text:
Overnight, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned a Russian strike on a maternity and children's hospital in the southern port city of Mariupol. He called it a war crime and attempted genocide. There are some horrific images coming out of that incident. The White House called the hospital attack barbaric. NPR's Eric Westervelt is in western Ukraine with me and brings us the story.
ERIC WESTERVELT, BYLINE: Well, you're right. There are truly some brutal and, frankly, difficult to watch videos and photos coming out of this. Pregnant women, you know, being wounded and being carried by stretchers across, really, this devastated landscape. There are several enormous bomb craters. Some look to be two stories deep. There are fears...
FADEL: Wow.
WESTERVELT: ...You know, people could be buried in the dirt and rubble, including some children. The surrounding buildings, you know, are burning and partially crumbling. There are burnt, you know, sort of matchstick-like stalks where trees once stood. It's just devastating. And inside the hospital - or, really, what's left of it, I should say - you can see in the videos and photos, you know, bloody mattresses, blood on the floors, on changing tables. It's just awful, awful to see. In all, the Ukrainian government says, at least three people, including a child, were killed. At least 17 others were wounded, including some pregnant women. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about it overnight. He switched to Russian, importantly. And he seemed to be speaking directly to the Russian people.
PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY: (Through interpreter) What kind of country is this? How can the Russian Federation be afraid of a children's hospital, of a building of mothers, and then destroys that?
WESTERVELT: The president also urged the West to impose even tougher economic sanctions. And he again asked for a no-fly zone. But that idea has been soundly rejected by NATO, which says that could easily widen this war.
FADEL: So despite what you describe, despite these images, Russia again denied targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Kremlin called the hospital attack report fake news and said the area had long ago been taken over by Ukrainian military troops.
WESTERVELT: Right. The Ukrainian government says, look; the idea that this was a fighting position and a military post is simply absurd. You know, in recent days, a blood collection center and a large regular hospital there were also hit by the Russians. And big civilian targets have been regularly hit and shelled in many other cities in the east.
FADEL: Eric, we're two weeks into Russia's invasion. And Mariupol is one of several cities under an intense siege. Citizens, for days, have been trying to evacuate out. What more do we know about the situation today?
WESTERVELT: Well, we've talked to some local residents there. I mean, they continue to paint, you know, an increasingly dire picture, you know - no water or electricity or fuel, food running low. Some people are, you know, melting snow for drinking water. And this morning, there are also some ghastly images of residents on the outskirts of Mariupol wrapping dead bodies in these plastic bags. They looks sort of like big, black contractor bags.
FADEL: Oh, yeah. I saw those.
WESTERVELT: They're also wrapping dead bodies in carpets and dumping them into newly dug trenches. These are, effectively, mass graves, you know? It's just not safe for people to do any kind of proper burial. So locals are seen wearing gloves and masks and crouching, you know, as they do this because of the risk of Russian fire. And the government says about 1,200 civilians have died in this 10-day siege there.
FADEL: And people want to get out. And again today, Ukraine will try to open humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to flee. As we've seen, though, those corridors end up getting shelled. What's the latest on those?
WESTERVELT: Yeah. Briefly, most days, these corridors have failed. They're going to try again today. Some citizens have gotten out, including in the city of Sumy in the northeast. And we'll see how it goes today.
FADEL: NPR's Eric Westervelt in western Ukraine. Thank you for your time.
WESTERVELT: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Stack Exchange family of sites brings a lot of innovation and polish to the question-and-answer genre on the Internet. The sites are attracting true subject-matter experts to a dialog that also brings in a multitude of questions from non-experts, representing both practical ideas and disruptive innovation.
To what extent has the Stack Exchange family spawned new publishable lines of research?
For example, it appears that an answer by Thomas Pornin to my MySQL OLD_PASSWORD cryptanalysis? - IT Security question is the first cryptographic break of a very popular password hashing scheme. (Update: we found a previous publication. But still - very cool)
What other notable answers are out there, that might serve as good publicity for Stack Exchange in academic circles?


text:
Dear Members,
PLEASE look at the original "Post Date" and or the Post Date of the last reply.
If either of the dates is Five - Ten - Fifteen YEARS AGO - do not reply. Start a New Thread/Discussion.
Technically, if either date is more than a few months old you should start a new discussion.
Thank you.
Steve - Site Administrator


text:
Learn more about corporations VOTING to rewrite our laws. |
This article is part of the Tobacco portal on Sourcewatch funded from 2006 - 2009 by the American Legacy Foundation. |
Campaign to Fix the Debt Company Profile | |
Company Name | Express Scripts |
CEO Name | George Paz |
CEO Compensation | $8,515,950 |
CEO Retirement Assets | $5,132,775 |
Annual Company Revenue | $46,128,300,000 |
Territorial Tax Break | $18,900,000 |
Federal Lobbying/Political Donations ('09-'12*) | $5,903,292 |
Click here for sources. 2011 data unless otherwise noted. ©2013 Center for Media and Democracy |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc., based in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, is a large U.S. mail order pharmacy and pharmacy benefits management company that is now called Express Scripts. The company manages drug benefits for corporations, unions, insurance companies, and federal employees.[1] In April 2012, the Federal Trade Commission approved its merger with Express Scripts to form the pharmacy benefits management industry's largest company.[2]
In 2011, Medco reported $70,063,300,000 in total net revenue.[3] The same year, Express Scripts reported $46,128,300,000 in revenue.[4]
Ties to Pete Peterson's "Fix the Debt"
The Campaign to Fix the Debt is the latest incarnation of a decades-long effort by former Nixon man turned Wall Street billionaire Pete Peterson to slash earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare under the guise of fixing the nation's "debt problem."
This article is part of the Center for Media and Democracy's investigation of Pete Peterson's Campaign to "Fix the Debt." Please visit our main SourceWatch page on Fix the Debt.
About Fix the Debt |
The Campaign to Fix the Debt is the latest incarnation of a decades-long effort by former Nixon man turned Wall Street billionaire Pete Peterson to slash earned benefit programs such as Social Security and Medicare under the guise of fixing the nation's "debt problem." Through a special report and new interactive wiki resource, the Center for Media and Democracy -- in partnership with the Nation magazine -- exposes the funding, the leaders, the partner groups, and the phony state "chapters" of this astroturf supergroup. Learn more at PetersonPyramid.org and in the Nation magazine.
Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
Until 2012, Medco was a corporate member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). It paid extra for a seat on the Health and Human Services Task Force.[5] After it merged with Express Scripts, which had also funded ALEC, in April 2012, both parts of the newly formed corporation confirmed that they had cut ties with ALEC in July 2012 -- days after its major competitor, CVS Caremark, had made a similar announcement -- making it the 26th corporation to do so in 2012.[2] However, an August 2013 ALEC board document obtained by The Guardian suggested that Express Scripts hadn't terminated its membership until January 14, 2013, having "dropped b/c of PBM issue," and Medco didn't terminate until February 25, 2013, because it "merged with Express Scripts."[6] See Corporations Which Have Cut Ties to ALEC for more.
About ALEC |
ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve "model" bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our ExposedbyCMD.org site.
Ties to the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)
Express Scripts is a financial supporter of Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), a health care non-profit in New England with deep ties to industry. Implementations of anti-patient measures like strict pre-authorization requirements[1], which have severely limited patients' access to prescription drugs, by Express Scripts have closely followed the release of ICER reports on those drugs.
As of January 2013:[7]
- George Paz, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
- Keith Ebling, Executive Vice President & General Counsel
- Jeff Hall, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
- Christine Houston, Senior Vice President - Pharma & Retail Relations
- Ed Ignaczak, Executive Vice President - Sales & Marketing
- Pat McNamee, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
- Steve Miller, MD, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer
- Glen Stettin, MD, Senior Vice President - Clinical, Research & New Solutions
- Sara Wade, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
- Tim Wentworth, Senior Vice President & President - Sales & Account Management
- Gary Wimberly, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
- Larry Zarin, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
Former executives include:[8] (with 2006 pay)
- David B. Snow, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, $8,610,000 (2007)[9]
- Bryan D. Birch, Group President, Employer Accounts, $2,306,744[10]
- John P. Driscoll, President, Insured and Emerging Markets, $1,873,581[11]
- Kenneth O. Klepper, Chief Operating Officer, $4,117,601 (also exercised $2,005,313 in options)[12]
- JoAnn A. Reed, Chief Financial Officer, $1,793,013[13]
Board of Directors
- George Paz, Chairman of the Board; Chief Executive Officer,Express Scripts
- Gary G. Benanav, Director; Retired Vice Chairman, New York Life Insurance Company
- Maura C. Breen, Chairman of the Compensation Committee; Retired Senior Vice President, Verizon Communications
- William J. DeLaney, Director; President and Chief Executive Officer, Sysco Corporation
- Nicholas J. LaHowchic, Director, Chairman of the Compliance Committee; President, Diannic LLC
- Thomas P. Mac Mahon, Presiding Director, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee; Director and Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings; Director, Member of Compensation Committee and past Chairman of the Board of PharMerica Corporation
- Frank Mergenthaler, Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Interpublic Group
- Woodrow A. Myers Jr., M.D., Director; Managing Director, Myers Ventures LLC
- John O. Parker, Jr. , Director; Venture Partner, Rho Ventures, LLC
- William L. Roper, MD, MPH, Director; Dean, University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine; Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs; Chief Executive Officer, UNC Health Care System
- Samuel K. Skinner, Director; Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, USF Corp.; Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Chief of Staff To President of United States (under George H.W. Bush)
- Seymour Sternberg, Director; Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, New York Life Insurance Company
Former board members include:[14]
- Howard W. Barker, Jr., former partner at KPMG
- Michael Goldstein, former Chief Executive Officer, Toys "R" Us
- Myrtle Potter, also Director at Amazon.com, former Chief Operating Officer of Genentech
Political contributions
Medco gave $279,500 to federal candidates in the 2006 election through its political action committee - 28% to Democrats and 71% to Republicans. [15]
Medco Health Solutions spent $890,000 for lobbying in the first half of 2007. [16]
Contact details
Express Scripts Holding Co.
1 Express Way
St. Louis, MO, 63121
Phone: (314) 996-0900
Web: www.express-scripts.com
Articles and Resources
Featured SourceWatch Articles on Fix the Debt
- Fix the Debt Portal Page
- Fix the Debt's Leadership
- Fix the Debt's Partner Groups
- Fix the Debt's State Chapters
- Fix the Debt's Lobbyists
- Fix the Debt's Parent Group
- Fix the Debt's Corporations
- Pete Peterson
- Peter G. Peterson Foundation
- America Speaks
- Simpson-Bowles Commission
- Erskine Bowles
- Alan Simpson
- Social Security
- Medicare
- Medicaid
Related SourceWatch articles
External articles
- "Medco Health to Settle Complaints", Associated Press/CorpWatch, April 27, 2004.
- Milt Freudenheim, "Caremark to Settle Whistle-Blower Suit", The New York Times/CorpWatch, September 9, 2005.
- Barbara Martinez, "Selling Generic Drugs by Mail Turns Into Lucrative Business", Wall Street Journal/CorpWatch, May 9, 2006.
- Raymond Hernandez and Robert Pear, "Once an Enemy, Health Industry Warms to Clinton", The New York Times/CorpWatch, July 12, 2006.
<tdo>resource_id=29712 resource_code=medco search_term=Medco</tdo>
- ↑ Medco Profile, Hoovers, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ColorOfChange.org, ColorOfChange Applauds Express Scripts/Medco's Decision to End its Membership in ALEC: Company is 26th to Leave the American Legislative Exchange Council, organizational press release, July 13, 2012
- ↑ Medco,"2011 Form 10-K", Organizational Document, page 41.
- ↑ Express Scripts, "2011 Annual Report", Organizational Document, page 2.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, HHS Task Force, June 29, 2011, organizational membership spreadsheet, June 29, 2011, p. 32, obtained and released by Common Cause April 2012
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting Board Meeting packet, organizational documents, August 6, 2013, released by The Guardian December 3, 2013.
- ↑ Express Scripts, Leadership, organizational website, accessed January 2013
- ↑ Executive officers, Medco, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ David B Snow Jr, Forbes, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Bryan D Birch, Forbes, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ John P Driscoll, Forbes, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Kenneth O Klepper, Forbes, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Joann A Reed, Forbes, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Board of Directors, Medco, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ 2006 PAC Summary Data, Open Secrets, accessed January 2008.
- ↑ Medco Health Solutions lobbying expenses, Open Secrets, accessed January 2008.


text:
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text:
Britney Spears' court-appointed attorney on Tuesday filed documents to resign from her conservatorship, the latest of several such moves that have come in the fallout from the pop singer's comments in court decrying the legal arrangement that controls her money and affairs.
Samuel Ingham III filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting that the court appoint Spears a new attorney, and saying his resignation would take effect as soon as that happened.
Read more:
Britney Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph resigns, says singer is retiring from music
During her June 23 speech in court, in which she condemned the conservatorship and asked Judge Brenda Penny to end it, Spears was critical of Ingham, and said she wished the court would allow her to hire a lawyer of her choice.
Last week, Bessemer Trust, the estate-management company that Spears had requested replace her father as conservator of her finances, filed its own documents withdrawing from the case. The filing said that circumstances had changed after Spears' comments in court on June 23.
At a hearing in November, Penny denied Spears' request to have her father replaced entirely, but said James Spears and Bessemer Trust could work together as co-conservators of her finances.
And on Monday, in a letter obtained by entertainment industry publication Deadline, Britney Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph also resigned, saying she had no intention of resuming her career after a 2 1/2 year hiatus that has left him with no work to do for her.
A veteran probate attorney, Ingham was for years a largely silent figure in the conservatorship, at least publicly, but became a more vocal advocate for Britney Spears starting last year. His statements in court that she feared her father and would not resume her career so long as he had power over it were an early crack in the presumed consensus among the figures involved in the conservatorship.
At the June 23 hearing, Ingham said that Britney Spears had not asked him to file a petition to end the conservatorship, but said he expected she might do so soon. In her remarks critical of Ingham, Spears said during the hearing that she hadn't known she could file such a petition, and she still has not.
© 2021 The Canadian Press


text:
US Stock 4 Color 2 Station Silk Screen Printing Machine 4-2 DIY T-Shirt Press Printing Machine. Platen size: 21.717.7 (5545cm). X 1 10 25CM Emulsion Scoop Coater Silk Screen Pr... X 1 High Quality Silk Screen Printing Wood Squeegee In... 4 Color 2 Station Silk screen printing machine.
This manual silk screen printing press allows you to get the best value from limited project budgets. Designed for small printing shops, whether it is for multi-color or volume printing, this equipment can also serve as an ideal backup solution to larger companies.
For those who are just getting into the printing business, this can be their best starting point. Manufactured with highly durable materials, this equipment is designed to last. There is no maintenance needed once assembled.Our 4 Color 2 Station Single Rotary Screen Press can simultaneously install four screen plates. The screen layer is able to rotate independently upon installation, then it is available for four colors' overprinting and making progressive proofs. Machine size: 327.975 (8220190cm). Package sizes: 23.6"23"17.8(605945cm).
Max screen size: 24"x 27"(60 x 70 cm). This manual screen printing press makes is used for "small shop", school, colleges and universities personalized use, a perfect fit for entry level customer, who is looking for an affordable and professional screen printer for their t shirt printing projects. Change different screen printing pallet, you can use this screen printing press to DIY, such as: A. Custom logo or personalized graphics on T shirt.
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During the 2008 campaign, the political ploy from the republicans was that oil drilling would lower gas prices, which was nearly $5 a gallon. Remember?
The real story, according to The Business Insider, is that oil drilling is a concession for cap and trade:
The real story is that Cap & Trade is back on the table, as Ken Salazar is stating on CNBC right now.
Obama gives a gift to oil drillers, and in exchange he gets the equivalent of an energy tax (though not actually an energy tax) with some corporate support.
Watch Ken Salazar's interview with CNBC.
Obama announced his new plan at Andrews Air Force Base. Here is the video of the speech. Transcript is below:Thank you, Secretary Salazar. Ken and I were colleagues in the Senate, and I appointed him because I knew he'd be a faithful and pragmatic steward of our natural resources. As Secretary, he's changing the way the Interior Department does business so that we are responsibly developing traditional sources of energy and renewable sources of energy, from the wind on the high plains to the sun in the deserts to the waves off our coasts.
It's also good to see so many members of our Armed Forces here today. Andrews is the home of Air Force One, and I appreciate everything you do for me and my family. You've got a 100-percent on-time departure record. And you don't charge for checking luggage. So it's a pretty good deal. But in all seriousness, I want to thank you not only for the support you provide to me – but also for the service you perform to keep our country safe.
We are here today to talk about America's energy security, an issue that has been a priority for my administration since the day I took office. Already, we've made the largest investment in clean energy in our nation's history. It's an investment that's expected to create or save more than 700,000 jobs across America: jobs manufacturing advanced batteries for more efficient vehicles, upgrading the power grid so that it's smarter and stronger, and doubling our nation's capacity to generate renewable electricity from sources like the wind and the sun.
