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Sea of Darkness Book Blitz!
Sea of Darkness
Isadora Brown & Rebecca Hamilton
(The Vampire Pirate Saga #1)
Published by: Evershade Publishing
Publication date: May 10th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Working with a supernatural enemy is Kelia's only hope of solving her father's murder. But her investigation puts her own life in danger.
The Society's sole purpose is to protect the general population from vicious Sea Shadows, and Kelia's their top Slayer. But when her father is murdered and her handler insists it's suicide, she starts to question whether The Society really has her best interests at heart.
Now, to solve her father's death, Kelia must work with an unexpected ally: Drew Knight, an infamous Sea Shadow and the most beautiful creature Kelia has ever set eyes upon. A Sea Shadow who, without intending to, just may show her who the real enemy is…and it'll only cost her one unnamed favor to be collected at a future date.
But after her affiliation with Drew Knight is discovered, Kelia is forced to choose between what she's known since the beginning of her existence…or a dark, terrifying truth that puts her life at risk.
Find out who dies and who survives in SEA OF DARKNESS, the first installment of The Vampire Pirate Saga, an exciting new urban fantasy romance readers of Sarah J Maas and Karen Marie Moning are sure to devour!
"There," he said, pointing at Kelia's face. "You have a range of emotion littering your face." He chuckled. "You're easier to read than a book."
Kelia bristled. She absolutely detested knowing she was here because she needed the assistance of a Sea Shadow. And not just any, but the most infamous vampire pirate of them all.
"I found out some information," she murmured. "And I feel you would be able to assist me in what to do with it."
He tilted his head to the side, his eyes shining. "Do share, darling."
It was hard to concentrate when he smiled that way. Kelia had known he was dangerously beautiful, but when he was directly in front of her, cocking a smile like it was a weapon and shooting it in her direction, she was completely powerless.
"Well, don't be shy with the goods," he prodded. "What did you find that you need my help with?"
She shot him a glare, and he laughed.
"You are so good to goad, darling," Drew said. "Something you need to work on. You don't want your enemies to pick up on your weakness. They might use it to manipulate you."
Kelia arched her eyebrow. "And how do I know who my enemies are?"
Drew's smirk deepened. "That, my dear, is a very good question."
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Hamilton writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Harlequin, Baste Lübbe, and Evershade. A book addict, registered bone marrow donor, and indian food enthusiast, she often takes to fictional worlds to see what perilous situations her characters will find themselves in next.
Represented by Rossano Trentin of TZLA, Rebecca has been published internationally, in three languages: English, German, and Hungarian.
Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub—
Isadora Brown loves all things dark, dangerous, and deadly. Things that go bump in the night and send shivers down backs are things she adores. She loves (and writes) sexy, forbidden romance, usually with some bite and a hint of magic. She is the author of The Somerset Series, The Dark Paradise Trilogy, The Stranger Trilogy, and The Neverland Trilogy. You can find her work on Amazon and keep up with her by signing up for her newsletter here: http://madmimi.com/signups/349869/join
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There are some days when I just love #BLACKTWITTER. Only via this creative hodgepodge of bloggers, reporters and internet Benita Butrells can you find out who Whiz Kalifah is dating, what the Obama's had for dinner and which political celebrities just got called out. In this case it's the third category that caught my attention, as Mo'Kelly, author of the omnipresent Mo'Kelly Report wrote an article 'exposing' Crystal Wright aka ConservativeBlackChick.com an occasional political commentator for Fox, CNN and HLN who's statements during the Zimmerman trial have earned her plenty of side eye from the African American community. Kelly proves that Wright is not a true card carrying Republican but only plays the Black Ann Coulter on television to cash in on the lucrative business of GOP Tokenism in the Tea Party age. And while his take down and subsequent online battles haven't always been pretty; this whole affair does say a lot about the state of public discourse on black politics in the internet age.
In the interest of full disclosure I have met Crystal Wright in person exactly one time, and have been on radio or television with her a total of four times. In most of those interactions she's been perfectly nice even if we disagree and I find some of her rhetoric to be unnecessarily inflammatory. Wright raised her profile in the last few months during the Zimmerman Trial with a few particularly explosive appearances on HLN's Dr. Drew and for provocative tweets on everything from the number of black lawyers analyzing the trial on the cable networks to Sybrina Fulton's fitness as a mother. People got angry, she got a ton of nasty tweets and new followers and that's likely what brought her to the attention of Kelly.
The Mo'Kelly report entitled Nouveau Black Republicans (Like Crystal Wright) Ruining RNC Minority Outreach outlines that despite Crystal Wright's present day fire-brand Tea Party rhetoric for years she gave money to Democratic candidates, and voted for Barack Obama in 2008. Ultimately he states that Crystal isn't really a conservative at all, but a political opportunist who knew the fastest route to fame and notoriety was to be a conservative token in the post Tea-Party era. Kelly goes on to point out that it's Republicans like Wright that keep the GOP from attracting and recruiting African Americans. Crystal angrily defended herself on Twitter, the whole thing went viral pretty quickly and provided hours of entertainment for those who could keep up with the hashtags.
Kudos to Mo'Kelly for doing some legitimate research, all too often disagreements with African American GOP'ers degenerate into slinging insults and calling each other racist names. But this wasn't really an exposure along the lines of Armstrong Williams back in 2005. Armstrong was a long time conservative, from TV and radio and he got busted when USA Today wrote a story revealing that Williams was taking money from the Bush Administration to promote No Child Left Behind in his syndicated column. Like him or not Armstrong Williams was a credible conservative, who probably would've supported NCLB anyway, but finding out that he was taking checks from Bush while promoting himself as an independent conservative thinker destroyed his brand. Crystal is no Armstrong Williams. Her brand is to be a political shock-jock, not a credible discerning political thought leader. Finding out that Crystal Wright might be an ideological fraud is like finding out that A-Rod is on steroids. You're kinda taken aback that it's finally OUT there, but your sortof suspected all along.
There are plenty of hardcore conservative African American Republicans out there like Ron Christie, Robert Traynum, Juan Williams or even Lenny McAllister who promote the party without playing the Black Ann Coulter Role that Crystal often does. The behavior of political pundits like Crystal Wright or Jesse Lee Peterson would be a charade if anyone ever thought their intention was to expand the base of the Republican Party or really advocate a specific set of policies. However, think tanks and PACS aside, their rhetoric suggests that has never been high on their agenda. Which isn't in and of itself wrong, but simply reinforces the idea that you can't expose somebody who's game has been on front street since day one to anyone willing to walk by and take a look.
This story will be buried under a mountain of new Twitter news by next week, and no one's opinions of Wright or Kelly will be fundamentally changed by these new revelations. However, what was made clear was this: In this age of opensecrets.org and easily traced money and email paths it pays (literally) to stay ideologically honest and consistent in the public sphere. What little credibility you can build can be ripped up in no time if #BLACKTWITTER catches you sleeping.

subset: commoncrawl


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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The disclosure that some pills found at Prince's Paisley Park home and studio were counterfeit and contained the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl strongly suggests the pills came to the superstar musician illegally.
But exactly how Prince obtained the drugs is still unknown, four months after he collapsed in an elevator on April 21 and died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Authorities have so far revealed little about their investigation, saying it's active and moving forward.
But former prosecutors and defense attorneys who are familiar with drug investigations say it's likely someone will be prosecuted, whether or not Prince knew he was consuming illegal drugs.
"They will not say it was just Prince's fault and let it go at that," said Phil Turner, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago now in private practice.
An official close to the investigation told The Associated Press on Sunday that some of the pills found at Paisley Park were falsely labeled as a common generic painkiller similar to Vicodin, but actually contained fentanyl. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, also said that records show Prince did not have a prescription for any controlled substances in Minnesota in the last 12 months.
The only way to get fentanyl — a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin — is through a legal prescription, or illegally from the black market, said Joe Tamburino, a Minnesota defense attorney.
"When you have weird stamped pills in aspirin bottles, sometimes things are what they seem, which is illegally obtained controlled substances," Tamburino said. "How he got them? Who knows."
Fentanyl has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. When made into counterfeit pills, users don't always know they're taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose.
Tamburino, who is not connected to the Prince case, said investigators will likely talk to those close to Prince, and they'll also search the computers, phones and communications of Prince and his associates, to see whether the pills were purchased online. Those searches would typically involve examining text messages, Instagram messages and other communications.
"This is not to say the people close to him are guilty, we have no idea of that. But that's where it would start," Tamburino said. He also added that investigators are probably looking at security footage from Paisley Park, if any exists, to see who might have been going to and from the studio.
Gal Pissetzky, a defense attorney in Chicago, said there are many ways Prince could have obtained the drugs: From a close adviser or friend, from a dealer on one of the stops he made as he was on tour, or over the Internet himself. He added that investigators might also use cellphone data to track Prince's whereabouts.
If someone gave Prince the drug that killed him, that person could face a third degree murder charge, punishable in the state of Minnesota by more than 12 years in prison, Tamburino said.
In addition, any illegal operation that involved making and dealing fentanyl could open many people up to a host of drug charges, from trafficking to conspiracy. Because the sale resulted in Prince's death, it would increase the chances that someone could get the maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Turner said.
Turner said he believed there was a good chance someone will eventually be charged. Improved forensics tools, including the ability to use narcotics chemical signatures to narrow down possible manufacturers, also increase the chances of arrests.
If China- or Mexico-based producers were involved, American authorities may have to focus on a dealer or doctor in the U.S. who supplied the drugs knowing the substance was illegal, Turner said. But U.S. agents can and do go after suspects based in countries not inclined to closely cooperate with law enforcement here, such as China.
The drugs could also be made by people who are not associated with cartels. Enticed by big profits, small-time drug dealers are buying pill presses online and using low-cost fentanyl powder from China to make fake pills, according to a July 2016 Drug Enforcement Administration intelligence brief.
Dealers unaffiliated with drug cartels can buy a kilogram of fentanyl powder for a few thousand dollars from a Chinese supplier and turn it into hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills for millions of dollars in profit.
But inexperience has a cost. The small-time operators aren't mixing fentanyl correctly and turning out pills with varying strengths, some containing three times a lethal dose. "Such wide disparity in dosing reveals that the producers were likely new to incorporating fentanyl in pill production, as the fentanyl was not thoroughly mixed with the other powders before binding and pressing into pills," the DEA brief said.
Pissetzky said news of the falsely labeled drugs tells him that the pills did not come from a doctor.
"There's a big, big black market for counterfeit drugs. When people buy these, they don't personally know, many times, that they are not the real thing, and that's when you get overdoses," Pissetzky said.


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Taco Tuesday Dog Toy Set
14 Days Returns
Store Pickup Available
- Description
- Shipping & Returns
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You'll also need the receipt or proof of purchase for in-store purchases.
Refunds will be refunded to the original form of payment at the original selling price. Desert Sol will not refund the shipping charges made on the original purchase.
More details about returns here.
Please allow 4-7 business daysto process your order. Expect an email from Desert Sol to let you know your order is on the way!


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Perfectly precious baby cookie favors.Celebrate the arrival of that new bundle of joy with deliciously unique baby cookie favors – perfect for baby showers, birth announcements, birthday parties and as gifts.
These precious cookies come shaped as baby footprints. What a great way to do something special during this special time. Cookies will arrive boxed per dozen. Minimum 12 cookies per order.


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In stock
Our Oxford Collection map of Jamaica boasts key attributes such as the capital city, population, area size, and main cities. In addition, this physical map shows state lines, highways, and airports, as well as oceans, lakes, and renowned attractions such as national and state parks, forests, and cultural sites. It is a perfect asset for classrooms and an exceptional resource for learning all that the country provides.
Laminated option: Printed onto high quality poster paper and laminated for durability.


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Pt100, Pt1000 and NTC are the most-used measuring elements in resistance thermometers. I would like to use this blog to consider the question of connection types in greater detail.
Resistance thermometers change their electrical resistance as a function of temperature. This physical effect makes it possible to measure the temperature of a process with a Pt100. The resistance is determined by electronics (e.g. temperature transmitter) by using a constant current and measuring the voltage drop. According to Ohm's law (R = U/I), the resistance [R] and voltage [U] are proportional to each other at a constant current [I]. There are three possible ways to connect the Pt100 to the transmitter: in a 2-, 3- or 4-wire connection.
Fig.: Pt100 in 2-wire connection
Pt100 in 2-wire connection
With a 2-wire connection, the resistance of the cable is added as an error in the measurement. For a copper cable with a cross-section of 0.22 mm2, the following guide value applies: 0.162 Ω/m → 0.42 °C/m for Pt100. For a version with Pt1000 the influence of the supply line (at 0.04 °C/m) is smaller by a factor of 10 in relation to the basic resistance. The lead resistance becomes still less significant in relation to the basic resistance R25 with an NTC measuring element (e.g. R25 = 10k). Due to the sloping characteristic curve of the NTC, the influence at higher temperatures increases disproportionately.
Fig.: Pt100 in 3-wire connection
Pt100 in 3-wire connection
The influence of the lead resistance is compensated to the greatest possible extent with a 3-wire connection. The requirement for this is that the lead resistances are the same, as can be assumed with a 3-wire connection. The maximum length of the connection lead depends on the conductor cross-section and the compensation options of the evaluation electronics (transmitter, display, controller or process control system).
Fig.: Pt100 in 4-wire connection
Pt100 in 4-wire connection
The 4-wire connection completely eliminates the influence of the connection lead on the measuring result since any possible asymmetries in the lead resistance of the connection lead are also compensated.
Alternative measures
Example: Measuring error at 150 °C, cable length 10 m, conductor cross-section 0.22 mm2
A further possibility to substantially decrease the influence of the cabling is to increase the conductor cross-section. With a cross-section of 0.5 mm2 the line resistance is only 0.036 Ω/m or 0.1 °C/m. Both options (3/4-wire connection or increasing the cross-section) lead to a higher cost in the cabling, which can be problematic, especially in cost-sensitive markets such as machine building. As a compromise between cost and accuracy, for smaller cable lengths, a class A, 2-wire connection Pt1000 measuring element can be offered.
Crisis are only achievable with a Pt100 in a 4-wire connection.
A Pt1000 measuring element in class A also offers good measurement accuracies in a 2-wire connection and represents an economical alternative to 3- or 4-wire connections for machine building.
Further information on resistance thermometers can be found on our website.
Please also watch the following video to learn more about the differences between a Pt100 and a Pt1000 resistance sensor:


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Jobs by Country
Know more about
Job id: 534797
10 Jul 2024
Job Location
Saudi Arabia
3 to 5 years
Qualification Level
ITI / Vocational; Diploma
Job Function
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Maintenance, Repair
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Jobseekers from any country
Disclaimer: GotoGulf is a platform that facilitates recruiters and jobseekers reach out to each other. Applicants are advised to research the bonafides of recruiters independently. We do not endorse requests for money payments and strictly advise against sharing personal or financial information. If you suspect malpractice, please email to us.


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The CW Image Optimizer is a WordPress plugin that will automatically and losslessly optimize your images as you upload them to your blog. It can also optimize the images that you have already uploaded in the past.
Because CW Image Optimizer uses lossless optimization techniques, your image quality will be exactly the same before and after the optimization. The only thing that will change is your file size.
The CW Image Optimizer plugin is based on the WP Smush.it plugin. Unlike the WP Smush.it plugin, your files won't be uploaded to a third party when using CW Image Optimizer. Your files are optimized using the Linux littleutils image optimization tools (available for free). You don't need to worry about the Smush.it privacy policy or terms of service because your images never leave your server.
Why use CW Image Optimizer?
- Your pages will load faster. Smaller image sizes means faster page loads. This will make your visitors happy, and can increase ad revenue.
- Faster backups. Smaller image sizes also means faster backups.
- Less bandwidth usage. Optimizing your images can save you hundreds of KB per image, which means significantly less bandwidth usage.
- Super fast. Because it runs on your own server, you don't have to wait for a third party service to receive, process, and return your images. You can optimize hundreds of images in just a few minutes.
Contact and Credits
Written by Jacob Allred at Corban Works, LLC. Based on WP Smush.it.
- Install littleutils on your Linux server (step-by-step instructions are below).
- Upload the 'cw-image-optimizer' plugin to your '/wp-content/plugins/' directory.
- Activate the plugin through the 'Plugins' menu in WordPress.
- Done!
Installing littleutils: Ubuntu 11.04 (32-bit)
These instructions were tested with littleutils 1.0.27 and Ubuntu 11.04 (32-bit, desktop edition).
- Download the latest version of littleutils to your Download directory
- Open a terminal window (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
- Move the download to a better location: sudo mv ~/Downloads/littleutils-1.0.27.tar.bz2 /usr/local/src/
- Use the root user account: sudo su
- Install dependencies: apt-get install gifsicle pngcrush lzip libpng12-0 libpng12-dev libjpeg-progs p7zip-full
- Uncompress littleutils: cd /usr/local/src && tar jxvf littleutils-1.0.27.tar.bz2 && cd littleutils-1.0.27
- Configure and install littleutils: ./configure –prefix=/usr && make && make install && make install-extra
Installing littleutils: CentOS 6.0 (32-bit)
These instructions were tested with littleutils 1.0.27 and CentOS 6.0 (32-bit, "Basic server" configuration).
- Log in as the root user.
- Enable the rpmforge repository: cd /usr/local/src/ && wget http://packages.sw.be/rpmforge-release/rpmforge-release-0.5.2-2.el6.rf.i686.rpm && rpm -i rpmforge-release-0.5.2-2.el6.rf.i686.rpm
- Install dependencies: yum install gcc libpng libpng-devel gifsicle pngcrush p7zip lzip
- Download the latest version of littleutils: cd /usr/local/src; wget http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/littleutils/littleutils/1.0.27/littleutils-1.0.27.tar.bz2?r=http%3A%2F%2Fsourceforge.net%2Fprojects%2Flittleutils%2F
- Uncompress littleutils: tar jxvf littleutils-1.0.27.tar.bz2 && cd littleutils-1.0.27
- Configure and install littleutils: ./configure –prefix=/usr && make && make install && make install-extra
littleutils is installed, but the plugin says it isn't. If you are confident that it is installed properly, then go to the plugin configuration page and disable the installation check.
It is also possible that your binaries aren't accessible to your web server user. You can link these binaries using the following commands:
ln -s /usr/local/bin/opt-jpg /usr/bin/opt-jpg
ln -s /usr/local/bin/opt-png /usr/bin/opt-png
ln -s /usr/local/bin/opt-gif /usr/bin/opt-gif
ln -s /usr/local/bin/tempname /usr/bin/tempname
ln -s /usr/local/bin/imagsize /usr/bin/imagsize
ln -s /usr/local/bin/gifsicle /usr/bin/gifsicle
ln -s /usr/local/bin/pngcrush /usr/bin/pngcrush
ln -s /usr/local/bin/pngrecolor /usr/bin/pngrecolor
ln -s /usr/local/bin/pngstrip /usr/bin/pngstrip
- Can I use CW Image Optimizer with a Windows server?
No, CW Image Optimizer only supports Linux.
- Do I have to have littleutils?
Yes, CW Image Optimizer will not work if littleutils isn't installed. This plugin expects opt-jpg, opt-png, and opt-gif to be in the PATH.
Meiwurkers & amp; Untwikkelders
"CW Image Optimizer" is iepen boarne software. De folgjende minsken hawwe bydroegen oan dizze plugin.
MeiwurkersOersette "CW Image Optimizer" yn jo taal.
Ynteressearre yn ûntwikkeling?
Blêdzje troch de koade , besjoch de SVN-repository , of abonnearje op it ûntwikkelingslogboek troch RSS .
- Fix exec check on some systems.
- Updated littleutils instructions.
- Fixed undefined variable errors caused by absolute path code.
- Fixed undefined index errors that were happening for some file types.
- Made it easy to skip the check for littleutils. You can now do this from a settings page.
- Added a check for exec(). Some PHP installations have this function disabled, which will prevent this plugin from working.
- Made it possible to skip the check for littleutils binaries. This is useful on systems where the "which" command doesn't work as expected.
- Fixed PHP warnings in bulk optimization code when an image didn't have any additional sizes.
- Removed extra call to mime_content_type()
- Added an additional method of determining MIME type for those that are missing mime_content_type()
- Plugin works on Macs, too.
- Added screenshots.
- Added donate link.
- Fixed link to plugin homepage.
- Fixed versioning error.
- Added warnings when image optimization binaries are missing.
- Don't display optimization link if unsupported MIME type.
- Added a warning when the plugin is activated on a non-Linux server.
- Updated readme.txt to conform to WordPress standards.
- First edition


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macloo.com is a domain name owned by Mindy McAdams. I also own macloo.net and macloo.org (both of which mirror macloo.com). "Macloo" is a name I made up, partly in homage to Marshall McLuhan, a visionary communications theorist whom I greatly admire. It's also a name I have used as a handle online in various venues for many years. It is not a nickname I use in the offline world.
You can find me as macloo on Twitter, on Delicious, on Flickr, on SlideShare, and on YouTube. You can also find me on LinkedIn.


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If you're a tried and true Conservative and a passionate card carrying Republican then you need this classic retro Reagan-Bush 1984 election sweatshirt!
NOTE: We also have other options for this design. Please see below...
Here's 5 Reasons to Buy this Shirt Today!
- Show Your Support for the Republican Party and Conservative Values with this Ultimate Right Wing Tee!
- Super Comfortable: You'll Feel Great Wearing this 100% Cotton Shirt Around the House or Out on the Town.
- You'll Look Great While Telling the World What You Care About: Get Ready for the Compliments When You Wear this Fun Tee Out in Public.
- Makes a Great Gift for Friends & Family: The Conservative Values Loving People Closest to You will be Super Excited to Receive this Shirt!
- Looks Great on Men and Women! Yep, this shirt is Unisex so It's Perfect for Both Men and Women.


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How to donate your car:
- Go to our online donation wizard or call 1-877-277-4344.
- Provide your vehicle information and contact information.
- Schedule your car to be picked up.
Need help? Email us at [email protected] or call 1-877-277-4344.
"I could not believe I could donate my junk car and help Habitat for Humanity. It had been in an accident but you still towed my car away quickly and easily!"— Connor M., Hartford, CT
Donating your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity is a great way to support our work. Proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle will help Habitat families in the U.S. build strength, stability and self-reliance.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of vehicles can be donated?
We accept almost all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment and construction equipment. If you want to donate your car or truck, please go to our donation wizard. If you want to donate any other type of vehicle, please call us at 1-877-277-4344.
When my vehicle is sold, how much of the money goes to Habitat?
Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services return a higher percentage than any other vehicle processing entity. On a monthly basis, more than between 78% and 82% of the gross revenue generated from vehicle sales comes to Habitat for Humanity.
What happens after my vehicle is picked up?
Your vehicle will be sold on behalf of Habitat through a national network of auctions and direct buyers.
After the vehicle has been sold, you will receive an acknowledgement letter providing your vehicle sale information.
How do I know my car is in good hands once it's been picked up?
All the auctions and direct buyers used by Habitat are licensed, insured and bonded in the states where they operate. By signing the title directly to Advanced Remarketing Services, you are legally transferring ownership of your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity.
When your title is received and your vehicle is picked up, you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Are there tax benefits to donating my vehicle?
Find out more about car donation tax deductions.
What happens to donated cars?
About half of our cars are sold to licensed dealers at wholesale auctions and are reused for transportation. The other half are typically transported to auto salvage yards where all reusable car parts, batteries, tires and fluids are removed. Vehicles that can be recycled are crushed, shredded and recycled into steel.
Recycling cars keeps a huge amount of steel out of landfills – enough to build nearly 45,000 steel-framed homes every year. The energy saved each year is enough to power approximately 18 million homes!
Habitat receives funds for each donated vehicle, although a car sold at auction generally generates more revenue than one that is recycled. Every donation makes a difference and the families that partner with us are extremely grateful for your help.
Who is Advanced Remarketing Services, Inc.?
Advanced Remarketing Services is our authorized agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of selling vehicles and transferring titles. They handle the title transfer, towing and reporting of all vehicle donations.
Vehicle donations may be made online through the donation wizard or by calling 1-877-277-4344.
What if I have more questions?
We are happy to answer any other questions you may have. Please email your questions to [email protected] or call 1-877-277-4344.
Donate your vehicle now online
Need more information?
Give us a call at 1-877-277-4344 or
read more car donation details and stories below.


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Unlocking the Potential of SEO Strategy Planning in Oregon: Your Gateway to Digital Success
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, businesses in Oregon seeking to thrive online cannot overlook the pivotal role played by SEO Strategy Planning. As a leading provider of specialized SEO services, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that Oregon presents for businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility and drive meaningful engagement.
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Our approach to SEO Strategy Planning in Oregon is grounded in a deep understanding of local market dynamics. We leverage cutting-edge techniques and data-driven insights to ensure that your business not only ranks higher in search engine results but also resonates with the local audience.
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Embracing SEO Strategy Planning is essential for any business looking to make a mark in Oregon. With our expertise and customized approach, we are ready to help you unlock the full potential of your online presence. Contact us today to begin your journey to the top of search engine rankings in Oregon and watch as your digital footprint expands and your business flourishes.


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A Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly member's attempt to introduce an ordinance that would have undone an expansion of the borough's anadromous waters habitat protection ordinance was foiled by an unlikely source: the "reply all" button on his email.
Newly elected assembly member Kelly Wolf withdrew Ordinance 2013-03 from introduction Tuesday night citing concerns from borough administration about possible violations of Alaska's Open Meetings Act.
Wolf's measure would have rolled back borough code to protect just the previously listed 25 waterbodies under the borough's anadromous streams habitat protection ordinance passed by the assembly in 2011. It also would have called for an administrative review and assessment of the benefits of enforcing and regulating the entire anadromous streams habitat protection code.
"The integrity of this process needs to be upheld," Wolf said during discussion at the borough's lands committee meeting Tuesday afternoon.
"I very strongly believe that and it was not my intent to see a violation of the Open Meetings Act."
Borough Clerk Johni Blankenship told the assembly the reason for her concern about the ordinance came from an email sent from a borough resident to the assembly members to which Wolf replied back to all assembly members.
"If you want to reply to the public members you obviously have the right to do that, (but) the importance is that you do not reply to the rest of the assembly," Blankenship said.
"You simply reply to the public member and me so that it can become part of the record."
According to a state of Alaska webpage on the Open Meetings Act — statute 44.62.310 — a meeting of a policy-making body occurs when a majority, or more than three members "engage collectively in discussion of a subject that the body is authorized to act and set policy on."
"Under this definition, it doesn't matter where the meeting occurs, if it was prearranged, or who arranged it and could include unplanned casual or social contact," the state's explanation reads.
Assembly President Linda Murphy said she was concerned about moving forward with legislation that could be "tainted" by the possible violation and could be challenged in court despite Blankenship's efforts to cure any possible violation by entering the emails into the public record.
"I only know what I saw come through my server, so I don't know what else might have taken place," Blankenship said. "The concern is that there is debate happening, or argument through the email that the public isn't privy to, which is why I remedied that by copying the whole discussion and making it part of the public record."
Murphy also said she was concerned about the intent of the ordinance.
"I just think this is premature because the task force is still working," she said.
"The ordinance that is currently being adopted might not be perfect, but it's fixable in my opinion and I think we need to wait and let the task force do its job and come back to us with recommendations. Often we let the perfect get in the way of the good."
Brian Smith is the city editor at the
Peninsula Clarion.


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Photo Source: FleetCarma.com
Electric cars help lower emissions and fuel costs, improve fuel economy, and bolster energy security. And considering the volatility of gas prices—and their general skyward trajectory—electric fuel shows promise as an economic alternative. But switching to an electric vehicle entails more than new driving habits and a conversation piece with strangers. It's also a lifestyle update. From setting up a charging station in the garage to maintaining optimal temperatures therein, check out these useful garage preparation tips to assure your electric vehicle battery is in tip-top shape.
Selecting a Charger: Level 1 vs. Level 2
Charging an electric vehicle is more involved than charging your smartphone, and you'll likely need a home station charger. That said, make sure you familiarize yourself with the two main levels of electric vehicle chargers supplied by home-based charging equipment and most public charging stations so you can choose the best one for your home and car.
Level 1 Chargers
A Level 1 cord set charger delivers a standard household current of 110 or 120 volts and comes with most plug-in vehicles upon purchase. It's outfitted with a three-pronged, household plug at one end that's connected to a control box by a short cord. A longer 15-to-20-foot cord running from the other side of the box connects directly to the vehicle itself.
- If you have the time, a Level 1 could be the way to go. But be forewarned: What you get is, more or less, a trickle charge that affords roughly three to five miles per charging hour. For instance, the Nissan Leaf takes around 24 hours to fully charge on a standard 120-volt household outlet.
- The upside is, Level 1 equipment doesn't entail an elaborate setup of high-power circuit breakers or dedicated electrical lines, which are required by major appliances like stoves and refrigerators.
- Because cord sets are portable, plug-in vehicles can be charged virtually anywhere there's a standard outlet. Provided the circuit isn't a household outlet that's patched into the same circuit as other demanding appliances—in which case you could trip a circuit breaker.
Level 2 Chargers
You can also consider installing a Level 2 charger, which delivers 240 volts and replenishes pure electric vehicles in about three hours—which is about seven to eight times faster than Level 1 equipment. Unlike the simplicity of Level 1 setups, though, Level 2 chargers may warrant the services of a professional due to the rigmarole of electrical codes, equipment setup, and necessary inspections.
- Level 2 chargers cost anywhere between under $300 to over $1500, the price ultimately depending on cord length and amperage.
- Level 2 outputs typically range between 16 to 30 amps, but professionals often recommend around 30- to 40-amp systems—an adequate overnight charge for most plug-in electric cars.
Installing a Charging Station
It's worth mentioning that the "charger" you're installing is technically referred to as Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE). This is the wall-mounted box with cord and plug that delivers electricity and functions as a communication and safety unit for the actual charger situated inside the vehicle itself. The EVSE ensures the battery doesn't overheat and shuts the charging session down if there's a short circuit, power surge, or any other type of faulty hardware.
If you've opted for a Level 2 ESVE, you'll likely need to reach out to a professional electrician to wire up equipment and determine where the ESVE should be situated in regards to where your vehicle is parked. Notwithstanding factors like outdated wiring, meters, and breaker panels, updating the garage for your electric ride should actually be pretty straightforward.
Cost of Installation
The installation cost generally hinges on the work involved—such as the amount of wire that needs to be run, whether additional or replacement breaker panels are necessary, and the cost of labor in your area. This could vary between just a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. It's also worth looking into your local. utility company's offerings, as you may qualify for special rates or a rebate when you install an ESVE.


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Lectionary Readings for Friday, December 18th, 2020
Book of Jehovih's Kingdom on Earth Chapter 25
1. This rule I made in all My works, saith Jehovih: When I separate the people, the good
go away out from amongst the evil.
2. Even as I drew the Israelites out of Egupt.
3. And, whoso go out, prosper in My hand; I make them an everlasting people.
4. But those that remain, go down to destruction; and they become unknown upon the
5. Their great men are forgotten, and their wisest men lose caste in the histories of a
thousand years.
6. Behold, these things I had made known unto the generations of the earth.
7. Now, when I separated the Faithists and the Uzians, in the kosmon era, I sent angels,
warning them. I said unto them:
8. Flatter not yourselves that man is all wisdom; I say unto you, I am with the righteous;
might shall not triumph through wrong-doing. Behold, a judgment shall come upon this
9. When I begin to call them, My chosen shall come and found My kingdom; and they
shall come faster and faster every year.
10. And the Uzians shall fall into iniquity, more and more every year.
11. And, now, behold what hath been!
12. The prince of devils came upon the Uzians, saying:
13. Think not that I come to send peace on earth; I come not to send peace, but a sword.
14. I come to set man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother.
15. Now, therefore, when My angels went in behalf of My kingdom, behold, the prince of
devils did invade the places of the ungodly.
16. And, whoso received My angels, and practiced righteousness, were fallen upon by the
emissaries of the prince of devils, and unmercifully treated with curses and tortures.
17. But I called the righteous hence, and they built unto Me My kingdom.
18. And I said unto the Uzians: Let this be a testimony unto you of the power of the
19. Ye go about building ships of war, and harbors for defense, with torpedoes, and with
all manner of wicked inventions;
20. But I say unto you, this nation, this government and this people shall not be attacked
in the places ye build.
21. It is within.
22. For I will draw away the righteous, and none but rogues shall accept your great
23. And this matter shall grow upon you in the way of evil, declining in virtue more and
more every year.
24. Look, therefore, at your grade; judge ye the words of the Almighty.
25. My hands fashioned the signs of the times.
26. As the hirer this day hireth one man to watch another, even so shall it come unto you
in the great offices of your government.
27. By force and by might, ye shall hope to overcome the prince of devils, but ye shall
28. And, in proportion as ye go down in corruption, even so shall the Faithists go away
into My kingdoms.


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Join me Tuesday evening for a live and interactive FutureofEducation.com interview with Laurence Peters, author of Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students
Date: Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Time: 5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern / 12am (next day) GMT (international times here)
Duration: 1 hour
Location: In Elluminate. Log in at http://tr.im/futureofed. The Elluminate room will be open up to 30 minutes before the event if you want to come in early. To make sure that your computer is configured for Elluminate, please visit http://www.elluminate.com/support. Recordings of the session will be posted within a day of the event at the event page.
Event and Recording Page: http://www.learncentral.org/event/86938
Laurence Peters' Global Mission Statement: Laurence is a global educator—he passionately believes that we need to help our students achieve a "global perspective" in their studies--one that does not come from learning about the world second hand but can be significantly enhanced by personal communication that todays's Web 2.0 helps facilitate. His latest book (Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students) published by ISTE, is one large step in this direction. The book provides the essential standards based rationales as to why the global dimension needs to be a central part of how and what we teach in today's classrooms.
Laurence was born in London, England in 1952. He studied at the University of Sussex, where he received a BA degree in English Literature in 1974. He received his MA (Educ) degree in the Theory and Practice of English Teaching from the University of London, Institute of Education (1978) and a Ph..D from the University of Michigan. After writing and teaching he gained a Law Degree from the University of Maryland in 1986 and became counsel to the Subcommittee on Select Education & Civil Rights for the US House of Representatives (1986-1993) before serving as Senior Policy Advisor to the US Department of Education (1993-2001). Subsequently Peters directed the Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology in Education Consortium (MAR*TEC) working with five states, (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington DC and New Jersey) to assist their efforts to integrate technology into the curriculum. His book Global Education: Using Technology to Bring the World to Your Students (ISTE) 2009 is currently adopted in many graduate level programs including the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) where he has served as an adjunct lecturer and consultant. He currently serves as Vice President of the National Education Foundation. He is married with three children.
How to Contact: email@example.com


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Arzak Secrets
Regular price
Author - Juan Mari Arzak.
Juan Mari Arzak is the owner and chef of Arzak restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain, and was one of the first Spanish chefs to be awarded 3 Michelin stars. The restaurant is now rated 8th best in the world, and Juan's daughter Elena, who cooks with him, was voted best female chef in the world in 2012. They both studied with the great chefs of their day - Juan in France with Paul Bocuse and the Troisgros brothers; Elena with Alain Ducasse, Ferran Adria and Pierre Gagnaire. 'What we eat, how we eat, is in our culture,' says Elena, 'our signature cuisine is Basque. Our taste is from here. We were born here. We cook unconsciously with this identity.' Thus Arzak is considered to be one of the most influential masters of the New Basque cuisine, which has continued to have a major influence on international cuisine, particularly on such world renowned chefs as Ferran Adria, who took the techniques pioneered by Arzak to new heights. Originally published in Spanish and now available in English for the first time Arzak Secrets is THE behind the scenes recipe and technique book from the world famed restaurant.Gorgeously photographed, this volume is a glimpse at some of the secrets behind the dishes that have made the restaurant and chef famous. Arzak's kitchen is a laboratory for flavours, aromas and textures, and his dishes and techniques are revealed in this fascinating cookbook, which is not only for professionals looking for inspiration but for any dedicated cook committed to understanding the creative development and innovations behind this exceptional food.
Author: Juan Mari Arzak
Published: November 2015
Pages: 278


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Battleville PWR REC Loveseat/ADJ Headrest
Regular price
Regular price
Sale price
Unit price
Store Information
Store Information
Financing Options
Financing Options
Double down on sleek style with this power reclining loveseat. It has a streamlined, space-conscious appeal, with two-tone upholstery in neutral hues creating subtly striking visual intrigue. And with one-touch reclining, adjustable headrests and wireless charging, this piece combines contemporary function and fashion into a single clean-lined design.
Height | 43in | |
Width | 60.5in | |
Depth | 40in | |
Details | One-touch power control with adjustable positions, Easy View™ adjustable headrest, wireless charging and zero-draw USB port, Zero-draw technology only consumes power when the USB receptacle is in use, Corner-blocked frame with metal reinforced seat, Attached cushions, High-resiliency foam cushions wrapped in thick poly fiber, Genuine leather typically covers inside areas such as the back, seat and arm cushions; skillfully matched faux leather covers the remaining areas, Due to its natural origin, real leather can show individual characteristics such as healed scars, growth marks, grain variation and shade variation, Natural variations make each hide unique and do not detract from the wearing qualities of leather, Zero wall recliner design requires minimal space between wall and chair back, Power cord included; UL Listed | |
Lifestyle | Contemporary | |
Dimensions | 61''W x 40''D x 43''H |
View in Room
Scan this QR code with your mobile device's camera to view this product in AR in your room


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Hasselblad has a history of making incredible cameras and lenses; however, some of its recent digital models have simply been knockoffs of Sony's Cyber-shot and Alpha products – and ridiculously overpriced knockoffs at that.
One such camera is the Hasselblad HV, which is sold as a kit with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for a whopping $12,000 retail price tag.
Well, it's no longer overpriced thanks to a recent $8,000 price cut, bringing the camera kit down to $3,999. This includes the Hasselblad HV body, Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 T* lens and a custom hard case with foam interior cutout.
The Sony A99 on which the Hasselblad HV is based runs $2,000 on its own and so does the Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, which puts the camera and lens at $4,000 – and Hasselblad throws in the custom hardshell case.
While the Sony A99 is long in tooth, it's still a solid full frame camera and, who knows, maybe the Hasselblad clone will become a collector's item some day…


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CLI-950, CLI-1450, and CLI-1750 Meters (Discontinued)
Combination cable leakage and signal level meters
The CLI meter series gives cable network technicians all of the high-performance, time-saving measurement tools necessary to successfully complete virtually any subscriber installation.
This product has been discontinued
Please consider this product instead:
MSQ Handheld QAM Signal Level Meter (Discontinued)
Supported Through Date:
The CLI meter series gives cable network technicians all of the high-performance, time-saving measurement tools necessary to successfully complete virtually any subscriber installation. The CLI-950 is for signal leakage detection only.
- Leakage and advanced signal level measurements provide a compact "one box" solution.
- Frequency agile "Find and Fix" leakage detection accurately pinpoints RF egress. Leakage tagging differentiates competing signals in overbuilt network areas.
- Complete digital test solution for DTV and forward cable modem signals with digiCheck(TM) measurement.
- Intuitive user interface available in multiple languages.
- Extended-life nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery system supplies a quick charge and extra long operating time.
- Detect RF leakage (egress) sources with the fast "Find and Fix" leakage feature and HD-1 antenna.
- Patrol for RF leakage from the service vehicle with the aid of the optional docking station and magnetic mount antenna.
- Certify that all channels in the home network are within system or regulatory RF level specifications with the one-button Installation Test.
- Track down disruptive return path ingress sources with the Ingress Scan feature.
- Identify high/low frequency roll-off at the subscriber drop using the Scan measurement with user-defined limits.
Key Features
- The Leakage mode's large numeric readout, audible alarm, and fast response time makes finding hidden egress sources easy.
- User-defined analog and digital level limits guarantee that your active channels are within system specification when using the Scan, Installation, and Auto-test measurements.
- The Ingress Scan measurement offers an efficient pass/fail indicator as well as adjustable dwell times and peak holds to find transient return path ingress signals.
- Meter configurations can be cloned from meter-to-meter or downloaded from StealthWare Data Analysis Software.
- When paired with the optional LST-1700 Transmitter, the CLI-1750 is capable of 5-862 MHz mini-sweep and FDR fault locator for qualifying in-home wiring.
Hojas de especificaciones
Asistencia en cada paso
Proporcionamos soporte técnico, servicios, una formación completa y los recursos que necesita. Todo ello forma parte de lo que hacemos con el fin de maximizar el valor de su inversión en VIAVI.
Déjenos ayudarle
Estamos a su disposición para ayudarle a avanzar.


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I have, over the course of the past year, seen two infractions of the injunction we receive that when in strange or mixed company we be careful not to let fall the least sign or token whereby the secrets of Freemasonry might be unlawfully obtained.
I have intentionally waited to address this issue, so that my post here would not further the revealment of what ought to be concealed by drawing undue attention to it, but now, after much pause, I speak up:
The nature of the infraction I have seen has been that of photographs taken in open lodge, which have since been "innocently" posted on the web, in which one or more Masons are making the due-guard or penal sign of a degree somewhere in the photo. I am familiar with other societies in which cameras are strictly forbidden to enter the area used for private rituals, and I am thankful that our fraternity does permit the use of cameras, in a majority of cases, to make a visual record of our events, when the time is appropriate. When taking a photo in Lodge, we need to be careful and considerate of what we are taking a photograph of, not just our subject, but of everyone and everything in the background thereof. If we are not careful, we, on a Lodge or Grand Lodge basis, could lose the privilege of taking photos during our meetings.
I hope this will be received as a caution and counsel, and not as a chastisement. Take due notice, and govern yourselves accordingly.


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This repository holds supplementary Go networking libraries.
The easiest way to install is to run go get -u golang.org/x/net
. You can also manually git clone the repository to $GOPATH/src/golang.org/x/net
This repository uses Gerrit for code changes. To learn how to submit changes to this repository, see https://golang.org/doc/contribute.html. The main issue tracker for the net repository is located at https://github.com/golang/go/issues. Prefix your issue with "x/net:" in the subject line, so it is easy to find.


text:
Rizact is developed for the treatment of migraine headaches. Active Ingredient: rizatriptan Availability: In Stock (34 packages) View all Analogs of Rizact: Maxalt |
Product name | Per Pill | Savings | Per Pack | Order |
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Rizact is used for treating migraine headaches with or without aura (eg, flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots). It should not be used to prevent migraines or to treat cluster headaches. It works by narrowing dilated blood vessels in the brain, relieving migraine headaches.
Use rizatriptan as directed by your doctor. Take rizatriptan by mouth with or without food. Take rizatriptan with plenty of fluid.
It is best to take a dose of rizatriptan as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack. If your symptoms do not improve after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor.
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor.
Do not take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor in a 24-hour period. If you miss a dose of rizatriptan and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor right away if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take rizatriptan more often than prescribed. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Store at 15-30°C. Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets.
Do NOT use Rizact if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in rizatriptan; you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, a heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, a stroke, a transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease); you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; you have certain types of migraine headache (hemiplegic, basilar); you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days; you have used certain other migraine medicines within the past 24 hours.
Some medical conditions may interact with rizatriptan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
-if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
-if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
-if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
-if you have a history of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, heart problems, chest pain, shortness of breath, high blood cholesterol, or high blood pressure
-if you are on dialysis
Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; nausea; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody diarrhea; burning, numbness, or tingling of the hands or feet; chest heaviness; chest, neck, or jaw pain, tightness, or pressure; decreased coordination; excessive sweating; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation); muscle spasms; seizure; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; stomach pain; symptoms of stroke (eg, confusion, one-sided weakness, slurred speech); tremor; unusual weakness; very cold or blue fingers or toes; vision changes or loss of vision.


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About project
AgroEye project was created as part of a competition launched by the European Space Agency (ESA): "2nd CALL FOR OUTLINE PROPOSALS UNDER THE POLISH INDUSTRY INCENTIVE SCHEME".
AgroEye project will be entirely on the principles of open source. The aplication will be targeted to using Sentinel-2 data. End-user training is scheduled after the completion of the development work.
The main goals of the project are: support the monitoring agricultural lands in terms of Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), easy to use spatial analysis system for agriculture.
About the project
The political transformation, that took place in Poland over 25 years ago, as well as Poland's accession to European Union entailed a large number of changes, including agriculture. The most important of them were liquidation of national owned farms, free market development and increase manufactures competitiveness. These political changes caused also deep socio-economic transformations and landscape changes as well.
The remote sensing applications in agriculture sector began with sensors for soil organic matter, and have quickly diversified to include satellite (e.g. Landsat), airborne (e.g. digital hyperspectral cameras), UAV (e.g. with multispectrals camera) and hand held or tractor mounted sensors. At present there is considerable interest in collecting remote sensing data as multitemporal series in order to conduct near real time: soil, crop and pest management.
An example institution dealing with this topic is the Monitoring Agricultural Resources (MARS) Unit of European Commission's Joint Research Centre, which focuses on crop production, agricultural activities and rural development.
Our aim is to transfer these good practices to Polish agricultural area management. The first step to achieve the aim is development of an IT application called AgroEye. The AgroEye concept is an advanced Open Source application exclusively designed for monitoring agricultural lands in terms of GAEC. AgroEye will provide an easy to use spatial analysis system for agriculture, which can be used to support decision making and preparing spatio-temportal analysis. Any organizations interested in using application for purpose of monitoring and managing the environment, will get access to source code and the compiled application as well.
The AgroEye application will provide a fast, accurate and simple way to check the dynamic of agricultural changes to help control rules for direct payments. Many of the GAEC rules require field-checking at least a couple of times within a year, together with spatio-temporal analysis. With remote sensing approach, it will be possible with reasonable financial expenditure.
The application is targeted to using Sentinel-2 data but because Sentinel-2 will only be launched in June 2015, at the moment of project submission we decided to use BlackBridge RapidEye for application development. RapidEye data are characterized by high spatial (5 metres) and time (1 day) resolutions and the spectral bands of RapidEye have also relatively similar characteristics to selected bands of Sentinel-2.
We decided to choose 5 test sites (AOI) representing different agricultural landscapes in Poland to make our application as robust as possible. It is important because of high variability of rural areas.
Mapping large areas covered with different land cover classes is possible through the means of various methods for classification of remote sensing imagery. These methods differ in many aspects, making some of them more suitable for processing large amounts of image data. The AgroEye application will be based on the Object Based Image Analysis (OBIA) approach.
The final application is aimed to be an easy-to-use tool for the end user. The idea behind AgroEye is that a person without thorough knowledge of IT or remote sensing should be able to use satellite data to significantly improve their work.
After assigning input satellite images, the operator will receive an answer whether a certain GAEC rule is fulfilled or not. The proposed application will enable non-technical professionals to perform quick and accurate checks if certain farmland meet the requirements of financial support under GAEC.
The design of the AgroEye application will allow its adaptation in the future to meet requirements of other institutions like: Polish State Forest National Forest Holding, General Directorate for Environmental Protection, Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection, National Parks or organisations responsible for Natura 2000 areas management.
Latest posts
What our clients say
Knowledge base
Our team
Who we are
SME ProGea Consulting is a consultancy group, with about 20 employees and workers, concentrating on the advanced technology like geoinformatics. The company was founded in 1991 and always cooperate between commercial and research/education customers was important.
What we do
We are particulary focused on: Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), Mobile Laser Scanning technology (MLS); WebMap/WebGIS portals (Open Source and commercial products – Esri), spatial databases (Open Source), Map Services and Portals (INSPIRE), GNSS applications, OBIA (Object Based Image Analysis; eCognition Definiens/Trimble Geospatial) and "traditional pixel" classification of VHRS images (ER Mapper / ERDAS reseller, MobileGIS mapping of vegetation and agricultural, CIR aerial image interpretation (forestry applications), GIS analyses reports and support of National Parks and other Natura 2000 areas in GIS / digital Photogrammetry, UAV imagery, digital Photogrammetry (3D Mapping, stereomatching), GNSS survey, 3D GIS analysis (incl. visualizations of the landscape), environmental projects.
Our projects
ProGea Consulting has performed a number of RS/GIS project the following customers: Forest Research Institute, Polish National Parks, Polish State Forests National Forest Holding, Małopolskie Voivodeship, etc.
Landsat image
Landsat image
Landsat 8 image
Landsat 8 image
Po Valley, Italy, image from Sentinel-2A
Po Valley, Italy, image from Sentinel-2A
French riviera, image from Sentinel-2A
French riviera, image from Sentinel-2A
Milan, Italy, image from Sentinel-2A
Milan, Italy, image from Sentinel-2A
Classification result
Classification result
Segmentation result
Segmentation result
RapidEye image
RapidEye image


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University Park Attic Insulation Replacement
University Park Animal Removal and control specializes in animal removal, animal control and damaged attic insulation replacement needed from damage caused by Bats, Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Skunks or any other animal that has found their way into your Texas home.
Call for attic insulation replacement in University Park. We also remove dead animals, clean up the mess they may have left behind and repair any damage they may have caused.
When animals like bats, raccoons, squirrels, snakes, skunks, and common or flying squirrels get into an attic, they contaminate the insulation with urine, feces, shed fur, parasites and other contaminants.
The heating and air conditioning system then carries the contaminated air throughout your Texas home, which can cause severe respiratory problems, such as asthma. Unless removed, these disease-causing contaminants will remain in your home's insulation forever, creating an potentially unhealthy condition that remains after the animal is gone.
That's why a complete animal removal attic job includes removing and replacing contaminated insulation. The insulation makes great nesting material for mothers and babies. Our technicians are trained in the removal of contaminated insulation and the installation of a variety of new insulation.
Blown In Fiberglass Loose-Fill
The U.S. Department of Energy states one of the most cost-effective ways to cut heating and cooling costs in Texas and to make a home more comfortable is to add more insulation in the attic. The formaldehyde-free blown in fiberglass loose-fill insulation we install will reduce noise and is fire-resistant and noncombustible.
Icynene Insulation
Icynene Insulation is the leading 100% water-blown soft foam insulation and creates a superior air-seal which effectively minimizes air leakage, and delivers advanced moisture control, healthy air, and energy savings of up to 50% for your Texas home.
Bora Insulation
We offer a special animal resistant Insulation which will help prevent an infestation of self-grooming insects such as roaches, ants, earwigs, crickets, beetles, and certain termites where the product is applied.


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Listen To All Of Our Feel Good Songs On Our Spotify Playlist
In this episode Kate and Sally talk about those rare beautiful moments when you realize everything is (sort of) okay (for now). Then they answer a listener email about dealing with an ~intense~ mom when a history of disordered eating is in the mix. Next up, they discuss an email from a listener about how to get (consensually) weird (in a queer way) when you're assumed to be straight. Finally, they try to help a listener untangle a complicated sibling situation.
AND THE BEST NEWS EVER The Struggle Bus is a Spotify playlist here!
Have a question? Tweet at Kate and Sally or the podcast! Plus, find a "Struggle Buddy" on Twitter at #StrugglePodBuds420.
Theme song by Marty Scanlon!
Source: The Struggle Bus


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Mobile technology giant CloudFone has hit a milestone with its celebration of three successful years in the industry. The homegrown brand, known for its innovative and competitively priced products, has launched a series of campaigns as a thank you to its loyal consumers.
Leading the pack of the exciting lineup of events is its widely successful nationwide mall tour. The tour, which covered a total of 113 retail stores in 30 malls in 19 cities (which includes Baguio, Tarlac, Clark, Manila, Quezon City, Bohol, Lucena, Albay, Naga, Bulacan, Laguna, Marikina, General Santos, Tacloban, Cebu, Dagupan, Batangas, Davao, and Mandaluyong) was the brand's effort to connect with their consumers and retailers.
CloudFone endorser Xian Lim and other notable stars like Jason Abalos headlined the two-month tour. The celebrities went all over the Philippines to entertain the audience and give away premium CloudFone products. In a show of support to its people, the stars also mingled with the brand's retailers and assisted them with sales.
The mall tour was part of the tech giant's efforts of strengthening the brand's presence in the market. Its final leg was capped off by teen heartthrob Enrique Gil, the latest star tapped by the brand to join its roster of celebrity endorsers. The actor will serve as the ambassador of the brand's new roster of mobile devices focused on the youth.
Also part of CloudFone's giving back is an on-going special price-off on select CloudFone and CloudPad models. Consumers can enjoy as much as 25% off on 10 of the brand's tablet and smartphone models.
CloudFone has more surprises waiting in the pipeline for its year-long celebration. To stay up to date on promos and other announcements, visit http://cloudfonemobile.com/.


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Process water cooling
The general semiconductor manufacturing process has a common need for cooling of various subprocesses and utilities. In Alfa Laval's broad portfolio of plate heat exchangers you will find models that cater to the specific needs of any duty.
Water treatment of ultrapure water (UPW) and process cooling water (PCW) is necessary in order to control the temperature of all the various manufacturing steps. General manufacturing in the semiconductor industry consumes large amounts of water, which need to be at the correct temperature. Alfa Laval's plate heat exchangers cater to the specific needs of any duty. Mainly used are any products from our gasketed plate heat exchanger portfolio.


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This is a fun, creative and interactive service for families. The service involves lively songs, craft, drama and other activities. It last 40 minutes and is followed by tea, with a delicious range of sandwiches and cakes.
It is a great way to end the weekend, especially if you find getting to church on a Sunday morning a bit of a challenge!
Buzz @ St B's takes place on the 3rd Sunday of every month.


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We will notify you when this product becomes available.
We will notify you when this product becomes available.
Artisans hand sew the animals "inside out", an old world tradition that results in the mininization of seams, and their bodies are carefully "sculpted" to create "musculature" and "features" like movement in a walking or sitting position that are unique to each creature. On average, there are 42 separate pieces required to make each animal, that must be combined by a team of truly creative artists to create the distinctly realistic features that characterize HANSA animals. (Some animals have as many as 240 different parts!) Each animal is individually hand sewn, to give it a unique "personality", there are more than 860 different fabrics and man-made furs from which the "coat" and "hides" are made, along with over 6000 sets of different eyes, whiskers, claws, noses, and related accessories allocated for creating these wonderful plush animals. Stuffing emphasizes careful attention to the placement of the highest quality man-made materials.
Designed for children 3 and up.
Such great quality! The stuffed animals look and feel higher in quality. I was surprised at the price tag but now I see why.


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What do we know about osteoporosis? We may know that this disease makes the bones more brittle and vulnerable. We may know that osteoporosis is the cause of many a broken hip or curved spine as we age. We may even know that, for a number of reasons, women are far more likely to develop this disease. What we may not be aware of is the impact osteoporosis can have on our dental health.
"Osteoporosis" means "porous bones." It is a disease that makes the bones more likely to fracture or break, as the body's careful balance of absorbing old bone tissue and replacing it with new healthy bone tissue is disrupted. We lose bone tissue faster than we can create new, dense bone tissue. Why is this important for our dental health? Because the fitness of our teeth depends on the fitness of the bones surrounding and securing them in our jaws.
How does osteoporosis affect dental health?
- Osteoporosis reduces density in the bones and bone tissue that hold our teeth in place. Studies have shown that women with osteoporosis have significantly more tooth loss than women without the disease.
- Periodontitis, or gum disease, can also cause deterioration in the bone surrounding the teeth. This is a time to be proactive with gum health to avoid infections and further bone loss.
- Denture wearers may find that their dentures no longer fit properly due to changes in bone structure. Bone loss needs to be addressed promptly to avoid having to replace dentures.
- Rarely, bone-strengthening medications for osteoporosis can lead to serious jaw problems after dental procedures that involve the jawbone (such as extractions). Always tell us any medications you are taking before we schedule any dental treatment.
Unfortunately, osteoporosis often has no symptoms at all—until the first bone fracture. Checking our bone density is important as we age, and one way of discovering changes in bone density is through your regular dental checkups at our West Chester, Pennsylvania office. We can pinpoint changes in your X-rays through the years and will recommend that you see your physician if there is any indication of bone loss. If you have already been diagnosed with the disease, we have ideas to help maintain the health of your teeth and bones.
Many factors can increase your chance of developing osteoporosis. Age, illness, personal habits, medications, diet, genetics—any number of conditions can affect our bone health. Talk to us about osteoporosis. Dr. Milillo, and Dr. Saldivar would like to work with you to provide prevention and treatment to keep your teeth and bones strong and healthy for a lifetime of beautiful smiles. And that's certainly good to know!


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Signs of trouble are arising for President Barack Obama's plan to put education overhaul at the forefront of his agenda as he adjusts to the new reality of a divided government.
Giving students and teachers more flexibility is an idea with bipartisan support. Yet the debate about the overdue renewal of the nation's chief education law, known as No Child Left Behind, is complicated by political pressures from the coming 2012 presidential campaign and disputes over timing, money and scope of the update.
While education might offer the best chance for the White House to work with newly empowered Republicans, any consensus could fade in the pitiless political crosscurrents, leaving the debate for another day, perhaps even another presidency.
If so, parents, teachers, and students would labor under a burdensome set of testing guidelines and other rules that many say are lowering standards.
It's that scenario that the president and his administration intend to invoke as a way to rally public support and spur lawmakers and interest groups into action against long odds.
"No one I'm talking to is defending the status quo," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in an interview. "Everyone I talk to really shares my sense of urgency that we have to do better for our children. We're fighting for our country here."
Duncan said Obama's State of the Union address on Jan. 25 will reflect his commitment to education.
Obama has spoken about the effect on the U.S. economy and competitiveness from lagging student test scores. Lawmakers and advocates will watch to see whether he keeps the issue in the spotlight in the months ahead.
"I don't think there's any substitute but for him to be out front," said Rep. George Miller of California, the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee.
Some Republicans, wary of another giant bill like health care, would prefer a series of small measures to the broad rewrite of No Child Left Behind favored by the administration.
Democrats and many outside advocates say Congress must enact an overhaul this year, before the 2012 campaign. For some in the GOP, getting it right is more important than getting it fast, and they refuse to spend any new money to do it.
"There's room to make cuts, and I think pretty substantial cuts, that would enable us to use some of those savings on things we think work," said Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California conservative who's the new chairman of a House Education and Workforce subcommittee. "I like the piecemeal approach. … If you do it in bite-size pieces, you can tell what needs to be tweaked as you go."
No Child Left Behind would not have passed without President George W. Bush's strong advocacy in the first year of his administration. Since then, many lawmakers have concluded that the law failed to meet its overall objectives of raising student achievement. Instead, they say, it has meant relying too much on test results and arbitrary measurements that don't help students learn.
The Obama administration produced a framework for a new law last year. It would ease many testing requirements, put a new focus on teacher performance and the lowest-performing schools, and replace proficiency requirements with loftier goals of boosting college graduation rates.
Duncan has worked with lawmakers of both parties over the past two years to lay the groundwork for a rewrite. Republican and Democratic leaders of the education committees in the House and Senate say they want to move forward. "Everyone agrees this law needs reform," said Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., chairman of the House committee.
Obama focused on health care at the start of his presidency, when Democrats controlled Congress. Now Republicans control the House and are more powerful in the Senate. It's not clear whether an education overhaul ranks on their list of priorities, even if committee leaders support it.
The "Pledge to America," which the House GOP released before taking power in the November elections, never mentions the education. Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Boehner's focus is on "addressing the top priorities of the American people–creating jobs and cutting spending.
- 'Buyer's remorse' dogging Common Core rollout - October 30, 2014
- Calif. law targets social media monitoring of students - October 2, 2014
- Elementary world language instruction - September 25, 2014


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The design philosophy behind the Radian Model 1 is simple: use the highest quality raw materials, most precise CNC machining equipment, and best components available to create a weapon that seamlessly blends form and function. Beyond quality and aesthetics, the Model 1 features fully ambidextrous controls, adding much-needed utility for both left and right handed shooters. Every Model 1 is assembled by hand, one at a time, by a trained gunsmith who inspects, test fires, and cleans the weapon to personally guarantee it meets the most rigid quality standards. No detail has gone overlooked, which is why the Model 1, like every Radian product, is guaranteed for life.
Upper Receiver Specifications:
Sub-MOA Accuracy Guarantee w/ Black Hills Match Grade Ammunition
Billet Machined 7075-T6 Upper Receiver w/ M4 Feed Ramps
Proprietary Extended Aluminum Hand Guard w/ Magpul M-LOK® Modular Mounting System and Integrated Upper/Hand Guard Stainless Steel Anti-Rotation Pin
Match Grade 416R Stainless Steel Barrel w/ Polished Crown and Feed Ramps, Chambered in .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO or 300 BLK, Threaded ½ x 28 (.223) or 5/8 x 24 (300 BLK)
Enhanced Black Nitride M16 Bolt Carrier Group
Lightweight Forward Assist
Radian Raptor-SD™ Suppressor-Optimized Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Direct Impingement Gas System
9" 300 BLK: Pistol-Length
10.5" 5.56: Carbine-Length
14.5" & 16″ 5.56: Mid-Length
17.5" 5.56: Intermediate-Length
SilencerCo® ASR™ Flash Hider/Suppressor Mount or Dead Air Flash Hider/Muzzle Brake
Manufacturer's Part #R0444


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Stellar QR codes example – WorldPark
March 13, 2011
I've been writing about and using QR codes quite a bit of late. I think the potential of this technology is staggering and we've only begun to imagine what is possible.
Take a look at what New York City's Central Park did last Arbor Day and begin to ask yourself… how could QR codes serve my customers, my employees and my business' growth. I suspect you'll find some pretty fascinating answers.
If you're wondering who in the world is actually scanning QR codes and using the links — check out this infographic.
Related articles
- 21 Innovative QR Codes – From Hi-Tech Graves to Tortilla QR Codes (TrendHunter.com) (trendhunter.com)
- Who's scanning all these QR codes? [infographic] (holykaw.alltop.com)
- How to Create QR Codes and Share Them (lockergnome.com)


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Thanks for another great week, everyone! Don't forget the weekly CFB Tailgate on Saturday and NFL Tailgate on Sunday.
Also, just because they're buried below, don't forget to check out (and have your say about):*NFL Week 6 Picks!
*CFB Top 25 Picks!
*CBB Midnight Madness!
*MLB LCS Mania!
Meanwhile, here's my weekly ranking of my Top 10 favorite newsmakers of the week:
10. Steve Aponavicius: Kicking easy as A-BC!
9. Rajon Rondo: Celtics rookie PG = R.O.Y.?
8. Tom Glavine: The Old Man Rules
7. NBA Griping: New crackdown on whining
6. Tim Tebow: CFB's most intriguing?
5. Stephen Jackson: Odell Thurman of NBA?
4. Snowball: Bring on the
3. Joe Torre: Back for more abuse
2. Alexis Gomez: Jim Leyland = Genius
1. Cory Lidle: Tragedy transcends games
Bonus name: Gilbert Arenas, my favorite NBA player (yes, even more than Jordan Farmar). Read this profile, then try to argue that Arenas shouldn't be the most popular player in the NBA. How can you NOT love him?


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The purpose of this essay is not to instruct the reader on the fallacy of the technological fix. We can assume that by now the environmentally conscious person has seen through the delusion of applying technology to remedy the problems that have been caused by previous technology.
It is obvious that a new pesticide won't finally eliminate the superweeds that evolved to resist the previous pesticide; that new and more powerful antibiotics won't bring a final victory over the superbugs that evolved to resist previous antibiotics; and that massive geo-engineering projects – such as seeding the stratosphere with sulphuric acid or the oceans with iron to combat climate change – will likely cause horrific unanticipated consequences.
What is less obvious is how pervasive the mentality behind the technological fix is. In the United States, we respond to the failure of metal detectors, lockdowns and other forms of control in our schools by calling for even more control.
European countries unable to pay their debts are lent even more money, with the proviso that they try even harder to pay their debts. Imperialist powers apply military violence to fight the terrorism that is a response to previous imperialism and violence. Doctors prescribe drugs to address the side effects caused by other drugs. Urban planners address traffic congestion by building more roads (which leads to more development and more traffic). And millions of people manage the emptiness of a life of material acquisition by buying more material possessions.
As the word 'fix' implies, the logic of technology has very often been the logic of addiction. Feel bad? Have a drink. Feel even worse the next morning? Get drunk again. Depressed because you've now lost your job, your marriage and your health due to drinking? Well, why not do what made you feel better last night? Have another drink. As with agricultural chemicals, ever-increasing doses become necessary to maintain what was once your natural, normal state, and all at the cost of everything precious.
Where does the mentality of control come from, and what is the alternative? Is technology fundamentally a violation of Nature? Surely not. After all, all beings use their physical capacities to influence and cocreate their environment. What is different about what we humans have been doing? How can we embrace technology, and not reject this uniquely human gift?
We environmentalists decry human exceptionalism when we criticise the ideology of endless growth, linear extraction and toxic waste, but to say that our capacity for technology has no useful purpose on this planet is another kind of exceptionalism.
Ecology says that each species has a gift that enhances the wellbeing of the whole. The extinction of one species impoverishes the whole. Humanity is no different. The problem isn't that we have the power of technology. The problem is that we have not used that power in the spirit of a gift. We have not used it in the spirit of ecology. We have not asked: "How might we best serve the totality of all life on Earth?" In contemplating a nuclear power plant, an incinerator, a subdivision, a mine, even a new patio behind our house, we are not in the habit of asking: "Does this best serve the wellbeing of all interested parties?" Our cost–benefit analyses do not include the trees, the water, the fish or the birds.
Why not? Is it because we are Nature's big mistake? Is there something wrong with us? To think so would be to invoke human exceptionalism once again. It would imply as well that the way to live in harmony with the planet would be to conquer or suppress this badness. How different is that from the mentality of spraying pesticides and exterminating wolves, damming rivers and levelling mountains? The war on Nature, whether internal or external, is part of the problem; it is not the solution.
One simple explanation for why we fail to use technology in the spirit of service to all life is that we have lost touch with our unity, or as Thich Nhat Hanh terms it, our interbeingness, with the rest of life. Seeing Nature as separate from ourselves, of course we see it as inconsequential to our wellbeing. We might acknowledge our conditional dependency on Nature, but not our existential dependency. We might therefore imagine that someday we may become independent of Nature, if only we perfect technological substitutes for Nature's gifts.
This indeed was the explicit vision of scientific futurists of the 20th century: some day, they dreamed, we will synthesise food, create artificial air, live in bubble cities, abandon the Earth for space colonies, even conquer death with bionic parts or by uploading our consciousness into computers. To some extent, such ambitions are still with us today in the ravings of nanotechnology and genetic-engineering evangelists.
Well, let us not call these visions 'ravings', as if they had lost touch with reason. These people are as rational as anyone. What has happened to them is the same thing that has happened to humanity generally (at least to modernised humanity): their reason operates within a narrative – shall we call it a mythology? – in which their aspirations make perfect sense. It is a story that casts us into an alien universe of impersonal forces, in which matter is a purposeless, insensate substrate upon which (why not?) we can impose our designs with impunity, and in which the tendency of all things is towards entropy, disorder, chaos.
In this story, Nature is devoid of purpose or intelligence. Any semblance of purpose is just the accidental result of the senseless cacophony of interacting forces and masses, the blind melee of genetically programmed flesh robots, each seeking to maximise its own genetic self-interest.
Underneath the technological fix is a way of perceiving ourselves and the world. More than a mere mentality of separation and control, it comes from a disconnected state of being that is blind to the indwelling purpose and intelligence of Nature.
For example, the skilled organic farmers might see unwanted weeds or bugs not as interlopers but as a symptom of imbalance in soil ecology. To address them holistically, they must believe there even is such a thing as soil ecology. In other words, they must believe in the wholeness and interconnectedness of all beings that make up soil. They must see soil as a collective, emergent entity in its own right, and not as an inert, generic substrate that plants grow in.
Conventional agriculture, on the other hand, sees weeds as an outbreak of badness, similar to the way we have seen terrorism, or violence in schools, or disease. To see them otherwise – as a symptom of a deeper disharmony – presupposes there is such a harmony, an integrity, a beingness, and not just a senseless jumble. The technological fix addresses the symptom while ignoring the illness, because it cannot see an integral entity that can become ill.
I don't want to gloss over the profundity of the paradigm shift we are accepting if we are to see Nature as intelligent and purposive, to do which is to abdicate the exclusive domain to which we have appointed ourselves: the sole intelligence of the world. It is to humble ourselves to something greater, and seek our place not as Cartesian lords and possessors of Nature, but as contributors to an unfolding process beyond our selves. This inescapable conclusion is, perhaps, the reason why teleology is anathema to orthodox science. Purpose was supposed to be our domain! And the king of that domain was the scientist, wielding technology to enact its dominion.
The idea of an inherently purposeful universe is far more radical than religious notions of intelligent design, which agree with mechanistic science about matter and cede intelligence to an external, supernatural being. Such a narrative offers no compunctions to limit the despoliation of Nature. It asks us to humble ourselves to nothing of this world.
To be so humbled, we must see that the soul of Nature – its purpose, intelligence and beingness – comes not from without but from within. It is an emergent property born of non-linear complexity. In non-linear systems, small actions can have enormous consequences. The technological fix is based on linear thinking. The alternative is to develop sensitivity to the emergent order and intelligence that wants to unfold, so that we might bow into its service.
What would the expression of our uniquely human gifts of hand and mind look like exercised in the spirit of service to all life? In the short and medium term, this is not a difficult question to answer. The most urgent need before us is to heal the damage that has been done in the millennia-long course of separation. Vast realms of technology, much neglected today, have been developing in the margins, awaiting their moment for full expression.
Here are just a few:
• Regenerative agriculture and permaculture to heal the soil, replenish the aquifers and sequester carbon – all while producing far more food than chemical monocropping and GMOs can. (Industrial agriculture maximises yield per unit of labour, but not per unit of land, energy or water.)
• The use of fungi to detoxify PCBs and petrochemical waste.
• Restoration of deserts. This is not done by pumping in water (which leads to salinisation and the necessity for some new fix), but by identifying and encouraging latent healing processes.
• Conservation technologies that could reduce energy consumption to a fraction of what it is today without any big sacrifice.
• Waste-water treatment with reed beds, aquaculture, and so on (and composting toilets).
• Healing modalities that take seriously the intelligence of Nature and the body, including herbalism, mind-body modalities, touch-based therapies, bioenergetic modalities, and pretty much anything that goes by the name 'holistic' or 'alternative' today.
• And, since I am veering off the territory of scientific respectability, I may as well mention a few more controversial technologies (along with some so unorthodox they aren't even subject to controversy) – cold fusion and other unorthodox energy technologies; unorthodox ways to neutralise radioactive waste; Schauberger-inspired water technologies; technologies of the mind called psi phenomena; and shamanic technologies based on direct communication with the hidden beings and forces of Nature.
Every one of the above technologies clashes in some way with our civilisation's current operating systems. In some cases the clash is paradigmatic: the technologies contradict conventional scientific beliefs. In other cases the clash is economic: there just isn't much money to be made in establishing public space or generating positive externalities such as aquifer restoration or carbon sequestration. Sometimes laws, building codes and conventional practices impose obstacles as well.
All of these – scientific orthodoxy, the economic system, and law and habit – are expressions of the same mythology of separation. Our money system, for example, rests on the conversion of Nature into products, and relationships into services, reifying the binary subject–object distinction that is at the heart of separation. If you examine closely the phenomena that science refuses to acknowledge, you will find that most of them imply intelligence, purpose and interconnectedness.
What about the long term? What is the purpose of technology on a healed planet? What is the purpose of this unique species to which Gaia has given birth? To that, no one can offer anything but speculation. I think it is something that we can only discover on the other side of the healing journey.
That journey has begun.
Today, painfully, we are becoming aware of the folly of the delusion that we can, with clever enough technological solutions, avoid the consequences of what we do to the world. The pretence of separation is increasingly difficult to maintain. We are learning that we are not separate from Nature, and that it bears a wholeness that we ignore at our peril.
Our techno-utopian dreams and scientific paradigms are unravelling in tandem with many of our social institutions, because the underlying narrative of separation is unravelling as well. These converging crises – social, ecological and intellectual – are expelling us from our old story. As that happens, none of our fixes, technological or otherwise, are working any more to control the pain: the grief, the rage, the loneliness we feel as we gaze out upon what we have wrought.
Thus begins the healing journey, out of the old story, through the space between stories, and ultimately into a new story of cocreative participation in the unfolding destiny of our planet.