and secure communities, we, the GIAJ, have donated fire engines and fire fighting materials to local governments since 1952. This year, we donated a total of 28 light fire engines with small pumps to 20 local municipalities and to 8 cities in isolated islands, and a total of 10 high-performance ambulances to local fire headquarters throughout the country.
3. Conclusion
The year 2010 draws to a close in two weeks. Almost half a year has passed since I took office as Chairman of the GIAJ this June. For the past period, we have focused on further activation of the GIAJ's initiatives all over the country with its policy to realize "consumer friendly general insurance" and to support the growth of "the young and children" who are major players in the future.
As I mentioned before, our educational activities for consumers are paying off mainly regarding our activities based on local communities. However, it is difficult for us to attain a certain level of effects within a short period, and we really have a "long way to go" in this matter. We think we need to continue these activities step by step for the years to come.
Our general insurance industry will find itself in a very severe and uncertain situation for the time being, and we anticipate that we will continue to experience a difficult situation. However, the whole industry is now making efforts for the development of the Japanese economy and society. I would highly appreciate it, therefore, if you would kindly continue to render us your continued support and cooperation.


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Confussed – Not a typo. Religion today Confussed. Confussed itself. Confussed its followers. Confussed its leaders. Confussed its goals. Confussed its books' interpretation.
- Like pedophiles in the Catholic Church and how the organization just covers it up
- Or interpretation of the Koran for killing men, woman and even children and your granted a pass to heaven
- . . . . or go on and on and on and on
- No religion immune. No person immune.
Its to a point now that religion of old doesn't work.
There's enough evidence that all religions can offer something.
Do one thing in your religion right, and then lets talk.
Don't kill. Don't advocate killing. Don't associate with killing. Don't condone killing. Don't be a part of killing in any way. If you have a religion in this day and age that can do that, I'll join it.


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The American Treasure Tour loves motorized vehicles. And self-propelled vehicles. And pretty much any kind of vehicles. But, it being full-throttle Thursday and all, today we are going to call out one of our favorite trucks - an odd looking boxy affair that looks amazingly unpractical today but, when it was brand new over a century ago, was all about innovation and technological advancement. It is called a Nash Quad (originally a Jeffery Quad, until a guy named Nash bought the company from a guy named Jeffery. We can explain it in more detail later on if you like.). The Nash Quad earned its "quad" moniker because it worked off of a four-speed transmission. It also had four-wheel brakes, four-wheel drive, and four-wheel steering (which meant that the rear tires moved along with the front tires - an invaluable assist in keeping the back of the truck aligned with the front when driving on narrow roads or in deeply-grooved dirt tracks).
One fan of the Nash Quad was a guy named George Pershing, who just happened to be the Army General in charge of the American troops during World War I. He commissioned a few thousand trucks to be used by the military in Europe and were so well regarded after their performance overseas that they remained in production for fifteen years. Maybe people took them for granted, because there aren't very many left to visit - about thirty-five, the last we counted. But don't worry, there is one here at the Treasure Tour. Check it out!


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Adapted from Donna Hay's The New Classics.
Serves: makes 12 cookies
Prep time: one hour
For the cookie:
- 12 ounces dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
- 2/3 cup superfine sugar (just process regular sugar in a food processor for 30 seconds to get superfine texture)
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup baking powder
For the peanut butter filling:
- 1/2 cup confectioners, or powdered , sugar
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup dried roasted peanuts, processed into peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place half of the chocolate and the butter in a small saucepan at low heat and stir until melted.
- Put eggs, sugar, and vanilla into a mixing bowl and beat for 15 minutes until smooth.
- Add chocolate mixture, the rest of the chocolate, and the flour and baking powder into the mixing bowl and combine.
- Allow mixture to stand for ten minutes.
- On a baking sheet covered with parchment or a Silpat sheet, spoon the cookie batter, one tablespoon at a time.
- Bake 10-12 minutes.
- Cookies will have cracks in them.
- Allow cookies to cool completely.
- Put dried peanuts in food processor for one minute; it will smooth into peanut butter.
- For the frosting, put sugar, butter, peanut butter – both the creamy peanut butter and the peanut butter made from dried peanuts – and vanilla, into a mixing bowl and beat for six minutes, until fluffy.
- Add cream and beat another two minutes.
- Spread half of one cookie with the frosting and place another cookie on top of the frosting to create a sandwich cookie.