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Tips on NAILING your F.A.T. Chance Audition
Subject: FAT CHANCE CHICAGO AUDITION
Dear Ms. Sharon,
I attended the Ms. F.A.T Chance audition last week in Chicago, and I must say that when I left there, I left very disgusted,disappointed & embarrassed. What was I thinking, that I spent so much time trying to put together a decent & lady-like outfit for that audition, for the judges to end up picking, the most half-dressed, boobs popping out, tight clothes wearing, don't fit looking, half naked big girls...WTF!!! Didn't it say on Moniques website to "wear clothes that fit"? It just made me feel,like nobody acknowledged or chose any of the poised, well dressed , or classy young women that were there & representing. Those same females that didn't have to be tight, loud and obnoxious. Is that really what tv and ratings are all about ? Is it really so bad to say that you are confident and want to be a "role model for all the plus size women of the world"?, and dress like one! Maybe I just don't understand what the competition is about, or is it about getting some ghetto hoochie that can get a makeover, and be molded into miss F.A.T ? I bet alot of those girls there would agree with me, that hoochies ( no disrespect to those that were picked), were all that was chosen in Chicago.
And don't let me start on one of the guys in your group. I don't know if he was a judge or what, but as I was coming out of the "interview room", one guy said "ladies we have snacks & water at the table". This other fool turned to him and said with a sarcastic laugh, and I quote," I don't think you need to tell them that there are snacks here, they'll find them". Now wtf did that mean? Am I just taking that comment the wrong way, or is it that, because I'm fat I don't need to be directed to the goodies, I should just automatically be able to sniff em' out like some hog? Please tell me "babygirl". Just so you know Im not angry or disgruntled because I didnt get picked. I made some new friends, and it was a learning experience for me. This was my second time trying out, and I doubt if I try out again, because it's obvious that Im just not what Monique's F.A.T Chance is looking for.
It always disheartens me when someone doesn't get chosen for this competition and then decides to write me angry and funky letters to let off steam. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be a role model but I gotta tell you that if that's all you said....then I already know why you didn't get selected. But I digress....I have been receiving these sorts of letters since the casting ended and I have decided to reprint the blog I wrote on Oomph.net to respond to the negativity all at one time. I hope that you decide to read it and I hope that it helps you to understand what you need to do in order to stand out. It is SO much more about what's in your heart and less about how you dress.
If you decide to read the entire blog and wish to send me another email...please feel free to do so.
Greetings Family!
I am just returning home from the casting calls in Los Angeles, Chicago & Dallas. I had a wonderful time and just as I suspected, my inbox was filled with letters...a few from ladies who didn't get chosen but understood the overall vibe of the event and had a great time meeting and making new friends....the rest of the letters are from angry and/or disgruntled contestants who didn't make the cut.
I am posting pieces from each of the letters so you can get a "Feel" for the type of emails I am receiving:
"When we first got there and they took us into a room to be interviewed there was about 20 girls with me and no one had time to really say anything. I know you said it's not how you look it's about your story and believe me I am not upset because I wasn't chosen but, how are they supposed to hear our story if you are only given 15 seconds to talk? Alot of the women I talked to there were hurt some even crying because they were not chosen. I was under the impression that this pagent was all about women who are confident, and love the way that they look......."
"I thought a confident woment with presence and grace was what the judges were looking for but I guess I had it wrong. I was very upset and confused. The girls who were choosen from my group cried and had a sob story. I felt upset because I pride myself on being strong. I personally dont like to cry but I accept the fact that I might have to shed a couple of tears now and than but I dont try to for camera sake. I love me and I wear heels everyday. A FAT women to me is confident and assertive but I left feeling as though a FAT confident women wasn't what the producers wanted but a sad unconfident women. I'm none of those things."
"I remember you telling me before i even opened my moth was that" you look like Joanne, the season one winner". Obviously that was a bad thing because I was cut. Then later on as the day went on I seen more and more women get through that did not look put together."
"How do I shine under the nervous pressure?"
"Only a hand full (about 6 or 7) real FAT girls were chosen and the rest were these fake-a$$ FAT girls that were crying about how they wanted to lose weight and were uncomfortable being FAT, their families don't love them, blah, blah, blah."
As much as I would like to answer all of your emails personally, I am not able to do that at this time....so I will address the overall question in these letters:
What did I do wrong in my interview and how can I make it better?
As I have said from the beginning, there is no real "Trick" to "Wowing" the judges. You have to speak the story that is unique to you and you alone and you have to be passionate about whatever resonates in you. Passion does not necessarily mean tears.....and believe me...we know crocodile tears when we see them. There is no wrong here....it's about whatever comes out of your heart/mouth/soul that stands out to whomever you are interviewing with....and I can tell you this....it varies from producer to producer.
No one is sitting around deciding what types will be chosen and there is no contest for who cries the loudest and the longest. What appears to be a sob story to you may be something totally different to whoever the producer is. So changing your story to a sad one probably would not have helped you. You didn't do anything wrong....someone one else just did it better or made it more interesting. And I can't make it more honest than that.
From the moment your number is NOT called you have approximately 365 days to step your game up, live your life, do something you've never done before, change your way of thinking/living.....and then come back and tell us how your life is different from the last time you saw us....but the key is to speak from you heart and be passionate about whatever you are talking about.
How are they supposed to hear our story if you are only given 15 seconds to talk?
Lol...this is a very funny question to me....first of all 15 seconds is a bit of an exaggeration....you got more time than that! Not a whole lot more but more. And secondly....Babygirl!!! Welcome to show business....for every person that thinks that "15 Seconds" is not a lot of time....there's fifty people who will take that 15 seconds and tell you exactly what you need to hear. It's about thinking on your feet! Make it the most AWESOME 15 seconds of your life!....you have no choice...do it in the time allotted or go home and practice and get it right next year. And remember that no one is going to "Pull it out of you"...if you drone on during your 15 seconds and bore the hell out of me....I'm going to move on to the next person. It's an auditon people...it's not SUPPOSED to be easy.
We have to see hundreds sometimes thousands of people in one day. The selection process is not easy at all....it's really about finding a way to stand out in the time that you're given....and if you're going to be in this business at all.....get used to being quick on your feet or you'll get passed by.
And no, looking similar to a prior contestant will neither hurt nor help you. If I say that to you I am truly paying you a compliment. Take it as that and nothing more.
What are the producers looking for?
This is another question that I get all the time....usually right outside of the ballroom after the selections have been made.....And the answer is this:
I don't really know what each individual producer is looking for and often times...THEY don't know until they SEE it! Please know that all though this IS a beauty competition.....true beauty often comes from within and it enhances the beauty on the outside....
THOUSANDS of women come out for these auditions and to select 10 women (this year 5) they have to be REALLY SPECIAL to stand out from the pack. In order to have a fair representation of the extensive variety of plus sized women...you have to have variety...everyone can not look the same or tell the same story....it's boring as hell.
It's simply not enough to have a pretty face....pretty faces are a dime a dozen. It's not enough to have the "hourglass shape" and be bootylicious! and it is most certainly not about being a "professional plus sized model" (this is really the Kiss of Death..ya'll...they REALLY aren't looking for professionals)...as many of you love to say in your interviews....we hear this stuff all day long....you have to find a way to say whatever you have to say clearly concisely, passionately and confidently and put it in a way...THAT WE CANNOT IGNORE.
When the producer asks you why they should pick you....it's not enough to say:
"LOOK at me", I want to be a role model for all the plus size women of the world, I am doing for my kids, husband, mom...etc" EVERYONE says this stuff and it gets really boring really quickly. The same goes for the sad, heart wrenching,, tear jerking stories. We will let you tell your story...because talking about it aloud is VERY theraputic and healing....but you are NOT a "shoo-in" if you cry.
It has to stand out and make them want to hear more....generally if you don't get asked a few questions after you finish your "story".....you haven't "hit" the mark. That's a simple as I can put it.
Remember that in the end, although this is a Beauty Pageant and although it was created to celebrate and empower us...the flip side is that it is very much a television show and ratings are key. The first season of FAT Chance was the highest rated original programming in the history of the Oxygen Network. The execs know that without viewers to watch it....there'd be no show. The producers know that people will tune out in droves if they think that what you have said will not interest the general public. So keep it honest...but know that the folks in charge are thinking ratings...first and foremost....boring televison doesn't sell in any market. Bad ratings equal no show. Period.
So take this time to work on yourselves, your dreams and set out to live productive lives then come back and be on fire when you tell us about it....knowing all the while....that if it's for you...you will have it. (and I know you get tired of hearing it...but that's life.
I have said a mouthful....but I am so going to address this comment in my next post:
"Only a hand full (about 6 or 7) real FAT girls were chosen and the rest were these fake-a$$ FAT girls that were crying about how they wanted to lose weight and were uncomfortable being FAT, their families don't love them, blah, blah, blah."
....as I have some real thoughts about the energy that went into writing it.
Holla back Fam!
"Celebrate Unity in the Plus Community!"


