text:
The History-Changing Initial Jewish-Christian Conflict – Discussion of "A Polite Bribe" Film
My headline says it: The direction of history was truly altered in a mere 40-year period of the first century. Who was at the epicenter of this massive quake? The Apostle Paul!
Another central character in the period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., much less known because the New Testament obscures as well as reveals him, is none other than the brother of Jesus, James. He had become the leader of the personal disciples of Jesus within the clear authority base of the new "Church" (yet to be) in Jerusalem. His relationship with Paul was complicated and tension-filled to say the least. This relationship was the focal point of quickly-arising conflicts when non-Jews ("Gentiles") also wanted to follow "The Way" laid out by Jesus. A great many of them were converts of Paul's.
There is a whole lot more to the story of the tensions than even most Christian or Jewish leaders realize, right in the pages of the New Testament. It doesn't take a careful eye to spot it but it does to piece together the scattered and generally brief references to it and construct the larger story. Some biblical scholars have done it. But it has taken a brilliant filmmaker, Robert Orlando, with his film, A Polite Bribe, to bring the scholarship to a popular-level audience in a compelling story form. He has written the same story in a book, covering more detail and extensive documentation.
The film and book I've reviewed on the blog here and here.
A Polite Bribe was screened at the annual joint meeting of the American Academy of Religion and Society for Biblical Literature last November. The video above is an edited version of a discussion afterward. Don't let the academic setting scare you off!
The points are easy to follow and they don't get too "down in the weeds" with details. If you have an interest in how a Jewish sect became Christianity beginning with the original followers of Jesus, centered in Jerusalem; or if the life and work of the extraordinary person of Paul intrigues you, this is worth watching, whether before or after seeing the film itself or reading the book!
In the discussion video, the man on the left is theologian Larry Hurtado, in the middle another biblical scholar, Ben Witherington, and on the right, Robert Orlando, who researched and wrote the script as well as produced the film. Hurtado and Witherington are both very popular, widely read authors as well as professors… read particularly in the more traditional and evangelical wing of Protestant Christianity which they represent, at least in a general way. Orlando himself is theologically educated (seminary) and a scholar via his extensive research for the film and beyond. In the video he mainly takes the role of filmmaker and only mildly "defends" the historical contents and conclusions of the film.
An important aside is that if A Polite Bribe can get a "two thumbs up" which it does (without them using that term) from these two particular scholars, we can know Orlando has stuck pretty close to the actual historical data about the final recorded period of Paul's drama-filled life and his conflicts with other believers, including Jesus' brother and the Jerusalem leader, James. They do state they have differences about some of the "artistic interpretation" or minor details, but remain enthusiastic about the film.
The panel members agree that the focus of the film is the human issues… the passion, the drama, the tensions within Paul and between him and other Jewish-Christian leaders from Jerusalem (again, mainly James, but also Peter, the other Apostles and their representatives). They recognize that many Christians unconsciously put Paul in some kind of separate super-human category and will benefit from a good in-depth look at his complex human personality and choices. Similarly, most Christians are unaware of or minimize the seriousness of the conflicts the earliest Church was going through. Not just theological squabbles, but things at the core of personal and ethnic identity issues linked with religious beliefs and practices… major lifestyle and social interaction issues!
The settling of those issues is unfortunately unable to be shown in A Polite Bribe because neither the New Testament nor any other document relates them. The process of working them out entered a new phase just a decade after Paul's famous final trip to Jerusalem…. The Jews had revolted against Rome just six or seven years after that visit and Jerusalem, along with the magnificent "Second Temple", were destroyed. The Temple was never rebuilt and the worship and practices of Judaism necessarily shifted.
Christianity, as a hopeful new though rocky Gentile-Jew affiliation, entered another phase as well… one with increasing acrimony which, over time, created fully separate religions with distinct and often contentious groupings.
In the video Hurtado mentions that the build-up of political tensions with Rome, which had become intense by the late 50s, is recognized by scholars as influencing how James and the Jerusalem leaders felt they needed to treat the mission and message of Paul. Not only their own religious and ethnic identities were at stake, but no doubt even their lives. I'd imagine they were prepared to lose their lives to Roman soldiers if it came to that, but less willing to die by the hand of fellow Jews, among whom James was noted as "The Righteous" or "The Just". (Historian Josephus records that James did die, just a few years later, by the action of the High Priest, although we don't know the exact reasons or provocation…. The other believers apparently were not attacked.)
You can see a trailer of the film and other discussions of it and order it or the book here. If you have an interest in hosting a screening of the film for your church or another group, please contact Mr. Orlando though the site.
What are your thoughts after seeing the discussion or viewing A Polite Bribe, the film, itself?


text:
|Moms old fashioned bread stuffing
After reading Smidgens Bits and Snippets post yesterday, Thursday Thanksgiving Question I had to share my story that relates to hers.
When I married (the first time) I used to stuff my turkey with my mom's recipe. Old fashion bread stuffing. I loved it. One time, we went to a friends house for a non-holiday turkey dinner and my boys LOVED her stuffing. I never seen them eat so much. So I asked her and she admitted to using Stove Top. She added some "fluff" to make it her own. When Thanksgiving rolled around, they kept asking me, if I was going to use, "Susie's stuffing." I added onions and celery and used turkey broth. I found I couldn't make enough - I stuffed the bird, plus I had to make a casserole of it as well, for leftovers. It was a HIT.
At times, I would try and experiment on a new recipe and they would throw a fit. WHAT have I done?
They are grown men now, and they always ask me, "Stove Top stuffing?"
Oh what difference does it make, anyway? They love it - it makes me happy that they are happy. So that is my secret recipe for stuffing.
My sister, (God rest her soul) was like this gourmet cook - and she would always joke about people who used Stove Top. I just kept my mouth shut - and never invited her for holiday dinners where I served Turkey.
One more thing that has become tradition as well...
Cranberries. I used to make homemade cranberry sauce. Easy peasy but they never liked it. So one time, my youngest asked me if we could have the "real cranberry sauce" for the next holiday. I asked him, what he meant, thinking he wanted the homemade kind. "No Mom, the one that slides out of the can."
Oh my, they're hopeless! and so am I. So I always make some homemade for my husband and I. And I always have the kind, they like - that slides from the can.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Cloud technology is changing the way business organizations of various sizes conduct their operations in the marketplace. These establishments go a long way to maintain elaborate hardware that is both expensive and vulnerable to cyber threats. At the same time, EDI systems using this technology makes the exchange of data through their supply chain more convenient and cost-effective. This goes a long way in helping these organizations increase their revenues while reducing costs. No wonder many prominent companies are taking advantage of value-added electronic data interchange (EDI) networks using cloud technology. Experts specializing in this field say it is also possible for small entrepreneurs to enjoy same benefits if they take the initiative to adopt this technology.
Cloud-based EDI– Benefits of opting for cloud technology for your business
Experts go on to say that all cloud-based EDI networks have various centralized data storage systems that your service provider maintains in separate locations. When you opt for such a network for your business, you can access it with any device that has an internet connection. Moreover, you do not have to install expensive hardware within your organization and hire proficient technical personnel to maintain it. This helps you to save costs, enhance your revenue and carry out your business operations more efficiently. They point out the following 3important benefits for adopting such a system within your organization:
- Operate your business from any location
Adopting a EDI network using cloud technology for your establishment enables you to operate your business from any location. This implies that you can implement important projects, get access to essential documents and supervise your workforce while traveling. You even have the option of managing your business from the comforts of your home with this technology.
- Disaster recovery
Today, entrepreneurs consider data to be the lifeline of their organizations. Without it, they find it virtually impossible to conduct their business operations in the marketplace. In the worst-case scenario, a natural calamity or system malfunction can destroy the elaborate hardware you maintain in your business premises. This ultimate results in the loss of essential business information. In a cloud-based EDI network, your service provider conducts backup of various data storage facilities in different location and ensures they are disaster-proof.
- Flexible costs
Under conventional electronic data interchange networks, you have dig deep into your pockets to pay for the installation of elaborate hardware equipment. In addition to this, you to incur certain upfront costs to ensure the system works effectively and efficiently. In the case of a cloud service, you simply pay for the facilities you use to operate your business in the marketplace. You also have the option to increase the capacity of your network as your organization's operations expand.
The above 3 essential advantages prove that opting for an EDI network using cloud technology can work wonders for your business. With a cloud-based EDI system, you have the option to conduct the operations of your organization effectively and efficiently while on the move. Moreover, the service providers who maintain such network maintain the highest security standards within the industry to ensure your vital business data is safe.


text:
Naming Opportunities
"Suggested" Gift Recognition Opportunities and Ranges
Aging Care Connections recognizes that your contribution to our "Leading the commitment to aging well" Campaign represents a significant commitment to older adults and the families we serve each year. We invite you to consider a Leadership or Major Gift to the Aging Care Connections' Campaign at one of the levels listed below. Aging Care Connections will acknowledge your generosity with a personalized plaque that will hang outside of the designated building area. Additionally, your name will appear on our campaign donor wall to be prominently displayed in the entrance foyer wall to our reception area.
Leadership Gifts > $50,000
Building Name $500,000
Leadership Gifts $25,000 - $49,999
Window Replacement and Treatment $37,000
Major Gifts $10,000 - $24,999
Women's Restroom East $20,000
Special Gifts $3,000 - $9,999
A gift at the following level will be recognized on our Campaign Donor Wall. Listed below are some building repair items you could elect to designate your gift towards:
Other Gifts < $2,999
A Lee Burkey, Sr. Society gift at the following level will be recognized on a special donor plaque, listing names of donors, which will hang in the reception/lobby area.
Leadership Gifts > $50,000
Leadership Gifts
Home | About Us | Our Communities | Making A Difference | Aging Resources | Announcements | Contact Us
© 2012 Aging Care Connections


text:
|Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Seventeen: Memories in Metal and Stone: How monuments, sculpture, and tombs express ideas. > Big Jim Larkin, Dublin, Ireland, 2004
Image Copyright © held by Phil Douglis, The Douglis Visual Workshops
|Phil Douglis
|04-Dec-2008 01:00
|I inadvertently deleted a comment today from Sofia Solomennikova, who said she liked the composition of this image. Earlier in the day, I had left a comment on an image that she made of a monumental statue in Volgograd, Russia (http://www.pbase.com/image/106646910 ) noting that her image, which features a subject placed off to the left, is a good example of composition based on the actions of the statue itself. On the other hand, if her statue had expressed movement to both sides at once as this one does, a centered placement such as I use here might have worked quite well. We compose our images based not on the "rules of composition," but on the nature of the subject and what we are trying to say about that subject to our viewers.
|Phil Douglis
|28-Apr-2006 19:56
|The perfect person to comment on this Irish picture! Niall O'Shea! I am delighted you feel that I've done it justice. It is among my favorite images from my day in Dublin.
|28-Apr-2006 16:08
|Having seen it in real life, I know you've done justice to it here. Perfect POV, contrast and composition.
|Phil Douglis
|11-Nov-2005 05:17
|You may only be 11, Sarah, but you speak with a strong voice. I agree. There is not much information here for a school report on this statue as an Irish landmark. That's because this website is about photographic ideas, not the subjects of our photos. As you will see, I am talking here about what this picture makes us think about, rather than Big Jim Larkin and his political career.
|03-Nov-2005 07:35
|Great image. But what if we needed information on this MAGNIFICANT piece of art. I for instance was looking for information for my school project on Ireland, in which we needed to include a photo of the landmark and information on it. I chose this one.
ATTN. I am only 11
|Phil Douglis
|03-Jan-2005 03:21
|Thanks, Nut, for your comments on this picture. You seem to understand the meaning of the picture, even though you've asked me what it means. You say that that this guy thinks he can stop this group of clouds and talk to them. OK. Man thinks he can do anything, right? Even control nature. But as we know, all too sadly, man can't control everything he wants to. And that is what this image is all about, Nut. As I said in my explanation, this picture of a symbolic man shouting at the clouds is my metaphor for man's futile attempts to control his own destiny. I say that he may beg and scream at the heavens for what he wants, but these clouds will still rain on his parade.
This image has been interpreted differently by three of my friends. Bruce, Jen, and Likyin. Each of them interpreted this image according to who they were and how their own imaginations worked. That is wonderful. I want my pictures to say different things to different people. Photographic meaning is always open to individual interpretation. In fact, the idea that you just excluded -- man thinking he is big enough to argue with the clouds without fear -- is valid meaning in itself.
What do you think of this now, Nut.
|02-Jan-2005 13:08
|You put your leaves as the frame of photo again. But I feel ok for that. This guy must be a talkactive one who can stop the group of clouds to stop and listen and/or discuss with him. I have no idea what he discussed about with the cloulds. So what is the meaning of this photo that you want to tell me. Excluding a talkactive guy against something big as the clouds without fear.
|Phil Douglis
|26-Sep-2004 02:31
|As you can see, your comment comes on the heels of a wonderful discussion about intentions and meaning that I have been having here with Likyin Yeung and Jen Zhou, two of the most imaginative artists I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. My purpose in making this image was to stimulate ideas in the minds of my viewers through abstraction, and I feel I have certainly accomplished that here. I saw Jim Larkin as representing man's futile attempts to control his own destiny -- waving his arms ineffectually at a storm about to hit. If you saw gracious humor in my comment, I'll gladly accept that gift. Likyin took another view of it altogether. She wanted the picture to display as much energy as possible in addition to the waving arms -- including blowing leaves and moving traffic. Jen saw my image completely differently. She does not see man's futile efforts of controlling his destiny in my image at all. She sees my message as one of hope --those clouds, she says, will clear, and all will be well. Jen tells us more about Jen here than about the picture. She reads her own aspirations into the picture, as I intend. If each viewer can see what he or she wants to see in this image, and give it thought, then my picture succeeds as expression. It's not the precise meaning I want to get across here that's important. Rather, It's the range of meaning that this image provokes in the minds of my viewers that gives it its value as expression.
|25-Sep-2004 20:28
|Until I read your caption, I thought of this as an appeal - but a hopeful one. I enjoyed your perspective - but I assumed it came gently wrapped and tinged with gracious humor. At least, that's how I "heard" your words.
The juxtaposition of lights and darks is powerfully graphic.
|Phil Douglis
|21-Sep-2004 16:38
|Thanks, Jen, for this excellent critique. For the first time, you have disagreed with me -- I tried to say one thing in this picture, and you read its meaning in an entirely different way. But I am glad that my picture obviously stirs your mind, imagination and emotions, even if you see it meaning exactly the opposite of what I intended. You obviously learned something very important in the process. Here's why:
Our difference of opinion over this image proves my point that no matter what we try to say to others in our images, and no matter how well our picture expresses it, many of our viewers will either miss our point altogether, or else come with up with an entirely new meaning for the picture, as you did. This is a strength of photography, not a weakness. I think that pictures with multiple messages are more successful that a narrow based image with an obvious meaning. Don't you?
You do an excellent job here of telling us why you see hope, and not futility. You see positive meaning in that patch of blue sky. You look at that little black shadow in the center of the picture, as a potential strength, not a threat.
You and I have been discussing Minor White's theory of equivalence as it affected you in my sunset image athttp://www.pbase.com/pnd1/fresh_vision. We agreed that you were "mirroring something in yourself" when you told me what that image meant to you. Are you not also mirroring something in yourself here? You see in this picture what you want to see. I have triggered a response in you, Jen, that causes you to project your own hopes and dreams into this image. That's why you see hope here, while I tried to comment on man's futile efforts to control things larger than himself. Once again, it's not a matter or right or wrong. I made this image to say one thing, and you saw another. Thanks, Jen, for constructively opposing my views and intentions here for the first time. I am sure it won't be the last. We can learn a lot about photography and about ourselves from such disagreement.
|Jennifer Zhou
|21-Sep-2004 11:06
|Looking at this picture, I am as if standing among a crowd of Irish people all looking up to our leader who is right ahead, standing tall, waving his arms shouting out: be brave people! let's stay together to fight for our future..
As a ordinary citizen going through a hard time, evenything around seems dark. Trees and buildings block my view to see our destiny, but that little black shadow in the center of the picture gradually become the certer strength in people's hearts. We can see a little hope in him, however, the small part bule sky gives us more hope because sooner or later it will all clear up again and everything will be right then. Instead of seeing the futile effort to control destiny, I see more hope in this picture.
|Phil Douglis
|20-Sep-2004 19:13
|What a brilliant critique of this image, Likyin!
I love this image, just the way it is, and for what it says. As I said in my explanation, my purpose here is to express man's futile efforts to control his destiny. My subject placement, and vantage point and symmetry, the way I exposed on the white cloud to make it and everything else darker, and most important, the fact that everything is frozen in place -- not moving -- all express that futility. His waving arms, stopped forever in time, underscore my point.
So why, then, do I think your critique is so good? Because you see a completely different way to say the same thing. You show us step by step here that may be another way to reach the same goal. I did take many vertical pictures, Likyin, but they seemed to limit the influence of his arm waving appeal here. I took off-center shots, too, but I thought that centering him represented man's own conceited concept of being at the center of the universe. I did not want to include details of the road or traffic because it was cluttered and distracting, so I underexposed it. And there was no wind to make the leaves wave a salute.
You make a valuable contribution here in challenging my approach. We must agree to disagree here, Likyin. And that is what is so great about photography's potential for expression. Every photographer brings their own vision to bear on a subject and every viewer does as well. As this dialogue proves. Thank you for these comments -- I will always think of them as I shoot.
|20-Sep-2004 15:48
|Backlighting did make the abstract to show part of the meaning. But, by putting the man in the middle, everything stuck, instead of being provoked.
If the fantastic clouds stands for destiny, and the traffic stands for mundane movement, both of them haven't helped you a lot by this symmetrical framing. How about a vertical composition with the man at the bottom and more clouds ahead, or, an vantage point which could show the context of the road and traffic MOVING under his feet, or even, wait till a windy moment and let those leaves around him WAVING ... well, the first one is the easiest to accomplish.
The point you want to make is his to "control", to "lead" and to "conduct". It's all about to influence, to make things around him to change, to move, not to freeze, I believe.


text:
The Foreign Policy of Modern Russia: The Prospects for Russian British Relations [Audio]
Speaker(s): Sergey Lavrov | Sergey Lavrov is Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Prior to this he served from 1994-2004 as Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation at the United Nations. He graduated from the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Moscow State Institute of International Relations, beginning his diplomatic career at the Soviet Embassy in Sri Lanka. This event is the opening lecture in Russian Business Week organised by the LSESU Russian Business Society wh
Literary Festival 2011 - This House Believes that the Future of Rights is Left not Right [Audio]
Speaker(s): David Davis MP, Professor Conor Gearty | For the past twenty weeks Conor Gearty has been writing a collaborative book online, at www.therightsfuture.com, with an essay appearing weekly alongside regular longer items and occasional brief remarks on current affairs, with each post being open for comment from the general public. Many have replied with dedication and commitment. The result is a series of essays, discussions and critical engagements addressing such issues as the meaning o
Literary Festival 2011 - Science Fiction and International Orders [Audio]
Speaker(s): Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Paul McAuley, Ken McLeod | The study of popular culture has always been a feature of the social sciences as well as of the humanities – indeed, the social sciences have often been in advance of the humanities in this area, more willing to recognise the importance of genres that are frowned upon by the arts establishment. This event will bring together a number of writers of imaginative fiction and academics who have written in this field. Jon Courtney Grimwo
Literary Festival 2011 - Facts are Subversive: crossing the borders between history and journalism [
Speaker(s): Professor Timothy Garton Ash | The border between journalism and academic history is a minefield. Timothy Garton Ash has been crossing it stubbornly for the last thirty years, attempting to combine the crafts of journalist and historian, writing what he calls 'history of the present'. Taking examples from his most recent book, Facts are Subversive, he talks about the delights and pitfalls of this mongrel craft. Timothy Garton Ash is the author of nine books of political writing o
India and China: Competition, Co-operation or conflict? [Audio]
Speaker(s): Dr Shashi Tharoor | This lecture is part of India Week 2011. Dr Shashi Tharoor is an elected Member of Parliament and a former Minister of State for External Affairs in the Government of India. A prize-winning author of twelve books, both fiction and non-fiction, he is also a widely-published critic, commentator and columnist. In 2007 he concluded a nearly 29-year career with the United Nations, including working for refugees in South-East Asia at the peak of the "boat people" crisis
Literary Festival 2011 - Through the Soviet Looking-Glass [Audio]
Speaker(s): Francis Spufford | At first sight, the USSR of the 1950s and 1960s is a formidably remote and strange place for an early 21st-century western observer to try to inhabit: ideological, materially alien, suffused with obsolete expectations, and operating in its daily life and economic life according to rules that eerily reverse our own. But the reward for crossing this particular imaginative border, argues Francis Spufford, is the discovery, in the mirrorworld of the Soviet Union, of de
Literary Festival 2011 - Literature and Islamophobia: Muslima Authors Speak Out [Audio]
Speaker(s): Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, Senay Özdemir, Naema Tahir | There are few places in Europe in which the voices of multiculturalism and Islamophobia have clashed more forcefully than in the Netherlands, often in the most dramatic ways. To name just a few, Pim Fortuyn, Theo Van Gogh, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and most recently Geert Wilders have been very much in the international press over the last decade. In the UK we are now 14 years on from the publication of the influential Runnymede Trust rep
Can Middle East peace be imposed? [Audio]
Speaker(s): Henry Siegman | Henry Siegman is president of the U.S./Middle East Project, an initiative focused on U.S.-Middle East policy and the Israel-Palestine conflict, launched by the Council on Foreign Relations in 1994. The organization was established as an independent policy institute in 2006 under the chairmanship of General Brent Scowcroft. Mr Siegman is also a visiting research professor at the Sir Joseph Hotung Middle East Program of the School of Oriental and African Studies, Univer
Catch-Up History and the Cold War [Audio]
Speaker(s): Professor Lord Peter Hennessy | World-renowned expert on Cold War intelligence and espionage Peter Hennessy will address recently declassified documents and how history can help us 'catch-up' with the threats of today. Peter Hennessy is Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at QMUL and was recently elected a Fellow of the British Academy as well as being an Honorary Fellow of LSE. Before joining the Department in 1992, he was a journalist for twenty years with spells on Th
21st Century Statecraft [Audio]
Speaker(s): Alec Ross | Technology and innovation have changed the conditions for statecraft in the 21st century. Just as the internet has changed economics, culture, and politics, it is also transforming the practice of foreign policy. It is not simply the fact that more people are using ever more sophisticated technologies; the structural and demographic changes that have accompanied these quantum leaps in connection technologies are highly disruptive. Recent events in North Africa and the Mid
Nonlinear Studies of Coronal Heating by the Resonant Absorption of Alfven Waves
A series of animations showing various quantities from a coronal heating simulation
Units and Dimensional Analysis
Richard Baldwin
The purpose of this module is to explain units and dimensional analysis in a format that is accessible to blind students.
Some Rig
Numeracy for Professional Purposes (1/10): Statistical Data in Research
Overview of why statistical data is useful for researchers.
Numeracy for Professional Purposes (10/10): Presenting Tables and Charts: 2
Numeracy & Quantitative Methods Numeracy for Professional Purposes
GSO 50th Anniversary
Description not set
Tropospheric Ozone from Earth Probe TOMS: Global - 9 Day Averages (May 1997 - May 1998)
Global aerosol concentrations from May 1997 through May 1998 from Earth Probe TOMS
Carl - 60 Second Impressions, Further Education Summer School
We are keen to encourage more students at FE colleges to apply to Cambridge and organise specific open days, free summer schools, and other events to enable these students to learn more about studying here. The FE Summer School is for students aged 16-19 currently studying at Further Education colleges in the UK. It offers a taste of university life and the wide variety of courses available to study at Cambridge. The Summer School includes lectures, practical work and social activities, and par
5.3 Vibrating string: standing waves on a string
How do different instruments produce the sounds we classify as music? How do we decide whether something – a piano, a vacuum cleaner – is actually a musical instrument? In this unit we investigate the way vibrations and sound waves are harnessed to create music.
The Office Show: Office 365 - Part One So what is Office 365 and how can it help your small business? This Office Show answers those questions with a special two-part episode, wherein our heroines Laura and Tina start a business from scratch with Office 365. Like many of you, they're strapped for resources and face some nasty competition. Office 365 is their key to surviving and thriving. And stay tuned, we'
So what is Office 365 and how can it help your small business? This Office Show answers those questions with a special two-part episode, wherein our heroines Laura and Tina start a business from scratch with Office 365. Like many of you, they're strapped for resources and face some nasty competition. Office 365 is their key to surviving and thriving. And stay tuned, we'
Opposition wins Thai election
July 3 - Thailand's opposition, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, the sister of a former prime minister, wins the country's general election. Andrew Raven reports.


text:
Company news
Racurs company grants full local version of PHOTOMOD for ISPRS Foundation Raffle Donation.
The ISPRS Foundation provides grants to worthy applicants from developing countries to support their participation in the upcoming XXI ISPRS Congress in Beijing in July.
Besides the grants, the raffle is held during the congress as another way to give support; the raffle is funded by the sponsors.


text:
Powder Coating Prep3500 Arrowhead Dr., Carson City, 89706 | 04/05/2019 | Ad id: 7-0000407310
Shipping &
Receiving clerk
Mfg firm, fulltime Shipping & Receiving clerk, along with some tasks in general warehouse and assembly. M-F. Experience required. Salary BOE. Benefits.
Apply at RICE Hydro,
3500 Arrowhead Drive or email email@example.com


text:
· Turboflare™
· Turboflare™ SOS
· Handheld Traffic Light
· Product Packages
TurboFlare is a patented electronic device that directly replaces the dangerous incendiary road flare. This revolutionary product is a true technological advancement in safety equipment. Used by police, fire, rescue, military, mining, helicopter emergency landing zones, building evacuation, refineries, hazardous response teams, DOT, public utilities, public transportation and many more. TurboFlare is rugged, reliable, and very economical.
TurboFlare uses 20 extremely bright light emitting diodes to create a rotating, highly visible light source, effective even from great distances. These light emitting diodes are powered by 5 low-memory, Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries, ensuring years of safe and effective operation. The TurboFlare body and lens are constructed entirely of Dupont's Surlyn, a unique ionomer class material of unbelievable strength and chemical resistance. The body and lens are designed to sustain major impact from vehicles and remain completely operational. TurboFlare is weatherproof, shockproof, and vibration-proof. Surlyn's chemical resistance includes jet fuels, gasoline, diesel fuels, road salts, and chlorine. TurboFlares are intrinsically safe. A box of eight (8) TurboFlares is easily and compactly stored in the trunk of a vehicle. While they are stored the units automatically recharge from depleted to fully charged in less than 3 hours. Once charged TurboFlares will operate for 17-20 continuous hours.
Virtually every chemical which makes up the standard incendiary road flare is listed as a hazardous substance. They are dangerous to both personnel and the environment. Additionally, incendiary flares frequently cause painful skin burns, burn holes in expensive uniforms and cause breathing problems. Incendiary flares cannot be used at traffic accident scenes when the smell of fuel is present or in high-wind conditions. TurboFlare eliminates these problems and saves departments thousands of dollars. For additional information, please contact TurboFlare International at (702) 567-9464.
All Content and Images © Copyright of Turboflare International 2004-2016


text:
Comicbook.com reports that Peter Francis James has joined the cast of DC's Legends of Tomorrow. James will play Dr. Aldus Boardman, an original character created specifically for the TV show. Just like Casper Crump's Vandal Savage, Boardman will make his debut in this year's crossover episode of The Flash and Arrow, before reprising the role in the superhero spin-off show, Legends of Tomorrow, which is set to premiere sometime in midseason 2016.
Here's the official character description by Warner Bros. TV (via Comicbook.com).
James' previous work includes roles in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, NBC's Law & Order, USA Network's Royal Pains and The Losers, an adaptation of Vertigo's comic book series.
What do you guys think? Let us know in the comment section below!
SOURCE: Comicbook.com


text:
Here's the result of my mental exercise: my personal Charter. This is how I want to live and want to be remembered. I'm not a perfect person, though. I am aware that it won't be easy to pursue them in everything I do. But at least, I try.
I have identified 12 Herculix values and I would like to share them with you.
- BE BOLD: be like Richard Branson: be courageous, without being arrogant. Be brave enough to face what's going wrong in your life and to change what you don't like. Sounds like a cliché, but it's oh so relevant: Dare to be yourself, because you are absolutely gorgeous! Be a leader. Follow your dreams and don't listen to all those people who will tell you why you will fail.
- BE SOCIAL: look for connections with other people. Open yourself and don't place yourself above or below others. Meet people and make time for them, listen to their stories. Show your appreciation and affection towards your friends and family. Be respectful. Show interest in their feelings. Be mild. Be polite and well-mannered.
- BE GENEROUS: do some good without expecting anything in return. Remember that you don't need to be rich to do good. You can be generous with many other things than just money. Share your ideas and experiences with other people. Offer a helping hand where you can and connect interesting people with each other. Support new talent. Be happy when your friends are successful. And most of all: don't be rancorous and forgive; everybody makes mistakes.
- BE FUNNY: Play down. Be light. Have a positive outlook on life. Use humour. Try to have fun in everything you do, also and especially in your work. Fun is refreshing. It stimulates and inspires you, and is vital on both a physical and a mental level. When it's not fun anymore, move on.
- BE YOUNG: Pablo Picasso said: "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up." Stay in touch with your juvenile side. I must admit that having kids can help you on that one. If you stop thinking young, you risk to be rigid in your approach to life. A youthful approach enhances your personal development and sharpens your ambitions.
- BE ALIVE: take a deep breath, and shout it out loud. Look for things that give you positive energy. This is what they mean by that trendy word "mindful": live consciously in the moment. The past is already gone and the future hasn't started yet. If you live the moment, enjoy it: travel around the world, discover other cultures, learn Arabic or Chinese, or both of them. Open yourself for the beauty of art and nature; you can find it everywhere.
- BE CHARMING: Shine! Glide! Show some selfrespect and care for yourself. Be a beautiful, tidy, attractive person. Enchant people with a natural friendliness and consideration. You will be amazed how people respond.
- BE CREATIVE: The system is not sacred, for god's sake! Break the rules, find new ways and don't blame others. The world is full of opportunities. So dream. And please don't be a victim. There's always a choice.
- BE BALANCED: Pursue harmony and authenticity. Do what's right for you. Think about what you want to change and make it achievable. If your goals are too large, you might get disappointed. A lot of small steps make one big step. Switch of that TV, read a book or listen to some music before you go to bed. Follow your intuition without denying your ratio. Try to live healthy. Take up gardening. And if you need that chocolate tablet to feel balanced, eat it!
- BE INSPIRING: If you want to change the world, be an example. Change yourself. Be a hero and inspire others. Make a list of your own heroes and point out those characteristics why you admire them. They will encourage you, just when you need it.
- BE DECISIVE: Action speaks louder than words. What we anticipate seldom occurs, so don't be afraid to make decisions and execute them. Be fast. Like Richard says: "be prepared to be called a raving lunatic."Think long term, but adapt continuously.
- BE AWARE: Stop for a moment. Look around and widen your view. Look further than your own micro-cosmos. I don't know if others perceive it as much as I do. But I feel like the world is evolving at another pace now. Think about the impact of your acts on the planet because we can't go on like this. Climate change, 3rd World problems, endangered species,… also affect you. Commit yourself before it's too late.


text:
Had loads of fun but it was really tiring. Here are some snapshots taken by professionals and yours truly and some of the best photographers at the fair. On the Overall, Great event.
Enjoy Pictures of Cos-players
It was a fun filled and large scale event and I would be looking forward to making new friends and meeting great costume makers and displays in following events in the coming years. Good luck to all competitors and make it known that Cosplay if not only about living a characters role and looking good, but displaying the skill of creating and delivering costumes and things made with effort, for satisfaction in the fashion industry!


text:
Other Packages
Island Getaway Package at Clover Island Inn
Package includes overnight stay in Riverview room, $75 at Crow's Nest Bar & Grill, and hot breakfast buffet. Upgrade to a suite for an additional $60.
Price: $149.00
Book your package online at cloverislandinn.com or by phone (509) 586-0541.
Contact: Amber Martin email@example.com
Clover Island Inn
435 Clover Island Dr., Kennewick
(509) 586-0541
Disclaimer: Riverview room with one queen bed on availability.


text:
Important announcement to all diabetes HCPs and Cook&Count app users24th October 2018
It is with much regret that I have to inform you that Cook&Count app has been removed from the iTunes and GooglePlay app stores. For the next two months, or until such time as we have found a new home for Cook&Count, if you have already installed the app then it will continue to work as long as you do not delete the app from your phone or tablet.
There are high costs involved in designing, building and maintaining a high quality app, particularly one that uses calculations and stores data on behalf of users. It is a software application and they are expensive to create, support and keep up to date. These costs are much higher than the amount of revenue that comes in from any premium sales.
I originally started Cook&Count because I wanted to help all those people, or carers of people, with insulin dependent diabetes, including my son, who wanted to cook food from scratch and know how much carbohydrate it contained. I am as passionate as ever about this. We have been fighting to keep the app financially sustainable for some time. Over the years Cook&Count app has become an established part of carb counting support and is currently recommended by diabetes health professionals around the UK. It is also used by many others around the world. I believe that it is a service that should be offered by either the NHS or one of the main diabetes service providers. Please be reassured that we are doing everything we can to find a new home for the app and ensure that we can resume the service for new users as quickly as possible.
We would like to thank you for using or recommending the app, and like to reassure you that all your data will be kept private.
Still, as always, happy cooking!
Deborah Wilder


text:
Join the community [
Login / Register
Trailer for "Midnight Special" Sci-Fi Film, with Michael Shannon and Joel Edgerton
Nov 23rd, 2015
Trailer for "Central Intelligence" Comedy, with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart
Nov 23rd, 2015
Trailer for Melissa McCarthy's "The Boss" Comedy
Nov 23rd, 2015
Trailer for Juan Antonio Bayona's "A Monster Calls"
Nov 23rd, 2015
First Look at "Central Intelligence" Comedy, with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart
Nov 19th, 2015
Trailer for "Zoolander 2" Arrives Online
Nov 19th, 2015
Official Trailer for "Now You See Me" Sequel
Nov 19th, 2015
Trailer for Chris Hemsworth's "The Huntsman: Winter's War"
Nov 19th, 2015
Trailer for Keanu Reeves' "Exposed" Thriller
Nov 19th, 2015
First Look at Chris Pine on "Wonder Woman" Set
Nov 16th, 2015
Ridley Scott Reveals Another Title for "Prometheus" Sequel
Nov 16th, 2015
Gerard Butler is a God in "Gods of Egypt" Posters
Nov 16th, 2015
First Look at Liam Neeson in Martin Scorsese's "Silence"
Nov 16th, 2015
New Trailer for "The Divergent Series: Allegiant"
Nov 16th, 2015
Trailer for "Moonwalkers" Comedy, with Ron Perlman and Rupert Grint
Nov 16th, 2015
Trailer for Charlie Kaufman's "Anomalisa" Stop-Motion Film
Nov 3rd, 2015
Poster for "Warcraft" Arrives Online, Trailer Coming on Friday
Nov 3rd, 2015
There's a Good Reason Why Luke Skywalker Isn't on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Poster
Nov 2nd, 2015
First Trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen's "The Brothers Grimsby" Comedy
Nov 2nd, 2015
"Spectre" Breaks Box Office Records Overseas
Nov 2nd, 2015
Final Trailer for Ron Howard's "In the Heart of the Sea," with Chris Hemsworth
Nov 2nd, 2015
New Photos From "Warcraft" Video Game Movie
Nov 2nd, 2015
Lots of New Photos From "Suicide Squad"
Oct 30th, 2015
Trailer for "Dirty Grandpa" Comedy, with Robert De Niro and Zac Efron
Oct 30th, 2015
Sandra Bullock to Star in Female Version of "Ocean's Eleven"
Oct 30th, 2015
Trailer for Jared Hess' "Don Verdean" Comedy, with Sam Rockwell
Oct 30th, 2015
"Indiana Jones" Producer Says Harrison Ford Will Not Be Recast
Oct 28th, 2015
Trailer for Adam Sandler's "The Ridiculous 6" Comedy
Oct 28th, 2015
"The Walking Dead" Fan Kills Friend Who Turned Into a Zombie
Oct 28th, 2015
Another "Monopoly" Movie in the Works
Oct 28th, 2015
"Jumanji" Remake Hires "Con Air" Writer
Oct 26th, 2015
Disney's "Tower of Terror" Park Ride Movie Moving Forward
Oct 26th, 2015
Johnny Depp and Edgar Wright Team for "Fortunately, the Milk"
Oct 26th, 2015
New Teaser for "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" 3D Re-Release
Posted: September 20th, 2009 by
WorstPreviews.com Staff
Starting on October 2nd, for two weeks, Disney will theatrically re-release "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" in 3D. We now have a new TV spot for this double-feature that contains new footage that Pixar created for promotional purposes. Check it out below.
In "Toy Story," a cowboy toy (Woody) is profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman toy (Buzz Lightyear) supplants him as top toy in a boy's room. In the sequel, Woody is stolen by a toy collector and Buzz vows to rescue him from becoming a museum piece.
The re-release of "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" is meant to bring attention back to the franchise, since "Toy Story 3" is set to hit theaters on June 18th, 2010.
If you cannot see the player,
click here
Source: YouTube
You must be registered to post comments.
Turn On
on September 20th, 2009 at 9:02:09 AM
Is this really necessary?
on September 20th, 2009 at 10:11:02 AM
Man, they'll do anything to get you to buy the DVD three times and the BluRay twice. Can't wait for ToyStory 6 4D Holo.
on September 20th, 2009 at 10:46:05 AM
I like how self aware they are that people hate 3-D. It's like they were trolling us.
3-D or not, I don't f*cking care, it's both toy stories, back to f*cking back, for the price of one. f*ck you if you don't think that is a brilliant idea.
on September 20th, 2009 at 11:32:29 AM
god dammit, i cant wait!
on September 20th, 2009 at 11:41:59 AM
Uh, why?
on September 20th, 2009 at 12:54:20 PM
Because Toy Story is a great motherf*cking movie, and Toy Story 2 is 3/4th the awesome.
on September 20th, 2009 at 2:21:32 PM
OMFG I AM SO f*ckING PUMPED FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on September 20th, 2009 at 2:24:14 PM
I'd rather watch Avatar.
on September 20th, 2009 at 4:08:24 PM
"Because Toy Story is a great motherf*cking movie, and Toy Story 2 is 3/4th the awesome."
"I'd rather watch Avatar."
HAH! Ill be the first, (probably the 8 millionth, but the first today) to say it, IM f*ckING STOKED for Avatar, belittle me all you want... that sh*ts gonna be f*cking AWESOME! YES YES YES YES! f*ckING AWESOME! f*ck you in advance spooky..
Im gonna buy popcorn and im gonna probably get nachos and im gonna make a day out of it, before hand, I might watch some old Cameron films... WOOOOOOHAAAAA!!! SO EXCITING!
on September 20th, 2009 at 5:28:55 PM
because Toy Storys my all time favorite movie when i was a kid and still is, dont knock that mink
why do you want to see avatar?
on September 20th, 2009 at 5:44:01 PM
Heh looks like I'll be spending part of my birthday in a theater watching Toy Story.
on September 20th, 2009 at 5:44:51 PM
"dont knock that mink"
Well, you're certainly tempting me.
I don't get it. Transformers (1986) is my all time childhood favorite, but I couldn't care less if someone criticized the film. I really don't care. It's a wacky Star Wars-inspired cartoon with spooty animation and really poor audio mixing.
Now, Toy Story is an ok film. It's well rendered, has a generic but somewhat captivating storyline, but it's hardly engrossing. The graphics are somewhat dated. I can see why someone woould enjoy the nostalgia, but it has absolutely no meat. Like most of Pixar's films, it's cotton candy fluff with no substance, just a sweet taste. At least Transformers has a rocking metal-hair soundtrack and tons of over-the-top violence.
And the second one sucked. They had to add more characters, rather than juggle the old ones, and the story blows. Whereas the first film enjoyed a niave simplicity, the second trades the originality of the first for character bloat and contrivance.
Now they're making, or have made, a third. I couldn't care less. I won't pay to see it, and I won't buy the DVD. Disney should work on making some modern classics, rather than machine generating stale sequels to insubstantial kid films.
But, I guess that's why they bought Marvel.
on September 20th, 2009 at 5:46:09 PM
"why do you want to see avatar?"
I don't. I said I'd *rather* see Avatar.
on September 20th, 2009 at 5:50:11 PM
"At least Transformers has a rocking metal-hair soundtrack and tons of over-the-top violence."
f*ck YEAH DUDE!
Transformers 86' is still my all time favorite animated film.. hands down...
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:08:23 PM
You should, ahem, download the Meterodome BlueRay, or buy it (39.95!) The video quality is f*cking amazing! And I mean AMAZING! I've seen the film a hundred times, and until I watched the Blueray version, I'd never noticed the amazing amount of detail. It blew me away, and on my little monitors, not the television. I can only imagine what it looks like on 1080p.
Anywa, I'm ashamed. I could talk about the 1986 version for decades, but I won't bore anyone. I just feel sorry for these kids, not growing up with Transformers in their childhood. That one toy and the movie made my life as a little kid. Ahhh, some great f*cking times there.
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:22:15 PM
Ah, i've got it! And i watched it on my blu ray player, on my 1080p tv... and it f*cking blew me away... I ordered it online... Its f*cking wonderful, I grew up watching it on such small televisions on VHS, it was really something else to see it in such a format... One of the reasons I am a little bitch for blu ray...
On that note, I just bought the Braveheart Directors Cut blu ray and The Postman DC blu ray.. (I know everybody hates the postman, but f*ck them, i loved it) the other day... I think thats whats going to be on the TV tonight.
Like I said, im a sucker for blu ray man... Gotta collect em' all!!
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:35:19 PM
"Like most of Pixar's films, it's cotton candy fluff with no substance, just a sweet taste"
I guess that you don't have many friends, do you Mink? The whole movie was about the value of friendship.
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:40:43 PM
Yeah, I got the theme. It's the same as Power Rangers: friendship and teamwork.
Spooks, when Toy Story hit theaters, I was screwing and in college. I wasn't really paying attention to Pixar's simplistic message.
It's an ok film, just only noteworthy for it's advanced CG, not it's thin single purpose story. Don't get your pink panties in a bunch.
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:54:05 PM
I figured you would have been able to point out it's quite blatant and obvious message is all.
on September 20th, 2009 at 6:57:48 PM
But no childrens animated film is better than 'The Iron Giant'.
on September 20th, 2009 at 7:00:50 PM
I'm currently converting the BluRay file to a DVD compaitble format. Hope to watch it soon on the TV. I think Transformers will be the first BlueRay I ever buy, if an when Sony decides to relase the film. A big if.
Unfortunately, after collecting a 1000+ Dvds, I'm not keen on upgrading to BluRay, not when good HDMi cables cost upwards of a hundred dollars.
on September 20th, 2009 at 7:03:50 PM
"But no childrens animated film is better than 'The Iron Giant'. "
Iron Giant is a damned good film, one of my favorites in that genre. Certainly, its animation is cleaner than Transformers, though not nearly as beautiful. The audio is better and the story is probably superior technically, and as a critic, I'd give IG a better review, but TF1986 still rocks the world of animated films, and I for one am still blown away when I watch it. BluRay just makes it even more f*cking impressive. Way more. Too bad the audio mixing sucks d*ck.
on September 20th, 2009 at 7:24:49 PM
mink you asked "Uh, why?" so i gave you my answer
i assumed you were dissing Toy Story by typing the "Uh" in front of the "why?"...and by saying youd rather see the awfulness of what "Avatar" will be!
and yea, id definitely take the 1st Toy Story over the second
and regards to if Toy Story had a message, i didnt care when i was 11 when it first came out it was (and still is) a kickass flick and a classic to me
on September 20th, 2009 at 7:26:43 PM
Thats such a pain in the ass.. I for a while, Because i refused to buy a f*cking Blu Ray player, I just had downloaded the MP4 formatted files, and it was nice.. this is actually an excellent link for 1080p downloadable files that work on whatever player...
Anyways I too have a retardedly large DVD collection and said whats the f*cking point in buying a blu player if they can be converted and downloaded anyways... my xbox is HD.. What difference does it make? But then, i caved and.. And i bought one... and it doesn't make them any better... i can just spend 40 bucks a piece on them now..
on September 20th, 2009 at 7:39:30 PM
It is a pain in the ass, and I do it very rarely, usually only for HQ music videos. Most DVDs are double layer. So when you rip them, you have to convert and compress them to a format that a DVD player can handle.
You end up wasting a DVD for a lower quality format when you could just get the damned film. And then when you're jamming a BluRay into 4.34 gigs, you're better off with the original DVD. I just hope, because the m2ts file is less than 4.34 gigs, the quality of my current conversion remains the same. Probably not.
Now, I only download a film when:
1. Must have rare film, like Night of the Creeps. Soon to be released BTW.
2. Unreleased new film, usually an R5 or a cam or a TS. And cams always suck. Not owrth a DVD.
3. To determine if a newly discovered film is something I want to own on DVD.
And once I get the retail DVD, I delete the download. Converting 700mb to a DVD IS a pain, no matter how fast the computer, and you always end up with less than stellar results.
on September 20th, 2009 at 8:28:29 PM
Transformers is more of a pg-13 film I think. Kids shouldn't be allowed to witness the awesome of it at such a young age. And I'm getting that slim ps3 whatever because it's STILL the cheapest blu ray player on the market and theres enough movies on the market that I don't own on dvd.
Is it true that you can trade in your dvd's for blu rays? or that blu rays play dvds?
on September 20th, 2009 at 11:58:56 PM
Mink, monoprice.com Smart folks don't pay 100 bucks for HDMI wires. You can get a nice sized wire for dirt cheap.
on September 21st, 2009 at 12:04:34 AM
I hear that unless they're made of excellent quality, gold-plated or whatever, you don't get optimal video quality.
on September 21st, 2009 at 12:25:07 AM
Coming from a TV/Home Theater Nut, the ones at monoprice are good quality wires. They also have gold platted ones available for purchase. Don't let the pricks at these stores convince you you need some 90 dollar cable, absolute rip-off.
on September 21st, 2009 at 12:29:07 PM
When they originally released toy story in the beginning of the age of CG the idea was to make it look more 3-d so the animation had more depth and range of motion this is the next logical step. I'm on board and stoned.
on September 27th, 2009 at 11:34:08 AM
So Minkowski really is an old man ... hmmmn
on November 11th, 2017 at 8:42:39 AM
situs judi togel
Place your ad here
Ridley Scott Reveals Another Title for "Prometheus" Sequel
There's a Good Reason Why Luke Skywalker Isn't on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Poster
"Spectre" Breaks Box Office Records Overseas
Paul Bettany Responds to Jason Statham's "Avengers" Insult
"The Walking Dead" Fan Kills Friend Who Turned Into a Zombie
"The Flash" Movie Hires Director
Johnny Depp and Edgar Wright Team for "Fortunately, the Milk"
"Indiana Jones" Producer Says Harrison Ford Will Not Be Recast
Sandra Bullock to Star in Female Version of "Ocean's Eleven"
Another "Monopoly" Movie in the Works
Lace Wedding Dresses
from ViViDress UK online shop, buy with confidence and cheap price.
Hosted by
pair Networks
News Feeds
Box Office
Movie Reviews
Buzz: Top 100
Popularity: Top 100
Poster Store
About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Web Tools
Site Map
Copyright © 2009 WorstPreviews.com. All rights reserved


text:
Heads up! Come check out our new forums, CurlTalk.
Why won't my hair straighten the way it usually will?
So I decided to straighten my hair last night and I was really disappointed. My hair feels greasy, dry, and I hate it. I washed and deep conditioned, used oil as a heat protectant (I typically use an actual protectant) blow dryed, and straightened with a chi.(400 degrees). When I went to the salon to get it done, I noticed that she used a flat iron and the temperature went up to 460 degrees. I have straightened with the chi before, and I get the same results. I really want to achieve a successful blow out, and not pay 60 dollars every 2 weeks even though my hair stylist did miracles with my hair. Am I not doing something right? Should I get a better flat iron?-The first photo is me getting my hair done by my stylist and the second is done by me-
1 Answer
WAZZAP! OK, let me start with your big no-no; never use oil as a heat protectant! oil will burn from the heat of the flat iron and make your hair oily, greasy, stiff, sticky and ERRTHANG! use products with dimethicone and more importantly... KERATIN! keratin is a protein that is the natural building block of our hair ( for our hair is made of protein ). keratin will replace the damaged parts of your cuticle temporarily thus making your hair strands silky, smooth, flowy, shiny and as I repeat ERRTHANG! here are product recommendations that will make your hair straightening regimen awesome!- it's a 10 Miracle Leave In Plus Keratin ( heat protectant and hair silkener)- 100% Boar Brush ( I don't know if your familiar with the chase method wear you stick a fine comb or boar brush in your hair and then run you flat iron and the comb/brush through the hair. this gives silkier results)Tip: you should blow dry with a paddle brush. BETTER YET, don't blow dry, roller set! it'll cut off a lot of damage thus making your hair less dry and less dry and look better. I would say it has straighter results than blow drying!Hope I Helped!- Rahmat The Hair Obsessed 12 Year Old
This Q&A section is soo last year... Talk curls at the all new CurlTalk!


text:
Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'x-particle'.
Found 1 result
c4d Motion Designer specialised in FX
Julie Theriault posted a topic in StudiosMoment Factory, leader in the conception and production of multimedia environments, located in Montreal, Canada, is looking a strong Motion Designer (2D & 3D) to join the studio on a permanent or long-term contract. You like the "creative" FX, not the real explosion or fume from VFX? You want to do magic with Houdini, X-Particles or Trapcode Particular? You are also pretty good with C4D? Please send me your portfolio or reel to firstname.lastname@example.com to be part of our Visual Content team and participate in concept, production and integration of a variety of multimedia projects: Here is our content reel: http://bit.ly/2rzJKbE Our works: http://bit.ly/2tJMlAB We offer to sponsor the working visa for non-residents in Canada. Some rules apply. Note: advanced level of English is necessary and only artists with relevant portfolio will be contacted.


text:
It was the playlist that did me in, the playlist on youtube I had created.
Xandra Garsem, a young argentine youtube singer, and her spanish songs. It was the memory of love, a love I have had, a love that inspires me to love even now. Even now, I have what superstitous chinese people call 'peach-blossom luck'. More often than not, there is one random guy besotted with me and it does not help that I am situated in a building full of young males from all over the globe. At any given time you can see all sorts of rakish looking, fashionably dressed men in that warehouse looking building. It does not help that I really don't expect anything from these men, some so fresh-faced I would like to adopt them as sons.
I am on a long trip, possibly the farthest I've ever been in my life, and possibly the last, this year, unless by some miracle I have the funds to travel again, and also the opportune moment to have 'leave approved' in my two-month old new job. 'Leave Approved By Manager' emails are possibly the most joyful ones in my inbox, lately the others are CVs from people from all over the region flocking to this island, looking for jobs the way every male in every country used to do in times of economic depression, travel up and down the coast until they landed something, sailing, picking cherries, whatever. These days it's the IT consultants role that don't really care about the color of your skin or the language you speak, mostly, as long as you can speak in C++, PHP, CSS...et cetera.
I don't really understand Spanish, nor Czech, nor all the other languages I've tried to learn from the travelers I've met, and the travels I've been on. A smattering of Japanese, in our schooldays we were all crazy about J-pop and the crazier ones kept at it and became really fluent. A little bit of local languages, some Malay, Indonesian, enough to ask for directions or order food politely. A little Thai; because, Thai is not that difficult to learn by ear.
I know how to count in Polish one to ten and through listening, can tell which Eastern European language a person is speaking, Russian, Polish, or Czech. I learnt a hungarian tongue twister and a norwegian one; of which I can still remember the nuances of. These people still remember me fondly because I am a part of their travel memories, one which they had saved up for months before to travel halfway round the world for, before the rest of their lives went on - going into military (Norwegian), doing further studies (Polish), graduating and starting their longtime career (German/just about everyone else).
In the playlist I had created almost 6 months ago, there were spanish songs covered by the lovely Xandra.
She sung of love and loss and desolation, mournful tunes to her spanish (argentine) guitar. To this effect, Chinese pop songs are totally similar to spanish 'classics'. Lately it seems to be the trend to have a rapper 'rapping', interposed, in both Spanish and Chinese songs, at some juncture where you least expect it. I have to admit I felt sorrowful, and I felt bad being so, because I knew that the love I had at that point in my timeline was something almost forbidden, for many reasons neither of us were able to talk about it, me being at a really low time in my life, he being the strong and silent type, and we both provided each other with some sort of comfort at the very least, at least, I hope I did. The sorrowful part was that we were just not meant to be, the kind of love you needed at that point but almost immediately realized that we were just not on each other's roadmap. It's a painful, hard truth, to realize that, because in every woman's heart lies the desire not just to have fun but also to be accepted on so many levels, and we had only the most positive of things for each other, not fraught with the negativities that sometimes come from loving a damaged soul. And truth be told, we would both have hated each other had we ended up as lifelong partners.
But also, it was not just a fling or something we did not take seriously, and I think the best part of it is that I would always remember the part where we just treated each other with utmost concern. To this day I tell him every trip - as he is a workaholic he would never have traveled like I did, or could travel the way I did, in essence, when I am coming home, crossing the border, I would text him and he would always say welcome back with enthusiasm, my homeboy.
Sometimes you think about the way things are, and how you managed it, you think about the goals people tell you about and wondered if they managed to achieve it one year later. And how would we know, if they never wrote it down or blasted it out on some social media? Perhaps writing helps, them to hope that there is someone who remembers, someone with an elephant memory who remembers you said you wanted to do this, you wanted to finish this, and now you are in the midst of completing your journey, taking photos of the journey to immortalize it like a happy tropical travel memory; not knowing that because I cared, I still look for you and inspite of circumstances hope that you are happy.
And for me, it's almost 400 days since I started this journey that changed my life in ways I never thought possible. I am thankful because despite your troubles, I remember that you are going to change my life forever, and I would still choose it to happen exactly the way it had.


text:
On wednesday we did a large service project as a zone at a hospital moving supplies across the street from an old one to a newly built one. It took most of the day, and they fed us lunch. It was cool to chill with the other missionaries for a day and help the community. All the zones are taking time to help out there. There is a lot of work getting inactive members to church, especially the men and helping them become worthy of receiving the priesthood. There are a lot of problems with the Word of Wisdom, and leaving behind alcohol and smoking. There are callings open that need to be filled, but we lack the worthy priesthood to fill them, so the missionaries help fill them. There will be a La Bandera 3 opened, two more missionaries in our ward, 6 in total. They are going to be a big help for the ward, but 6 seems like a lot for one ward. In church on sunday we had an 41 people present. It is all the vacations people are taking, hopefully we will have more this week. 6 more weeks until my companion dies, my training ends, and it will be up to me to keep La Bandera alive. I´m excited to learn more about the Santiago Sur and the get to know more missionaries and Chilenos. The time is just moving by so fast, and changes in the world, and I´m stuck in this bubble trying to catch a hold of Spanish and everything new, but I am ready to get to work. Love you, Elder Chandler
A little bit cooler here!
It is starting to cool off, and Saturday the skies were clouded over and it was so cool all day. It feels so nice to have cool weather, and there is even a little snow on the tops of the mountains. But today and yesterday the sun was shining and it was warm again. On saturday we did service project for an old lady in our sector, and it was greatly needed. We had about 16 missionaries there helping cut branches, re-inforce her wooden fence that was collapsing inward, and clean up her yard. She lives alone and has next to nothing. She doesn´t work, just lives off the money that her father left her when he died. She doesn´t have power, and hardely anything. But it was really good that we could help her for a couple hours. Luis Gutierrez is progressing really nicely toward his baptism date, and this saturday is his birthday so we are going to a barbeque at his house. That´s this week, it was really fun playing soccer today, and we get to go to the temple the first week of march. We are starting the 6th and final week until new missionaries come, and I´m not in the youngest group. I love you all, Elder Chandler.
A Baptism date!!!
All of the hard work we are doing is starting to pay off. We set Luis Gutierrez for baptism the last Sunday in march, so everybody set your calendars, La Bandera is having a baptism!! I am really sure it will play out, because his wife was recently activated in the church and he is starting to attend church. The only thing is his work schedule, and we can only teach him at the end of the week, but we set appointments with him every weekend to prepare him for this day. He has listened to the missionaries for a while, on and off, and is really firm on the goal of baptism, he only needs a little more work, and we will be good. There really isn´t much more time I have to write, I thought it would be more, but the work is moving along. We are getting less actives to church, and some investigators, but most of the work is just with inactives, and strengthening the ward and church in Chile. I love the work, even though it can be challenging at times, but bring it on, I´m ready. In a way it feels like I´m just flying through the weeks, time is just flying by.What a blessing it is though to be serving a mission, and being able to devote all my efforts on God, and bringing his son´s and daughters into the church. It is such a blessing and I can really see the hand of the lord in peoples lives, giving a little push when needed, and always leading the way to undescribable joy. I feel the spirit so strong, and am so greatful for all you do to suport me on the mission and all you have done throughout my life. I wish I could explain how I feel, but it is something that people have to feel for themselves. It is so great to be an instrument in the hands of the lord in bringing the great joy of the gospel and the Holy Ghost into the lives of others. Until next week, Elder Chandler.
P.S. It is so crazy to see jeremy mixing spanish into the email´s. He always has to make it dificult. JK
Things are moving along great in some ways and a little slow in other ways. It´s is just a little hard to find a time we can find some of the people we are teaching in their homes, because of summer vacations and a lot of work. One of these people is Claudio, who works a lot for a Marriot hotel. He has a really cool family and two little fun twin girls, and funny enough he speaks english which is an amazing relief to go to his house and be able to understand what´s going on a little more and speak a little english. Sometimes the language can really make me tired, but I just keep pushing along. Today we went to the city center and went shopping a little at the mall, the nice mall. I had a large hamburger and fries for lunch and we hopped on the subway to come back. We are organizing futbol for mutual this thursday, but unfortunately we can´t play with the youth, only play sports on P-day. But we are working hard with our calling in the Young Mens Presidency to increase the attendance and strengthen the ward. We haven´t seen any rain, it´s been really dry and warm, but starting to slowly become colder, especially in the mornings. We heat the water with gas, and ran out on sunday, so I had to take a cold shower, but I bought more this morning and so we are back to nice, hot showers. We are really focusing on lessons with members, and inviting less actives and investigators to members houses for Family Home Evening. We are making brownies at a Family Home Evening today. It´s really wierd starting out on the mission and my companion, Elder Alan Saldaña, is getting ready to go back home to Ecuador. Crazy!! But it´s really fun here and we are hastening the work of salvation in the best mission and recently restaured mission of Santiago Sur. Until next week, Elder Chandler.


text:
Bringing quality teaching resources to Australian classrooms for over 25 years
Well-written and informative non-fiction readers - the books your students want to read and they are 100% Australian! Order 4 or more of an individual literacy title and receive 10% discount off the RRP*.
View Reading Level Chart
Ph 03 9558 4433
655 Parramatta Road
Leichhardt, NSW, 2040
Social Media


text:
ASR v Exeter Chiefs – Thursday 04 December –
Hello boys and girls…or should we say "Howdy Indian Chiefs, cowboys and cowgirls"??
This time Exeter Chiefs Supporters Club organises a crazy WILD WILD WEST PARTY, where you can dress up like your favorite Indian Chief (Geronimo, Cochise or Sitting Bull), Lucky Luke, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood… or Chuck Norris,… his "cow"-girlfriend or…eventually his horse!
Party starts at 10.30pm ! So, come early and bring your cowboy attitude and your yiiihaaa mood!
Special promos and Giveaways –
Thursday 04 December 10.30pm / 04.00am
@ GENERAL HUMBERT'S Irish Pub & Club
Rue Saint Nicolas – La Rochelle


text:
So I started by gathering all the things I use for my weekly cleaning. I use window cleaner and paper towels for mirrors and glass.
Bicarb soda for the bath tub, shower and any other places that need a little extra cleaning power. For the container I just got a shaker from the kitchen section that is for chocolate for over coffee etc. It works great. I also use vinegar and water in a spray bottle for bench tops, walls etc. Cleaning wipes (for toilet seat etc.) and toilet cleaner.
I also have a micro fiber cloth, a dish cloth ( used for cleaning only), toothbrush and scrubbing pad with a handle that is fantastic for the bath and shower.
So there you have it. I love it! It makes the arduous task of cleaning just a bit easier. What do you do to make cleaning easier?
Organized By... Renee


text:
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Late Night Rant: On the subject of Movie Adaptions
So it bugs me when people start judging the movie before it even comes out, just because it's an adaption.
And it really, really bugs me when their reason for this is, "The actors/setting/costume design is nothing like I imagined."
You know why this frustrates me? Because it is an unreasonable expectation to have, and it's not a fair standard to set. Even if the cast and crew of a movie could read viewer's mind, there is no way that any one movie could match the imagination of every reader.
More than that, I hate this because it completely misses the point.
You don't want the movie to match your imagination.
What you want is for the movie to give you something more, something beyond the original story, something that lives up to the heart of the characters you love and stories you adore while still bringing something new to table.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a successful movie adaption.
Movie adaptions are not meant to replace the book. Most – the mediocre ones, the ones churned out with no passion just to make a buck – are simply an excuse to extend your enjoyment of the story you love and share that enjoyment with your fellow fans, just like anime conventions, fan fiction, cosplay, and internet forums. Even the bad ones, the "Batman and Robin"s, are, at worst, a testament to why the original story was so great.
But the best movie adaptions take the story and turn it into something more.
Lord of the Rings became a cinematic masterpiece and cultural experience that brought epic fantasy into the mainstream consciousness of America.
Harry Potter was turned into one of the most ambitious projects in the history of cinema, keeping the same cast and same ongoing story through ten years, eight movies, and the horrors of puberty without ever sacrificing their standard.
And Marvel's superhero movies of the last few years – like Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America – have brought comic book-style continuity to the big screen for the first time, opening movies to the kind of rich, expansive world-building that is exactly what makes superheroes so unbelievably epic.
These are all extreme examples, of course, but my point remains: a good adaption will always give you more than you could have imagined, and those that do are worth the dozens of "Just okay"s and even the occasional stinkers.
Besides, if all the movie adaption had to offer you was the exact same thing you could imagine for yourself, there would be no point in creating a movie adaption at all.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Suggestions for the VN Newbie
Otome Dating Sims (Girl pursues Boy)
RE: Alistair++ (Sakevisual) – A full FREE game available at Sakevisual's website. I'll be doing a belated review of it later this week, because it is pretty much the standard that I judge dating simulations by. And it's free. Why are you not downloading it now?
Always Remember Me (Winter Wolves and Otome Games) – Easily Winter Wolves' best game, Always Remember Me is a stat-based otome and life simulation game that, like other Winter Wolves games, has an excellent mechanics system and beautiful execution. It's available on their website for $19.99
X-Note (Zeiva Inc. and Otome X) – A mystery wrapped up in a dating sim, following the main character as she investigates the death of her mother. Reviewed by me here, and available here for $15.
Dating Sims (Boy pursues Girl)
Katawa Shoujo (Four Leaf Studios) – A free, high-quality episodic game with beautiful art, a creative story, and very appealing characters. It is, however, wordy as fuck and the interaction between player and game is minimal. Still, it is a very strong story and is worth checking out. Available for free here.
The Flower Shop (Winter Wolves) – I think this is the game that people associate with Winter Wolves more than any other. It sets the WW standard for excellent mechanics and professional game production. Available here for $15.
Mystery Games
Jisei and Kansei (Sakevisual) – Easily my favorite series, period, and you can expect a full review as soon as I get my hands on Kansei. In both games, you take control of a mysterious, nameless protagonist to solve murder mysteries with his ability to see a victim's last moments. Available here for $15 each.
9 Persons, 9 Hours, 9 Doors (Chunsoft, published by Aksys games) for the Nintendo DS – If you own a DS and will only ever play one visual novel, let me tell you – PLAY THIS ONE. There is so much to love. My full review is here. Available for $29.99 on Amazon.
The Ace Attorney series (Capcom) for the Nintendo DS – Pretty much the ur-example of English language VN releases and probably the most icon non-dating-sim VN available on the English market. Available for about the same price as most DS games, ie, about $20-$50 depending on where you buy it.
Answering the Question: What is a Visual Novel?
So here's a quick primer.
Visual Novels, also known as VNs, are a prevalent form of Japanese interactive fiction game. They're very popular in Japan, making up 70% of all PC games released in 2006, but have only a small following in the Western world.
For us English-speakers, the most well-known kind of visual is what's known as a Dating Simulation game. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. The player takes the role of a character, usually a young man, in a situation where he's surrounded by several attractive young women. The player then chooses to pursue one of the non-player characters for a romantic storyline, usually cumulating with a "good ending" of marriage or at least winning a date.
There is also a variation of dating sim known as an otome or "princess" game, which is same situation with a female player character pursuing male NPCs. Interestingly, a majority of the high-quality original English language VNs are otome games. There are some homosexual dating sims out there, but they tend to be a minority.
And, of course, there are the hentai games, which are porn. Most are pretty much the same as a dating sim, except that the goal is to get into the girl's pants.
A less-prominent but still significant genre of visual novels is the mystery game. These are story-heavy mystery games that lead the player to unravel various secrets, sometimes in a way that's similar to a puzzle or point-and-click action adventure.
No matter the genre, visual novels are a great storytelling medium that combines text, art, and music to communicate interactive stories with multiple endings.
How to Play
The in-game screens usually look something like this:
There are three basic elements. First is the text box, where the narration and dialogue describes the story. Second is the character, in the form of a static sprite that represent the character you're talking to at that moment. The third is the background.
Generally, as a scene plays out, the background will stay the same (establishing the location), while the character sprites switch between emotions and text box scrolls through the story. Eventually, in most games, choices will appear, like this:
These choices can be anything from things to say (like in this example) to major actions (ie, choosing which of three characters is the real murderer).
The most basic visual novels act essential like choose-your-own adventure books, which each decision branches off into a new part of the story. More complicated games will utilize stat-raising elements based on decisions, and it can be tricky to tie the mechanics into the storytelling, but if you pull it off as a creator, it can be very rewarding.
Writing Visual Novels
Just a short blip on this subject: all English visual novels, at least those that are originally created in English, are created by independent, small-time organizations and individuals. Thus, it is very easy to make your own game with a little time and effort. I dabble it myself. In fact, those screen shots up there are from a basic Hetalia Axis Powers fan-game I made to teach myself the system.
Some VN creators use Flash to create their games, but I think the most effective way is to utilize the python-based Ren'py visual novel engine, available for free here. Not only is Ren'py fun to learn and pretty easy to use, once you master it you can create really complicated and professional-level games. Plus, they've got a growing community of creators and visual novel fans that can be a lot of fun to hang out with.
If you ever happen to be at a con with Ayu Sakata of Sakevisual, definitely go to her visual novel panel, because she does a great job of explaining how to create them. Also, she's funny.
If all this has gotten you interested in playing visual novels, then great! My next post will have a list of my favorite suggestions for VN newbies, including several free games. It's coming up in just a little bit so stay tuned.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Debut YA Author Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
All year long, I've been reading the new and debut YA releases, looking for a book that would get me genuinely excited again. For seven months, I was disappointed. And then I found DIVERGENT.
Oh my god. I love this book.
The story goes like this: in Beatrice Prior's future Chicago, the population is divided into five factions, each built around a different virtue. These are Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), Abnegation (the selfless), Erudite (the intelligent), and Amity (the peaceful). At age sixteen, everyone must choose which faction they'll belong to for the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the choice is whether to stay with her family or be who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a decision that shocks even herself.
There are so many good things to say about it. The world-building is amazing, the plotting is both intricate and riveting, the characters and their conflicts are sympathetic, and the deaths - when they happen - are absolutely heart-breaking. The themes - about destiny, free will, selflessness and courage - are well-established and really hit home, and the writing, while not exactly lyrical, has a strong voice and is very engaging.
(I would, however, like to point out that Tris's society is actually not a dystopia. It's an unusual and creative form of government full of flaws and moral gray areas, but it's neither repressive nor draconian; at least, no more so than any modern society. Each faction governs its members in its own way and, from what we get to see, only the Erudite really fall under the definition of dystopia. It is, however, hinted to be post-apocalyptic, and I'm interested to see what the world is like outside of the inclusive Chicago area.)
Still, everyone else has sung this book's well-deserved praises left and right, so there's much that I can really add, except for this: I love the opening scene.
See, Divergent is a very action-packed book. There's a lot going on, a lot of characters to juggle, a lot of fights to get into, and a lot of world to establish; still, it opens with a slow, emotional scene of Beatrice, our narrator, looking at her reflection and allowing her mother to brush her hair.
This simple scene - which, like the rest of the book, is beautifully written - establishes the character of Beatrice, her relationship to her mother, and her connection to the Abnegation faction, all in a beautiful, calm, and emotional way. These three things are vital to the overall theme of the book, and the opening scene does a wonderful job of bringing us right into Beatrice's heart and her world before we even step out of her house.
And that's the heart of the matter really. Divergent is not just another copycat dystopia trying to capitalize on the Hunger Games and Uglies popularity. Ms. Roth understands that a good high-concept story still needs a strong grounding in the heart of our main character,and that's exactly what Divergent gives you, from beginning to end.
Seriously guys, do not miss this book.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Visual Novel Review: X-Note
That is the story of "X-Note," a mystery/dating-sim visual novel from Zeiva Inc. Production and Otome X. I picked up this game out of curiosity when I passed by the creator's table at A-Kon last month and, now that I'd unlocked all the paths, I've decided it's time to share the love.
There are a lot of high notes in this game. For one thing, it totally delivers on the rather substantive claim that it marries mystery and dating simulation. Each storyline reveals a little more about the overall plot, while also delivering cohesive relationship arcs with each of the three boys.
As for the boys, they're all attractive in their own way. Oure is sweet and vulnerable, Yuon is serious but kind-hearted, and Anon is a playful trickster. They all have their hidden depths, and they all have a part to play in the overall mystery of the game, and the result is that, whichever guy you pursue, the overall story arc is satisfying. (And, I won't deny it – at least two of the bad endings made me get teary-eyed.)
Also, the art is beautiful, and it's well-programed. There's this unique thing in character design where all of the characters (except arguably Essi) are associated with a certain color. For example, Oure is white, Yuon is blue, and Anon is green. It gives an interesting air of stylization to the world that may, admittedly, be a bit hit-and-miss for some, but I liked it.
I was especially impressed because this is a flash-based novel, rather than the engine-driven ren'py games that I'm used to playing, so the designers had less to work with from the start, yet still manage to pull together a very well-made game.
Then again, it's far from perfect. English is not the creator's first language, and there are times when it's really obvious. And while I'm glad that the stat-raising aspect of the game has some real impact on overall gameplay, the exact way that they do that is seemingly arbitrary, which makes it hard to predict what will help you along your path and what will hinder.
On one hand, this does pretty much guarantee that you'll unlock the bad endings before the good ones, which makes the story flow better; but on the other, it's a little frustrating to have an end-game screen give you instructions for getting past the level you failed, and there were two times when the only way I could advance at all was to use the guide on the site.
And I'm not sure that I like how, when you don't do the right thing to tell the game that you're pursuing Oure or Anon, it automatically defaults to Yuon's path. I started off the game pursuing Oure and not using the guide, so I wound up with the first three-fifths of Yuon's path basically spoiled for me because it was getting in the way of the path I wanted to pursue.
But I suppose the thing that bothers me most of all is that none of the endings are completely satisfactory, which is to say, no matter which I get, there are always strings left hanging. The villain only gets anything resembling a come-uppance in one of the bad endings, the reason for the disappearance is never adequately resolved, and one character, who is built up as a mystery throughout the game, is simply not addressed. It's rather frustrating.
In addition, one ending reveals the ultimate fate of an important victim character and rescues him. Again, this is the only time that this aspect is ever addressed and – assuming that the backstory remains the same no matter what path you choose, which is standard – it leaves you wondering what happened to the mouse and takes away from the overall positive impact of the other endings.
In short, X-Note is fun. It's intriguing, it's unique, and I had a lot of fun while I was playing it. But once I was done, I was left ultimately unsatisfied by the overall experience, and I only wish that bit of storytelling had been patched up a bit before it was released.
You can find X-Note at the Zeiva Inc Website. All the images used in this review are also from that website, all rights reserved.


text:
As we approach our wedding (a week from Friday), my fiancé and I have begun a conversation about buying a house. We love our jobs and our friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, plus we're close to family, so it seems like it might be the right time to commit to staying for a while and investing in a home. The problem is, we also love our neighborhood, and there aren't very many houses for sale here.
If you want to buy in my neighborhood on the East Side of Milwaukee (just north of downtown), you're either looking at a condo or a duplex where you're renting out one of the units and living in the other. My fiancé is adamant that he doesn't want to deal with a condo association (his time as a realtor has shown him how fickle and risky they can be, and the condo market's not great in our city anyway) and neither of us wants to become landlords.
So we're at an impasse. Either we keep renting in the neighborhood we've come to call home—a neighborhood with his barber, our pet food store, my gym, a beautiful library, several grocery stores, our favorite restaurants, and good friends, all within walking distance and steps from Lake Michigan—or we begin to consider other neighborhoods.
We have two good friends who live upstairs in our apartment building and one of them just bought a house on the opposite side of the city. She got an excellent deal in a lovely historic neighborhood and I'm sure she'll be very happy there. But I can't help thinking about how different her life will be in a much more residential and less walkable place (not to mention how we'll miss being able to hang out with her at the drop of a hat).
I know there is a neighborhood out there that we can learn to love and that might offer a lot of what we have in our current neighborhood (perhaps newer and better things even). But for now, I'm having a hard time imagining giving all of this up, just so I can own a plot of land.
I have concerns about buying a home beyond just switching neighborhoods, but I'm making my peace with those because I know that each of those drawbacks has a benefit that outweighs it: The added maintenance responsibilities also mean that we have control over the design of our space. The financial risk of purchasing a home also means we stand to financially gain from this investment. The lack of flexibility that comes with committing to purchase a house also means we get to commit to a neighborhood and become active participants in it (something I've struggled with as a renter). But what's the upside of leaving my amazing neighborhood? Discovering new businesses and meeting new people? Perhaps.
Part of me wishes I could just be one of those people on an HGTV show where my "must-haves" are only things like "open floor plan" and "master bedroom suite," and I could care less about where the house is actually located. But I'm a strong citizen, and the ability to safely walk places, to not rely on a car for every trip outside the house and to live in a place where people are connected and caring—these are all vital to me.
I think the next step for us is deciding what amenities we need within walking distance— a grocery store, a few restaurants and cafes, and a gym come to mind—and which we can do without. The pet food store and the barber shop, for instance, are places we only visit once a month, so we can probably manage without those close by. The friends...well I'd hate to be farther away from good friends, but a new neighborhood might mean making new friends. Plus, as my friends get older, they may also be making the same decisions that we are and potentially moving out of our neighborhood to buy homes elsewhere.
I know that life (and marriage) are about sacrifices, so choosing a home will be no different, and it's an enormous place of privilege to even worry about making this choice. And yet, it still keeps me up at night. What must we give up to become homeowners?
For those of you reading, I'm genuinely curious how you made the decision to buy your first home. Did you buy in the neighborhood you already lived in or a completely new place? What factors did you consider when choosing your neighborhood (schools, commute time, etc.)? What did you gain or lose when you bought your first home?


text:
Savoy hotels distinguished with World Luxury Hotel Award
With the closing of another year of immense work and great challenges at the Savoy Hotels & Resorts, we are indeed very proud to announce that our dedicated joint teamwork efforts and determination to succeed have yet again been accredited with international prestigious accolades.
For the consecutive year, both of our hotels, the Royal Savoy and the Savoy Saccharum have been judged the best at the World Luxury Hotels Award 2017, consolidating our acclaimed reputation as leaders in the art of warm hospitality. The announcement was made at the gala ceremony, which took place on 2nd December, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in the following categories:
• Luxury Island Resort
• Luxury Family Resort
• Luxury New Hotel
The World Luxury Hotel Awards is an international organization that selects and distinguishes hotel establishments and organizations that exceed the limits of excellence in the Tourism Industry through votes that run online for several months. Therefore, it is with immense pride that in such a highly competitive global industry, our hotels are distinguished and recognised for our ability to deliver a paramount level of service excellence and superior quality accommodation synonymous to Savoy Hotels & Resorts.


text:
Friday, May 30; the day that my website goes live!! I am so proud to introduce you to Island Weddings and Events. A dream come true.
A mile stone which only was possible because of the great support and assistance of friends, many whom I worked closely with over the past years and I hope to introduce to you soon! Living and working on an Island you do get to know the people who are there for you and you can count on.
I can only express my gratitude, your words, action and support have helped me through a very difficult time. But as said: " Everything happens for a reason!"
Special thanks to Rebecca Davidson, Janet Jarchow, David and Melissa Wolfe for their great pictures!


text:
Guidance & Support Tools
SMP Committee
Published: Dec 13, 2012
507 Pages
All available Translations
Guide to Practice Management for Small- and Medium-Sized Practices
Third Edition
This guide provides guidance to small- and medium-sized practices on how to better manage their practice and ultimately operate in a safe, profitable, and professional manner. The publication includes practice management principles and best practices on a comprehensive range of topics, including strategic planning, managing staff, client relationship management, and succession planning. It features case studies to illustrate the concepts, checklists and forms, a list of further readings, and modules that may be used for training and education.
See also the Companion Manual to the Guide on how member bodies and other professional accountancy organizations can make the best use of the Guide.
Copyright © 2019 The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). All rights reserved.
Related Resources
- Visit the Global Knowledge Gateway for more practice management resources
- 2015 MIA-IFAC Regional SMP Forum
- Companion Manual: Guide to Practice Management for SMPs
- Companion Manual: Updated to Include the Guide to Compilation Engagements
- IFAC Publishes IAASB and IESBA Question and Answer Documents in Spanish
Find more publications & resources related to:
guidance, practice management, SMP/SME
You must be signed in to the IFAC website in order to submit a comment. If you do not have an account, please register below. IFAC respects your privacy and will not send you unsolicited email or spam. You can subscribe to IFAC publications, change your subscription preferences, or manage your user profile at any time.


text:
Consultations & Appointments
Consultations and treatments take place at the White Willow Natural Therapy Centre in College Road, Eastbourne. This is an established clinic which offers the privacy and comfort that you would expect from a private practice.
All information, provided by you or discussed during the sessions, (including test results) will remain strictly confidential and will only be shared with other Health Practitioners with your consent. This includes your GP or other professionals with whom you may be receiving treatment.
Initial Consultation
Personalised Plan
Personalised Plan Follow up Consultation
Follow up Appointments (as required)
Continuing Care Package
Comprises prenatal Dru yoga, gentle restorative massage, and relaxation therapies.
Prenatal yoga can be arranged as private, couples or small group sessions.
Please see Therapies and Yoga Sections for individual rates of payment.
* Payment is required via bank transfer or card payment to cover the time taken to produce your personalised plan. We regret that no refund is available once the transfer has been made as the plan will be based upon your unique situation.
However, in the happy event that you receive a positive pregnancy test before your follow up consultation 50% of your investment can be redeemed with therapies or personalised yoga as part of the pre-natal Continuing Care Package. (Please see above).
If this would lighten your fertility journey and help you to prioritise your energy in taking the best care of yourself and your partner, we look forward to hearing from you.
Essense Fertility is a service provided by Essense Holistic and as such, makes no claim to increase your likelihood of becoming pregnant. The intention is not to mislead or make decisions for you, but to give you the information to the best of our ability to help you make informed choices for yourselves.
Guidance given within this website does not take in to account your personal medical history. Essense Holistic is not responsible for any of the decisions that you choose to make and you may need to consult with your health practitioner.