Just a few months after taking office, I also gathered the leaders of the world's largest automakers, the heads of labor unions, environmental advocates, and public officials from California and across the country to reach an historic agreement to raise fuel economy standards in cars and trucks. Tomorrow, after decades in which we have done little to increase auto efficiency, those new standards will be finalized, which will reduce our dependence on oil while helping folks spend a little less at the pump. So my administration is upholding its end of the deal, and we expect all parties to do the same. I'd also point out: this rule will not only save drivers money; it will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil. That's like taking 58 million cars off the road for an entire year.
Today, we're also going one step further. In order to save energy and taxpayer dollars, my administration – led by Secretary Chu at Energy and Administrator Johnson at GSA – is doubling the number of hybrid vehicles in the federal fleet, even as we seek to reduce the number of cars and trucks used by our government overall. We're going to lead by example and practice what we preach: cutting waste, saving energy, and reducing our reliance on foreign oil.
But we have to do more. We need to make continued investments in clean coal technologies and advanced biofuels. A few weeks ago, I announced loan guarantees to break ground on America's first new nuclear facility in three decades, a project that will create thousands of jobs. And in the short term, as we transition to cleaner energy sources, we'll have to make tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development in ways that protect communities and coastlines.
This is not a decision that I've made lightly. It's one Ken and I – as well as Carol Browner, my energy advisor in the White House, and others in my administration – looked at closely for more than a year. But the bottom line is this: given our energy needs, in order to sustain economic growth, produce jobs, and keep our businesses competitive, we're going to need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up production of new sources of renewable, homegrown energy.
So today we're announcing the expansion of offshore oil and gas exploration – but in ways that balance the need to harness domestic energy resources and the need to protect America's natural resources. Under the leadership of Secretary Salazar, we'll employ new technologies that reduce the impact of oil exploration. We'll protect areas vital to tourism, the environment, and our national security. And we'll be guided not by political ideology, but by scientific evidence. That's why my administration will consider potential new areas for development in the mid and south Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, while studying and protecting sensitive areas in the Arctic. That's why we'll continue to support development of leased areas off the North Slope of Alaska, while protecting Alaska's Bristol Bay.
There will be those who strongly disagree with this decision, including those who say we should not open any new areas to drilling. But what I want to emphasize is that this announcement is part of a broader strategy that will move us from an economy that runs on fossil fuels and foreign oil to one that relies more on homegrown fuels and clean energy. And the only way this transition will succeed is if it strengthens our economy in the short term and long term. To fail to recognize this reality would be a mistake.
On the other side, there will be those who argue that we do not go nearly far enough; who suggest we open all of our waters to energy exploration without any restriction or regard for the broader environmental and economic impact. They'd deny the fact that with less than 2 percent of oil reserves, but more than 20 percent of world consumption, drilling alone cannot come close to meeting our long-term energy needs, and that for the sake of the planet and our energy independence, we need to begin the transition to cleaner fuels now.
Ultimately, we need to move beyond the tired debates between right and left, between business leaders and environmentalists, between those who would claim drilling is a cure all and those who would claim it has no place. Because this issue is just too important to allow our progress to languish while we fight the same old battles over and over again.
For decades we've talked about how our dependence on fossil fuels threatens our economy – yet our will to act rises and falls with the price of a barrel of oil. For decades we've talked about the threat to future generations posed by our current system of energy – even as we can see the mounting evidence of climate change from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf Coast. And for decades, we've talked about the risks to our security created by our dependence on foreign oil – even as that dependence has grown year after year after year.
And while our politics has remained entrenched along worn divides, the ground has shifted beneath our feet. Around the world, countries are seeking an edge in the global marketplace by investing in new ways of producing and saving energy. From China to Germany, these nations recognize that the country that leads the clean energy economy will be the country that leads the global economy. Meanwhile, here at home, as politicians in Washington debate endlessly whether to act, our own military has determined that we can't afford not to.
If there was any doubt about that, you need only look to the F-18 fighter and the light armored vehicle behind me. The Army and Marine Corps have been testing this vehicle on a mixture of biofuels. And this Navy fighter jet – called the Green Hornet – will be flown for the first time in just a few weeks, on Earth Day. If tests go as planned, it will be the first plane ever to fly faster than the speed of sound on a fuel mix that's half biomass. The Air Force is also testing jet engines using biofuels and had the first successful biofuel-powered test flight just last week. Though I don't want to drum up any kind of rivalry.
Now, the Pentagon isn't seeking these alternative fuels just to protect our environment; they are pursuing these homegrown energy sources to protect our national security. Our military leaders recognize the security imperative of increasing the use of alternative fuels, decreasing energy use, and reducing our reliance on imported oil. That's why the Navy, led by Secretary Mabus who is here today, has set a goal of using 50-percent alternative fuel in all planes, vehicles, and ships in the next ten years. And that's why the Defense Department has invested $2.7 billion this year alone to improve energy efficiency.
Moving toward clean energy is about our security. It's about our economy. And it's about the future of our planet. And what I hope is that the policies we've laid out – from hybrid fleets to offshore drilling, from nuclear energy to wind energy – underscore the seriousness with which my administration takes this challenge. It's a challenge that requires us to think and act anew.
So I am open to proposals from my Democratic and Republican friends. I believe we can move beyond the broken politics of the past. And I know that we can come together to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation that will foster new industries and millions of new jobs protecting our planet and helping us become more energy independent. That's what we can do. That's what we must do. And I am confident that that is what we will do.
Thank you.


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ON SALE AT AMAZON AND B&N ONLY until 15TH DECEMBER
ON SALE AT AMAZON AND B&N ONLY until 15TH DECEMBER
Not too long ago,
in a town that,
depending on your current location,
is either not super far
or actually quite close…
It is a time of chaotic hormones.
Two nerdy gents
home for winter break
have discovered a female gamer
at a midnight release.
During the break,
the gamer trio manages
to reveal the game's secret boss,
a hidden enemy
with enough power to destroy
anything in its path.
Pursued by other gamers
who want to be the first
to beat this boss,
George and Katie race to level up,
and, in so doing, restore decency
and sexual activity to their personal galaxy…
"These graphics suck," George says and I look back at the screen. We're standing in the middle of the Estate, colorful orbs quivering ahead of us. We each have to choose our starting advantage. Waterfalls shimmer in the distance and the sunlight streams over multicolored stones in the courtyard.
"Amateurs," Lanyon concurs. "I mean, they couldn't have five waterfalls?"
"Your ironic wit is mind blowing, but choose your damn orbs," I tell them. I consider. Magic, defense, offense, stealth, and charisma. I always go for magic as a black mage, but I wonder if a druid needs something else. Screw it. I need charisma in real life, too.
"Charisma?" Lanyon asks. "No one ever picks charisma."
"We're a party of a thief, druid, and a bard. We're screwed regardless."
"You two underestimate the mighty power of my lute," George argues.
"Did you start with charisma?" Lanyon asks.
"Hell, no. I have charisma in spades. I started with stealth."
"Great. A stealthy bard," I sigh.
"She's right," Lanyon concedes. "We're screwed."
However, it actually isn't bad at all at first. We power through the Estate and make it to the Yobanaria Dale with no resurrections and all at level ten. I'm impressed. George hasn't actually fought anything, but he has some pretty awe-inspiring charm mastery already. I think I might have a serious crush. He seals the deal when he buffs my hailstorm spell without even being asked.
"Can you guys watch El Thiefelo? My mom wants me to eat supper," Lanyon says.
"Yeah, we've got it," I tell him. "The first boss is in the elven ruins anyway, so we should grind a bit. I think he's a twelve."
George and I explore the Dale, taking out bats and Joba spores. It's fairly quiet, except for when we combo with his charms and my spells and he yells out, "Eat lute, bitch," but it's nice. We work well, almost inherently understanding each other. I've never been able to play this effectively with anyone. I try not to think about his eyes. Stupid boys, being cute and stuff.
By the time Lanyon comes back, we're all at level 12, although Lanyon leveled up just by standing by a door while we played. Still, we are ready to take on Balsa the Proud. As a black mage, it took me about nine seconds. Trees don't like fire. However, druids don't have the same level of black magic and all elemental magic is weakened by the need to draw from the elements nearby. Sadly, trees seem to avoid storing fire runes in their villages. I expect this to be a little more challenging. It might even take fifteen seconds.
"First boss. Also known as the freebie bitch to sucker the young folks into a false sense of security," Lanyon announces as he runs into the center of Balsa's lair. The cinema plays and then, in a moment of pure absurdity, El Thiefelo is squished as Balsa steps on him.
"Can someone revive me?" Lanyon whines.


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There's a stigma associated with nearly every health condition, but perhaps none is more misunderstood than dementia.
"And this stigma can really overshadow the fact that people can live with dementia for many years and lead meaningful lives," said Sarah Lenz Lock, with AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health.
AARP recently found that not only do a majority of people think those with dementia are judged harshly by society, but some doctors may also be reluctant to share a potential diagnosis.
"And what was so surprising about our research is that health care providers assume that their patients have a much more negative perspective of dementia than they actually do," said Lock.
"I started noticing that it was getting more challenging for me to remember the information that I needed to report out," said Jay Reinstein, who is living with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Reinstein worked in local government for almost 30 years. At age 57, he noticed it was taking him longer to do basic tasks.
"The issue that really hit me was when I was speaking to a community group. And it was probably about 15 to 20 people in the room, and one of the citizens had asked me about the departments that I supported for the organization and there are six that I support, that I supervise, I couldn't remember any," said Reinstein.
It took more than a year for Reinstein to get diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.
"It was like a panic set and because I love working, I love being a public servant, I love working in local government and I knew that this diagnosis was going to change my life," said Reinstein.
That was a little more than three years ago. He eventually retired and through the Alzheimer's Association, he became an advocate and voice for younger people living with dementia.
"I think the other thing that that helps me a lot is just the socialization," said Reinstein. "I'm in several support groups. And I see the decline of people in my support groups and it just, it kills me because some people are progressing faster, who are even younger than me."
AARP and the Global Council on Brain Health also want people to know cognitive decline isn't inevitable in every case.
The best way to protect your brain is to live a healthy lifestyle and staying social. That's why Reinstein stays active with family, golf, advocacy, and a radio show once a week called, "Honest Conversations with Kev and J."


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Brand New Single From Jah Cure's Upcoming Album 'The Cure' Coming Early 2015
Brand New Single From Jah Cure's Upcoming Album 'The Cure' Coming Early 2015
Siccaturie Alcock, p/k/a Jah Cure, is recognized today as "The Prince of Reggae." From the age of three music constantly reverberated through his small frame, slowly hypnotizing the souls of all those who listen to his universal healing voice.
Born in Hanover, Jamaica on October 11, 1978, the young man with the voice of a canary snuck out of his bedroom window late at night to visit local dance halls and stage shows. At times, he also visited the annual Reggae Sunsplash shows in his community. At these shows he saw the great Reggae icons performing … Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffith, Garnett Silk, Yami Bolo, Jacob Miller and Black Uhuru … and, by the age of eleven, Jah Cure made the decision he wanted to become part of that elite group. Becoming a reggae star and an icon was his dream and his sole mission. Initially using the name "Little Melody," Siccaturie began his musical onslaught on the public. He soon became the talk of Jamaica and was well on his way to success. His voice started to leave an indelible impression in the streets, and at the age of fifteen, he moved to Kingston, where he met Capleton, Sizzla and Jah Mason. Little Melody was starting to fulfil his dream.
Capleton, the world renowned Jamaican artist, and the David House Crew later bestowed on Siccaturie the name Jah Cure … primarily because of the vast amount of herb he smoked … a daily custom of his Rastafarian religion. The symbolism was obvious … the singer looked young and healthy … and he was "well preserved," as in "WELL CURED," using the plants of the land for medicinal purposes. It was at this time that Cure became enlightened spiritually and his belief in living naturally became heightened.
Jamaican music icon Beres Hammond subsequently took Cure under his wing and began mentoring him in the studio and producing him. However, Cure's studio education and musical journey would be suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted. His growing success took a radical turn in 1998 when he was stopped and arrested late one night in Montego Bay. Cure was charged with four crimes, all of which he has vehemently denied. He has maintained his innocence to this day all through his arrest, trial and incarceration. A non-jury trial was convened, and Cure's lawyer unsuccessfully based his defence on the "Identification vs. Recognition" case law. Unfortunately, based on one victim's claim that she could not visually identify Cure, but he sounded like one of the perpetrators, Cure was sentenced in 1999 to 15 years in prison.
While in jail, Cure recorded and released several records, many of which topped the charts as # 1 singles. Two songs, "Jamaica," produced by DZ Productions and "Longing For," produced by Don Carleon, both hit # 1 on the Jamaican reggae charts and were international hits. Cure's first album, "FREE JAH'S CURE," was recorded in jail and subsequently released in 2001, approximately one year after he began his incarceration.
It is a project that has been lyrically compared to Bob Marley's "EXODUS." On that first album, Cure gives thanks for life while spreading love through his music. He believes his incarceration was Jah's way of teaching him humility, kindness, forgiveness and love for his fellow man. Consequently, he has forgiven all those who have done him wrong, and all those who have judged him unjustly and unfairly. While still in jail in 2003, Beres Hammond produced Cure's second album, "GHETTO LIFE," which featured the single "Divide and Rule." This song, a duet with Sizzla, was voted the best song of that year.
As Jah Cure's records saturated the airwaves globally many took up the call for his release from prison. After many international appeals to the Jamaican government, eventually, after serving eight years in jail, Cure was released from prison on July 28, 2007. On the first day of his release and freedom from prison Cure publicly stated that his only remaining goal for the rest of his life was to spread love and to promote peace and healing, universally through his music.
Since his release in 2007 Jah Cure has topped the music charts with three # 1 singles. First, it started with Call on Me featuring his label mate Phyllisia, followed with You'll Never Find, and presently the # 1 smash, Unconditional Love. His new single, Like I See It, featuring Rick Ross, and the re-mix with dance hall king Mavado, are starting to rock the international clubs and dance halls across the reggae diaspora. This record is destined to be his fourth # 1 consecutive single.
Cure's new album, "WORLD CRY," is his second recorded album since his release from prison. It is scheduled to be released at the most appropriate time. The first single off that album, "Unconditional Love," recorded with his label mate, recently shot to the top of the charts and became the # 1 Reggae single worldwide. That collaboration was the first of many for Cure on the upcoming album. The album contains collaborations with Tupac, Keri Hilson, Mavado, MDMA, Rick Ross, Jazmine Sullivan, Shyne and several others, crossing the reggae, hip-hop, Latin, Pop and R&B genres.
Jah Cure Official Bio


text: WelcomeIn the 20+ years I have been in the SCA I have had the opportunity to teach and write about a variety of subjects. And now, with Judith the Quietseeker's help I am able to offer all of this writing to you on my renovated web page. I hope that you will find some things to interest you here. If you came here for my old web site (with information on Cotehardies from Greenland gowns, Houpelands or Sewing information) you can find it under the Medieval clothing articles tab. Some pages are still under construction. If some of the links do not work as expected, please bear with us. As always, if you wish to write to me, please do so at: firstname.lastname@example.com |


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This report is republished with permission of STRATFOR
By George Friedman
STRATFOR argued March 13, 2008, that Mexico was nearing the status of a failed state. A failed state is one in which the central government has lost control over significant areas of the country and the state is unable to function. In revisiting this issue, it seems to us that the Mexican government has lost control of the northern tier of Mexico to drug-smuggling organizations, which have significantly greater power in that region than government forces. Moreover, the ability of the central government to assert its will against these organizations has weakened to the point that decisions made by the state against the cartels are not being implemented or are being implemented in a way that would guarantee failure.
Despite these facts, it is not clear to STRATFOR that Mexico is becoming a failed state. Instead, it appears the Mexican state has accommodated itself to the situation. Rather than failing, it has developed strategies designed both to ride out the storm and to maximize the benefits of that storm for Mexico.
First, while the Mexican government has lost control over matters having to do with drugs and with the borderlands of the United States, Mexico City's control over other regions — and over areas other than drug enforcement — has not collapsed (though its lack of control over drugs could well extend to other areas eventually). Second, while drugs reshape Mexican institutions dramatically, they also, paradoxically, stabilize Mexico. We need to examine these crosscurrents to understand the status of Mexico.
Mexico's Core Problem
Let's begin by understanding the core problem. The United States consumes vast amounts of narcotics, which, while illegal there, make their way in abundance. Narcotics derive from low-cost agricultural products that become consumable with minimal processing. With its long, shared border with the United States, Mexico has become a major grower, processor and exporter of narcotics. Because the drugs are illegal and thus outside normal market processes, their price is determined by their illegality rather than by the cost of production. This means extraordinary profits can be made by moving narcotics from the Mexican side of the border to markets on the other side.
Whoever controls the supply chain from the fields to the processing facilities and, above all, across the border, will make enormous amounts of money. Various Mexican organizations — labeled cartels, although they do not truly function as such, since real cartels involve at least a degree of cooperation among producers, not open warfare — vie for this business. These are competing businesses, each with its own competing supply chain.
Typically, competition among businesses involves lowering prices and increasing quality. This would produce small, incremental shifts in profits on the whole while dramatically reducing prices. An increased market share would compensate for lower prices. Similarly, lawsuits are the normal solution to unfair competition. But neither is the case with regard to illegal goods.
The surest way to increase smuggling profits is not through market mechanisms but by taking over competitors' supply chains. Given the profit margins involved, persons wanting to control drug supply chains would be irrational to buy, since the lower-cost solution would be to take control of these supply chains by force. Thus, each smuggling organization has an attached paramilitary organization designed to protect its own supply chain and to seize its competitors' supply chains.
The result is ongoing warfare between competing organizations. Given the amount of money being made in delivering their product to American cities, these paramilitary organizations are well-armed, well-led and well-motivated. Membership in such paramilitary groups offers impoverished young men extraordinary opportunities for making money, far greater than would be available to them in legitimate activities.
The raging war in Mexico derives logically from the existence of markets for narcotics in the United States; the low cost of the materials and processes required to produce these products; and the extraordinarily favorable economics of moving narcotics across the border. This warfare is concentrated on the Mexican side of the border. But from the Mexican point of view, this warfare does not fundamentally threaten Mexico's interests.
A Struggle Far From the Mexican Heartland
The heartland of Mexico is to the south, far from the country's northern tier. The north is largely a sparsely populated highland desert region seen from Mexico City as an alien borderland intertwined with the United States as much as it is part of Mexico. Accordingly, the war raging there doesn't represent a direct threat to the survival of the Mexican regime.
Indeed, what the wars are being fought over in some ways benefits Mexico. The amount of money pouring into Mexico annually is stunning. It is estimated to be about $35 billion to $40 billion each year. The massive profit margins involved make these sums even more significant. Assume that the manufacturing sector produces revenues of $40 billion a year through exports. Assuming a generous 10 percent profit margin, actual profits would be $4 billion a year. In the case of narcotics, however, profit margins are conservatively estimated to stand at around 80 percent. The net from $40 billion would be $32 billion; to produce equivalent income in manufacturing, exports would have to total $320 billion.
In estimating the impact of drug money on Mexico, it must therefore be borne in mind that drugs cannot be compared to any conventional export. The drug trade's tremendously high profit margins mean its total impact on Mexico vastly outstrips even the estimated total sales, even if the margins shifted substantially.
On the whole, Mexico is a tremendous beneficiary of the drug trade. Even if some of the profits are invested overseas, the pool of remaining money flowing into Mexico creates tremendous liquidity in the Mexican economy at a time of global recession. It is difficult to trace where the drug money is going, which follows from its illegality. Certainly, drug dealers would want their money in a jurisdiction where it could not be easily seized even if tracked. U.S. asset seizure laws for drug trafficking make the United States an unlikely haven. Though money clearly flows out of Mexico, the ability of the smugglers to influence the behavior of the Mexican government by investing some of it makes Mexico a likely destination for a substantial portion of such funds.
The money does not, however, flow back into the hands of the gunmen shooting it out on the border; even their bosses couldn't manage funds of that magnitude. And while money can be — and often is — baled up and hidden, the value of money is in its use. As with illegal money everywhere, the goal is to wash it and invest it in legitimate enterprises where it can produce more money. That means it has to enter the economy through legitimate institutions — banks and other financial entities — and then be redeployed into the economy. This is no different from the American Mafia's practice during and after Prohibition.
The Drug War and Mexican National Interests
From Mexico's point of view, interrupting the flow of drugs to the United States is not clearly in the national interest or in that of the economic elite. Observers often dwell on the warfare between smuggling organizations in the northern borderland but rarely on the flow of American money into Mexico. Certainly, that money could corrupt the Mexican state, but it also behaves as money does. It is accumulated and invested, where it generates wealth and jobs.
For the Mexican government to become willing to shut off this flow of money, the violence would have to become far more geographically widespread. And given the difficulty of ending the traffic anyway — and that many in the state security and military apparatus benefit from it — an obvious conclusion can be drawn: Namely, it is difficult to foresee scenarios in which the Mexican government could or would stop the drug trade. Instead, Mexico will accept both the pain and the benefits of the drug trade.
Mexico's policy is consistent: It makes every effort to appear to be stopping the drug trade so that it will not be accused of supporting it. The government does not object to disrupting one or more of the smuggling groups, so long as the aggregate inflow of cash does not materially decline. It demonstrates to the United States efforts (albeit inadequate) to tackle the trade, while pointing out very real problems with its military and security apparatus and with its officials in Mexico City. It simultaneously points to the United States as the cause of the problem, given Washington's failure to control demand or to reduce prices by legalization. And if massive amounts of money pour into Mexico as a result of this U.S. failure, Mexico is not going to refuse it.
The problem with the Mexican military or police is not lack of training or equipment. It is not a lack of leadership. These may be problems, but they are only problems if they interfere with implementing Mexican national policy. The problem is that these forces are personally unmotivated to take the risks needed to be effective because they benefit more from being ineffective. This isn't incompetence but a rational national policy.
Moreover, Mexico has deep historic grievances toward the United States dating back to the Mexican-American War. These have been exacerbated by U.S. immigration policy that the Mexicans see both as insulting and as a threat to their policy of exporting surplus labor north. There is thus no desire to solve the Americans' problem. Certainly, there are individuals in the Mexican government who wish to stop the smuggling and the inflow of billions of dollars. They will try. But they will not succeed, as too much is at stake. One must ignore public statements and earnest private assurances and instead observe the facts on the ground to understand what's really going on.
The U.S. Strategic Problem
And this leaves the United States with a strategic problem. There is some talk in Mexico City and Washington of the Americans becoming involved in suppression of the smuggling within Mexico (even though the cartels, to use that strange name, make certain not to engage in significant violence north of the border and mask it when they do to reduce U.S. pressure on Mexico). This is certainly something the Mexicans would be attracted to. But it is unclear that the Americans would be any more successful than the Mexicans. What is clear is that any U.S. intervention would turn Mexican drug traffickers into patriots fighting yet another Yankee incursion. Recall that Pershing never caught Pancho Villa, but he did help turn Villa into a national hero in Mexico.
The United States has a number of choices. It could accept the status quo. It could figure out how to reduce drug demand in the United States while keeping drugs illegal. It could legalize drugs, thereby driving their price down and ending the motivation for smuggling. And it could move into Mexico in a bid to impose its will against a government, banking system and police and military force that benefit from the drug trade.
The United States does not know how to reduce demand for drugs. The United States is not prepared to legalize drugs. This means the choice lies between the status quo and a complex and uncertain (to say the least) intervention. We suspect the United States will attempt some limited variety of the latter, while in effect following the current strategy and living with the problem.
Ultimately, Mexico is a failed state only if you accept the idea that its goal is to crush the smugglers. If, on the other hand, one accepts the idea that all of Mexican society benefits from the inflow of billions of American dollars (even though it also pays a price), then the Mexican state has not failed — it is following a rational strategy to turn a national problem into a national benefit.


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Time to Reality Check the Real Estate Market
Rarely does a day go by that I don't get asked if this is a good time to buy and/or sell a home. Some people might think that my response is always an emphatic "YES!" because I work in real estate. But in truth, there is no right or wrong answer. Every person's circumstances are unique, so in some cases the answer might be yes, but for others it might make more sense to wait. Allow me to explain.
The good news is that we're finally coming out of the housing slump of the past five-plus years. Housing is a major driving factor of the U.S. economy, so regardless of whether or not one owns a home, a stronger housing market is good for everyone. For some would-be home sellers, this positive momentum, combined with a rise in home prices and buyer activity, is enough to compel them to list their home. And right now the statistics appear to be on their side.
According to the most recent findings from the National Association of REALTORS®, total housing inventory has fallen for the past several months, settling at just under two million existing homes on the market that are available to buyers. This represents about a four-month-supply of homes throughout the U.S. This is the lowest housing supply the nation has seen since May of 2005 – during the peak of the housing boom.
"Months supply" basically means that if existing homes were to continue selling at the current rate, the inventory of homes would be sold by that many months. A "normal" market usually has around six months of supply; therefore lower numbers mean a shortage of inventory. If demand is greater than supply, this often leads to competition amongst buyers – and rising prices – as we've seen in many markets throughout the Western U.S.
Here are the current inventory levels in key markets along the West Coast, all of which fall below six months of supply and report strong competition among buyers.
· Seattle: 1.4 months
· Portland: 4.2 months
· San Francisco: 1.8 months
· Las Vegas: 3.8 months
· Palm Springs: 2.5 months
The following graph demonstrates the downward trend in the overall U.S. month's supply of homes which is currently at about 4.4 months:
So what does this mean for buyers and sellers? It means as long as inventory levels remain low, competition amongst buyers will remain high, and home prices should continue to steadily rise – albeit at a healthy rate – not like what we saw during the housing boom. As evidence of this, in the recent Home Price Expectation Survey, 105 leading housing analysts called for a 3.1 percent increase in home values by the end of 2013. And in a recent report by the National Association of REALTORS®, median home prices last quarter showed the strongest year-over-year increase in seven years.
Another thing that buyers and sellers need to keep their eye on is interest rates and their impact on affordability. Interest rates have been at such historical lows for so long that it's easy to take them for granted. But the truth is that several lending institutions, including Freddie Mac and the Mortgage Bankers Association, project that interest rates will rise from 3.4 to 4.4 percent by the end of 2013. A full point increase can have a significant impact on the amount of your mortgage over the long term.
I'll explain:
Assuming a 30-year-mortgage at a 3.4 percent interest rate, a home valued at $360,000 in today's market would have a monthly payment of $1,596.53. If prices rise by 3.1 percent and interest rates rise to 4.4 percent, as both have been predicted to do in the coming year, that same home would be worth $371,160 and have a monthly payment of $1,858.62 (see chart below). This is a difference of $262.09 per month – $3,145.08 annually – and $94,352.40 over the life of the loan. That's not chump change.
With these types of projections, one might wonder why there isn't a flood of homes coming on the market. The biggest concern I hear from many would-be sellers is that they're going to lose money because their home is worth less today than when they bought it. A valid concern, to be sure, but not necessarily the case for many folks. Remember, you're buying and selling in the same market conditions, so if your home has lost value in recent years, it is highly likely that the next home you buy has as well.
I recently spoke to a friend of mine who wanted to sell but was afraid of losing money. He bought his Seattle-area home back in 2002 for $275,000. Over the next five years the market boomed and by 2007 his home was worth about $430,000. During that time, homes in many areas around Seattle appreciated by over 55 percent. Then the housing market crashed – and with it so did home prices. In my friend's mind he lost $155,000 and now he thinks he should wait to sell until he can gain all that loss back.
Today, my friend's home is worth about $327,000 – a gain of $52,000 over what he paid in 2002. If experts are right about an annual gain of three percent in the coming years, he will have to wait 10 years before his home is worth what it was during the peak of the market in 2007. My advice to him? If it's the right time to move and you can afford to do it, go for it, but don't base your decision on numbers that were the result of an artificially inflated market.
It goes without saying that nobody wants to sell at the bottom of the market, yet at the same time, everybody wants to buy at the bottom. Obviously these two scenarios can't exist at the same time, but I hope the information in this blog shows there are definitely opportunities to be had by both buyers and sellers that are worth considering.
For neighborhood specific real estate statistics, check out these links.
Seattle Real Estate Statistics
Ballard Real Estate Statistics
Sunset Hill Real Estate Statistics
North Beach Real Estate Statistics
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Windermere Real Estate Seattle Northwest


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Kindle Fire's erosion of iPad market share offset by global iPhone demand
In a research note released on Monday, Canaccord Genuity said that while Amazon's tablet is expected to erode Apple's massive market share in the fourth quarter, Apple stock will see a net gain as iPhone sales will be bolstered by global launches and continually strong domestic demand.
Analyst T. Michael Walkley lowered his previous iPad sales estimates from 14 million to 13 million for the quarter ending in December, citing an expected new iPad launch next year and competition from the cheaper Kindle Fire. He writes that by the end of 2011 Amazon will be the No. 2 tablet maker with a 15.3% share, though Apple will easily retain the top spot with well over half the market.
Walkley notes that the almost 21% decrease in iPad market share quarter-to-quarter will be more than offset by increased fourth quarter iPhone sales of 30.5 million units, up from previous estimates of 29 million. He goes on to say that a healthy U.S. demand for Apple's smartphone, particularly from AT&T and Sprint customers, combined with upcoming global launches will net the iPhone its best quarterly performance of the year.
Apple's iPhone 4S is scheduled to launch in some of the world's most populated countries in 2011, including Russia, Brazil and China. The raised iPhone estimates echo recent from other investment banks such as J.P. Morgan.
End of year smartphone sales estimates put Apple in second with its 18% market share trailing Samsung's 19.5%, followed by Nokia and RIM, with 15.7% and 11% respectively.
Estimated tablet sales | Source: Canaccord Genuity
iPad will once again enjoy a commanding lead with 63.2% of the 2011 tablet market, followed by Samsung with 8.3% and newcomer Amazon with a 6.2% share.
The analyst puts a $560 target price on AAPL stock, with an increased earnings per share for fiscal year 2012 at $34.16, up from $33.52.


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Supercharge your manifesting powers and find out how to consciously create positive change in your life with this magical 48-card oracle from bestselling Moonologer Yasmin Boland. Featuring beautiful cosmic collage imagery, each card explains what you're bringing into your life, and how and when to supercharge your manifesting powers to achieve what you most desire. This captivating oracle deck will:
- reveal the true answers to your questions
- show you how to harness the energy and manifesting power of each card
- deepen your knowledge of astrology and Moonology
- empower you to connect with your emotions and manifest your dream life!
The Moonology Manifestation Oracle hones in on four phases of the Moon to provide direct, actionable guidance to help you boost your manifestation. Within each phase, the deck explores the unique power of the Moon as She moves through the signs of the zodiac, and the amazing ways these energies can influence the emotions and experiences of your daily life.
Look to the Moon for support and you will discover how to access the inner power you've had all along!
Box Size: 5 in x 3 in


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Catalog 2020-2021
Catalog Year: 2020-2021
Students have three options for academic study:
The pursuit of any other combination of multiple majors and/or minors is not permitted. Student transcripts will list the name of the major, any double major or minor, and the grade on the Senior Capstone Experience. Students should be aware that the pursuit of a double major or a major and a minor may require more than four years to complete.
Pre-registration for the last two years before graduation should be undertaken with the advice and guidance of an academic advisor in the student's chosen major. Thus a major must be declared and an advisor in that major must be designated no later than March 1 during the sophomore year (usually the fourth semester of attendance). This is accomplished by filing an Advisor Designation and Major/Minor Declaration Form with the Office of the Registrar.
Requirements for a major are as follows:
The College offers the degree of Bachelor of Arts with these majors:
Policy for double majors
A student may complete a second major at Hendrix by fulfilling the following criteria:
Policy for minors
A student may complete a minor by fulfilling the following requirements:
Changes to the above declarations can be made by completing and fining a new Advisor Designation and Major/Minor Declaration Form with the Office of the Registrar no later than December 1 during the senior year (usually the seventh semester of attendance).
The College offers the following academic minors:
The College offers one graduate degree, the Master of Arts in Accounting.
Let Us Know!


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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt was arrested again in New Jersey Wednesday evening, the same day he appeared in court for a previous arrest on traffic charges.
Police said the former Rutgers star was charged with resisting arrest after two plainclothes officers suspected he was carrying a marijuana cigar and attempted to handcuff him at a Hoboken car wash.
Hoboken Detective Sgt. Sam Williams said the detectives from the city's vice squad, Det. Steven Aguiar and Det. David DiMartino, were in line to pay at the car wash when they detected an odor of marijuana, and Aguiar noticed Britt allegedly holding a brown, rolled cigar they believed to be the source.
Both detectives identified themselves as police, Williams said, and attempted to handcuff Britt, who allegedly tried to wrestle free and push them away while attempting to crush the cigar in his fist. Williams said police believe a man who was with Britt may have disposed of the cigar in the scuffle as police wrestled Britt to the floor and handcuffed him; the other man has not been charged.
Britt is charged with obstructing the administration of the law, resisting arrest and tampering with or fabricating evidence. Police did not recover the cigar or find any drugs on Britt, and he has not been charged with any drug-related offenses. Britt was released on his own recognizance, according to police, and has a June 16 court date.
According to the summons, as reported by *The Star Ledger*, Britt "did purposely prevent or attempt to prevent a public servant from lawfully performing an official function by means of force or violence, specifically by refusing to open your hand when ordered to do so then pulling your hand away."
The Ledger reported that one count carries a possible sentence of three to five years in prison upon conviction.
The Associated Press left a message for Britt's attorney Thursday afternoon.
New Titans coach Mike Munchak said he didn't know much about Britt's latest arrest when asked by reporters after an event at the team's headquarters with Special Olympics athletes and others. Coaches can't contact players during the NFL lockout, and Munchak said they are trying to find out details on what he called probably a case of "making some bad decisions."
"Unfortunately, he's had a few things that've come up for him in the offseason," Munchak said in video posted on the team's website. "That's something we'll deal with when he comes in."
The Titans held players-only workout Wednesday in Nashville, which Britt did not attend.
Britt pleaded guilty Tuesday to separate motor-vehicle violations related to an April arrest on speeding charges in his hometown of Bayonne, N.J. He must pay a fine of more than $400 as part of that plea deal on careless driving charges. He was not present when the plea was entered Tuesday during a municipal court hearing, and Britt will have to sign a court affidavit before the plea can become official.
Britt initially faced felony charges in the April 12 incident. Bayonne police said Britt drove his Porsche at 71 mph in a 55 mph zone and then led police on a chase. Those charges were dropped last week by Hudson County prosecutors, who cited Britt's lack of a criminal record.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said Thursday he was reviewing Britt's Hoboken arrest and would determine which jurisdiction would handle the matter.
Britt has had several other run-ins with authorities. He was arrested last year for three outstanding traffic tickets and is accused of not paying a bail bond he helped secure for a friend. Nashville police also stopped Britt during training camp in August and ticketing him for driving without a license because he obtained a photo ID after misplacing his license. He also was accused of being involved in a bar fight Oct. 22 in Nashville, but authorities later decided not to charge him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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"I wish I was the kind of person that loves to exercise… I'm just not that guy."
My friend Dave takes a sip from his perfectly poured pint, while explaining his reluctance to exercise.
"I'm the guy who's really into beer," he adds. "I have no interest in exercise. Beer is my thing. That's who I am."
Dave, like lots of people, knows exercise is something he "should" do. But it holds no appeal.
Going for a run—and actually enjoying it? Unfathomable to him. The gym? Forget it.
Coaches, doctors, and fitness enthusiasts love to espouse the benefits of physical activity: It makes you feel good! It's rewarding! It's necessary!
Yet, like a triple hopped IPA, exercise can be an acquired taste. Some people love it at first sip, some learn to love it, and others just plain don't like it.
And that's okay.
Disliking exercise isn't some kind of moral failure.
It doesn't mean you're broken or lazy—it's just a personal preference.
Still, there's no denying that exercise is good for the human body.
But how do you exercise when you don't like it?
And if you're a coach, how can you help clients with this challenge—without coming off like the fitness police?
We turned to our in-house PN Coaches, who collectively have decades of experience helping people move more (including plenty of folks who'd given up on exercise altogether).
In this article, they share five refreshing strategies—plus over a dozen how-to tips—that can help you (or your clients) stop fighting with exercise.
"Why don't others appreciate exercise like I do?"
First, a few words to all the folks who are passionate about fitness.
When you love something, it's hard to understand why others don't.
But there are plenty of reasons why a person might find exercise unpleasant or undesirable. For instance…
- Past experiences: If your fitness memories include being picked last for softball, hit in the face during dodgeball, or body-shamed in the gym, you might prefer to sit in the bleachers (or avoid sports altogether).
- Pain: For some people, certain forms of movement hurt. They can exacerbate chronic pain, injuries, and existing health conditions.
- Discomfort: Some dislike the feeling of movement, breathing hard, or getting sweaty. People in larger bodies or with disabilities may find exercise equipment or group classes simply aren't built for them. On top of physical discomfort, this can trigger feelings of shame and being "out of place."
- Perception: When exercise is treated like a chore, punishment, or a test of physical limits ("unless you puke, faint, or die, keep going") some folks may opt-out altogether.
- Identity: Some people (like my beer drinking friend Dave) are turned off by fitness culture. They don't want to be a "gym bro" or join a "spin cult"—their identity lies elsewhere.
Doesn't exercise make people happy?
Physical activity can provide an endorphin rush, or "runner's high." (It's also been shown to contribute to mental wellness.)
But that pleasurable dose of hormones isn't as reliable as it's made out to be.
"Individual reaction to exercise varies," says Helen Kollias, PhD, science advisor at Precision Nutrition.
"Endorphin response can be tricky to measure, so there's a lot we don't know. But it's possible that some people may produce more endorphins and/or be more sensitive to them. Genetic differences may play a role."1
Dr. Kollias adds:
"The 'runner's high' experience even varies day to day. One day a runner may experience an endorphin rush but nothing the next."
Bottom line: Don't assume your clients will experience a delicious endorphin rush simply by working harder. (But it's a bonus if they do.)
Strategy #1: Stop trying to exercise.
Yes, you read that correctly.
"Stop trying" may sound like strange advice, but hear us out.
If exercise feels like an impossible, torturous task, the best approach might be to take it off the table completely.
A few reasons:
For one, the more you push against your own resistance (or your clients'), the more that resistance is likely to grow. Conversely, if you stop telling yourself you "should" exercise, you might discover you're more likely to do it.
Also: You don't HAVE to exercise.
Yes, it's good for you. But you're in the driver's seat in this life. And you get to choose how you spend your time and energy.
That said, if you want to explore movement in a pressure-free way, check out these tips.
▶ Try a "do nothing" experiment.
Here's a weird idea: Limit your movement for a few days and see what happens.
"When a client tells me they don't want to exercise, I say, 'Great, don't do it. In fact, don't even move. Just lie in bed and do as little as possible,'" says PN Master Coach Kate Solovieva.
And what happens?
"Eventually most people are going to want to move in some way, of their own volition. They'll say, 'Wait a second, I actually want to move around a bit. I want to go for a walk'."
This isn't about tricking yourself into wanting to move; it's about learning if and when movement does feel good for you. You might discover your body craves movement more than you realized.
▶ Focus on other ways to improve your health.
It can be easy to fixate on the thing (you think) you're bad at.
But when you do that, you can miss other (potentially easier, less stressful) opportunities for improvement.
"If you absolutely cannot or will not move in any way, think of it like this: You still have plenty of other ways to improve your health," says PN Coach and Holistic Nutritionist Sarah Maughan.
"You could put your time and energy into improving your sleep, your stress management, your nutrition, and so on. Exercise isn't the only ingredient in a healthy life."
Of all the health-improving options available to you, what's most appealing? Make that your priority for now.
▶ Build your bucket list.
Rather than obsessing over how much you hate the gym, Solovieva suggests putting the focus on what you want to do.
"Sometimes, I'll say: 'Okay, let's put exercise aside for a while. Instead, let's talk bucket list. Tell me about the things you're curious about, the things you want to try before you die'."
The items on your bucket list might naturally inspire you to get moving (perhaps you want to be fit enough to cycle around Amsterdam or climb a volcano in Hawaii). Or not.
Regardless, the "bucket list" exercise can shift your focus towards what you want for yourself—which can be meaningful and energizing, no matter what you choose.
Brainstorm a bunch of things you want to try in your lifetime. Then consider: Which of these could you start working towards today?
Strategy #2: Aim for "movement" rather than "exercise."
"People often assume they have to go straight into training for a marathon or lifting heavy weights," says Solovieva. "But in order to get the benefit of movement, you don't have to train. You can just move."
And if you're wondering how you'll find big blocks of time to exercise—or even move?
"You don't necessarily need to schedule time to exercise," says Maughan. "Your movement could just be a pile of mini actions that add up over the day."
Those "mini actions" could be anything: walking to the office water cooler for a drink; emptying the dishwasher or mowing the lawn; goofing around with your kids.
Bonus: Research shows that when you treat exercise as fun or play (rather than work), you'll be less prone to hedonic compensation—the phenomenon of loading up on treats post-workout, negating a calorie burn, if that's what you're after.2
Either way: Moving rather than exercising might feel more accessible—and have less baggage attached to it.
Want to get moving? Try these tips.
▶ Aim to slightly increase the ways you already move.
PN Coach Jeremy Fernandes points out that even if you hate movement, you might be doing more than you think.
"Unless you're literally lying in bed all day, you're probably getting some kind of movement. Just getting up in the morning, making breakfast, getting to work—all these things require movement, says Fernandes.
"So the real question is, How can you expand on the movement you're already doing?"
For example—could you pace the bathroom while you brush your teeth? Circle the block after you take out the trash? Walk the dog for an extra few minutes? And so on.
▶ Lean into the "mostly inactive" things you enjoy.
"One client of mine wanted to move more, but movement wasn't her thing," says Solovieva. "Her passion was cooking. So we focused on that: I encouraged her to cook more, to check out new recipes, and so on."
Here's the interesting part:
"The more she got into cooking, the more she moved. Without trying, she naturally became more physically active by grocery shopping, chopping, picking up pots and pans, and moving around her kitchen."
In time, Solovieva's client grew more comfortable moving. (She even eventually graduated to some home workouts.)
Cooking isn't your only option. Many hobbies involve movement, even if they aren't seen as "fitness activities." For example:
- Love to read? Walk to the library or stroll around a bookstore.
- Like to paint? Try painting on a larger canvas so you're encouraged to stand and make some larger arm movements.
- Shopping fanatic? Instead of shopping online, saunter through the mall or local shops.
And hey, if you're a beer fan like my buddy Dave, maybe do a brewery tour, or walk to the beer store instead of driving.
▶ Embrace the "everything counts" philosophy.
Get this: Just thinking that your daily activities "count" towards your fitness goals can make a difference.
One study conducted out of Harvard University found that if we believe our daily activities (like housework or child care) count as exercise, the physiological benefit of those activities is enhanced.3
The placebo effect can be a legitimate way to increase physical fitness, without changing your daily routine.
So, think about your daily routines, and appreciate how the activities you do are already contributing to your health.
Strategy #3: Do Less.
To reap the benefits of movement, you might need less than you think.
According to the CDC Physical Activity Guidelines, adults should aim to get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week (or 22 to 43 minutes a day).4
(Note: Time-crunched folks can also meet the guidelines by doing 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.)
But exercise isn't all-or-nothing: Everything counts.
If the above recommendations sound overwhelming to you, try these tips.
▶ Break your goal into manageable pieces.
In her book, The Play Book: How to Get In the Habit of Good Health, coach and play expert Janet Omstead, PN2-MHC, suggests:
"If 22 minutes all at once feels like too much, just break up that 22 minutes into smaller chunks."
For example, 22 minutes broken up over the course of the day could look like:
- 5 minutes of movement 5 times
- 8 mins of movement 3 times
- 11 mins of movement 2 times
(Small but effective exercise "snacks" are also called "trigger workouts." Read more about them here: The intermittent workout method that could transform the way you exercise)
▶ Start small and build slowly.
"You can also make 22 minutes the goal rather than the starting point," says Omstead.
"You can even take a year, or longer to work up to 22 minutes. For example, if you start at 5 minutes per day and add 1 minute per day each month, at the end of a year you'd be at 17 minutes a day—and you'll have built a regular daily habit, something many people never achieve."
▶ Explore the continuum.
If exercise seems like an all-or-nothing kind of thing (you're either training for an IronMan or in full-on couch potato mode), start thinking on a spectrum.
"I ask clients to imagine a continuum from 0 to 10," says Solovieva. "If 10 is 'I move all the time and do everything perfectly' and 0 is 'I don't move at all and just lie on the couch till I kick the bucket', what are some options in between?"
One way to think about this is to imagine movement as a dial or volume knob. If you were to turn your volume knob up a bit—say a 2/10 or a 3/10—what might that look like?
When you explore the continuum you might find a level of activity that feels doable for you.
(And hey—this "dial" method works for basically all of your health habits. Learn more: Never press "pause" on your health and fitness again. This free tool is your secret weapon)
Strategy #4: Try stuff.
If you do want to move more—and ideally, find something you like, if not love—there's no getting around it:
You'll have to give some things a try.
That maybe means doing some stuff you might not like. Fortunately, there are ways to make the experimentation process more fun (or at least, not awful).
Here are some ideas.
▶ Apply the 10 minute rule.
"Give yourself permission to try just 10 minutes of something. If you don't like it, you can stop," says PN Coach Pam Ruhland.
This low-pressure approach makes it easier to try new things: Get in the pool with your kids for just 10 minutes and see how it goes. Try 10 minutes of an online Zumba class or a yoga video on YouTube.
"Knowing you can quit can make it easier to get started—which is actually the hardest part," says Ruhland.
▶ Return to things you used to like.
"How did you love to play when you were young? Start there," says Omstead.
"Make a list of all the ways you loved to play and be active when you were a kid. Did you jump rope? Play soccer? Explore the forest? Chase the ice cream truck down the street?"
Pick something from your list and try it. Yes, it might be harder as an adult. (Where do kids get the energy to jump rope for hours?) But it might also rekindle your playfulness.
And don't forget, you can always quit after 10 minutes.
▶ Create your "bingo card" of new activities.
Even if you think you hate ALL exercise, there are probably things you haven't tried.
To experiment, Solovieva suggests creating a "bingo card" of new activities.
She explains: "On each square, put an activity you'd like to try: maybe yoga goes on one square, zumba, hiking, boxing, and so on."
Then, for the next 30 or 60 days, aim to fill the bingo card by trying each activity.
"In the end, maybe you'll still hate everything you tried," says Solovieva. "But even if you don't like the activities themselves, the process of experimenting can be weirdly fun."
(If you like this idea, download our free PDF: Movement Bingo)
Strategy #5: Adjust your expectations.
Fitness culture has exploded. This can be a good thing when it encourages people to get active and try new things, but it can also be, well, intense.
These days, it seems you can't just throw on some sweats and move your body; you have to go full BEAST MODE.
And it's not enough to just get it done, you have to do something you LOVE [unicorn emoji, rainbow emoji, heart emoji].
Plus, your efforts should somehow result in six-pack abs no matter your age, gender, and lifestyle. #noexcuses
Let's take the expectations down a notch, shall we?
Truth is, movement doesn't require anything fancy, or have to yield some magical transformation overnight.
By adjusting your expectations around exercise, you can make the whole thing less of an ordeal… maybe even more fun.
Here's what that can look like.
▶ Don't worry about "loving it"—aim for "meh" instead.
Exercise advocates will tell you to "find something you love." But for some of us, "love" is too strong of a word.
Case in point: One day, Fernandes asked a previously inactive client what she loved about her new workout routine.
Her answer surprised him.
"I don't love any of this," she said. "I don't love walking. I don't love going to the gym. What I do feel is a sense of contentment after I've done it."
But you know what? That's okay, says Fernandes.
"The good new is that you don't have to love it. The goal is to find something tolerable that adds some value to your life."
Think of it like brushing your teeth: "No one gets really excited about doing it, but you know it's important for your health, and it feels good after you do it," says Fernandes.
▶ Be nicer to yourself.
Years ago, a friend and I agreed we'd start working out.
Without intending to do so, we both took different approaches:
The night before, I'd write little notes of encouragement for myself to see first thing in the morning. Stuff like, "You are a badass."
My friend, however, would wake up and say to herself: "Get up you lazy bum. That weight isn't going to lose itself."
Guess which one of us made it to our workout? (It was me.)
These results aren't just anecdotal:
We interviewed a bunch of PN Certified coaches about what causes clients to quit, and they all agreed that "beating themselves up" was the #1 factor.
Research also shows that self-compassion—being kind and supportive to yourself—is positively associated with health-promoting behaviors like eating healthy, exercising, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress.5 6
(Want to give self-compassion go? Check out our Self-Compassion Quickie.)
It makes sense: Being a jerk to yourself pretty much guarantees you're not going to have a good time, no matter what you're doing.
So, watch your self-talk. Try to be kind and encouraging, and give yourself a gold star for your efforts, no matter how small.
Maybe even write a friendly note for yourself. Sounds cheesy, but it works.
Click here to view the information sources referenced in this article.
If you're a coach, or you want to be…
You can help people build nutrition and lifestyle habits that improve their physical and mental health, bolster their immunity, help them better manage stress, and get sustainable results. We'll show you how.
If you'd like to learn more, consider the PN Level 1 Nutrition Coaching Certification.
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The holiday season certainly is magical but, there is no doubt that it the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, traveling, and celebrating can add stress to your everyday lives. According to a study conducted in 2017 by the US Highbush Blueberry Council, "31 percent of Americans describe the season as frantic." These added stressors can be brought on by shopping for gifts, crowds, cleaning, and cooking. While these are all a part of the holidays, there is no reason that stress needs to become a holiday tradition too. One of the most effective ways to help relieve all that stress is through deep tissue massage. A deep tissue massage has been proven to help lower high blood pressure, treat back pain, help relieve arthritis, rehabilitate muscles, and, most importantly, relieve stress. Not only can stress impact day-to-day lives, but it is also considered a risk factor for a multitude of chronic diseases. That why it is so important to get a massage both during the holiday season and regularly.
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Similar species: Lemna aequinoctialis, Lemna perpusilla, Lemna turionifera, and Lemna minor have two to four veins and tend to be wider than 1.5 mm. Lemna turionifera and L. minor can be distinguished from L. aequinoctialis by having round-tipped roots that are usually longer than 3 cm and plant bodies that are tinged with red. Lemna perpusilla has a winged root sheath that is two to three times as long as wide and one to three projections above the root attachment that are larger than the projection near the tip.
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