text:
Come join us, and put your resources to work assisting families and individuals in need.
Organizations and individuals invest in the Leviticus Fund because they want to know their resources are being used to improve the quality of life in the region where they live and work while also generating a financial return on their investment. To offer this double-bottom-line benefit, we rely on our expertise in lending in low-income areas and the capacity-building support we offer our nonprofit borrowers, which ensures the projects we finance both benefit their communities and achieve financial sustainability. Our loans have a record of performance that competes with conventional lenders, and we support projects that improve families and communities in the process.
We offer these investment opportunities to both organizations and individuals.
Our members have typically been religious communities, churches, faith-affiliated organizations (e.g., healthcare systems and universities) and nonprofit organizations, but any tax-exempt nonprofit can become a Leviticus member.
To become a member, a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization makes at least a $5,000 subvention loan to Leviticus for a period of at least five years and receives a fixed interest payment each year. Our members gather each year to elect our Board and approve any changes to our organizational documents. They put their capital directly at work to further their values on the ground, in communities on the margins and serving individuals and families in need. Our members guide our mission and represent the social justice values that inspired our founders.
View a list of current Member investors
Any corporation can become an Associate and this group of investors includes religious orders, faith-based organizations, nonprofits and health care systems. An Associate investor must invest a minimum of $1,000 for at least one year and receives 2% interest paid annually.
View a list of current Associate organization investors
We seek to make it as easy as possible for individual investors to align their values and capital with our mission. Individuals may invest in Leviticus by making a loan as small as $1,000 for a one year term that pays a fixed interest payment each year.
Individual investors are required to review our Offering Memorandum which provides financial and organizational management information about Leviticus and the risks inherent in a community development investment.
View a list of curret Associate individual investors
If you would like to explore investing in Leviticus, please contact us at email@example.com
Some Investor Profiles
Felician Sisters of North America
Leviticus Member Investor
From the first five Sisters who arrived in Polonia, Wisconsin in 1874 to educate local immigrant children, to the thousands of Sisters who have joined since, the Felician Sisters of North America have been committed to serving economically disadvantaged people across the continent, from New York to northern Canada.
Today, their services include education, health care, senior care, and a range of social services. The work of the Sisters to bring afterschool program, medical assistance, and food and clothing to rural Kingtree, South Carolina won the congregation the recognition of the Catholic Extension Magazine's Lumen Christi Award in 2012.
While their work in communities is the face of the Felician sisters, they also know they can make an impact through the portfolio of investments they use to secure the future of all members. The Sisters decided to expand the impact of this "silent resource" by investing in Leviticus. We are proud to have them as one of our newest Member investors, and we thank them for trusting us to put their resources towards the causes they value.
"Part of our spirituality, since our founding, has been to serve the marginalized. We therefore want to use our investments not only to benefit our community, but to serve others in need. When we looked at the projects that Leviticus was funding – and that they support housing those people who need the most help – we saw a great resonance with our values."
Sr. Mary Christopher Moore
Provincial Minister
Felician Sisters of North America
New York Quarterly Meeting
Leviticus Associate Investor
New York Quarterly Meeting is steeped in the worship tradition of the Religious Society of Friends and also guided by Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship in its social activism.
Members are drawn from monthly worship groups within six distinct neighborhoods in New York City, including the oldest meeting house in Flushing, Queens. The quarterly meeting is the space for collaboration on shared business like investment decisions and social witness. Prison reform, anti-fracking in New York State, rights of Native Americans and climate change are paramount concerns, as is the growing scarcity of affordable housing in New York City.
Our tri-state footprint and consistently strong financial and social impact performance motivated New York Quarterly Meeting to become an Associate investor with Leviticus, joining with over 120 faith-based organizations to use their financial assets for projects within underserved communities.
"Our investments are screened for social criteria to be consistent with Quaker values. We have invested with some of the biggest national CDFIs, but Leviticus won the prize for being the most locally focused for New York City. Members of the group felt comfortable investing with Leviticus because it was really creating new affordable housing in the New York metro area and was most consistent with putting our money to work in the communities where we live."
Diane Keefe
Member Investment Sub-Committee
New York Quarterly Meeting Trustees

subset: commoncrawl


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Not-So-Guilty Pleasures
We all do things sometimes that we're not proud of. I think that it's better if we admit these things. I recently eavesdropped on a conversation some women were having about guilty pleasures. I don't think that you should do things that make you feel guilty. Things you like to do shouldn't make you feel bad. So here's some things that I feel guilty about.
- I memorize rap songs in my car on the drive to work. I have to resist breaking out that skill at social events.
- I look at pictures of my exboyfriend's current girlfriend and think about how I'm definitely prettier than her, and do my eyeliner better. I like to save this one for when I'm feeling particularly low. Or every Wednesday.
- "So busy, I gotta stay home and get some work done!" means eating ice cream out of the tub with a bottle of wine, while thinking about being productive.
- I very rarely bake the cookie dough.
- Say Yes to the Dress marathons, complete with ugly crying.
- I didn't watch that movie. But I did read the Wikipedia page and have a good memory.
- When I want to laugh really hard, I find videos of turtle sex and watch that. Instant giggles.
- I sing a lot, and that's a lot less than I want to sing. I have so many songs. From walking up some stairs to putting gas in my car, I have a song.
- I lie about how much I spend on makeup. (It's a lot)
- I spend a lot of time on Pinterest. With my five public boards, and my eight secret ones.
I wish I could say that's it, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Still, I have decided that I don't want to live a guilty life. No more guilty pleasures. Just quirks.


text: IP revenue volatility continues: Persistent Systems indicated better revenue growth and margin improvement in H2FY19 which will partly mitigate the impact of one-offs in Q2FY19. Revenue growth will be supported by good deal wins, project starts in Q2FY19, higher contribution from healthcare business (strong demand on the digital side and higher deal sizes), meaningful jump in IP business and the reseller segment due to seasonally strong Q3FY19. In Q2FY19, it has added net 400 people reflecting strong project pipeline. Margin improvement will be supported by better sales mix (higher offshore mix), better utilization, and efficiency improvement. With strong balance sheet, it is looking for acquisitions of smaller businesses in healthcare, data and machine learning, which can support in geographical expansion.Key Highlights- In Q2FY19, the biggest disappointment is the poor growth in Digital segment.- Persistent's Q2FY19 consolidated revenue decreased by 4.3% qoq in US$ terms to US$ 118 mn led by 10% qoq decline in IP revenue (US$ 30mn).- Consolidated revenues increased merely by 0.2% qoq to Rs.8.36 bn (+9.8% yoy) supported by 3.7% qoq increase in technology services revenue but revenue from Alliance-IBM declined by 8.3% qoq.- Operating profit increased to Rs.1.44 bn (3% qoq and 24% yoy) due to rupee depreciation, lower sales and marketing expenses/ project related travel expenses and lower purchase/royalty expenses. EBITDA margin rose by 40 bps qoq, with rupee depreciation (110 bps benefit) and higher utilization offsetting the wage hike impact.- In Aug'18, the company has completed acquisition of Herald Health. It's a Boston based start-up that transforms healthcare data overload into clear and actionable insights for care providers and patients.- Persistent had deposits of Rs.430 mn with Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. (IL&FS) and IL&FS Financial Services Ltd. and the same are due for maturity from Jan'19 to Jun'19. As of Sept'18 end, there have been no defaults in payment of interest. Accordingly, the management believes that there is no immediate need to recognize any impairment.Valuation & outlookWe have lowered our EPS estimates to reflect H1FY19 performance, higher tax rate guided by company and minor other changes. Accordingly, we now expect Persistent to report an EPS of Rs.47.7/share (earlier Rs.52.2) in FY19E and an EPS of Rs. 61.3/share (earlier Rs.65.1) in FY20E. Margin improvement and decent revenue visibility makes us positive on its growth prospects. We maintain BUY rating on Persistent and a multiple based price target of Rs.870/share (earlier Rs.1025/share). We have valued the stock at 14x PE multiple at a 30% discount to its peers. Additionally, attractive valuations, cash rich balance sheet, strong free cash flow and healthy return ratios (ROE 16+% and ROCE 18+%) also provide high comfort. At CMP, the stock is valued at 5.7x EV/EBITDA and 9.1x P/E on FY20 basis.Shares of PERSISTENT SYSTEMS LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs.556.5 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 564.95. The total number of shares traded during the day was 38436 in over 2530 trades.The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 580 and intraday low of 540.1. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 21292750.


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The purpose of the EERI Stanford Chapter is to advance earthquake engineering research, advance understanding of earthquakes and their consequences, and promote measures to mitigate their harmful effects.
We organize various academic and social events on campus. They include bringing speakers to campus to talk about interesting topics related to earthquakes, participating in outreach activities, or leading a hike along the San Andreas Fault.
Find out more about our events by visiting this website!
You can also follow us on facebook:
Upcoming events!!!
There are no more events for December 2016, Have a great break and see you in 2017!


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A compilation of editorial illustrations for various publications.
A collection of logos and branding for various clients.
A personal project illustrating a step by step "how-to" about what things you can do in your life after your mom has passed away, to honor her, keep her close, and move forward in a healthy way. I hope that these lessons, which my sisters and I have learned, will be helpful to others who have been through a similar loss. You're not alone.
To purchase prints or cards displayed on a wooden block, visit my Etsy shop.
Recipes submitted to They Draw and Cook, as well as some other miscellaneous foodie illustrations.
A set of illustrations targeting the "Tween" demographic. These are to be featured on items like t-shirts and journals in Justice stores around the country.
A collection of custom portraits for various live events and commissions.
To inquire about live portraiture for your event, send me a message.
To order custom portraits visit my Etsy Shoppe.
Portraits & Pies booth at the Denver Flea, 2015.


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Woods Fire - Beech Grove Road
At 12:20PM Sunday an attentive resident from Fortune's Point (Wintergreen) noticed a fire in the valley below. Crews responded however were initially unable to pinpoint the source. Once access was gained it was determined that power lines to a hunting cabin had blown down sparking a slow moving forest fire.
Personnel from Wintergreen Fire Stations 1 & 2 as well as Rockfish Fire Department were on the initial assignment. A huge shout-out goes to firefighter Jack Taggart and his 3 "fellow rats" visiting from Virginia Military Institute for the weekend. They were quick to grab rakes and assist with establishing a fire-line from a safe distance. (The VMI Crew is pictured below)
Due to high wind and fire potential, the Virginia Department of Forestry had 14 firefighters staged at Lovingston Fire Department for County-wide deployment. They were dispatched and arrived approximately 30 minutes later.
A good team effort kept everything in check and led to a favorable outcome.
All Wintergreen owners were notified of the threat using the "Alert Wintergreen" system. If you're a Wintergreen owner and you didn't receive the "Fire Advisory Notice" please contact us to get your into the system or update your contacts.


