text:
Category | Status | Test name | Information send feedback |
Parent | Domain NS records | Nameserver records returned by the parent servers are: ns31.infomaniak.com. ['126.96.36.199'] (NO GLUE) [TTL=3600] ns32.infomaniak.com. ['220.127.116.11'] (NO GLUE) [TTL=3600] d.nic.ch was kind enough to give us that information. | |
TLD Parent Check | Good. d.nic.ch, the parent server I interrogated, has information for your TLD. This is a good thing as there are some other domain extensions like "co.us" for example that are missing a direct check. | ||
Your nameservers are listed | Good. The parent server d.nic.ch has your nameservers listed. This is a must if you want to be found as anyone that does not know your DNS servers will first ask the parent nameservers. | ||
DNS Parent sent Glue | The parent nameserver d.nic.ch is not sending out GLUE for every nameservers listed, meaning he is sending out your nameservers host names without sending the A records of those nameservers. It's ok but you have to know that this will require an extra A lookup that can delay a little the connections to your site. This happens a lot if you have nameservers on different TLD (domain.com for example with nameserver ns.domain.org.) | ||
Nameservers A records | Good. Every nameserver listed has A records. This is a must if you want to be found. | ||
NS | NS records from your nameservers | NS records got from your nameservers listed at the parent NS are: ns31.infomaniak.com ['184.108.40.206'] [TTL=3600] ns32.infomaniak.com ['220.127.116.11'] [TTL=3600] |
Recursive Queries | Good. Your nameservers (the ones reported by the parent server) do not report that they allow recursive queries for anyone. | ||
Same Glue | The A records (the GLUE) got from the parent zone check are the same as the ones got from your nameservers. You have to make sure your parent server has the same NS records for your zone as you do according to the RFC. This tests only nameservers that are common at the parent and at your nameservers. If there are any missing or stealth nameservers you should see them below! | ||
Glue for NS records | INFO: GLUE was not sent when I asked your nameservers for your NS records.This is ok but you should know that in this case an extra A record lookup is required in order to get the IPs of your NS records. The nameservers without glue are:
22.214.171.124 184.108.40.206 You can fix this for example by adding A records to your nameservers for the zones listed above. |
Mismatched NS records | OK. The NS records at all your nameservers are identical. | ||
DNS servers responded | Good. All nameservers listed at the parent server responded. | ||
Name of nameservers are valid | OK. All of the NS records that your nameservers report seem valid. | ||
Multiple Nameservers | Good. You have multiple nameservers. According to RFC2182 section 5 you must have at least 3 nameservers, and no more than 7. Having 2 nameservers is also ok by me. | ||
Nameservers are lame | OK. All the nameservers listed at the parent servers answer authoritatively for your domain. | ||
Missing nameservers reported by parent | OK. All NS records are the same at the parent and at your nameservers. | ||
Missing nameservers reported by your nameservers | OK. All nameservers returned by the parent server d.nic.ch are the same as the ones reported by your nameservers. | ||
Domain CNAMEs | OK. RFC1912 2.4 and RFC2181 10.3 state that there should be no CNAMEs if an NS (or any other) record is present. | ||
NSs CNAME check | OK. RFC1912 2.4 and RFC2181 10.3 state that there should be no CNAMEs if an NS (or any other) record is present. | ||
Different subnets | WARNING: Not all of your nameservers are in different subnets | ||
IPs of nameservers are public | Ok. Looks like the IP addresses of your nameservers are public. This is a good thing because it will prevent DNS delays and other problems like | ||
DNS servers allow TCP connection | OK. Seems all your DNS servers allow TCP connections. This is a good thing and useful even if UDP connections are used by default. | ||
Different autonomous systems | WARNING: Single point of failure | ||
Stealth NS records sent | Ok. No stealth ns records are sent | ||
SOA | SOA record | The SOA record is: Primary nameserver: ns31.infomaniak.com Hostmaster E-mail address: hostmaster.infomaniak.ch Serial #: 2024041425 Refresh: 10800 Retry: 3600 Expire: 605800 1 weeks Default TTL: 3600 |
NSs have same SOA serial | OK. All your nameservers agree that your SOA serial number is 2024041425. | ||
SOA MNAME entry | OK. ns31.infomaniak.com That server is listed at the parent servers. | ||
SOA Serial | Your SOA serial number is: 2024041425. This appears to be in the recommended format of YYYYMMDDnn. | ||
SOA REFRESH | OK. Your SOA REFRESH interval is: 10800. That is OK | ||
SOA RETRY | Your SOA RETRY value is: 3600. Looks ok | ||
SOA EXPIRE | Your SOA EXPIRE number is: 605800.Looks ok | ||
SOA MINIMUM TTL | Your SOA MINIMUM TTL is: 3600. This value was used to serve as a default TTL for records without a given TTL value and now is used for negative caching (indicates how long a resolver may cache the negative answer). RFC2308 recommends a value of 1-3 hours. Your value of 3600 is OK. | ||
MX | MX Records | Your MX records that were reported by your nameservers are: 5 mail.hostbott.ch 18.104.22.168 [These are all the MX records that I found. If there are some non common MX records at your nameservers you should see them below. ] |
Different MX records at nameservers | Good. Looks like all your nameservers have the same set of MX records. This tests to see if there are any MX records not reported by all your nameservers and also MX records that have the same hostname but different IPs | ||
MX name validity | Good. I did not detect any invalid hostnames for your MX records. | ||
MX IPs are public | OK. All of your MX records appear to use public IPs. | ||
MX CNAME Check | OK. No problems here. | ||
MX A request returns CNAME | OK. No CNAMEs returned for A records lookups. | ||
MX is not IP | OK. All of your MX records are host names. | ||
Number of MX records | OK. Looks like you only have one MX record at your nameservers. You should be careful about what you are doing since you have a single point of failure that can lead to mail being lost if the server is down for a long time. | ||
Mismatched MX A | OK. I did not detect differing IPs for your MX records. | ||
Duplicate MX A records | OK. I have not found duplicate IP(s) for your MX records. This is a good thing. | ||
Reverse MX A records (PTR) | Your reverse (PTR) record: 126.96.36.199.in-addr.arpa -> hostbott.ch You have reverse (PTR) records for all your IPs, that is a good thing. |
WWW | WWW A Record |
Your www.hostbott.ch A record is: www.hostbott.ch -> hostbott.ch -> [ 220.127.116.11 ] [Looks like you have CNAME's] |
IPs are public | OK. All of your WWW IPs appear to be public IPs. | ||
WWW CNAME | OK. You do have a CNAME record for www.hostbott.ch.Your CNAME entry also returns the A record for the CNAME entry, which is good. |
Processed in 0.383 seconds.


text:
Welcome to Advantage Auto Glass, Inc. We are a family owned and operated business. Since 2001 we have enjoyed great success in the Twin Cities due to our extreme dedication to one thing; Customer Service.
We believe that Advantage Auto Glass, Inc. can provide a better experience than anyone else in the industry. Our goal is to deliver the highest quality product out there with a hassle free experience every time.
We make sure that happens by continuing a family tradition of keeping the owner in the field working along side our employees. I perform installs and repairs on a daily basis along with our lead technician, Dan Pregler, who has been with us since we began. Dan also manages our technicians and the Continued Education Program.
Thank you for considering us for your auto glass needs. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you.
John Wuchko Jr.
Auto Glass & Windshield Replacement Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
Advantage Auto Glass offers professional auto glass and windshield replacement services to the Minneapolis & St. Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities suburbs. We are a family owned and operated business. Since 2001, we have provided the highest quality products to our customers.
Our services include:
- Windshield replacement
- Auto glass replacement
- Auto glass repair
- Windshield repair
- Rock chip repair
- Mobile auto glass installation
- Mobile windshield installation
- Fleet services
- Aftermarket glass
- Adhesives
- Semi-truck glass
- Cut glass
- And more
ADAS Recalibration Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
At Advantage Auto Glass, our customers have come to depend on us to perform a recalibration at the time of their windshield installation or replacement. Our technicians have been trained to adhere to the strict guidelines set forth by automakers regarding ADAS recalibration. Watch the below video to learn more about our process.
We value our customers more than anything else. It is our goal to ensure you receive professional and expert care each and every time. Advantage Auto Glass has a family tradition of keeping the owner in the field alongside his employees. John Wuchko Jr, our owner, performs installations and repairs each and every day.
Our team also values education. We ensure our staff is fully up-to-date on the latest techniques.
We are members of the Auto Glass Safety Council™, National Glass Association, and the Better Business Bureau.
For more information, please call us at (952) 423-6396 or (763) 566-6396 for more information or to schedule an appointment today!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Royal Osha Reinvents Classic Thai Elegance
Bangkok, Thailand, March 31, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In celebration of the up and coming summer months, Royal Osha luxury Thai fine dining and Michelin recommended restaurant – a venue to wine and dine very special people in your life as well as for auspicious occasions and dates – is introducing the popular Khao Chae and Khao Yum to its menu.
To offer the most luxury fine-dining experience, Royal Osha has sourced only the finest products and ingredients from around the world and the freshest, home-grown culinary 'treasures' from all over Thailand. And to reflect the cultural diversities of Thailand, popular local and seasonal dishes from the four regions of the country, central Thailand, the north, Esaan and the south, have been carefully selected and added to both the a la carte and set menu under the concept "Classic Thai Elegance Reinvented," where traditional Thai taste meets international standard under the capable hands of Chef Vichit Mukura, recipient of a Michelin Star in 2020.
To welcome the summer season and the auspicious Thai New Year, Royal Osha and executive chef and partner Chef Vichit Mukura are proud to present Royal Osha's own version of the traditional Khao Chae and Khao Yum. The intricate and traditional recipes have been carefully interpreted by Chef Vichit to include only the premium ingredients and to please the most discerning palates without compromising the authenticity and integrities of the original recipes.
"Our mission is to introduce a new experience and angle to traditional Thai food for both Thais and visitors to Thailand," says Suphapitch Pitayanukul, managing director of Royal Osha. "Here at our restaurant, traditional Thai food is treated and interpreted with utmost respect every step of the way. Thai culture and Thai ways of life are presented through Thai food." In hope of introducing Thai fine-dining cuisine to the the rest of the world, Royal Osha is also planning to open a new restaurant in New York and in London.
"Each and every single one of the dishes on our menu is special, " says Khun Supapitch. "Each and every one has been created with the most passion and care by Gavalin Pitayanukul, chef for research and development, and by Chef Vichit Mukura, who received a Michelin Star in 2020, to ensure that every aspect of the fine-dining experience is achieved." As the result, Royal Osha has been winner of numerous Best Restaurant awards from culinary platforms all over the world.
To create the ambience that reflects the art and culture of Thailand, dinner guests are greeted the moment they enter the restaurant by a large visual of a scene from the epic Ramayana in which Hanumarn is swallowing Rama's abode to shield him from his abductor. The entire restaurant is inspired by the opulence of a traditional Thai palace where the dark interior is constantly juxtaposed with the contrasting splashes of gold. The traditional mural art of Ramayana makes another appearance on the mezzanine level from where the oversize gold bejeweled chandelier, replica of the head dress worn by traditional Thai dancers, is hung over the main staircase. The restaurant's signature chandelier, traditional Thai in conception and Western in execution, provides a stunning contrast to the curves of the modern furniture and the 3D mapping technology behind the moving art displayed atop the ceiling of the restaurant.
"All is to contribute to an impressive and unforgettable dining experience," says Suphapitch. "Befitting a special occasion or celebration with special loved ones."
"Traditional Thai food should be made up of seven flavors in one bite," Gavalin Pitayanukul, chef for research and developments, points out. "Sweet, sour, salty, and fatty. The other tastes, bitter, harsh and astringent come from the vegetables and herbs used in Thai cooking, all of which have many medicinal qualities and are very beneficial to one's health."
The medicinal properties of the vegetables and herbs in Thai food often appear in dishes such as Tom Yum. The galangal roots and lemongrass found in Tom Yum are believed to help with stomach gas and to improve the appetite."
"The major difference between the food at the Royal Osha and at other premium restaurants," says Gavalin, "is in its preparation. Royal Osha's in-house Michelin chef is particular about every step of the food-making process. We want Royal Osha to be the restaurant of choice. When people want to celebrate important occasions in their lives, we want them to think first of Royal Osha."
"It is very important to us that we get our produce from the best local sources all over Thailand," she continues. "We also source specialities from each part of the country so that our guests get to taste all of the best local dishes that come from different parts of Thailand. The a la carte and set menu are seasonal and reflect each of the three seasons in Thailand. Under the concept "Medicinal foods,"Thai vegetables and herbs with medicinal properties are found in the seasonal set menus to promote inner health and wellness."
"When you eat, you should go for food that has the balance between bitter, sour and bland tastes to keep your body cool," says Chef Vichit Mukura, Michelin chef and executive chef and partner of Royal Osha. The recipes for Royal Osha's Khao Chae and Khao Yum which have been passed from one generation of chefs to another pay a particular attention when it comes to the selection of raw ingredients. This is how the original taste, presentation and fragrance level are maintained. Only the best jasmine rice is used, polished and cooked to the right consistency. The accompanying water has to be 8.8 PH in quality as it is the best for the body and has the best reactions with the four fragranced flowers, chomanad, ylang ylang, roses and jasmine used in Khao Chae. Khao Chae is traditionally served with seven accompanying side dishes. "Loog Kapi Tod" (fried shrimp paste balls), Prik Yuak Sod Sai (stuffed Asian peppers, "Moo Foy" (shredded sweet pork), "Hom Dang Sod Sai" (stuffed red onions), "Hua Chai Po Pad" (sweet shredded daikon), and intricately carved fresh vegetables that include "Kachai", Mango, and cucumber. The chef recommends that "kachai" should be consumed alongside "kapi balls" while mango and cucumber should go with everything else.
"Loog Kapi Tod" is made up of farmed catfish which has been cooked over charcoal, filleted and mixed with different types of herbs. The mixture is then shaped into tiny balls, dipped in eggs and deep fried until golden in color.
Khao Yum is indigenous to the south of Thailand. The dish is unique in its combination of many different herbs such as . . . Which have the . . . . Properties for the body. The crowning glory of Khao Yum is its dressing which ties all the diverse ingredients together to perfection.
With forty years' experience of being a chef both in Thailand and abroad, Chef Vichit has taken on the created the challenge of creating the type of Thai menu that shows the rest of the world that Thai food is far from being exclusively street food, but food fraught with tradition, culture and old customs. Once combined with the most carefully-sourced raw material from all over the world, traditional Thai food is undoubtedly among the best in the world.
Please join us in experiencing Royal Osha's very own Khao Chae Chao Wang and Khao Yum at Royal Osha, Soi Ruam Rudee, Wireless Road everyday from today to 31 May 2021. Lunch 11.00 – 15.00. Dinner 18.00 – 23.00. Bht 880++ per person for lunch and Bht 3,000++ premium set per person. Take-out Khao Chae in special gift boxes are available at Bht 2,250 per box at 48 hours notice.


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We've had a good run in the watershed. The Town of Waynesville has sponsored spring and fall guided hikes in its 8,000-plus acre watershed since 2007. The hikes provide a great way for residents and other interested parties to see this wonderful resource that has been placed in a conservation easement to insure the town has an ample supply of high-quality drinking water for generations to come. During the past 12 hikes we have seen a little rain, a little drizzle, a little fog, a little sleet, a little snow and lots of sunshine. This year we saw rain.
We saw lots of rain. And it wasn't like we didn't know it was coming. The forecast for the day was 100 percent chance of rain. The skies were close and thick and grey when we met at 9 a.m. at the treatment plant. The impending rain presented an initial dilemma.
For the first time since the hikes started we had an entirely new route planned. We were going to start at the top, where the watershed abuts the Blue Ridge Parkway, and hike down and out to the treatment plant, an estimated five miles or so. In the past we have done several routes, either walking in and returning, from the treatment plant or being shuttled in and walking out – all routes offering the option of turning around and heading out at any time. But if we committed to the top we were in it (rain or shine) till we hit the bottom.
I know I was stoked for the new route and I think the other guides, perennial hike leader Dr. Pete Bates of Western Carolina University, whose group, Forest Stewards helped create the Watershed Management Plan, Ron Lance, botanist and naturalist at North American Land Trust's Big Ridge Preserve in Jackson County and Alison Melnikova, assistant town manager and hike coordinator since its inception in 2007, were all on the same page.
After a quick huddle, conscience dictated that we offer the alternative of an in and out hike for anyone concerned about the weather. I guess everybody who had those concerns were still home in their pjs, sipping coffee. The hardy crew that showed up (20 or so) was waterproof.
We carpooled up to the Parkway, loaded up in the fog and set out. It was foggy and overcast, but so far dry. There was a little semi-bushwhacking, basically avoiding blackberries and greenbrier, before we accessed the watershed. We saw a lot of trailing arbutus and bluets along the Parkway plus one bunny that sat motionless, convinced it was invisible as the horde of humans sauntered past.
The sprinters (hikers) hit the descent and quickly found their stride, leaving the amblers with Ron and I to observe our surroundings. We had a good first third of the hike – just overcast and maybe a little foggy drizzle. And there was plenty to see – cut-leaved toothwort, spring beauty, trillium erectum, wood anemone, prostrate bluets, squirrel corn, Dutchmen's britches, early meadow rue, and bloodroot were some of the wildflowers we saw. We also found a really cool earth star fungi of the genus Geastrum.
My daughter Izzy turned logs for us and came up with at least three species of salamanders. I know we had ocoee and blue-ridge two-lined plus one other dusky, I wasn't sure of the species. And birds were out singing, at one stop we saw/heard black-throated green warbler, blue-headed vireo, ovenbird, and brown creeper.
And then the rain came. It wasn't too heavy but it was steady. A good all day spring soaker that, after an hour or so kind of made all of us hikers. We plodded out and while it certainly wasn't the best of circumstances, I never heard any grumbling about "wish we hadn't come, etc.," in fact there was still the occasion to stop when someone happened on a bloom they didn't recognize or found an owl pellet, or something caught their eye.
Even a drenched day in the watershed is a good day if you're the kind that revels in what Ma Nature has to offer.


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Evening Light Pittenweem
£2.75 Inc VAT
Original painting by Deborah Phillips
After graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee in 1987 she went on to become the Merchandise designer with the National Trust for Scotland. A similar post with Historic Scotland followed as well as demonstrating for an international art materials company. She now concentrates on painting "jaunty, juicy landscapes" in her Dundee studio and exhibiting throughout the UK and Ireland.
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text:
Though most of my Reports will be on that region, I'm going to make an effort cover the other regions as well since some spectacular and unique flavors are found in their single malts.
Today, I'll start with a distillery from the Islay region. The Islay island sits at the far southwest corner of Scotland, just north of Northern Ireland.
Islay (pronounced eye-lay) single malts are often known for their peaty palates. Peat, partially decayed vegetal turf, can be found in bogs all over the world, but especially in Scotland and Ireland. Many distilleries use peat fires to dry their barley at the start of the whisky making process which is where that flavor often sneaks in. And not all peat patches are equal. In Islay, specifically, the heavy sea air and coastal seaweed gives the peat salty, menthol, and iodine flavors. It's those sorts of strong aromas and tastes that turn off many scotch drinkers (and their significant others).
But, dear friends, don't let that scare you away from the Islays. They may take some time to warm up to, but those peat flavors provide a nice counter volley to the barley and wood elements in your drink. Whisky guides claim that more that 80 aroma compounds have been found within peat, plus it's full of antioxidants!
Bowmore. Sitting in the mouth of Laggan Bay, Islay's capital Bowmore is a little village of about 860 folks. Its distillery produces some of the most popular of the island's whiskies. Bowmore peats its barley malts for a lesser time than most of the other Islay distilleries. As a result, their bottlings have less of the intense medicinal phenol flavor that hits Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig. Bowmore also tends to smoke the barley rather than heavily heat it which also results in different flavors than those distilleries to the south.
Normally, I report on one whisky at a time. But this past August I attended a free tasting at The Daily Pint, which provided the opportunity to sample three Bowmore whiskies. The atmosphere around these tastings can get a bit intense. There's six people per tasting shift, and about a dozen shifts. So while one is trying focus on the free delights in a LOUD dark bar, 50+ people are waiting impatiently all around. I'm not knocking the process. I'll never gripe about free whisky. The atmosphere just slightly compromises one's sensory skills, especially if one is a relative newbie. Amongst the hubbub of happy whisky fans, I tried the following:
First tasting:
Distillery: Bowmore
Age: 12 years
Finish: unknown
Region: Islay
Alcohol by Volume: 40%
Mild. Mild in everything. Color, nose, alcohol content, texture, flavor, finish. When in the aforementioned whisky tasting situation, sussing out subtleties is a struggle when given a 0.5oz pour. And this one was a challenge.
The color was a medium brass-like tone, the lightest shade of the three. Mild peat (more smoke than wet seaweed) on the nose and the palate. Otherwise, a little bit of lemon. Sweetens up at the very end which is a nice counter to the smoke.
Frankly, it was the least interesting of the three. But at the same time, the least peaty. So it's a safe way to ease into the Islays and it's one of Bowmore's cheaper bottlings. The prices are all over the place for this, as noted:
Pricing - Good at $35, Acceptable at $50
Rating - 77
Second tasting:
Distillery: Bowmore
Age: 15 years
Name: Bowmore Darkest
Finish: Oloroso Sherry Casks
Region: Islay
Alcohol by Volume: 43%
Darkest indeed. Looks like maple syrup! It's been said that Sherry casks can impart the deep shades but this is so dark that I wonder if they hit it with some carmel coloring just to make sure that it is indeed "Darkest".
Immediate sherry on the nose. Sweeter aromas than the 12yr. The palate starts a little peatier than the 12, then sweetness zips in from behind. The sweetness isn't dried fruits nor caramel. Maybe toffee? It finishes with the same peat & sherry dance, though it sustains less than the 12yr.
These dark whiskies are always fun. They look like candy in a bottle and are often tasty even if the whole package isn't working. Another good way to introduce oneself to this whisky region, but more expensive than the 12. The prices are also spread out for this one, as noted:
Rating - 80
Third tasting:
Distillery: Bowmore
Age: 10 years
Name: Bowmore Tempest, Batch 2
Finish: First-fill Bourbon Casks
Region: Islay
Alcohol by Volume: 56.5%
Cask-strength! Always a fan of cask-strength whiskies. If you check out the ABV, you'll see what I mean. Cask strength whiskies keep the alcohol content of the product sitting in the final maturation casks. They vary anywhere from 48%-62%.
The bad news about these hefty bottlings is that the ethanol can overpower all flavors and aromas. So most whiskies are diluted by the producer to both increase the amount of product and to make it better.
The good news is that you can play with cask-strength whiskies more, adding a little water at a time to find out what happens to the nose and the palate. Or you can sip them neat, but beware......it can numb your face. I know this from personal experience.
The Bowmore Tempest was done well. The alcohol does not overwhelm. In fact, this is like the 12 but a little hotter and crazier. It's not sweet like the 15yr. There's smoke and cinnamon on the nose. A little vanilla with some smoke in the palate, followed by some citrus. The peat remains in the background throughout. The finish is loooooong, warm, and spicy.
Though the emcee of this tasting was prone to exaggeration, he wasn't kidding when he told us that The Tempest was limited and difficult to find. Production was kept at 2000 cases so I'm not sure how much actually made it to The States. Dear Scotland, please share!
Pricing - Good at $80-90
Rating - 89


text:
The Complete Magicians Tables
By Stephen Skinner. Contains the most complete set of tabular correspondences covering magic, astrology, divination, alchemy, tarot, I-Ching, kabbalah, gematria, grimoires, angels, demons, pagan pantheons, plants, perfumes, incenses, religious and mystical correspondences currently in print. They are more than four times more tables than in Crowley's Liber 777.


text:
For some reason, I'm not nervous when I give a reading, but that doesn't mean I connect with the audience either.
I gave a reading during the Loveland Loves Literature event Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Loveland Feed and Grain, a depilated monster of a building that will become part of ArtSpace, a live-work center for writers and artists.
More than two dozen literary and performing artists took the stage over two days for half-hour or full-hour slots. My slot was a half-hour, which I shared with a poet friend of mine, Ravitte Kentwortz.
Before I read, I talked with another writer, who recommended grounding my energy by imagining my feet as connected to the floor. She suggested I throw my energy to the back of the room to include everyone in the audience.
But once I was at the microphone, I rambled more than I wanted to about each piece. I read a short story called "Tainted Proposal," based on a coin toss, as well as three poems and a two-page excerpt from my novel, "The Fire Painter."
As I read, I kept reminding myself to look at the audience. I forgot to make eye contact, too focused on reading slowly as if I was doing a book-on-tape to add personality to my words.
On hindsight, I wish I had reviewed my collection of articles on giving a gogod reading. Here a few of the suggestions:
- Vary the pace or content, choosing work that differs in subject matter, length, pacing and tone. Make sure what you choose is not all exposition and includes some dialogue, imagery and a strong story line. Edit out the "he said" and "she said" markers. (I did all of this.)
- Mark your text for voice and emphasis. (I highlighted my dialogue blue for the male character and red for the female character.)
- Think of your reading as a performance. (My short story character, Jane, was a librarian, so I dressed conservatively, wore glasses and had my hair in an updo.)
- Select pieces that relate thematically. (Umm, I didn't do that.)
- Explain the context of what you're reading, such as summarizing the plot for an excerpt from a novel, or the inspiration for a poem. Write this out ahead of time.
- Rehearse, reading the work out loud and enunciating clearly. Practice in front of friends.
- Time yourself. (I never could figure out the length, but somehow I kept my reading to 15 minutes.)
- Publicize your reading via social media, Flyers and emailing friend


text:
Mirroring here since Constantine's sourcing for this seems to have preemptively disappeared even before he posted it.
In 1948 Norbert Weiner published a book, Cybernetics, defined as a neurological communication and control theory already in use in small circles at that time. Yoneji Masuda, "Father of the Information Society," stated his concern in 1980 that our liberty is threatened Orwellian-style by cybernetic technology totally unknown to most people. This technology links the brains of people via implanted microchips to satellites controlled by ground-based supercomputers.
The first brain implants were surgically inserted in 1974 in the state of Ohio, USA and also in Stockholm, Sweden. Brain electrodes were inserted into the skulls of babies in 1946 without the knowledge of their parents. In the 1950s and 60s, electrical implants were inserted into the brains of animals and humans, especially in the U.S., during research into behavior modification, and brain and body functioning. Mind control (MC) methods were used in attempts to change human behavior and attitudes. Influencing brain functions became an important goal of military and intelligence services.
Thirty years ago brain implants showed up in X-rays the size of one centimeter. Subsequent implants shrunk to the size of a grain of rice. They were made of silicon, later still of gallium arsenide. Today they are small enough to be inserted into the neck or back, and also intravenously in different parts of the body during surgical operations, with or without the consent of the subject. It is now almost impossible to detect or remove them.
It is technically possible for every newborn to be injected with a microchip, which could then function to identify the person for the rest of his or her life. Such plans are secretly being discussed in the U.S. without any public airing of the privacy issues involved. In Sweden, Prime Minister Olof Palme gave permission in 1973 to implant prisoners, and Data Inspection's ex-Director General Jan Freese revealed that nursing-home patients were implanted in the mid-1980s. The technology is revealed in the 1972:47 Swedish state report, Statens Officiella Utradninger (SOU).
Implanted human beings can be followed anywhere. Their brain functions can be remotely monitored by supercomputers and even altered through the changing of frequencies. Guinea pigs in secret experiments have included prisoners, soldiers, mental patients, handicapped children, deaf and blind people, homosexuals, single women, the elderly, school children, and any group of people considered "marginal" by the elite experimenters. The published experiences of prisoners in Utah State Prison, for example, are shocking to the conscience.
Today's microchips operate by means of low-frequency radio waves that target them. With the help of satellites, the implanted person can be tracked anywhere on the globe. Such a technique was among a number tested in the Iraq war, according to Dr. Carl Sanders, who invented the intelligence-manned interface (IMI) biotic, which is injected into people. (Earlier during the Vietnam War, soldiers were injected with the Rambo chip, designed to increase adrenaline flow into the bloodstream.) The 20-billion-bit/second supercomputers at the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) could now "see and hear" what soldiers experience in the battlefield with a remote monitoring system (RMS).
When a 5-micromillimeter microchip (the diameter of a strand of hair is 50 micromillimeters) is placed into optical nerve of the eye, it draws neuroimpulses from the brain that embody the experiences, smells, sights, and voice of the implanted person. Once transferred and stored in a computer, these neuroimpulses can be projected back to the person's brain via the microchip to be reexperienced. Using a RMS, a land-based computer operator can send electromagnetic messages (encoded as signals) to the nervous system, affecting the target's performance. With RMS, healthy persons can be induced to see hallucinations and to hear voices in their heads.
Every thought, reaction, hearing, and visual observation causes a certain neurological potential, spikes, and patterns in the brain and its electromagnetic fields, which can now be decoded into thoughts, pictures, and voices. Electromagnetic stimulation can therefore change a person's brainwaves and affect muscular activity, causing painful muscular cramps experienced as torture.
The NSA's electronic surveillance system can simultaneously follow and handle millions of people. Each of us has a unique bioelectrical resonance frequency in the brain, just as we have unique fingerprints. With electromagnetic frequency (EMF) brain stimulation fully coded, pulsating electromagnetic signals can be sent to the brain, causing the desired voice and visual effects to be experienced by the target. This is a form of electronic warfare. U.S. astronauts were implanted before they were sent into space so their thoughts could be followed and all their emotions could be registered 24 hours a day.
The Washington Post reported in May 1995 that Prince William of Great Britain was implanted at the age of 12. Thus, if he were ever kidnapped, a radio wave with a specific frequency could be targeted to his microchip. The chip's signal would be routed through a satellite to the computer screen of police headquarters, where the Prince's movements could be followed. He could actually be located anywhere on the globe.
The mass media has not reported that an implanted person's privacy vanishes for the rest of his or her life. S/he can be manipulated in many ways. Using different frequencies, the secret controller of this equipment can even change a person's emotional life. S/he can be made aggressive or lethargic. Sexuality can be artificially influenced. Thought signals and subconscious thinking can be read, dreams affected and even induced, all without the knowledge or consent of the implanted person.
A perfect cyber-soldier can thus be created. This secret technology has been used by military forces in certain NATO countries since the 1980s without civilian and academic populations having heard anything about it. Thus, little information about such invasive mind-control systems is available in professional and academic journals.
The NSA's Signals Intelligence group can remotely monitor information from human brains by decoding the evoked potentials (3.50HZ, 5 milliwatt) emitted by the brain. Prisoner experimentees in both Gothenburg, Sweden and Vienna, Austria have been found to have evident brain lesions. Diminished blood circulation and lack of oxygen in the right temporal frontal lobes result where brain implants are usually operative. A Finnish experimentee experienced brain atrophy and intermittent attacks of unconsciousness due to lack of oxygen.
Mind control techniques can be used for political purposes. The goal of mind controllers today is to induce the targeted persons or groups to act against his or her own convictions and best interests. Zombified individuals can even be programmed to murder and remember nothing of their crime afterward. Alarming examples of this phenomenon can be found in the U.S.
This "silent war" is being conducted against unknowing civilians and soldiers by military and intelligence agencies. Since 1980, electronic stimulation of the brain (ESB) has been secretly used to control people targeted without their knowledge or consent. All international human rights agreements forbid nonconsensual manipulation of human beings — even in prisons, not to speak of civilian populations.
Under an initiative of U.S. Senator John Glenn, discussions commenced in January 1997 about the dangers of radiating civilian populations. Targeting people's brain functions with electromagnetic fields and beams (from helicopters and airplanes, satellites, from parked vans, neighboring houses, telephone poles, electrical appliances, mobile phones, TV, radio, etc.) is part of the radiation problem that should be addressed in democratically elected government bodies.
In addition to electronic MC, chemical methods have also been developed. Mind-altering drugs and different smelling gasses affecting brain function negatively can be injected into air ducts or water pipes. Bacteria and viruses have also been tested this way in several countries.
Today's supertechnology, connecting our brain functions via microchips (or even without them, according to the latest technology) to computers via satellites in the U.S. or Israel, poses the gravest threat to humanity. The latest supercomputers are powerful enough to monitor the whole world's population. What will happen when people are tempted by false premises to allow microchips into their bodies? One lure will be a microchip identity card. Compulsory legislation has even been secretly proposed in the U.S. to criminalize removal of an ID implant.
Are we ready for the robotization of mankind and the total elimination of privacy, including freedom of thought? How many of us would want to cede our entire life, including our most secret thoughts, to Big Brother? Yet the technology exists to create a totalitarian New World Order. Covert neurological communication systems are in place to counteract independent thinking and to control social and political activity on behalf of self-serving private and military interests.
When our brain functions are already connected to supercomputers by means of radio implants and microchips, it will be too late for protest. This threat can be defeated only by educating the public, using available literature on biotelemetry and information exchanged at international congresses.
One reason this technology has remained a state secret is the widespread prestige of the psychiatric Diagnostic Statistical Manual IV produced by the U.S. American Psychiatric Association (APA) and printed in 18 languages. Psychiatrists working for U.S. intelligence agencies no doubt participated in writing and revising this manual. This psychiatric "bible" covers up the secret development of MC technologies by labeling some of their effects as symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
Victims of mind control experimentation are thus routinely diagnosed, knee-jerk fashion, as mentally ill by doctors who learned the DSM "symptom" list in medical school. Physicians have not been schooled that patients may be telling the truth when they report being targeted against their will or being used as guinea pigs for electronic, chemical and bacteriological forms of psychological warfare.
Time is running out for changing the direction of military medicine, and ensuring the future of human freedom.
This article was originally published in the 36th-year edition of the Finnish-language journal SPEKULA (3rd Quarter, 1999). SPEKULA (circulation 6500) is a publication of Northern Finland medical students and doctors of Oulu University OLK (Oulun Laaketieteellinen Kilta). It is mailed to all medical students of Finland and all Northern Finland medical doctors.
By Rauni-Leena Luukanen-Kilde, MD
Former Chief Medical Officer of Finland
December 6, 2000


text: Some people think circumcision is mutilation; others want one even if they don't know what it is. When I was working in an Air Force hospital emergency room one night, a young airman came in requesting a circumcision. I asked him why he wanted one. He said a couple of… read more "Circumcision: What Does Science Say?"


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Official websites use .mil
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Battalion Commander:
Lt. Col. Langston J. Turner
Command Sergeant Major:
CSM Pierre G. Crescimbeni
The 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) is a versatile power generation battalion assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that provides commercial-level power to military units and federal relief organizations during full-spectrum operations. Additionally, the commander serves as the Commandant of the U.S. Army Prime Power School, the institution responsible for the development of Army and Navy power generation specialists. The organization is charged with the rapid provision of Army generators to support worldwide requirements.
The battalion consists of a headquarters and headquarters company, four Prime Power line companies (A, B, C & D), and the Prime Power School. The Prime Power School graduates the Army's Prime Power Production Specialist (MOS 12P) following a one-year course that includes math, physics, engineering, and power plant operations and maintenance.
Each platoon has the capability to produce approximately 3 megawatts of power at 4160 volts (medium voltage.) The newly fielded individual generator size is 840 kilowatts (kW). These medium voltage generators require transformers to convert the voltage to a user level (120/208/277/480 volts).
The battalion offers a variety of services including: electrical power requirement assessment, power production; transformer inspection and test analysis; maintenance and repair of power plants, substations, and government owned or managed transmission and distribution systems, circuit breaker and relay maintenance; infrared surveys, medium-voltage electrical contractor oversight, and training for personnel to operate and maintain prime power distribution and generation equipment.
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- Pharmacy
- Prescription Services
- New Prescription
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- Diabetic Supplies
- Over the Counter
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Product ID: *BUDES1230
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Pulmicort
USES: Budesonide is used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works directly in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work right away and should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This drug may also be used for lung diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill. Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of this medication. Make sure you understand how to operate the breathing machine (compressed air jet nebulizer with face mask or mouthpiece) and how to properly clean it to prevent infections. If you have any questions, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist. Do not use this medication in an ultrasonic nebulizer. Do not mix budesonide suspension with other medications in the nebulizer. A parent or other responsible adult should supervise a child who is using this machine. If you have any questions, ask your heath care professional. Shake the container gently before use. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. This medication comes in different strengths. Check that you are using the correct strength. Inhale this medication by mouth, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. While inhaling this medication, breathe calmly and deeply until the mist stops, usually over 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid getting the medication in the eyes. To prevent dry mouth, hoarseness, and oral yeast infections, gargle and rinse your mouth with water after each use. Do not swallow the rinse water. Also, wash your face where the face mask/mouthpiece has touched your skin to prevent skin reactions and irritation. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently, or stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. Learn which of your inhalers/medications you should use every day (controller drugs) and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you have new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, worsening peak flow meter readings, waking up at night with trouble breathing, if you use your quick-relief inhaler more often (more than 2 days a week), or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems by yourself and when you must get medical help right away. If you are regularly taking a different corticosteroid by mouth (such as prednisone), you should not stop taking it unless directed by your doctor. Some conditions (such as asthma, allergies) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If you suddenly stop taking the drug, you may also have withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may slowly lower the dose of your old medication after you begin using budesonide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal. See also Precautions section. You may notice a benefit within 2-8 days of starting this drug. It may take up to 4-6 weeks of regular use before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
SIDE EFFECTS: See also Precautions section. Dry/irritated throat, hoarseness, voice changes, bad taste in the mouth, runny nose, or nosebleeds may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Rarely, this medication may cause severe sudden worsening of breathing problems/asthma immediately after use. If you have sudden worsening of breathing, use your quick-relief inhaler and seek immediate medical attention. Because this drug works by weakening the immune system, it may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection (such as ear pain, sore throat, fever, chills). Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush (yeast infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth or on your tongue. Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: unusual tiredness, vision problems, easy bruising/bleeding, puffy face, unusual hair growth, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation), muscle weakness/pain, thinning skin, slow wound healing, increased thirst/urination. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using budesonide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: eye disease (such as cataracts, glaucoma), high blood pressure, liver disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, stomach/intestinal problems (such as diverticulitis, ulcer), bone loss (osteoporosis), current/past infections (such as tuberculosis, positive tuberculosis test, herpes, fungal), bleeding problems, mental/mood conditions (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression). If you have switched from a corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, or if you have been using this product in higher-than-usual doses for a long time, it may be more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used a corticosteroid taken by mouth within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. Carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that says you use (or have used) corticosteroid medications. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). This medication may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Budesonide may cause vaccines not to work as well. Therefore, do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). This medication may temporarily slow down a child\'s growth if used for a long time. However, poorly controlled asthma can also slow down growth. See the doctor regularly so your child\'s height can be checked. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: aldesleukin, mifepristone. This product may interfere with certain lab tests (such as skin tests). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Learn to use a peak flow meter, use it daily, and promptly report worsening asthma (such as readings in the yellow/red range or increased use of quick-relief inhalers). Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as cortisol levels, bone density tests, eye exams, height/weight measurements) should be performed regularly to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Avoid allergens (such as pollen, pet dander), irritants, smoking/secondhand smoke, and other factors that make asthma worse. Most people with asthma or ongoing lung disease should receive a flu shot annually. Discuss with your doctor. In adults, this medication can increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk, and about available treatments for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of bone loss include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. To help prevent osteoporosis later in life, encourage children to exercise and eat a healthy diet (including calcium).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store the ampules upright in the original foil package protected from light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Store the US product at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C). Do not freeze or refrigerate. After opening the package, write the date on it. Discard all ampules 2 weeks after opening the envelope. Discard any unused liquid in open vials right away. Store the Canadian product in the refrigerator or at room temperature between 41 to 86 degrees F (5 to 30 degrees C). Once envelope is opened, use ampuls within 3 months. Discard any unused liquid in open vials within 12 hours. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised June 2020. Copyright(c) 2020 First Databank, Inc.


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Filing Bankruptcy? What to Expect
When individuals and business owners throughout Long Island, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, are in need of a bankruptcy lawyer, they know they can depend on Richard S. Feinsilver, Esq. In his 25 years of practice, Mr. Feinsilver has successfully helped more than 7,500 people overcome their financial hardships. Whether you are interested in debt consolidation, Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, this highly reputable bankruptcy attorney can assist you so that you can start fresh and get back on your feet financially.
Filing bankruptcy isn't an easy decision to make; but, if the bills are piling up, your credit is crumbling, and you see nothing but darkness in your financial future, bankruptcy can help you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if you know that it can be the lifesaving solution to your troubles, filing can seem like a daunting and downright harrowing process. By being prepared for what awaits after you decide to file, you'll have an easier time working through the process. Furthermore, being familiar with what to expect can help to make your future even brighter, as you'll be able to establish an effective plan that will help you avoid trouble thereafter.
Wondering what to expect when filing bankruptcy? Below, you'll find an overview that will help guide you through the process.
Bankruptcy Options
When declaring bankruptcy, there are two main options:
- Chapter 7. This bankruptcy plan liquidates all of your assets, thereby discharging your debts. With this option, you may have to forfeit some of your belongings, such as your home, your cars, and any other assets that you own, including jewelry, fine art, or even your business. Doing so will allow you to settle your debts and completely clear a large portion of your financial slate.
- Chapter 13. Also known as the wage earner's plan, with Chapter 13, your debts will be consolidated and you'll repay at least a portion of them. You'll make a single monthly payment to a trustee, who will then distribute the funds to your creditors. Under the Chapter 13 plan, you are able to keep your assets, including your home, your vehicles, and other property that you own. What's more, some of your unsecured debts, such as credit card balances, may be forgiven once the life of the bankruptcy plan expires.
The Filing Process
Once you decide that you would like to move forward with bankruptcy proceedings, you will need to fill and file all necessary paperwork and issue all requested documentation.
After your case has been filed, you will be assigned a trustee, who will review the paperwork you have provided, as well as your debts in what is referred to as a "means test". This test assures that you aren't committing an act of fraud, which could negatively impact creditors and result in serious ramifications. An example of fraud would be opening up several new credit cards and charging them to their limit right before you file. Try not to worry about the means test; as long as you are honest and have supplied all of the necessary information, everything should turn out fine. Ultimately, the results of the means test will determine that you are, in fact, eligible to file and which type of bankruptcy you should be filing under.
Important Things to Note
Don't assume that bankruptcy is a free pass to a clean start on your financial life because it isn't. Some of the most important things that should be noted when you file include the following:
- You'll still have some debt. You won't walk away scot-free; you'll still be responsible for some of your debts. Things like federal student loans and court-ordered child support cannot be discharged; neither can any tax debt that you owe. This is true whether you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. If you are filing for the wage earner's plan, you will be responsible for paying back your debts, as this plan does not liquidate your assets; but, your payments will be lower and more manageable.
- All debts must be filed. Don't try to hide any of your debts; you need to share them all. However, if there is a debt that you would like to continue paying a specific debt, discuss it with your attorney, who will be able to enter a reaffirmation agreement for you.
- You may be accountable for new debts. In an effort to protect creditors, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) has established stringent rules and regulations; one of them being the way in which new debts are handled. If, for example, you take out a new credit card and max it out right before you file, the charges may be deemed fraudulent, in which case the debt won't be discharged. In the best case scenario, you'll be responsible for the charges, but in the worst case, your entire case may be nullified.
Need Help Filing Bankruptcy?
While you can file bankruptcy on your own, hiring a lawyer is highly advisable. An attorney will be able to assist you with the process and ensure that it goes as quickly and easily as possible. Instead of wasting time searching "bankruptcy attorney near me" on the internet and coming up empty-handed, contact Richard S. Feinsilver, Esq as soon as you decide you want to file. This highly regarded, experienced attorney specializes in bankruptcy law and is dedicated to helping his clients achieve the best results possible. To schedule a consultation, call 516.873.6330 at your earliest convenience.
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This week we've been learning 3D modeling with Rhino 3D and have spent the first two days getting acquainted with the software. Today we're taking a look at viewports and construction planes.
Halfway point! Congratulations on making it to day three. Let's keep truckin' and learn about the viewports and construction planes. These two elements help us further understand what we are looking at and help us understand the units we are working in and how they affect our geometry.
When working in Photoshop or MS Paint, the photo or illustration you are creating is visible from one available view. The front. This makes sense because it is a two dimensional image. In 3D software, you need to be able to see what you are doing from any number of views. This is critical to be able to see what you are doing and what you are manipulating from all sides.
For our purposes, there are two types of viewports: elevation (top, right, front) and perspective.
Looking through an elevation viewport is like looking at a drafted drawing of whatever your model is. The view type is called "projection" or "parallel". Perspective is not displayed so that you can see how everything lines up. Through the perspective viewport, it is a much more familiar setting. Like looking through a normal camera that you can orbit around and see your object from all sides.
By default, your viewports, or those four rectangular windows, that open on your screen are set to (going from top left, clockwise) Top, Perspective, Right, and Front. This is a standard setup in most 3D programs. If you want to add more viewports, you can click and hold on the viewport window tool on the top tool bar and this will come up (see image to the right).
You can then customize your layout of viewports to your heart's content. The top left button is what you'll see by default. If you ever need to reset these, just click that one and your viewports will reset to the original configuration.
If you click and drag on a viewport name in the upper left hand corner of the viewport window, you can drag the viewport around. Likewise, you can click and drag on the seam between windows and resize to your needs.
By right-clicking on the name of the viewport, you get immediate access to a really awesome sub-menu (see image to the right).
With this menu, you can change the display from wireframe, to shaded preview. You can change lens length, save views, insert background images, and really customize every viewport to your needs. You can even turn off "Parallel" view and change it to perspective if you need a more dynamic view of your model from one odf its side views.
Now that we understand the viewports are are looking through, let's take a look at what is through the viewports.
Construction Planes
The easiest way that I can describe construction planes is like this: When you are building with legos at your dining room table, your table is your construction plane. It is the plane which everything is being built upon.
From the Rhinoceros help page:
The construction plane is infinite. The array of lines lying on a specified portion of the construction plane in the viewport is the grid. The grid is a visual reference only.
Construction planes are what plane you are building your model off of. These grids show you both where in space you are working and how big you are working. When you create a new document in Rhino, you can indicate the unt scale of the grid by selecting the a temlate.
The numbers you input are then linked to that scale unless you indicate otherwise. For example, if I set up my document in "inches" and I make a circle with a diameter of "1", Rhino will create a 1" diameter circle. Then if I create another circle with a diameter of "2 centimeters" it will create a circle with a diameter of 2 centimeters within the same document because I specified the unit within the command.
When needing to build off of a surface, you can orient the constuction plane off of said surface with the "Cplane" command and selecting object from the menu. You can then select an object and build off of that object.
Whatever viewport window you're working in, the green line on the grid always means "Y" and the red line on the grid always means "X". Likewise the "Z" axis is always coming at you. The easiest way to remember this is to use the hand gesture (pictured to the right).
If you might (or might not) remember from high school geometry, these axii help you understand where in space you are. By using multiple construction planes you can understand where your model is in space. If you'd like to know more about axii and coordinates, check out the video "0,0,0" on PolyPlane.
Tomorrow we'll talk about object selection and object transposition. See you then!
This lesson was created by Gabriel Mathews of PolyPlane. You can follow him on Twitter @PolyPlane and on Facebook.


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Dan Gurney Mercury Cougar XR-7G
Q: Greg, I enjoyed your recent article on "Designer" cars. At 61 years of age, all the examples you used are familiar to me. My buddy even owned a new "Levi" Gremlin for a short time.
I do remember running across a pretty rare example of another high performance version of a pony car I'm sure you'll recall also.
One of the bosses at my first job in the Summer of '71 drove a '68 Mercury Cougar XR-7G. This was the "Dan Gurney" version of a normal XR-7. I remember getting to ride in it a few times and it was a beautiful car, triple black with leather interior, fog lights, 390 big block, and a power sunroof.
Gurney was driving the Woods Brothers' Mercury in NASCAR races at the time, and was the 'face' of Mercury performance.
My friend's company and family bought all their cars at our local Lincoln-Mercury dealership. Included were Marquis and Montego wagons, as well as a new Mark 3 and a new Grand Marquis sedan.
Years later, in the mid '80's, I realized how rare that XR-7G model was, (619 built), so I tried to track the car down and see what became of it. A friend discovered that the car had been passed down to the son of that boss I mentioned and he drove it around as his first car.
Unfortunately, there was a short circuit of some kind in the switch for the sunroof, and it started an interior fire which burned the car completely to a non-repairable shell. What a pity!
Today, every attempt would be made to save such a rare desirable car, but back then, it was just an old car, resulting in "here's your insurance settlement, go buy something else."
So, that was my brush with a truly rare piece of automotive history. Sincerely, Tim Wink, Washington state.
A: Tim, those Gurney XR-7G's are indeed very rare. Mercury Cougar won Motor Trend Magazine's 1967 "Car Of the Year" award and Gurney is still regarded as one of the very best race drivers and car constructors ever to call the United States his home. (He was born in New York).
Gurney dominated Riverside road races in NASCAR for the Wood Brothers, driving a car with 121 on the side. (21 is the Wood Brothers regular number). If you'd like to see footage of Gurney winning the Motor Trend 500 there, check it out on YouTube as he did it four times in five races in the 1960s.
I have also attached an ad from Castrol Motor Oil, showing another Ford legend car owner, Bud Moore, along with Gurney, Parnelli Jones and Mercury Cougar GM Fran Hernandez. It shows how involved car makers and oil manufacturers were in racing back then, as they are to this day.
In ending, thanks for the great letter, and for bringing Dan Gurney's name to the forefront again. He is perhaps best known for Formula 1 racing and Indy Car racing, where his Eagle chassis offerings were some of the best in the business. In his career, he personally drove to four Formula 1 wins for three different manufacturers (Porsche, Brabham and his own Eagle Westlake powered cars), the aforementioned four Riverside 500 wins in NASCAR, and numerous other road racing titles, including Lemans with co-driver AJ Foyt in 1967.
After retiring from driving, Gurney became the heralded team owner and constructor now looked on as one of the best in the history of racing…worldwide. He was the sole owner and CEO of All American Racers from 1970 until his son, Justin, assumed the title of CEO in early 2011. The company operates out of offices in Santa Ana, Ca.
In those 41 years, Gurney's team won 78 races including the Indy 500, 12 Hours Of Sebring, Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and eight championships.
There will never be another Dan Gurney, and it's good he's still around to see him at shows and races. (See www.allamericanracers.com for more).
(Greg Zyla writes weekly for More Content Now and BestRide.com and welcomes reader questions on collector cars, old-time racing or auto nostalgia at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email at firstname.lastname@example.com).


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SSAEL has executed projects for World Bank, UNIDO, GVEP, kfW, IREDA and were Consultants to RERC.
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I have thus figured out how to:
1.) Post thoughts, a.k.a. Tweet (but only on my computer). (good start, huh?)
2.) Find people I don't know, a.k.a. Famous People
3.) Add a photo of me.
4.) Add a dorky bio.
5.) Add the Twitter app on my phone!
I have not figured out how to do these things (and may need that Twitter For Dummies book):
1.) Find people I know IRL (Mom, it means In Real Life)
2.) Figure out what all the # and @'s mean.
3.) Figure out how to talk to people.
4.) Tweet from my phone.
5.) Pretend like I know what I'm doing, ya'll.
Let's just say you are my friend. You should totally give me a tutorial (of the briefy type), and tell me why we tweet. I'm not selling anything, I don't need you to buy the book, I have no real wisdom/news to impart (besides don't drink the kool-aid and a-l-w-a-y-s carry extra diapers and maxi pads), but if the Pope can do it, by golly, I can too! : )
So, seriously. Help me out here.
Oh...and guess what I made last night? (preTwitter, when I still felt intelligent and knowledgeable) A totally cute, beach towel! I found this super cute (I promise to think of more creative, scholarly words tomorrow) robot applique, and added Ethan's name!
I can bet you know what grabbed me. The heart...I *heart* this robot! |
I don't take the time to make my kids things that often (hmm..aside from Mary Claire I guess!), so it's been fun to see them all excited. It's why I bought the machine after all.
Now...I've found my next toy. If you hear all about it, you'll want one too! : ) It's a Silhouette SD, and it cuts anything (fabric, vinyl, paper, etc.) It attaches to your computer (think...printer), you can use pictures or fonts on your computer, and it CUTS THEM OUT! : ) I want it to cut sticky vinyl (that can go through the dishwasher) to put on glasses, dishes, windows, walls, notebooks, you name it! How cool is that?
I'm petitioning my sweet husband. : ) But, I'm also asking for an ice cream maker (I dream of chocolate Reese's ice cream), so we'll see what happens. My birthday isn't for awhile, so I'll have to dream up a holiday. ; )


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This is a mantra that has been around for ages. People are your greatest asset. People are what make companies. People are the greatest source of ingenuity. Yet, many companies squander, squash, and belittle their greatest asset….people.
A few years back, I got an amazing 15 minutes in an event green room with Jack Welch. I was looking at him and he was pretending not to notice. Finally, he lowered his paper and looked back at me and said, "You get one question." Exited, I asked, "I am a small business owner. What are three things that I should be doing to ensure my success in this economy?" He didn't hesitate. He gave me three points:
- Whatever you think you are going to do in revenue this year and next, cut it in half.
- Pay your best people. Don't give them bonuses, don't give them vouchers, give them cold hard cash.
- Find the best people from other organizations and pay them what they are worth. This is the time to find the people that are being ignored by other companies and snatch them up.
It was great advice. I did just that, and we continue to grow. However, I don't think that just paying them is enough. David Maister did a study that I reference in my book Project Management That Works. In the study, he asks team members to rank what is most important to them at their work. Then he asked the managers of those team members to rank the same list, but to do so in the way they think their employees would answer. The managers selected salary as the number one thing. The team members picked being appreciated for a job well done as theirs.
I blogged a while back about my dad and his company (read it here). I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I wanted to ensure the employees of R2 felt appreciated. We just finished our first annual Stretch Goal Incentive trip. Each year, I determine our goal in revenue for the year. Then I establish the "Stretch Goal." This is the goal over and above our normal achievement rank. If we hit the stretch goal, then everyone who is a part of that will go on an all-expenses paid vacation. We just completed our first one! The team went to New York City for a few days and celebrated a phenomenal 2011. It was an amazing trip. Not only was it fun, the team got a chance to reflect what we accomplished and built a stronger bond with each other. I'll never forget it!
The trip made me reflect what it was like to work for other companies. Profit reigns above people. Some of the HR practices and ways we deal with employees absolutely just crush the human spirit. I remember as a young HR manager running an office, the goal for the office was to hit 60% of milestones and production dates. In the first year, we hit 99.7%. Every single person exceeded everyone's wildest expectations. I, in turn, rewarded my employees with a 5 (exceeds expectations) on their annual review. When I turned this in, I was told that I could not do that. I was told by HR that it is impossible for everyone on my team to exceed my expectations and if that was the case, I was the problem for not creating higher expectations. I was then forced to choose one or two people on my team to give the 5 to. How is that possible after the fact? Stupid. Crushing. A perfect way to take a highly functioning team and destroy them so that the "numbers" match the "theory" of HR. This is precisely why I am not in Corporate America anymore.
I know for 99% of you out there, you do not have the ability to take everyone on a vacation. You can't give them the money that they deserve. However, you can give them the number one thing that was on their list; true, heartfelt appreciation for a job well done. Showing people that you truly care and want to see them succeed is the best way to take care of your people. However, if you can, it is also fun to take them on vacation!
No Day but Today!


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Just this morning got a notification on my Service Request that there is a patch for an invalid MDS url while creating an XSLT based on the Case management XSD: 19775314. There are two versions of the patch: one for the 18.104.22.168.0 and one for 18.104.22.168.1 for homes that have the bundle patch applied.
I tried the second one on my BPM QuickStart home that was patched with the bundle patch.
So currently the recommended patches on the BPM QuickStart are:
- 20163149: (dataobject assignment lost after dehydration), this is mentioned as a prerequesite to the bundle patch, as alternative to the wrongly mentioned patch in the Readme.
- 19707784: SOA Bundle Patch 184.108.40.206.1
- 20440332: Initiator task form does not shown up on workspace and task is auto approved
- 19775314: java.lang.IllegalStateException: Invalid url ERROR WHEN CREATING TRANSFORMATION (Patch)
- 19706799: db adapter wizard mappings and xsd file creation does not trigger event in win (Patch); choose the 22.214.171.124.1 version.


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Tired of boring, dull flash cards? Prepare for a new experience with the flash cards that play like a card game!
Clash Cards are designed to be helpful, easy-to-use flash cards, but that's just the beginning. Clash Cards is also a card game that makes reinforcing vocabulary words fun and exciting. Students test their knowledge as they play a challenging game of rivalry between the four seasons. As word skills and wild weather collide, who will emerge victorious?
•256 high frequency vocabulary words
•Full-color design
•3 levels of play
•Customizable deck
•Play against opponents who might be playing with different words or even different languages!
The words used in this deck match with the vocabulary used in Latin for Children, Primer B, and are some of the words of highest frequency in Latin, so the cards can be used by any student wishing to practice the most common words, regardless of curriculum or course of study.


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4 Rolls 35"X164' Gallagher Sheep Net Kit + Ground Rod
4 Rolls 35" X 164' Electronet w/Struts & 3' Ground Rod for Sheep and Goat Netting
Free USA Shipping for lower 48 states!
You are buying 4 rolls of Gallagher electric fence netting and 3' Tee Handle Ground Rod, Ideal for sheep, goats and pets or around a garden.
A prefabricated fence that has 9 horizontal twines (8 conductive); is 35" tall installed, and has large white plastic vertical struts every 12". White PVC posts are built into the mesh every 12.5'. When energized, it is nearly an impenetrable mesh to sheep, goats, coyotes and dogs. The black and white colors provide 24/7 visibility to both humans and animals against light and dark backgrounds.
Each Sheep/Goat Netting Contains:
- 35" x 164' Roll
- 8 conductive horizontal wires
- White plastic vertical struts every 12 inches
- Roll complete with all posts, just unfold and set up the posts
- Impenetrable mesh fencing for sheep, goats, coyotes and dogs
- BUY 4 Rolls and Save!
- Includes 3' Tee Handle Ground Rod.
- Free USA Shipping Only!
- *Extra shipping charges required for Alaska and Hawaii
A very convenient all-purpose, portable electric fencing that is quick and easy to set up. Ideal for keeping sheep, goats and all kinds of pets and gardens safely protected. Delivers a harmless yet effective shop when connected to an energizer.
Great for keeping in all types of animals from rabbits to dogs, or is also a perfect barrier for protecting gardens, flower beds, newly planted areas, etc. from dogs, cats, raccoons or other unwanted pests. The horizontal strands contain durable, stainless steel wire for reliable conductivity woven with polyethylene for strength and durability. The vertical and bottom strands are without wire to prevent the fence from shorting out.
Electric netting combines traits of net-wire and electric fencing, providing a formidable mental and physical barrier in a portable format suitable for temporary or semi-permanent fencing of pastures. It is constructed of polywires and plastic twines.
Netting is lightweight and easy to install. Compared to other temporary fences, electric netting provides greater protection from predators. However, with electric netting, there is some risk of animal entanglement, especially young lambs and animals with horns.


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This post is brought to you by a few childrens rooms designed by Robert Passal and a splash of chinoiserie. Don't you love that buffalo check wallpaper in the boy's room?
I especially love the alphabet cards from Architectural Watercolors. Don't you think they would be so fun framed in a child's room and then add a chinoiserie lamp just for fun. (lamp from here)


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Martin Van Buren: Life in Brief
Martin Van Buren said that the two happiest days of his life were his entrance into the office of President and his surrender of the office. While his political opponents were glad to see him go—they nicknamed him "Martin Van Ruin"—many Americans were not. Even though he lost the 1840 presidential election, Van Buren received 40,000 more votes than he had in his 1836 victory. In subsequent years, historians have come to regard Van Buren as integral to the development of the American political system.
Van Buren was the first President not born a British subject, or even of British ancestry. The Van Burens were a large, struggling family of Dutch descent. Martin's father, Abraham Van Buren—a supporter of Thomas Jefferson in a region populated by supporters of Jefferson's opponents, the Federalists—ran a tavern where politicians often gathered as they traveled between New York City and Albany. This environment gave young Martin a taste for politics. Though the Van Burens could not afford to send Martin to college, he managed to get a job as a clerk in a law office where he began studying law independently. After he became a lawyer, Van Buren joined the Democratic-Republicans and began his political career, as a minor county official.
Political Savvy and Party Building
Immediately, Van Buren began showing the qualities that would eventually take him to the pinnacle of American politics—and earn him a bevy of admirers as well as critics. Unfailingly polite and thoroughly shrewd, Van Buren proved an adept politician, negotiating the fractious political environment of New York state's Democratic-Republican party. As a New York politician, he set about building a political organization of his fellow Democratic-Republicans that stressed unity, loyalty, and fealty to Jeffersonian political principles. Gradually, Van Buren moved from the New York State Senate, to the New York attorney general's office, and then to the U.S. Senate. Unhappy with the politics and policies of President John Quincy Adams, Van Buren aligned himself instead with Andrew Jackson, the immensely popular war hero who wanted a return to the Jeffersonian policies of minimalist government. In Washington, he continued his political party-building efforts, but on a national scale.
When Jackson became President, he named Van Buren secretary of state, in recognition of the New Yorker's political acumen and his service during the 1828 election. From this position, Van Buren oversaw the nation's foreign affairs. But his time in Washington was also spent cultivating political relationships and allies. Van Buren continued to build the political organization that would become the Democratic Party. Just as important, Van Buren quickly became one of Jackson's trusted advisers and friends, even though the two men's political views were not always perfectly in synch. Van Buren also skillfully navigated the tempestuous in-fighting that marked Jackson's cabinet, where Vice President John Calhoun proved more an adversary than ally of the President. Toward the end of his first term, Jackson dismissed much of his cabinet, cut his relations with Vice President Calhoun, and dispatched Van Buren to the political calm of London as U.S. minister to England. During Jackson's second term, Van Buren served as vice president.
Managing a Troubled Nation
Van Buren won the presidential election of 1836 by promising to carry on the policies of Andrew Jackson. Unfortunately, Van Buren took office as the booming U.S. economy of the early and mid-1830s began to slow down. The so-called "Panic of 1837" was followed by the worst depression yet faced by the young nation. These economic troubles quickly became President Van Buren's main concern.
Van Buren's response to the crisis revealed his belief in the principles of a limited federal government, defense of states rights, and protection of the "people" from the "powerful." Thus, Van Buren rejected his Whig opposition's suggestion that he support a National Bank, which the Whigs believed could oversee and stabilize the nation's economy. Instead, the President blamed the depression on powerful monied interests at home and abroad, and proposed that the federal government deposit its funds in an independent treasury, rather than in state banks, While Van Buren and Congress argued about the merits of the independent treasury—which Congress finally authorized in the summer of 1840—the nation's economic troubles continued.
Van Buren confronted several other potentially divisive issues while President. He managed to quiet talk of annexing Texas by steadfastly announcing his opposition to such a move. His main foreign policy concerns were the growing tensions between the United States and Great Britain over the border between the United States and Canada. Van Buren ignored calls from some Americans to respond to Canadian and British provocations with force, working instead successfully through diplomatic channels to calm tensions in the region. Van Buren's measured approach to the northern border problems, however, only earned him the enmity of those who urged a more aggressive response.
Martin Van Buren's wife, Hannah, died twelve years after their marriage, leaving him a widower with four sons to raise by himself. Though Van Buren never remarried, his eldest son's wife, Angelica Singleton Van Buren, served as official White House hostess during the last two years of his presidency. His sons, moreover, emerged as some of his father's most important aides and advisers; Abraham and Martin Jr. served as personal secretaries to their father when he was President.
Political Defeat
Facing criticism at home for both the economic depression and his handling of foreign affairs, Van Buren's re-election chances suffered even more in the face of an inspired campaign offered by the Whigs and their candidate, William Henry Harrison. In only four years, the Whig party had matched the savvy and organization of the Democrats—if not their sheer numbers and ideological unity. The Whigs portrayed Harrison as the rough and tumble "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" candidate and ridiculed Van Buren as fussy, aristocratic, and unmanly. There was little truth in these images—in reality, it was Van Buren who came from a modest background, while Harrison was from a ruling-class Virginia family—but the charges, coupled with dissatisfaction over Van Buren's governance, proved too much for the sitting President to overcome. Van Buren lost the election, failing even to carry his home state of New York.
Martin Van Buren served only one term as President, and those four years were marked as much by failure and criticism as by success and popular acclaim. Van Buren's troubled presidency, though, should not overshadow his significant contributions to American political development. Van Buren played key roles in the creation of both the Democratic Party and the so-called "second party system" in which Democrats competed with their opponents, the Whigs. In these ways, Van Buren left an indelible mark on American politics.


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Blake Shelton Says Nearly 4 Years With Gwen Stefani Is 'Kind of a Blur'
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are the couple nobody saw coming—he a country-music star from Oklahoma, she a pop princess by way of the 3rd-wave ska and punk scenes in Southern California—but somehow the two are going to be celebrating their fourth-year anniversary together this fall.
"It's actually shocking that it has already been that long," Shelton notes to People. "It's kind of a blur. It still feels like it's pretty new to me. I guess it is, relatively. Four years isn't forever, but man, it seems like it just happened in no time."
The two lovebirds met on the set of The Voice while both were struggling with high-visibility divorces, and turned a resulting friendship commiserating over their splits into a true love story. Now, the couple will be going back to where it all started again, facing off against each other as coaches for the show's season 17, debuting Sept. 23.
Although Shelton is chivalrous to a fault with his lady love, he made clear to People that he will not be allowing Stefani any advantages on The Voice. " I'm not going to let her win," he states adamantly. " I'm going to have to win, but I'm going to have to do it in a way that she doesn't feel like I beat her.
"I don't know if that's possible or not because I definitely don't want to upset her — that's not going to pay off for me in the long run. This will be her fourth time on the show, so she's no stranger to it. She knows what she's doing."
Shelton recently wrapped his 2019 Friends and Heroes Tour, but he's still got some dates going this summer that fans can catch. Meanwhile, Stefani is booked through the end of July for her Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywood.
Would Jimmie Allen Get You To Turn Your Chair Around? Watch:
Country's 10 Most Successful The Voice Contestants Yet: