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I first learned what it really meant to be a football fan when I was 13. Mike Lantry missed a field goal, by inches. Then he missed another - by inches. And a group of unaccountable, brutally unfair adults got together and decided that 10-10 meant that Ohio State won, and should go to Rose Bowl, while Michigan stayed home for the holidays.
I wasn't quite the same for weeks. Every morning, there was a brief interval between waking up and remembering that Michigan hadn't won - and then the slightly nauseating feeling hit again. I was old enough already to realize that this was irrational, but not old enough to stop it. I'm still not old enough, really.
Lantry missed again the next year. Ricky the Peach Leach put the HEI in Heisman before Michigan got knocked off by one of the Little 8. By the time I actually got degrees from Michigan, my Michigan football fandom was not an allegiance, not a choice. It was a permanent condition, an extra lobe in my brain connected to a fifth chamber of my heart.
Those extra vital organs experienced plenty of euphoria through the years. And a lot of scars, too. Every year, the hope that this year was the year - the year we'd break through, and prove ourselves to the world. Decades of starting that Fall climb of Everest, only to be turned back hundreds of feet from the summit while smarter or better prepared or more ambitious climbers went to plant the flag at the top. And then the disappointment, upon finally reaching the summit, of finding that someone else had climbed the other side to share the credit. Decades of screaming "throw the f--king football" at the future hall of fame coach, and wondering how other great teams always seemed to get it just a little more. Decades of believing that we just needed a little bit more, that this might be the year ...
And the question - sometimes the outright conviction - that we might not have the right leader to do it. The awful symmetry of reading the gently mocking assessment of a USC coach after the '77 Rose Bowl, that they knew when Michigan would pass because "the receivers turn cartwheels when they break the huddle", and hearing the faint echoes 30 years later from a USC defender after shutting down the most talented Michigan offense ever: "they didn't do anything we didn't expect".
Along the way, in '05, I found this blog. Written by someone who could mix intense passions for writing, humor, analysis, and M football into a remarkably addictive cocktail. It worked for the Engineer in me, and the football fan in me, and I was not alone. I became a more educated, more involved, more insightful fan, able to understand and look for outcomes besides just final scores and records. And I shared Brian's hope that Rich Rodriguez was, at last, the kind of leader that might begin to pay back decades of lost hopes.
It didn't happen. About 12:00 PM PST Jan. 1, the M fan organs went into temporary shutdown. And I have to tell you, they aren't exactly healthy yet. A January hire of a lifetime 47-50 coach just didn't provide enough voltage to jolt them fully back into rhythm.
This is not fair, you say. I must give the new leader a chance before passing judgement, and anyway, who can really project? And I respond that projection is what being a fan is all about. Whether it's "We're gonna kick their ass", or a multi-thousand word analytical piece from Mathlete or Misopogon, trying to figure out what might happen next, and putting your hope and conviction behind it, is what constitutes this crazy affliction. And if skeptically projecting that you are not likely to achieve full success while fervently hoping you are wrong is unfair, it is an unfairness which can't and shouldn't be eradicated. Bo Schembechler and his kids never lost a game because of my screaming conviction that he should pass more, and Bo wouldn't have had a job at all but for people like me.
It is true that there are no closed-form solutions to predicting the future. Two star recruits sometimes become All Americans. A sixth round draft pick becomes an NFL and Super Bowl MVP winning quarterback. A guy with no experience running anything bigger than a tailor shop becomes an iconic U.S. President. But there are reasons why such stories are so inspirational: they're exceptional. Much more often, past is prologue.
So if you'll forgive me, and those like me, I'll not subject myself just yet to the enthusiastic belief that we've found football Harry Truman. I'll leave it to those of you who are younger or less cynical or maybe more naive or maybe just happier. And I won't judge you for being what I once was, and you won't judge me for what I've become. We'll all root for Michigan and Brady Hoke, and we won't mistake apparently undue optimism or pessimism for moral failure. Maybe it's a deal we all could make.


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(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, Pool)
Tito Jackson has dismissed reports his brother is not the biological father of his three children, telling doubters to look at the kids' eyes for assurance they are the superstar's offspring.
Since the "Thriller" legend's death last month, there has been mounting speculation the star is not the real father of his kids, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and 7-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket.
Some reports suggest he asked his longtime skin doctor Arnold Klein to a be a sperm donor and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe to act as a surrogate mother so that he could have the children he always craved.
But Jackson's older brother Tito has slammed the continued rumors, insisting his late sibling is "100 percent" the father of the three kids.
He tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "They are all his children. Blanket is Michael's, I can tell. Those eyes don't lie. Them eyes are Michael over again. I see a lot of Michael in him."
"Paris and Prince are Michael's children. Yes they are. Just because they look white doesn't mean they are not his. I have an uncle who is married to a white girl and they have three kids. Two of them are white and one is black. When they go to school people don't even know they are brother and sister.
"They are all Michael's children. Prince looks just like my grandfather. There's no question they are Michael's. They are 100 per cent his."
However, despite being convinced Jackson is the biological father of all three of his children, Tito admits he does not know who the biological mother of Blanket is.
He adds, "Nobody knows who his mother is, nobody. That's the million-dollar question. When I find out I'll call you!"

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Cambodia to become a fourth validation state for European patent applications
From 1 March 2018, Cambodia will join Morocco, the Republic of Moldova, and Tunisia as an available validation state for European patent applications. Validation in Cambodia will be possible for all European applications filed after that date. What is a validation state? A validation state is a non-contracting state to the European Patent Convention (EPC)...
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Air Quality Index
The Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques has developed an information and awareness tool called the "Air Quality Index" (AQI). The public and decision-makers can use this tool to determine the amount of air pollutants present in the air of certain regions.
A unique feature of the index is the clearness of the categories that are used to measure air quality conditions: "good", "acceptable", or "poor".
The AQI is calculated and updated each hour, based on measurements taken by air quality monitoring stations (402 Ko) located across Québec. The elements that are used to make calculations include ozone, fine particles, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Regional Air Quality …
The air quality index is presented according to two spatial representation scales. Regionally, the AQI is calculated for the same regions as those used by the Info-Smog forecast program because this level is characteristic of the smog situation.
… and Local Air Quality (sectors)
Locally, human activities related to industry, automobile traffic and residential wood burning can create a different air quality than the region as a whole. Therefore, for some sectors, an index with a more local representation is calculated. These sectors are represented on the map by circles and their colour associated with the index may differ from the index for the overall region.
Air Quality: Yesterday, Today, Each Year
AQI values and their related information messages are displayed. Online users can also track changes in AQI components for current or previous days and obtain annual statistics for each region and sector. From this page, online users can consult the most recent forecast bulletin published by Environment Canada for the evening and next day.
The AQI is produced by the Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques in cooperation with the Ministère de la Santé
et des Services sociaux, Environment Canada and the City of Montréal.
Information for the Montréal Island is posted according to the method the
Ministère uses for the rest of Québec.


text: On Thu, Aug 14, 2003 at 02:25:43PM -0500, vinai wrote: > > and even that isn't the full story. You can use many IDE and SCSI > > controllers without executing the built-in firmware at all, and you > > can use some graphics cards without having to rely on the firmware. > > As long as the driver you use initialises the electronic and logical > > properties of that specific PCI card correctly, it will work (or so I > > heard). > > I think you're correct here. I remember some folks mentioning (either > here or on linuxppc-dev) being able to use some PCI IDE controllers > under linux that don't work under Mac OS (classic or X). I also seem to > remember someone mentioning using non-OF graphics cards, but that one I > am less sure of. What I've heard is that you can usually use them, but you usually can't boot from them. You can stick a $15 IDE card in a Mac and put drives on it, but you still have to boot from the internal interface (or some other Mac-native bootable device). I think you can do the same with some graphics cards and you just won't get a console until the framebuffer driver initializes the card, but I seem to remember that there are other problems related to silly PC architecture. The same thing applies to some other PCI-based hardware, like Sun Ultras. Even running Solaris, you can usually use a cheap SCSI card that has the same LSI Logic chipset as the Sun card, but you won't be able to boot from a disk on that card because it doesn't have Sun's firmware. -- Michael Heironimus


text:
Treats used for training should be small, moist and smelly! A small amount goes a long way; for most dogs a pea size works great. The fewer ingredients the better and most of them should be easily recognizable.
It is important to know your dogs treat preferences in a general order of value. Avoid using things at the top of list when food of lesser value will do but don't be stingy when it counts! When practicing recalls and counter classical conditioning you should use the highest of value for your animal.
Some treats I commonly use are ( usually cut smaller!) click below for links!
- Happy Howies food rolls
- Pet Botanics
- Charlee Bear
- Merrick Training Treats
- Grizzly Training Treats
- Zuke's Minis
- Freeze dried liver
- Red Barn Food rolls
- Freeze Dried Tripe
- Real Meat Food
- cheese
- Sojos "simply" varieties
- Vital essentials Nibs
- Freeze dried Salmon
You can use anything your dog likes! ( Including their kibble!) I will often make my own treats at home out of raw or cooked meats.


text:
Envisioning Your Dream Career for the New Year
Start the new year off right! Join certified life and career coach and television/new media packaging expert Jim Arnoff in a highly interactive workshop for an insider's take on an entertainment industry career that embraces your strengths, skills and passions.
Maximize your options, get clarity about your career direction and break through the walls that have been holding you back! Through one-on-one and group coaching, gain the tools to see possibilities beyond where you are now and strategize ways to make that dream entertainment career a reality.
Produced by Jim Arnoff
Join the conversation on Twitter:#nywiftlive | @nywift
NYWIFT programs, screenings and events
are supported, in part, by grants from New York City Department of
Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York
State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and
the New York State Legislature.
Last updated: Dec. 26, 2013


text:
The April 24, 2011
2001-2011: 10 year anniversary for the first programme of excellence with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) for Chinese students in the engineer degree in one of the 3 Universities of Technology.
Since 2001, 224 students benefited of this opportunity among them 96 at the UTT.
Due to the success and excellence of the programme, numbers of double degrees have been established since 2004 with Xi'an Jiaotong and Northwestern Polytechnic University and recently with Harbin Institute of Technology.
100 student s among them 62 at UTT got a double degree.
Those engineers work nowadays in China and France in international companies such as Air France, France Telecom, Dassault, Décathlon.


text: Cape Town - An extended Junior Springbok training group concluded a very successful first training camp on Monday in Stellenbosch to kick-start the defending champion's preparations for the IRB Junior World Championship next year in France.South Africa Under-20 coach, Dawie Theron, who guided the team to JWC honours in June on home soil, said he was very satisfied with the outcome of the first exercise.The large group of players assembled on Friday morning at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and, apart from medical examinations and field sessions, also took part in several trial matches on Saturday and earlier on Monday.Theron again invited the Under-19 provincial coaches to attend the camp, who assisted him throughout the four days."We involved the Under-19 coaches last year and it worked really well for us. We have now built an excellent foundation and I can honestly say that we are already reaping the rewards of this system."Together with the national selectors, the provincial coaches help us throughout the season to identify and monitor promising players. We are constantly in communication with each other and they have formed an integral part of our system of early identification and player monitoring," explained Theron.After a good look at the new crop of young hopefuls during the past few days, Theron said he is satisfied and excited of the prospects to work with another group of talented young rugby players."There's obviously a long way to go, but the selectors, our team management and the provincial coaches are in agreement that this was a very good trial process and that we saw some really good talent on show," added Theron.Next step in the preparation process is the selection of 36 players from the large training group for a second training camp, to be held from 2 to 11 December at Stellenbosch.This will then be followed by a series of training matches between the SA Under-20 training squad and the three Cape-based universities, namely the Universities of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch and Cape Town.South Africa will play JWC hosts, France, England and IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012 winners USA in Pool A next year. The confirmed list of SA Under-20 training matches for early next year, are:18 Jan: vs. UWC in Bellville-South22 Jan: vs. Maties at venue tbc 26 Jan: vs. Ikeys at venue tbc


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Interested in finding or building a pocket neighborhood?
Click through for our suggestions on next steps:
Getting Up to Speed
Whatever your interest or knowledge level in pocket neighborhoods, get up to speed with as much information as you can. Read articles and books, peruse pocket neighborhood projects on the RCA website, and read Ross Chapin's book. For concise essentials, read through the Design Patterns on this website, and see how the key components come together in these site plan examples.


text:
Flower Pollination Algorithm Based Optimal Placement of Solar DGs in Distribution System
Total Views: 596
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Ackermann, Thomas, Göran Andersson, and Lennart Söder. "Distributed generation: a definition." Electric power systems research 57, no. 3 (2001): 195-204.
Kowsalya, M. "Optimal size and siting of multiple distributed generators in distribution system using bacterial foraging optimization." Swarm and Evolutionary Computation 15 (2014): 58-65.
Wang, Caisheng, and M. Hashem Nehrir. "Analytical approaches for optimal placement of distributed generation sources in power systems." Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on 19, no. 4 (2004): 2068-2076.
Gözel, Tuba, and M. Hakan Hocaoglu. "An analytical method for the sizing and siting of distributed generators in radial systems." Electric Power Systems Research 79, no. 6 (2009): 912-918.
Hung, Duong Quoc, Nadarajah Mithulananthan, and R. C. Bansal. "Analytical expressions for DG allocation in primary distribution networks." Energy Conversion, IEEE Transactions on 25, no. 3 (2010): 814-820.
Hung, Duong Quoc, and Nadarajah Mithulananthan. "Multiple distributed generator placement in primary distribution networks for loss reduction." Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on 60, no. 4 (2013): 1700-1708.
Keane, Andrew, and Mark O'Malley. "Optimal allocation of embedded generation on distribution networks." Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on 20, no. 3 (2005): 1640-1646.
Rueda-Medina, Augusto C., John F. Franco, Marcos J. Rider, Antonio Padilha-Feltrin, and Rubén Romero. "A mixed-integer linear programming approach for optimal type, size and allocation of distributed generation in radial distribution systems." Electric power systems research 97 (2013): 133-143.
Atwa, Y. M., E. F. El-Saadany, M. M. A. Salama, and R. Seethapathy. "Optimal renewable resources mix for distribution system energy loss minimization." Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on 25, no. 1 (2010): 360-370.
Ochoa, Luis F., and Gareth P. Harrison. "Minimizing energy losses: Optimal accommodation and smart operation of renewable distributed generation." Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on 26, no. 1 (2011): 198-205.
Moradi, Mohammad Hasan, and M. Abedini. "A combination of genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization for optimal DG location and sizing in distribution systems." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 34, no. 1 (2012): 66-74.
Injeti, Satish Kumar, and N. Prema Kumar. "A novel approach to identify optimal access point and capacity of multiple DGs in a small, medium and large scale radial distribution systems." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 45, no. 1 (2013): 142-151.
El-Fergany, Attia. "Optimal allocation of multi-type distributed generators using backtracking search optimization algorithm." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 64 (2015): 1197-1205.
Yammani, Chandrasekhar, Sydulu Maheswarapu, and Sailaja Kumari Matam. "A Multi-objective Shuffled Bat algorithm for optimal placement and sizing of multi distributed generations with different load models." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 79 (2016): 120-131.
Poornazaryan, Bahram, Peyman Karimyan, G. B. Gharehpetian, and Mehrdad Abedi. "Optimal allocation and sizing of DG units considering voltage stability, losses and load variations." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 79 (2016): 42-52.
Kayal, Partha, and C. K. Chanda. "Placement of wind and solar based DGs in distribution system for power loss minimization and voltage stability improvement." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 53 (2013): 795-809.
Sultana, Sneha, and Provas Kumar Roy. "Oppositional krill herd algorithm for optimal location of distributed generator in radial distribution system." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 73 (2015): 182-191.
Chakravorty, M., and Debapriya Das. "Voltage stability analysis of radial distribution networks." International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 23, no. 2 (2001): 129-135.
Aman, M. M., G. B. Jasmon, A. H. A. Bakar, and H. Mokhlis. "A new approach for optimum DG placement and sizing based on voltage stability maximization and minimization of power losses." Energy Conversion and Management 70 (2013): 202-210.
Teng, Jen-Hao, Shang-Wen Luan, Dong-Jing Lee, and Yong-Qing Huang. "Optimal charging/discharging scheduling of battery storage systems for distribution systems interconnected with sizeable PV generation systems." Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on 28, no. 2 (2013): 1425-1433.
Velamuri, Suresh, and S. Sreejith. "Reserve Constrained Economic Dispatch Incorporating Solar Farm using Particle Swarm Optimization." International Journal of Renewable Energy Research (IJRER) 6, no. 1 (2016): 150-156.
Yang, Xin-She. "Flower pollination algorithm for global optimization." In Unconventional computation and natural computation, pp. 240-249. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012.
Abdelaziz, Almoataz Y., and Ehab S. Ali. "Static VAR compensator damping controller design based on flower pollination algorithm for a multi-machine power system." Electric Power Components and Systems 43, no. 11 (2015): 1268-1277.
Yang, Xin-She, Mehmet Karamanoglu, and Xingshi He. "Multi-objective flower algorithm for optimization." Procedia Computer Science 18 (2013): 861-868.
Teng, Jen-Hao. "A direct approach for distribution system load flow solutions." Power Delivery, IEEE Transactions on 18, no. 3 (2003): 882-887.
Sahoo, N. C., and K. Prasad. "A fuzzy genetic approach for network reconfiguration to enhance voltage stability in radial distribution systems." Energy conversion and management 47, no. 18 (2006): 3288-3306.
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text: Placing you within a 15-minute drive of Scaliger Castle and Grotto of Catullus, Aquila d'Oro offers an airport shuttle (available on request) for EUR 70 per vehicle. Guests can take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a bite to eat at ristorante abbraccio, which serves lunch and dinner. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are other highlights, and rooms at this upscale hotel feature private pools and kitchens.


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Thanksgiving in Costa Rica: Experiencing Pura Vida
The moment I stepped off the plane, my body began to breathe differently.
Later, I would describe it to a friend as a subtle shift from consciously having to tell my body to breathe long and deep to melting naturally into the rhythm of the earth. The minute the oxygen hit my pores, my body instinctively knew how to drink it in. We had arrived in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida.
Thanksgiving in the Land of Pura Vida
Unlike our other travels, this visit to Costa Rica would be unconventional in many ways. First, with the exception of booking plane tickets and a rental car, there was virtually no additional planning on our part. Our dear friends, Merlinda and Paul, newly minted Costa Rica residents, took charge of the trip planning weeks before and surprised us with an itinerary that touched us both in terms of its breadth and heart. From zip-lining and riverside yoga to soaking in the healing waters of a sacred volcano, our friends designed an itinerary that truly spoke to how well they knew us and the things we would love. All we had to do was get there.
…We are grateful for the kind, generous hearts of dear friends.
Another important departure from our typical travel routine was the opportunity to see a place through the eyes of its people. To this point, our gracious hosts opened up their home and welcomed us into their warm community of fellow expats and native Ticos (native Costa Ricans). Thanksgiving dinner was a vegetarian feast prepared by their neighbors, Elkin and Valentina, a Tico couple Merlinda and Paul refer to as their "Costa Rican family". The afternoon before our departure day, we stopped by a self-sustaining farm owned by one of their expat friends. Welcoming us with an easy smile, their friend paused mid-errand and led us on a guided tour of his extensive 8-acre slice of paradise which included a grove of banana trees, meandering cows, a flock of geese and a magnificent view of the lake at sunset that would make any aspiring photographer jump for his camera. Such experiences cannot be found in any travel guidebook or tour outfit, but were only made possible through the far-reaching connections of friendship and community.
…We are grateful for unexpected connections and the warm hospitality of the local people.
Costa Rica was a springboard for many firsts. It was the first time we bathed in the mineral-rich waters of an active volcano and skipped through a rainforest canopy on hanging bridges. On our last full day in Costa Rica, Mr. Travelbypoints tested his fear of heights by zip-lining through the treetops of a lush rainforest, while I indulged a whimsical last-minute decision to remain behind and explore the grounds of a delightful eco-resort. It was there that I had my first Reiki massage session – atop an open-air tree house, to boot! The experience was so magical and spiritually transformative that it deserves its very own blog post (to come).
…We are grateful for the thrill of new experiences and the joy of connecting with our bliss.
Finally, while I could wax poetic for days about the splendid natural beauty of Costa Rica, the highlight of our time there was the privilege of sharing these experiences with people we love. From laughing till our bellies hurt in our search for a convenient papaya tree (inside joke) to arguing about who would ride in the back trunk (I don't even know if that was legal), it was the little moments of companionship and camaraderie that made our trip so memorable. Heartfelt thanks to Merlinda and Paul for helping us create wonderful memories to last a life time. We love you guys!
…We are grateful for the gift of shared laughter and unforgettable experiences.
Pura Vida in Pictures
Pura Vida is a refrain you'll often hear while traveling in Costa Rica. Quite simply, it means "Pure Life" or "Full of Life" and can be used as a greeting, farewell or to express appreciation or thanks for life's bounty. We hope that these pictures can convey even a fraction of the joy and wonder we felt during our time there. Pura Vida!
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text:
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
by Charles Yu
Cover Artist: Adam Simpson
Review by Mel Jacob
Pantheon Hardcover ISBN/ITEM#: 9780307379207
Date: 07 September 2010 List Price $24.00 Amazon US / Amazon UK / Show Official Info /
Charles Yu's debut novel tackles a number of concepts involved with time and time travel. He takes the reader on a journey with his hero as he struggles to find meaning in his own life and to search for his father, the inventor of time travel, who deserted the family.
His mother, devastated by her husband's departure, has chosen to live in a temporal loop repeating the same events in an endless cycle. Yu has opted to become a time travel mechanic who rescues people when they misuse their time machines. He observes most travelers want to change some event in their past, but he informs them that is not possible. Instead, they would end in another universe that differs from their own. The major problem would come from two entities trying to exist at the same instant in the same universe, which would violate the laws of science.
Yu has the help of Ed, a pseudo dog, and TAMMY, a computer controlling his time travel module. Yu creates interesting software constructs that have trouble accepting they are not human. With the exception of Ed, they have human characteristics, even families. For the main part, Yu accepts them, but sometimes wants to disillusion them.
Yu uses familiar mechanisms to tell his story. Others have also used such sidekicks effectively. Time travel and extra-dimensional travel have become commonplace in science fiction. Yu focuses on coming to grips with one's family and heritage, following many others who also treat these themes. In one sense, the novel is a coming of age story of the thirty-something hero.
Like Jamil Nasir, Yu is an accomplished literary writer and his prose flows easily. Some readers will love this debut novel, while others may regard it as pretentious and boring, especially because of the conceit of the author in naming his main character after himself. A few may consider the title of the novel as a joke. It will be interesting to see what Yu tackles next.
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text:
How to get your money back from Indianapolis
Michelin and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have announced details of the ticket refund process for ticket holders to the 2005 United States Grand Prix. All tickets purchased for race day are eligible for the Michelin ticket refund. For most of the ticket purchasers, no action will be required as refunds can be made automatically. Those who bought tickets on race day will need to provide ticket stubs, along with a completed claim form. This must be done by the end of August. Details of the process and claim forms for individual ticket holders will be available online at: indianapolismotorspeedway.com and at the IMS Ticket Office or on request by phone at (877) 950-8747.
Details of the 2006 Michelin ticket distribution process are currently being finalised and will be announced after the F1 calendar for 2006 is released by the FIA.
"Michelin has made a tremendous commitment to the fans of the United States Grand Prix," said IMS President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood. "We?ve been working closely with Michelin to work out the details of the ticket refund process and we commend them on their commitment to a speedy and full response to the fans."
|Print News Story


text:
Search by property reference or keyword
Please do not hesitate to contact us about this rental quoting Reference Globeprop DE-49545-02 by calling us on (00 31) 882 021 258 or by email firstname.lastname@example.com
Reference: DE-49545-02
Bedrooms: 10
Sleeps: 20 Persons
Bathrooms: 6
Weekly rental rates
Low Season 1416.00 € Euros
(approx GBP £ 1,210)
These modern furnished apartments are in a former court-house in picturesque Tecklenburg.
Together they have space for 20 people.
The apartments are around 40m2 and are on the groupnd floor or first floor.
There is a shared dining room on the groupnd floor with a professional kitchen.
The communal showers and changing areas are very useful after an active day.
Beer tables on the terrace behind the house are perfect for enjoying a drink.
The impressive former court-house with its thick walls dates from 1860.
It enjoys a beautiful position in the historic town centre. Tecklenburg is not far from the Dutch border.
Restaurants, pavement cafes and an open-air theatre are a stopnes throw from the apartments.
It is the most northerly mountain town in Germany.
There are many romantic, medieval half-timbered buildings.
The town nestles in the hills of the Teutoburger Forest.
It enjoys beautiful views of the Munsterland Park.
You can enjoy walking and cycling in the attractive, varied surrounding landscape. For reasons of tranquillity, this holiday home will not be rented to groupps of youngsters.
Ground floor: 1 hall, 1 sitting room, 1 open plan kitchen (oven, microwave, dishwasher), 3x open plan kitchen, 3x living/bedroom (double sofa bed, radio), 3x bedroom (2 x single bed), 3x bathroom (shower, washbasin, toilet), 1 bathroom (5 x shower, 2 x toilet).
On 1st floor: 2x open plan kitchen, 2x living/bedroom (double sofa bed, radio), 2x bedroom (2 x single bed), 2x bathroom (shower, washbasin, toilet).
General: bedding, heating (central), patio (shared), garden furniture, 5 x bicycle(s) available (paid, on request), 2 x high chair, 1 stoprage roometres
Features: Holiday home, Detached, Residential area,
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Sunday, June 8, 2014
Calla Lilies
I didn't need flowers -- just a dozen eggs and a few Siggi's yogurts -- when I ran into Whole Foods the other day. But then I spied these dramatic calla lilies and couldn't pass them up. Funny how that happens. There were also calla lilies in white, pink and lilac, but this deep, red-orange color appealed to me most. I like how their color is similar to the walls in our dining room, where I took this photo. But I chose to put the little bouquet on the coffee table in the living room instead, next to this bowl of shells.
Like the simple white tulips from a couple of weeks ago, these calla lilies brighten the room and brighten my spirits. Not bad for $4.00.
Labels: Favorite Things, Flowers, Simple Pleasures Posted by Claudia, My Little Bungalow at 6:00 AM
5 comments:
My first reaction was that these were a perfect color for your house. Very pretty.ReplyDelete
One of Mother Nature's beautiful gifts! I love the calla lilies' pure form and sculptural lines!!ReplyDelete
Beautiful, Claudia!ReplyDelete
My Calla Lily just opened up today in the garden! We inherited a few with the house and they are lovely! I'll try to put on Instagram tomorrow. But your color is just stunning: I've never seen them in this red orange!ReplyDelete
Beautiful and unique! Sometimes you just cannot pass up a gorgeous bouquet!ReplyDelete
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No we don't mean stealing. When borrowing someones car there are a few things you should remember~
- Return the car in the same if not better condition
- Thank them verbally and in some cases monetarily
- Don't wreck it
Return the car in same if not better condition
If you borrow a car don't trash it. If you do more than likely you'll never get to use that car again. What if it's already trashed? Don't make it worse. In fact, if you really want to the owner happy, clean their car. We're not talking about Monk-style but perhaps throwing out their old Dunkin Donuts coffee or other trash would be noticed and appreciated. Of course, there's always the person who works/sleeps/lives in their car and have chaos that only they can comprehend and they will look at your tidying as a nusicance.
On the whole, if you show people you will be respectful of their property they'll be more likely to let you borrow it in the future.
If you borrow a car that's so nasty even the roaches won't stay in it ask yourself how bad you really need to drive that day.
Thank them verbally and in some cases monetarily
If you are borrowing a car for a quick errand a thank you will do. If it's a long-standing habit however (say you take the car to work every night) a thank you is nice but money is even better. Whether you do it once in awhile or a system is set up between you and the owner it shows them your responsibility and appreciation and makes it more likely you will be able to drive their car again.
Don't wreck it
This is the most important reminder. As we all know accidents do happen so just make sure it wasn't your fault!


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Weird Kitchen Storage: To Cover or Not To Cover?
Q: We're at a loss regarding what to do with the large cubby in our kitchen wall. It's pretty deep and tall, so we're thinking we'll use it to store things we don't use very often, like serving dishes and small appliances. It also has a plug inside, so it's a handy spot for the microwave:
We already ditched the bifold mini doors and wood frame. The doors stuck out and made an already narrow space even narrower, and the glass on the doors was broken in several places. So now we're left with a big hole in the wall that houses a lot of stuff.
We've considered covering it with a fabric curtain or a tambor door. We could also just leave it open, maybe paint the inside a different color than the wall color. But this would require us to keep it looking uncluttered - a big challenge for me - as well as frequent dusting (we have two cats).
Any thoughts/suggestions/tips are very much appreciated!
Sent by Jessica
Editor: Leave your suggestions for Jessica in the comments - thanks!
• Got a question? Send us yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)


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- Milanna - Guild Master - Administrative work, whip
- Theedoek - Officer - Website maintenance, other technical stuff...
- Lynxi - Officer - Raid leading
- Wolfypants - Officer - Raid Leading
- Rootbox - Officer - Guidance & Knowledge
Guild Rules
1 - Being in Spark
Being in Spark is about having fun in the World of Warcraft realms, playing with others who are like-minded. It's about advancing your character(s) while at the same time helping others advance theirs.
We all like to communicate but if you are going to be having a long or personal conversation don't block the general guild chat – form a channel and discuss there. And no spam please. Please also note we are an English speaking guild.
Spark is now well known on Runetotem and we have a reputation for being good players who are mature and responsible. This reputation has been hard to achieve and we are fiercely proud of it. Therefore please ensure your actions at all times promote this. The guild will take a very dim view of any individual who damages or threatens to damage this reputation which has been built by so many over a long period if time. Please be yourself, but remember at all times you are an ambassador of Spark.
2 - Behave like a human being, and it's all okay!
Saying "Behave like a human being, and it's all okay" is a bit generalized, but the people known by the various names in the guild have another name in real life, and it is an actual person behind that computer. Act like you weren't talking to that person through an avatar that is your character, but the actual person, in real life.
Remember that we are all humans, we do make mistakes, but the first step is to acknowledge this. Treat others as you want to be treated yourself, it might be a cliché, but it is true in all forms. You may want to ask others in the guild for help, don't expect help if you always turn down them when they ask you.
If you get into a heated debate with a fellow guildie, and this is between you two, the officers will not help you out, this is between you, and unless this is a guild matter, it is up to you two to solve it. As about long or personal conversations, keep this in a private channel or in whisper. It is easy to drag people into something both you and them might regret!
3 - Age, the minimum age for membership in Spark is 18.
As a mature guild we only admit mature players. The average age of player in Spark is well into the 21+ group, with some in their 40s. We know there are some great younger players out there, but unfortunately we also know the majority are not so great. It is this majority combined with past experiences which have created the need for an age limit.
Raid rules
1 - TeamSpeak must be installed!
When we are raiding, we are relying on two-way communication between the raid and the raid leader. While almost all of the communication is one-way from the raid leader, some situations might cause the raid leader to want feedback from certain members in the raid. Having a microphone is therefore a plus.
NB! Do not use voice activation, only push-to-talk is allowed while raiding, we don"t want to hear you breathing, seeing you move ingame is a fine way of saying you are alive! :) Or topping the DPS meter, that is fine too!
2 - Gems and enchants MUST be in order!
Your gear is supposed to be up to standard compared to the level of raiding we are at, and so are enchants, gems and reforges. If you are raiding and just expecting to get new gear soon, you still have to be properly gemmed and enchanted before you join the raid.
We are checking your gems on the WoW-Armory, Ask Mr. Robot and ofc in-game!
3 - Bring your own potions and flasks!
While we have supplied food for the last couple of years with feasts and noodle carts, we do not normally supply potions and flasks unless we have a surplus that we can stack up in the guild bank. 3 flasks is enough for a regular raid, since it is 3 hours from start to finish. Potions is varying, depending on how much we wipe, how many bosses we are facing and such. A couple of stacks in your bag at all times is a nice figure to go by.
Remember, while flasks give a small, flat increase, an Intellect potion may at the right time be the difference between a wipe and a guild first kill. You don"t want to be the guy that didn"t mention forgetting potions. If we don"t find out, you will still feel bad.
4 - There is a list of addons you MUST have!
Without these addons, you will not be allowed to raid... at all. Deadly Bossmods (DBM) or BigWigs is the number one priority. Without it, you are risking the life of all characters in the raid from pull till kill. Skada, Omen or Recount for threat meter is also required. Many fights has threat reset in certain phases, which means you will aggro the boss and kill yourself. While killing yourself is a nice way to ensure we won"t be bothered with you not having a threat meter for that fight, we will still tell you to fix it before you get to go on another boss.
Having a good, clean UI is in general a good start to keep the good DPS, TPS or HPS coming. Getting the info you need, and still seeing your raid enviroment is crucial. There are some really good examples if you just Google it.
GTFO is a useful addon if you struggle with standing in stuff you are supposed to GTFO of. Name says it all really, turn your speakers to max to be sure you never stand in stuff again.
5 - Be online and ready before invites start (at 20:15)
Being ready means repaired, flasks and pots in your bags, food if you have special needs, and UI working properly.
6 - Prepare for the fights you expect to see, plus some more
Read up on encounters if you are unsure and/or rusty. We"d rather have you rusty but prepared than rusty and unsure. It is really easy to see if you are unfamiliar with an encounter, and you will hear it from the raid leader, either in the raid, or after.
Also, have a proper spec and the correct gear on when you get into the raid, and carry extra Tomes of the Clear Mind in your bag, so you can change talents on a moments notice, if the raid leader wants this.
7 - The fun fun and serious fun
When we are going between bosses, there will always be gnome sacrifices, laughter, some "Oh shits" flying on TS as a overaggroing warlock pulls the whole room.
But when we are at the boss, you are going to turn on the serious face, get your buffs up, be sure to have flasks for the duration of the next fight, food eaten, and potions ready to be used.
When the pull counter is starting, the only talking that happens on TeamSpeak is the raidleader, and the ones the raidleader wants to speak. Unnecessary talking is not allowed, and will be dealt with.
8 - Pugging
You are allowed to pug, but remember that you may be asked to bring your main even if you have killed the bosses with someone else to support the guild.
We have a certain attendance limit you have to get to, and we are raiding multiple times per week, so getting a raid on both your main and probably an alt is more than likely.
9 - Alts
You can have alts in Spark, and you can raid with them. Be aware that when we sort our raids, alts come below all other except mains signed as "If needed" in a farm run.
On alts you can pug as much as you want, but as we may run multiple fresh runs per week, you"d might want to keep your alts clear to be sure we a) get a group going, and b) you will get loot fairly, by the same system as your main.
10 - Main changes
We do not discourage main changes, but we do have a time limit on them. You can only change your main character every 3 months, and only if we need the role and/or class of your new main character. If you are one of three main tanks wanting to swap to healer which we have 10 of, you will not be allowed, unless demotion to Social is an option. Socials can swap mains as well, and we don"t disallow it in any way, but the time limit still applies.
11 - Loot
We in Spark are especially proud of one thing: sacrifice gnomes to the loot gods, to ensure a good drop every raid. Normally Tria tend to fall victim for this.
Back on topic, we usually stick to using personal loot. Not only is it easy for officers to not have to deal with loot distribution, which speeds up things allot.
It sometimes happens that a player receives loot from the personal loot system that is not as good as the piece they're wearing. When the item has an item level less than or equal to the worn item, it is possible to trade it with other eligible players. At this point you should inform the raid leader you have an item to trade. The raid leader will ask the others (who can actually use the item) to roll for it. The highest role will get the item.
Of more hardcore (progress) raids the raid leader may decide to go for master looting. The raid leader and officers will then decide who gets a specific piece of loot. This is primarily based on who benefits the most out of it.
12 - Signing for raids
Our raid sorting system is known to be as fair as can be. We don't care when you sign, for the most part we don't care what spec or buffs you bring, unless it is critical for the raid. We base our raid sorting purely on ratio. The ratio is the % of how many raids you have gotten into versus how many you have signed for. If you have signed for 12 the last 4 weeks, and gotten into 8, your ratio is 66%, and if someone of the same role got lower ratio then you, this person is above you on the list. We may pick alts out if we see this could benefit the raid, or especially if it is needed to get the raid going. This ofcourse implies that the alt selected is ready to raid, and the player owning the alt is willing to use the alt in the raid.
13 - "There can be only One"
Respect your Raid Leader and the instructions given! As the name suggests the Raid Leader leads the raid. The position of Raid Leader (RL) is the most demanding role in ANY raid. Raids do not work by having lots of people all giving different opinions on how things should be done. Instead one person has the role of guiding the rest through the instance. What the RL says is what happens and the RL decision is always final. Being a Raid Leader is one of the most challenging roles in any MMORPG. If you would like to try being a RL then please apply for a RL position, we are looking for new RLs.
14 - Listen to the Raid Leader
The Raid Leader is there for a reason. Following the instructions given will mean progress through the instance is made swiftly and effectively. If the RL has to give the same instructions repeatedly because raid members are not paying attention then the raid will slow down dramatically. Listen to the instructions given, if you are not sure what to do please ask for clarification – then follow the instructions given. Raid success is all down to teamwork and organisation. This can only be achieved by everyone knowing his or her role and sticking to it.
15 - Consistency & Focus
Throughout all the instances in the current expansion, if mistakes are made at least 9 times out of 10 the raid will not wipe as others will be able to help out. Fights with bosses last some minutes so focus is needed extra there. One bad pull and the whole raid wipes. Boss fights can last 10+ minutes. The luxury of rushing through the instance in a slightly haphazard manner is gone, we can't just rush in, grab the loot and get out – we have to do it properly, each and every time.
As a side note if you treat all instances like this, you will be a far better player when you do get to the more challenging ones. Instance success is about precision and teamwork not about how fast can we do it. By focussing 100% on your role you will contribute greatly towards the overall success of the raid, you will become a better player and ultimately you will achieve more personal satisfaction from the part you have played. This is not an easy thing to do – but where there is greater challenge there is greater reward.
16 - Team Spirit
The most successful raids are team efforts where everyone works well together. If a player does something exceptionally well they should be congratulated for it. If a player does something bad then do not blame them, the RL will be giving them instructions as to how to avoid the same thing happening again. At this stage we need to conquer the current progress-instance before moving on further still, this can only be achieved by working together – we wont get everything right every time. But we should over the course of a period of time see steady improvement. Support your guild mates and we will all progress together.
17 - Raid Discipline
Players who do not follow rules and instructions from the Raid Leader slow the progress of the raid and greatly increase the likelihood of being wiped. Players who continuously do this threaten the success of the raid and spoil the enjoyment of the other players. The Raid Leader also has the power to remove any player at any point if their behaviour merits it. This is very unusual and normally only used as a last resort. The aim of every raid is to finish with the same people who started, with all having enjoyed the event.
18 - Trial period
Our trialists go through a 2-4 week trial period, where they are supposed to sign up and raid as much as they can and want. We will check the DPS, the raid awareness, that the player is following the rules and orders of the raid leader, and behaving well both in raid and in general.
19 - Attendance
We require a set amount of attendance from our raiders. Normally it is around 50% of the raids, which means 4 raids per week means 2 raids per week signed up. 5 raids would preferably be 3 raids, but 2 can be allowed, especially in certain cases. Talk to an officer if this might be an issue for you.
We may let your signup per week drop down to 1 per week over 8 weeks, which will cause us to give you a warning about impending demotion, unless you have given us a heads up. This doesn't mean going away for 2-3 months, but being away or raiding less for a shorter period of time.
If you don't improve or fall below the 1 per week over 8 weeks, you will be demoted to Social. If you don't act fast, we will start to recruit someone to take your spot in the raid team, and your spot is not guaranteed to be had back.
20 - The Spark Team
If you are having any issues with your class, a certain guildie (read the above statement first), or anything else, contact the Spark Team.
The Guild Master is doing much of the administrative work behind Spark, the general Officers are dealing with things like applications, answering questions, helping players, and dealing with any current issues in Spark, and some of them also deal with administrative work to lighten the load of the Guild Master. The raid leaders are the people who lead the raids, both out of raids and in raids. Discussing and developing tactics, giving input for player evaluations. When in a raid, these are the absolute highest in the pecking order, and even trumps the Guild Master in in-raid matters. If you have an issue with something in a raid, you talk with the raid leader first of all.
Also remember that going over officers will not help you (ie going straight to the GM), as the GM is an officer as well, and unless the issue is with another officer, any officer can help out, since the GM is also administrating the guild, and got a bigger workload.
How to apply for Spark
1. Click on "Apply for Spark" and fill out the form;
2. Activate your account (Check your e-mail and your spam folder);
3. Login on the website;
5. You can see your application and status under "View Applications" in the "Guild" menu.
Who are we?
We are Spark, a European World of Warcraft Alliance guild on the Runetotem server. We are a high end/casual PvE raiding guild. Spark is made up from a wide variety of individuals from different countries and different backgrounds. We are mature players who join together, helping each other develop in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.
World of Warcraft is a challenging environment and whilst much can be done alone, the hardest (and therefore most rewarding) challenges in the game require team play. The rewards for these challenges are not just for the characters, but also the sense of achievement for the players. The purpose of Spark is to enable like-minded individuals to improve their gameplay and to overcome these challenges which others will consider impossible.
Our less experienced guild members are assisted by the more experienced as we seek to bring on players to a level where they can join fellow guild members as we challenge and overcome the hardest opponents within the game. All players are treated equally, irrespective of level.
At Spark we have no desire to be the largest guild. We do not believe 'more' always equals 'better', instead we focus upon having the right people with the right attitude.
At Spark we take pride in who we are and what we achieve. We believe we are one of the best guilds on the Runetotem? server, and one of the oldest survivng. We believe no other guild offers the balance of maturity, organization, activity, ambition, sense of achievement and social environment that members of Spark enjoy. We also believe we can still improve and we will continue to do so.
If you would like to know more about us or are interested in joining please see the recruitment section and leave a message. We guarantee to reply at the first available opportunity.
Spark is created from players who are familiar with Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG). Some of us have played games like Ultima Online, Everquest, City of Heroes, Lord of the Rings, Dark Age of Camelot, Guildwars and Star Wars.. While others learned their tactics from games like Counter Strike, Battlefield or Unreal series. In these games being at the top was something we not only experienced, but savoured. Although some of us have played different games we all have the same desires..
Feel free to check out Spark on WowProgress to find out more about our progress as raiding guild!


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Schooling on the road, with textbooks or without them. Letting the world be your teacher. Everyone has their own definition of world-schooling. Some people love it. Others are skeptical. I've been world-schooling for most of my life. Has it ruined my childhood? Oh yes, it most certainly has, in a few ways:
1: I've become a world-class snob.
The first Shakespeare play I ever attended was at Stratford Upon Avon. I experienced my first live opera, La Traviata, at the Sydney Opera house. I've played gladiators in the colosseum of Rome as well as at a lesser known one in Tunisia. I've ridden elephants in Northern Thailand and eaten tropical fruits and delicacies in their home countries. Naturally, I've become a bit of a snob. No church is quite as fantastic as the Sistine Chapel. No cheese is quite as delectable as freshly made mozzarella bought from a vendor in Italy. No combination of colors can be quite as vibrant as those found in the highlands of Guatemala. No ruin as fantastic as Angkor Wat. See what I'm getting at?
2: I've never attended a "proper" school.
Isn't it terrible? How can anyone possibly expect me to cope in a social environment? Naturally, I must be awkward and uncomfortable around other people! But in reality,
3: I have more friends than I can keep up with.
I've met so many incredible people over the course of our travels that I have a hard time staying in contact with all of them. Even worse, most of them aren't teens. Most of my friends are either adults or younger kids. Worldschooling allows me to make friends with people of all ages. Read more about that here.
4: Castles don't impress me.
You know travel has ruined you when you see a castle and regard it as a normal part of the landscape. Don't get me wrong, I adore exploring new places and I'm always up for another castle day or wildlife adventure. But after seeing dozens, if not hundreds of castles in Europe, I've stopped taking pictures of them for the most part. Even worse, this sometimes extends to incredible third world markets, the occasional pyramid, and even (for a while, in Tunisia and Thailand) creatures like camels or elephants. I constantly have to remind myself to take photos of the things I'm experiencing. I'm a terrible tourist!
5: I must explore to live!
After having spent most of my childhood on the road, I find that staying in one spot for much more than a few months can be really difficult. I'm always on the hunt for a new adventure, I love seeing and experiencing new things (especially weird foods!), and while I can stay in one place for a while without too much discomfort, I'd much rather be outdoors exploring the world around me. Some people would definitely consider that a problem.
6: I've had to learn more than most.
Rather unavoidable, that. You can't spend years immersed in other cultures without learning more than you could ever learn from within the walls of a classroom. My family are certainly not un-schoolers. We've taken our schoolbooks with us as we've wandered the world. But there's no better way to learn geography, history, art, or music than by experiencing them first-hand. And those don't even cover the other things traveling kids learn, like how to interact with people whose language I didn't speak or understand, or how to deal with being outside of your comfort zone. As a result of our travel (and a lot of work on my part and that of my mom, I might add), I actually finished my high school years early, and had to fill in the gap between high school and college with a bunch of extras. Kids, don't travel! It's too good for your brains! Too much of a good thing can't be healthy, right? That's what they keep telling me about cake, anyway.
7: I travel more than I game.
I can calculate time zone differences faster than I can kill a zombie in a video game, and can pack a backpack with all the essentials faster than my friends can beat a level on Portal 2. Is that good or bad? Depends on who you're asking!
8: I only have one pair of shoes.
Girls, this is your queue to gasp and take traveling off of your bucket list. I only have the one pair of that much loved accessory, and they are less than glamorous. Think close toed heavy duty sandals, caked with the dirt of a dozen or more countries and at least a hundred adventures. Isn't it awful?
9: I LOVE my teachers!
I've listened to my friends complain about the teachers at their schools. Mean ones, shrimpy ones, ones with peculiar resemblances to cows, strict ones… I'm a bit boring in those conversations, as all my teachers have been fantastic. My parents are the first to come to mind, of course. But there have been so many others! Guatemalan boys to teach me soccer tricks, countless hippies to trade songs and star signs with, cooking lessons by locals, loom weaving – courtesy of a Mayan woman we befriended, and endless others! You don't have to be a certified teacher to have an incredible wealth of knowledge to share. As humans, learning ought to be one of our greatest joys in life. Travel has exposed me to so many things that have changed the way I see the world and those in it. My teachers have been so varied and amazing that I can never find anything bad to say about them.
10: I don't have a house.
The upside to that is that a house isn't necessarily a home. The entire world is my home! Not tied down to a single location, I can be perfectly satisfied wherever I am! The downside to not having a house is that I can't figure out where my "favorite place" is. Italy? Belize? Guatemala? New Zealand? The States? Canada? I honestly don't know. I spent the first eleven years of my life in New England, so there's definitely a sense of connection to that region. But then there's Guatemala, with its volcanoes, crystal blue lakes, and wonderful people. There's Italy, with the incredible architecture, and unbelievably delicious food. There's Belize, with its luscious jungles and colorful reefs. New Zealand, with its indescribable scenery. And Canada, with its maple leaf cookies (not a good example, I know, but they taste like home!) and gorgeous forests. Not to mention all the other countries there are on this spectacular planet. How could I decide? Strangely enough, I find that I'm home wherever I'm at, but that I'm never "home" as everyone else knows it.
So, choose for yourself! How terrible for kids is world-schooling, really? Does all that time away from home, a school environment, and regular routine really make us unsociable and uneducated? Well, it's certainly not for everyone, but it's been amazing for me! I've learned tons about other cultures, about how the world can be seen from more than one perspective, and how the world is a lot bigger than just North America. Sure, I'm a total snob when it comes to cheese and architecture, but in the end, I think that's a pretty good tradeoff, don't you?
2017 Update:
A few ways worldschooling has benefited my life since I first wrote this in 2013:
- I'm still traveling, still pursuing my passions, still in love with learning and the world around me.
- I built my own online income stream and became location independent and independent from the "bank of mom and dad" at age 20.
- I've now traveled to 6 continents and am still going on my own.
- I got into one of Canada's most competitive universities with ease and made Dean's List this year.
- My international experience landed me an internship working in Guatemala's top research library for a summer and then got me an exchange opportunity to study geography for a year in the Netherlands.
I say this not to brag, but as evidence that worldschooling DIDN'T cripple me – instead, it set me up for success as an adult and student. There's no one right way to do school. Education is a life-long process we're all still working on. But if you're a kid or a parent considering worldschooling, I hope I've encouraged you to face any fears you might have and give it a try! Feel free to shoot me any questions you might have. I'm happy to help.
Think I'm an uneducated snob? That's ok, you're not alone. Read this!
Or, for a less sarcastic/satirical take on life and education on the road:


text:
When society finally breaks down into chaos or the zombie apocalypse comes – and one or both of those is surely inevitable – there is one place you will find me; locked in at The Blacksmith Arms.
Deep in the countryside, sufficiently tucked away from the first wave of looters and flesh eaters, it is comfortable and well-run.
There is even a gun above the fireplace for the final showdown.
Whether being trapped with Blacksmith regular Nigel Farage would happily see you through the apocalypse or make you pray for the end to come, is a moot point.
I'm sure many of us would wager – regardless of his politics, or perhaps in spite of them – that he'd be good company in a pub.
It would be reassuring, too, to not be the person most uncomfortable with zombies moving in next door.
The Blacksmith Arms is the idyll you imagine when you hear the words 'country pub', and is the kind of place a lot of us would picture when we dream of owning one.
A postcard-pretty building is surrounded by a giant car park and a sizeable cared-for (if a little plain) garden that looked attractive even in the rain.
The only downside was a 'funny' sign which implied lonely shepherds sodomise their flock. UKIP humour.
A tastefully illuminated bar, gleaming brasses and meticulous upkeep made the inside a cosy and pleasant experience.
There's quality reading – a stack of News Shoppers – on the bar, too. Or maybe they were there to mop up spillages.
The staff couldn't have been nicer. The three ladies behind the bar were chatty, friendly and generally lovely – the warmest I've encountered in a long, long while.
On the bar, there was a conservative range of drinks, with just a trio of standard ales to complement the usual selection. During the zombie lock-down, you would almost certainly be pleading for more variety.
But you wouldn't be going hungry. The Blacksmith serves a reassuringly expensive but thoroughly tasty and filling menu. My steak and Guinness pie was the highlight of my week.
Others clearly thought fondly of the food. I have never seen a pub so full on a weekday afternoon.
The Blacksmith Arms, Cudham Lane South, Cudham
How it rated:
Decor***** (So, so pretty and well kept)
Atmosphere **** (Friendly, relaxed and busy)
Drink** (A passable range)
Food***** (Filling, homely, delicious)
Price*** (Reasonably priced beer, pricey food)
Staff***** (Impeccable)
- Looks can be deceiving for Pubspy as he tries this Greenwich pub
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- PubSpy may have found a new favourite boozer - and it's in Bexley village
- Is there anything right with the Wrong 'Un? PubSpy heads to Bexleyheath
- Bunting and a Christmas tree - but what else did Pubspy find on a visit to Crayford?


text:
Syrian rebels launch 3-pronged attack
Published 8:40 pm, Friday, August 31, 2012
Beirut --
A rebel unit of army defectors launched a major offensive against security facilities in Syria's largest city of Aleppo, and antigovernment forces targeted air bases to try to reduce the military threat from the skies, activists said Friday.
The coordinated attacks by the Brigade of Free Syrians pointed to a higher-than-usual degree of planning by the rebels, suggesting that President Bashar Assad's opponents are becoming more brazen as the civil war deepens.
The Local Coordination Committees, an activist group that monitors violence and rights abuses in Syria, said rebels shot down a helicopter in the town of Sarmeen, in the northeastern province of Idlib. An activist in the area also reported a helicopter was downed.
- SF Fire Department responds to a fire in the Castro District on Friday Sophie Haigney/SF Chronicle
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- Snow in Placerville, Feb. 22, 2018 Carol Perez / Twitter: @BlogAmbiguous
- How is climate change affecting the Bay Area? SFGATE
- Hail in Petaluma, Feb. 22 Twitter / @Leeeeeeeeeeeesa
- Trump discusses removing ICE from California White House
- History-making African Americans with ties to the Bay Area Drew Costley
- Oakland A's manager Bob Melvin on Jake Smolinski San Francisco Chronicle
The reports could not be independently verified, but if confirmed, it would be the second such aircraft to be downed by rebels this week. One helicopter was downed in Damascus on Monday.
Nearly 18 months into the uprising against Assad that has become a civil war with more than 20,000 people estimated to have been killed, the International Red Cross painted a grim picture of life in Syria. It said the humanitarian needs of civilians were rising and medical care was becoming more and more scarce.
"People fear for their lives every minute of the day," said Marianne Gasser, head of the ICRC delegation in Syria, in a report released in Geneva.
"Every day, dozens of people are killed in the fighting, and increasing numbers of people succumb to their wounds, unable to obtain medical care because of the fighting and the lack of medical supplies, or simply because medical care is not available in their areas," she said.
The three coordinated attacks in the northern city of Aleppo began before midnight Thursday and ended Friday morning - two days after Assad conceded that his forces have been unable to quell the rebellion.
Weeks of intense bombardment by the Syrian military, including air strikes and artillery shelling, have failed to dislodge the rebels. Instead, it seems to have emboldened them.
Assad's military, the backbone of his 12-year rule, is bogged down in a stalemate for control of Aleppo and unable to crush the rebels in the capital of Damascus and its suburbs. It also is fighting smaller-scale battles in the south and east.
Dubbed "Northern Volcano," the rebel offensive in Aleppo targeted an artillery training school, a compound of the feared air force intelligence, and a large army checkpoint, according to Mohammed Saeed, an activist based in the city via Skype. The three simultaneous attacks left an unspecified number of troops dead or wounded and badly damaged the top floor of the main, two-story building in the air force intelligence compound, said Saeed. Fighting continued elsewhere in Syria on Friday, including Damascus, where intense battles have been raging for more than a month. The Observatory and the Local Coordination Committees also reported clashes and shelling between troops and rebels in the southern province of Daraa and the central region of Homs.
By late Friday, the observatory said as many as 100 people were killed across Syria.


text: As kids growing up in the 1970s, my brothers and I would spend our Sunday mornings in church, followed by a big breakfast and plenty of television viewing. One of the shows we looked forward to most was a locally produced children's program that featured puppets, cartoons and guests from Elvis Presley to Frank Purdue…. read more


text:
Foo, Dominic Chwan Yee and Manan, Zainuddin Abdul and El-Halwagi, Mahmoud M. (2006) Correct identification of limiting water data for water network synthesis. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 8 (2). pp. 96-104. ISSN 1618-954X
Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10098-006-0037-8
Data extraction is one of the most critical steps in carrying out a process integration study for managing water usage and discharge. Correct identification of limiting water data during process integration for water minimisation has a significant impact on the water savings achievable for a given process. This paper presents the procedure and heuristics to extract the correct limiting water data from a process plant. In addition to limiting data on pollutant concentration, the paper discusses the optimal data extraction rules pertaining to flowrate of water demand and segregation of mixed streams. The paper also quantifies the consequences of inappropriate data extraction. Two case studies are used to illustrate the insights and consequences of data extraction in water minimisation problems.
|Item Type:
|Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering (Formerly known)
|ID Code:
|Deposited By:
|Nurunnadiah Baharum
|Deposited On:
|27 Jul 2009 03:28
|Last Modified:
|27 Jul 2009 03:28
Repository Staff Only: item control page


text:
Wearing: Josh Goot skirt and crop.
One of the best things about being home is catching up with what is happening in the Australian fashion world. It makes me proud to see first hand just how much an incredible publication like Vogue Australia is putting in to its online presence and content, and even more so is getting the opportunity to be part of it all.
I was fortunate enough to be one of 9 young Australian women shot for this months Miss Vogue cover. It is surreal being alongside household names like Montana, Lara, Ruby, Isabelle, Samara, Samantha and of course my beautiful friends Nicole and Sara. A wonderful highlight to bring in the end of 2012!
A big thank you to the entire Vogue Australia team, stylist Christine, photographer Pierre and my super fun hair & makeup girls for making me laugh the whole day!
See the cover on Vogue Australia here.


text:
I'm so much glad to see the new update on publicize option.
Now we can select multiple accounts/fan pages to publicize with instead of Choosing only one. Thank you so much WordPress :)
But there are still some issues.
When I selected another fan page to publicize with, the follow blog widget added my Facebook friends too. I selected only page not profile.
The blog I need help with is itspak.wordpress.com.


text:
Preparatory work has begun on an update of the local lifeboat book 'Montrose Lifeboat – 200 Years of Service', meticulously researched and compiled by the late Dorothy Morrison and published in 2000.
In order to reflect the current position with the recent completion of the new station, the arrival of a replacement inshore rescue craft and the pending acquisition of an all-weather Shannon-class boat in the foreseeable future, the preparation of an update is timely.
There have been advances in reproductive and print technology and design, and with the current emphasis more on illustration, it is generally felt a forthcoming compact volume should reflect these changes.
The communities of Montrose and Ferryden and possibly further afield are requested to submit prints, digital images etc., of relevant subjects pertaining to the local lifeboat service both past and present.
Un-published or rarely published illustrative material is especially appreciated. Such material, to be returned after use, should be clearly marked with owners' names, addresses, etc. Copyright legislation is increasingly complex so identifiable sources are imperative.
Submissions should be handed in to Scott Murray (Coxswain/Mechanic) or Dr Jim Calder at the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Wharf Street, Montrose or on e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
George Sylvester Viereck, publicist, testifying yesterday before the Congressional Committee to Investigate Nazi and Other Subversive Propaganda in the United States, asserted that Adolf Hitler told him that it is not he who persecutes the Jews but, rather, the Jews who persecute the German Chancellor.
"Hitler said to me, 'I do not persecute the Jews; the Jews persecute me,' " the stumpy, belligerent writer declared.
He admitted that his typewriter has been playing its off-key, Hitler-heiling tune under the baton of Nazi money—$1,000 of it a week.
Viereck was called to the stand on the second day of the committee's open hearings in this city, held at the Bar Association Building, 36 West Forty-fourth street.
A stir of interest was created when Viereck, acknowledged hireling of the Nazi propaganda organization, entered the hearing room.
Trailed by his attorney, George V. Langley, Viereck walked into the chamber with the strutting militant air of a game cock edg-


text:
Article Side
Online Article Directory!
Employment Verification Services a Quick 3-Step Guide
Fascinated in a rapid checklist for verification on an employee? The following 3 steps cover the most critical issues that companies have found important in making sure recruitment is ready to be deployed. Depending on volume, difficulties, and corporate policies, adapt the following steps to meet your specific employment verification services needs.
Step 1 - Objectives
Confirm to set up your background verification objectives up front and certify they are quantifiable. It will make your life a lot easier by having on paper objectives that your whole team can appreciate and rally around. As well to texting your purposes, make sure your objectives are prioritized. Ask yourself questions like "What is most vulnerable: common information of employee?"
Here are two examples of how to determine priorities:
If you are verifying employees of medical industry that will assist in detecting illnesses, and someone could potentially die based on how correctly the candidate works, you may want to make right verification of the ability of candidate a higher priority than verifying for generic industry.
If you are verifying a candidate that will be used for a general manager post, you may want to put the background check services verification aspects of the application that impact the whole team as the highest verifying priority.
Step 2 – Process and Reporting
Ensure that everyone on your employment verification team knows his or her role. Who should report what to whom and when? In other words, define your employment verification process. Use the following questions to help you get started:
How will issues be reported?
Who can assign issues?
How will verification be categorized?
Who needs what report and when do they need it?
Are team meetings scheduled in advance or scheduled as needed?
You may define your verification process and reporting requirements formally or informally, depending on your background screening particular needs. The main point to keep in mind is to organize your team in a way that supports your testing objectives and takes into account the individual personalities on your team. One size never fits all when dealing with people.
Step 3 - Tracking Results
Once you start executing your verification plans, you will probably generate a large number of errors, issues, defects, etc. You will want a way to easily organize, and distribute this information to the appropriate verification team members. You will also need a way to keep management informed on the status of your verification efforts. If your company already has a system in place to track this type of information, don't try to reinvent the wheel. Take advantage of what's already in place.
By using an online system, you can make it much easier on yourself by eliminating the fake information.
Tarun Kumar - About Author:
Tarun Kumar writes highly informative and researched articles about background verification services for small, medium large companies. Tarun works for Crederity, a leader in employment verification service and background checks services .
Article Source:
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text:
(Disclaimer: English is my second language, so I want to apologize in advance for there may be mistakes in the text below. If you find any, please let me know so that I can correct it. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.)
I'm way behind with reading my Clarkesworld and Lightspeed subscriptions, a fact that I deeply regret, since I really love the kind of short stories that these magazines publish. Thus, I've decided to start reviewing their 2012 issues as a way of forcing myself to catch up.
I'll start with Clarkesworld 64 (January 2012) and I'll focus on the three short stories included on this issue, which are the following:
"Scattered Along the River of Heaven" by Aliette de Bodard:
"Scattered Along the River of Heaven" by Aliette de Bodard:
The story of Xu Anshi, poet, bot-hacker and revolutionary. A wonderful tale, beautifully written and thought-provoking, reminds me of "The Day Before the Revolution" by Ursula K. Le Guin. In just a few pages, de Bodard manages to tell a story of treason and revenge, of change and tradition, of homesickness and the struggle for power, while provoking profound emotions on the reader:
"All men were as nothing to the vast universe"
I think I'm not mistaken if I say that this is going to be one the best short stories of 2012. Highly recommended.
"What Everyone Remembers" by Rahul Kanakia:
In an apocalyptic world, a woman tries to save humanity by engineering a species of intelligent insects with shared memories. The story is told in first person from the point of view of the first such insect, and thus we can only see glimpses of what the world has become.
In this intriguing and deeply interesting story, the author poses a profoundly disturbing question:
"Did our art and literature help us? No. If its descents create a better world than ours, they will do so because of their inhumanity."
This is the first story by Kanakia that I've read but it had piqued my interest and I'll certainly be reading more of his tales.
"All the Painted Stars" by Gwendolyn Clare:
I had already enjoyed "Perfect Lies" (included in the March 2011 issue of Clarkesworld) which, in fact, was one of my favorite stories last year, and Gwendolyn Clare delivers another very good story with "All the Painted Stars." It is told in first person by an alien, the pilot of strange and wonderful starship.
The story could be classified as Space Opera but it also focus on the difficulties of the contact between two species: the alien protagonist and the humans that she saves from a space fight. I really liked this story, but I was a bit disappointed when it ended, for it seemed to be a bit too short. In fact, I think it would work perfectly as the prologue to a novel-length story.
All in all, this issue of Clarkesworld is very good and I really recommend it, not only because of de Bodard's excellent story, but also for the other two.
(You can also read this review in Spanish/También puedes leer esta reseña en castellano)


text:
Caregiver portal Care.com announced today that it's raised $50 million in new funding.
Care.com connects families to caregivers, giving them easy access to people who can help them take care of their kids, elders, pets, and homes.
The site already has 7 million members in over 15 countries. In April, Care said that over a million American caregivers had created accounts on the site. The company makes a good bit of its cash by charging families a one-time fee for access to its database of caregivers. Membership is also a part of Care.com's WorkPlace solutions program, which is aimed at the employees of big companies (including their CEOs).
Care has been on a big international expansion this year: In April, it launched its UK arm, and last month it scooped up Besser Betreut, Europe's largest care portal. As for what the company plans to do with the funding, Care's communications head Nancy Bushkin told VentureBeat that much of it will go toward keeping up that growth.
"We'll continue to invest in building our business, from the services we offer to the countries we reach," she said.
The latest funding round was led by Institutional Venture Partners (IVP) and supported by Matrix Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Trinity Ventures, and others. Along with the funding, IVP's Sandy Miller is joining Care.com's board of directors.
Founded in 2006 by CEO Sheila Lirio Marcelo, the Boston-based company previously raised $61, bringing the company's total funding to $111 million.


text:
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page
A media release announcing the inquiry and seeking submissions was
issued on 27 May 2011. Letters advising of the inquiry and inviting submissions
were sent to State and Territory Ministers and major stakeholders.
During the inquiry, the Committee received 6 submissions. Submissions
received are listed at Appendix B.
A public hearing was held in Canberra on 17 June 2011. Those persons and
organisations appearing at public hearings are listed at Appendix C.
The submissions and transcript of evidence are available from the
committee's website at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/arff/petroleum/index.htm
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