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Peerless Battle Spirit - Chapter 137
Chapter 137 - Words Becoming Reality
Qin Nan was too lazy to continue asking Princess Miao Miao's plan.
In Qin Nan's eyes, it seemed like Princess Miao Miao was full of secrets that he could not understand.
However, it did seem like she had already taken the blood pact into consideration in her tiny brain.
Following this, Qin Nan took the map and went toward Autumn Mountain alone.
The Autumn Mountain was full of a type of trees, which were incredibly huge and bore many leaves, allowing one to hide easily.
Qin Nan withdrew his aura, and executed the Mystical Eight Steps moving rapidly toward the location marked on the map.
''According to the map, the Crystalline Flowers are not far from me, only twenty miles away...''
Qin Nan thought to himself, while his eyes glanced at the surroundings silently.
In the remaining journey, Qin Nan found three groups of rogue cultivators. It seemed like these rogue cultivators had teamed up with each other to kill the beasts on the mountain, or they might be looking for something.
However, these rogue cultivators were relatively weak;the strongest only possessed a tenth-layer Body Tempering Realm cultivation.
''Five miles left.''
Qin Nan halted his figure, and checked the map. His eyes a hint of excitement.
Although he would not get anything out of it, he could not remain calm facing eighty thousand Martial Emperor Pills.
Meanwhile, the sound of a battle was heard coming from ahead. Judging from the sound, it was most likely a battle between cultivators.
On the Autumn Mountain, there were many rogue cultivators. It was quite common for them to compete with each other for ingredients and treasure.
''Let me take a look!''
Qin Nan hesitated for a while before reaching a decision then proceeded to where the sound came from.
A young lady was wearing a long green dress slightly ripped apart and revealing her pale skin. Her gorgeous face was filled with utter shock.
Before the young lady were three bulky men. These three men had a ferocious feeling to them, with cultivation bases of first-layer Xiantian Realm.
''Help? Who dares to help you on the Autumn Mountain?'' The leader of the three men said with a hideous smile, ''Girl, although you are a disciple from the Qing Nv Sect, it was unfortunate that you have stumbled into the Three Bullies of Autumn Mountain! If you surrender now, and give us the pills and a good service, maybe we can spare your life!''
The lady's face turned pale after hearing their words, as her attractive eyes filled with anger, ''You shameless pricks;I was being kind toward you, but you dare to set me up! I won't let you touch me even if I have to kill myself!''
''Hehe, how many good guys do you think there is among the rogue cultivators on the Autumn Mountain? You are being too naive! You still have to ask for my permission if you want to kill yourself...''
The three men burst out laughing before emitting their auras, then launched themselves at the lady like ferocious tigers.
The lady's face turned paler;although she was a genius disciple of the Qing Nv sect, her cultivation had only reached the half-Xiantian Realm. Despite having a high-ranked Martial Spirit, she had no chance facing three enemies with first-layer Xiantian Realm cultivation bases.
Upon having this thought, a hint of despair passed in her eyes. Is this the end?
Without any hesitation, Qin Nan who had been secretly observing sprung out from his spot with a stomp.
The top four sects of Luohe Kingdom were Qing Nv Sect, Mystic Spirit Sect, Disordered Flames Sect and Flying Sword Sect. Among the sects, the Mystic Spirit Sect had the worst relationship with the Flying Sword Sect and an average one with the Disordered Flames Sect. Only the Qing Nv Sect was relatively close to the Mystic Spirit Sect.
According to the rumors, the current sect leaders of the Mystic Spirit Sect and the Qing Nv Sect grew up together when they were young. If it weren't for a missed opportunity, the two would be married to each other right now.
Therefore, plus the fact that Qin Nan disliked the three men bullying a woman, he decided to interfere and offer his assistance.
Qin Nan appeared from the woods and yelled in a cold tone, ''Stop it right there!''
The three men and the green-dressed lady were stunned. They did not expect anyone to be here at that instant.
The lady's face turned joyful as she glimpsed Qin Nan. However, the joyful expression in her eyes was immediately replaced with despair after the glimpse.
The three men glanced toward Qin Nan too and almost burst out laughing after sensing Qin Nan's cultivation base from his aura.
This young man only possessed a half-Xiantian Realm cultivation base!
The lady's face turned dull at that moment. The tiny hope she had was gone immediately and she said in a desperate tone, ''Big brother, thanks for your kindness, but you are mismatched against them. You should leave now. My only request for you is to tell the Qing Nv Sect what happened here so that my Senior Sister will able to avenge me.''
After hearing this, the three men's expressions changed greatly.
If what happened today were to spread out, they would end up facing the revenge of the Qing Nv Sect.
At that instant, the three men emitted a strong murderous intent, one of them let out a hideous smile and said, ''Young lad, you picked the way to hell instead of the one to heaven;if you seek death so desperately, I guess we will grant you your...''
Before the man could finish his words, a saber reflection from a slash suddenly appeared.
The sudden slash took everyone by surprise and they all failed to react in time. By the time they collected their thoughts, the man who was speaking had fallen to the slash.
At that moment, the lady was astonished. The other two men were astonished.
A half-Xiantian Realm cultivator killing a first-layer Xiantian Realm cultivator. What exactly was the cultivation base of this young man?
''You...'' The other two men raised their heads and looked at Qin Nan. They instinctively felt like saying something but failed to find any words.
''Leave at once!''
Qin Nan glanced at the two and let out a blasting shout.
The two men recovered from the shock instantly as if they had just been awakened from their dreams and left the scene as fast as they could.
This was because they could smell the scent of death, which resulted in a hint of terror. If they stayed, they would no doubt end up killed.
The green-dressed lady wore a blank expression. She still could not understand how the powerful and intimidating Three Bullies of Autumn Mountain were defeated so intensively in just a short period of time.
''Big brother, you...'' The lady was going to say something. She finally reacted, her eyes filled with gratitude, and blurted out, ''Big brother, thank you. Thank you so much. If it weren't for your assistance, I'm afraid...''
Qin Nan glanced at her and before she finished talking, his figure disappeared among the woods with a flicker.
The lady was stunned;she did not expect Qin Nan to leave so rapidly.
''Big brother, I would definitely see you again next time, to repay your kindness!'
The green-dressed lady hesitated for a moment, before swinging her fist firmly, and left in a clumsy manner holding her ripped attire.
However, she did not expect that her words would end up becoming reality.
Translator: XephiZ
Editor: DOCuinn


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Oh My Deer
From AU$55.00
Oh, but my darling what if you fly?"
from a poem of Erin Hanson
Blue wing in watercolour.
The Printed Reproduction are a Giclée® printing on a Hahnemuhle Torchon paper (bright white, 100% α-cellulose paper -- guarantees archival standards -- 285gsm).
They come in 5 sizes:
For the curious, you can find every detail on my paintings and prints on the How It Is Made page, including how it is packed and shipped.
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Whale-watching tours: opportunities to educate and raise awareness?
A case study in Juneau, Alaska demonstrates the potential of whale-watching tours as an educational and public awareness tool for the protection of whales and the marine environment. This study also revealed the importance of managing passenger expectations during the excursion, for example by informing them of regulations in place to protect cetaceans.
The offshore whale-watching industry, which began in the early 1950s, is booming. There is worldwide growth in interest in observing marine mammals in their natural habitat. In 2008, more than 13 million people in 119 countries participated in whale-watching trips, generating total annual economic spinoffs of $2.1 billion, according to a report by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
In recent years, a number of studies have analyzed the effects of whale-watching activities and have shown that the proximity of observation vessels can alter the behaviour of whales, interrupt their vital activities such as feeding, resting and care for young, potentially limiting the recovery of certain populations (see our recent article "Blue Whale Feeding Disturbed by Nearby Watercraft"). Regulatory measures have therefore been put in place in many regions to mitigate the adverse effects of observation activities.
However, to date, few studies have analyzed the educational and environmental value of these whale-watching trips. Could these excursions be good opportunities to convey educational and conservation messages that might have positive short- and long-term impacts on the protection of whales and the marine environment? Researchers have attempted to answer this question through a case study in Juneau, Alaska.
Juneau, Alaska
A prime destination for watching cetaceans, Juneau hosts approximately 250,000 tourists every summer to observe humpback whales in their summer feeding grounds. These humpbacks belong to the Central North Pacific population, which is growing an estimated 5 to 7% per year.
In the case study, 95 passengers responded to a written questionnaire after their trip and 24 interviews were conducted. "The majority of passengers reported that most of their knowledge about whales came from that day's whale watch, surpassing the influence of TV documentaries and other forms of media," says Heidi C. Pearson, Associate Professor in marine biology at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and co-author of the study. "These whale watch trips therefore have enormous educational potential," she continues.
However, researchers were surprised to discover that after their trip, most passengers had no knowledge of the guidelines or regulations in place to protect cetaceans during such outings. The study also shows that the two main criteria for the quality of the excursion, in the passengers' view, are proximity to the whales and observing interesting behaviours.
According to Heidi Pearson, "Whale watch vessel captains may feel pressure to approach whales closely in order to please passengers. Informing passengers of regulations, why these regulations are in place and how they protect whales can help manage passenger expectations, because they then understand why they can't get so close or stay with the whales so long. Passengers can thus have a more satisfactory observation experience, while protecting the marine resources on which this activity depends."
For whale-watching to be an opportunity to educate and raise public awareness and to make sure that the messages that are being disseminated are accurate, "naturalists and other crew members should be appropriately trained," suggests the researcher. And to allow the messages heard on the boat to have a lasting effect, "the whale-watching excursion could be an opportunity to inform passengers of the measures they can take to protect the marine environment when they return home, even if they live far from the ocean," she suggests.
In the coming seasons, researchers will continue their case study in Juneau by conducting a more in-depth analysis of the costs and benefits of humpback whale watching in this region. They will observe the short-term impacts of whale watch vessels on the behaviour and movement patterns of whales, as well as changes in passenger knowledge, values, attitudes and behaviour before, 24 hours after and 6 months after their excursion.
And in the St. Lawrence?
The St. Lawrence River is another renowned place for whale watching in North America, with nearly 300,000 visitors coming every year to observe cetaceans in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Do the excursions organized within the Marine Park – which is home to eight species of whales, three of which are at risk – represent (or could they represent) opportunities to educate the public and raise awareness about the protection of whales and the marine environment?
In a case study conducted in Tadoussac and published in 2002, nearly one-third of the 31 whale-watchers interviewed claimed they had learned nothing new by participating in the whale watching activity. The most environmentally-conscious observers expressed disappointment at the lack of explicitly conservation-oriented content and a number of participants would have liked to learn how they could contribute to whale conservation or modify their own behaviour. According to the authors of this study, it would be appropriate for people who are in close contact with whales – captains, naturalists and scientists – "to share their interactions with whales and introduce others to the world of cetaceans. This was one aspect that was greatly appreciated by those participants who had the chance to discover it and deplored by those who didn't."
"Ever since this case study, significant efforts have been made to improve the educational value of whale-watching trips in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, and efforts are continuing," mentions Patrice Corbeil, Vice President and Director of Educational Programs at the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM). Recognizing the outreach power of trips out to sea, five tour companies, together with Parks Canada, SÉPAQ and GREMM, created the Eco-Whale Alliance in 2011 to continuously improve offshore whale-watching practices and the quality of information communicated to passengers. As part of this Alliance, continuing education is now offered to captains/naturalists and several tools have been developed. In particular, Whale Portraits, prepared by GREMM scientists, are sent out weekly to the captains/naturalists during the summer season so that they can know and recognize the whales present in the St. Lawrence and communicate this information, in addition to their passion, to the public.
Lopez, G. and H.C. Pearson. 2017. Can whale watching be a conduit for spreading educational and conservation messages? A case study in Juneau, Alaska. Tourism in Marine Environments, doi: 10.3727/154427316X14779456049821
O'Connor, S., R. Campbell, T. Knowles, and H. Cortez (2009). Whale watching worldwide: Tourism numbers, expenditures and expanding economic benefits. A special report from the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Yarmouth, MA: Economists at Large.
Russell, C.L. and D. Hodson. 2002 Whalewatching as critical science education? Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, doi: 10.1080/14926150209556537
To learn more:
Béatrice Riché has served as editor for the GREMM since 2016. She holds an MSc in environmental science and has spent several years working abroad in the fields of resource conservation, species at risk and climate change. Back on the shores of the St. Lawrence, which she keeps watch over every day, Béatrice writes columns on whales, drawing inspiration from events taking place here and afar.


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Lou Ruvo Brain Center by Frank Ghery
This is the Lou Ruvo Brain Center in Las Vegas NV.
Perhaps the building with the most famous architech in all of Vegas, with Frank Ghery as the designer.
An eyesore? Modern Art? You decide.
Two different versions, an over the top HDR and a more conservative realistic version.
The Four Queens – Just Golden
In downtown Las Vegas there are many different "dive" hotel and casinos to choose from, but a few stand out.
One of these nicer hotels is the Four Queens Hotel and Casino, and there is gold everywhere the eye can see. The valet is one such location where you can find an insane ammount of gold colored chrome, and this photo is an example of an over the top session in HDR based around that gold.


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Scotts Creek Church Singing
Scotts Creek Baptist Church will have a special choir singing at 6:00 Sunday evening at the church. The choir will be singing many f their traditional favorites, some sou...Read more
Comic Actor Tim Conway Dead at 85
Comic actor Tim Conway, best known as one of the stars of The Carol Burnett Show, has died, his rep confirms to ABC News. He was 85. Conway passed away in Los Angeles th...Read more
New Movies For April 13th-14th
New in Theaters: "Hellboy", "Little", and "Missing Link" 1. "Hellboy" (R) Trailer David Harbour from "Stra...Read more
Disney Announces Details of Streaming Service
Disney has FINALLY released a bunch of information on their upcoming streaming service, Disney+. They're hoping it's a Netflix-killer, but in reality, it...Read more
Easter Event Sponsored By Renew Bryson City
Easter celebration Bring the whole family and celebrate Easter with us. Saturday April 11th from 10 A.M. till 3:00 P.M. Easter Bonnet Contest at 1:00, Easter Egg Hunt and...Read more
Arrested For Abandoning A Fish?
Arrested for abandoning a fish? That's what happened to 53 year old Michael Hinson in Wilmington, NC. It seems he was charged when he was evicted from his residenc...Read more
A Thief With a Hammer Gets Pepper Sprayed, and Attacked with a Chair
It's not clear where this happened. A store security cam shot video of a thief with a hammer getting pepper sprayed by a store employee. They go at it a couple of...Read more


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During National Counseling Week (Feb. 8-12), we salute GCPS counselors for their commitment and caring as they help students explore a world of possibilities. Academic options… behavioral choices… the pursuit of college dreams… personal struggles… students today are faced with many decisions. On the road to success it is possible for students to take a wrong turn. In Gwinnett County Public Schools, our counselors are in step with students during their K–12 journey, making a difference and serving as a guide. They support students so they can reach their academic potential, removing obstacles to learning and providing academic support to ensure student success. They also help create a positive school environment that assists students as they find their path to a successful adult life. Counselors provide direction as students develop leadership skills, hone social skills, and learn about problem-solving, effective communication, and teamwork. It has been said that life is a journey, not a destination. And while school counselors are focused on the destination—graduating successful students—they also help students explore and traverse their world today. GCPS' comprehensive, data-driven counseling program is key to that journey, allowing students to explore not just ordinary possibilities… but extraordinary possibilities. Congratulations to counselors, leaders, and schools honored at the Feb. 4 recognition event, and four schools--Arcado Elementary, Couch Middle, Grace Snell Middle and Twin Rivers Middle-- for earning national RAMP recognition.
This year, a new award was presented at the recognition breakfast. This new recognition was created in response to a change in the state awards program. In 2014, the Georgia School Counselor Association separated the Counselor Administrator and Counselor Advocate honors into two awards. In Gwinnett, the "counselor advocate" award will bear the name of its first recipient, Louise Radloff, a longtime School Board member who has been a supporter of school counseling and who was a driving force behind the hiring of elementary school counselors in Gwinnett. This award will be given annually to a non-school employee (parent, community member, School Board member, etc.) who supports counseling.
From the top: School Counselors of the Year Amy O'Neal of Alcova Elementary; Rachel Kusher of Five Forks Middle, and Kelley Griffin of Mill Creek High.
Dr. Sarah Skinner, Principal of Radloff Middle School is the 2016 Gwinnett County Mary Joe Hannaford Counselor Administrator of the Year.
Dr. Joyce Chandler, Georgia House of Representatives, District 105 is the 2016 Legislator of the Year.


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African Cat Project
Some big news to share...
Hey guys! I have some huge news to share with you all so please take the time to read this...
For the past 6 years The Feline Foundation has raised funds in various, random ways for big cats in Africa and domestic cats here in Australia and abroad. For a while I've felt a little stuck though, and like I couldn't progress and evolve in the format we were operating. So after my second trip to Africa a month ago I made the decision to do something I've been thinking about for a while... to re-brand, change our name and our mission.
We have officially changed our name to African Cat Project and we now focus solely on big cat conservation in Africa (the only Aussie org that does that I believe).
I wanted my charity (and the name of it) to be explicit and to-the-point. I've simplified our projects and our beneficiaries so its more streamlined and so we can hopefully have a bigger impact. We have only three projects - one focusing on lions in Kenya, one on leopards in Namibia, and one on cheetahs in Botswana. Click here to read more about them and how you can help.
HOWEVER, never fear cat lovers! As homage to our original inspiration for starting this charity, the domestic cat, we couldn't completely cut all ties, so we've decided that all funds we raise from wine sales will still go to our long standing partner, Sydney's Cat Protection Society
Thank you so much for all your love and support over the years and we hope to continue to have it!


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Jack London: Novels and Stories
Jack London
Library of America
I read The Call of the Wild as a kid, in one of those young readers' retellings, and I vaguely remember liking it but not loving it. And my students read "The King of Mazy May" when I get that far in their reading book, which isn't every year. But I never thought that much about Jack London until this month.
I've been reading this collection slowly, and I was astonished to discover that London's writing style is exactly to my taste, and very very good. It's very crisp and precise and focused, and he seems at all times in complete control of every word. Jack London is a wonderful writer. Did everyone know that but me? Why didn't you all mention it? Is there any other important information you're keeping from me?
Now I'm haunted by the short story "The Apostate," which I'm certain was about the abuses of child labor, but which I responded to as a cry against work in general. I, too, sometimes feel so dulled by work that I've forgotten how to enjoy the pleasures of my nonwork hours.
And even The Call of the Wild, which I thought of as a kids' book, is stuck in my head now.


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OC Facial Care's Holy Grail of Products
At OC Facial Care Center we have some MUST have products that we just cant live without. Whether you have dry skin, aging skin or acne, we have the right products for you. Here are just a few all available at OC Facial Care Center.
1. iS Clinical Youth Serum
iS Clinical Youth Serum weightlessly absorbs tightening skin and pores to give you a smoother clearer appearance. Blended with peptides and vitamins A C and E this antioxidant-packed oil promotes cellular turnover to diminish the depth of lines and wrinkles while repelling free radicals and keeping signs of premature aging at bay. Wheat and soy proteins replenish moisture loss to comfort your complexion and improve the tone and texture of your skin.
2. Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily
✔ Combination
✔ Sensitive
What it is:
A natural innovative toning mist that sets makeup provides an instant burst of radiance and tightens the appearance of pores featuring the same bestselling formula with a new improved pump to finely and evenly distribute the lightweight mist.
Solutions for:
- Dullness and uneven texture
- Pores
- Dryness
3. OC Facial Care Center Ultra Hydrating Serum
Pure, nourishing serum quenches dehydrated skin to impart a supple, smooth complexion and instant correction.
This universal booster provides all day moisture retention and visibly reduces the signs of aging with a nourishing blend of antioxidants and humectants. With each drop skin appears brighter, firmer and rejuvenated
Formulated with various molecular forms of hyaluronic acid (fractionated and high molecular weight) to ensure continuous and optimal hydration.
• Powerful humectants – Sodium PCA and Glycerin
• Palmitoyl tripeptide-28 to support healthy collagen production
• Essential Mineral Complex (Zinc PCA and Copper PCA) conditions skin, helps to reduce excess oil
• Nourishing blend of antioxidants help guard against free radical damage
Avoiding eye area, apply to clean face and neck once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. May also be applied to other dry skin areas including hands, elbows and feet. For topical use only.
This universal booster may be added to your favorite cream or serum for enhanced hydration.
Hyaluronic acid, Sodium PCA, Glycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Camellia Sinensis (white tea) Extract, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Zinc PCA, Copper PCA.
Available in a 1 fl. oz. dropper bottle
Gluten, Oil, Fragrance and Paraben-free
Free or artificial dyes
Non-comedegenic (will not clog pores)
4. Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream
Obagi's ELASTIderm Eye Treatment Cream is a firming formula that strengthens skin by encouraging the production of collagen and elastin. The advanced blend of ingredients makes use of the body's natural skin renewal processes to achieve results in less time than traditional eye creams. Ideal for mature or damaged skin, this anti-aging eye cream helps restore a youthful glow and healthy appearance to the entire eye area.
OMP's Nu-Derm System. Designed to restore and maintain skin health.
Ideal for these Concerns: Aging Skin, Crow's Feet, Crepey Skin, Free Radical Damage
Ideal for these Skin Types: Oily Skin, Dry Skin, Combination Skin, Normal Skin, Sensitive Skin, Acne-Prone Skin, Mature Skin
Aging Skin: Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Ingredient: Vitamin E, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone, Antioxidants


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Sarah Palin is pissed off. And she still doesn't know dick about world geography or world politics. Read as follows. Note the BOLD TEXT!
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called her critics cowards and jerks Friday for deriding her anonymously and insisted she never asked for the expensive wardrobe purchased for her use on the presidential campaign.
She particularly lashed out at the anonymous Republican campaign sources cited in a Fox News report who said she did not know Africa was a continent, not a country, and could not name the three countries in the North American Free Trade Agreement — Canada, the United States and Mexico.
"I consider it cowardly" that they did not allow their names to be used, she said.
Palin said those allegations aren't true. She recalled discussing Africa and NAFTA with aides who prepared her for the vice presidential debate with Democrat Joe Biden.
"If there are allegations based on questions or comments that I made in debate prep about NAFTA, and about the continent vs. the country when we talk about Africa there, then those were taken out of context," she said. "That's cruel, It's mean-spirited. It's immature. It's unprofessional and those guys are jerks if they came away with it, taking things out of context and then tried to spread something on national news. It's not fair, and it's not right."
The continent of Africa vs. the country of Africa? I'm glad she just cleared up any confusion on the context there, srsly!
And she's pissed off that people spoke about her ignorance, when she's flaunting it widely for herself?
And thank you, America, for not letting this woman be Veep.
Full story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081107/ap_on_el_pr/palin_clothing
Page Summary
wings_unfurling :: No stinkin' subject! [+1]
Linkage of note
It's almost like there are these periods where our relationship is smooth and steady, and then there are times when it's like standing on the edge of this gorgeous, wonderful waterfall and just letting yourself drop, knowing that there's a safe pool of water ready to catch you at bottom. You take the plunge and you're in wayyyy over your head, but oh man, it's exhilarating, it's breathtaking, it's just incredible and you feel better than you ever have before and the water is cool and refreshing and exactly what you needed.
Sam is my waterfall.
- LJ entry from 8/2005
Sarah Palin is pissed off. And she still doesn't know dick about world geography or world politics. Read as follows. Note the BOLD TEXT!
I can't help it. I laugh hysterically at everything that cunt says. Her stupid, it amuses me.
As the Republican Party collectively scratches their heads wondering what happened to the election, I can only hope that they realize that they are their own worst enemy. I have a theory about Palin: I believe she's really a Democrat acting in the most perverse way to make people think that the Republicans are totally whacked. Or, maybe a mole from the Democratic Party put her name on the short list for VP.


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Awana meets on most Monday nights during the school year starting on Septemebr 11th! All clubs meet at Village Church of Bartlett – 601 W. Bartlett Rd, Bartlett IL, 60103.
Cubbies starts @ 6:30 on Monday nights (Parents may drop off their kids at 6:20)
All other clubs start at 6:20 on Monday nights (Parents may drop off their Sparks and T & T kids at 6:00 in the sanctuary
Leader: Michelle Peterson – email@example.com
Cubbies (3&4 year olds)
Leaders: Shelly Shales & Rebekah Mitroff – email@example.com.
Cubbies must turn 3 by September 1st and be thoroughly potty trained.


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From the Coupons.com Deal Hunter:
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Deal Details: Click through to get an extra 50% off sale items. Discount applied at checkout.
Deal Dates: Offer valid through 1/21/2018.


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Grace and Fury
BY Tracy Banghart
In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.
Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace—someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir's eye, it's Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.
Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything.
Queen of Ruin
by Tracy Banghart
Banished by Asa at the end of Grace and Fury, Nomi and Malachi find themselves powerless and headed towards their all-but-certain deaths. Now that Asa sits on the throne, he will stop at nothing to make sure Malachi never sets foot in the palace again. Their only hope is to find Nomi's sister, Serina, on the prison island of Mount Ruin. But when Nomi and Malachi arrive, it is not the island of conquered, broken women that they expected. It is an island in the grip of revolution, and Serina—polite, submissive Serina—is its leader.
Betrayal, grief, and violence have changed both sisters, and the women of Mount Ruin have their sights set on revenge beyond the confines of their island prison. They plan to sweep across the entire kingdom, issuing in a new age of freedom for all. But first they'll have to get rid of Asa, and only Nomi knows how.
Separated once again, this time by choice, Nomi and Serina must forge their own paths as they aim to tear down the world they know, and build something better in its place.
About the Author
An Army wife and mom, Tracy Banghart has an MA in Publishing and an unhealthy affection for cupcakes. Her quiet childhood led to a reading addiction, writing obsession, and several serious book boyfriends. She currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and young son, where there are a lot of volcanoes, none of which she's made her home.
#graceandfury / #QueenofRuin
Point of (Re)views
"Grace and Fury is for ALL. Anyone who has a brain should be reading this novel that celebrates the power of females and also sisterhood. In spite of the situations they are born into, the ones they are thrown into, both sisters constantly fight the bitterness and do whatever they can to save each other despite the separation and dangers."
—Adrienne, My Bookish Bones
"I adore the sibling relationship in this book. I appreciated how realistic the sisterhood felt. It wasn't all rainbows and love all the time. Mistakes were made and anger was risen but in the end they still loved each other."
—Emmi, Emmi Rose Reads
"This book is so well written and the characters are so well developed and relatable. I admired all of the characters, especially their strength through all of the hardships they had to endure. The twists and turns of this book kept me hanging on the edge of my seat, and the major cliffhanger is making me yearn for book two to come out, even though the first one hasn't yet!"
—Kathleen, Read Forever More
"While the plot was fantastic and the setting was delectable, I found that the characterization is what really made this debut stand out among a sea of fantasy wannabes. You think you know the sisters and their stereotypical casting in the beginning, but after a few instances shift them out of their comfort zone, we see immediate growth that carries throughout the book."
—Chelsea, Suspense Thrill
"I finished Grace and Fury in a day, and went to Goodreads straight away to see when the next novel will be released. Can you imagine my frustration upon seeing it won't be released for another year? I almost wanted to cry, but that just proves the point. Whether you're team Serina or team Nomi, whether you're Grace or Fury, whether you're princess or prisoner—this novel has it all for you."
—Alena, Rainy Book Reviews


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Fashion Extra: Go For the Gold
Along with the impending holiday season come fun and fab events that are worthy of a chic statement piece. Shades of gold, silver, rich plum, burgundy and leather tend to take precedent this time of year, and a great shoe is an excellent way to show a little shine this fall. In honor of this weekend's opening of 'A Queen Within' at the World Chess Hall of Fame, we have offer two picks, one for the "spenders" and one for the "savers."
For the designer maven, cue Diane Von Furstenberg's leather mesh and metallic ankle strap sandal. The sleek silhouette and pale gold mesh pay homage to fall's sporty-chic trend, while the metallic look gives this shoe a glam factor. It can be paired with everything from a sleek slip dress to a cropped leather trouser. Shop this style at Saks Fifth Avenue in Plaza Frontenac.
For the saver, the 'Madame' sandal by Steve Madden is trendy and eye-catching. The chunky clear heel, slender toe strap and bold ankle buckle take the simple silhouette from plain to "yes, please." This style, available at Nordstrom, would look edgy paired with a jumpsuit or a sassy shift dress.


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Pituitary macroadenoma
Loss of peripheral vision.
Patient Data
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The mildly hyperdense smoothly lobulated sellar/suprasellar mass measures 25 x 22 x 14 mm and demonstrates vivid contrast enhancement. Paranasal sinuses and ostiomeatal units are clear, with accessory anterior (Agger nasi) ethmoid air cells, left concha bullosa, relatively large septate sphenoid sinus and rightward nasal septal deviation noted.
Sagittal midline bone window image demonstrates smooth enlargement of the pituitary fossa.
3 case question available
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Pituitary region mass (blue dotted line) is closely apposed to the left internal carotid artery (red arrow) and has similar density on post contrast images.
Sagittal reconstruction demonstrates the expanded pituitary fossa ( * ) and despite bone window the mass extending into the suprasellar cistern is faintly discernible (yellow dotted line).
1 case question available
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The pituitary fossa is enlarged by a well circumscribed enhancing ovoid mass measuring 16 x 25 x 22 mm. The diaphragma sella is elevated and widely spread (diaphragmatic hiatus is approximately 2 cm wide). The optic chiasm is markedly elevated and thinned by the suprasellar component of the mass, and the A1/Acom/A2 complex is in close apposition to the superior surface of the mass, also elevated. There is no evidence of cavernous sinus involvement, and flow voids in the internal carotid arteries are unremarkable in appearance and location.
2 case question available
The patient went on to have a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy and resection.
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: The sections show a moderately cellular pituitary adenoma comprising nests, surrounded by vascularised stroma. The tumour cells have mildly enlarged round nuclei, finely granular chromatin and moderate amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm. There are no atypical features. Very small amount of normal anterior pituitary gland tissue is present in specimen 3. The tumour cells are positive for FSH and SF-1. The Ki-67 index is about 2%. Immunostains for prolactin, TSH, LH, ACTH and GH are negative.
FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Silent gonadotroph adenoma.
Case Discussion
Typical appearances of a pituitary macroadenoma.
1 article features images from this case
17 public playlist includes this case
- Tumors and a Tumor-like
- head & neck
- WDHB - Neuro, Head and Neck
- Pit, hypothal, basal gang,
- Exam cases (part 11)
- Pit, hypothal, basal gang,
- Pituitary lesions
- good cases
- Interesting case
- Neuro, Head & Neck Imaging
- neuroRAD
- CT brain (iOS pack)
- Neuro - suprasellar mass
- YJL 2B Neuro
- 6b_111 Primary Tumours: Pituitary Tumours
- Neuro07 - Sellar and parasellar lesions


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The Apache JMeter™ is an open source software that is used to perform load and performance testing. JMeter Training in Chennai at FITA Academy is completely practical with a real-time project based training. FITA Academy holds the reputation as the Best JMeter Training Institute in Chennai for the combination of our remarkable course curriculum, expert JMeter Certified Trainers from the IT industry and excellent placement record.
JMeter training has full multi-threading framework that allows parallel sampling by multiple threads and parallel sampling of functions by separate thread groups. JMeter has the ability to perform testing of HTTP, HTTPS, SOAP, REST, FTP, JDBC, NOSQL, SMTP, IMAP and other leading protocols.
FITA Academy's Jmeter training in Chennai differs from other training institutes in providing real time practicals. This methodology of training students will make them 100% job ready, which is the key competencies employers are looking for within the candidates. For a dedicated Jmeter course in Chennai join FITA Academy immediately and stay ahead in your career.
Are you located in any of these areas – Adyar, Ambattur, Aminjikarai, Adambakkam, Anna Nagar, Anna Salai, Ashok Nagar, Besant Nagar, Choolaimedu, Chromepet, Egmore, Ekkattuthangal, Guindy, K.K.Nagar, Kilpauk, Kodambakkam, Madipakkam, Medavakkam, Mylapore, Nandanam, Nanganallur, Nungambakkam, OMR, Pallikaranai, Perungudi, Porur, Saidapet, Sholinganallur, St. Thomas Mount, T. Nagar, Tambaram, Teynampet, Thiruvanmiyur, Thoraipakkam,Vadapalani, Velachery, Villivakkam, Virugambakkam and West Mambalam.
Our T Nagar or Velachery office is just few kilometer away from your location. If you need the best Jmeter Course in Chennai, driving couple of extra kilometers is worth it!


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Fox & Crow Gallery
A NEW creative venture has opened within the Foxlowe Arts Centre.
The Fox & Crow Gallery opened its doors in February in the Cruso Room at the Foxlowe Arts Centre. The new and exciting venture is being run by four local established artists: Sarah Taylor Studio, Cathey Yardley Design, Sarah Jayne Art and Chris Mayhew Photo Art. They are not only displaying and selling their own work, but also creations by more than 20 other local artists.
Cathey and Sarah Jayne studied, or are in the process of studying, for their BA Honours at Leek School of Art College (Buxton & Leek College) whereas Sarah Taylor completed her BA Honours at Staffordshire University. They have participated in many exhibitions and events locally selling their artwork and therefore are well known by the residents of Leek for their creative work already.
Their work consists of fused glass, textiles and photography, silver jewellery, watercolours plus felt illustrations and printmaking to create designs from local surroundings onto ceramics and giftware.
Chris is now revisiting his love of photography after a long career in engineering, looking to create an 'illogical and chaotic viewpoint' through Photo Art.
Other creations on display at the Fox & Crow, which are by a host of local creatives, include a mixture of paintings, handmade ceramics, linocut and dry point etchings, wire artwork, animal portraits in watercolours and charcoals, plus some wonderful textile art and accessories.
The gallery is not only selling actual artwork, but gifts created by them to suit individual tastes and pockets. The gallery owners aim to make artwork affordable and accessible at the same time as promoting local artists and designers.
The Fox & Crow is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm and every first Sunday of the month between 10am and 3pm.
For further details go online to www.thefoxandcrowgallery.co.uk.
Inspired by Leek Embroidery
The EMBROIDERERS' GUILD EXHIBITION in the Cruso Room on the ground floor will be on display from 22nd May – 8th July 2017. Two pieces from the exhibition can be viewed in the Gallery upstairs by the window, placed there because they can then be handled (with white gloves).
PLEASE NOTE that the Gallery is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays except for the first Sunday of the month. The Cruso Room is open daily as part of the Cafe except for Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th June and is also open only on the first Sunday of the month.
The main exhibition shows work produced by East Midlands Guild members who entered a competition to create pieces inspired by Leek embroidery. Cathryn Walton, author of 'Hidden Lives: Leek's Extraordinary Embroiderers', was guest lecturer at their Regional Day and spoke about the Leek Embroidery Society with its close connections with the Macclesfield Silk Mills and leading designers such as William Morris.
The prize winners were:
Judges Choice for 1st Prize "Inspired by Leek Embroidery" by Loraine Roselli, Market Harborough Branch (This is a small delicate book on display in the Gallery upstairs). Main picture
Highly Commended Prize "Flower Frenzy" by Mary Healey, Derbyshire Branch
Prize for Members' Choice "Jacobean Tree of Life" by Sue Cork, 'Layers of Stitch' Grantham Branch
In 2012 The Embroiderers' Guild decided to celebrate the Olympics in London by asking each Branch to create a series of Post Cards for each of the Countries taking part. About 250 Branches participated in the project, each being allocated a Country, in all 3,000 Post Cards were produced! The work on display here represents 17 of the 18 Branches in the East Midlands Region.
Friday 30th June 11am-1pm at The Foxlowe.
For more information about The Embroiderers' Guild visit: www.embroiderersguild.com
For more information about the East Midlands Region of the Embroiderers' Guild visit: www.emreg.org.uk
Bottle-top Art
CRUSO ROOM Large colourful Floral works made with Bottle-tops
ST. EDWARDS C of E Middle School Academy


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Our Vision
Message from Founder
Since starting KnoNap in January 2017, I have been constantly honored and inspired by the individuals I have met along the journey. It became very clear, early on, that KnoNap would be much more than a napkin company.
KnoNap began as an idea that I was crazy enough to pursue against all odds. My naivety towards founding a company while being a full time student and part time employee has taught me that nothing is impossible!
KnoNap would not be where it is today without all the guidance, mentorship, and support we received along the way through: the Halcyon Incubator, the George Washington University's Center for Innovation and Technology, Future Founders Fellowship, Entrepreneur's Organization, friends and family, and many more individuals and institutions!
Through KnoNap, I have had the privilege to speak with college students, dating aged individuals, parents, bar owners, Title IX officers, police officers, politicians, and individuals at large about initiatives, legislation, and actions that empower, educate, and advocate against drug facilitated sexual assault and crime.
In the next year, I am looking forward to working with my team and network towards continued social change and commercialization of KnoNaps.
Thank you for joining us as we work together to empower, educate, and advocate against drug facilitated sexual assault and crime.
Danya Sherman Founder and CEO, KnoNap


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Physio Remedies physiotherapists recently completed a training update on our Compex Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulator units from DJO UK.
Neuro muscular electric stimulation (NMES), also known as electric muscle stimulation (EMS), electrotherapy, muscle stim or e-stim, is delivered through a small device, the Compex, that sends electronic pulses to your nerve fibres in order to create involuntary muscle contractions. It can be used to aid rehabilitation following injury or surgery and to enhance training sessions and workouts.
Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation (Muscle Stimulation) for Rehabilitation
The therapeutic benefits of electrotherapy (Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation) are clinically proven and are recognised by both physiotherapists and doctors working in the fields of pain relief, rehabilitation and professional sports across the world. Muscle stimulation is not used in isolation but as an adjunct to other prescribed treatments to improve their effectiveness. The Compex units we have are very easy to use and allow continuation of rehabilitation while away from the clinic.
NMES machines provide the following benefits:
Pain control
Enhanced muscle recruitment and control of joint stability
Reduces haematoma (bruising) / fluid (swelling)
Increases muscle volume and strength
Wound healing
Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation for Enhanced Training
Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation trains your muscles in a way that traditional workouts alone can't. It's a 'best kept secret' that many elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts use to enhance their workouts and training programs.
By adding the Compex electric muscle stimulation to your training, you can maximise your muscular effort by engaging a greater percentage of your muscle fibres - both Type 1 slow twitch muscle (endurance) and Type 2 fast twitch muscle (power and explosiveness). This means improved efficiency with enhanced results.
Athletes can use pre-programmed workouts on the Compex device to help maximise their training.
Compex is FDA-cleared and supports:
Increased muscle strength and density
Larger muscle size
Improved VO2 max
More explosive strength
Faster muscle recovery
Following the pre-designed programs, you can use Compex to help efficiently and effectively:
Boost speed, endurance and stamina
Increase vertical jump
Develop more muscle strength
Reduce low-back pain
Reduce neck pain
Recover faster after exertion
Enhance blood circulation
Prevent muscle imbalances
Improve core strength
NOTE: EMS should not replace your fitness routine, but should be used to enhance your workouts.
Trial or buy a Compex Unit
We have three Compex Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulator units at our clinic which we use as part of our physiotherapy treatments.
UPDATE: We're now a Compex Partner Practitioner. You can trial and buy a Compex muscle stimulation unit from us to help with your rehab and training. We have Compex 2.0, Compex 4.0 and Compex 8.0 in stock.
If you would like to arrange a two week trial rental or arrange to buy a Compex Unit, please call us on 02030 12 12 22 or email us at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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A Defense Of Plot Holes In Film
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
All the major blockbusters that come out these days seem to have one thing in common: there are always a group of nitpickers ready to hate them if they are even slightly less than perfect. It's a problem that seems to have only gotten worse in recent years with the ease of having your voice heard online, as now that you can put your opinion out there, everyone thinks they have to. We seem to expect so much that we are impossible to please, and it's beginning to make the whole experience unbearable. Debating what you like and don't like about a film is an age-old tradition, but nowadays, it's tiring to hear constant complaints about every new movie sometimes before you even have a chance to see it (Man of Steel **cough cough**). With this in mind, here are several reasons why people need to chill out about plot holes in our movies today. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)
A Defense Of Plot Holes In Film
Movies Are an Escape From Reality
If you squint hard enough, you can find a flaw in just about anything. But…why? It's okay to turn your brain off for an hour and a half. Yes, you are paying good money to go see a film, but it comes with the territory of a fictional piece of art, not real life, that you are watching up on the big screen. Not everything has to make perfect sense for a story to entertain, and we seem to be forgetting that more and more with each passing year. Soon, a "good movie" may not even exist with the way our insane standards are heading. Enjoy yourself and let go. That's why you're there.
Over Before It Begins
The first huge blockbuster of 2013, Iron Man 3, drew much scrutiny from fans due to an unexpected change to a major character. However, a major plot hole being brought to light as of late involves the film's epic climax, where Iron Man reveals a slew of auto-piloted armors that fly in and save the day at the end. People had a problem with this, of course, and questioned why he didn't just use these earlier in the film before he was initially attacked. The simple answer, and one that should just be accepted, is "because then there would be no movie." We're guessing the audience would have been a lot more pissed off if the film concluded after 30 minutes. It might be time to let things like this go, as the payoff generally far outweighs the oversight.
Driving the Story
The film Prometheus would be a prime example of WAY TOO MUCH criticism. The movie was torn to shreds by its critics, and a shining example of one of the many "flaws" people had to point out involved a scientist and an worm-like creature that eventually goes berserk on him. Everything from his sudden change in disposition to why he would go anywhere near this thing was critiqued, yet it needed to go down in order to move things along and show that disaster was imminent. How else were we supposed to know just how nuts this planet could be? Sometimes, logic needs to be thrown out the window in order to keep things going, or for future scenes to even take place. Yet, no one seemed willing to give this visually stunning sci-fi film the benefit of the doubt, and it's become the case with almost all new films.
The Devil is In the Details
Much like Prometheus, films such as The Dark Knight Rises are walked into with expectations soaring impossibly high. The prior films in the series had been done so well and with such gritty realism, that people seemed to forget these are movies based on a comic book character. So when Bruce Wayne somehow transports himself from a prison halfway around the world in what seems like a matter of hours, or Batman flies off with a bomb on board his aircraft and somehow survives the explosion, it has to be scrutinized to death. Since when doesn't "because he's freakin' Batman" suffice when it comes to a superhero movie? Why can't the beauty of something be in not knowing how it was done? Which brings us to our next point…
Ignore It, You Might Like It
Believe it or not, audiences can occasionally surprise us by not over-thinking plot points ad nauseam. Take last year's The Cabin in the Woods, a fairly popular and well received film, for example. If you did stop to think about it, there were plenty of plot holes to be passed around, from "how were the monsters originally collected?" to "how did Marty survive his attack?" But, you know what, you chose to be entertained instead. The end result of doing so is often a much more enjoyable film, and a much happier crowd.
The Internet Isn't Helping
One thing you've probably noticed when filmmakers (particularly of new films with mixed reviews) are interviewed is that they tend to steer clear of what people are saying online. Can you blame them? Internet message boards anymore are a joke. What starts as intelligent conversation almost always ends with petty bickering about the most minute details and name calling. Forget that plot holes can actually drive a story for the better (and all the other previous points made), if it doesn't make 100 percent sense or has to be individually interpreted in any way, it's stupid and the guy who liked it is wrong for thinking otherwise. And let's not even get started on websites like Red Letter Media and How It Should Have Ended, which, while funny, only encourage unnecessary hair splitting all the more.
Where Do We Draw the Line?
The bottom line is, plot holes are necessary and can make films more enjoyable. There are plenty of great movies that wouldn't even exist without them. If you are walking into a science fiction or action flick especially, you should be along for the ride, not critiquing every second of it. Yes, a good movie should make you think, but every movie (except some documentaries, perhaps) should be an escape from reality. It's perfectly okay to have standards, just don't let those standards get the better of you to a point where you consider everything you watch garbage. You're bound to see a stinker every now and then — just make sure you personally aren't the cause of it.


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Individuals who suffer from the condition of High Conflict Personality (HCP) will often have an underlying personality disorder which falls into the CLUSTER B range (dramatic, emotional and erratic). I have already written a short article about personality disorder clusters – if you would like to read it, please click here. It is quite possible, therefore, that the individual may also suffer from anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD) or histrionic personality disorder.
Sometimes, however, the person with High Conflict Personality (HCP) may not obviously fall into any of these specific categories, in which case he or she may, instead, be diagnosed with what has been technically termed : 'personality disorder not otherwise specified'.
These include :
– feeling easily threatened
– tendency to see things in 'black and white' (eg 'good' or 'bad')
– generally untrusting
– tends to view self as victim
– tends to be controlling
– has marked difficulty accepting blame
– finds it hard to see things from others' points of view/perspective
– reluctance to take responsibility
– frequently initiates/escalates conflict
– conflict tends to be a very prominent feature of their relationships
– marked tendency to blame others
Often, High Conflict Personality (HCP) is used as a descriptive term rather than as a formal diagnosis.
How Can High Conflict Personality (HCP) Be Treated?
At present, the main treatments are :
– cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) ; click here to read my article on this
– dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) ; click here to read my article on this
– neurofeedback
To download a hypnotherapy audio for ANGER CONTROL click here.
Dvid Hosier BSc Hons; MSc; PGDE(FAHE).


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Springtime Pearl Couscous Salad
Last year I was visiting one of my favorite local restaurants when I had a salad very close to the one I'm sharing today. It was called "Grape and Pearl Couscous Salad" and I thought it sounded interesting - so I gave it a try.
It was the first time I had tried Pearl Couscous. Unlike regular couscous, Pearl Couscous (also called Israeli Couscous) is made of toasted wheat in the shape of pearls. They're round, and larger than traditional couscous, and they have a mild, nutty flavor. (This type of couscous is traditionally eaten in the middle east, where it is mixed with with garlic, tomatoes, and herbs, and sometimes served with meat.)
Anyway, the salad was really good - so good that I decided to replicate it!
What You'll Need:
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups halved purple or red seedless grapes
- 1 bunch asparagus
- ½ tsp. garlic salt
- ¼ lemon, juiced
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ c. fresh orange juice
- 4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
Optional Mix-ins:
- 1 cup fresh kale or spinach
- Grilled chicken
The Method:
- Cook 1 cup pearl couscous according to package directions. (This usually requires boiling water and couscous at a high temperature, then reducing to a simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until water has dissipated.) Set aside.
- Make the dressing: combine 2 tbsp. EVOO, ¼ freshly squeezed orange juice, pepper, and sea salt in a small dish and set aside.
- Chop asparagus into 2" lengths. Add olive oil to a sautéing pan along with garlic salt. Sautee for 5-7 minutes, then sprinkle lemon juice over.
- Chop grapes into halves lengthwise.
- In a large bowl, mix together pearled couscous, asparagus, and grapes. Pour dressing over and toss to evenly coat. Add in parmesan cheese. If desired, add in fresh kale or spinach before serving. Top with grilled chicken if preferred!
- This can be stored for up to three days in an airtight container in the refrigerator! Enjoy!


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While it's normal to see an occasional gnat or aphid in your potted plants, it may be surprising to find a cockroach. Although cockroaches are commonly associated with the kitchen and pantry, they will go to any location providing them with the food or water they need to survive and procreate. To kill cockroaches and get them out of your potted plants, you must use methods and supplies that get rid of the roaches without harming your plants.
Allow your potted plants to dry completely between waterings. Excess moisture in the plants or standing water around the bottom tray is attractive to thirsty roaches.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the top of the soil. Spread a thin layer of diatomaceous earth on the table or shelf, around the base of the plant. Apply more of the fine powder each week until the roaches are gone.
Set aside one baby food jar for each potted plant with a soil surface large enough for the jar to sit on. Smear petroleum jelly over one entire inside of the jar.
Lay the baby food jar on its side on top of the potting soil. Ensure the petroleum jelly side is closest to the soil.
Place a 1-inch piece of banana peel in the jar. The roaches will enter the jar to eat the banana peel, but the petroleum jelly prevents them from exiting. At the end of the day, screw the lid on the baby food jar and place the jar in the freezer overnight before discarding it the next day.
More Articles
- Insects in Potted Plants
- Get Rid of Snails & Slugs in Outdoor Potted Plants
- Make a Terrarium for a Venus Fly Trap
- Get Rid of Gnats on House Plants
- Make Homemade Ant Killer
- Care for a Lifesaver Plant
- Grow Herbs in Pots Outside
- Kill Ground Beetles
- Get Rid of Snails & Slugs That Eat Hosta Plants
- Bring Outdoor Plants Inside to Protect From Bugs
- Control Scale Insects on Indoor Plants
- Cat-Proof Houseplants


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Chillr has been scouting for investors and merger opportunities since early 2017.
Sweden-based call-screening app Truecaller has acquired domestic mobile payments service Chillr for an undisclosed amount.
Truecaller, which launched its UPI-based payments service Truecaller Pay in 2017, now wants to become a full-stack mobile payments and financial services platform, with this acquisition.
The Swedish company, which counts India as its largest market by users, plans to integrate financial services such as loans, financing, micro-insurance and more. It already supports peer-to-peer payments through a partnership with ICICI Bank.
"The aim is to go deeper into mobile payments and other associated financial services. We have decided not to charge anything from the users for basic services and are determined to make the process as simple as paying directly through the messaging tab. This will take us beyond just handling messages and calls," said Sony Joy, co-founder of Chillr.
Joy will join Truecaller Pay as Vice President.
After the acquisition, all 45 employees of Chillr will be absorbed within Truecaller, taking the latter's headcount to 110. Chillr will also gradually dilute its brand, and migrate its existing users to Truecaller.
Chillr has been scouting for investors and merger opportunities since early 2017.
The merged entity will leverage Truecaller's full reach of over 150 million registered users in India, as well as its over 300 existing partnerships, to enable Truecaller Pay as a platform.
"We will, together, have a far bigger impact in this space through the foundation of the team's expertise and a strong user base that trusts our platform and use it on a daily basis," Truecaller co-founder and chief strategy officer, Nami Zarringhalam said.
However, Truecaller lacks the scale of over 200 million active users that WhatsApp enjoys, which is slated to enter the space in near future.
Unfazed by brewing competition in the space, Joy said that he aims to develop Truecaller Pay into one of India's top three payment apps over the next two years.Truecaller has raised over $90 million from investors so far. Chillr, which offers payment services with more than 50 banks, has raised $7.5 million from the likes of Blume Ventures and Sequoia Capital. Incidentally, Sequoia is invested in both Truecaller and Chillr.The Great Diwali Discount!
Unlock 75% more savings this festive season. Get Moneycontrol Pro for a year for Rs 289 only.
Coupon code: DIWALI. Offer valid till 10th November, 2019 .


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Top head teachers who act as advisers to other struggling schools should be paid more to stop bright children being "failed" by the state system, the head of Ofsted has said.
Sir Michael Wilshaw said that two million children are trapped in schools which are "coasting along year after year" because teachers are too willing to accept mediocrity.
He said he wants to see "exceptional" head teachers who try to raise standards in "challenging" primary and secondary schools rewarded for looking "beyond the school gates".
Sir Michael told the Education select committee: "Stronger schools should be supporting weaker ones, I think there needs to be a national system for doing this.
"You can't force people to do things they don't want, but you can incentive them. We should recognise head teachers who go beyond their own school gates to support other schools in challenging circumstances.
"One of the big problems in the education system has been the satisfactory schools coasting along year after year. If you are a head wanting to run a mediocre school year after year you shouldn't be there.
"I want to see able children in comprehensives doing as well as children in grammar schools and independents. We are failing schools if they don't do well by their most able children."
Sir Michael urged schools to do more to help children in rural areas and to tackle the "poverty of expectations" among pupils from white, working class backgrounds.
"We have some counties in England that are performing incredibly badly, Suffolk and Norfolk among them," he said.
He said that teachers should make discipline a top priority, and that children should think that the "earth will fall in" if they misbehave.
He said: "It really is a leadership issue, getting out of offices, pacing the corridors, making sure behaviour is good".
He urged teachers to use more of the sanctions available to them, such as detentions without notice and bringing students into school on a Saturday morning.
He also said that he wants to see testing reintroduced for children aged seven and 14 after the scrapping of Sats.
He said: "I don't know why we abandoned the tests. We need benchmarks all the way through a youngster's career."
He suggested that ambitious teachers should work in more challenging schools. "If you were an ambitious head teacher I think you would want to go into a requires improvement school rather than one that is good or outstanding."
* Sir Michael Wilshaw urged Michael Gove, the education secretary, not to remove the chairman of the school's watchdog from her post. He said she was "very good" at her job and that they had a "really good relationship".
He also revealed that he accepted assurances from Mr Gove that the government does not support calls from think tanks for Ofsted to be abolished. "He is an honourable man," Mr Wilshaw said.
He said that his public outburst, in which he said he was "spitting blood" over the reports, had been "a moment of spontaneous anger".


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The Answer to Dust Phobia. Fast, Effective and Guaranteed
If just thinking it causes you to start to feel the fear, it's time you did something about it. The good news is that we have yet to come across someone with a case of dust phobia that couldn't be overcome.
Our goal at CTRN is to help you overcome this fast and fully:
- Dust phobia significantly improved, maybe even gone within a day
- Complete confidentiality and privacy
- Clients in 70+ countries have put their trust in CTRN
Getting Started
We can help you two ways. If you're a self-motivated person, our Home Study program will work great for you – or get one-on-one help with the 'VIP' program:
Home-Study Program: Vanquish Fear & Anxiety
CD's & Workbook – or – Immediate Download Available
• Download Now and Start Immediately
• Privately Work at Your Own Speed
One-on-One 'VIP' Program
Individually-Tailored Plan with a Highly Qualified Practitioner
• Board-Certified Practitioner
• Wide range of Proven Techniques to Eradicate Your Fear
How This System Works
The core of the problem is that your unconscious mind is repeating patterns of thinking that generate the fear… and now its time to change things up so those patterns don't run any more. Your rational mind knows that your Dust Phobia is illogical. But the fear remains because, with even just a thought of dust, your subconscious mind triggers fear and other negative emotions.
You have not been able to prevent your feelings of fear because you have not been given the methodology to change your feelings and associations. We are here to teach you on how to use the right techniques to vanquish the fear forever. Isn't it time you took control?
- Are you ready to speak with a Board-Certified Specialist? Contact Us Now Contact Us Now >
When You're Searching for Treatments and Cures to Vanquish Your Dust Phobia
Here's the thing, our system does not treat or cure your fear. As much as we'd like to wave a magic wand and 'cure' you, it's actually up to you to change how you feel. As you go through this process, we will help you with educational information (and hand-holding) when you need it.
This system is going to help you overcome anger, sadness, fear and other negative feelings and help you replace those feelings with more positive ones. Time to say enough is enough. Harmful thinking isn't helping – you need to make some serious changes now.
Where Your Dust Phobia Comes From
You may have correctly assumed (although there are always exceptions), that your Dust Phobia is triggered from a past experience. The fear can be manufactured by the brain, in some circumstances, with seemingly no foundation. You resolve this issue by discovering the source and trading the negative correlations with positive ones. People who are at the greatest risk include:
• Individuals who possess tendencies of apprehension
• Someone considered to be 'easily upset'
• Someone who deals with adrenal insufficiency
Do these even slightly describe you? To find out what others are saying about our ability to help, click here.
Or, if you prefer, read about us in the media.
Diagnosing Your Phobia
Uncover the seriousness of the issue for you by using our 2 minute Test Online for Dust Phobia …however it's pretty obvious: Do something about it now, if the fear is having a sizable negative influence on your way of living.
- By simply thinking about Dust, do you become woozy?
- Does your mouth go dry and your palms get sweaty?
- Does your heart rate instantly sky-rocket?
- Do your legs turn to rubber under the weight of your own body?
These are only a few examples of the things one can feel. Click to find out more about the symptoms of dust phobia.
We help you with the symptoms, as well as find out the basis for them. Our goal is to have you get rid of the root cause of the fear.
Drugs & Medication
While you should always follow your doctor's advice with a drugs and medication for Dust Phobia, we are generally not in favor of using pharmaceuticals and recommend an approach that tackles the root cause of the problem, whether or not you choose to work with us. Meds may seem to help in the short-term by temporarily improving your symptoms, but the problem is that they can never cure the core issue of the fearful patterns of thinking that are the automatic reaction to dust and which trigger the intense feelings of fear.
No drug has ever been developed specifically for Dust Phobia, by the way – and with so many potential side effects, who wants to risk taking medication as a solution?
The good news is with CTRN you will overcome Dust Phobia, without prescription pills..
Next Action
- Learn about The VIP One on One Program:
The VIP Program for Dust Phobia
- Discover The Home Study Program:
Vanquish Fear & Anxiety for Dust Phobia
Or learn more about Dust Phobia: