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By Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa
A young Pierre Poilievre sits in front of a room of Conservative faithful and explains their party's strategy for winning a majority mandate.
That hasn't happened yet. It's 2009 and while the Tories have won two federal elections, they've remained in minority territory for three years.
"We will win a majority if we appeal to naturally conservative-inclined voters and get them out to vote, and we turn small-c conservative immigrants into big-C Conservative voters," the MP says in a video posted to the website of the Cable Public Affairs Channel.
"That's the formula."
More than a decade after former prime minister Stephen Harper pulled off that majority in 2011, Poilievre is the party's leader.
Since Harper's four-year term, Conservatives have lost three straight elections to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals, with losses stacking up in Toronto- and Vancouver-area suburban seats, home to many visible minorities and new Canadians.
If there's one thing many in the party agree on, it's the need for Conservatives to build support in such communities. But can Poilievre do it?
Enter Arpan Khanna. This week, Poilievre tapped the Greater Toronto Area lawyer, who served as one of the co-chairs on his leadership campaign in Ontario, to co-ordinate outreach efforts.
Khanna was a political staffer for the man federal Conservatives credit most for making the inroads with immigrant communities that helped Harper along to a majority: Jason Kenney.
Colleagues had nicknamed the former federal cabinet minister and Alberta premier the "minister of curry in a hurry" for spending his weekends darting to dozens of cultural events around Toronto and Vancouver.
Khanna said he sees the same drive in Poilievre, who visited the Toronto area multiple times, plus Vancouver in his first three months as leader, sometimes attending up to 15 events a day. He is planning visits with Chinese community groups in Markham, Scarborough, Vancouver and Burnaby to mark the Lunar New Year.
The new leader has taken the idea of "building a Jason Kenney style of outreach" to heart, Khanna said. "He's all into this. He understands the importance of it."
The first step is showing up, he said.
"We recently were at someone's backyard for a barbecue party with about 100 people from the Tamil community, just having a conversation about their issues."
Poilievre has been hitting the road nearly every weekend.
Often travelling with him are his two deputy leaders. Melissa Lantsman, who is Jewish and the party's first openly lesbian member of Parliament, hails from Thornhill, just north of Toronto. Longtime Edmonton MP Tim Uppal, who is Sikh, became Canada's first minister to wear a turban when Harper appointed him to cabinet in 2011.
For the high-profile finance critic role, Poilievre picked former small business owner Jasraj Singh Hallan, who had been considered an at-risk youth after immigrating to Canada as a child.
It's stories like Hallan's that Poilievre promotes, touting the promise of the Canadian dream.
"It doesn't matter if your name is Poilievre or Patel … Martin or Mohamed," a video posted online shows Poilievre saying at a Diwali event in October. "If you're prepared to work hard, contribute, follow the rules, raise your family, you can achieve your dreams in this country."
Poilievre often points out that he married an immigrant Canadian. His wife Ana and her family were refugees from Venezuela.
Tenzin Khangsar, who worked in Kenney's office when he was immigration minister and assisted with the Tories' outreach strategy, said Poilievre is setting an example for his caucus and the entire party. "And frankly shows to all Canadians that look, 'this is a priority for me. This is not just something I'll do during an election campaign.'"
Khangsar said that if step one is showing up, step two is following up with policy.
Poilievre has promised to get provinces to speed up recognizing foreign credentials, one of his first policy announcements as a leadership candidate. He's also railed against "gatekeepers" at the federal immigration department.
During a roundtable with ethnic community media convened during the race, Poilievre said immigrant and Conservative values are the same: "hard work, family, freedom, tradition."
"Values upon which we need to build a future Conservative party."
A roughly 50-minute video from the event shared on Facebook shows Poilievre offering more detail on his immigration policy ideas: expanding express entry, making it easier for temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents, improving immigrants' ability to bring their parents to Canada to help with child care and expanding private sponsorship of refugees.
He was emphatic in an interview with a Punjabi radio show last month: "The Conservative party is pro-immigration."
But the NDP's immigration critic, Jenny Kwan, threw water on the idea, saying in a statement that the Harper government cut settlement services for newcomers and made family reunifications more difficult.
Liberal Immigration Minister Sean Fraser didn't wade into the Tories' past, but in a statement said speaking to newcomers is the job of any political leader.
"Newcomers are not a voting block to pander to. They are Canadians, and soon-to-be Canadians."
But many Conservatives believe that the party's approach to immigration issues lost them the 2015 election, as Tories pushed policies such as banning niqabs at citizenship ceremonies and establishing a tip line for so-called barbaric cultural practices.
Lantsman and Uppal both publicly apologized for supporting what became known as the "niqab ban." But Poilievre has defended the policy as simply requiring "that a person's face be visible while giving oaths at citizenship ceremonies."
An internal review of the Tories' 2021 election loss found the party's image remained damaged among immigrant communities.
Poilievre's immigration critic, Tom Kmiec, said Conservatives believe in an "employer-driven immigration system."
Asked whether they support the Liberal government's plan to welcome a record-high number of permanent residents in the coming years, which includes a target of 500,000 by 2025, Kmiec said "the number is not as important as the customer-service experience."
Kmiec, a Polish immigrant, said the federal immigration department is dealing with massive backlogs and out-of-control processing times. "It's a total lack of compassion to over-promise what you can actually deliver."
Andrew Griffith, a former director of multiculturalism policy for the federal government, predicted Conservatives will avoid attacking the targets for fear of being labelled xenophobic.
Griffith said he doesn't perceive the party is skeptical about immigration, despite such views being historically present in its base.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2022.
Banner image via The Canadian Press


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Pre-Owned Visitor Linden Amaranth
This pre-owned watch is in 92% condition due to slight marks on the lugs, bezel, and throughout the case. The strap is in 90% condition due to slight wear and creasing. This watch comes with a replacement OEM watch pod, and the one-year Topper Pre-Owned Select warranty.
- Movement: Automatic
- Case size: 39mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial color: Mauve
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Strap/Bracelet: Brown Leather Strap
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1 Year Limited Warranty
Your Topper Pre-Owned Select Watch is guaranteed by Topper Fine Jewelers. As such, it is warranted against mechanical failure for 12 months from the date of sale. Damage resulting from service provided anywhere other than at Topper Fine Jewelers is not covered and shall void the warranty. Topper Fine Jewelers will have sole discretion to determine if the work for the warranty it provides will be performed "in house" by Topper Fine Jewelers, or if the work will be performed at the facilities of the maker of the watch by their authorized representatives. The limited warranty does not cover bracelets, crystals, batteries, or any damage to the case or movement caused by moisture that might have entered the watch as a result of improper handling, nor does it apply, on a more general basis, if there is evidence of misuse or abuse. Only Topper Fine Jewelers will determine, at its sole discretion, to repair any watch under this warranty.

subset: commoncrawl


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Research linking New Zealand's diminutive kiwi with a giant extinct bird from Africa is prompting scientists to rethink how flightless birds evolved.
A report published Friday in the journal Science says DNA testing indicates the chicken-size kiwi's closest relative is the elephant bird from Madagascar, which grew up to 3 m (10 feet) high and weighed up to 250 kg (550 pounds) before becoming extinct about 1,000 years ago.
The authors say the results contradict earlier theories that the kiwi and other flightless birds, including the ostrich and emu, evolved as the world's continents drifted apart about 130 million years ago.
Instead, they say, it's more likely their chicken-size, flight-capable ancestors enjoyed a window of evolutionary ascendancy about 60 million years ago, after dinosaurs died out and before mammals grew big.
Those birds, the authors say, likely flew between the continents, with some staying and becoming the large,flightless species we know today.
Alan Cooper, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia and a co-author of the paper, said the DNA results came as a huge surprise given the differences in size and location between the kiwi and elephant bird.
"This has been an evolutionary mystery for 150 years. Most things have been suggested but never this," he said. "The birds are about as different as you can get in terms of geography, morphology and ecology."
Cooper, a New Zealander by birth, is hoping the paper will also bring him a measure of redemption.
That's because two decades ago, Cooper and other scientists discovered genetic links between the kiwi and two Australian flightless birds, the cassowary and the emu. That led to New Zealanders believing their iconic bird might have come from Australia, a traditional rival.
"There was a huge outpouring of angst," Cooper said. "New Zealanders weren't too impressed."
The nation's identity is so entwined with the bird that New Zealanders call themselves kiwis and have also given the name to their currency and the kiwifruit.
But it turns out that if the emu was a cousin to the kiwi, the elephant bird was a sibling. Cooper said it has taken until now for DNA techniques to advance enough to get a usable result from the ancient bones of the Madagascan bird.
Cooper said the bird took its name from Arabic legends that suggested it was so fearsome it could grab an elephant with its talons.
There's little basis for the legend given the bird was a flightless herbivore. In fact, it was likely humans that hunted it into oblivion, Cooper said.
Trevor Worthy, a research fellow at Australia's Flinders University and a paper co-author, said it's likely the kiwi stayed small and took to eating insects at night because it didn't want to compete for habitat and food with another New Zealand flightless bird, the moa, which is also now extinct. He said it's strange the kiwi and elephant bird are such close relatives.
"One got big, one stayed little," he said.
Massey University professor David Penny, who wasn't involved in the research but who peer reviewed it for Science, said the results are very interesting and help complete the puzzle of flightless birds.


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How to update your personal information.
It is very important that we hold the correct personal details for you at the practice. This includes your address, telephone number and email. Please let us know straight away if you move house or change your telephone number.
The easiest why to do this is via the online service portal.Login to online services
Register for online services.
Or you can visit the reception desk to make these changes.


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160/40 x 10 Tyre (160/40-10) Black. Pneumatic
160/40 x 10 Mobility Scooter Tyres by Unilli. Suitable for a range of mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and more.
Size: 160/40x10 (160/40-10)
This product will fit the following mobility scooters:
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Colour: Grey
Any Wheelchair Tyre questions please ask, we're happy to help.
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Where a fully tracked service is used, the tracking reference will be emailed to you the same day of shipping.
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You are welcome to return your order within 90 days of receipt of the item in the original and unopened condition. Return postage costs are at the buyer's expense. Our Returns Policy lasts 90 days. If 90 days have gone by since the receipt of the goods, unfortunately we can't offer you a refund or exchange as the Returns period has elapsed. Any return that arrives with us outside of the 90 days return period as noted above will not be accepted. If delivered, it will be for the buyer to arrange collection of their goods/ their return at their cost. If the buyer does not collect the incorrectly returned goods, we, the Seller reserves the right to dispose of any goods that are wrongly returned / not collected within 14 days of their arrival with us, the Seller.
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Please contact us via email to arrange a return.


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Guns 101
OK, so what are those "mechanical attachments" that are part of a gun? Well, let's break it down into some basic pieces:
Gun Components
In 99.9% of all cases, all guns include the following parts: muzzle, breach, hammer and trigger. These components often determine how a firearm operates and how it is classified.
Muzzle: The Business End of a Gun
Muzzle = Front. Or, more specifically, the muzzle is the opening on the front of a firearm. This is where the projectile comes out of. Click on the examples below for more detail.
The Breech
Simply, the breech is the back. With early firearms, the technology limited how guns were loaded. For centuries, guns could only be loaded through the muzzle and they were known as "muzzle-loading" guns. Later, as technology improved, guns could be loaded through the breach and were referred to as "breech-loading". Click below to see some examples of gun breeches:
The Hammer
The hammer is the part of the firearm that makes contact with the bullet primer to ignite the powder and propel the bullet out of the muzzle (read more about bullet cartridges). For most handguns and some rifles, the hammer is visible on the outside of the firearm. However, for most rifles and shotguns and some pistols, the hammer is internal.
With some guns, the hammer doesn't even contact the primer directly at all. In those cases, a firing pin is used. The firing pin is struck by the hammer driving it forward into the bullet's primer to fire the round.
The Trigger
The trigger is the part of a firearm that files the round. On certain guns, like single action revolvers, the hammer has to be "cocked" – or pulled back into position – before the trigger can be pulled. In those cases, the pull of the trigger releases the hammer to fire the round. With most other guns, the trigger pull is considered double action in that pulling the trigger both cocks the hammer and releases it thereby firing the gun..


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Scanning for / Alerting on presence of Client Macs / ESSIDs
There are a number of few great posts out there on this very subject, but hell, no harm in another one
as it is an interesting subject.
Basically I thought it would be cool to have some form of alert system based on mobiles so I could keep track of the coming and goings around the house.
(and when the missus returns so have a few secs to hide the empties.. ;) )
So what methods are there ?
Well if we are talking mobiles then bluetooth & WiFi options are what you could look at.
ronin (JP Dunning from www.hackfromacave.com) already made a cool script called blueranger.sh which is included in KALI so anything I can think of will have to wait until I consider it to be of similar quality.. ;)
The jist of it however is as follows ;
Use l2ping to ping a known BADDR and then use hcitool to verify the link quality, for example ;l2ping -i hci0 -c 1 00:11:22:33:44:55 ; hcitool -i hci0 lq 00:11:22:33:44:55
A way to start is to monitor the packets with probe request as these are what wifi devices are constantly broadcasting to see if they can connect to a (known or preferred) network.
Packets with probe requests can be monitored with a program like wireshark or tcpdump or any other of the available packet sniffers out there that support monitor interfaces.
(You will need a monitor interface to pick up the packets coming from devices not on your network)
Wireshark is a very well known, well supported & documented programme
Start a capture in wireshark with your card in monitor mode and then use the filter ;
wlan.fc.type_subtype eq 4
This will list all probe requests allowing you to see the Client's MAC address and probed ESSIDs
Drilling down deeper in the packet you can find more information which you may find interesting such as signal strength.
A good tip on how to find out what filter is required to focus on certain information, is to drill down and find the information you want, then simply select row of interest, and then ;
Right Click -> Apply as Filter -> Selected
Now you will see the required filter context and the filter will be in use.
Very handy to find out what the filter context is, as there are a lot...
But I was more looking for something to script with, so needed a CLI variant.
If you're looking for a CLI solution for packet sniffing, then tcpdump is one of the first tools that comes to mind.
Again you will need an interface in monitor mode, let's say we have a mon0 interface, then you could use the below line to sniff for packets with probe requests;
tcpdump -i mon0 -e -s 256 type mgt subtype probe-req 2> /dev/null
(the 2> /dev/null to avoid the standard error message)
tcpdump works great, but when piping the output to a script I was having trouble with its buffering, even when using the -l switch.
tshark is the CLI version of Wireshark and so output can be filtered using the filters which can also be used in the GUI version.
tshark -i wlan2mon -n -l subtype probereq
Using the -T switch we can further choose which fields we want using filters (which can be found using the aforementioned method in wireshark's GUI.
tshark -i mon0 -n -l subtype probereq -T fields -e wlan.sa -e radiotap.dbm_antsignal -e wlan_mgt.ssid
wlan.sa == source address
radiotap.dbm_antsignal == rssi
wlan_mgt.ssid == ESSID
Now with some scripting was able to make something come to life to satisfy my curiosity :D
It can (and probably will in the future) be improved in some areas, but for now it works more or less OK.
Anyways, enter shee.sh, a script to either log all seen probe requests or alert on seeing known or unknown client macs depending on the options chosen.
The script was written on, and intended for use on Kali Linux.
Easiest to first make the script executable;
chmod +x shee.sh
When running the script without any switches or with just the -h switch help info will be shown ;
./shee -h
There are input checks on the Interface (to make sure that the interface exists and is in monitor mode)
and also on the MAC address input (to make sure that correct syntax is used)
shee.sh requires a monitor interface to function, to check what wireless interfaces you have
and what their status is, you can use the -I switch ;
./shee.sh -I
The interface to use should be specified using the i switch.
You can set the script up to sniff specific MAC addresses using the -m switch and specifying the MAC address.
The MAC address can either be entered using colons or hyphens;
00:11:22:33:44:55 or 00-11-22-33-44-55
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon -m 00:11:22:33:44:55
Or you can set it up to listen for a specific probed ESSID with the -e switch followed by the target ESSID (use quotation marks if spaces!) ;
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon -e "Awesome Sauce"
Or you can just set it up to simply log all clients probing about ;
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon
At the moment this function prints all it sees and does not (yet) only print new clients, something for me to think about ;)
All the 3 above scans will continue until stopped with Ctrl-C.
Including the -s switch will allow a sound alert to occur with each found Client for the above 3 options (if further switches are used then it is required to enter the mode) ;
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon -M 1 -m 00:11:22:33:44:55 -s
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon -M 2 -e "Awesome Sauce" -s
./shee.sh -i wlan4mon -M 3 -s
I will be slowly checking the script and improving where I can, but so far it seems like a decent start to the blog after a looong period of silence... (yes kids.. babies, houses and work do that :D )
As always, I appreciate any and all comments.
Script updated to v0.2 12-06-2015
Download link;
Useful/Interesting blogs/posts on this


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The best way, in my humble opinion, to begin the story of Lindsey and Doug is to give you a quote from Shakespeare (after all, he did pen the greatest love story of all time), "My love is deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have...". Lindsey and Doug's wedding was a classic tale of a girl who loved a boy (and books) and a boy who loved her back. It was just so evident when we met Lindsey and Doug in person for the first time (we had a few Skype dates prior), how much they loved one another. We walked through their reception venue with them at the Moorestown Community House and chatted about how we could make her vision of books and flowers and love come to life in this English/Colonial mansion built in 1923. Yep, DONE! Lindsey and I shared in our affinity for novels and our respect and admiration of the great Authors who penned the classics. I was super jazzed to help plan their literary tale. I mean, is this anything but complete and utter love?? Their stunning head table and moss initials above the fire place. Sister/Maid of Honor rapped her own words to JayZ's Empire State of Mind with the bridesmaids as her back up singers. Video is below (no judging...it's an iPhone video!) Lindsey & Doug, we can not thank you enough for allowing us to be a part of your awesome day! Congratulations again!! And another big thanks to Tami Melissa Photography for the amazing photos, Lovesick, Inc. for the awesome music and for making the guests sweat from dancing and to Moorestown Community House for the gorgeous venue! Church: First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown
Reception Venue: Moorestown Community House Florist: Wegmans DJ's: Lovesick, Inc. Photography: Tami Melissa Photography Catering: Le Pierre Catering Rentals: Party Rental, Ltd. Comments are closed.


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Wings worldquest recognizes and supports
extraordinary women
in science and exploration.
Through the Fellows and Flag Carrier programs, WINGS creates community and showcases the groundbreaking work of women scientists and explorers, whose discoveries advance scientific inquiry, stimulate conservation, and lead to better understanding of our world.
WINGS' outreach programs provide a platform for women scientists and explorers to share their work and inspire the next generation of intrepid explorers and global problem-solvers. To date, WINGS has honored over 79 extraordinary explorers through its Women of Discovery Awards and Fellows Program and provided nearly $600,000 in research and field support, monies that in many cases have proven critical to continued study.


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Perhaps you've heard from a well-meaning friend or advisor that you can use an inexpensive Transfer on Death Deed to keep your property out of court without going to the trouble of creating a Living Trust. If so, read this before you rely on a Transfer on Death Deed to ensure that you aren't creating more trouble for the people you love.
On January 1, 2016, Assembly Bill 139 went into effect, providing California residents with a new way to transfer residential property to their heirs. Specifically, the law creates a Revocable Transfer on Death Deed (TOD Deed), intended to be a simple tool for transferring ownership of real property to beneficiaries upon the property owner's death.
The law was initially heralded as a welcome alternative to Revocable Living Trusts, which some believe to be costly, time consuming, and complex. A TOD Deed allows named beneficiaries to assume ownership of your residential property without undergoing probate or trust administration.
However, before you rely on a TOD Deed as a cheaper alternative to full-on Revocable Living Trust planning, consider these factors …
First, the TOD Deed only applies to certain types of real property:
- A single-family home or condominium,
- A single-family residence on agricultural property of 40 acres or less, or
- A multi-family residence with no more than four units.
Moreover, a TOD Deed has several other restrictions and requirements.
- It must be signed and dated before a notary to be valid.
- It must be recorded within 60 days from the date it's signed.
- It does not permit designation of beneficiaries by class (e.g. "my siblings").
- It must strictly adhere to the form prescribed by the statute.
Finally, and most importantly BEWARE of these major risks:
The TOD Deed offers no protection from your creditors.
- If your property is held joint tenancy, your joint tenant becomes the sole owner upon your death and has full control of the property, and your Transfer on Death Deed is inapplicable.
- Unlike with a Living Trust, a Transfer on Death Deed cannot be used to manage, sell, or borrow against the property during your incapacity. This means that if you become incapacitated, there's no action your beneficiary can take to get access to using your property as a resource for your care, as your Trustee could, if you had your property in a Revocable Living Trust.
- If the beneficiary is a minor upon your death, a court-appointed custodian will need to be named to control your property until the child reaches legal age. With a Living Trust, you get to name the person to handle the property until your child reaches legal age, and you can even set up your trust so that when your child does inherit it, he or she can receive it protected from a future divorce or future creditors.
- Title insurance companies have been reluctant to insure clear title until three years after the grantor's death when a Transfer on Death deed is used. During this time, the beneficiary will likely be unable to sell or borrow against the property.
- The property may be subject to Medi-Cal Estate Recovery, if you received Medi-Cal benefits.
Unless extended, the new law will sunset on January 1, 2021, but TOD Deeds executed before that date will remain valid.
Warning: Since its inception, significant flaws have been found within the statute, and some advocates believe it will lead to increased elder abuse. For more on this, read a letter from the Executive Committee of the Trusts & Estates Section of the California Bar, appended as an exhibit to the California Law Revision Commission's Memorandum # 2017-35.
Given these concerns, we recommend against the use of the TOD Deed and advise those seeking to transfer their real estate in a manner that is best for you, and the people you love to schedule a Family Wealth Planning Session™ with us to choose an option that will best meet your needs. Schedule online.


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You are here
Programming insight that helped unblock me
I'm finding a big part of the context switch involved in getting back to a high level of productivity on my programming is relearning old lessons.
In particular one of the most important lessons is to figure out how to systematically break down different goals into separate steps in a way that allows you to concentrate your full brain power on each of those steps in succession rather than trying to get it all done at once.
For instance, being a perfectionist is a bitch. I don't want to write ugly code! But writing code that works is hard enough. Writing code that is both beautiful (read: elegant and easy to understand) and that works is a bit overwhelming. Trying to engage my mind on two different goals at the same time either locks me into paralysis or reduces my productivity dramatically as my brain constantly switches back and forth between these two goals without getting that much of anything done.
So the trick is to do it in two steps:
- Write ugly code the works: Give yourself permission to write a chunk of code that is sloppy, ugly, in the wrong place, etc. Your full brain power is concentrated on just getting it to work (I.e., pass the next test).
- Make it pretty: Refactor it so it's pretty (e.g., easy to understand, small and elegant, small) while making sure you don't break your test.
Presto: good code that works.
You still have to be careful how much ugly code you write. If you go too far you may tie a knot of tangled complexity too difficult to break without a full re-implementation.
Note, I don't think I'm breaking new ground here. Just deepening the existing paths.
Good advice
I've been a victim of paralysis by analysis. And it's worst when you are learning new technologies. My code for the web tkldevenv interface started very VERY ugly. I didn't know in python indentation was so important! The code was totally messy, as I'm also in my crash course for learning vim. And of course there's django. But after about a month of work, I'm getting better. Just today I finally put some steroids on vim to work like a real programming tool. So now I'm fixing indentation with the 4 space standard. And rearranging files from one directory to another. And moving functions from files to common libs. It's a very agile way of working. and I'm really enjoying the process. I had a previous failure with other app in ruby which I was also learning and trying to do everything following all standards and also trying to make it pretty on the outside (the gui). I had a deadline so the project didn't end well. * sight *
In this app (tkldevenv), I'm programming the gui with 0 javascript, which also has been a bit of a challenge. For me, writing guis is something that I'm not very good at. So trying to do an ajax interface with jquery at the same time as I'm learing python/django/git/vim/jquery would have locked me completely. So my plans are 0 (and I really mean zero!) javascript. And once the app is working, I'll use the Unobstrusive Javascript technique to focus on enhancing the user experience.
I hope this helps me to advance on the project more easily. I think that was my error with the previous ruby project. And there's the whole testing world which is in my learning path too, in my way to becoming an agile pragmatic zen programmer :D
Check the screenshots!
You've just deepened my existing paths
Thank you for the insight, well written, simple and pragmatic thoughts those you have shared with us.
And Adrian comment was the cherry on top of the cake. Thank you also for your shares.
After 15 years of sysadmin, I've fall in love again with my academic passion - programming (back then it was mainly C and LISP).
15y later got back to the books... a bit of everything - Software Engineering, DB engineering, UML, RUP, Agile, CVS, php MVC frameworks, etc and found myself fascinated with this new world of WebAPP development. Finally I felt good at my job and found happiness as a professional :)
But being also a perfectionist bitch (btw good to know I'm not the only "bitch" around) all the avalanche of info and knowledge soon became a block element, just like you posted. Your two steps make perfect sense to me.
Until now, my apps GUI are also zero JS pretty much the same way and with the same intuit as Adrian, waiting for the jquery d-day to take better care of UI.
One other thing I do is break up my CSS in 2-3 or 4 parts that match the agile development phases, it helps me to understand my layouts and debug them also. Until their ready to become just 1 css file.
To finish my first turnkey user comment, I would like to ear your thoughts regarding code optimization development (sql instructions included). Should I consider it a third block element?
I never know when it's time to stop everything and focus on those lines that cost me 100 cpu cycles and refurbish them to achieve same results in 20 cycles. No one will notice those 50ms gain but seems like those lines can't get away my perfectionist-bitch-sourcecode-sight.
Again, thank you for the enjoyable reading


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Hello, dear friends!
Natalya is here today with another altered project - box for paper, tools and other art supplies. This piece is very handy and can be useful in any scrap room. On the black background I added texture, bright colors, a bit of lace, flowers and lots of splashes! Here is a result
13@rts products used:
Be inspired!


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Paper in Artificial Intelligence (2009): "A novel sequence representation for unsupervised analysis of human activities"
A novel sequence representation for unsupervised analysis of human activities
- Raffay Hamid, Siddhartha Maddi, Amos Johnson, Aaron Bobick, Irfan Essaand Charles Isbell (2009) "A novel sequence representation for unsupervised analysis of human activities" in Artificial Intelligence, Volume 173, Issue 14, September 2009, Pages 1221-1244. [PDF][DOI][Science Direct]
Formalizing computational models for everyday human activities remains an open challenge. Many previous approaches towards this end assume prior knowledge about the structure of activities, using which explicitly defined models are learned in a completely supervised manner. For a majority of everyday environments however, the structure of the in situ activities is generally not known a priori. In this paper we investigate knowledge representations and manipulation techniques that facilitate learning of human activities in a minimally supervised manner. The key contribution of this work is the idea that global structural information of human activities can be encoded using a subset of their local event subsequences, and that this encoding is sufficient for activity-class discovery and classification.
In particular, we investigate modeling activity sequences in terms of their constituent subsequences that we call event n-grams. Exploiting this representation, we propose a computational framework to automatically discover the various activity-classes taking place in an environment. We model these activity-classes as maximally similar activity-cliques in a completely connected graph of activities, and describe how to discover them efficiently. Moreover, we propose methods for finding characterizations of these discovered classes from a holistic as well as a by-parts perspective. Using such characterizations, we present a method to classify a new activity to one of the discovered activity-classes, and to automatically detect whether it is anomalous with respect to the general characteristics of its membership class. Our results show the efficacy of our approach in a variety of everyday environments.
Keywords: Temporal reasoning; Scene analysis; Computer vision


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My brother once dated a woman who had four sons. Her "names" for them were Numbers One through Four. Charming, I know. You're captivated already, aren't you? Same with me. My husband and I have a son too and whenever we were in the presence of this woman she would launch into some parenting issue and end with the same, "and that's my advice to you about boys." Well, uh, thanks Yoda, but it's not like we even asked for your advice so why don't you mind your own business. Happily, once she felt secure with our parents' approval (they didn't like her either) she ignored us completely and instead spent all her time trying to solidify that all-important parent-girlfriend bond with those Zen master qualities of hers. To everyone's relief, she life-coached her way out of our lives and was soon off advising others in a galaxy far, far away. There's nothing that can clear a room faster that a know-it-all Mensa poseur - with the possible exception of the clam dip turning. Call the Algonquin and book that round table - party of one.
It's easy enough to blow off unsolicited advice because we've become pretty good at figuring out who's the real McCoy versus some pontificator who loves the sound of their own voice. People love to give advice - especially on topics with which they have little to no experience - such as childrearing, making money and interior design. As we continue to mature and have managed to stay out of jail, hold down a job, have kids, avoid Social Services/police interventions in relation to said kids, we begin thinking that we are the masters of our domain. Maybe our thinking starts becoming a little rigid (especially when children are thrown into the mix) and we settle into some hard and fast routines.
Then the day arrives when your doctor says you've got to do something proactive to improve your health. And you say, "I don't need no stinkin' advice - just give me a pill." You've gotten yourself this far without anyone's help and you figure you'll be just fine from here on out. But you're not fine and the physical problems continue to mount. The doctor says again that you must lose weight or be more active and still you resist. Hey - who knows better what you need than you? Certainly not some highly educated, trained professional with years of experience on her side.
When the day comes that you get winded from just tying your shoes or don't like having to whip out the Vaseline to wedge yourself into a restaurant booth, you decide to join a gym. You sign up for the complimentary workout session with a professional trainer. He or she shows you how to work the equipment and tells you that weight loss is 30% exercise and 70% diet. And you smile and nod and think to yourself, "I know what I'm doing. Thanks for the input, though." And because you love the novelty of it all, you invert that equation and make it mostly about the exercise and ignore the diet altogether.
After a little time passes you find that you're not making any progress at all. You still fell sluggish and look ten years older than you should. You always come to your defense first and divert blame away from yourself...until one day you're honest enough to finally confront your own flawed thinking. "Hmmm, why would I go to a doctor and not take her advice?" or, "I haven't lost much weight so maybe that trainer really did know what he was talking about. Maybe I really don't have all the answers." It's a good day when you've made the distinction about taking advice from your brother-in-law and taking advice from your doctor.
When your accountant says you owe money to the IRS, do you take that as a suggestion or do you pay up? Unless you love the look and feel of cold stell window treatments, you do what he says. Ever try to remove your own appendix? Give yourself a root canal? I certainly hope not. That's what professionals are for. And so it should be in respecting those professionals and their advice on how to improve your life through diet and exercise.
I know it touches a nerve with a lot of us when we're told we're overweight. We immediately become defensive and our guard goes up and rarely comes back down again; keeping us trapped in this situation. Perhaps it's because we're living in such a superficial society that places way too much importance on how we look versus the more complex and worthy attributes like kindness and compassion. It's hard NOT to take it personally. But if taking our own advice hasn't gotten us to a better place then it's probably time to start listening to the experts.
Start by taking the emotion out of it (and obesity has a lot of emotion tied up in it) and think of it as any other health issue that needs attention, like a bad appendix or tooth. These people know what they're doing and they're trying to help. Isn't that why you went to them in the first place? To quote a famous movie line, "It's nothing personal, it's just business."


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Attribute the data section contains the Attribute data item, which allows you to associate map shapes with data source field values.
Maps data section contains data items whose values are used to color map shapes. Map shape colors vary based on the map type.
Alle buttons for customizing the dashboard item are on the Design tab.
A Legend is an element of a chart that identifies its series. You can specify whether or not a chart should display a legend. In the Designer, use the Show Legend button in the Legend group.
To specify the legend's position and orientation, select one of the predefined options from the gallery in the Design Ribbon tab.
Dashboard ships with a set of default maps showing various parts of the world. The following maps are included.
As an alternative, use the corresponding command in the map context menu.
Dashboard uses a Shapefile vector format to provide custom maps. Commonly, this format includes two file types. To open an existing shapefile, use the Load Map or Import Map button in the Ribbon. In the invoked dialog, locate the required .shp file.
After you select the default map or a custom map, you can view supplemental information (such as the name of the country, state, etc.). To do this, click the Options button next to the Attribute data item.
In the invoked Map Attribute Binding dialog, click Preview. The table in the dialog displays the available attributes for the current map. Each set of attribute values is related to a specific map shape.
The Choropleth Map dashboard item colors map shapes depending on the provided values.
The Choropleth Map automatically selects palette and scale settings to color map shapes.
If you need to customize these settings, click the Options button next to the data item that contains these values. This invokes the Choropleth Map Options dialog.
You can specify the following settings in this window.
The Choropleth Map allows you to indicate the difference between the actual and target values of a particular parameter. This difference is called delta.
To specify delta indication settings, click the Options button next to the data item container.
This invokes the Choropleth Map Options dialog. When the map type is set to Delta, this dialog contains the following settings.
Dashboard allows you to use any data-aware dashboard item as a filter for the entire dashboard (Master Filter).
To learn more, see the Master filtering topic that describes filtering concepts common to all dashboard items.
When filtering is enabled, an end-user can click a shape (or multiple shapes by holding down the CTRL key) to make other dashboard items display only data related to selected shape(s).


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Wedding Flowers Sunshine Coast
Tiffany's flowers is a boutique florist that designs exclusively for Tiffany's Maleny wedding venue on the Sunshine Coast, and for selected off-site weddings. Our friendly and professional team works with you to ensure our spectacular bouquets and floral arrangements are the perfect complement to your wedding day. From an elegant David Austin rose posy to an exquisite cake decoration, our creative floral design will take your breath away.


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At its meeting on January 7, 2007, the Council of the American Historical Association approved the following statement prepared by the Professional Division.
The American Association of University Professors has drawn up a clear set of principles for offers of academic employment. These guidelines are designed to bring practices within the discipline of history into accordance with those principles.
The Job Offer: Rights and Responsibilities of Department Chairs
Department chairs making job offers should always keep in mind the need to balance two sets of priorities, needs, and values. The chair represents the department, and his or her primary obligation is to obtain the services of the most appropriate candidate, in a timely way. The chair has the right to require that a firm decision be made and reported by a set date, and to tell a candidate that the department will proceed to the next candidate in order if he or she cannot decide.
At the same time, the chair and department who make an offer are attempting to gain the services of a professional colleague. When making entry-level appointments, in particular, chairs must always bear in mind that they are introducing junior colleagues to professional life, and that they hold the balance of power in the transaction. It is always possible, and always wrong, to abuse this position.
The chair is responsible for making a clear, timely offer, stating financial terms, teaching obligations, and other benefits, fully and accurately. If the chair has promised to give the candidate a decision by a certain date, that schedule should be met. In many cases, complications arise and a departmental vote is delayed. In these cases, candidates still in the running should be advised of them immediately and given a new schedule.
In many cases, the offer will be made orally in the first instance. If so, the conversation should be followed by an email that precisely states the salary and other primary conditions. Ideally, the department will then produce a formal letter of intent, confirming the offer in writing and reiterating the conditions. In those institutions where it is possible, the dean of faculty or other responsible official will send the candidate a formal, binding offer letter. Methods will vary, and many are legitimate, but one point is central. Only after an offer has been made in a firm, explicit form, with conditions set down in writing, can a chair properly set a deadline for the candidate's decision.
The candidate must then have a reasonable amount of time, from the receipt of the offer in its written form, to consider the matter, consult mentors and family members, formulate questions and receive answers, before he or she must make a binding decision. In accordance with AAUP principles, this period should last a minimum of two weeks from receipt of the formal offer. Requests for further extensions should be considered, but chairs are not obliged to accept them. In no circumstances should a chair demand that a candidate make a decision on the basis of a conversation unsupported by a written statement of conditions.
If university procedures make it impossible to provide a letter of intent, the candidate may be given a deadline for a decision. In such cases, however, the candidate cannot be considered to be morally bound by his or her agreement until a written document is issued and received, and has a clear right to withdraw his or her acceptance.
The final, binding offer should match or improve on the terms of the initial, verbal offer; if the final offer does not reach the terms first offered, the candidate cannot be considered morally or legally bound by any verbal agreement.
The Job Offer: Rights and Responsibilities of Candidates
A candidate has the right to a firm, complete and explicit offer. In its final form, a formal offer should include information about tenure or eligibility for promotion to tenure, salary, paid and unpaid leave, office equipment, research support, and benefits, from insurance to pension. Initial offers should at least offer full information on the first three points, and candidates have an absolute right to ask for information about all of them.
A candidates has the right to a reasonable amount of time—two weeks or more from the receipt of a detailed offer—in which to make a decision. The candidate may always ask that this period be extended so that he or she may engage in further consultations, or await the outcome of another search; but the chair also has the right to insist on a deadline.
A candidate who accepts an offer should consider himself or herself bound to the institution even if a more attractive offer arrives. But if the first institution has failed to provide a firm, written version of the offer, the candidate may legitimately withdraw his or her verbal acceptance.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Attribution must provide author name, article title, Perspectives on History, date of publication, and a link to this page. This license applies only to the article, not to text or images used here by permission.


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The aluminium extrusion process allows to make innumerable shapes profiles. By modifying the shape of the profile the surface in contact with air changes, and consequently the dissipation capability does. The extruded heatsinks are generally used in medium electrical power systems both in natural and forced convection.
The Mecc.AL extruded heatsinks are presented divided by shape (E, L, H, T, U, P flat back and PC flat back with cover), width and height, and shown in increasing order of size. For example, P400 40 indicates an extruded heatsink having a flat back shape (P), 400 mm wide and 40 mm high.
Extruded heatsink H120 120
Our proven Technology
Weight | 11.19 kg |
Dimensions | 120 × 120 mm |
Brand | MeccAL |
Product type | Extruded heatsink |
Product series | H series |
Material | Aluminium |
Mounting | n/a |
Cooling | Air cooling |
Features and benefits
More information and download request
For more information, access to the product datasheet, or to get in touch with one of our specialists. Please fill out the form below.
Thank you for your request
The datasheet is available below. We will respond to your request promptly.
Download file: Catalog-air-cooled-heatsinks
Download file: Technical-info-air-cooled-heatsinks


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Online Parent Class.com is an ideal resource to take a court ordered parenting or co-parenting class in Carlisle County - Kentucky as well as gain important skills to be the best parent you can be. Poor parenting can lead to problem behavior in kids and strained relationships within the family. Improving parenting skills can significantly change relationships and quality of life. Our classes are based on the acclaimed curriculum "Parenting in the Twenty-First Century, 10 Tools for Better Parenting", found on Amazon
Online Parent Class is an educationally based online class designed to teach parents more effective skills to better interact with their children and others involved in the parenting process. Regardless of where you live, our classes can be accessed from any computer, Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad or other Internet ready device. Parenting is one of the most challenging roles we face in our lives, and learning more effective coping skills is a step towards more peaceful relationships with our children.
As soon as you complete the class you will be issued a Carlisle County - Kentucky Certificate of Completion which will be mailed. An instant downloadable copy is also available. Progress reports are available. While our online parenting classes are commonly accepted throughout the U.S., it is your responsibility to confirm with the court, judge, probation, social services or your attorney as to whether taking a distance learning program is acceptable for your specific requirements. Our programs are also fully guaranteed that you will be satisfied by the quality of the course as well as its acceptance.
We offer both Parenting and Co-parenting classes (4 and 6 hour classes), as well as a longer Advanced Parenting Class (10 or 16 hours) for Carlisle County - Kentucky. Click the links below to register for our online parenting classes:
1. Is your Carlisle County - Kentucky Online Parenting Class Easy?
We make taking an online parenting or co-parenting class convenient and simple. We have created a course that is so easy to use, even a 3rd grader could take it! Simply register and the class can be started instantly, any time of day. There is nothing to download and it is available 24/7 anywhere in the world.
2. How can I be Sure my Carlisle County - Kentucky Online Parenting or Co-Parenting Class will be Acceptable?
We stand behind all of our products and programs and offer a fully 100% money back guarantee if our programs are not accepted for any reason. We are so confident in the quality of our parenting classes we will allow any court, probation, judge or attorney to preview our class at no cost, simply contact our office.
3. How is your Customer Service, Can I speak to a Real Live Person?
After registering for the Online Parent Class you can be sure that our office technical team will be here to support you. We return calls M-F from 9am-6pm every day and return emails 7 days a week, even on Saturday and Sundays! Whether you have a technical question about our parenting classes or simply need a fast question answered, we will help you!
4. Are There Any Hidden Costs When I Sign up for my Carlisle County - Kentucky Parenting or Co-Parenting Class?
There are NO hidden costs when you sign up for our class, period. What we charge for each class is the only fee you'll pay. We don't charge for the certificate of completion, we even pay for the USPS First Class postage! Our common used 4 hour parenting and co-parenting class is $95.00 and our "Advanced" parenting class is $195.00. We also offer a 6 hour parenting class and 16 hour parenting class.
5. How Easy is it to Enroll, do you Accept Major Credit or Debit Cards?
Our enrollment is simple and easy and we accept every major debit and credit card. All that needs to be done is fill our our online registration form and make payment. Once you do, you can start the class instantly. You may log in/out as many times as you wish until the class is completed. It's that simple!
6. Is the program content proven to be effective to help parents? Yes, our online class was based on material from our book, "Parenting in the Twenty First Century, 10 Tools for Better Parenting". The interventions used have been tested and proven to be effective.
If you are looking for parenting classes for another county in Kentucky, Click Here for information about other Kentucky Parenting Classes.


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SSL Basics: What You Need to Know
What is SSL? And do you really need it for your website?
Here at Avelient, we have a longstanding philosophy—we won't sell a service to any customer if we don't feel that it will truly provide significant value for its cost.
Until recent developments, SSL fell squarely into the category of appropriate for some, unnecessary for most who host their website with us.
What is SSL?
SSL, or Secure Socket Layer, encrypts data between your browser and the web server that hosts the page you're viewing.
It's a method for ensuring that what you're seeing is what you should be seeing and that any data you send can't be intercepted and read by anything other than the website you're viewing.
This is especially important for web forms that collect sensitive data, such as your Social Security Number, a password, or your birth date.
Most of our customers don't collect sensitive data on their website, and SSL certificates were expensive to purchase and maintain, so we only recommended it for customers when it was absolutely necessary.
But times they are a-changin'.
Recent developments in the industry have forced us to reexamine our stance on SSL, and we are now recommending this service to all of our customers, regardless of what information they collect on their websites.
There are several reasons behind this, but I've highlighted what we feel are the most compelling reasons below.
Google is pushing for SSL
Google has been pushing changes in different ways that indicate to us that having SSL is becoming a best practice for all websites.
They're doing this in 2 ways:
- SSL has become a ranking factor for Google in recent years, meaning that your organic placement is affected by whether you have SSL. It's been a pretty low-level ranking factor thus far, but we believe that it won't be much longer before its significance increases.
- The Google Chrome browser is starting to display sites without SSL as insecure in the address bar (see image on right). Right now, it's subtle. But eventually, there will be a bright red "Not secure" warning on the address bar for websites that don't have a certificate. This, we believe, will have a significant impact on website conversions, and customers will eventually become wary of websites that don't transmit data through secure connections.
Both of these are results of Google's HTTPS Everywhere initiative, an attempt to make secure websites a best practice for the industry.
SSL is less expensive.
As a result of the changes that are occurring, the demand for SSL is higher, allowing hosting companies to find new and more efficient ways to implement the service.
At Avelient, SSL is available to all of our network websites and most standalone websites for $60/year now. By comparison, we used to charge $200/year for a certificate, and we would often need to charge a setup fee. Contact us if you want us to check if your website is hosted with us.
Cyber Insurance will cost less for you if you have SSL.
Many of our customers who transmit data through their websites carry Cyber Insurance to protect themselves from the possibility of somebody stealing customer data.
Premiums for this type of service can be pretty high, but if you get SSL for your website you can reduce your premium.
Our recommendation: Get SSL
The trend in the industry is clear, and the cost to begin service is really no longer prohibitive to small companies. Implementation for many websites is straightforward, and there is little more a hosting company would need from you other to say, "I want SSL for my website." And the benefit to your website visitors is more confidence that their data is secure as it gets transmitted to you.
If you host with us and are ready to get SSL for your website, get in touch. Or, if you're not hosting with us, contact your hosting provider about your options.
It's really the secure thing to do.


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For many adults, the times spent with their fathers are among their most treasured memories. However, today as many as one in three children in America live in a home where a biological father is not present.
The reasons for paternal absence can vary. For example, fathers may stay distant from a child out of fear of being inadequate or failing the child. Despite difficult circumstances, in many cases there are solutions that allow fathers to maintain an important presence in their children's lives.
The following are many of the common reasons for fathers' absences along with guidance on how to help resolve the situation, provided by Dr. Janet Taylor, an author and community psychiatrist.
Many fathers have guilt for not having the financial means to buy things for their kids. Fathers need to understand their children love them because they are their father and not because of the "things" they give them.
"A father's time and involvement in a child's life is a true gift," Dr. Taylor says. "Give the gift of your time and it will mean the world to them."
Family Conflict
Disputes among family members may also keep a father away. When conflicts arise with a mother, grandparents or other family members, a child should know he or she is not the problem, Dr. Taylor cautions.
Doubts about paternity can be an especially trying source of family conflict. A paternity test can help eliminate this uncertainty. To help address paternity questions, Identigene offers an affordable DNA paternity test kit that is sold in drug stores and supercenters and is 100 percent accurate
Dr. Taylor advocates for fathers to make an effort to spend time with their children in the midst of conflict, even if circumstances dictate that time together is in a group setting rather than one-on-one.
Failed Personal Connections
Another reason a father might stay away is the result of a lack of a father figure in his own life. Dr. Taylor calls parenting the ultimate "on the job training." She recommends working to make a connection to break the cycle from repeating in the next generation.
Fathers Have Value
"Fathers also need to recognize their value in their kids' lives," Dr. Taylor says. A recent survey sponsored by Identigene found that most Americans who are looking to address a paternity issue understand there are many benefits of having a biological father in a child's life, including providing the child with a sense of family and self (73%), enhancing the child's self-esteem (70%) and offering the child with a masculine parental figure (69%). According to Fatherhood.org, children who do not have a father figure in their life are more likely to endure financial hardship, use drugs, quit school or engage in criminal behavior.
"This data serves as a testament that a father's active participation does make a difference," Dr. Taylor says. "Hopefully it encourages those fathers who have not had a role in their child's life to develop a bond that can truly re-shape a young person's entire childhood."
For more information, visit www.DNAtesting.com.


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If you've never tried limonana, you're missing out on an amazing drink! The traditional thirst-quencher is made by mixing lemonade with lots of fresh mint and ice – for a refreshing summer treat.
But you know me – I can never just do classic. OK, maybe I can – but I still love putting my own twist on things. That's how my strawberry limonana happened.
This year, I decided to try using my new herb obsession – basil! I'm putting it in salads, stuffing it into sandwiches, and now, even drinks! Strawberry-basil is a classic combination, but it works amazing with cherries too!
I love the idea of adding fresh fruit to my lemonade, but if you're not fond of having bits of cherries in your drink – check out my variation for an infused version instead!
Cherry Basil Limonana
1/2 c lemon juice
1/4 c maple syrup
15 basil leaves
1 heaping cup pitted fresh cherries (about 20)
1 c water
2-3 cups ice
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until slushy.
VARIATION: If you don't like having the pieces of cherries in this smoothie/slush hybrid, you can boil the cherries with maple syrup and water until the cherries are soft. Puree the mixture in the blender with basil leaves and pour through a strainer. Blend the cherry-basil infused syrup with the lemon juice and ice.
Other Summer Drinks:
strawberry limonana
watermelon limeade
tropical fruit smoothie


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This week has been filled with tragedy – shock, terror, danger, grief, and more – in the Boston area, where bombs were exploded during the Boston Marathon and then the area was held captive till the men who planted the bombs were not a danger anymore. But this experience affected us all – all of us in the northeastern U.S., in the United States, and all over the world.
Lest we be remiss, there were also tragedies in other areas of the US this week. In West, Texas, there was an enormous explosion at a fertilizer plant, and it is not yet known for sure if it was a crime or an industrial accident. Either way, it caused huge damage, death, injury, and the destruction of property, as well as shock, terror, danger, grief, and more. Also in Illinois, there was a horrible flood this week . . . causing widespread evacuations, road closings, property damage…and feelings of fear, helplessness, and loss.
People have been suffering in all three of these places. And second-hand, from watching the tragedies. As the immediacy of the here-and-now shock and danger just begin to ebb the faintest bit . . . we have some space to ask a question of ourselves and each other. A question that might be brand new to some of us. A question that might not yet be part of our way of life for others of us. A question that is as ingrained as a reflex to those of us who have been practicing it for years.
The question: What choice are we going to make coming into, through, and back out of these tragedies? Are we simply going to feel and work through things on the surface level of the here and now events? Or are we going to look deep within ourselves to see what from our past – that is still alive inside us – has been triggered by one or more of these tragedies and has come to the surface for healing?
If we tend only to the current events and their aftermath in our world…if we only respond on the surface, as we have to so many other things in our world…the real solutions will be left undiscovered and un-created. If we tend only to the current events, what those events have triggered will still be alive within, affecting us, and waiting for something else to bring them up for healing. If we tend to the ancient events being evoked by today's occurrences…if we really do the work to heal them…we will help ourselves and each other today more than most of us can imagine. We will help ourselves and each other in more effectively tending to the here and now events and to those that come in our future.
For example, wonder for yourself: What events from long, long, long ago in my life filled me with feelings of shock, terror, a sense of danger and unsafety, grief, confusion, pain? What nightmares did I live through in my waking life? What nightmares did I have in my dream life? What "explosions" did I live through in my young life? A parent exploding with rage and violence? What "flooding" did I face as a child? The flooding of myself with all the feelings that came pouring forth within me? What experiences did I have that felt like life and death? What experiences did I have that threatened me physically, mentally, emotionally? What experiences did I have that left me, if only for a time, locked away in a space it was not safe to come out of – whether that was a physical space, or a space inside my very self that I locked myself in for safety?
Think of it this way: If the above or any similar experiences from your past have been triggered by this week's tragedies . . . the feelings you are having in response – whether consciously or not – are far more intense, far more raw, far more primal than the here and now feelings. And if you do the work to heal the ancient events and your feelings from them, the feelings you have left in today's world will be differently in quality, intensity, and effect on your life . . . and on the life of those around you. The life of all those around you . . . near and far.
If we had chosen to do the inner healing work related to all that was triggered in us by 9/11 . . . our world would be a different world today. Our country would be a different country. And we would be different people.
What choice will you make this time?
© Judith Barr, 2013


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On the Liip blog today there's a new post from David Buchmann looking at why a client of theirs moved away from a Google Search Appliance and towards Zend_Lucene for their searching needs.
Google technology does a good job when searching the wild and treacherous realms of the public internet. However, the commercial Google Search Appliance (GSA) sold for searching intranet websites did not convince me at all. For a client, we first had to integrate the GSA, later we reimplemented search with Zend_Lucene. Some thoughts comparing the two search solutions.
They replaced a search appliance with Lucene for a few reasons, some of which the GSA weren't doing very well: access protection, language detection and filtering by meta data. He describes the Lucene system that replaced it - separate processes for each website, checks on only changed documents, plain-text conversion and backups of the Lucene indexes, just in case. It's definitely a more flexible solution, though the initial indexing still takes a while. He also includes a small snippet of code showing how to read in binary files as plain text.


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M.W Culture Marvel Venom Carnage 1/9 Scale Action Figure
M.W Culture Marvel Venom Carnage 1/9 Scale Action Figure
Estimated release: 2021-12-31
Regular price
Regular price
Sale price
Unit price
M.W. Culture offers up their officially licensed 1:9 scale (Approximately 9 inch) version of Carnage, this Symbiote comes complete with Carnage Effects and Hand Effects
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
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What I Wish I Would Have Known About Sex Addiction 20 years ago…
During my 20 year struggle with sex addiction I tried a number of methods to break free from the bondage of lust. My first attempt at conquering sexual sin was with willpower, but the compulsions of lust were stronger than my desire to stop. The church's answer was to read the Bible, pray and be good (one pastor told me to "just stop") so I read the Bible daily, memorized scripture and prayed often, but I couldn't "be good". The 12 step groups said "the program is the answer", but 9 years of "working the steps" provided temporary relief, not the freedom I was looking for.
Many said to get professional counseling, so I spent 15 years and thousands of dollars exploring how messed up I was. Others said to read a book, but I learned that mere knowledge doesn't heal the sick.
Here's what I wish I had known when I started trying to find freedom from lust:
Freedom from sex addiction is impossible without God.
If your heart had a blocked valve that required surgery, you'd look for a heart surgeon. You know that reading a book about heart problems or knowing how sick you are isn't going to heal you; surgery is a necessity.
Sex addiction is like heart disease. The deepest recesses of a hurting and empty heart are choked with sin, shame and distorted beliefs, blocking the flow of life to the heart. The continual use of sex addiction to medicate the pain only corrupts, hardens and closes off the heart even more.
For true freedom from lust, powerful, life changing healing is needed in the deepest recesses of the heart. People, books and program can't deliver from sin and fill empty hearts with the love they crave; only the Living God can do this. True and lasting freedom comes when the Lord removes the blockage of sin (with our cooperation) and fills the heart with His overflowing life.
"I am the way, the truth and the life". John 14:6
"You search in the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." John 5:39-40
We can't do it alone.
For years I tried to fix myself with Bible reading, praying and confessing (many) sins to God, but the temptations always steamrolled me. Sexual sin breeds and grows stronger in isolation; the only way to kill it is to expose it to others.
I started meeting with other men who I could be transparent with on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. Although frightening at first, being open with my struggles and temptations freed me from the shame and fear of my actions. Once I started bringing others into my battles on a consistent basis the sin that had owned me began to lose its grip on my life.
"Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other that you may be healed". James 5:16
"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." Proverbs 28:13
"If it causes you to stumble cut it off"
Jesus told us to have a take-no-prisoners approach to sin; many men continue to fall because they will not eliminate the lust traps from their life. We all have to take the offensive and remove the objects and circumstances under our control that cause us to stumble.
In practical terms this means burning the stash of porn magazines (don't just throw it in a public receptacle where someone else can find it.) If watching cable TV is a problem, block the channels or better, turn off the cable service. If the internet is your downfall, install porn blocking software, put the computer in a public place, or if necessary disconnect the service. Wife bringing in lingerie magazines? Ask her to cancel the subscription. If certain parts of town cause you to stumble, drive around them.
God isn't going to remove the stumbling blocks for you; this is your responsibility. Those who think they can find freedom from sexual sin without removing the snares of lust from their lives are only fooling themselves.
"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire" Mark 9:43
"Flee sexual immorality."
1 Corinthians 6:18
You have to face the root issues that feed your lust.
Buried underneath the sexual acting out is a hurting heart that yearns for love and acceptance. In the deepest core of his heart the sex addict believes he is of little value and cannot be accepted or loved. The shame from acting out only reinforces his feelings of hopeless inadequacy.
Sadly, we are often taught by our earthly fathers that we are of little worth by their neglect, unspoken love or abuse. James Bryan Smith, author of the book "Rich Mullins, an arrow pointing to Heaven" writes "when a father's love is withheld, a child will struggle with issues ranging from shyness and insecurity to a profound and crippling shame over his or her very existence. There is one thing true of all of us: we are dying to be loved. We crave it, we search for it, and if we never find it we die spiritually. Love is our deepest reason for existence." What many sex addicts don't see is that they're using lust to comfort themselves from the belief that they can't be loved as they are. This lie, which was born in hell, must be aligned with the Truth that:
God loves you just as you are, no matter what you've done.
One morning in the summer of 1999 I was reading through the book of 1 John. I was struck by all the verses about the Lord's love, but the more I read about His love the worse I felt. In a moment of sadness I blurted out "Lord why is it I feel so empty when I read about your love ?". In that still, small voice I heard the words "because you don't believe it". Those words, though painful to hear exposed the truth of my life. Even though I had heard and read about God's grace for years, I really didn't believe it. He had been saying "I love you" from day one and I'd been saying "no You don't" by my actions and beliefs. That day I realized the Lord did love me unconditionally, and at the age of 36 my heart was flooded with peace and joy I had never experienced before.
Russell Willingham, who struggled with sex addiction himself and now counsels sex addicts for a living, writes in his book "Breaking Free" that he has never counseled a sex addict who understands God's grace. Receiving God's unconditional love is the greatest struggle for the sex addict because he's been programmed to believe that he's a loser for all of his life. Once the addict accepts and grasps the truth of God's unconditional love in his heart (not just his head), powerful, life changing transformation takes place. He becomes filled with the love and acceptance that he'd always craved but never believed he could have. This is why books, counseling and programs can't set people free from lust (the Lord works through these things). The unconditional love that the sex addict hungers for is found only in the Living God.
"…because of His great love with which he loved us." Ephesians 2:4
"that you, being grounded in love… may be able to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge." Ephesians 3:17-19
"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us." Ephesians 5:2
Seek the Lord with all of your heart.
So how do you "get filled" with God's love? Go after the Lord like you would a new girlfriend or a job: with complete abandon and persistence. Ask Him to reveal the lies and distortions of your life and remove the things that are between you and Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He's promised that if you seek Him with all of your heart that you will find Him.
In the process of seeking God, He will expose your motives. Many people confuse seeking freedom from lust or some other thing they want from God with seeking God Himself. I did.
The truth is that I wanted freedom from sin (to feel good) far more than I wanted the Lord. I didn't want God on the throne of my heart because I didn't want Him telling me to go live in China or do something I didn't want to do. My pride was a brick wall that kept me from seeking Him. I finally became willing (actually, desperate) to let the Lord have the control of my life because He allowed me to have all the pain I needed from doing things my way. Once broken, I started seeking God with everything I had. In those times of intense seeking He filled me with the love and acceptance I had always craved, in addition to the freedom from lust I'd wanted.
"If you seek Him, He will be found by you."
I Chronicles 28:9
"And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart"
Jeremiah 29:13
The temptations never stop
Some guys get a little freedom, feel better and then get cocky, thinking they did something special. They forget or ignore the fact that to stay free from lust they have to stay close to God and connected to others every day. Subtle temptations and small compromises follow, and then they're hit with an overwhelming knockout punch that drops them quickly. Dazed and confused, they wonder why they fell so fast.
We must drink from the Source of Life and stay transparent with our thought life and temptations every day for the rest of our life; there's no other way.
"Be sober, and on the alert because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour."
1 Peter 5:8
It takes time.
If you've spent years corrupting your mind with the images of lust, don't expect a 1 time slam dunk emotional event that will set you free. You've given the hater of your soul free access to your heart and mind, and he doesn't go down without a bitter and nasty fight. This means the process can get messy. It's going to take time and consistent effort to find the freedom you're looking for, but don't give up. The Lover of your soul is eager and waiting for you to come to Him so that He can breathe new life into your heart.


text: April 29, 2024 Apr 29, 2024 | Weekly Insight Weekly Market Insights: Despite Turbulent Week, Stocks Stage Comeback Presented by Crossroads Financial Advisors Stocks staged a choppy comeback last week as investors cheered positive earnings, led by mega-cap tech stocks. The rally came to pass despite fresh data showing a slowing economy and increasing inflationary pressures. Stocks Bounce Back. Twice. Last week opened with a rebound rally as investors breathed a sigh of relief that Middle East tensions had eased. The market rally extended into Tuesday, with investors cheering positive corporate earnings reports. By Tuesday's market close, the S&P 500 had gained 2% for the week.1,2,3 But investor enthusiasm didn't last, as midweek saw profit taking in all three averages. Rising bond yields threw a wet blanket on market momentum; at one point, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose more than 40 basis points from its low earlier in the week.4 On Thursday, markets slipped on two fresh pieces of economic data: a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) slowdown and higher consumer prices. But by midday, selling pressure slowed. Stocks pushed higher on Friday behind upbeat Q1 reports from two mega-cap tech stocks, helping the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq post their best week since November.5 Source: YCharts.com, April 27, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period.Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. Earnings Vs. Inflation Corporate earnings and economic reports battled it out last week. In the end, earnings won, at least for this week. The big economic news was that Q1 GDP grew at a 1.6 percent annualized rate—slower than the 2.4 percent economists expected and less than Q4 2023. The GDP report seemed to support the Goldilocks economy theory—not too hot, but not too cool—a story investors have favored this year. The PCE (personal consumption expenditures) Index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, was embedded within the GDP report. Excluding food and energy, it increased 2.8% from a year ago. It was unchanged from February and slightly higher than expected. It joined a growing list of factors pointing to an uptick in inflation, complicating the Fed's interest rate decision.5 This Week: Key Economic Data Tuesday: Employment Cost Index. Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Consumer Confidence. Wednesday: FOMC Announcement and Fed Chair Press Conference. Treasury Refunding Announcement. ISM Manufacturing Index. EIA Petroleum Status Report. Thursday: Motor Vehicle Sales. Jobless Claims. International Trade in Goods & Services. Factory Orders. Productivity and Costs. Friday: Employment Situation. Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; April 23, 2024The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision. This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings Tuesday: Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), The Coca-Cola Company (KO), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), McDonald's Corporation (MCD), Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) Wednesday: Mastercard Incorporated (MA), QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM), Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) Thursday: Apple Inc. (AAPL), Amgen Inc. (AMGN), Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG), ConocoPhillips (COP), Cigna Group (CI) Friday: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A, BRK.B) Source: Zacks, April 23, 2024Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice. "The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff." – Ambrose Bierce IRS Program Helps Seniors Prepare Taxes The IRS has a Free File tool, which facilitates online tax preparation, direct deposits of refunds, and electronic filing choices, designed for taxpayers on a fixed budget, including seniors and retirees. Here is some information to know about the tool: IRS Free File is at IRS.gov and features some significant names in the tax software provider world. To use the tool, taxpayers can browse multiple offers. The eligibility standards for Free File depend on the tax partner but are typically based on income, age, and state residency. Free File has most of the necessary forms when filing your taxes. Even if you have a unique tax situation, you may still be able to use Free File. Some Free File products are available in Spanish. You can also search for credits and deductions in Free File. Some providers in Free File also offer state return preparation. You can use the lookup tool in Free File to find the tax partner that might be appropriate for your state requirements. Taxpayers can access Free File through computers, smartphones, or tablets. *This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS.gov6 Aloe Vera: One Powerful Plant Aloe vera is a medicinal plant used for nearly everything. It is a cactus-type plant that grows well in many climates and has thick, juicy leaves that store water. Because of this, aloe vera is beloved for its hydrating properties. Let's explore aloe's many benefits and how to include them in your daily routine. The thick, sticky gel in aloe leaves contains potent bioactive compounds, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Aloe vera is also known for its healing properties. Its antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties may help heal wounds and treat skin problems or as a topical treatment for first—and second-degree burns. Lastly, aloe vera can lower blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity and managing blood sugar. Some preliminary evidence has suggested that aloe vera may benefit people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Check with your doctor or medical team for more information. Tip adapted from Medical News Today7 I protect you. I sit on a bridge. You can see through me. People walking by might wonder what I hide. What am I? Last week's riddle: How can you name three consecutive days without mentioning the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? Answer: Use the words yesterday, today, and tomorrow. A green sea turtle, Queensland, Australia Footnotes And Sources 1. The Wall Street Journal, April 26, 2024 2. CNBC.com, April 22, 2024 3. CNBC.com, April 23, 2024 4. CNBC.com, April 24, 2024 5. The Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2024 6 IRS.gov, October 23, 2023 8. Medical News Today, January 23, 2023 Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice. The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general. U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors. International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility. Please consult your financial professional for additional information. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2024 FMG Suite. Copyright © 2024 Crossroads Financial Advisors


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Touting the success of his faith-based initiative last week, President Bush noted that faith-based charities received more than $2 billion last year from the federal government. But even as Bush announced that the Department of Homeland Security would be the 11th agency to establish an office for the faith-based initiative, some groups are finding the money to be a mixed blessing.
An example is The Silver Ring Thing (SRT), which following a settlement between the ACLU and the Department of Health and Human Services, can no longer recieve federal funds under its current program. In this week's Acton Commentary, "A Golden Opportunity for 'The Silver Ring Thing'," I note the temptation facing SRT "to acquiesce to the HHS regulations and attempt to rigorously separate the faith element out of the program."
I conclude that "the temporary setback of the loss of government funding has the potential to be a long-term opportunity for The Silver Ring Thing," in the sense that SRT can seek out private sources of funding and evade the strings that are inevitably attached to government funding.
"You can't be a faith-based program if you don't practice your faith," said President Bush. He also said, according to the AP, "It used to be that groups were prohibited from receiving any federal funding whatsoever because they had a cross or a star or a crescent on the wall. And that's changed, for the better."
We can hope, however, that the faith element in religious charities is not merely restricted to mere display of a religious symbol, but pervades the charitable work of the organization. It's this "damaging form of secularization: the kind that separates Christian faith from works," that The Silver Ring Thing must resist.
David Kuo, a former deputy director of the White House faith-based office, criticized the administration for allowing the initiative to become "a whisper of what was promised." Acton senior fellow Marvin Olasky, in an interview on NPR's All Things Considered, expressed disappointment with the lower priority the faith-based initiative from the Bush White House.
But at least part of the difficulty the program faces comes from the problems posed by the enforcement of secularizing regulations by government bureaucracy. When asked about the impediments that governmental regulations put on their charitable work, one non-profit worker responded: "The complexities of the laws affecting part-time workers have made it impossible for us to hire candidates we could afford to pay. We have been amazed to learn that hiring even one part-time employee makes us a 'pen-pal' with a complicated array of government agencies."